In a speech over the weekend Ann Coulter called Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards a “faggot”. Actually she said “I was going to have a few comments on the other Democratic presidential candidate, John Edwards, but it turns out that you have to go into rehab if you use the word ‘faggot’…”

Ann, you media whore b#tch. What the hell are you trying to do? Even I was offended, and I am not gay, but I am a Republican.
I don’t think there is any time, in politics, when it is ok to insult a large group of people just to get publicity. It is low brow and should be reserved for Will Ferrel movies. Do you think insulting the gay population will get the Republicans more votes?

Less publicized was her response. In an email to the New York Times she said, “C’mon, It was a joke. I would never insult gays by suggesting that they are like John Edwards. That would be mean.”

Ok Ann, thats better. Now why don’t you go attack the victims of Hurricane Katrina or something.

Just heard this and had to get it out there. I for one am very relieved that it didn’t drag out too long.
Now he can break Marino’s record and if Ted Thompson gets him some help, maybe a run in the playoffs.
What do you think? Post your opinion in the comments.
Go Colts! (lesser of 2 evils)
OOS

• If you watch ESPN at all today you are going to see the Bob Knight slap of a player that happened last night.  While I don’t think it is ok to hit your players, this is going to be blown way out of proportion by ESPN.  It isn’t as big of a deal as they will make it.  Get over it, he didn’t roundhouse the kid.  He needed to get his attention.
• The Brewers are rumored to be interested in Dave Roberts and Juan Pierre as free agents to play CF and bat leadoff.  Roberts is a great player who is a proven veteran and great clubhouse presence.  He could hold down the position until Tony Gwynn Jr. is ready to start in two years.  Pierre is overpriced and overrated.  Buyer Beware with him.
• The Brewers have also reportedly been in talks with the Baltimore Orioles about SP Rodrigo Lopez.  Rumor is the Orioles have asked about Geoff Jenkins and Kevin Mench.  Lopez is nothing special but if we can dump Jenkins salary or Mench’s lack of talent on them this isn’t such a bad deal.
• Baseball’s GM’s are meeting this week.  Look for the Crew to make some sort of move in the next few days.
• The Packers are 4-5 with the Patriots, Seahawks and Jets the next three weeks.  If they can win two of those three games they can make the playoffs.  (I said “if” not they will)
• The Wisconsin Badgers are ranked #9 in the BCS standings.  Their only loss came to BCS #2 Michigan.  If Michigan beats Ohio State Saturday, all Badger fans will say “Oh, what could have been”.  Remember they led Michigan at halftime of that game.  Great Job by Brett Bielema, the first Big Ten coach ever to win 10 games in his first year.  Plus this team has only 12 seniors, four of which are starters.  2007 anyone?
• If you like college football, make sure to tune in to Ohio State vs. Michigan on Saturday.  #1 vs #2.  Both Big Ten teams.  I can’t wait.  Peace-OOS.

WTMJ was proud to project Kathleen Falk as the winner in the Attorney General election at about 8:15 last night with a whopping 2% of the vote counted.  Did the media not learn from 2000 or 2004 that projecting a winner too early is just stupid.  If we based the results on the media’s projections then Al Gore or John Kerry would be president or both.  Luckily when I awoke this morning I saw that J.B. Van Hollen was actually the winner.

So to get a head start on the 2008 election, based on our own exit polls, OOS is proud to project that our next president is … (hell you fill in the blank, I can’t even come up with a punch line for that)

In other election news:

Arizona passed English as its official language, 74%-26%.  Only 74%?

Nevada shot down a marijuana Legalization bill.  If that can’t pass in Nevada, it isn’t passing anywhere.

South Dakota said no to allowing anyone with a debilitating medical condition to grow no more than 6 marijuana plants.

Ohio did not pass a bill to allow slot machines at nine venues, seven of which were existing race tracks.  Thirty percent of revenue from these slot machines would have went to educational scholarship and grant programs.  Another eight percent of revenue would have went to economic relief in the towns the slots were located.  Ohio has a very repressed economy and this would have been a good thing for a majority of the citizens, but what the hell, vote no for education and economic assistance.

Before I get to this week’s picks lets go back over the standings from last week.
OOS 11-3
Dog 10-4
Peter King 8-6
1994 Quarter 7-7

As you can see my picks are clearly superior to Peter King’s. By the way, this is the funniest thing I read all week about Peter King. Norman Chad, syndicated columnist and TV host of the WSOP, wrote that Peter King hasn’t gotten a scoop since his last trip to Baskin Robbins. You can see from his record of 8-6 last week that it must be true.

Fuzz joins the party with his picks this week.

Cincinnati at Tampa Bay
Peter King- Tampa Bay
Quarter- Tampa Bay
Fuzz- Tampa Bay
Dog- Cincinnati
OOS- Cincinnati
How many parole officers have to be called before the Bengals go to a road game? Six or Seven?

Buffalo at Detroit
Peter King- Detroit
Quarter- Buffalo
Fuzz- Buffalo
Dog- Detroit
OOS- Buffalo
Detroit, you are 0-5, don’t screw that up.

NY Giants at Atlanta
Peter King- Atlanta
Quarter- NY Giants
Fuzz- NY Giants
Dog- Atlanta
OOS- NY Giants
Tough game to pick, Atlanta is overrated and the Giants defense is terrible.

Philadelphia at New Orleans
Peter King- Eagles
Quarter- Saints
Fuzz- Eagles
Dog-
OOS- Eagles
Almost picked New Orleans, but McNabb is playing too well for a letdown now.

Seattle at St. Louis
Peter King- Seattle
Quarter- Rams
Fuzz- Seattle
Dog- Rams
OOS- Seattle
I really want to pick St. Louis, but almost losing to the Packers is forcing me to pick Seattle.

Carolina at Baltimore
Peter King- Ravens
Quarter- Panthers
Fuzz- Ravens
Dog- Panthers
OOS- Ravens
Ravens bounce back from a tough game last week against the Broncos.

Tennessee at Washington
Peter King- Washington
Quarter- Washington
Fuzz- Washington
Dog- Washington
OOS- Washington
Still no respect for the Titans.

Houston at Dallas
Peter King- Dallas
Quarter- Texans
Fuzz- Dallas
Dog- Dallas
OOS- Texans
This would be my upset special pick, I really think the Texans win this game.

San Diego at San Francisco
Peter King- Chargers
Quarter- Chargers
Fuzz- Chargers
Dog-
OOS- Chargers
San Diego…Super-Chargers!

Miami at NY Jets
Peter King- Dolphins
Quarter- Dolphins
Fuzz- Dolphins
Dog- Jets
OOS- J-E-T-S, JETS, JETS, JETS

Kansas City at Pittsburgh
Peter King- Steelers
Quarter- Chiefs
Fuzz- Chiefs
Dog- Steelers
OOS- Steelers
Damon Huard isn’t that good, right?

Oakland at Denver
Peter King- Broncos
Quarter- Broncos
Fuzz- Broncos
Dog- Broncos
OOS- Broncos
With the first pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, the Oakland Raiders select…Troy Smith (Brady Quinn?)

Chicago at Arizona
Peter King- Bears
Quarter- Bears
Fuzz- Bears
Dog- Bears
OOS- Bears
What will Paris Hilton be thinking when Brian Urlacher sacks Matt Leinart?

So the finals are in and as it turns out the quarter isn’t the best way to pick NFL winners.
Here were the final results.
OOS 11-3
Dog 10-4
Peter King 8-6
1994 Quarter 7-7

Not bad for the fuzzmartin staff. Peter King needs to work a little harder. And with a quarter it looks like you have a 50-50 chance.

Every week I read the so-called experts picks for the NFL games. And every week it seems to me that a blind dog could do better. So I am going to do a little experiment this week. I am going to present to you, an expert’s picks, my picks and teams picked by a coin flip. Which is better? I am betting on the coin. For the coin I will flip and Head=Home Team, Tails=Away Team.

Buffalo at Chicago
My pick: Da Bears
Peter King (of SI): Chicago
1994 Quarter: Chicago

Cleveland at Carolina
My Pick: Carolina
King: Carolina
1994 Quarter: Carolina
(editor’s note: so far this isn’t going so well, hopefully it improves)

Detroit at Minnesota
My Pick: Detroit
King: Minnesota
1994 Quarter: Minnesota (seems like the quarter is stuck on home teams, like King)

Miami at New England
My Pick: N.E.
King: N.E.
1994 Quarter: N.E. (That is 4 heads in a row)

St. Louis at Green Bay
My Pick: Rams
King: Packers
1994 Quarter: Packers (seriously, that is 5 in a row)

Tennessee at Indianapolis
My Pick: Colts
King: Colts
1994 Quarter: Titans (bad time to get tails, stupid quarter)

Tampa Bay at New Orleans
My Pick: Saints
King: Saints
1994 Quarter: Tampa Bay

Washington at Giants
My Pick: Giants
King: Washington
1994 Quarter: Washington

K.C. at Arizona
My Pick: Chiefs
King: Arizona
1994 Quarter: Chiefs

Jets at Jacksonville
My Pick: Jets
King: Jacksonville
1994 Quarter: Jets

Oakland at San Francisco
My Pick: San Francisco but who cares really?
King: Oakland
1994 Quarter: San Francisco

Dallas at Philadelphia
My Pick: Eagles
King; Dallas
1994 Quarter: Dallas

Pittsburgh at San Diego
My Pick: SuperChargers
King: Chargers
1994 Quarter: Pittsburgh

Baltimore at Denver
My Pick: Ravens
King: Ravens
1994 Quarter: Broncos

Come back Tuesday for the standings. I am real interested to see how this works out. Maybe next week we can do it again and see how Fuzz does. But judging by his fantasy team, he won’t do very well. Who’s 4-0? Oh yeah, that would be me.
Peace, OOS.

Okay, I have a few things to get off my chest this week.  As usual, feel free to leave your gripes on the message board. 

- First of all, I have to start with the sentencing of Mark Fainaru-Wada and Lance Williams.  These are the two men who broke the BALCO story and wrote the book “Game of Shadows”.  They could receive up to 18 months in prison for contempt of court for refusing to testify and reveal their sources.  The explanation from the court is that “Nobody is above the Law”.  

These are two men who did the public a service by breaking this story and brining it to the nation’s attention.  They are not the law breakers everyone is looking for, the steroid users and dealers are the real enemy.  They were able to do what an $18 million government investigation has been unable to do.  They found the guilty parties.  Now while they toil in prison the real criminals will continue distributing, using and selling illegal drugs.  Oh, and playing major league baseball. 

This country was founded on the 1st Amendment and from its infancy investigative reporting has helped to shape, inform and protect its citizens.  Thirty states have laws protecting journalists from revealing their sources.  Without reporters like this we wouldn’t know about things like Watergate.  Did they break the law?  Yes.  Do they deserve to go to prison? No.  I realize this may be a controversial opinion, and would love to hear your thoughts. 

#2 Michelle Wie keeps playing in men’s PGA Tournament events.  I hate to say it but I think you need to prove yourself before taking on the men in a PGA Tournament event.  Wie has yet to win on the Women’s Tour, what qualifies her to play on the Men’s?  She is 16 and competing with the top 2% of golfers in the world.  Tiger Woods didn’t win until he was 21 on the men’s tour.  Go back to and play in the LPGA and in 5 years if you are good enough, come back and try again. 

#3 Forbes Magazine released its list of the 400 Richest American’s today.  I am just pissed I am not on it, again. 

#4 Sunday NFL games not in Hi-definition.  How is it that any NFL game can be broadcast without Hi-definition?  I don’t understand this concept.  If public television can produce all their shows in Hi-def, why can’t the NFL mandate that all its affiliates do the same?  It just seems like a waste to me. 

Thanks, please leave your comments.  -OOS 

If you are not a baseball fan or an avid ESPN watcher you may not be familiar with Peter Gammons’ work.  Gammons had an aneurysm the morning of June 27th and has been in rehabilitation since.  He will finally return to ESPN’s Baseball Tonight telecast tonight, live from Fenway Park.

Gammons has been a baseball writer for almost 40 years, mostly covering the Red Sox in his native New England.  Since ESPN started hiring local writers and turning them into national reporters, Peter Gammons has been the best of the best.  He is a great writer and an icon in Major League Baseball.  His writing is defined by his love of all things baseball. 

Welcome back Peter!  You have been missed.

I am attaching his Hall of Fame induction speech for anyone that would like to read it.  It is compelling reading for baseball fans.

Gammons HOF Speech

I just have a couple of things I would like to get off my chest. Anyone else? We all have things to complain about, feel free to leave them in the comments section. –OOS

-When did it become “cool” for guys to look like chicks? If you are wearing a polo shirt, put the collar down! And make sure it fits. Why are men wearing shirts bought in the kiddy department. And this should be a man law- No makeup. If you are wearing mascara or eye liner, then put on a skirt and high heels too.

-Wauwatosa’s no smoking law in bars and restaurants. I am ok with a particular establishment going non-smoking, the owner should have the right to decide what is best for his/her clientele. But having a local government tell you what you can or cannot do in your establishment is un-American. Stop them from selling booze too while you are at it. Of course I am speaking about things within reason, obviously you can’t do anything.

-A company should not be allowed to layoff employees during Employee Appreciation Week. Period. This is a no-brainer. It makes the company looks stupid and insensitive. Thanks for all your hard work, now pack up and get out.

-Passing on the right, especially at red lights. You know the guy who can’t wait behind one car at a red light. So he gets in the right turn lane and accelerates 4 seconds before the light changes so he can beat everyone off the line and merge over. I hate them. I have dreams about these drivers not being allowed to merge and slamming into a parked car.

-Complainers. Get it, funny.

ESPN.com is reporting that the Milwaukee Brewers have traded slugger Carlos Lee along with AAA prospect Nelson Cruz to the Texas Rangers for 4 players. Reportedly the Brewers will receive outfielders Laynce Nix and Kevin Mench, along with pitchers Francisco Cordero and Julian Cordero.

Editorial Analysis: A desperate move by a desperate team. This would have been a decent trade if it did not include Nelson Cruz. But the Brewers give up their best player, Lee, and arguably their best prospect in Nelson Cruz. Cruz was hitting over .300 with 20 homeruns at AAA. The only way I can justify this trade is if Doug Melvin has another deal lined up to trade Geoff Jenkins, Brady Clark and/or Mench. Horrible trade and a terrible sign to the Brewers Fans. Brewers fans have been patient and supportive of this organization and today they all just got punched in the gut.

Straight from the “Shocking News” department, Lance Bass of N’SYNC has told cnn.com that he is gay.  Not that there is anything wrong with that.

He reportedly hid it all these years to protect the careers of his band mates in N’SYNC.  Well, congratulations Lance, now that you aren’t relevant it is ok to admit it.

ESPN has reported that Brett Favre told Ted Thompson and Mike McCarthy that he will return for the 2006 NFL Season.  Still awaiting confirmation is the rumor that Favre will only return as starting right guard.

 

First, I have to apologize for not writing more, life can be hectic.

Second, I am retiring.  Unless Fuzz Martin makes a “Reggie White” type signing, I am gone.  Well, maybe I will be back.  I just don’t know.  Tomorrow at 9am, listen to my press conference.  It will be Seinfeld-esque, as in “about nothing”.  Too bad I don’t have a roster bonus due. 

Brett, please just make a decision!  You are starting to get as annoying as Terrell Owens.  I am to the point I am sick of seeing you on TV.  Just pick one, play or retire.

Great point though on saturday.  You are right, everyone should focus on baseball.

Go Brewers!

-OOS

I have a sickness.  My hands are clammy, my head hurts and I can’t sit still.  I have March Madness.  In a few short days I will be sitting in my living room with 4 tv’s, some friends, beer and hi-speed internet access to place bets on Cinderella teams.  I am thinking of placing a blog on fuzzmartin.com so you too can know what it is like to live and die by teams rarely seen on tv in the midwest.

Given that, here are my favorites in the NCAA Tournament.

Atlanta Regional:

To win- Duke over West Virginia.  I know, I hate Duke too, but I don’t see them losing until the Final Four.  West Virginia has the easiest path to the Elite Eight of anyone in the tourney.

UPSET ALERT: Texas A&M over Syracuse.  Syracuse will run out of miracles and McNamara has to be tired of winning all those games.

Oakland Regional:

To win-Gonzaga over Bucknell.  That’s right I picked Bucknell and I will be wagering on them too.

UPSET ALERT: Bucknell to the Elite Eight.

DC Regional:

To win-UCONN over UNC.  UCONN is too good to be denied and UNC is getting better as the season goes on.

UPSET ALERT: UAB over Kentucky and Utah St. over Washington.  Ever since I picked Washington to win it all 2 years ago they have underachieved.  You won’t fool me this year Washington! (which means they will probably make the Final Four)

Minneapolis Regional:

To win-Florida over Villanova.  Florida has the 2nd easiest run to the Final Four.  Nova is depending on their 4 guards to carry them, unfortunately it won’t be enough.

UPSET ALERT: UWM over Oklahoma, this should be a great game.  Northern Iowa over Georgetown.  Montana over Nevada.  The upsets enable Florida to cruise to the Final Four.

Final Four: Duke, Florida, UCONN and Gonzaga.

My pick to win: UCONN, go Big East.

 

What a party this was! I can’t believe I missed it. Click http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=404718 to read the local paper’s rundown of events. Hilarious reading. I have been to some major bashes in my day but never at a place as nice as the Milwaukee Art Museum. What were they thinking? $30 for all the martinis you can drink! Who thinks that is a good idea? I would expect some “art loving” with that kind of deal. This is an actual quote from one patron, “Yes, I would like a twelfth martini. Now I am going to piss on that Gauguin.”