UFC 110: Lightning Jack

Paul Hogan strode to the podium, cracked open a Foster's, grinned at the camera and said "Who's dead now mate." Winked and disappeared in a puff of smoke.

Te Huna vs. Pokrajac

I don't pretend to know. Momentum seems to be behind Te Huna. I take him by 1st round TKO.

Dolloway vs. Reljic

Dolloway is the physical manifestation of Public Enemy's declaration, "Don't Believe the Hype!" The dude might tap to the game of Twister. Reljic is also an outstanding athlete but he has been sidelined by injuries and disinterest. Reljic has been the better fighter in the past but I am wary of fights back from back injuries so I will say Dolloway by decision. I don't know though.

Lytle vs. Foster

Foster...in Australia?? Great. It is no secret that I can't root against Chris Lytle. Can I pull for him? Hmm.. Chris Lytle is a very skilled striker and grappler, but he has traded in this skill for big fight of the night payouts. For those who don't know, fight of the night in the UFC means best appoximation of a toughman contest. Lytle obliges. And why not? He gets the money for it. If he fights in that fashion in Australia he is going to get smacked around by Foster who has power and wrestling. If Lytle decides to get his black-belt and pro-boxing experience out of storage he can win this decision. If not? Chunder!

Bonnar vs. Soszynski

Bonnar was a fighter that I thought had a lot of upside. He was a gold-glove boxer with a Gracie black-belt. He is obviously technically proficient. Where has that gone? His trainer, Carlson Gracie, dying might be to blame. A naturally low ceiling might be a bigger factor. He might have been an average fighter from the get go. That isn't shameful, it just means he isn't going anywhere. Soszynski isn't a bag full of talent either but he is a good fighter, and a smart fighter who knows his strengths. He is a more physical fighter and I think it will show in this fight as he beats on Bonnar for a TKO in the 3rd.

Filipovic vs. Perosh

Filipovic's opponent, Ben Rothwell, had to bow out of the competition this week. In steps Persoh. Down goes Perosh. The downfall of Cro-Cop has been sad to watch but this fight won't be. As weird as Filipovic's performances have been recently, something strange could happen, but I see a return to highlight real dominance for Filipovic with a KO in the 1st.

Jardine vs. Bader

I think there are truths to both sides on Jardine's striking; It is effective, sometimes, in its awkwardness. It is also technically unsound. Jardine is a hard opponent, but I see Bader tooling him for some reason. Bader has an explosive double leg and the wrestler's solid 1-2. I think he lands the straight right on Jardine and also takes him down for damage. Bader by TKO in the 2nd.

Stevenson vs. Sotiropoulos

Who ccan't like Joe Stevenson. He is very likable. A good fighter, who goes hard, but he couldn't cut it against the top guys. Greg Jackson in his corner is a help. Sotiropoulos is part of the Purebred family so it is also hard for me to come out against him. I was very impressd by Sotiropoulos's dedication to training during his time on TUF. While other people were exchanging body fluids, he was running sprints in the back yard. Both fighters are superb grapplers, so this should be a good fight that should go to a decision. I am being provocative and calling it for Sotiropoulos. 大和多魂。　

Silva vs. Bisping

I have said it a bunch, I just don't buy into Bisping as a top level fighter. I think Silva lays it on him. I think Silva devastates him. Hooks and knees from the clinch. Silva KO in the 1st.

Nogueira vs. Velasquez

I am going to be honest, this could go either way. I think the real key is going to be whether Velasquez can base out on Nogueira's sweep attempts and maintain his balance. If so, I think he can ride it out to a decision. If not then I think Nogueira can maintain top position. Nogueira deserves every bit of his legacy and is still a relevant fighter. I would love to see him win. Velasquez is a great up and comer. He has amazing skills and dedication. It would be great to see him win. A toss up. Velasquez's take-down, stamina and balance, earn him a decision.

There it is Linda Kozlowski. Fax it to Arash with a cc to Amy Chavez. Put in your milk money.

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Ms. Chavez, Back At It

I think we should start treating Amy Chavez like that elephant who they have trained to paint pictures. The only real difference is that the elephant has some degree of natural talent. Maybe we should regard what happens in her head as what happens when monkeys throw shit around the zoo. The only problem with that is that monkeys are entertaining and the shit has a random chance of forming some kind of pattern or making sense. If Ms. Chavez were to be a competent writer I would have issues with her over her ignorance and her willingness to view Japan as a pre-constructed stereotype rather than experience it herself. Unfortunately Ms. Chavez is decidedly untalented and yet is paid by the Japan Times to conduct a monkey shit fight with herself on the pages of their newspaper. I don't know Amy, what would it be like if Hello Kitty went shopping? What is it like when you buy jeans? Great story pitch.

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Tojinbo. Fukui. Japan

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Eiheiji. Fukui. Japan

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Eiheiji. Fukui-ken. February 2010

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Christian Founders?

I came across this NY Times article this weekend and apparently it has been getting a good deal of attention since. That, I am sure, has no relation to me looking at it however.

I had read before about how Texas controls what goes in most American textbooks. That is unfortunate. This article seemed especially timely coming on the heels of Howard Zinn's recent departure for the big protest in the sky.

As it is a broad, big article, I have many thoughts on the content within. At this moment I would just like to pose two of them.


1. Even if the entire reason for the founding of America was the creation of a Christian nation (and lets not kid ourselves, the only reason "Judeo" is tacked on there is because the conservatives understand who they can afford as enemies.) is that, rationally, the best course for a modern, stable democracy? If you want to test that just substitute any religion for Christianity and I think you get the answer. No one wants to live under a government designed to enforce a religion they are not a participant in. Well, there might be someone somewhere, but it would seem more like a fetish than a brave stance.

2. If we accept that all of the founders believed themselves to be Christian, do their actions hold them up as Christians? For example, say I am going to found my own country in my basement. My country's motto will be "For the upliftment of Christ." Our constitution will forbid all non-Christians and our laws will be the Ten Commandments. Another thing we will do in my country is murder children. I don't mean that in an abstract way. Some of the citizens might just be rapists, but a lot of them will also murder children. They will murder old people too. Sometimes they will wantonly kill adults as well, but the children thing seems the most notable. Could anyone pretend that that was a Christian nation? Even if it called itself "Make No Mistake We Are Chritian-sylvania"?

I would think the answer to number two is clearly no. And it seems ridiculous but is it any different from what the people in this article are saying? The U.S. is a Christian nation but had legal slavery participated in by its most notable aristocrats for hundreds of years. Slavery, of course involves rape and murder, I don't think I am being controversial in saying that. Of course you could point out that slavery wasn't that frowned upon in many nations in history that considered themselves Christian. Sure, but could anyone make a real go of it with that argument about America now? So, to me, any argument that the U.S. was founded as a Christian nation is a silly rhetorical trick that cares little about actual history or political/theological/philosophical thought. A Christian nation in the midst of a genocide be it of Africans or Natives is a mockery of both religion and government. If that is truly the argument they are going with, then the textbooks should ask the question; Why were the founders such absolute, pathetic failures?

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Language is Retarded

Or should I say that it can be retarded when we attempt to police it too vigorously. On the whole, I agree with this article in the Washingon Post. I understand that the word is hurtful to some people and that some other people intend it to be hurtful towards people who don't deserve it. The main point to me is that, no matter what we change the correct, defensible term to, it will be offensive to people in 50 or so years. I am not trying to advocate a cavalier attitude, declaring that any concern for other's feelings is "PC" and that we should all just say whatever comes into our heads. One should recognize their audience and sensitivities and think about what they say and the effect that it can have. That being said, I don't think I have associated the word "retarded" with mental illness since grade school. By the same token I haven't associated "gay" with being happy in......ever. Gay clearly means two guys who are retarded for each other. Of course guys can also be retarded for girls and vice-versa. Opposing same-sex relationships on the other hand is severely retarded. I might even call it mongoloid if that was in the vernacular. But it is not as mongoloid as any another outdated retarded medical term used to discuss morons. I was discussing this queer terminology with my octoroon buddy the other day. I should point out that he has some stake in this whole name game as he is half. I mean, they are double. Which is it? The whole concept is dumb. But motherfuckers get riled up about it. They get on the war path. You know, like Indians. I guess the imagery I am going for is like...you know....India fighting over Kashmir. On the war path as it were. Not that I want war. We will achieve peace. Lord willing and the Creek don't rise and all. As long as our allies don't Welsh on their obligations or Jew us around like Indian givers. Wait. That sounds offensive. This resurgence of saying things like "I've been Jewed" really needs to quit. How would our JAP friends feel about it. It is too much for me to sort out. At least its only a few weeks until spring training so I can start rooting for the Braves again, and looking forward to who the Redskins will draft. Fo'shizzle my nizzle. Try not to be niggardly with your comments. Oh my gosh. I can't believe I typed the word "niggardly." I hope no one is offended. Being offended is so gay. What a gyp.

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