In a brave move, the Canadian Immigration and Refugee Board has rejected U.S. deserter Jeremy Hinzman's attempt to obtain refugee protection in their country.

Canada rightfully rejects U.S. deserter (The Australian)

Evidently, there are nearly 100 American, Iraq War deserters seeking safe haven in Canada.  While liberals would argue that this is indeed "patriotic", I argue that, simply, it is not.  Deserting is anything but patriotic.  It is a dispicable act.  Being an American soldier, and indeed a soldier in any army, domestic or foreign, comes before one's personal beliefs and political ideologies.  Once you take that oath, you uphold it until fulfilled is your obligation for fighting for your country.

My hope is that Private Hinzman - whether his appeal is granted or not - one day realizes the gravity of his actions.

If only I could make this stuff up!  If I had the ability to dream all of this up, I definitely wouldn't be sitting here, bored at work, typing mindlessly away at my keyboard.  Haha!  You'd all have to pay me for it, and I'd be independently wealthy.  Beers on me!  Woohoo!  :)

Sperm-heist: man sues ex-lover over surprise pregnancy and wins
"She asserts that when plaintiff 'delivered' his sperm, it was a gift — an absolute and irrevocable transfer of title to property from a donor to a donee," the decision said. "There was no agreement that the original deposit would be returned upon request."  ;) Spit or Swallow?  Guys, make sure she swallows.

Monk mistakes glue for eye drops and seals eyes shut
Doctors have partially restored the sight of an 81-year-old Buddhist monk who accidentally glued his eyes shut when he mistook a tube of superglue for eye drops.  Silly monk!

Today, I'll give the keeper rosters of the third and final division (The BCCD Division) in my 12-owner fantasy baseball league, The League of Champions.  Check these two links for the previous keeper-roster instal lments:  Phil Nevin Division and Southeast Division, respectively.

Now, onto the fun...

The BCCD Division:

Manager 9's Keepers: (2004 Wild-Card)
Bobby Abreu OF --- $37
Matt Clement SP --- $15
Derrek Lee 1B --- $15
Livan Hernandez SP --- $8
Jon Lieber SP --- $7
Cesar Izturis SS --- $3
Willy Mo Pena OF --- $3
B.J. Ryan RP --- $3
Jayson Werth OF --- $3
David Wright 3B --- $3
Jaret Wright SP --- $3
=$100

Manager 10's Keepers: (was a division winner in 2004)
Miguel Tejada SS --- $34
Chipper Jones 3B/OF --- $32
Jason Schmidt SP --- $26
Brad Lidge RP --- $3
Brandon Inge C/3B --- $3
=$98

Manager 11's Keepers: (finished 12th overall last year :( )
Mike Lowell 3B --- $16
Mark Prior SP --- $15
Joe Nathan RP --- $13
Dontrelle Willis SP --- $7
Michael Young SS --- $7
Rod Barajas C --- $3
Chad Cordero RP --- $3
Pedro Feliz 1B/3B --- $3
Steve Finley OF --- $3
Lew Ford OF --- $3
Jose Guillen OF --- $3
Orlando Hudson 2B --- $3
Matt Lawton OF --- $3
Jason Marquis SP --- $3
Yadier Molina C --- $3
Alexis Rios OF --- $3

Manager 12's Keepers: (finished last in my division last year)
Carl Pavano SP --- $19
Eric Gagne RP --- $15
Aubrey Huff 3B/OF --- $15
Javy Lopez C --- $9
Kelvim Escobar SP --- $9
Melvin Mora 3B --- $7
Cliff Lee SP --- $7
Dallas McPherson 3B --- $3
Scott Kazmir SP --- $3
Guillermo Mota RP --- $3

Well, there you have it.  Our draft is this Saturday, so I'll post my entire 25-man roster on Monday probably.  I feel pretty optimistic about my chances now that I have last year's draft under my belt!

Pressing Mr. Putin to mend his ways

Democrat or Autocrat?  I prefer neither, actually.  Mr. Putin - an ex-KGB officer - is skillful at taking up either role to manipulate the US and EU and play both sides against one another.  In the wake of 9/11, he was outwardly helpful and supportive of aiding the US in crushing terrorism wherever it is found; however, in the run-up to Operation Enduring Freedom and since the invasion, he has stood strong with France and Germany in opposing it.

Now, Vladimir Putin has stomped out an independent press as well as a vital opposition to his politics and dismantled Yukos.  Not to mention, his government is slated to send nuclear fuel to Iran and sell weapons to Syria. 

***(Oh, but don't worry, Iran has "agreed" to send all spent nuclear fuel back to Russia for storage in Siberia.  Hmm...Chew on this thought:  my guess is that Russia will, conveniently for Iran, change its tone and policy towards Iran itself or Syria, for example, after a sufficient number of nuclear fuel shipments have taken place, just enough to appease the West and simultaneously afford Iran the justification to pull out of its deal with Russia and decide to not send the spent nuclear fuel back.  And, born from all of this will be a rogue, Islamic state with a nuclear weapon and know-how and fuel to produce more.  Heck, maybe they will even sell one to a band of thugs called "al-Qaeda" or another rogue state called "Syria"!)***

So, now, one day before President GWB calls on him in Slovakia, what  things do you think Mr. Putin is mulling in his head?  What do you think have been the intentions of his recent authoritarian actions?  What is he trying to draw out of the US and its President? 

In a broader context, it is as simple as that old Motown favorite: R-E-S-P-E-C-T.     

Kim Jung-il reverses, willing to come to the negotiating table

Shadowy North Korea's mighty little ruler, Kim Jung-il, is back to his old tricks it seems.  In today's press, Kim says that he never opposed six-party talks to defuse his country's nuclear predicament.  Huh?  Wait a minute oh Supreme One! 

What about just a couple weeks ago when you "stunned" the world with your announcement of possessing nuclear weapons and shunning the six-party talks???

Clearly, North Korea's antics aren't the entire problem.  If anything, most might conclude that they are simply meant to frustrate and confuse.  I, on the other hand, don't give Kim that much credit.  I think his antics are a true embodiment of not only his mental capacity but of the state of his country as well.  Famine.  Poverty.  Disease.

Mind-boggling is the fact that someone of his beleaguered conditio n also possesses nuclear weapons.  If diplomacy will not work (and in the past it has shown to be fruitless), intelligence gathering and strategic planning for a regime change must be ramped up.  The world is a safer (and healthier) place without Kim Jung-il.  North Koreans, like the Iraqis, deserve far better. 

I apologize to any and everyone who is actually keeping up with my fantasy baseball posts; I meant to post the keeper rosters of the teams of the Southeast Division in my league a few days ago.  But, alas, here it is some days later, and I'm just now getting around to it!  If you missed the first post where I listed the keepers my division, go here:  "Phil Nevin" Division

The Southeast Division:

Manager 5's Keepers: (2004 League Champ)
Albert Pujols 1B --- $44
Barry Bonds OF --- $39
Miguel Cabrera OF --- $7
Brian Roberts 2B --- $3
Eric Byrnes OF --- $3
Nick Swisher OF --- $3
=$99

Manager 6's Keepers: (The lone rookie in our league this year)
Mark Mulder SP --- $37
Jason Isringhausen RP --- $25
Brad Penny SP --- $9
Danny Kolb RP --- $7
Ted Lilly SP --- $4
Jermaine Dye OF --- $3
Lyle Overbay 1B --- $3
Sean Casey 1B --- $3
Doug Davis SP --- $3
=$94

Manager 7's Keepers: (Was a rookie with me last year)
Carlos Beltran OF --- $30
Aramis Ramirez 3B --- $21
Jimmy Rollins SS --- $21
Johan Santana SP --- $15
Jeremy Bonderman SP --- $3
Gavin Floyd SP --- $3
Jeremy Reed OF --- $3
Juan Uribe 2B --- $3
=$99

Manager 8's Keepers:
Josh Beckett SP --- $23
Vernon Wells OF --- $15
Jason Bay OF --- $7
Bobby Crosby SS --- $7
Rich Harden SP --- $7
Trevor Hoffman RP --- $7
David Ortiz 1B --- $7
Jose Reyes 2B --- $7
Garret Atkins 3B --- $3
Clint Barmes SS --- $3
Adrian Beltre 3B --- $3
Justin Morneau 1B --- $3
Oliver Perez SP --- $3
B.J. Upton SS --- $3

There you have it!  Let me know what you think...especially as to how you think they compare to mine.  Next, I'll give the keeper rosters of the third and final division in my league...

I haven't done a "weird news" post in my blog in awhile.  When I saw this story earlier today, I couldn't help but warn our friendly neighbors to the north that might be on the road!

British Columbia Ministry of Transport gives steamy reply to unknowing callers
"Ummm, baby, you've dialed the right number..."

As with most things (hockey, baseball, pollution, etc.), it looks like the mix-up is our fault!

As promised, here is the first installment of what my league looks like going into the draft on FEB 26.  I'll post the other two divisions over the next couple days so stay tuned and tell me what you think! 

Basically, we run a 12-manager, points-only league.  It's also a keeper league, and our keeper-cap is $100.  By whatever amount you fall within the keeper-cap, you get to apply it to your overall salary cap during the season.  We have 3 divisions and compete head-to-head from week to week.  And, our playoffs are 2-week matchups between the winners of each division and a wild-card.   

The "Phil Nevin" Division (strange, I know):

PeterVladimir's Keepers:
Scott Rolen 3B --- $33  & nbsp;   &n bsp;   &nb sp;   &nbs p;
Brad Radke SP --- $16
Jason Varitek C --- $16
Francisco Cordero RP --- $15
Corey Patterson OF --- $8
Aaron Rowand OF --- $3
Mark Bellhorn 2B/3B --- $3
Erubiel Durazo 1B/DH --- $3
Francisco Rodriguez RP --- $3
=$100

Manager 2's Keepers:  (Lost in the League's 2004 "World Series")
Randy Johnson (SP) --- $37
Mark Loretta (2B) --- $22
Victor Martinez (C) --- $15
Mark Teixeira (1B) --- $12
Jake Peavy (SP) --- $7
Danny Graves (RP) --- $3
Michael Cuddyer (3B) --- $3
=$99

Manager 3's Keepers:  (Best Keepers in the League, IMO)
Adam Dunn (OF) --- $27
Ben Sheets (SP) --- $17
Hank Blalock (3B) --- $15
Travis Hafner (1B) --- $10
Carl Crawford (OF) --- $7
Scott Podsednik (OF) --- $7
JD Closser (C) --- $3
Chone Figgins (3B/OF) --- $3
Carlos Guillen (OF) --- $3
=$99

Manager 4's Keepers:  (He has a lot of them!...mostly TRASH except for A-ROD)
Alex Rodriguez (3B) --- $54
Marcus Giles (2B) --- $7
Sidney Ponson (SP) --- $7
Moises Alou (OF) --- $5
Ronnie Belliard (2B) --- $3
Kris Benson (SP) --- $3
Chris Carpenter (SP) --- $3
Johnny Estrada (C) --- $3
Tom Gordon (RP) --- $3
Khalil Greene (SS) --- $3
Orlando Hernandez (SP) --- $3
Ryan Madson (RP) --- $3
Jake Westbrook (SP) --- $3
=$100

STAY TUNED!  I'll post the "Southeast Division" tomorrow probably.  Maybe just maybe later on this afternoon...

A man who genuinely wanted to give something back, to serve his country

Rafik Hariri, former Lebanese Prime Minister and born to a simple farmer, was killed along with 11 others yesterday in an apparent, successful assasination attempt on his life.  Recently, Mr. Hariri resigned his post as PM when Syria influenced the Lebanese Parliament to extend the term of President Emile Lahoud by amending the Constitution.  

Though many Lebanese are suspicious of Syria's involvement in the assasination, a masked terrorist, claiming responsibility for the bombing, said that the act was carried out because of Mr. Hariri's support of the Saudis.

Whatever the outcome, Rafik Hariri should be long remembered for his sincerely genuine contribution to Lebanon's reconstruction.   

Shi'ites go from exclusion to dominance

First and foremost, congratulations to ALL Iraqis - even those Iraqis who are still defiant.  Free elections are a big deal.  Now you have a say in the direction of your government.  No longer can a single voice speak for you all.  You have labored hard, indeed, and the most ardorous are perhaps still ahead of you.  But, the right steps have been taken for your eventual peace and freedom.

The majority Shi'ite constituency knows all too well the mistakes of boycotting, or sitting out, multi-party elections.  1924 and the 80 years that followed bore a particularly painful lesson.  But, now is Iraq's Sunni population making a similar mistake by boycotting recent elections?  I think this question is interesting.  Surely, the Sunnis won't pay for their mistake in the same manner as the Shi'ites under Sadam Hussein's oppressive, tyrannical rule. 

Now, hopefully, democrati c rule has been adopted for the long-haul; however, the Sunnis have much to lose still, considering the run up to the general elections&nb sp;at the end of the year.  The Sunnis could be left out of the fold if they don't accept the fact that the way to be represented is via elections. 

Well, I made some trades for draft picks and players with other managers in my 12-man league, and, since today is my league's official keeper date, I thought I would share my team's keepers for the 2005 season!  Comments are welcome as always.  The number beside each player's name is their "salary" in my league..."The League of Champions"...  We have a keeper-cap of $100.

Scott Rolen ( $33 ) --- 3B, St. Louis Cardinals
Brad Radke ( $16 ) --- SP, Minnesota Twins
Jason Varitek ( $16 ) --- C, Boston Red Sox
Francisco Cordero ( $15 ) --- Closer, Texas Rangers
Corey Patterson ( $8 ) --- OF, Chicago Cubs
Aaron Rowand ( $3 ) --- OF, Chicago White Sox
Mark Bellhorn ( $3 ) --- 2B, Boston Red Sox
Erubiel Durazo ( $3 ) --- DH, Oakland Athletics
Francisco Rodriguez ( $3 ) --- Closer, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

=$100 

Plus, so that you can compare my keepers to other managers' keepers in my league, I will post theirs as they are available.  I submitted my keepers first thing this morning so it may be tonight before everyone else has made theirs known.  In other words, stay tuned!

Virginia one step closer to honoring big-eared bat

Virginia bill sets $50-fine for low-riding pants

Honestly, I don't care for baggy pants at all, especially when they show way more than you, an innocent bystander, ever bargained for. 

And, I support the sensible protection (and, yes, protecting the big-eared bat does sound sensible to me) of any and all endangered species, but wouldn't you think that the Virginia legislature has more pressing things to attend to than bats and low-riding pants???  You wouldn't know it by scanning the headlines in recent days.

After all, that state neighbors the District of Columbia (map) and houses government offices galore!  Conseq uently, and rightly so, big issues such as HOMELAND SECURITY are arguably more important to the state of Virginia than any other state in the Union.

Well, obviously, Virginians and their representatives in the state legislature recognize that there are far more important issues than relatively silly matters like protecting bats and punishing folks for wearing their pants too low; however, much to the chagrin, I'm sure, of VA lawmakers and their constituents, big-eared bats and low-riding pants make the news first!

So, for the sake of balance in news reporting and presenting evidence of the Virginia General Assembly's diligence in tackling the truly important issues of the day, here is a sample of what you won't& nbsp;read about otherwise:

AGRICULTURE, HORTICULTURE AND FOOD
ARMED FORCES
DANGEROUS OR HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES OR CHEMICALS
DANGEROUS WEAPONS
EDUCATION
JUVENILE JUSTICE
LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT
NARCOTICS AND DRUGS
SENIOR CITIZENS
TAXATION
WELFARE

Hudson stoked to be working with King Mazzone

I have to agree with Chipper when he says that the acquisition of Tim Hudson from the American League Oakland Athletics is the biggest move that the Braves' GM has made since bringing Gary Sheffield aboard in 2002. 

And, 'roids-use allegations or not, Sheff is one of my favorite MLB players ever!  He's TOUGH, and I like that.  I just wish economics worked differently so that the Braves could have resigned him after that '03 season.

But, does it trouble anyone else that the Braves sound so upbeat going into Spring Training???  LOL!  Hopefully, the naysayers will emerge soon and pick us to finish last in the NL East so that I can get some rest at night...  Plus, last year, it provided the Braves with a lot of incentive to get 'r done!

I AM A REPUBLICAN, and they absolutely should not fire this guy!

Radical Colorado professor issues defiant speech

Link to video of professor's remarks

Seriously, his academic freedom should be honored to every letter of the law.  Only in great countries like this one --- the same country that propels him towards such sharp disgust --- would his rights and civil liberties (i.e., j-o-b) be upheld.

Only in great lands like America and other Western-minded, democratic, freedom-loving societies can someone like Professor Ward Churchill (whether you agree with him or not) express his views and opinions w/out losing his academic post and quite possibly his LIFE as well. 

In my own opinion, he is a misguided Radical (and I just might conclude that he is "a few bricks shy of a load"), but Republicans must be careful in how they handle this and future situations where their "political capital" (an unfortunate term) clearly p resents a stronger hand.

Republicans in general, but especially neoconservatives and a lot of these "evangelical-elites", must absolutely be mindful that power doesn't stay with the same party or ideals forever.  Some measure of caution must be observed, or the power pendelum  WILL swing the other way quicker than "normal" as a direct consequence of being over zealous.

Wisdom, Justice, and MODERATION. 

What do they all have in common???  LMAO!  They made today's odd headlines (and, well, caught my wandering attention)!  Seriously, I don't make this stuff up.  If only I could though...

Canadian chicken poop seizes small community in Maine
"It smells like acid and sulfur, and it's really strong.  The last couple of weeks have been really bad...It's an international problem."
---Frenchville, Maine Town Manager Philip Levesque

One per day Pepsi drinker celebrates 105th birthday
"I've been drinking Pepsi-Cola for a long, long time...I drink one every day."
---105-year-old Rebecca Mitchell

Score one for Pepsi and longevity!  Boooooo to smelly Canadian chickens!

My league's draft is only 17 days away, and I'm already about to lose my mind for some baseball!  College football usually serves as a pretty good appetizer, but, this year, Spring Training cannot possibly get here quick enough...  My fantasy league has a FEB 14 keeper date, so the action will be here sooner than later.  It will be interesting to see out of the 11 other managers who decides to keep who from last year's roster.

I'm not sure I can put my finger exactly on the frenzy this time around.  I guess most of all I am really excited about my prospects of having a better season this year.  And, unlike a lot of people that play fantasy sports, I stray way way far away from drafting or trading for players that are my "favorites".  That's a good strategy for losing, in my opinion!  But, I guess through the luck of the draw, I actually do have MY FAVORITE PLAYER on my roster for 2005!  He's definitely the most exciting, electrifying pitcher to watch!  And, he just turned 23...

I foresee at least 40 saves in his 2005 Campaign!  This talk of him being "overworked" or "overused" in the Venezuelan League during the offseason is a load of BS!  Even if he does show up for Spring Training tired, he's the caliber athlete that will still dominate on most days.

:wink: ...This is indeed Day One, officially; however, I've been tempted to blog for more than a month or so.  For way too long now, I've been mad (maybe more disappointed than anything) w/ myself for not making a firm commitment to spend a little time every day or every other day to put my jumbled, often troubled thoughts down into a diary or journal.  What should be known right off the bat, though, is that I am about as ADD as a wild-eyed, cow-licked, caffeine -enthused 3rd grader!  :shock:  Seriously, I've got papers!  :P  However, few would ever know (even those closest to me) because I am, by nature, seemingly calm, laid back, good-natured, more intro- than extroverted, etc.  Believe it or not, I am actually thought of by most friends as either "extremely intelligent" and/or "the smartest guy I know".  Go figure.

While other, introductory things about me are perhaps useful, or customary even, in a first entry, I'll refrain from going into those things now.  I tend to do things differently than the whole anyway, and, admittedly, sometime s that part of me is a little unsettling --- despite the fact that I understand and know independence to be a great strength of mine.

Who knows what form my blog will take on?!  What is most certain is that the number of emoticons in the first paragraph are probably as many as you'll see.  Although they are no doubt "cutesy" and typify the emotions of many, I just don't feel like I can use them with a straight face (insecure maybe?). 

Welcome to Veritas!