AND THE WINNER IS....................

Nah, I don't know since I am purposefully writing this way early in the day because I have to prepare myself both physically and psychologically for tonight's game.  If you care about "deflategate", check out my Sports Talk section (don't you just hate all these made up "gate" words?)  I happen not to give a shit about the psi of the footballs but since I do have an opinion on everything, you will find it there.  Now moving on to the realer world.

The murderer of the Brigham and Women's surgeon also had 4 kids--which means 8 children will wind up traumatized by this brutal attack.  And the attack is already off the front page because we have so many other things to talk about.

Like John Boehner (he who has a perpetual tan).  Did you see him during Obama's State of the Union speech?  Let's assume he just ate a lemon so his sourpuss is understandable.  Let's also assume he did not agree with one word of the speech.  Let's finally agree he has no respect for either the man or the office.  We are talking about the Speaker of the House.  A fine role model for politicians. Boehner also decided to invite Netanyahu to speak to a joint session of Congress.  Did not clear it with the Prez but did it to kick sand in Obama's face.  And worse, Netanyahu accepted since he is another SOB who disrespects the man and the office.  And he is not even the stupidest.

We now give you Bobby Jindal (Governor of Louisiana) who somehow decided to burnish his presidential ambitions by going on a tour of Europe.  He then decided to tell some reporter that in many European cities, the police have "no go" zones--areas they will not go into because they are populated with Muslims and the police are scared.  Maybe he needs to go home to New Orleans and check out that police force before he gives advice to folks across the pond.  He is an idiot but with a big ego.  I actually hope he becomes the nominee of the GOP.

Ends and Odds:
--The Globe sent its religion reporter (really its Catholic religion reporter) to Manila to cover the Pope's visit.  But have no money for any bureaus anywhere.  Go figure.
--Another tirade from Sara Palin (and I thought we already kicked her to the curb) because Obama wants to preserve more Alaska wilderness.  Here's the problem:  every single Alaskan gets an annual check based on the oil pumped out of the wells in Alaska.  Now that the price of oil is really way down, so are the royalties and some folks up there are pissed.  So when the Prez wants to preserve more land and not allow more exploration, Sara and her allies see lost revenue.  Blame those pesky Washington outsiders.
--Partners, the parent company of MGH among other large hospitals, just got its merger teeth kicked in by a judge.  She is disallowing a merger with yet one more hospital.  Partners claims bigger hospital systems mean lower costs which has yet to be the case.  About time they got smacked down a bit.
--I have seen with my own blood shot eyes a dog wearing slippers because of the cold.  Seriously?
--Jon Stewart had some video of Huckabee in Iowa talking about pigs which was just hilarious.  Another Republican I would love to see nominated.
--Terrific piece in the NY Times (sent by a friend) called "Fire on the 57 bus in Oakland".  I am pretty sure no other paper would have devoted so much space to this story.  Won't divulge the contents here--suffice it to say it is both excellent and sad.
--Slight delay in the next entry since the big silver bird will be taking us to the Lone Star state.  Hope to see a special person and avoid Governor Rick.

SPORTS TALK
--So 15 years ago,when Mr. Brady became a Patriot, he was give 15 footballs.  He then told the person who gave them to him which one he preferred.  Likely under inflated. That person is no longer there but the message has been communicated like folklore down through the various people who are in charge of the footballs.  "This is what Tom prefers" was the message.  And you know what, the Colts suck and would have lost anyway--so there.  But, trust me, every NFL fan in the world hates us. And someone is going to get slammed for the whole deal by the NFL.
--And then there is this.  Despite all the sexual abuse at Penn State and Jo Pa's complicity in covering it up, the wise men at the NCAA have restored all his victories so it looks as if there is no blemish on his record. That truly is fucked.

Sayonara.