Presidential Conduct.... and football

I really don't see what all the fervor is about Barack Obama calling Kanye West a jackass. Honestly, it's one of the only thing he's done since being elected that 1) the average American can empathize and agree with and 2) is not going to result in serious economic problems for this country.

My personal position has for years been that when someone is acting like a jackass, members of the audience are not just allowed to, but are sometimes obliged to point at that the person is, indeed, acting like a jackass. It's not a party foul to call a duck a duck. Seems pretty clear that West had no regard for any sort of tact, propriety, or even politeness, and probably acted primarily in an efforts to get into Beyonce's pants. To a degree, I can respect that. But how exactly is this undeserved criticism? Any guy who would do that probably can't hear any criticism over the sound of his own awesomeness, but maybe a little rebuke from the President of the United States might get through, especially since West and the Prez are from the same town. Fingers crossed. Maybe he'll do us all a favor and retire.

I think it's unconscionalbe that Obama does things like bowing to foreign potentates, and any readers of this blog know my opinion on his qualifications (and/or intelligence) for running a country. But I definitely think he might have a future in social commentary and music-industry gossip. I could totally see him as a judge on American Idol. That seriously could be his true calling.

In any rate, we're headed into week two, with HT standing at 12-4 against the spread for the season. Am sure that will even out (even professional betters consider 60% picks tantamount to the holy grail), but feeling good, and gonna run with it. So.

OAK (+3) at KC
KC has always been tough at home, and they did manage to score last week against Baltimore. But OAK was right there against SD, and will be playing angry.

TEN (-6.5) vs. HOU
TEN should keep Slayton contained in the backfield; they certainly had no problems keeping PIT's running game bottled up. Andre Johnson might be a problem, but he hasn't really gotten the season started yet.

NYJ (+3.5) vs. NE
Jets are on the rise, while NE had big problems at home on a monday night against BUF. Brady should get the win, but I don't think it will be by more than a field-goal.

GB (-9) vs. CIN
GB does a lot of things well. CIN doesn't do much of anything well. This is a big line, but it's a big line for a reason.

MIN (-9.5) at DET
MIN does a lot of things well. DET doesn't do much of anything well. This is a big line, but it's a big line for a reason.

NO (+1.5) at PHI
Clash of the offensive titans here; I'd be more likely to take the over (46.5) than a spread bet, but whatever. With McNabb hurting, PHI will necessarily slow down. NO will be firing on all cylinders.

ATL (-6) vs. CAR
CAR will be better than they were last week, and are NOT going to repeat the 7 turnovers they had last week in PHI. ATL stomped on MIA, but received 4 giveaways. Think ATL is gonna cover, but not by much.

WAS (-9.5) vs. StL
Stl was shutout by SEA. Washington's defense is better than Seattle's.

ARI (+3) at JAX
ARI should bounce back. Their run defense was phenomenal last week, and JAX relies on their rushing game.

SF (-1.5) vs. SEA
This could go either way, but I'll give the nod to the home team with the strong defense.

BUF (-5) vs. TB
Tony Romo averaged 12.7 yards per ATTEMPT last week against TB. If TO and Lee Evans stop dropping the football, I don't think this one will be close.

DEN (3-20) vs. CLE
This shit is gonna be an ugly game. But I like Orton at home more than CLE on the road.

SD (-3) vs. BAL
Fricking Brody Croyle managed a 112 passer rating IN BALTIMORE last week. If Rivers gets anywhere near that, SD will cover, no matter how bad they looked in OAK.

PIT (-3) at CHI
PIT is better than the GB team that whipped on CHI last week. Until Cutler has a legitimate deep threat, CHI is not going to run away from teams, and if PIT is allowed to linger, they'll get the lead and build on it.

NYG (+3) at DAL
NYG's line play is in mid-season form. DAL has done nothing but whip on TB, and not sure their focus will be where it needs to be. NYG covers or wins outright.

IND (3-20) at MIA
Still think IND is on the decline, but they beat a better team than MIA last weekend, and Manning is still Manning.