The Tiger Woods Christmas Story

Twas the night before Thanksgiving and out of the house,
Tiger Woods came a flyin, chased by his spouse,
She wielded a nine iron and wasn't too merry,
Cause a bimbo's phone number was on his Blackberry,
Tiger been cheatin on Elin, and the story progressed
Woman after woman stepped up and confessed
He'd been cheatin with Holly, and Jaimee, and Cory
With Joselyn, and Kalika. The world had the story.
From the top of the Tour to the basement of blues,
Tiger's sad sordid tale was all over the news.
With hostesses, waitresses, he had lots of sex
When not in their pants, he was sendin them texts
Despite all his cryin and beggin and pleadin
Tigers wife went investin - a new home in Sweden
And I heard her exclaim from her white Escalade
IF YOU'RE GETTIN LAID, THEN I'M GETTIN PAID
She's not pouting, if fact, she is of good cheer
He pre-nup made Christmas come early this year

Cold Weather

I just get so angry when my vehicles won't start in the morning !

Christmas Giving

With the football season out of the way and the ground turned to white from the first major snowfall of the year, one's attention can now be turned to Christmas. I borrow this reading and theme from a devotional booklet called Our Daily Bread.
I thought it was too good not to pass along. It reads:
Having trouble selecting that perfect gift for someone? Here are a few suggestions.
The gift of listening
No interrupting. No planning your response. Just listen
The gift of affection
Be generous with appropriate hugs, kisses and pats on the back
The gift of laughter
Sharing funning stories and jokes. Your gift says I love to laugh with you
The gift of a written note
Expressing in a brief hand written note your affection and appreciation of someone you love
The gift of a compliment
Sincerely saying "You look great today" or "You are special" can mean so much and change someone's day.

That Elusive Grey Cup

Someone once said "Sports is a game played by idiots who are entertaining fools". Not sure about the accuracy of that statement but here a full 24 hours after the Saskatchewan RoughRiders gave away the Grey Cup, I am left with this hollow feeling in my stomach and a feeling of total disbelief. The RoughRiders once again became the darlings of the nation and facing the almost invincible Montreal Alouettes almost pulled it off. Well in fact they did pull it off and would have won the game had it not been for a too many men on the field penalty after a missed field goal that moved Montreal ten yards closer and this time the kick that gave them the Grey Cup 28 - 27 over the Riders.
Much has been said about the penalty. Talk shows were full of how could this happen?, fire the coach, who's the player to blame and then downright disappointment about the one that got away. Most fans were pretty forgiving, some not so much and one lady put it in to proper perspective when she pointed out that a real tragedy had occurred when a young man was killed in an industrial accident in the south east of the province. Of course she is right but the heartache remains.
Much has been said about the penalty and that was the difference but still there is other blame to go around.
1) A Luca Congi missed field goal
2) The decision to kick a field goal when the Riders were on the two yard line.
3) A costly Darian Durant interception and probably the biggest of all
4) With under two minutes left the Riders failed to gain a first down and had to kick the ball away giving Montreal a chance to move into field goal range. A couple of first downs, some ball control and the kick would never happened.
So for the Riders and the province its next year country again. Three Grey Cups in something like 100 years and a fourth one that just slipped through their fingers. Actually the Riders may have become the first team in history to celebrate four Grey Cups and win only three. After the Duval field goal sailed wide there was tremendous celebration by the Riders only to have the flags thrown, too many men, and Duval a chance to do it again and seal the deal.
Despite the heartbreak of the loss this has been a special season for the Green and White and a special season for their loyal fans. What is there about this team that so endears them to fans throughout the world? The Dallas Cowboys and the Green Bay Packers are two NFL teams that have been called America's team and loved throughout the country. But they were successful. The same can't be said about the Saskatchewan RoughRiders. Three championships in one hundred years.
Years of missing the playoffs. A first place finish this year in the West ending an unbelievable thirty three year drought.
Well perhaps this year's 2009 edition of the Riders holds the answer. Picked to finish last in the West, the Riders finish first.
Along the way they took five points out of six away from the defending champion Calgary Stampeders and then whipped the
Stampeders in the Western Final. Along the way they engineered some miraculous come from behind wins, overcame a
series of injuries and maybe the most important of all did it with more than the required number of Canadians.
Add to that a young rookie quarterback in Darian Durant who thrived and survived in a football market where quarterbacks
are regularly run out of town. Everybody likes to cheer for the little guy and the Riders stood tall as the small market team,
Perhaps that's why Canadians from coast to coast love this team and follow them religiously. Someone said no matter what city hosts the Grey Cup they are always excited to have the Saskatchewan RoughRiders come as the West representative. It becomes a fun party atmosphere with hordes of green and white painted fans, lots of watermelon heads and guaranteed success for the host city. Unfortunately for the loyal fans of the Green and White it is next year country again. Seven months from now the fever will hit us all again. The questions will be back and lets hope the Green and White answers them all like they did this year. Stand tall and proud Saskatchewan RoughRiders. You may not have brought home the Cup but you are true champions indeed. And remember you are supported by the greatest fans in the world.

CFL - David vs Goliath

It is now mere hours away. The countdown to the 2009 Grey Cup. It's David vs Goliath all over again.
Goliath, the mighty Montreal Alouettes, cruising to a 15 win 3 loss season in the regular Canadian Football League season and easily disposing of the Saskatchewan RoughRiders not once but twice along the way. The Alouettes, referred to as "The Beast of the East, strong in almost every category. In fact in eight categories that football teams are favored in and ranked, the mighty Alouettes are ahead of the Riders in six. Established as 9 and a half point favorites to win this Montreal team has it all.
And yet. Yet there is just something about this Saskatchewan RoughRider team that says don't count them out.
Picked by many experts to finish last in the West the Riders finished first. I picked them last with a 7 - 11 record and who would have predicted that this team would win two and tie one in their three meetings with the defending Grey Cup champion Calgary Stampeders. And then there was the Western final where the Riders again topped the Stampeders.
Halfway through the season Rider fans were calling for quarterback Darian Durant's head. Too inexperienced, throws too many interceptions, need someone experienced. But here is Durant leading his team on the field for the Grey Cup and along the way named as the all star quarterback.
Injuries overcome, adversity played through. Head coach Ken Miller described as to laid back. Not enough emotion. But Miller leads his team into the Grey Cup and it is his demeanor that the Rider players give credit to getting them to this point.
Strong, steady. Controlled. I believe a sports team takes on the personality of their coach. And the Riders never give up, never quit attitude is a reflection of Ken Miller.
Can the Riders do it today? Can they bring home this province's fourth Grey Cup. Well their Goliath is huge. He is strong in every category. But David did win didn't he? Someone once said it's not the size of the dog in the fight that counts, it's the size
of the fight in the dog that matters.
Win or lose. Rider fans have had a great season. A win today would put the icing on the cake

Year End Letters

It will soon be that time of the year again. You receive those annoying year end letters. We went here, we went there, we bought this, we bought that, little johnny excelled in everything again. Well here is a different kind of year end letter.

I just want to thank all of you for your educational e-mails over the past year. I am totally screwed up now and have little chance of recovery.

I no longer open a public bathroom door without using a paper towel or have them put lemon slices in my ice water without worrying about the bacteria on the lemon peel.

I can't use the remote in a hotel room because I don't know what the last person was doing while flipping through the adult movie channels.

I can't sit down on the hotel bedspread because I can only imagine what has happened on it since it was last washed.

I have trouble shaking hands with someone who has been driving because the number one pastime while driving alone is picking ones nose (although cell phone usage may be taking the number one spot).

Eating a little snack sends me on a guilt tripbecause I can only imagine how many gallons of Trans fats I have consumed over the years.

I can't touch any woman's purse for fear she has placed it on the floor of a public bathroom.

I MUST SEND MY SPECIAL THANKS to whoever sent me the one about poop in the glue on envelopes because I now have to use a wet sponge with every envelope that needs sealing.

ALSO, now I have to scrub the top of every can I open for the same reason.


I no longer have any savings because I gave it to a sick girl (Penny Brown) who is about to die in the hospital for the 1,387,258th time.

I no longer have any money at all, but that will change once I receive the $15,000 that Bill Gates/Microsoft and AOL are sending me for participating in their special e-mail program.

I no longer worry about my soul because I have 363,214 angels looking out for me, and St. Theresa's Novena has granted my every wish.


I no longer eat KFC because their chickens are actually horrible mutant freaks with no eyes or feathers..

I no longer use cancer-causing deodorants even though I smell like a water buffalo on a hot day.

THANKS TO YOU I have learned that my prayers only get answered if I forward an e-mail to seven of my friends and make a wish within five minutes.

BECAUSE OF YOUR CONCERN, I no longer drink Coca Cola because it can remove toilet stains.

I no longer can buy gasoline without taking someone along to watch the car so a serial killer won't crawl in my back seat when I'm pumping gas.

I no longer drink Pepsi or Dr. Pepper since the people who make these products are atheists who refuse to put 'Under God' on their cans.

I no longer use Saran Wrap in the microwave because it causes cancer.

AND THANKS FOR LETTING ME KNOW I can't boil a cup of water in the microwave anymore because it will blow up in my face.. Disfiguring me for life.

I no longer check the coin return on pay phonesbecause I could be pricked with a needle infected with AIDS.

I no longer go to shopping malls because someone will drug me with a perfume sample and rob me.

I no longer receive packages from UPS or Fed Ex since they are actually Al Qaeda in disguise.

I no longer shop at Target since they are French and don't support our American troops or the Salvation Army.

I no longer answer the phone because someone will ask me to dial a number for which I will get a phone bill with calls to Jamaica , Uganda , Singapore , and Uzbekistan ...


I no longer buy expensive cookies from Neiman Marcus since I now have their recipe.

THANKS TO YOU I can't use anyone's toilet but mine because a big brown African spider is lurking under the seat to cause me instant death when it bites my butt.


AND THANKS TO YOUR GREAT ADVICE I can't ever pick up $5.00 dropped in the parking lot because it probably was placed there by a sex molester waiting underneath my car to grab my leg.

I can no longer drive my car because I can't buy gas from certain gas companies!

I can't do any gardening because I'm afraid I'll get bitten by the brown recluse and my hand will fall off.


And I now keep my toothbrush in the living room, because water splashes over 6 ft. out of the commode.
Oh, by the way.....

A German scientist from Argentina , after a lengthy study, has discovered that people with insufficient brain activity read their e-mail with their hand on the mouse..
Don't bother taking it off now, it's too late.

Same Old Dome Question

That same old dome question raised his head again in Saskatchewan this week. The reason: The Regina Hotel Association has kicked in ten million dollars toward the construction of a domed stadium in Regina. Now this would be a multi purpose facility to be used not only by the Saskatchewan RoughRiders but also a home for concerts, conventions and whatever else it could be filled with. The point is: ITS NOT JUST FOOTBALL FOLKS!
But of course the usual outcry against a stadium has gone up again from the same people who are vigorously opposed to anything that even resembles progress. The usual cry from phone in callers - Why should we build a stadium for the Riders?
Why should my tax dollars support a professional football team and on and on it goes?
The best call though had to come from a lady who emphatically stated: Lorne Calvert (former NDP Premier) would never allow this. There are homeless people out there and Lorne Calvert would never allow this. You know she is probably right and thats one of the reasons the NDP was punted (to use a football term) from power replaced by the Saskatchewan Party. People are looking for a new government with new ideas, a new way of doing business and a new stadium (hopefully domed) is part of that.
Events and conventions could be attracted to this province with an new enclosed stadium.
I am always reminded of these words in the Bible when ever the issue of progress in Saskatchewan comes up. Mark 14

3And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head.

4And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made?

5For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her.

6And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me.

7For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always.

8She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying.

Not to minimize the poor in anyway. We should help those with less. We should help the homeless but do we stop the
progress of the province in order to do that. It seems to me by attracting more events to the province we would have more
with which to help those who need it the most.

Meanwhile this weeks CFL predictions:
East Final
British Columbia at Montreal - I so do want to see the Lions win this one and be crowned the East Division Champions.
Come on - The west coast BC Lions raising the Eastern Division championship banner in their building. Only in the CFL.
Reality sets in though. Montreal will win this one and advance to the Grey Cup.

West Final
Calgary at Saskatchewan.
I really should pick Calgary to win. Every time and I mean every time, I have picked someone to beat the Riders, the green and white somehow pull it out and win the game.
So with my heart in my throat - I now pick Saskatchewan to win over Calgary and advance to the Grey Cup.

Grey Cup Final
Saskatchewan vs Montreal

Canadian Football League and Ottawa

Just read Rod Petersons column this morning that the Canadian Football League is one step closer to putting a franchise in Ottawa. That is just great news both for the league and hopefully the good citizens of the Nations capital will embrace this as well. Of course it has been tried before and more than once. The old Ottawa Rough Riders were a cornerstone of the Canadian Football League until bad management took them down. Never was really clear on what took down the Ottawa Renegades but one thing is certain. Well three things are certain.
1) The Canadian Football League is a great league and needs more franchises. Eight is enough may been good enough for Jon and what's her name but it just isn't enough for a professional league. Hopefully the league will also add a Maritime franchise soon and have ten teams. It would also bring Winnipeg back to the Western Conference and do away with this ridiculous cross over format. I mean this weekend we have the west coast British Columbia Lions playing the Montreal Alouettes for the East Division championship. If the Lions somehow manage to win how incredibly stupid does that make the league look.
2) Ottawa is a great city. I have a daughter attending law school there. A visit to her combined with a CFL game. It just doesn't get any better than that. Alas by the time the CFL actually gets a franchise in Ottawa, I am sure she will have graduated.
3) The Canadian Football League is a fantastic exciting league. Why do Canadians under appreciate this league. Yeah I know I have heard it all before. I live in Saskatchewan. There is nothing else to do but watch the Riders. That may be true but have you seen more exciting games that Calgary and Saskatchewan's overtime tie or how about the BC Lions defeating Hamilton in overtime last weekend. This is a great football league and Canadians and especially you people in Ontario need to appreciate it more. I have seen the National Football League and our own Canadian football league is every bit as exciting if not more soon.

So down to this weeks CFL east and west finals
East Final
BC Lions at Montreal - I said Hamilton would defeat BC last week. Casey Printers made a liar out of me and I am sure many more but I think the Alouettes will win this weekend. Montreal is the class of the Canadian Football League. Solid everywhere.
Still Casey Printers has proven he has a big heart and a will to win and he has a good supporting cast. Casey has been a great story for the CFL but this weekend Montreal writes the final chapter with a win.
West Final
Calgary at Saskatchewan
Call me a homer. Say I'm using my heart more than my heart. Guilty but I am going to go with the Riders to win this one and advance to the Grey Cup. Why? There is just no quit in this Rider team. Games truly are not over for them until the final gun.
We have seen them down and out so many times this year and yet they rebound and win the game. Darian Durant needs another big game like he had as he dismantled Calgary 30 = 14 in the final game of the season. Calgary has all the tools but the Riders have attitude and I am thinking that will carry them to a close win over Calgary.
Oh yes they also have the 13th man and what a difference Rider fans can make.

Grey Cup Appearance
Sasktchewan vs Montreal in Calgary

CFL: The Playoffs Begin

The playoffs begin today in the Canadian Football League. And the Saskatchewan RoughRiders are on the sidelines watching but this time it isn't because the Riders failed to make the playoffs. We had far to many years of that. Nope the Riders are resting today because they finished in first place and get a bye to the Western Conference final. The Riders first place finish ended a 33 year drought. 1976 was the last time the Saskatchewan finished first. To give you an idea of how long ago that was, well 1976 was the year I got married, had more hair than I do today and on and on it goes.
So today the match ups.
East Division semi final
British Columbia at Hamilton - I would love to see the West Division leading British Columbia Lions get hot for a couple of games and win the East. It's not going to happen but to my warped mind, it would be amusing to see British Columbia hoist the
East division banner. I think the Lions can win today but it will have to be on defense. Going to pick Hamilton to win this one. Kevin Glenn has a hot hand and the Leo's are really banged up.
West Division semi final
Edmonton at Calgary - this one could be interesting. Eskimos are hot winning two in a row. Calgary lost a big one to Saskatchewan. I'm sure the Eskimos have been pouring over film of the Rider - Stampeder game to see what Saskatchewan did to dismantle Calgary last week. Again either team is capable of winning this one but I have to give the edge to Calgary. But if Henry Burris stumbles and he does that often in big games it could be Edmonton and Saskatchewan next week.

Remembrance Day And Honoring My Dad

It is Remembrance Day. The day we set aside, albeit far too briefly, to honor those who sacrificed so much not only in the two Great Wars but also in all the wars that have unfortunately dotted mankind's existence.
My Dad was part of "the greatest generation that ever lived". A generation that sacrificed so much to go through not one, but two great wars in far too short of time. Many of these young men and women were only 18, 19 and 20 years old when they lay down their lives to give us the freedoms we enjoy so much today.
I watched with interest and satisfaction on the National News last night that Remembrance Day is making a comeback of sorts.
More people seem interested in the observance of Remembrance Day than in past years. I imagine the war in Iraq and Afghanistan has something to do with it with so many of our young Canadian men laying down their lives over there.
It was also nice to note that Saskatoon has the largest Remembrance Day service in the country with Credit Union Center usually filled to honor and salute our fallen soldiers.
My Dad was one of the lucky ones, I suppose. He came back which I guess makes him really one of the lucky ones but he also suffered greatly in later years with stomach problems which he traced back to the German buzz bombs that were used in that day. These were bombs, I'm not a very technical person, but apparently equipped with some sort of motor. They were filled with enough fuel to reach their intended target. When the fuel ran out, the intention being at the point of the target, the theory was that they would fall from the sky and destroy the lives and facilities below. Dad remembers lying there listening to these things sputter, cough and die and then wondering where they would land or if they would land on the place where he was. Frightening and not something that most of us can relate to.
Dad was also lucky in another way. He was a gifted musician, a pianist. Early in his military career ( do you call it a career when you are called to war), he was spotted playing the piano by a ranking officer. Dad loved the piano. If there was one around to be played he found it and he played it. The story goes that he was playing in a night club or hall of some description when he was spotted playing the piano by this officer. Very quickly there after he was removed from his unit and deployed to the Royal Canadian Military Band where he spent the rest of the war traveling, playing for troops and lifting their morale from the ugly realities of war. So who knows the gift of music that he was so richly blessed with may have saved his life. Which is fitting. Music was his life. Upon returning from the war he became a piano teacher teaching and touching many lives with his gift and carrying out a full time job as well.
I am sure if he had the opportunities that are available today he would have been a full time music instructor probably at
a high school or something but back then that option just wasn't open to him. So today as we honor our veterans, I also honor my Dad and am thankful to God that he came back and for the impact that he had on my life and hopefully today I am a better man because of him. My Dad - Alfred Curtis Hiatt.


In Flanders Fields
by John McCrae


In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

SaskatcheWIN RoughRiders: First Place

Riders' Durant proves naysayers wrong


Color me wrong. Count me among the naysayers. I have been on and off the Darian Durant bandwagon so many times.
I mean I always agreed Durant was a good one. A keeper, one the Riders should hang on to. They have let so many good ones get away. BUT I didn't think he could do it this year and my thought were the Riders should secure a very good experienced quarterback just in case.

Well to be honest, Darian Durant hasn't done it yet. I mean the ultimate prize is the Grey Cup and two more wins are required before the Riders can claim that. BUT first place after a win over the Calgary Stampeders. The end of a 33 year drought.
I got married 33 years ago. 33 years is a long time and thats the last time the Riders finished in first place. 33 years ago.
1976.
I mean think how improbable that is. For much of the time there were only five teams in the West. For the rest of those 33 years there were only four teams in the West. And the Riders have not managed first in 33 years. I mean even the Toronto Maple Leafs would have a shot at first if there were only five teams. Ok so the Maple Leafs are a bad example. But they might have a shot at the playoffs if four teams got in. But anyway the drought is over. And the man to end the drought is quarterback Darian Durant.
Good for him and good for the Riders and Ken Miller for their faith in this man.
The Riders win first this week with a 30 - 14 win over the Stampeders and I was wrong as I picked Calgary to win.
In the other games this weekend Edmonton destroyed British Columbia 45 - 13 to grab the final playoff spot in the West.
BC then had to wait for Hamilton to defeat Winnipeg 39 - 17 to give the Lions the cross over playoff spot in the East.
Only in the wacky Canadian Football League can you have the west coast BC Lions play for the Eastern Division championships.
Wouldn't it be great to have British Columbia win the East Division championship.
In the other game Montreal hammered Toronto 42 - 17.
So the playoffs next week.
West semi final - Edmonton at Calgary
East semi final- British Columbia at Hamilton

Predictions - Ricky Ray always struggles against Calgary but call this wishful hoping, I am going to go with Edmonton to pull an upset and wipe off Henry's smile with a win over Calgary.
In the east - BC is so banged up. Wally Buono may have to dress as quarterback. Due to the injuries I have to go with Hamilton to win this one as much as I would love to see the Lions win the East.

CFL: Final Week

So here it is. The final week of play, prior to playoffs, in the Canadian Football League. And the Saskatchewan RoughRiders find themselves hosting the Calgary Stampeders with first place on the line.
What does first place mean? Quite simply it's the difference between playing three games to win the Grey Cup and playing two to win the ultimate prize in Canadian football.
There has been a lot of talk about flu and H1N1 this week. Head coach Ken Miller says the Riders are healthy. No word from
Stampeder coach John Hufnagel on his team but apparently unlike their cross town cousins, the Flames, the Calgary football team did not jump to the front of the line on the vaccination scene.

So predictions for this week.
Calgary at Saskatchewan - oh this is hard. But I have to go with Calgary to win this one. The Riders just looked so bad against Hamilton. Darian Durant was dreadful, the offensive line was worse and the running game just didn't exist. Can all that be corrected in one week. Well hopefully it can.
In other games this weekend:
Edmonton at BC -another huge one. Both the Lions and the Eskimos need to win this one. The winner is in. The loser may become the crossover team depending what Winnipeg does. Tough one to call but I will go with Ricky Ray and the Eskimos to pull this one out.
Montreal at Toronto - the Argos season ended before it started. For the Als its a tune up for the playoffs. I'll go with Montreal but that may change if the Als rest some starters or play them sparingly.
Hamilton at Winnipeg - If Hamilton wins, the TiCats get second and the Bombers are gone. If the Bombers win most likely they would get third depending on the outcome of the Edmonton BC game.
All in all what a fantastic finish for the Canadian Football League as every game but one has some significance in the standings and thats the way it should be.

Hockey's Hypocrisy

So now we have two victims in the Ontario Junior Hockey League's decision to suspend Michael Liambas for the remainder of the season and playoffs thus ending the twenty year olds junior hockey career. The other victim of course is 16 year old Ben Fanelli who lies in a Hamilton hospital with among other things a fractured skull.
After watching video of "the hit" over and over again I am left with several impressions. After spending some thirteen seasons as a play by play announcer with junior hockey teams I have seen plenty of hard hits resulting in injuries. On March 1st, 1987 I watched as Brad Hornung of the Regina Pats was hit from behind leaving him paralyzed from the neck down. I don't recall any life time suspensions from that hit. Perhaps there should have been but thats another story.
What's troubling to me in this latest incident is "what role does junior and professional hockey play in this? It's easy to suspend one player, to make him look like the bad guy and then just move on until the next incident occurs. That has been the history of hockey. One player died recently from a hockey fight. There was a great outcry for a fleeting moment. Then forgotten until the next incident.
Both junior and professional hockey need to take a hard look at themselves. Hitting is encouraged, well more than that hitting is expected. Hard noses coaches demand that the players play it tough. Fans themselves rise from their seats with excitement at a thunderous body check and then quieten down just a bit when a player happens to be injured. And in this incident Ben Fanelli was injured far more than anyone could have predicted. But should Liambas be the only one to take the bullet. In a hockey world where if the coach says hit you hit, and if you don't you are gone from the team and most likely your junior career is over.
Then there is the issue of the helmets. Junior players have these helmets on their head so loosely that they fall off on almost any contact. Why? Because the looser the helmets are, the more quickly the players can throw them off so they can engage in a hockey fight. There isn't a coach behind the bench in junior hockey that doesn't know that and there isn't a coach in junior
hockey that will do anything about stopping it. Making sure their players have the helmet properly fitted and strapped on
tightly. Could you imagine a football player having his helmet so loose it popped off on almost any contact just in case he
might get into a fight.
Looking at the replay of the Liambas hit on Fanelli again, you are left wondering how serious the injuries would have been
if the helmet had stayed on. Perhaps the league should be issuing a two minute minor penalty to any player who's helmet falls off during play. Not likely that will happen.
No the OHL will be satisfied to let Michael Liambas take the fall for this one. They'll point to his past history. Already television stations have dug up video of his hit on John Tavares as if to say, see he hits like that all the time. It was just a matter of time before someone got hurt.
I don't believe much in the old case of people being "a product of their environment" but in this case Michael Liambas was and is. A hockey environment that encourages hitting, fighting and all round violence even ahead of the sheer skill of the game.
Little wonder someone got hurt. Little doubt that it won't happen again.

How To Catch The Swine Flu In Five Easy Steps

Great article by Meghan Telper

1. Eat Candy and/or Booze It UpNow I am not talking about one or two candy bars or drinks the night of Halloween, maybe a treat the next day and then being done with it. If you want on the flu team, you should think about having a piece of candy/cake/alchy bevvy with or after every meal, tucked in to your lunch bag, a little sweet greeting when you arrive home, and maybe a night cap of a Kit Kat. You worked hard on Halloween to collect all that candy, so you better eat it and kick that immune system to the ground.
2. Stay Out Really Late and Lose SleepYou can’t make up sleep. Not really. You can sleep in, you can rest, but insufficient sleep has already begun to weaken immune function. When we have the flu, we feel our best in the morning, after we have “rested.
3. Take On More Than You Can HandleThis is my personal speciality. It seems that chronic stress impairs the immune system’s capacity to respond to glucocorticoid hormones that normally are responsible for terminating an inflammatory response following infection and/or injury. Psychological stress (which, lets face it, is largely self-induced) raises catecholamine (‘fight or flight’ hormones), which suppresses the immune system, thus raising the risk of viral infection.
4. Forgo All Hygiene Practices
Right so basically for this easy step to catching the flu, the idea is to touch as much stuff as you can- hand railings, door handles (especially the bathroom kind), handles on public transit vehicles- you get the idea. You also want to do your best to breathe deeply when in confined spaces with lots of people,and invade others’ personal space.
5. Line Up for Hours on End In The Rain with Other People Who Believe Themselves To Be High Risk of The Flu in Order to Receive a Vaccine for a Pandemic That Is Neither Pan Nor Demic But Has Simply Been Awesomely Hyped By The Media Using The Usual Flavour of The Month: Scare Tactics.

No Concern For The Riders

Halloween weekend has come and gone in the Canadian Football League and really nothing scary happened. True, the Toronto Argonauts dressed up as the Saskatchewan RoughRiders and were mauled 24 - 6 by the Hamilton TigerCats.
But despite that Wally Buono and his Lions did the Riders a favour by losing to the Calgary Stampeders 28 - 26. So when the Halloween apples have all been counted what it amounts to is the Riders still have a shot at first place and hosting a Western final for the first time in, well can anyone remember the last time the Riders hosted a Western final. Granted its a tall order.
The Riders must defeat Henry Burris and the Stampeders to accomplish that, and of course that task will be easier said then done.
Its tough to try and figure out why the Riders imploded so badly against Hamilton. Even more worrisome is the fact that the coaching staff doesn't seem to be at all concerned.
The Riders lack of a premier running back doesn't worry Ken Miller. He calls Wes Cates a thoroughbred despite that fact that Cates and the Riders are dead last in every category that relates to running the ball. Come playoff time with wintery conditions a team without a running game doesn't go far.
Quarterbacking doesn't seem to concern Miller either. Darian Durant is still the man despite a dreadful performance against Hamilton. No problem with that. Durant should be. But will Miller continue to wait until its to late before he replaces him.
And can his replacement, Steven Jyles get the job done. It didn't look that way against Hamilton.
Didn't hear the coach comment on his offensive line but that too probably is no concern despite giving up six quarterback sacks.
In the other games this weekend the Edmonton Eskimos pounded the Toronto Argonauts 36 - 10 and Montreal defeated the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 48 - 13. My record on predictions this weekend. An horrible 1 - 3 record.
Oh and unlike Coach Miller and the Riders, I am concern.

Cardiac Kids Cause Heartburn !

They call them the Cardiac Kids. After overcoming deficits and posting a win and a tie in their last two games the Saskatchewan RoughRiders ran out of gas and left their coach Ken Miller with heartburn. And possibly a little gas himself.
They were never in it. Quarterback Darian Durant looked like a nervous rookie starting his first game fumbling a couple of
times as the Hamilton Tiger Cats downed Saskatchewan 24 - 6. Running back Wes Cates was non existent while their counterparts put together pretty impressive statistics. Quarterback Kevin Glenn (another former Rider) 21 for 35 for 233 yards and a touchdown and running back Cobb 25 carries for 159 yards and a touchdown.
Darian Durant - 8 for 20 for 66 yards, another interception and two fumbles that basically took the Riders right out of the game.
Wes Cates - 5 carries for a whopping 20 yards.
With numbers like that the Riders won't be hanging around in the playoffs for very long even if they do manage to snag a home playoff game. Listening to the post game show on the radio there were the usual "we need a quarterback calls" but really as ineffective as he was, you can't pin this all on Durant.
How many quarterback sacks did the Riders give up? The answer, in case you didn't know, is six. It's pretty hard to complete a pass when you are flat on your back and don't have the time to throw.
Was overconfidence a factor? Well perhaps it was. The media and practically everyone have come to believe that the Riders can just put together a comeback in the dying minutes, throw in a couple of two point conversions and the game is in the bag.
Well the TigerCats weren't going to allow that to happen and controlled the game from start to finish.
Maybe this is a blessing in disguise. The Riders can assess their weaknesses and get them fixed before the Calgary game next week. But where to start. The offensive line was dreadful, the running game, well there was no running game.
The defense was on the field too long and even the coaches looked lost and confused.
Next week Calgary visits Saskatchewan. First place on the line. Hopefully the ship is righted by then.

Government Botches H1N1 Vaccinations

From coast to coast the story appears to be the same. Governments at all levels have botched the H1N1 vaccinations leaving people scared, angry and frustrated.
The same government that advertised the importance of getting the shot now can not provide the vaccinations as supplies dwindle and run out. In Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan Health took care care of themselves and their own as not only front line workers were vaccinated but office people as well, some who work no where close to a hospital. Reports that family of health care workers were also vaccinated have been denied. A sampling of headlines accross the country.
Edmonton flu clinics may close next week because of supply shortage
Liepert on clinic closures: 'Don't panic'
Flu frustrations to worsen as vaccine shortage takes hold
Saskatchewan receives 124,000 fewer doses of H1N1 shots
Temperatures rise as 'flu rage' explodes across Canada
As much as flu fears have people pulling away, H1N1 is also uniting Canadians through emotion — specifically, a deeply entrenched sense of frustration that, for many, has mutated into bitterness, anger and even hostility.
Call it flu rage. Across the country, otherwise mild-mannered Canadians are finding themselves admonishing strangers for open sneezing, losing their cool with queue-jumpers at vaccination clinics, writing angry letters to government and media, and lashing out at friends whose H1N1 opinions differ from their own.
"Anger can cause us to be proactive . . . but it can also become destructive, which is what we see with flu rage," says psychologist Gordon Asmundson, a professor whose research at the University of Regina includes health anxiety.

CFL Predictions Week 18

It's that time of the week again. Time for my predictions for this weekends action in the Canadian Football League.
The last four weekends in a row I have been 3 - 1 on my predictions. Kind of wish I had kept track all season long but as the Toronto Maple Leafs say, there's always next year or the next or the next or the next. Ok enough of that.
First game tonight.
Toronto at Edmonton - have to go with the Eskimos on this one. Toronto's season is done. Edmonton needs to win to keep in the playoff hunt.
Saturday
Saskatchewan at Hamilton - how do you bet against the Riders. Two unbelievable comebacks to force overtime resulting in a win and a tie in their last two games. This team led by Darian Durant just never givers up and you can never count them out.
Going with the Riders to win this one.
Calgary at BC
BC is really banged up. Casey Printers was good last week but against Calgary he has to be even better. I would like the Lions to pull an upset but that isn't going to happen. Calgary will win forcing the showdown at Mosiac next weekend.
Sunday
Winnipeg at Montreal - Michael Bishop has been exceptional. Montreal's defense the last two games has been non missing.
Will the trend continue? Likely not but I am still going to go with the Bombers to pull out a close one.
Bishop may not be everyone's friend in the dressing room but when he's on he is great and I think he has the right coach in
Mike Kelly to handle whatever shortcomings he has. So Winnipeg to win!

Saskatchewan: Your Government Knows What's Best For You !

As I write this every other province in Canada is making the H1N1 vaccination available to their residents. In Saskatchewan, however the general public will wait until November 16th. Those in high risk categories will wait until November 9th at the earliest and Universities and tech schools (students are among the highest risk group) will wait until December 1st.
The above statistics pretty much outline what is happening in Saskatoon.
What's happening in Regina? Good luck finding out. Regina Health will not divulge any information on dates and times for clinics in that city.
What's the reason for all of this? Well the official line from a spokesperson from Saskatchewan Health is that Saskatchewan wants to avoid the long lineups and confusion that is being experienced in other provinces. So it appears the government's concern for you extends to the inconvenience of you standing in a long line, but if you get the H1N1 flu, that apparently doesn't seem to be a big concern.
It appears that the Brad Wall government has fallen back to the NDP era of doing things. We are a wee province, remember former Premier Lorne Calvert saying that, we are unable to make up our own minds on getting a shot or even if we want to
stand in a lineup. It appears the Saskatchewan Brad Wall government is buying into the argument that the government knows what is best for us and its arm, Saskatchewan Health, can take care of the problem. But can they?
This is the same Saskatchewan Health that distributes needles by the millions (the most of any province in Canada) to drug addicts in the name of AIDS prevention. Hundreds of thousands of these needles are then found lying in city parks where young children play. And any attempt to cut down on the number of needles distributed is met with vicious opposition.
So as it stands - in Saskatoon you can get your H1N1 shot at PrairieLand Park. There you will, I assume line up, to get your vaccination. Which makes me wonder, what was that Saskatchewan Health said about avoiding long lineups?

Patrick Spoils The TSN Script

I found myself in a strange place as I watched the Saskatchewan RoughRiders defeat the BC Lions 33 - 30 overtime win over the BC Lions in the Canadian Football League yesterday. I had cheered on the Riders all day, always do, and first place was on the line or at least a first place tie with the Calgary Stampeders. Luca Congi had just kicked a field goal to give the Riders the lead and now under the CFL overtime format it was the Lions turn to get the ball and try to score. And shocker of all shockers, I found myself inwardly cheering for Casey Printers to throw a touchdown pass and win the game for the Lions. I mean what a Cinderella story that would have been, All game long, almost every time Printers completed the pass the TSN broadcast crew, (I think they were cheering for the Lions as well) reminded us that Printers had been rescued from the football scrap, that no team had wanted him and now here he was about the throw the winning touchdown pass in overtime to win the game for the Lions. I mean what a story that would have been. But lurking over in the evil corners of the end zone was a villian, James Patrick apparently hadn't read the TSN scripted ending and intercepted the Printer's pass giving the Riders the overtime win.
I felt great elation that Patrick had made the interception, the Riders win the game, they still share first place with Calgary, but
you really have to feel bad for Casey Printers. He put on a show, took the blame for the pass on himself and played a helluva game. It's good to have Casey Printers back in the game.
My other thought on this Rider win is that coach Ken Miller may want to sit down with his offense and go over the difference between a two point conversion and a touchdown. The Riders seem to have a patent on scoring two point conversions but TD's seem to be hard to come by. Two point conversion equals two points Green Guys, a touchdown is six.
As for my predictions well I got three out of four right.
Calgary Stampeders spoiled my perfect weekend by whipping Edmonton 30 - 7. Thats what happens when you predict with our heart not your head.
Hamilton beat Toronto 26 - 17 (Leafs lost too - how bad are these Toronto teams?)
And Winnipeg got it done with a 41 - 24 drubbing of the Montreal Alouettes. Where has the Al's defense gone? 79 points scored against them in the last two games.
So the standings in the West
Saskatchewan and Calgary 9 - 6 - 1 for 19 points, BC 8 - 8 for 16 and Edmonton 7 - 9 for 14.
In the East - Montreal 13 - 3, Winnipeg and Hamilton 7 - 9 and poor old Toronto 3 - 13.
In the crossover Edmonton and Winnipeg are tied.
So Friday its Toronto at Edmonton, Saturday Saskatchewan at Hamilton and Calgary at BC and Sunday Winnipeg at Montreal.

Canadian Football League: Week 17

It should be another great weekend in the Canadian Football League. In the West its a log jam. Unbelievable to think that the Edmonton Eskimos could finish fourth or still finish first. It is that close in the West.
In the East Montreal has first. Hamilton and Winnipeg battle it out for second or one could be completely eliminated from the playoffs.
In Saskatchewan the BC Lions bring in the Sarcan look. Recycled quarterback Casey Printers gets the start. Printers has never looked good against Saskatchewan but if Printers decides to perform, it could be trouble for the Riders. For Saskatchewan, and this is unusual, there is no quarterback controversy. Darian Durant gets the start as he should. Durant was fantastic against Calgary. I am reminded of a saying my dear old Grandmother used to have. Grandma used to say " I am completely comfortable in my own skin" Durant must feel the same way. He has overcome the constant cries from Rider Nation to find a quarterback.
Mind you nothing short of a Grey Cup victory would satisfy many in the Rider nation and that has yet to come.
So Week 17 predictions.
BC Lions at Saskatchewan - have to go with the Riders. If the offense performs as well as they did in Calgary, this is no contest.
And if the defense can't stop Casey Printers, then the Riders don't deserve to be in the playoffs.
Hamilton at Toronto - The Tiger Cats continue to be a mystery but I'll go with them over Toronto. The Argonauts are bad, just
plain bad.
Edmonton at Calgary - this one is a toss up. I am going to go with the Eskimos. Ok I don't like Calgary but other than that.
Ricky Ray can be hot and if he gets it going Edmonton will win.
Montreal at Winnipeg - going to go with the Bombers on this one. I like to think that a team that desperately needs to win
will have more in the tank than a team who has nothing to lose and nothing to gain. The key again is Michael Bishop.
If Bishop is hot the Bombers could steal this one.

Sask Government Getting The Point

Finally, finally, finally. The Saskatchewan government is getting the point on the number of needles being distributed to drug users in the province, primarily in Saskatoon and Regina.
For those who don't know the program is called a needle exchange. Drug users are supposed to bring their dirty needles in
and exchange them for a clean one. Unfortunately in Saskatchewan that doesn't happen. Needles are handed out by the bucketful and many of them, well over 100,000 end up in playgrounds and parks where children are exposed to them.
As well many of these needles are taken by drug pushers loaded and then sold to addicts. Talk about a government assistance plan.
In his throne speech yesterday, Premier Brad Wall revealed his concerns about both the numbers of needles exchanged and distributed.
Wall also said that with 10% of used needles not being returned for safe disposal, this is a matter of public safety.
“100,000 needles are out there for what purpose?” said Wall. “Are they pre-loaded and available on the streets? I don’t know. Is that as good as it gets? Maybe, but we should be trying better - considering each one of those needles is a potential loaded gun,” he said.
Of course the NDP is upset about this. The groups that hand out the needles are upset but the fact remains Saskatchewan hands out nearly four times the number of needles that Calgary and Edmonton to combined. AIDS Saskatoon issued a news release late Wednesday, expressing disappointment with the government plan. Restricting access to new, clean needles is "a recipe for disaster" that will increase exposure to the hepatitis C virus and HIV, the agency said.
Nicole White, the executive director, said Wall does not fully understand how the needle exchange program works.
The problem is of course, most of us do understand how the needle exchange program work. We also understand that its
programs like this that keep these help group workers employed and naturally they will resist any changes.
Why does Saskatchewan hand out more needles than any other province? Why do give out more than the cities of Edmonton and Calgary combined?
We never do get any answers to these questions other than they must do it or disease will spread. That has worked for awhile but finally and not soon enough it may no longer work.
The government must cut back on this aiding and abetting program and cut back despite all the howls of protest.
Perhaps what is needed is a way of identifying the needles so we know which ones come from the government and which ones the addicts obtain by their own means. I'm betting the government needles will win hands down.

Simple Steps To Avoid H1N1

Dr. Vinay Goyal is an MBBS,DRM,DNB (Intensivist and Thyroid specialist) having clinical experience of over 20 years. He has worked in institutions like Hinduja Hospital , Bombay Hospital , Saifee Hospital , Tata Memorialetc.. Presently, he is heading our Nuclear Medicine Department and Thyroid clinic at Riddhivinayak Cardiac and Critical Centre, Malad (W).

The following message given by him, I feel makes a lot of sense and is important for all to know

The only portals of entry are the nostrils and mouth/throat. In a global epidemic of this nature, it's almost impossible to avoid coming into contact with H1N1 in spite of all precautions. Contact with H1N1 is not so much of a problem as proliferation is.

While you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of H1N1 infection, in order to prevent proliferation, aggravation of symptoms and development of secondary infections, some very simple steps, not fully highlighted in most official communications, can be practiced (instead of focusing on how to stock N95 or Tamiflu):

1. Frequent hand-washing (well highlighted in all official communications).

2. "Hands-off-the-face" approach. Resist all temptations to touch any part of face (unless you want to eat, bathe or slap).

3. *Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (use Listerine if you don't trust salt). *H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat/ nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms. Simple gargling prevents proliferation. In a way, gargling with salt water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tamiflu has on an infected one. Don't underestimate this simple, inexpensive and powerful preventative method.

4. Similar to 3 above, *clean your nostrils at least once every day with warm salt water. *Not everybody may be good at Jala Neti or Sutra Neti (very good Yoga asanas to clean nasal cavities), but *blowing the nose hard once a day and swabbing both nostrils with cotton buds dipped in warm salt water is very effective in bringing down viral population.*


5. *Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C (Amlaand other citrus fruits). *If you have to supplement with Vitamin C tablets, make sure that it also has Zinc to boost absorption.

6. *Drink as much of warm liquids (tea, coffee, etc) as you can. *Drinking warm liquids has the same effect as gargling, but in the reverse direction. They wash off proliferating viruses from the throat into the stomach where they cannot survive, proliferate or do any harm.

The Call

Much has been said about THE CALL made in the Canadian Football League game Saturday between the Saskatchewan RoughRiders and the Calgary Stampeders. You remember! The Call
John Chick is called for unnecessary roughness for landing on Henry Burris after he had fallen down. Instead of leaving Calgary with a 3rd and 40 plus yards, the Stampeders received a fresh set of downs and scored a touchdown. The end result being a
44 - 44 tie with Saskatchewan in the battle for first place.
Well, oh this is hard, gulp, gulp, it appears the CFL referee made the correct call. Correct that is if you go by the CFL rule book which of course all referees must do.
The rule states that if a player is down, unable to further advance and if an opponent jumps or lands on top of him its unnecessary roughness. Well Burris was down, the question is was he unable to advance? In the eyes of the official he wasn't and therefore the call (gulp, gulp) is correct. So it wasn't the referee that cost the Riders the win, it was the rule book. Or if you
want to come right down to it, John Chick made an error. Had Chick just done the hand touch, according to the CFL the play would have been whistled to an end. No harm, no foul.
So there you have it. In this case, the referee may have made the right call but that doesn't change my mind much about the
officiating in the CFL. Sometimes it is downright awful. Most times its just plain bad. A friend of mine summed it up best this morning. He said " Everytime there is a big play, you look for a flag. If you're team made the big play, you hope there isn't a flag thrown. If the big play is made against your team you hope that a flag will be thrown. In a professional football league it shouldn't be that way, should it?
At any rate that is my half assed apology to the CFL who on Saturday made THE CALL

Canadian Fluffball League: Did I Do That?

If there is one thing that you would be able to get all Canadian football fans to agree on its that Canadian Football League referees are the worst in any professional sport in North America. I am not only referring to THE call on John Chick but the overall officiating in the game today. These guys have already cost the Montreal Alouettes a win with their ineptitude and Saturday they did it again to the Saskatchewan RoughRiders.
The officiating in this league has been bad for years and the sad part is it's not getting any better. In fact this year more than any other CFL officials are determining the outcome of games with their ridiculous calls. Saturday's game started off with more flags than you would see at a military parade. Its like these officials think 40 or 50 thousand people in the stands came to see them throw flags. Did you see the arc I got on that flag? Do you think I should use back spin next time? The fans came to see that.
After almost every play you can expect a flag and almost a smug looking official saying in true Steve Urcle fashion "Did I do that?
Back to THE call against Chick. You can expect on Monday the league will defend this call. You will hear things like we are protecting a player on the ground and so forth. What is this the Canadian Fluffball League?
I mean its football. Meant to be hard hitting. Henry Burris is one of the most elusive quarterbacks in the league. How does Chick know if he is going to stay down or jump right up and throw a touchdown pass. And if Burris was down and the play was over why didn't one of these striped shirts blow the whistle before Chick got to him. And even with the hit there was nothing malicious about it. No intent to injure.
The bottom line is this flag happy official cost the Riders a two point lead in the standings and a win in their season series against Calgary. Chick says the referee was paying him back for something that happened earlier in the game. If that is correct then that official is pathetic.
You wonder how a guy like Bill Baker would have fared in this "don't hit anybody when their down league. I remember covering a game against the Edmonton Eskimos where Baker put Tom Wilkinson and Bruce Lemmerman out of the game on two consecutive plays. They called him the Undertaker and for a reason. Somehow I don't think the Undertaker would have liked playing in this new Canadian Fluffball League.

Adios Argonauts

Well its Canadian Football League weekend prediction time again. Four games make up the schedule. Nothing new in that considering there are eight teams.
Edmonton at Toronto
Saskatchewan at Calgary
Hamilton at Montreal
BC at Winnipeg
Its hard to believe but the Argonauts tonight with a ridiculous 3 - 11 record are still in the playoff hunt. Anyone think the CFL needs more teams. Hurray Ottawa.
Hurry Moncton.
If the Argos lose tonight they will be elminated from any chance of making the playoffs. I said it was ridiculous but 3 - 12 records tend to do that to you.
Goodbye Toronto. Picking Edmonton to win that one. Its kind of a sad situation in Toronto. The league for its future health really needs a strong team in Toronto but there seems to be little chance of that happening.
The interesting game comes Saturday. The RoughRiders minus Weston Dressler visit the Calgary Stampeders. Smiling Hank Burris has guaranteed the Stampeders will play Montreal in the Grey Cup but Hank forgets they may have to win a game or two first.
By the way Hank it helps when you score touchdowns. Going with my heart on this one but I (yes I am a homer) am picking the Riders to win.
The weekend closes out with Hamilton at Montreal. I'm going to pick the TigerCats to pull an upset here and what should be a great game BC at Winnipeg. The Bombers are hot, Michael Bishop is hot, Coach Mike Kelly is grinning ear to ear and might even be up for the CFL most gentlemanly award. Wow. Picking the Bombers to keep it going. Just don't think BC is that good.
So there you go for this week's winners
Edmonton
Saskatchewan
Hamilton
Winnipeg

Hank Is In The Tank

My first thought after this weekend's Canadian Football League is what is wrong with Hank? My second thought as the
Saskatchewan RoughRiders prepare for the Calgary Stampeders on Saturday is who cares and lets hope it continues.
Smiling Hank, ie Henry Burris, isn't doing so much smiling these days after the Montreal Alouettes throttled the Stamps 32 - 11
on Thanksgiving Monday. Hank was pulled out of the game with about five minutes remaining after tossing a couple of interceptions and failing to lead his team into the end zone for a little more than two consecutive games now. Something like nine quarters since the Stampeders failed to find the end zone. A dance instructor will have to be brought in to help the
Stampeder receivers regain than dancing steps, it has been so long since they have scored a touchdown. Isn't it nice to not
see those ridiculous dances from Calgary?
Three former Riders had pretty good games on the weekend. Jamel Richardson, three touchdowns for Montreal, Adarius Bowman, two touchdowns for Winnipeg and 10 catches for 213 yards. I don't think Jason Clermont has seen that many passes all year for the Riders. And then of course quarterback Michael Bishop leading the Bombers to their win over Hamilton. I realize a lot of
people around these parts do not like Michael Bishop but when that guy is having one of his good days, he is a pretty effective quarterback.
So now in the West its Calgary and Saskatchewan in first at 8 - 6, BC second at 7 - 7 (where did these guys come from all of a sudden) and Edmonton last at 6 - 8.
Over in the East Montreal 12 - 2, Hamilton and Winnipeg 6 - 8 and poor old Toronto 3 - 11. Interesting listening to the talking suits on TSN. Listen to these guys and why bother with a Grey Cup game? Just give it to Montreal. I guess they don't remember the BC Lions starting 11 - 0 one season and then failing to even get to the Grey Cup. Suitor of all people should realize the regular season means nothing other than 18 games to decide who gets the home field advantage.
So this week its Saskatchewan at Calgary. Can we keep Hank in the tank? Hamilton at Montreal, Edmonton at Toronto and
BC at Winnipeg. What a tough week for predictions but here we go.
Saskatchewan over Calgary (I admit its my heart, not my head)
Edmonton over Toronto
Hamilton over Montreal (nothing in it for the Als)
Winnipeg over BC

Riders lose a good one

All season long we have been impressed at how deep the Saskatchewan RoughRiders are in offensive talent. Talent so good that a player like Jason Clermont has been rarely used. The depth of that talent may get a test now as wide receiver Weston Dressler went down late in the 32 - 22 win over the Toronto Argonauts, The initial prognosis is two to three weeks on the sidelines and that is huge for the Riders who still find themselves in the hunt for first place. Quarterback Darian Duran threw for three touchdown passes including a short one to Dressler.
It really is unfortunate to lose a player like Dressler. Only three or four minutes left in the game. Riders seemingly in control.
Makes you wonder why some of the backups weren't in the game but second guessing, after the fact is always easy.
Remember Matt Dominquez. Late in the game, Riders in control, the win is there and Dominquez suffers a season ending knee injury. Just makes you wonder thats all.
Found myself feeling a bit sorry for Kerry Joseph in this game. This is a quarterback that gives it his all, as evidenced by the hit he took scoring a Toronto touchdown. I have to think that this guy deserves better than the Toronto Argonauts. Unfortunately for Kerry, there are only eight teams in the league and at this point none of them seem to need quarterbacks. The guy just deserves better. I mean he did engineer only the third Rider Grey Cup in their history.
So next week it comes down to a big showdown. Saskatchewan at Calgary in a first place battle and for the Riders they go without Weston Dressler. I would like to see Clermont inserted into the game for that one. This guy is a big time player and now maybe the game against the Stampeders will give him an opportunity to show how good he is.
Unfortunately I will be driving today home from Kelowna. Would love to see the Stampeders against the Montreal Alouettes and sorry Calgarians, I will be cheering for the east in this game. I feel like such a traitor but what a game it will be next week if the Riders and Calgary meet with identical records.
Darian Durant looked ok against Toronto but lets not forget the Argos are nowhere near the class of the Calgary Stampeders and Durant will have to have his best ever game if the Riders are to win.

Kelly Says "Bottoms Up" To Spanking!

Don't get excited guys! Block, A Conservative Member of Parliament, is talking about spanking your children.
MP favours spanking
Block asks constituents to help fight Senate bill

Saskatoon-Rosetown-Biggar MP Kelly Block calls spanking a "traditional punishment" and is asking her constituents to help her fight a Senate bill that would see parents charged for it.
Block sent a mailout with the words "Are Parents Criminals?" to her constituents recently, asking them to mail back their answer to a question on whether they support spanking as a form of punishment.

Not much hope of this bill ever passing. Its been tried before and always shot down by the Liberals or the NDP.

Block asks constituents whether they agree with the bill, to which they're given two options: "No! Parents have a right to choose how to discipline their own kids," and "Yes! I agree with Michael Ignatieff's Liberal Senators -- All spanking should be illegal."
To me spanking should always be a last resort. I have always had trouble with the scenario where a parent takes a child and spanks them for hitting another child.
Isn't that kind of like sending a conflicting message? On the other hand I don't agree with the Liberal and Socialist views of "Hug A Thug". Proper training begins at home. So therefore I guess I kind of lead Kelly Blocks way on this one.
Parents should have the right to discipline their children in a loving fashion which may include spanking. If it gets out of control or abusive, then parents who do that should be charged.

Who Is Watching You From Heaven

It has been a week now since my Mother's internment in Trochu, Alberta. Due to distance only a handful of people were there but what a beautiful sunshiny day it was. Vern and Dorothy Carmack were again there and Pastor Vern conducted the graveside service. What faithful friends to my parents this couple were. Even unto death. I was so thankful for Vern's strength and his guidance through this time.
Vern is a man that doesn't beat around the bush. You ask him. He gives it to you straight and again Pastor Vern delivered a strong message of salvation before committing my Mother's body to the ground.
Mom was buried alongside Dad as was her wish. Their headstone, which will now have Mom's name inscribed on it is so fitting. Dad an accomplished pianist and musician, Mom a pianist as well and carved onto the headstone is a grand piano. I was so delighted to see that. Dad's life was about music. It was his life and Mom shared that joy along with him.
I know I have been blessed to have had Christian parents. Dad was a man who modelled faith and worked hard. I don't know how many times I heard "When the going gets tough, the tough get going" That was how he lived his life and expected us to do the same. Mom was quieter but as I look back on it, we have Mom to thank for our
Christian heritage and ultimately our salvation. Dad came from a long line of unbelievers. Hard working, good men, strong men but just not believers. Mom, on the other hand came from a strong heritage of believers and through her Dad came to believe as well.
Today I did a little quiz on the internet. The quiz asked the question "Who do you think is watching you from heaven"? I took the quiz and answered all the questions and then waited for the answer. The answer came back your Father (Dad)
(this incidentally was a secular quiz) and went on to say "He misses you dearly and is keeping his eye on you, his special treasure. Whether that is true or not is unimportant. My parents were treasures to me and today I am grateful and thankful to them, my Mom and my Dad, for the life they gave me, the life we shared together and the love of music which we all shared together.

Riders Do It To Me Again

For the second week in a row, the Saskatchewan RoughRiders have messed me up on a perfect prediction weekend. Last weekend I foolishly predicted that the Edmonton Eskimos would defeat the Riders. The result: Saskatchewan 23 Edmonton 20
This week I went with the Riders to defeat British Columbia Lions. The result:
A concussed Buck Pierce played like he thought he was in the NFL as the Lions downed the Riders 19 - 16. Kind of sad that a quarterback who's brains have been scrambled and was on his back more often that a saturday night hooker, could beat the Riders with two supposedly healthy quarterbacks. Well one anyway. We don't use our backup quarterback in Saskatchewan no matter the cicumstances.
For the second game in a row Darian Durant was totally ineffective but this time the defense couldn't save him and pull out the two points.
In the other games that I got right. Winnipeg pulled the upset and beat Edmonton
27 - 17, Montreal beat the sad sack Toronto Argonauts 27 - 8 and Calgary edged
Hsmilton 15 - 14. Talk about a game Hamilton could have and should have won.
Again the quarterback thing. Why wouldn't Marcel Bellefeuille put in an experienced Kevin Glenn for the last three minutes when all the Cats needed to win was a
field goal. Instead rookie Clinton Porter hangs on to a ball he could have thrown away and gets sacked and loses fifteen yards. No field goal anymore.
So now Calgary sits on top at 8 - 5. Saskatchewan 7 - 6 and British Columbia and Edmonton at 6 - 7
Next week Saskatchewan hosts Toronto. If Durant manages to lose that one the Riders better be looking elsewhere for a qb.

Grey Cup or Bust?

'It's either Grey Cup or bust for us,' says Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback Darian Durant

As I sit here disecting the Saskatchewan RoughRiders loss to the BC Lions 19 - 16, I came across that comment made by Darian Durant prior to the Leo's game. And after watching Durant perform Friday night one has to think that its more likely to be bust than Grey Cup.
For the second consecutive game Durant had an ineffective game and again tossed two many interceptions. The Rider defense saved the 23 - 20 game against Edmonton and they almost did it again against BC. The defense was stellar and was on the field far too much in stopping the Lions time and time again.
But the offense. Boasting the best arsenal of receivers in the league, the quarterback just couldn't or didn't get the ball to them. The running game was totally ineffective but when was the last time the Riders had a real good running game. Durant has silenced his critics for most of the season but he's sure to hear from them this week. And with good reason. Coach Ken Miller seems to be content to go with Durant come Grey Cup or bust. Why not throw Steven Jyles in for a few plays to see what he could do. Even BC's inexperienced backup Travis Lulay threw a TD pass, in short relief of Buck Pearce. The point is why have a back up if you are never going to use him.
So the Riders record falls to 7 - 6. A golden opportunity missed to put some distance between themselves and Edmonton and BC. And an opportunity to keep pace with the Calgary Stampeders who will likely defeat Hamilton later today.
Saskatchewan hosts Toronto next week. Might be a good time to give Jyles some playing time.

Fearless Predictions CFL Week 14

Week 14 in the Canadian Football League kicks off tonight. The interesting game of course will be the Saskatchewan RoughRiders in British Columbia to play the Lions. Last week the Riders ruined a perfect week on predictions when they beat Edmonton 23 - 20. I foolishly and to my shame had picked Edmonton to win.
So this weeks predictions.

Edmonton at Winnipeg
Probably foolish here again but I am going with the Bombers. Edmonton's defense is injury riddled and Michael Bishop, if he is on can pick apart a defense. So I'll go with the Bombers.

Saskatchewan at British Columbia
Made the mistake of not picking the Riders last week. Can't do that again. Riders will win by ten.

Montreal at Toronto
Going with Montreal obviously. Argonaut fans and the Argos themselves might be best advised to stay home.

Hamilton at Calgary
Calgary has been hot and cold. Lately the TigerCats have just been cold.
Picking the Stampeders to win this one,

Conservatives,Canada, Canadiens, all start with C

The King and his Kingdom have been saved, well for what, another two weeks or so and we will do this all over again.
Long live the King!
Jack (Robin) Laytonhood and his band of not so merry NDP'er's banded together and saved Prime Minister's Steven Harper's minority government from defeat. The scoundrel Michael Ignatieff and the separatist Gilles Duceppe had banded together to bring down the Government. But their fiery arrows all missed the mark when the NDP abstained from voting allowing the country and the Government to live another day. You have to wonder to live for what?
With Ignatieff fighting off questions about his leadership of the Liberal Party, one would think that this issue would be over for awhile and the Government could get on with running the country. But with the thirst for power Liberals around thats not likely going to happen. Ignatieff's attempt to force an election, though, came at an awkward time for the Liberal leader. He is being dogged by questions about his leadership in the wake of the resignation earlier this week of his party's Quebec lieutenant, Denis Coderre.Ignatieff had little to say about Coderre's fate, other than to issue a vague threat about "consequences" if Coderre does more harm to Liberal unity.
Or how about the huge earth shattering issue raised by Liberal Hedy Fry yesterday. According to Hedy, the Olympic logo looks very similar to the Conservative logo and my, you just can't have that. Canada's Olympic Games belong to all Canadians. While it is clear that the Conservative government's multimillion-dollar infrastructure campaign is crassly partisan, can the prime minister at least stop trying to politicize the Canadian Winter Olympics?" Liberal MP Hedy Fry asked in the House of Commons."I think the government should have said 'I think that this is too similar, people may think that there is a similarity. They may think we are trying to advertise and therefore, we shouldn't do this. Let's find a different kind of logo,' that is what (they) should have said," said Fry, a Vancouver MP.
Remember the Government's new friends? Jack Laytonhood and the NDP. Well they jumped in on the huge Olympic controversy as well. NDP MP Charlie Angus called it "cheap partisan politics" by the governing Conservatives.
Ah, yes your friends on the Hill don't stay with you very long.
So now its back to business as usual on Parliament Hill. In between dodging arrows from his own party members, Michael Ignatieff will try for another chance to bring down the government, Jack Layton will try to build up his own sagging support,
Hedy Fry will find another petty cause to rant about and the Government will likely not accomplish much more than it has in the past year. As for that Olympic logo someone might want to check with the Montreal Canadiens. Don't they have a logo
that resembles the Olympic logo and the Conservative one. Someone may want to point out to Hedy that Conservatives,
Canada and Canadiens all start with C. Just trying to help, Hedy, thats all.