Crown Jewel of Socialism

Join fabulous congresswoman Michele Bachmann with regard to the health care proposal and stop the madness!

Time is running out! Inform your friends!

The Great Stock Market Crash

80 years ago today, on the corner of Wall and Broad, the euphoria of a bloated stock market came crashing down as panic selling hit the market as the bubble burst. The day is known as Black Tuesday, and it became a catalyst for the Great Depression.

We are currently living an example of how devasting these events can be. Please review a portion of this PBS documentary:


What to take from this? They don't give away money on Wall Street, as there is no free lunch!

Piece By Piece

Five days before the presidential election last year, Senator Barack Obama declared that he and his supporters were "five days away from fundamentally transforming America". The comment flew by most who heard it, but the grim reality is that since his election, this is exactly what he is doing. If most Americans were aware of it, they would be really pissed.

Over on FOX News, Glenn Beck is brilliantly laying out this case on his 5PM EST program, and he is throwing up ratings never before seen. But, and sit down for this one, most of the mainstream media portray Beck as a crackpot, and therefore, many American citizens out busting their ass to make a living and spending time with their family do not have time to get the real story and discount Becks presentations.

In addition, that same mainstream media, as well as several elected officials, have labeled those voicing their opposition to Obama and his policies as racists. Sure, it is a sign of defeat when you pull out the race card, but while all this rhetoric is being tossed about, it distracts us from the reality that the America out founders fought to create is in fact being transformed by this administration.

In a column in Investors Business Daily, famed author and economist, Dr. Thomas Sowell, The Rose and Milton Friedman Senior Fellow on Public Policy at Stanford's Hoover Institution, lays out the evidence. No one can claim Sowell is a crackpot, or for that matter, a racist. Sowell is one of the top economists around these days and his opinions are well worth your consideration. Please take a moment to read his editorial, which I find right on target.

Choosing Capitalism

Confused about the direction to take in the tumultuous times we live in? The government is taking seemingly every opportunity to seize more control and power, claiming they, not the American worker, provide the answers. They are wrong! An informed choice must be made as this is indeed a time for choosing, and thankfully, the playbook need not be written. It was laid out masterfully, 45 years ago yesterday in Los Angeles, by a conservative who later became our 40th President. Please listen carefully:



Boy Howdy, does that not make things crystal clear for you? Free market capitalism is the best path to prosperity!

Govenment Power Grab of College Football?

In the past year, we have seen the most expansive governmental power grab of my lifetime. Given the numerous successes of governmental influence, including the Post Office, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, Medicare, prompt vaccinations, the Department of Motor Vehicles, our prison system and regulatory agencies like the Securities & Exchange Commission, one would wonder who would want these idiots controlling the local car wash.

The government is on the verge of controlling the media, our health care and our energy usage. As alarming that is, it appears an effort to control a precious part of our fabric is also underway. Jenna Lee engages the discussion:



These morons can't control the financial SEC, so now they want to regulate the other SEC! Good grief! I reject governmental influence and disruption in markets, and the last thing I want is them dictating regulation in the color and pageantry of college football. Barack Obama, and most of these Congressional meddlers, would not recognize Bobby Dodd from Bob Devaney and have no idea who plays annually in The Iron Bowl. The third Saturday in October is time for Tennessee and Alabama, not for government to get any crazy ideas. Given the governments embracing of political correctness, will we be awarding trophies to all participants rather than those actually winning championships?

Certainly, there are more pressing issues. Doesn't Obama have a fund raiser to attend? Some dancing or basketball? Afghanistan? Stay away from our Saturday afternoons! Otherwise, fans across the country will be coming to your city to throw you out of office, joining NASCAR fans, tea party members and free market capitalists everywhere!

CNBC Favoring Obama?

I closely follow the goings on on the corner of Wall and Broad in Manhattan, and as such, have a monitor on CNBC throughout the day. I think they do a very good job, from watching the markets to the production of a tremendous slate of documentaries and for the most part, have an excellent group of anchors and reporters.

Unfortunately, the evidence is mounting that CNBC, with Obama corporate partner General Electric as their parent company, has taken a hard left in the presentation of their programming, and this is not good.

A race for Governor of New Jersey produces a case in point. Larry Kudlow, who is fabulous, presents commentary on information the race is over based on polling on Monday nights Kudlow Report.


Over on FOX & Friends this morning, the lovely Gretchen Carlson has an interview with Republican candidate Chris Christie and presents polling which show Christie with a slight lead.



Who is right? Rasmussen polling, the recognized leader in polling, has Christie slightly up, so go figure! So, is CNBC reporting way off or is there a bias in presenting Dave Corzine, the Democrat and Obama backer, ahead? Seems obvious to me.

Want more? Recently, on CNBC's Fast Money, commentary about the policies of Obama was squelched. Charles Gasparino, a stout reporter who is quite aware of his skills, was nudged (did you get the Cass Sunstein pun) by host Melissa Lee to button up when speaking of Obama. Take a listen:



If CNBC thinks traders are not cognizant of the anti-capitalistic policies of Obama and how they will effect the earnings, and composition for that matter, of traded companies going forward, they are completely misinformed. Furthermore, to muzzle a correspondent making this commentary, points to an internal bias.

Increasingly lengthy face time for anti-capitalist far left progressive power brokers like Howard Dean and John Podesta is one thing, but efforts to curtail those attacking the policies of Obama, particularly on the home court of CNBC where economics and finance rule the day, will push FOX Business Network straight to the top!

NFL's Elusive Leon Washington Sidelined

Former Florida State Seminole and current New York Jet star Leon Washington suffered a broken leg against the Oakland Raiders on Sunday. It was not pretty:


Here is hoping for a full and speedy recovery for Washington, who has made quite a name for himself as one of the top kick returners in the league in addition to being a complete back with equal running and pass catching skills. Get well soon!

Top 25

College Football

Top 25

1. Florida, 7-0
2. Texas 7-0, 2
3. Alabama 8-0, 3
4. Boise State 7-0, 4
5. Cincinnati 7-0, 5
6. Texas Christian 7-0, 6
7. Louisiana State 6-1, 7
8. Southern Cal 6-1, 8
9. Oregon 6-1, 10
10. Oklahoma State 6-1, 11
11. Iowa 8-0, 12
12. Georgia Tech 7-1, 13
13. Penn State 7-1, 14
14. Virginia Tech 5-2, 15
15. Houston 6-1, 16
16. Utah 6-1, 18
17. Miami 5-2, 9
18. South Carolina 5-2, 19
19. Pittsburgh 7-1, 21
20. Ohio State 5-2, 22
21. West Virginia 6-1, 23
22. Ole Miss 5-2, NR
23. Notre Dame 5-2, NR
24. Oklahoma 4-3, NR
25. Arizona 5-2, NR

OUT: Texas Tech (20), Nebraska (25) and Brigham Young (17)

VOTES: Brigham Young, California, Clemson, Oregon State, Central Michigan and Michigan State.

UConn had to deal with the death of a teammate due to murder at West Virginia on Saturday. West Virgina's fans and team displayed quite a bit of class as they hosted, and defeated, the Huskies:


It appears Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford's career at Oklahoma is over due to injury, and that is unfortunate......Florida had quite a bit of trouble over at Miss State but Alabama was darn lucky to escape Tennessee.....Clemson outlasted Miami in a great game.....Nebraska's offense has gone missing, and since there is obviously nothing happening, the 'Huskers should start the Cody Green era immediately......USC got a hard fought victory against Oregon State, and given that, Cincinnati's victory over the Beavers looks better than once thought....LSU smothered Auburn.....Brigham Young was shut down by TCU, who looks good.....QB Christian Ponder is one of few bright spots for FSU....Nore Dame finally got a W versus Boston College....The Worlds Largest Cocktail Party is this weekend, and I will be watching....Iowa overcame a late deficit and won at Michigan State, another demonstration of the prevent defense preventing a team from holding a late lead....It has been over 35 years since my two teams, Florida State and Nebraska, have combined for so many losses this early in the season, which leads to a lot of beer drinking. I am trying to keep the faith as both still control their conference destiny, but the way it is looking, bowl season may find both as spectators instead of participants.

ESPN College Gameday is must see television, and I am thrilled Lee Corso recovered nicely from a stroke to come back this year. The show was pure comedy on Saturday, but Corso pushed the limit a bit with this commentary:

Later in the day, ABC color man and former Miami Dolphin Bob Griese, during a NASCAR promotion, inadvertently stepped in it in talking about #42 Target Chevrolet driver Juan Pablo Montoya, who incidentally, is a neighbor of Griese's down in Miami.

Truth Evasive for MSNBC

President Obama and his staff have taken the extremely juvenile route of attacking FOX News, and as usual, if the actions were not so serious, the would be pure comedy. Obama and his operatives stated they consider FOX News to be an arm of the Republican party and not a conveyor of actual news, like the recent ACORN scandal. Anyone with a brain recognizes this as laughably false.

On his side of the ball, there actually are arms of the left masquerading as news organizations, most notably NBC News and their sister network MSNBC. You know MSNBC, home of sportscaster turned conveyor of hate Keith Olbermann and "I get a tingle down my leg" when observing Obama Chris Matthews. There are many others to name, such as Andrea Mitchell, who does not think left wing mega donor George Soros is even left wing and NBC News White House correspondent John Harwood, who marveled at Obama swatting a fly recently.

NBC is also owned by General Electric, and the CEO Jeffery Immelt holds a position on Obama's economic team, so you can bet there is fair treatment of the Obama policies by the NBC news organization.

MSNBC is the one who really distorts the truth. In fact, a recent example was when they were peddling racism among tea party participants when they disclosed a tea party attendee brought a licensed semi automatic gun with him, failing to present the public that the individual was black.

So widespread are the lies over there, they cannot even keep track of who they are speaking about or directly to, as evidenced by anchor Contessa Brewer. Get a load of this:


Obama is against FOX News, most notably Sean Hannity and Glenn Beck, because they are not only towing the rope for the Obama Administration but alerting the public to the thugocracy exhibited by and behind the scenes transformation taking place in rapid fashion.

Thank You FOX, for without you, in addition to presenting a fair and balanced accounting of the news, who would be sounding the alarm?

An Opportunity Awaits

Up in New York, there is a very interesting Congressional race between a Democrat, an establishment Republican and a conservative Republican. While most of the Republican movers and shakers are supporting the establishment candidate, some voices have risen to support the conservative, Doug Hoffman, including Sarah Palin.

Palin is right on target, as usual, in calling it a "Time of Choosing", reflecting back to a speech by Ronald Reagan. As you may know, we have the same type of thing going on in Florida in a Senatorial race.

Governor Charlie Crist, who is the Republican establishment choice, is facing a true conservative in Marco Rubio. This race has been profiled on this blog before (1,2), but thankfully the race is getting the national exposure it deserves. Rubio joined Rebecca Diamond and the gang on the FOX Business's Happy Hour on Thursday. Take a listen:



We have to break the control the parties have over our electorate and turn the tables on the establishments providing us with candidates that leave us voting for the best of two evils. It is in fact a time of choosing for conservatives, and a critical juncture for the prosperity our country.

Now you know.

Dancing Around Troops Despicable

If it were not so utterly despicable, I am sure we would be falling down laughing.



Unfortunately, it our best that are at risk of falling due to the indecision by the politically expedient President Obama, who in the presidential campaign of 2008 had answers to everything, even things the intelligence handicapped voting public could not even comprehend.



While Obama is relaxing showing off his dancing moves on Latin Fiesta Night, no doubt regretting he could not participate and win the Dancing with the Stars competition, and engaging in political fundraising across the fruited plain, a request by US Army General Stanley McCrystal for the immediate need of some 40,000 additional troops to take control over the terrorists in Afghanistan remains unanswered.

Those backing Obama on the far left will brutalize him politically if he send the additional troops, for they are the can't we just get along moonbats. Just about every other logical thinking American thinks Obama should respond by granting this request immediately so we can secure victory and bring our soldiers home.

This was the necessary war, as opposed to Iraq, according to Obama. In Obama, I do not see a Commander in Chief who is aiming for victory, but one who wants to use the situation to his political advantage. Might he be waiting for the rerun of the so called tainted recent elections over there? Has ACORN been dispatched?

The United States cannot wait for problems surrounding the legitimacy of the Afghan government to be resolved before making a decision on troops, U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates said.

I find Obama's leadership is this regard despicable, and to endanger our military by delaying this decision while breaking a leg is beyond disrespectful to not only those brave enough to serve, but to all Americans. It should be very obvious that this man does not view America like most of us do. We would not be dancing, attacking FOX News and galivanting around with such serious decisions weighing on us, would we?

I recommend Obama send the requested troops over there immediately, to kill the terrorist and not pussy foot around. If Obama is against the effort over there, is not willing to commit to fighting to win and thinks he can buy time throwing rhetoric at us, he should do the moral thing and bring the troops home immediately.

The latter would be a catastrophic decision, but if you have witnessed the activity of his incompetence over the last several months, this would be nothing new.

Top 25

College Football

Top 25

1. Florida 6-0, 1
2. Texas 6-0, 2
3. Alabama 7-0, 3
4. Boise State 6-0, 5
5. Cincinnati 6-0, 6
6. Texas Christian 6-0, 7
7. Louisiana State 5-1, 8
8. Southern Cal 5-1, 9
9. Miami 5-1, 11
10. Oregon 5-1, 13
11. Oklahoma State 5-1, 14
12. Iowa 7-0, 15
13. Georgia Tech 6-1, 20
14. Penn State 6-1, 19
15. Virginia Tech 5-2, 4
16. Houston 5-1, NR
17. Brigham Young 6-1, 21
18. Utah 5-1, 23
19. South Carolina 5-2, 22
20. Texas Tech 5-2, NR
21. Pittsburgh 6-1, NR
22. Ohio State 5-2, 10
23. West Virginia 5-1, NR
24. South Florida 5-1, 17
25. Nebraska 4-2, 12

OUT: Oklahoma (16), Kansas (18), Notre Dame (24) and Missouri (25)

VOTES: Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Notre Dame, Kansas, Missouri, Mississippi, Central Michigan, Michigan State, Arkansas, Auburn, Georgia and California.

The Red River Rivalry concluded with Texas coming away with a hard fought victory, on which left OU Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Sam Bradford again injured (photo: The Oklahoman).....Top ranked Florida escaped Arkansas in The Swamp to remain unbeaten......Alabama looks methodically strong on both sides of the ball and controls their own destiny......Cincinnati took out South Florida on the road, but like OU, lost their QB for a while....Notre Dame fell short in a rally to beat USC, but at least did not get creamed......Ohio State stumbled at Purdue, which should not have shocked anyone......Penn State has a defense, but the Big Ten is not very strong.....Texas Tech exposed some serious offensive problems with Nebraska, which seems to be leading to a change at quarterback for the Big Red, which is the route to go......Colorado, now with the a new quarterback, upended Kansas, who has the offense but is really thin on defense......Oklahoma is wounded and may lose a time or two more....What could have been for Oklahoma State had they taken Houston seriously......The Big East title is shaping up to be an interesting race....Both Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech are great one week and suspect the next.....Although it is not the third Saturday in October, Alabama will play Tennessee this weekend......Florida State is at North Carolina on Thursday night in a must win game to preserve the consecutive bowl streak, but the Seminoles leaking defense is now injury ridden, so the offense will have to win it....Money Magazine profiles Auburn Booster Bobby Lowder.

A Collision in Copenhagen

Lord Christopher Monckton was recently speaking on the greatest hoax of all time, global warming. While this may be quite a howl, given how governments, media outlets, several hundreds of companies and millions of Kool-Aid drinking citizens are completely duped, there is a sinister agenda behind global warming that the average citizen would not dream of. Take a listen to Lord Monckton:



Not withstanding the berating Joe the Plumber got during the 2008 campaign from Barack Obama about the redistribution of wealth, five days before the election Obama proclaimed how he was close to beginning "the transformation of America". Unfortunately, nobody took him at his word, but it is not only visible now that he is in fact attempting to transform America away from capitalism but is aiming to transfer wealth among the world, under the vehicle of global warming, as some sort of perceived debt the United States owes due to our contribution to global warming through pollution.

This thought process is an attack on capitalism and the free market system to be sure, and one I vehemently oppose.

There are a significant number of factions, and or socialists, counting the days to this conference where the treaty Lord Monckton described will be presented. Most of the media will be offering their slobbering love affair analysis of the event, so make sure to get your updates from the real media outlets you have come to rely on.

This will be very important to monitor, as I fear Lord Monckton may be much more on target than you may think, and therefore, our sovereignty may in fact be at stake. If necessary, speak boldly without fear!

Foreigner Flashes Back On FOX

Mick Jones and Foreigner, promoting their first album in over 15 years, stopped by 48th and 6th this morning to visit with Steve Doocy, Brian Kilmeade and Gretchen Carlson on FOX & Friends. These guys are great! Enjoy!



Here is their new tune, Can't Slow Down, which they played kicking off NASCAR's Pepsi 500 at Auto Club Speedway in Fonatana, California on Sunday.

Top 25

College Football

Top 25

1. Florida 5-0, 1
2. Texas 5-0, 2
3. Alabama 6-0, 4
4. Virginia Tech 5-1, 6
5. Boise State 5-0, 5
6. Cincinnati 5-0, 7
7. Texas Christian 5-0, 8
8. Louisiana State 5-1, 3
9. USC 4-1, 9
10. Ohio State 5-1, 10
11. Miami 4-1, 11
12. Nebraska 4-1, 13
13. Oregon 5-1, 14
14. Oklahoma State 4-1, 12
15. Iowa 6-0, 14
16. Oklahoma 3-2, 21
17. South Florida 5-0, 17
18. Kansas 5-0, 18
19. Penn State 5-1, 23
20. Georgia Tech 5-1, 25
21. Brigham Young 5-1, 24
22. South Carolina 5-1, NR
23. Utah 4-1, NR
24. Notre Dame 4-1, NR
25. Missouri 4-1, 22

OUT: Auburn (19), Georgia (20) and Mississippi (16)

VOTES: Ole Miss, Auburn, Pittsburgh, Houston, West Virginia and Arkansas.

A couple players are really having outstanding seasons thus far making big plays over the weekend, who include Eric Norwood of South Carolina, Eric Berry of Tennessee, Tony Pike of Cincinnati and upstart Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett....Outside of Florida, who took out LSU behind a limited Tim Tebow, is anyone a super team?....Georgia got clobbered by Tennessee, and it was far from close....Florida State has the worst defense among major teams since Nebraska's blackshirts collapsed under Bill Callahan and DC Kevin Cosgrove....South Carolina is winning with defense in the SEC...Auburn was brought back to earth with Arkansas scoring at will against them behind the aforementioned Mallett....Iowa is winning real ugly....We will learn quite a bit with Oklahoma facing Texas this week in the Red River Rivalry at Dallas....Ole Miss cannot get out of first gear offensively, which is surprising under QB Snead, who is falling down the draft board....Nebraska assumed control in the Big XII North, as Kansas barely got by Iowa State at home....Colorado has benched coaches son Cody Hawkins at quarterback, which has been a long time coming....Ndamukong Suh of Nebraska is a dominant defensive tackle, as Missouri found out. Suh could sweep the Outland, Lombardi and Bednarik Trophies as well as being a top five draft pick. Suh had the national stage Thursday night:

Deeply Befuddled

On Friday morning, the entire world was met with quite a surprise. President Barack Obama has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize! Even the President was left scrambling for words. Obama said he wad "deeply Mumbled". At first thought, I was deeply befuddled.

But, as much of a head scratcher as this is, given the incredible amount of non accomplishments (outlined by SNL recently) and monumental failures (unemployment rate, stimulus package), this should not have surprised anyone.

On the Kudlow Report on CNBC host Larry Kudlow discusses the award with Andrew Briebart of Big Government. Take a listen:



Obama has endeared himself to the thug dictators across the globe while admonishing America. He is willing to collapse the US economy in efforts to prevent global warming and to bring a collective redistribution of wealth. In addition, Obama is seemingly against taking the fight to the terrorists around the world and has no interest in supporting uprisings for freedom.

Most of the liberal leaders and voters of this prize around the world are ecstatic that the US leaderships now endorses a retreat from the greatest country in the world to just one of the collective countries for the better good.

Two sitting US Presidents have won this award, Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson, who rank as the two most progressive in our history. In addition, Jimmy Carter was a recipient post presidency. Obama is quite progressive, popular among elitists and our European friends, while Obama shares much ideology with Carter, who clearly ranks among the worst Presidents in our history.

Therefore, I conclude it should not have been a surprise Obama won the prize. I think Tom McMahon from Four Block World brilliantly summed it all up!

Turmoil at Florida State

Gold has reached the highest level adjusted for inflation since 1983. The nations unemployment rate is the highest recorded since 1983. It has also been since 1983 that Florida State has had a losing record in football after five games, and it is creating quite a bit of turmoil.

The administration of Florida State has put in place a transition timetable by naming offensive Coach Jimbo Fisher as the head coach to take over after Coach Bowden retires. This will take place at some point no later than after the 2010 season.

It appears the transition is not working as well as planned, and the results of the team thus far in 2009 would indicate that. I am amazed this team has struggled so, particularly on offense, where the entire offensive line, the tight end and a superb quarterback returned. The fact remains, the Seminoles are 2-3 and that is unacceptable.

There are calls for the dismissal of legendary Coach Bobby Bowden, rumors of infighting among assistant coaches, tales of recruits running away and the sense of a general lack of leadership.

Discounting all media reports, the inconsistency of this team, and overall record, suggest things are not right. The heat is on Bobby Bowden, as many have called for his removal. Blog Tomahawk Nation has done a superb job of covering the entire situation, and I would encourage you to review their material on the subject.

According to them, and many others, Coach Chuck Amato, who returned to FSU after several years at NC State, has been at odds with Fisher since returning . When I was closer to the program back at my time there, Chuck Amato was someone I respected and thought very highly of. I recently met Jimbo Fisher and I was very impressed with him, although I remain unsure how successful he will be when he takes over FSU. At the end of the day, Fisher seems shackled and there seems to be too many chiefs on the coaching staff, which may be at the heart of why this team is struggling so.

There is a blackout being orchestrated on FACEBOOK in which many fans will be wearing black to show their displeasure of the job being done by Bobby Bowden. The group is approaching 5000 members. I checked out the group and noticed many of the participants appear to be students or younger alumni, which solidified my thoughts on the blackout: juvenile and disrespectful. Needless to say, I will be in Garnet and Gold Saturday night.

I do not think these younger fans have an appreciation for what Coach Bowden has meant to this University as it ascended from the doghouse to the penthouse. Coach Bowden used to drive the game tape of the Bobby Bowden show around the state to media outlets so they could run the show in an effort to promote FSU, prior to youtube or Ipods. In addition, he has represented our University with class and has been an unparalleled ambassador for FSU. Did I mention he is currently the second winningest coach of all time? I have tremendous respect for the man and am very grateful for his contribution to FSU and vehemently oppose any disrespect toward him, which would include the blackout.

However, we again go back to the record of the current team, which I deem unacceptable. Florida State has the nations longest streak of consecutive bowl games, and this streak is flat out in jeopardy. If these problems on the coaching staff do exist, I expect Coach Bowden to fix them immediately, with the understanding that Jimbo Fisher is the next Coach. Decisions regarding the staff in this regard should be made accordingly.

FSU President T. K. Whetherell released a statement today, which I completely agree with. Coach Bowden will remain at the helm throughout this season. Things will be evaluated, by both Bowden and the administration, after the season concludes. Defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews has announced that this is his final year. I like the idea of Jimbo Fisher replacing departed coaches as going forward, this will ultimately be his team. If Coach Bowden is unable to accept this, then 2009 should be his final season. If Coach Bowden can accept this, I would like 2010 to be his last season, one which should be very successful on the field and could give the players, fans, and alumni an opportunity to send Coach Bowden off in proper, well deserved fashion, as we give way to a new era under Fisher of strength, skill and character.

It is always tough when an era as successful as Coach Bowden's comes to an end. I remember Richard Petty climbing out of his crumpled STP Pontiac at Atlanta Motor Speedway in November of 1992. These gentlemen are competitors, and legends, and it is not easy leaving the stage. For Bowden, it is no doubt tough to step down. After all, he is one of us, THE UNCONQUERED!

GO SEMINOLES!

DISCLOSURE: I HAVE BEEN AN FSU SEASON TICKET HOLDER AND SEMINOLE BOOSTERS MEMBER SINCE 1982.

Street Survivors

Certainly, one of the most under appreciated bands in the history of Rock and Roll is Lynyrd Skynyrd. Originally from Jacksonville, Florida, this band of talented musicians invented Southern Rock, with such grand ole tunes as "Sweet Home Alabama", "Simple Man", "Gimmie Three Steps" and their fantastic ballad, "Freebird".

The band began in 1964 and played until 1977, when the group was involved in plane crash in Mississippi which took the lives of three band members, including lead singer Ronnie Van Zant.

During this thirteen year period, this band amassed a body of work which is truly legendary. The band reformed in 1987, with Ronnie's younger brother Johnny taking over lead vocals. The Van Zant family is quite talented, as another brother Donnie is the front man for another great southern band, .38 Special. Many of the former mates are still involved, although the band recently lost pianist Billy Powell to a heart attack.

Skynyrd, named for a high school teacher the forming band members disliked, had been wrought with tragedies throughout the years, but they continue to persevere. Gary Rossington and his wife Dale Krantz and Ricky Medlocke, an original from the old days who headed up the southern group Blackfoot, are among those playing with Skynyrd these days.

In promotion of their new album, God & Guns, Johnny Van Zant and the band turned up on the Mike Huckabee show, joining Huckabee on stage for a pair of tunes. Take a listen:



I'll rank Lynyrd Skynyrd fourth on my all time best bands list, and I still listen frequently today, perhaps preferring Simple Man as my favorite. How bout a second helping? Here is one from the old days. Turn it up!

Top 25

College Football

Top 25

1. Florida 4-0, 1
2. Texas 4-0, 2
3. LSU 5-0, 3
4. Alabama 5-0, 4
5. Boise State 5-0, 5
6. Virginia Tech 4-1, 6
7. Cincinnati 5-0, 7
8. Texas Christian 4-0, 8
9. Southern Cal 4-1, 11
10. Ohio State 4-1, 12
11. Miami 3-1, 16
12. Oklahoma State 3-1, 13
13. Nebraska 3-1, 19
14. Iowa 5-0, 18
15. Oregon 3-1, 17
16. Mississippi 3-1, 20
17. South Florida 5-0, 21
18. Kansas 4-0, 15
19. Auburn 5-0, NR
20. Georgia 3-2, 14
21. Oklahoma 2-2, 10
22. Missouri 4-0
23. Penn State 3-1, 22
24. Brigham Young 3-1, 25
25. Georgia Tech 4-1, NR

OUT: Michigan (23), Houston (9)

VOTES: Houston, Michigan, Notre Dame, South Carolina, Wisconsin, Stanford, Utah and Pittsburgh.

Notre Dame prevailed over Washington at South Bend Saturday in a very entertaining game. One has to be impressed with the job Steve Sarkasian has done with the Huskies....North Carolina fell at home to lowly Virginia in a shocker. UNC has not been playing well, but this was ugly......Miami is back as they held off Oklahoma for a big time victory. Miami earned their 3-1 start against 4 ranked teams and could cruise from here.....Houston was turning heads but turned them the wrong way giving up a country mile on the ground to UTEP, not exactly an offensive powerhouse, in getting outscored 58-41. Ouch!.....Georgia lost to LSU between the hedges in a see saw game. WR AJ Greene for Georgia is one fine player......Michigan State lost a big lead to Michigan behind the efforts Tate Forcier, but won it in overtime for the first back to back wins over the Wolverines since the LBJ administration.....Boise State ws unimpressive and that can cost a team trying to bust into the BCS......Auburn has looked good, which is surprising given the coaching change......UCF got a big victory, pulling away from Memphis......Illinois continues to disappoint......Cincinnati may be pretty good behind QB Tony Pike.

This is a big weekend upcoming with several separation games, including Nebraska at Missouri, Florida at LSU, Ga. Tech at reeling FSU, Wisconsin at Ohio State, Auburn at Arkansas, Alabama at Ole Miss and Georgia at Tennessee.

A Hot Commodity

A new book, "Going Rouge", by former Alaska Governor and former Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, scheduled for release on November 17, is already the top ranked seller on both BarnesandNoble.com and Amazon.com. The book is outselling the memoir by the late Senator Edward M. Kennedy titled "True Compass" (cool title as Kennedy spent many hours sailing) and Dan Brown's "The Lost Symbol". This is astounding, given the lack of appeal and knowledge she posses as described by the mainstream media.

Former John McCain campaign manager Steve Schmidt is not very impressed. Schmidt, who poorly ran McCain-Palin campaign in 2008, offered the following to CNN: "But my honest view is that she would not be a winning candidate for the Republican Party in 2012, and in fact, were she the nominee, we could have a catastrophic election result." Schmidt meant catastrophic for the GOP, and he may be right. With RHINOS like Lindsay Graham and Charlie Crist running around, it well should be. Many members of the GOP like the establishment in place and are far too willing to play the game.

Palin is not playing games and cares not about the establishment. I am right with her, as a are a growing number of Americans. Her book sales emphatically state that, so those discounting her should heed the warnings.