For Shame Tennessee

My home state is scheduled to execute Christa Pike later today who participated in killing another girl over three decades back. Pike was raped and abused as a child with no access to counseling after these horrific events warped her. She by definition had ineffective lawyers, or she would never have had a death sentence imposed. I will not feel any more safe in my Nashville home after the authorities terminate a mentally ill middle aged woman for what she did in the 1990's while under the influence of drugs and with PTSD from her hellish childhood few could even imagine. If it becomes a jejune concept to want to protect womanhood in a society, then we need to start anew where men are protectors of women and girls and not their executioners.  

Eagles Not Powerhouse

While I will give Philadelphia their props for being the most obnoxious and confrontational fans in American sports, I have to say their football team is overrated this season. Yes, while they did defeat my hometown's woeful Titans (in a game I suffered through in the scorching stadium), they had their heads handed to them by the Bears being led by a career backup quarterback, who was not even drafted when he signed as a free agent over a decade back. Philadelphia does not look like a Super Bowl contender, but Chicago continues to shine even without their superstar starting QB in the mix. 

Edge of Victory

My hometown Tennessee Titans played up in the Garden State yesterday. Their offense in the first half was anemic against a solid New York Giant defense, but came to life in the second half and just as they did against the mighty Eagles, made a game of it. The problem with coming close is that "only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades" as the old saying goes. Losing by a few points is still a loss, with tougher parts of the schedule looming for the winless Titans future. 

Manning Is Simms

I watched Arch Manning more or less stymied by the Tennessee Volunteer defense yesterday. My hot take is that Manning, unless he improves greatly or has the fortunate situation of having pro teammates who are superstars at all the other skill positions, will be a career backup quarterback in the National Football League. He completed some relatively deep passes on what seemed to be deliberate under-throws, but they were also passes that might have been longer gains or even touchdowns if Arch had led the receivers a little. Honestly, it looked like the Vols' freshman quarterback had the livelier arm and actually threw for a TD, when Manning, who despite winning the game could not manage a touchdown throw. Manning also looked the farthest thing in the world from a Heisman candidate. In fact, his performance did not even look like he is secure in the role of starter- where is Quinn Ewers when the Longhorns need him. Manning has all the tools to be another Chris Simms iteration of second teamer at the professional level. 

Dabo Is Back

Coach Swinney did not forget how to win football games, and the times did NOT pass him by, as he proved once again last night versus Cal-Berkeley. To me, Dabo is still a very good coach who can be victorious at Clemson. Was there a bad stretch? Undeniably yes, but it took some time for many programs to sort out NIL. Swinney is great at the strategic aspects of football and at motivating young men. I expect to see the Tigers in a bowl at the conclusion of this season. 

Last Best Hope

Trump was it- our knight rising to turn back the invading horde. Yet our courts, the not loyal opposition party, and tragically even many fellow Republicans have done everything possible to thwart the President at every turn. You will only recognize how great the Donald was when the country falls apart under his successors. 

The Summit Summit

The leaders of the two most powerful nations on earth are meeting. The monstrous murderer who enslaves China is dining with the enormous ego who governs America. I do not like despots, so I hope Trump achieves his goals in regard to Red China.