Oscars

A few thoughts on tonight's awards...

Lead Actor

Will win- Forest Whitaker "The Last King of Scotland"

Should win- I can't pick Whitaker because I didn't see the movie. Although the movie was nothing to write home about, Ryan Gosling's performance in "Half Nelson" was stirring. I'll go with him.

Supporting Actor

Will win- Eddie Murphy "Dreamgirls"

Should win- Murphy. Wahlberg was the overshadowed by every other male actor in "The Departed". Arkin's role, in my opinion, was not very special.

Lead Actress

Will win- Helen Mirren "The Queen".

Should win- OK... The movie wasn't the greatest. Yes, she's had bigger roles. But Meryl Streep's transformation into superwitch overshadows the field here. Outstanding performance by an outstanding actress in "The Devil wears Prada".

Supporting Actress

Will win- Jennifer Hudson "Dreamgirls"

Should win- Cate Blanchett in "Notes in a scandal".

Director

Will win- Martin Scorcese "The Departed"

Should win- I have no clue how the general public should rate directors. I'll hold off until Best Picture which, to me, is really the same thing.

Best Picture

Will win- Hollywood likes to give awards for careers. It's a night for Scorcese. "The Departed" wins again.

Should win- This year's list is a bit uninspiring. "Sunshine" was cute but nothing more. I didn't see Iwo Jima, so maybe in a month I'll hedge my bet. But it seems to me that "The Departed" is the best in a mediocre bunch.

A Dennis York tribute

I thought it would be appropriate to once again link to the best post I have ever seen during my stay in the blogosphere.

You will be missed, Dennis...

Dennis York revealed!

One of the best bloggers around, Dennis York, has finally revealed his identity. His final post can be found here.

Wispolitics coverage can be found here.

Wisconsin State Journal coverage is here.

York is one of the bloggers who encouraged me early on in this experiment. I appreciated his comments as well as his entertaining blog.

H/T to La Raza...

Talk about a snowjob...

James starts an interesting conversation on whether or not to have school today. Unfortunately, he appears to be on the wrong side of the issue. When did our society become so wimpy!

James is right about one thing... the Freeman sound off will be full of morons complaining that they had to change their morning schedule to see their kids off to school. Is there any question now that our priorities are all screwed up? Keep in mind that these are the same parents who will be complaining when their vacation plans are messed up by make up school days. My kids got off to school (I drove them.... yes, you can still do that!) and they don't seem to be in any danger from the ordeal.

As I ran errands today I was amazed at the number of school age kids in all of the stores. Too cold for learning... but just fine for a trip to the mall.

While schools may be in a lose - lose situation when deciding whether to call school off, the teachers inside the buildings aren't exactly showing much common sense either. Cold or snow days become fun days because we can't dare to actually educate kids while 6 or 7 students are gone. Which means they might as well as stayed home in the first place.

My kid's principal said the school was swamped with complaint calls all day today. I imagine that explains why school has already been called for tommorrow. Chances are the principal will here from the other side tommorrow.

Come on, people! Stop halting the world everytime the weather changes! This is Wisconsin, for cripes sake!

UPDATE: Spring City Chronicle has an outstanding post on the same subject. His, however, is written better. Check it out.

The Dog and the Under...

I almost hate to make a prediction on the Super Bowl after my almost infallible election picks in November. But, everyone else does it, so here we go. Take the underdog Bears to cover and the game to go way under...

1. Everyone has forgotten that the Colts rush defense has been horrible for MOST of the year. The Bears will expose that and shorten the game.

2. Desmond Clark should have a huge game against the Colts pass scheme. He is absolutely essential in a Bear's upset attempt.

Colts 20 Bears 17...

And pigs fly...

"We are sure that this statement will shock this community: The Waukesha Taxpayers League agrees that we have an educational funding problem in Wisconsin."

"Taxpayers have an obligation to provide our children with a good education."

By CHRIS LUFTER (Chris Lufter is a town of Waukesha resident and president of the Waukesha Taxpayers League.) Waukesha Freeman 1/31/07


Wow...

Favre's coming back

Brett Favre told the Sun Herald in Biloxi, Miss. today that he is returning to the Packers for the 2007 season.

Last year I thought it was time for the Packers and Brett to part ways. He play had fallen off quite a bit in 2005 and I thought the rebuilding process needed to begin now.

This year, however, I am excited about his return. It is clear to me that his retirement means 5-8 years without returning to the playoffs. With the NFC so weak right now, a dabble in the postseason next year isn't out of the question with #4 at the helm.

My advice? Enjoy the year and enjoy watching one of the greatest ever play out his career. The playoffs would simply be icing on the cake....