Only in Dallas, folks. Only in Dallas...

I have to admit I'm somewhat underwhelmed by the whole T.O. saga. I mean, what's really going on here? Did Owens really try to kill himself? Personally, I doubt it.

According to the report - and by his own admission, T.O. had taken 5 Hydrocodone tablets. Now, as an addict myself (Hydrocodone is the generic name for Vicodin), it's very possible that if he indeed took five, then it's not unreasonable to believe he became unresponsive. Hydrocodone is usually prescribed in 5mg with 500mg of Acetaminophen (Tylenol), 7.5mg/750mg, or 10mg/325mg. Let's assume he had been prescribed the 7.5mg tablets. That would mean that in taking 5, he would have consumed 37.5mg of Hydrocodone AND 3750mg of Acetaminophen!

Now granted, many of us have taken 3 Tylenol's at one time or another, but 5 at one time can cause considerable discomfort Now add 375mg of a rather potent narcotic and, voila - he becomes catatonic.

In the 6 years that I've been taking Vicodin (originally after my spinal fusion, but regularly now for Reumatoid arthritis), I can't remember any time that I took more than 15mg in a single dose - and that was when I developed a blood clot that was the most painful thing I've ever experienced (and that says a LOT). After the initial relief, it ended up giving me an upset stomach and it really dulled my senses. So if T.O. took FIVE of those suckers, there is no way he knew what he was saying when asked if he meant to hurt himself.

On top of that, there is no way that the Dallas hospital would release him a day later if we was suicidal. I don't care who he is. The financial liability alone would keep the hospital from doing so.

So I have to say that I believe him. Maybe I'm saying that because as T.O. goes, so goes the Cowboy's season. But I don't think so.

I wonder if the wonderful Philadelphia fans will throw empty pill bottles at him when the Cowboys play there (October 8th). Man, will it be loud then.

***********

Kudos to the 7-11 corporation (formerly known as The Southland Corporation) for dropping their alliance with Citgo gasoline. While I truly feel sorry for Citgo's American work force, I like the move, especially after Chavez's hack job on the President. Unfortunately, because we are so dependent of foreign oil, it just means that instead of lining the Venezuelan president's pockets, it will just go to some anti-American/anti-Israeli despotic kingdom's pockets instead. However, while I thought changing the name of french fries to 'freedom fries' was just plain silly, this move by the slurpee makers has some real bite to it.

***********

Maybe it's me, but I don't blame Bill Clinton for not eliminating Osama bin Ladin when he had the chance. Sure, in hindsight, it would have been right. But the reality was that before 9/11, we weren't prepared to deal with any fall out that would occur. If we took him out and the Jihadist movement would have taken to the streets violently, can any of us - especially Republicans - not vilified him for it.

Of course, what I don't understand is why the Democrats blame Bush for not doing what Clinton didn't do. Now that we live in the post-9/11 world, you would think they would understand what Bush is trying to do better. I have absolutely no doubt that if a Democrat were in the White House and he was doing exactly the same that Bush has done, he would be a hero to his people.

Most of us seem to forget that although Clinton was disliked by the GOP, he was given his due and respect for being the President of the USA. In my entire life, I have never seen such unhinged hatred of a President by the opposition party. Never. I remember how the Left disliked "Tricky Dick" Nixon and I remember the animosity towards Reagan. I also recall how how embarrassed the country was by the 1979 hostage crisis and Clinton's "intern trouble".

But never have I seen it this bad.

I honestly believe that as long as the Democratic platform's main initiative is to destroy George Bush - at the expense of any other idea or belief - the Democrats will never, and I mean NEVER, win the general election again. And should they somehow, but whatever fluke of nature, do win, I'm certain that it will be an anomaly and not the start of any cultural revolution.

Face it. The Democrats' plan since at least 2000, has not been better education, stronger defense, improved social security, fair taxes or universal health care. Those may be their talking points, but they have no good ideas to bring them to fruition. No, the only single-minded objective the Democrats have is to win the White House. No matter what the cost.

That's not a formula for success - it's a formula for disaster. Think about it - since the Kennedy assassination in 1963, has any Democratic president been a success? And in light of how secure Clinton had left us, even if you want to credit him for anything (if you claim he should be credited for turning around the economy in 1992, then you must blame him for the disastrous plummet in 2000), you can't say he left us in too great shape.

It's another one of those days.

I have to admit, I've been quite productive over the last few days. But still, I have this feeling of sadness. I don't believe I'm depressed. I mean, I know what THAT feeling is like. No, I don't want to crawl up in bed and hide, nor do I dread the days ahead. Generally speaking, all is calm around here. And yet...

It's possible that the fact that Yom Kippur is upon us (Sunday night, in fact). Unlike some other religion, Jews don't require anyone but themselves to "submit". But, we do believe that we have to confess our misdeeds, whether they be between us and G-d, or between us and our fellow man. While a Jew can confess at any time, Yom Kippur is the day that the heavens open up and pass judgment on each of us (no pressure there).

But there's more. Much more. And it's not something I wish to share with you. Not now anyway. I suppose this too will pass, but it sure isn't easy.

On the bright side, House is on tonight.

So, tomorrow is another day and hopefully the sadness will go away. While I'm not optimistic it will - for reasons beyond my control - I suppose one day I'll understand what G-d's plan for me is.

In the meantime, I'll just keep on keeping on. No matter how hard it always seems to be.

7ae

Let's see what's shakin' today...

For the life of me, I can't understand how the Democrats can sleep at night.

According the the Washington Times, The House yesterday passed legislation that would require voters to show a valid photo identification in federal elections over the overwhelming objections of Democrats who compared the bill to segregation-era measures aimed at disenfranchising Southern blacks.

What???

The bill was written to decrease, if not entirely eliminate, voter fraud. But Democrats, siding with groups that work on behalf of minorities and illegal aliens, called the bill a "modern-day poll tax" and said it would place an insurmountable burden on voters and infringe upon their voting rights, according to the article.

Look, the only thing that upsets the Dems is the fact that the bill will stop illegal aliens from voting. Any, and every, legal citizen has the right to either a driver's license or a state issued I.D. To compare it to segregation-era measures only serve to stir up bad memories and dilute the horrors of segregation.

The unbashed hypocrisy of the Democratic party is beyond the pale. GOPers may have their moments, but at least it's not as obvious (or as out of touch with the average American).

Hugo Chavez has left NY. But not before he came up with a wonderful idea - moving the UN to South America. I can't tell you how much I would enjoy that. My first thought was to move it to the top floors of the new Freedom Tower, but moving it out of the country entirely?

As Lundberg would say, "that would be great."

Chavez calling Bush the devil reminded me of a comment made by former Dallas Cowboy star running back, Duane Thomas. Thomas, a gifted athlete who let drugs, anger and bad advice destroy what could have been a Hall of Fame career, made some very critical comments about then-Cowboy General Manager Tex Schramm, calling Schramm "sick, demented and completely dishonest" Schramm retorted, "That's not bad. He got two out or three right!"

Speaking of the Dallas Cowboys, On Monday, I passed the 33rd anniversary of former All-Pro offensive lineman John Niland's breaking into (or attempting to break into) my house. For those of you who do not know the story, Niland - at the time one of the best linemen in the game - went on a bad "trip" late one night and started running down the streets of North Dallas, searching for his wife, Irene. In the book, Cowboys Have Always Been My Heroes, Peter Golenbock - famed author of Red Sox Nation and Ball Four, quoted Niland, saying that while he was running, he had an "out-of-body" experience and knew he had to find his wife, in order to share it with her.

Ironically, as he was becoming "born again" (his words, not mine), he turned down a small street and pounded on the door of the second house on the right. At the time, he was somewhat incoherent and was screaming for his wife.

My father answered and immediately recognized the behemoth of a man. After the initial shock, he directed him to a house across the street (why that house, I'll never know), and when he left, called the community Co-of patrol. My father reasoned that he didn't call the Dallas police because as a huge Cowboy fan, didn't want Niland to get into anymore trouble then he already was in.

Within minutes, the patrol car arrived to find the neighbor pointing a rifle at Niland to keep him from getting closer (this was Texas after all). The police eventually arrived and escorted Niland away in a paddy wagon.

A couple of days later, Niland again showed up at our door - this time composed. He wanted to apologize and explain himself. He told us that he had this vision from G-d that sent him to our house. When he found out my father was a Rabbi, he broke down and cried. He realized that had he gone to any other house, he may have been shot. When it was time for him to leave, he asked my father what he could do to make it up to us. My dad, being the sly politician most pulpit Rabbis are, suggested that he should attend the upcoming Selichos service (a midnight service on the Saturday night before Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year). Since the purpose of this service is to usher in the season of teshuva (repentance), his appearing at this service would demonstrate his regret.

As much as that was a good idea spiritually, my father admitted that he rightly figured he'd get a record turnout to the otherwise lightly attended service. So, Niland was there as where about 200 kids from the (at the time) small orthodox community.

If you ever want to read the story in full, check out Golenbock's book.

Well, I'm back home now and hopefully, on the way to getting better. The doctors restructured my meds regiment (added one, removed two) which stabilized my blood pressure.

Unfortunately, the new drug makes me a little loopy - yes, even more that usual. The doc says that I'll get used to it (he also said it was payback for having to get used to me! What do you suppose he meant?). So far, it's been 4 days since I began taking the new drug, but since I just stopped taking the old ones yesterday, I'm going to give it more time.

Four years ago, Rosh Hashanah also began on a Friday evening. That year, 2002, on the Thursday prior to the holiday, I suffered my heart attack. Like 9/11 did to most of us, that particular day did to me - it changed everything. In the four years since that morning, so much has changed it's remarkable (at least to me) that it's actually only been 4 years.

If I were to have said that in 4 years I'd be were I am physically, emotionally, spiritually and intellectually, I'd have thought myself insane (not that I haven't touched THAT possibility once or twice). While in the hospital, I re-read my transplant story and can hardly believe that I was talking about me (which has always been my personal favorite activity). I was stunned by the many ups and downs I experienced, and still experience. The number of friends I have been able to reconnect with still boggle my mind.

I have to give much of the credit to where I am today to this wonderful toy, called the Internet. Between emails, blogging and the information available at the touch of a button, I can't imagine what life would be like without it.

So, thanks Al Gore - I owe you one!

Until later...

It must be September.

It's the time of year that brings the first wave of cool air. It's the time that the kids complain about going to school, instead of complaining that their bored. It's the time of year that I don't have to hear them complain for 9 hours on any weekday. It's the time of year that April hopes of a first Texas Ranger World Series appearance becomes another worthless waste of time (although during most years, this occurs in June or July). It's the time of year where nothing in the world matters during the wonderful three hours each week watching the Dallas Cowboys play.

Unfortunately, since 2000 (with the exception of 2001), it's also the time of the year when I end up back in the hospital. In 2000, during the month of September, I was hospitalized following the first of two back surgeries (the second one was in November that year). Two years later, I suffered a massive heart attack. A year after that (2003), I went in to the hospital for 10 days due to a major humoral rejection. In 2004, although it was actually in October, I have surgery to remove a hernia in my stomach. Last year, I had a horrible bout of colitis and a blood-clot in my arm.

And now, it's a whole new year and once again, I'm back in the hospital.

Ain't life grand?

Fortunately, my stay this time shouldn't be more than 3 days. About 6-8 weeks ago, my monthly blood test results (since the rejection, I've had to take Aranesp injections for chronic renal failure and anemia, thereby creating the need for monthly blood-letting) displayed elevated potassium levels. The cause was determined to be from a medication I was taking t control my blood pressure. Also at the time, I was suffering from symptoms resembling Lupus which were caused by another blood pressure med.

Because I was now unable to take either of these drugs, my blood pressure started rising. Now, as everyone knows, the ideal pressure for most adults in 120/80. Mine had historically been 110/70. But since the transplant - and certainly since the rejection - I've struggled to keep it below 135/90, not terrible, but considering the BP drugs I was on, not all that great.

When I stopped taking those two drugs, I was lucky if my BP was under 140/100. About four weeks ago, I suffered from a very painful headache. When I checked, I found that my BP was around 180/140. So, I went to the ER and spent the entire night there. The doctors added a new drug to my regiment and sent me home.

Unfortunately, the drug made little difference. By BP stayed around the 155/110 mark for a couple of weeks, but about 10 days ago, I started to get the headaches more frequently. By the time this week started, I was suffering a constant pain in my head and my pressure was averaging about 165/125. At times, it would go as high as 175/135 - dangerously high for me.

On Saturday, I called my cardiologist - the man I credit for saving my life (more than once) - and he called me in yet another new prescription. So I took it that night and when I woke up, I felt the same. In fact, I had a tough time falling asleep. I had a pretty bad headache throughout Sunday and again, had trouble falling asleep. Before I went to bed, my BP was still very high at 167/123.

Then came today. My wife woke me at 6am and I couldn't lift my head. One of my just-turned-8-year-old twins was in bed next to me and was snuggling, so the last thing I wanted to do was get out of bed. But after about 10 minutes or so, I got up and started to get dressed. I noticed right away how terribly sluggish I felt, but just assumed it was from falling asleep so late. I also noticed that my right eye seemed very foggy. It was that way part of last night, but it got better. Now, it was unclear again. After finally getting dressed, I went into the kitchen and was getting a drink of something (like to say it was booze, but more than likely it was iced tea), when my wife came in to asked me a question. As soon as she started to talk, I realized how muffled everything sounded. I also began to feel disoriented and confused (not too hard for me). She told me that if I felt faint, I should just sit down where I was. I thought I was well enough to walk to the living room couch, but as I took a step, I changed me mind.

To be honest, I don't remember much more. About an hour or so later, after dozing I guess (I know I didn't faint), the kids were gone and my wife told me were going to the ER (she had spoken to the doctor who told her to wait and see how I felt when I woke up). Before we went though, I took my BP and it - unbelievably - registered 108/70.

When I got to the ER, I was still somewhat out of it. But slowly, over the next couple of hours, I began to feel better. I arrived in the ER at 10am, but after all was said and done, they finally got me into a room upstairs at 8pm. M wife ran home to get me some food, my laptop and other supplies and I've just come back from having a CT scan.

Right now, I'm somewhat drugged from taking my nighttime drugs and two Vicodin. However, I have my laptop and my iPod, so I'm resting somewhat comfortably. My latest BP reading was 153/108 and my head is less achy. Tomorrow should be a fairly simple day and although I'm being scheduled for a right-heart cath (biopsy), I'm hopeful I can go home afterwards.

Incidently, while I certainly didn't expect for the Cowboys to lay an egg last week against Jacksonville, I fully expected (and correctly so) that the 'Boys defense would completely shut down the Redskins. While my predicted score was a little off, the outcome was the same. Take away a TD drop by T.O. - apparently due to a broken hand), and the score could well have been what I predicted. Although, I did expect Washington to show a little more offense. If you're a Redskin fan, you couldn't have felt good about the game at all.

Random Questions and Thoughts

After reading (and re-reading) the speech given by Pope Benedict XVI at University of Regensburg, I have to say that the reaction of the Muslim world proves his contention. It's as if I beat up someone because they had the audacity to say I react violently.

If anyone should apologize - which is what the Muslims want - then it should be the Islamic leaders who fuel the Arab street's hatred. I would be stunned if any one of the rioters heard and understood what the Pope said. If they did, then their reactions would not have been so extreme. Although in the Muslim world, one can no longer be sure.

I must say I'm impressed with what Hillary Clinton said regarding the film, "Death of a President." While her comments carry more weight since she is not only a former First Lady, but also someone with Presidential aspirations as well, I believe they were an honest reaction to vile excrement created as "entertainment".

Truthfully, nothing else would be acceptable for Mrs. Clinton to say. However, the fact that she not only said it, but said it with such disgust impressed me. For those who didn't hear it, She made the comments in Chappaqua at the annual New Castle Community Day:

"I think it's despicable. I think it's absolutely outrageous. That anyone would even attempt to profit on such a horrible scenario makes me sick."

You see, I agree that once in a while a Democrat gets it right.

Why is it so hard for people to understand that the price of gas at the local filling station is based not on the cost of gas sold to the station, but on the price of gas that will have to be purchased by the station to replace what he has.

Seems simple to me. However, when I think of all those dollars going to our dear "friends" in the Persian Gulf, I get a strong urge to either ride a bike, or beat up an environmentalist.

While walking everywhere may be heathy, my knees and back will never again be strong enough to sustain that kind of exercise. Until the discover a way to fix my arthritis without taking anything that will destroy my already weakened kidneys, driving is my only viable alternative. And as far as I'm concerned, the caribou can find another place to sleep - after all, It's not as if Alaska doesn't have enough room.

Former Texas Governor Ann Richards passed away Wednesday. While not particularly a fan, she was certainly entertaining. I had the pleasure to meet her in the late-'80s when she spoke at an Israel Bonds banquet I worked on. However, while she certainly still had a sharp tongue, she was less than charming to my staff. Her demands were quintessential diva-esque and her language would make a sailor blush.

Clearly at the time, you could see she was losing steam. She was soon to defeat Clayton Williams - well actually, Williams defeated himself. While holding a substantial lead in the polls close to the election, Williams, a real "good 'ol boy" from Midland, was sitting around on a rainy afternoon with some reporters, when likening bad weather to rape, he quipped, "as long as it's inevitable, you might as well lie back and enjoy it."

Within the next few weeks, he lost his 20-point lead and the election as well.

As for Richards, she stayed on and came close to another re-election in 1994, but her own unfortunate slip of the tongue gave her opponent - a young Republican upstart named George W. Bush - the victory. Richard's comment, calling Bush "some jerk" (spoken like a true Democrat), was the last straw to a population that had already grown tired of her unpopular stances on many election issues.

Two outstanding articles I wish to recommend to you: Firstly, Carolyn Glick's The Free World's Achilles Heel, a superb study in who is and who isn't Israel's ally, and secondly, the incredible Charles Krauthammer's The Tehran Calculus.

The latter article is at best a chilling slap of reality and at worst a depressing look at the future, should Tehran aquire nuclear arms. I don't blame anyone for wanting to remain oblivious to the very real threat of Iranian nukes, but ignoring the truth will only make the shock all that more painful.

I leave you tonight with my prediction for tomorrow night's Cowboys-Redskins game:

Without Portis, Washington will not be able to run. The Cowboy defense, embarrassed by the loss to Jacksonville a week earlier, will be on fire and will shut down Washington's passing game. Bledsoe will find T.O., Glenn will have a huge game and Dallas wins 34-13.

You heard it here first!

After two and a half years of blogging, I'm giving up hope.

I witnessed the fall of the Twin Towers as it happened 5 years ago and I remember distinctly thinking that now Americans will understand what Israelis have been feeling and understanding for 50+ years.

Since that horrible day, I have witnessed the amazing transformation of Americans and the incredible spirit of working together in protecting the country.

But I've also witnessed the dark side of humanity. Not just in Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran and North Korea, but in places like Britain, France, Spain and right here in the USA.

I've witnessed an unbelievable smear campaign against the President of the United States by an unhinged element in society whose own agenda trumps common sense and self-preservation.

I've witnessed an illogical increase in anti-Semitism that harkens back to the darkest days of Nazi Germany.

I've witnessed failures in governments to protect it's own citizens in a war for their very own existence.

I've witnessed the making of a motion picture that celebrates the assassination-to-be of the President and the utter disregard of the office of the President by people who pretend to be someone else for a living.

I've witnessed Hollywood stand up and applaud a movie-maker who created a dishonest documentary that made up his own truth about 9/11 and the President of the US - all the while attempting to force the true story off the air two years later.

I've witnessed a tremendous upturn in the incredible belief that 9/11 was an inside job - based entirely on theories that have been proven false.

I've witnessed the total moral collapse of the Democratic Party and it's commitment to win, regardless of the cost to the country's survival.

I've also witnessed moral relativism and Holocaust-denials and fauxtography and the shameless arrogance, cover-ups and fantasies of the national news media.

And, I've witnessed Americans falling all over themselves to protect the rights of murderers over the rights of those who've been murdered.

I've witnessed it all in just 5 short years. Just 5 years.

Is it any wonder I have no hope?

I can scream my head off over the unfairness of it all. I mean, why has it all been this way?

Please don't tell me it's all George Bush's fault. That has got to be the most asinine answer ever considered. Granted, it makes the Left feel good, but it isn't even remotely close to reality. Anyone who believes that fallacy has been hiding under a rock since 1979.

Maybe it isn't hopeless. But, boy, right now, it sure feels that way.

I just started another part-time job this week, so I haven't had the time to write. It'll will probably take a little while until I get settled and am able to blog daily again. So please bear with me.

In the meantime, my friend/neighbor/landlord, Yaakov L., sent me the following article written by Ben Stein (of the show Win Ben Stein's Money and the movie, Ferris Beuller's Day Off). Stein is a Jewish conservative (and perhaps a conservative Jew as well, but I digress), which is not very common in Hollywood. Anyway, I checked it out and according to snopes.com, he really did say it. I hope you enjoy it:

Taken from the CBS Sunday Morning news program

Herewith at this happy time of year, a few confessions from my beating heart: I have no freaking clue who Nick and Jessica are. I see them on the cover of People and Us constantly when I am buying my dog biscuits and kitty litter. I often ask the checkers at the grocery stores. They never know who Nick and Jessica are either. Who are they? Will it change my life if I know who they are and why they have broken up? Why are they so important?

I don't know who Lindsay Lohan is either, and I do not care at all about Tom
Cruise's wife.

Am I going to be called before a Senate committee and asked if I am a subversive? Maybe, but I just have no clue who Nick and Jessica are.

If this is what it means to be no longer young , it's not so bad.

Next confession:

I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees Christmas trees. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are: Christmas trees.

It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, "Merry Christmas" to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu . If people want a creche, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.

I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution, and I don't like it being shoved down my throat.

Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship Nick and Jessica and we aren't allowed to worship God as we understand Him?

I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too.

But there are a lot of us who are wondering where Nick and Jessica came from and where the America we knew went to.

According to Snopes.com:

In mid-2006, someone added the following coda (not written by Ben Stein) to this piece. It combines older items about a TV appearance that Anne Graham Lotz (the daughter of evangelist Billy Graham) made just after the September 11 terrorist attacks and the false claim that the son of child care expert Dr. Benjamin Spock committed suicide. I've decided to keep it in this post because I believe whoever composed it made a very valid statement:

In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking. Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her "How could God let something like this Happen?" (regarding Katrina)

Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said, "I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?"

In light of recent events...terrorists attack, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found recently) complained she didn't want prayer in body our schools, and we said OK. Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school . the Bible says thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said OK. Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide).

We said an expert should know what he's talking about. And we said OK. Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves. Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with "WE REAP WHAT WE SOW."

Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell. Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says. Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing. Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is through suppressed in the school and workplace.

Are you laughing? Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you're not sure what they on believe, or what they will think of you for sending it. Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us. Pass it on if you think it has merit. If not then just discard it... no one will know you did. But, if you discard this thought process, don't sit back and complain about what bad shape the world is in.

This is annually the greatest week of the year as far as I'm concerned. That's right - it's the start of a new NFL season. This year, I once again will have the pleasure of following a Dallas Cowboy playoff team and I am anxiously awaiting next Sunday's kickoff.

As I've done the last 3 years, I am pleased to announce my scandal-free, non-steroidal, somewhat-fearless predictions for the upcoming season. As always, I strongly urge each of you extreme caution when betting on my picks - they've been known to cause serious pains in the wallet area.

So, without any further ado...

2006 NFL Predictions

NFC East

Dallas…………….…….............…...11-5
Washington…………....…….........10-6*
NY Giants……………..……......…...9-7
Philadelphia…………....…...………7-9

NFC North

Chicago....…......…......….............9-7
Minnesota………………................8-8
Green Bay………………...........…....7-9
Detroit…………………...............….5-11

NFC South

Carolina………………........... ……...11-5
Tampa Bay……………..............……10-6*
Atlanta…………………...........…...….7-9
New Orleans……….......... .....…… 4-12

NFC West

Seattle………………..….............…….10-6
Arizona………………..................……8-8
St. Louis……………...............….…..7-9
San Francisco………......................4-12

AFC East

New England…………....….......…..11-5
Miami………………………...............10-6*
Buffalo………………........……...…..6-10
NY Jets…………….........……..…....5-11

AFC North

Cincinnati…………….......…..….….12-4
Pittsburgh………….......…..………...9-7
Baltimore…………….......…....……..7-9
Cleveland……….......…..……….…...5-11

AFC South

Indianapolis………….......…..………11-5
Jacksonville…….......…..…………….9-7
Houston…………….......……………....7-9
Tennessee…….......…..…......………4-12

AFC West

Denver…………….......…..…………..….11-5
Kansas City…….......…..…………..…..9-7*
San Diego…….......…..……………..…..9-7
Oakland……….......…..……………......4-12

First Round NFC: Seattle over Tampa Bay, Chicago over Washington

First Round AFC: Indianapolis over Kansas City, Miami over Denver

Divisional Playoffs NFC: Carolina over Chicago, Dallas over Seattle

Divisional Playoffs AFC: Cincinnati over Miami, New England over Indianapolis

NFC Championship: Dallas over Carolina

AFC Championship: Cincinnati over Pittsburgh

SUPER BOWL XLI: Cincinnati 31 Dallas 21

What do you think?