if you take one step towards freedom, he'll take two steps towards YOU!!

Everyone should see this....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EaijfS5h73o


The Album drops April 24th. The Township Rebellion is on....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNkp-c4X8Wc&mode=related&search=

Does Anyone Remember Laughter?

As is his tendency when he is up late grading, The Prez's mind wanders. Tonight he has decided to take a famous song and literally interpret it's lyrics to fit some of his opinions on the news of the day. Why not go with the greatest song ever composed....


There's a lady who's sure,
All that glitters is gold

This is Doc Rivers. Mr. Optimistic. He is overseeing the worst Celtics team in the history of the franchise, but he believes karma is aligning to allow him a shot at Oden or Durant. If we end up with the #3 pick in the draft I am going to vomit. Somehow, Doc will still be able be optimistic, or he will leave.

There's a sign on the wall,
But she wants to be sure

This is Teddy Bruschi. He has lost two steps in the past 18 months. IF he retires now he is a legend in New England forever and will probably end up in the Hall of Fame. If he ends hanging on one a season or two more, the Hall of Fame may allude him.

There's a songbird who sings,
Sometimes all of our thoughts are misgiven.
Ooh, it makes me wonder,

This is Jane Fonda. Didn’t she have to apologize for hanging out with and rooting on the VietCong? This lady is like a cancer to the anti-war movement. You know what? …She is the Terrell Owens of the anti-war movement. Jane Fonda and T.O. in the same sentence...Ugh I just puked…..

In my thoughts I have seen,
Rings of smoke through the trees,

This is the firefighters, the most blue collar workers in America. I am going through “Rescue Me” withdrawal big time...


And it's whispered that soon,
If we all call the tune,
Then the piper will lead us to reason.

Now I have always thought this a call for revolution, and that I was the Piper. But I am also an egomaniac. However, I am increasingly thinking that these are actually better reflective of the ideas exhibited in people directing the religious Terrorist Organizations all over the globe. I have been surfing the web allot late into the evening (Looking for Morpheus…) and have come across stuff that just makes me sad. I wish I could boil Extremism down to a mental illness, but I can’t. It plays into the deepest of our animal instinct, and it will destroy all that we know and love before this is over.

Yes, there are two paths you can go by,
But in the long run,
There's still time to change the road you're on.

To every educator in America. We are playing for the Kansas City Royals and being told to win the World Series this year. The contradictions that exist between federal/legal mandates and practical application in our decaying schools across this country may already be enough to force me to go forth with Operation Dewey Decimal.

Dear lady, can you hear the wind blow,
And did you know,
Your stairway lies on the whispering wind.

To the President of Iran and the clear forcast for the return of brinksmanship Neo Con Stizzyle (Which is like regular brinksmanship, but with an actual complete desire to start a war and drop the an H-bomb while they are still in power). We have Switchgrass and Coal. Get ready for America to unleash hell Thermonuclear style on you.

And if you listen very hard,
The tune will come to you at last.
When all are one and one is all To be a rock and not to roll.

The reason we all can still be optimistic with life right now. The DH is still the greatest rule adaptation to ever happen in professional sports, and the Boston Red Sox have a DH named David Ortiz who is an absolute monster.

Strength and Honor Comrades….

No Mas?

The anticipation was therapeutic. After the Patriots collapse in Indianapolis last weekend, knowing a night of pugilism was around the corner kept up the spirits during a long week of work.

My spirits began to fade as soon as I entered the Mohegan Sun Arena early to meet former World Champion Roberto Duran. Roberto is now short and very bloated. Not unlike the current rendition of The Prez unfortunately. The site of Duran wearing an ill conceived police chief’s hat was pitiful. I first considered asking him to sign my pizza box. Next I wondered if he would sign it “No Mas-Roberto Duran”. A guy ahead of me mentioned it, and Duran got pissed. I shook his hand an had him sign my ticket. It was completely illegible. Unfortunately, Duran is a caricature and a cliché. He is a retired boxer. During the evening they trotted him out before every match. It was more depressing each time.

Going to a night of boxing is literary hit or miss. It can be the most electric sporting event of you life, or feel like you are watching paint dry, even worse then NASCAR. The late arriving crowd slowly got amped up, but the bouts were crap. Many in my section said the best fight of the night was the one I actually got involved in, when a young couple in front of me got into a fight. The Prez abhors domestic violence in all of its forms. These people were young and the guy was clearly out of control, and the girl was very upset about it. I was kind of pissed no one reacted to his initial outburst, which included yelling racial epithets at the boxers. When he turned it on his girlfriend it was on. I told him to cool it, he started calling her a whore and pushed her into her seat, I told him to shut his mouth and hopped in between them.

He did not challenge me to a dance off. I was keeping it real. He called me F**, only now seeing he was actually 7 inches taller then me, I called him a C*** B****, he leaped at me and tripped over the seat, I took the opportunity to stomp on his candy ass with my Docs. Security ran down and hauled us out. People in the section told them not to take me, but I went anyways. I filled out a report with another dude from the section so our stories could be corroborated. The couple turned out to each be 19. The kid was given a breathalyzer test, and failed. The girl was actually really pretty after she stopped crying. During our conversation while her boyfriend was being processed, she said she was a figure skater. She got picked up by her older brother who was very thankful for my heroism. She gave me her number. However, am through with the young enabler head cases. I probably will call her in a couple days just to see if she has already taken him back. Attractive women are the worst at choosing who to date. This guy was scum by any definition. I just don’t get it.

Why more boxers choose not to enter the ring with “Walk” by Pantera playing is beyond my comprehension. It was the coolest thing about RVD.

The main event started as a show stopper. Both Teddy Reid and Rickey Gutierrez were laying haymakers. Then, Gutierrez hit Reid with a shot to the gut and Reid went down reacted like it was a low blow, the referee continued counting all the way to ten. Upon further review it looked like a low blow, with the crowd ruling about 70/30 that it was a low blow. It was really too bad, I think a knockout was inevitable had it continued. It was the only time I really wanted Teddy Atlas’s and Joe Tesatore’s analysis. Despite being at ringside, they were never fed over the loud speaker. That was lame.

For the last bout, I moved to a lower section across the arena. Much better seats. Plus, a group of hot ladies were just showing up for the last fight. They were totally wasted. I talked with them throughout the last fight hoping my earlier karma boost may pay off. Even the mandatory shout out to The Don of New England boxing, the ever present Vinny Pazienza, went by the wayside. One of the ladies noticed what a player Vinny Paz was. Now, I normally turn into Jules from Pulp Fiction in these scenarios. I channel my inner Samuel L Jackson. Totally cool and in control, while using the phrase, “Bad “Mother F*****” a lot. I know I am not the Big Man, so I play it safe. The swearing gives my ridiculously homely demeanor an edge. Then one of the women next to me actually puked little on the seat next to her. I got up and walked out. A fitting end to a truly bizarre evening.

The rumor is that Pro Boxing returns to The Sun at the end of February. An usher asked if I would be back. My eventual response? …Si.

State of the (Dis)Union

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EaijfS5h73o

The State of the Union is now a slurpfest for the pundits and politicians alike. It is officially a pseudo-holiday of Super Bowl proportions for the cable news networks. It also wins for "Fakest Night of the Year". It is the moment the country seeks to hear a new message for the year to come and gets nothing but fake smiles, fake applause, jubilant congressional staffers/autograph seekers, and shout outs to the unlikely peeps in the house. I could have cared less until a friend e-mailed me a message that he was doing a running commentary of the event. A night of grading, reading, and sleep became one of high comedy, Nirvana clips, and big news from THE NIGHTWATCHMAN.

First off, the Message. The President is shitty and he knows it. Earlier in the day the VP was accused of trying to sacrifice Scooter Libby and save Karl Rove in a court of law. The war in Iraq has stripped him all credibility. For those of us who actually tallied up the votes of the 2000 election, the last 7 years have been a consistent case of the “chickens coming home to roost” for the entire administration. Now there is a call for “citizen reserves”. It is like these people are living in a dream world.

The complete lack of credibility made the message moot. I was more intrigued by the cut shots to the various dignitaries on hand for the occasion, including the several Democrats and Republicans already running for President in 2008. There was John McCain sleeping. Ditto for Joe Bidden and Ted Kennedy. It was interesting Bush brought up Africa, and the genocide in Darfur. It made Bono happy, so I was happy. However, not including a word on the reconstruction of New Orleans was at best an egregious error, and at worst the reason why he may be compared only to Emperor Nero in his ability to be callous and somehow revel in it. And forget about even a mention of Osama Bin Laden. He hasn’t been on Bush’s lips since they were seen riding bombs in a Music Video back in ‘03.

The fact Hilary Clinton was sitting behind Obama was and interesting visual. However, the highlight of the evening was the “shout outs” portion of the speech that actually happened later then in most State of the Union addresses. My personal favorite was the out of nowhere appearance of Dikembe Mutumbo. I have enjoyed this geriatric since I was Elementary school. The site of him towering over Laura Bush was great. I immediately hoped someone would produce a basketball for him to hold and fake like he was grabbing a rebound, increasing the likelihood of Mutumbo accidentally clocking the first lady in the grill .......then waging his finger at her. The “humble Subway Hero” was also great. First because the networks threw up the “Subway Hero” graphic, allowing millions of witty Americans to come up with a joke that included that D**** B*** “Jared from Subway”. Then as the guy was being honored, he started pointing to Bush and doing the whole heart pound thing and lifting his arms in the air. Now, I have never been asked to sit in the Presidential Box at the State of the Union. However, when that day happens, I won’t soak up the moment like I was doing my best Cuba Gooding Jr. impression. Even in Spanish. Lets just call him he “Subway Hero” from now on. Oh yeah, since when do people get honored by the President for charitable work like that lady? Oprah must be pissed….

Where do we go from here? Only Chris Matthews really knows. We have another one of these things next year. My predictions, the war in Iraq will still be raging and escalating the conflict with more troops will be discussed again. That will just be sad. I say Bush should pre-tape it in 10 minutes sections while siting in his bed room and puts it on Youtube. He could be next years Lonelygirl15. Its better then his current legacy....

Oh yeah, circle April 24th on the Calendar. The Nightwatchman’s first album drops.


You know what that means…The Strength and Honor Revolution will have a soundtrack!

Teenage Angst Has Paid Off Well...

Now I'm bored and old....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M63ZdfCFehU


But at least I am not George W. Bush or Dick Cheney.

Good Grief...

Bring on April! Baseball officially starts and the NFL draft will potentially allow the Patriots to fill in the huge holes on Defense.

One thing is guarenteed, win or lose, Payton Manning will break a record in the off season for the most ridiculous commericials ever made by an athlete in an off season.

The Internet is Massive

Tim Ryan is the F'ing Man, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiUDKI0ptyk

Today I was asked, "Mr.Prez, what is the biggest thing in the world ?".
My response, "Your mouth". However, several minutes of reflection led me to stop the class and provide an actual answer to little Billy Bob's question. "The Internet" I exclaimed. "Whats da Internet?" asked Jaime Lynn. "Its more then what Jerry Lynn uses to look at porn I hope" she wondered outloud. After explaining how Al Gore enabled the American public to access the Internet after demilitarizing it, I ask each student to type their name into an Internet search engine. "Wow, there is someone else named Joe Billy Smih in America?". "No" I said, "That Joe Billy Smith is from Austrialia". "Thats far away I reckon'" he said.

The Internet is massive, especially for Rednecks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrvDKZcwpA0

Wake Up

Take some time to Read this, http://www.hartford-hwp.com/archives/45a/058.html.

And listen to this, http://www.axisofjustice.org/audio/mlk-beyondvietnam-edit.mp3

Fear Me...Fear The D

There are only two things that kicks The Prez out of the eventual onset of CT weather depression. That of coarse is Metal, and a huge victory for the New England Patriots.

Some Essential Observations.....

Sports

The San Diego Chargers organization sucks, from the GM, to the Tickets Guy, to the Coach, to that cheating Defensive End, to the hypocrite Running Back. Enjoy the Pro Bowl and nothing else D*****B***.

I made “MyEspn” my homepage this weekend. There is something amazing about reading Peter Gammons and Eric Karabell talk about baseball in January. Afterward, hope abounds and Joel Pinero actually soothes the soul.

We get what we wished for. The Boston Celtics are currently starting four guys who skipped college and whose average age is 21. After further review, Let’s Go Sun’s….

Christiano Ronaldo is way better then David Beckham. However, I am already planning my trip to The Razor to watch the Revs at least once this season.

Film

Children of Men was a quality, gritty epic set in a futuristic hellscape. That said, it didn’t have a conclusion, and will be deemed as being Too British in future references. Clive Owen was good, but his dark brooding persona is in his last 5 movies shows a lack of range. He is one depression era boxing movie away from becoming Russell Crowe. He needs to call Vince Vaughn and Will Ferrell now.

Work

Grading 160 projects in two days sucks. So does making 55 cents an hour, so I’ll stick to teaching for a while.

Crack

Is whack.

TV

24 is just awesome. For all the TV targetted toward women today, it is good to know there is one show on basic cable for men. It is no Rescue Me, but whatever, thats expanded basic cable.

Until next time, when I hopefully have an actual column, Strength and Honor....

In Second Thought...

Signing a 31 year old midfielder to a contract that pays him 50 million dollars over 5 years. Did they not watch the World Cup? It is Insane!

While it would be awful politically for the Democrats to make him the nominee, Chris Dodd would be the best President this nation has seen since FDR.

The Dumbest Thing I have Ever Seen?

No not the "President" lay out a "New Iraq stratedgy". Putting an extra 25,000 troops in Iraq is simply a case of an administration without a soul. They will all burn. This was their Butters-esque "Oh Hamburgers!" moment, and more people get to die because of it.

Getting to the actual reason for this post. Tonight Celtics guard Tony Allen probably ended his season after injuring his knee while trying to dunk the basketball...two dribbles down the lane after the whistle had been blown for a stoppage of play. Doc Rivers said it was probably his ACL. 10 weeks ago Allen was 10th on the depth chart. The last three weeks had seen him become the most consistent scorer on the team in the absence of The Truth. The moment it happen, my immediate response was "Fuck'in A...". In that moment, as a shocked Tony Allen lay on the parque floor grabing his knee in agony,... my heart sank. T.A. joined Robert Edward's beach football game, Carl Everett's headbutt, and Marty Barrett tripping over first base in the pantheon of "dumbest things/practically career ending moments" I have ever seen by a Boston Pro Sports athlete in my life time. Allen's game was peaking like no other time in his entire life, and this never would have happened if he had stopped when the whistle was blown. Now we can only wonder if he will ever be the same player again. Somehow I want to blame T.O., but all I can blame is T.A. Oh yeah, our Micheal Rappaport look alike Scal went down with an MCL as well. The 2006/2007 Boston Celtics...Fuck'in A....

Always Fade Out in a Montage...

The pantheon of the greatest living actors is pretty short. Though it is a highly debatable topic, my pantheon of greatest living actors is broken up into 4 categories, typically based on age, genre, and nationality. In order to be considered, I have to have seen a number of films that while transcending the culture in some way were also built or made incredible by the individual performance by the actor.

The Giants
Robert De Niro-For every film he ever has been apart of, except the “Meet the ___” movies. He even kicks ass in Spanish. Team….Team….
Al Pacino-For The Godfather Parts I and II, Scarface, The Devils Advocate, Heat, and Every Given Sunday
Jack Nicholson-For Chinatown, Batman, A Few Good Men, and The Departed
Harvey Keitel-For Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction
Gene Hackman-For Hoosiers, Mississippi Burning, Crimson Tide, and The Royale Tenenbaums

In Their Prime, The Potential Future Giants
Denzel Washington-For Glory, Malcolm X, The Pelican Brief, Crimson Tide, The Hurricane, Training Day, Remember the Titans, and Inside Man.
Tom Hanks-For Big, Apollo 13, Saving Private Ryan, and The Road to Perdition.
Ed Norton-For Primal Fear, Rounders, Fight Club, and The Score.
Brad Pitt-For A River Runs Through It, Se7en, Interview with the Vampire, Legends of the Fall, 12 Monkeys, Fight Club, and Troy.
Samuel L. Jackson-For Every film of his massive career(Even Deep Blue Sea),especially Pulp Fiction and Jackie Brown and his stint as Gin Rummy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rxv3TrcUPXc&mode=related&search=

Actor/Comedians-(Must in Some way be associated with Films Old School or Anchorman)
Will Ferrall-For ELF, Old School, Anchorman
Steve Carrell-For Anchorman, The 40 year old virgin, Little Miss Sunshine
Ben Stiller-For every film of his career (Especially There's Something about Mary"), except the "Meet the ____" movies.
Vince Vaughn-For Swingers, Old School, Anchorman, Dodge Ball, and Wedding Crashers
Paul Rudd-For Anchorman, 40 Year Old Virgin.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twEgGabvDeI&NR

The Brits
Clive Owen-For Everything he has done, especially I'll Sleep When I'm Dead and Inside Man
Sean Connery-For Goldfinger, Highlander, and Finding Forrester

However, there is an actor that deserves his own individual place, and that actor is Alec Baldwin. The elder Baldwin has become one of the finest character actors anyone has ever seen, mostly for being able to play characters with an intense ferocity and a subtle humor. His comedic acumen is well documented, but his performances in the last five years have been incredible, highlighted by his supporting role in The Departed. This guy is amazing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zixAjmrmn6g&mode=related&search=