Michelle and I are celebrating our anniversary today!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!

I LOVE YOU, MICHELLE!!!

Giant slayers! Two years in a row!

Note the Demon Division look....

East Carolina 70, yes, 70!, University of North Carolina 41.....

For the second year in a row, East Carolina took out the vaunted UNC Tarheels!

It was a wild score and the defense was a little leaky, but if you win, all is well!

East Carolina came out in all black, looking a lot like the Demon Division from HeavenSteel and Aries Marching and did a number on UNC.  The Tarheels did lead briefly 13-7, but that did not last long. 

Never, never back down!  The problems are never as formidable as they seem at first glance!

Thus endth the sermon.

Now, GO FORTH AND CONQUER!

Back into battle...In Iraq

You cannot really blame Obama. What is he supposed to do? Let Iraq collapse?  Return 100,000 US troops to the Middle East?

It appears that the United States has opted for a middle route, using air strikes while prodding the Iraqi military to fight and stop running.

This has a South Vietnam sort of vibe to it with the Iraqi army playing the role of ARVN.

We can't do it for them. The Iraqis have to stand and fight.  It may be that Iraq was an artificial creation doomed to fail but the US has poured too much blood and treasure to just let it fall at one blow.  Cutting our losses might be a wise option but it just seems wrong to turn and run without trying to do something.

Hence, airstrikes.

I am not sure how stable the Islamic State is.  They seem to be trying to fight everyone--Iraq, Syria, the Kurds--and that is usually a recipe for disaster. Time will tell and soon someone else will be fighting over the same ground.

Again....

Welcome to the Middle East.

Opening Day 2014!

"I need to go to the bathroom---QUICK!"

The Steelers open the 2014 season the same way they ended the 2013 season--at home against the Browns. Hopefully they open this year like they ended last year--with a win!

The Steelers are going to use a lot of no huddle. This is to keep Cleveland off balance but to also figure out exactly how this offense is going to work. On paper,it looks great--good running backs and speed on the flanks with Dri Archer and company. On the other hand, there is not a lot of experience, so that will be a factor. 
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Cleveland has a good defensive line and excellent coverage guys in the secondary so look for a lot of quick short passes to keep the linebackers back off the line.  If Pittsburgh's running game with Bell and Blount gets rolling, it will be a long day for the Browns.

The Steeler defense has been retooled and has speed on its side.  It is not "old and slow" but it is unblooded.  Look for a lot of blitzes and we might get burned a few times.  Keisel and Polamalu provide veteran leadership/mentors but they cannot be everywhere (though Troy comes closer than most...)

This will be a pretty good game.

Never underestimate anyone!

Even Cleveland.

Look for tight one, something like 24-21, Steelers.

Get the year off to a good start!

HAPPY LABOR DAY!

Happy Labor Day!

Have a safe and happy Labor Day!