In the continuing saga over global warming, a recent article has mentioned a possible Bush administration cover-up.  You ask, "You mean another one?"  Yes, another one, and it's about . . . global warming. 

Has the Bush administration obfuscated the whole global warming issue, by not allowing the public to see its seriousness?  What will the Democratic congress do about it?  Mountains or molehills?  Find out more at Mythoughtworld.com . . . .

If you wish to take a break from the serious stuff for a few moments, here's your chance.  The Super Bowl is just around the corner.  Last year, I was dismayed to see my Colts get beaten by the Steelers when they had thrashed the Steelers earlier in the season.  I must state here, that there are some things that hugely outweigh football.  I think it really took the wind out of the Colts' sails last year when Tony Dungee lost his son.  They were not the same team after that.  We in Colts land think Mr. Dungee is a wonderful coach, and we love our Colts.  As disappointed as I was that the Colts did not play in the Super Bowl, I could absolutely understand their attention being directed elsewhere. 

This year (as any fan of any sport is) I was certain things would be quite different.  I admit I was slightly concerned when the Colts began to lose some games late in the regular season, especially when the Titans beat them in an unlikely scenario with an insanely long field goal at the end, and the Jaguars beat them with an unstoppable running game.  I was beginning to wonder where the defense had gone.  Well, some key players of the defense were hurt during those games. 

In spite of the losses, and not playing as the number 1 seed in their division playoffs, I took heart knowing that there would be some key things on their side.  First of all, last year's champions were nowhere to be found in the playoffs.  That was a plus.  Here were some other major factors. 

My thought on the whole playoffs thing is that weeks off in the form of byes are not a good thing for the higher seeded teams, unless of course, they need time to get players healthy.  Noting that Super Bowl winner Pittsburgh was not at all a top seed last year, I actually believed it could be to the Colts' benefit that they were a lower seed playing each week with no byes.  This year, they could be the underdogs, the proverbial giant killers (these giants not to be confused with the New York Giants of course).  

That they were.  First they were able to work out some kinks and nervousness playing the lower ranked Chiefs at home.  Their missing defensive players were finally healthy too!  That was a good warm up for their playoff run.  Next, they could go into Baltimore (the former home of the Colts) and play a perhaps overly confident Ravens team.  They had underdog power.  Like Jack of Beanstalk fame, they played a fantastic game against the Ravens.   We all knew that the Patriots weren't done for, in spite of playing #1 seeded San Diego at San Diego. 

Here's where Tony Dungee became the Gandalf Greybeard of the playoffs (that's a compliment if you haven't figured that out).  First of all, he encouraged his players to stay disciplined and get enough wins toward the end so that if both the Ravens and the San Diego Chargers (the bye teams) got beaten, they would get to play New England at home (the credit for winning goes to the players of course).  Ah, New England.  The Colts might be giant-killers, but the Patriots are giant and Colt killers in the playoffs.  

I had come to really dislike New England for not letting the Colts win (duh, why would they), but I also came to see them as a really classy team.  They had showed a lot of class in their business-like winning ability and good sportsmanship over hot-doggery mentality.  They were like the Boy Scouts of professional football.  Who wouldn't appreciate that?

This year though, I had a feeling that the Colts would finally get them in the playoffs.  Missing were the interception geniuses of the past who had dogged Peyton Manning.  The Colts had in other games beaten New England, so they knew they could win this one.  It's really a good thing that I was at a meeting and couldn't watch the 1st through 3rd quarters of the Colts/New England game, or I would have been sulking up a storm.  

However, the fourth quarter was a great back and forth game.  Tony Dungee (or the Football Gandalf Greybeard) kept his Colts calm after being down by a lot early in the game.  The Colts didn't give up even in the hole (they'd won games like that before; remember Monday Night football against the Rams a couple years ago)?  Toward the end, when the Patriots settled for a field goal, and the Colts had the chance for a go-ahead touchdown, the suspense grew.  They moved down the field quickly, and of course, caught a big break when an offensive player pulled down a popout ball.  Then Joseph Addai sliced easily through the Patriot defense like butter, and on into the end zone (and through the end zone up to adoring fans).  It was magic!  

Now, I know that Tom Brady is phenomenal in these situations, but I also know that he doesn't have the same caliber unstoppable offensive team as he has had in the past.  Frankly, he caught some big breaks too this year (especially against the Chargers).  I had been watching the Colts intercept people all year in long situations.  They've been fantastic at it actually, and then with about 19 seconds left in the game, Marlin Jackson pops out in front of a New England offensive player and catches another one, cutting off the Patriots from the modern Land of Milk and Honey (you know, the Super Bowl).  

All of that said (if you're not a football or a Colts fan you probably haven't read to this point) I fully expect the Colts to lose the Super Bowl.  Why am I saying this?  Because I'm really superstitious about this, and I don't want the Colts to lose the Super Bowl, that's why!  Go Colts, beat da' Bears.  This one's for Indiana pride!  Rock on!  -Cal Samuel August

For more Cal August ramblings, go to Mythoughtworld.com
   

  

 
Last week there was a lot of huff and puff about the whole Global Warming issue.  As pop science mania begins to affect how our government deals with energy policy and a whole array of environmental issues, we have to seriously ask the question, are we, or are we not experiencing Global Warming?  Some scientists think we are, while others do not. 

Though admittedly not a scientist, having studied many of the factors myself, I am in the NOT camp.  From the earth's core to the stratosphere, our earth is a complex system of gases, solids and liquids constantly interacting with one another.  Because the factors are too many and there is so much about our earth we really don't know, we must suggest that the verdict is really still out whether it is happening or not.

If you were to study the weather conditions of the last 100 or more years, you would find that conditions are constantly changing.  Some winters are warm, while others are cold.  In certain years, huge volcanic eruptions can affect the weather of an entire hemisphere.  Others will suggest that various cycles on our beloved sun have a lot to do with weather right here on earth.  

Unfortunately, mainstream media hype and panic are ramping up the issue.  Bad news seems to make great headlines, and this is more of the same.  Don't worry, the sky is not falling.  For a lengthier discussion of this issue and more please see Mythoughtworld.com

http://mythoughtworld.com/