murrays

Really. Ryan Miller was terrific in net for the US and Marty Brodeur just wasn't his calm self...he did a couple of weird things. I don't expect he'll be the starter going forward. The announcers all pick Luongo but you know what...I'd put Marc Andre-Fleury in there. I never used to think he was good enough to win a Cup with the Penguins but he proved me wrong last year. It's time to play the young guys. Pronger and Niedermayer were weak on defense and I think it is time to pass the torch to the young guys. Team USA played a smart game and weathered some incredible pressure from Canada but Ryan Miller was the difference to my mind. If Canada gets Russia in the quarters....look out.....it could be another medal-less Olympics. So much for the people yapping about Canada having enough players for two teams. -- Murray "No tyranny is so irksome as petty tyranny: the officious demands of policemen, government clerks, and electromechanical gadgets." - Edward Abbey

Excellent! -- Murray "No tyranny is so irksome as petty tyranny: the officious demands of policemen, government clerks, and electromechanical gadgets." - Edward Abbey

I'd say that synchronized swimming is extremely physically demanding. -- Murray "No tyranny is so irksome as petty tyranny: the officious demands of policemen, government clerks, and electromechanical gadgets." - Edward Abbey

By 7/100ths of a second....over 4 runs! -- Murray "No tyranny is so irksome as petty tyranny: the officious demands of policemen, government clerks, and electromechanical gadgets." - Edward Abbey

How about the Swiss hockey team nearly pulling off a huge upset last night! The way Hiller was playing for them in goal I think Canada was very lucky to get the win in the shoot-out. I wasn't pleased with some of the things Canada was doing last night. They have a lot of work to do in order to beat the US on Sunday night. And, how about the Slovakian men's hockey team beating the Russians 2-1 last night....that was a pretty big upset to my mind. Speaking of redemption....I see Bode Miller won Silver in Men's Super G today. That's 2 medals for him at these Olympics. -- Murray "No tyranny is so irksome as petty tyranny: the officious demands of policemen, government clerks, and electromechanical gadgets." - Edward Abbey

Wikipedia has a good entry on Curling. I don't watch it a lot but have played a little and it is really a game of skill and strategy. I like watching teams like Canada's Kevin Martin who will keep a lot of stones in play and is amazing to watch on some of the raises he plays....a raise is when the stone just delivered hits a stone already on the ice to hit another stone or just raise it up into scoring position....like a combination shot in pool/billiards. The accuracy and judgment required in delivery, watching the stone and deciding whether to sweep or not is impressive on these shots. -- Murray "No tyranny is so irksome as petty tyranny: the officious demands of policemen, government clerks, and electromechanical gadgets." - Edward Abbey

YES! Alex Bilodeau wins Gold in the Men's mogul event! Canada's First Gold on Canadian soil. That monkey is off all our athletes' backs. Now they can relax and scoop a few more! Murray -- Murray "No tyranny is so irksome as petty tyranny: the officious demands of policemen, government clerks, and electromechanical gadgets." - Edward Abbey

Silken Laumann winning bronze for Canada in rowing in 1992 at Barcelona. She had a serious leg injury 10 weeks before the Olympics, several operations and just gutted it out. She won with her last stroke, just barely beating out another rower for the Bronze. Brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it. -- Murray "No tyranny is so irksome as petty tyranny: the officious demands of policemen, government clerks, and electromechanical gadgets." - Edward Abbey

Nick, I have come to detest Bob Costas. I used to like him for baseball but can't stand him for anything anymore. It's too bad you couldn't watch the CTV coverage. I think that Iran was immediately followed by Israel....but they may as well have entered at opposite ends. There's no rapprochement going to happen there anytime soon. I think that the fact that the ceremonies had so much aboriginal content points to a TON of progress...I've seen ceremonies where there was no aboriginal recognition at all. The lighting malfunction...what can you say but big embarrassment. I also didn't care for Gretzky riding down to the waterfront to light the outdoor flame...it seemed pretty anticlimactic. Gretz also wasn't my choice to light the flame...I'd have preferred Terry Fox's Mom to do the honours. I didn't care for Nikky Yanofsky's version of O Canada...well, she did a good job of singing it the way the arranger told her to. She's a pretty impressive singer for being 15 or 16 years old. I was actually pleasantly surprised and found it better than I expected. Usually these things have me sighing, rolling my eyes and having my wife throw things at me because I just don't appreciate them there cultural things the way she does. Anyways, it is Games ON!!! All I'm hoping for now is the some canadian will win a Gold right away so that the media types won't be doing a bunch of handwringing and agonizing about it. (We haven't won gold at either of the two previous Olympics held in Canada so it's a big deal) Cheers, Murray

Hear Hear! I can't remember if I am confusing the Calgary opening ceremonies with another major event opening where recognition was given to all sorts of ethnic groups but no mention of our aboriginal people. At any rate, I am very pleased that this was not the case last night. -- Murray "No tyranny is so irksome as petty tyranny: the officious demands of policemen, government clerks, and electromechanical gadgets." - Edward Abbey

Does anybody know who did the vocals on Joni Mitchell's "Clouds"? At times it sounded like Joni but I don't think it was. I thought they really used some great Canadian artists and songs for the different parts of the program. "Clouds" for the prairies was especially appropriate. -- Murray "No tyranny is so irksome as petty tyranny: the officious demands of policemen, government clerks, and electromechanical gadgets." - Edward Abbey

He will be acknowledged in the opening remarks and with a moment of silence according to Jacques Rogge. Rogge may also dedicate the Games to him. I don't know if anything beyond that will be done. Terrible tragedy...22 year old guy with lots of living to do cut down at a moment of great personal triumph and achievement. I feel sick for his family, friends, teammates and countrymen. -- Murray "No tyranny is so irksome as petty tyranny: the officious demands of policemen, government clerks, and electromechanical gadgets." - Edward Abbey

They showed it on the CTV news about an hour ago. A terrible start to the Olympic games. The Georgia delegation was just on to state that they were going to stay and compete in the spirit of the Games. RIP Nodar Kumaritashvili. -- Murray "No tyranny is so irksome as petty tyranny: the officious demands of policemen, government clerks, and electromechanical gadgets." - Edward Abbey

Remster.....Let's not forget Keith Moon and Entwistle as main punches. Ox played an awesome bass guitar and Keith Moon...one of rock's greatest drummers and larger than life madmen!!! Personally, I wish the Who had disbanded when Moon died. Without him, they aren't The Who...just like Led Zeppelin isn't Led Zep without Bonham. I saw The Who in 1968 on their first North American tour as headliners...still one of the greatest concerts of my life. Without Moon especially, they aren't The Who. I'm tired of all the geriatric half time acts ... Springsteen, Petty, the Stones ..McCartney..Christ will he ever go away? They are all from my generation but I wish they could use someone from today. Last night, The Who were better than I expected. I was hoping Pete would end it with a few bars of My Generation, smash his guitar and walk off the stage. A final act of defiance and rebellion. That would have been awesome!! -- Murray "No tyranny is so irksome as petty tyranny: the officious demands of policemen, government clerks, and electromechanical gadgets." - Edward Abbey

Something about Peyton used to just get to me...hated the guy. Last couple of years, for whatever reason, that went away. I was very disappointed that he left the field without shaking hands.....like the prick Bill Belichick. Anyways, the Saints outplayed the Colts when it mattered, Payton made a hugely gutsy call on the onside kick and the interception sealed the deal. Awesome win for the Saints and New Orleans. Congrats! -- Murray "No tyranny is so irksome as petty tyranny: the officious demands of policemen, government clerks, and electromechanical gadgets." - Edward Abbey

I often wonder why Microsoft isn't more innovative and leading edge when you consider the financial capability of this extremely profitable corporation. So, I find this NY Times article by a former Microsoft VP very interesting. I know there are a few Microsofties on here. What do you think of this article and the ramifications it has for MSFT's long term outlook. -- Murray "No tyranny is so irksome as petty tyranny: the officious demands of policemen, government clerks, and electromechanical gadgets." - Edward Abbey

Everything is the work of God..... I think he said it was because the people of Haiti signed a pact with the devil to help them remove the French colonialists back in about 1800 or so. If he was a Christian, I would expect him to be committing some of his financial resources, etc. to helping the people of Haiti. But no, he's basically saying that they had it coming. Nothing like kicking the poorest people in the Western Hemisphere while they are down. There aren't words adequate to convey my contempt for that thing named Pat Robertson. -- Murray "No tyranny is so irksome as petty tyranny: the officious demands of policemen, government clerks, and electromechanical gadgets." - Edward Abbey

I donated to Doctors Without Borders/Medecins Sans Frontiers. You can specify your donation is for Haiti. -- Murray "No tyranny is so irksome as petty tyranny: the officious demands of policemen, government clerks, and electromechanical gadgets." - Edward Abbey

Hmmmmm...... Cardinals Chargers Colts Cowboys -- Murray "No tyranny is so irksome as petty tyranny: the officious demands of policemen, government clerks, and electromechanical gadgets." - Edward Abbey

Roger Maris isn't a HOFer. I do like the idea of recognizing singular achievements like his 61 HR in a single season. As far as steroid cheats getting into the HOF....based on McGwire's votes received this year he won't be getting into the HOF. He received votes on 23.7% of ballots and you need 75% to get in. 583 Home runs would normally be a first ballot induction. Now that he has confessed, it will be interesting to see if his votes go up substantially next year. I do note that he states that he took steroids to help with injury recovery and that his improved numbers came from his change in technique....which says that steroids don't help at all...which is bullshit. So, I don't think his votes are going to change much. Bonds has never admitted steroid use or really been nailed down as using them even though everybody knows that he was juiced. It will be interesting to see how his HOF votes come in when he is eligible in a few years time. Ban McGwire? You'd have to punt A-Rod, Pettite, Manny and several others still playing that have admitted/been caught. Being the big draws that some of them are there is no chance that will happen. I think these guys are the ones that should have asterisks beside their career stats. -- Murray "No tyranny is so irksome as petty tyranny: the officious demands of policemen, government clerks, and electromechanical gadgets." - Edward Abbey

What a great Joni song Mark. Thank you very much. I was quite surprised I'd never heard it before and that the video was from early in her career so I did some googling. Originally recorded by Tom Rush in 1968, her version was released in 1972 as a B-side of a single. First time on an album wasn't until 1996 on her "Hits" compilation. -- Murray "No tyranny is so irksome as petty tyranny: the officious demands of policemen, government clerks, and electromechanical gadgets." - Edward Abbey

Better read this article on the lack of support people are experiencing after buying Google's Nexus One phone before you pick one up yourself. -- Murray "No tyranny is so irksome as petty tyranny: the officious demands of policemen, government clerks, and electromechanical gadgets." - Edward Abbey

I just finished watching the news...of course it's all World Juniors. They interviewed several Latvian players about their experience at the World Juniors. Latvia is a small country with a total of 23 indoor and outdoor rinks. Small population, small number of players and for these guys it will be the pinnacle of their hockey career. The fans in Saskatoon cheered hard for Latvia, and the Latvian players were quite touched and very appreciative. For them, this was a fantastic experience...playing Canada, the US, the top tier teams...getting their butts kicked but doing their best. It was quite touching to see how much just being here meant to these kids. -- Murray "No tyranny is so irksome as petty tyranny: the officious demands of policemen, government clerks, and electromechanical gadgets." - Edward Abbey

Hopefully you enjoyed your five-year break from that task. It's been terrific...some great hockey moments in that span! Still have the nine year streak of playing in the Gold medal game going....a rematch in Buffalo would be a great way to continue it. -- Murray "No tyranny is so irksome as petty tyranny: the officious demands of policemen, government clerks, and electromechanical gadgets." - Edward Abbey

Wind chill is -27 F right now....and it feels colder for a lot of Canadian hockey fans out starting their cars at the Credit Union Centre. Some of the best hockey I've ever watched has been at the World Juniors. If you go have a great time! We'll be looking to knock off the defending champs ! -- Murray "No tyranny is so irksome as petty tyranny: the officious demands of policemen, government clerks, and electromechanical gadgets." - Edward Abbey