A clandestine undertaking on behalf of Israel, the Jets and the Jews.

 
Deep Thoughts From The Hockey Maven

In his latest gem, Elster (a/k/a "I Hate Hockey/Let's Go Rangers") ridicules my criticism of the Rangers' offseason trade of Matt Cullen for a bag of used chips.

He writes: "The Rangers are stronger top to bottom than they were last year - and they have not missed Cullen or Ortmeyer at all"

No, they haven't missed Cullen at all. The Rangers have scored the fewest goals in the NHL. Cullen has 24 points (six more than any Ranger). Who needs him?

Perhaps Elster suffered a concussion while watching his DVD of 'Friday Night Lights.'
posted on 11/28/2007

 
Week 12

The offensive line was horrible. Kellen Clemens was unimpressive, though nothing he would have done would have made a difference in the ultimate result.

At least there are 10 days until Week 13.
posted on 11/22/2007

 
Patriots Are Overrated

"With respect to the Pats, I believe you and everyone else is over-rating their off season personnel moves. Aside from A Thomas at linebacker, I'm not quite sure what everyone is raving about. According to what I read last year, R Moss has lost a few steps and isn't close to being the receiver he once was. D Stallworth is erratic with below average hands. K Washington hasn't shown that he's an every down wideout. Wes Welker, he isn't keeping defensive coordinators awake at night. Aside from having the benefit of a name that strongly resembles former Jets star deep threat Wes Walker, he's mediocre. While the Pats still have good talent and great coaching, their off season moves haven't, in my opinion, separated them from the rest of the league."

-Jetsphan, May 1, 2007
posted on 11/18/2007

 
Week 11

I'm back from Steelers Stadium, where the Jets defense - finally let loose by defensive coordinator Bob Sutton - overcame a hostile crowd to steal the game from Pittsburgh.

As pathetic as the pro-Steeler crowd was, it did make the victory especially sweet when the mostly drunk Steelers fans stumbled out in a stunned stupor.

Kellen Clemens looked mediocre, especially on goal to go situations, but was helped by fine pass protection in the Jets' late 4th quarter drive to tie the game.

Brad Smith looks unimpressive at wide receiver.

Thomas Jones looked good at times, but the Jets need a short yardage back for 3rd and short and near the end zone. They could have and should have signed T.J. Duckett.

David Harris had another strong game.

The Jets have no chance against the Cowboys. At least they'll get their Week 12 loss over with quickly, and those of you who won't be working can enjoy the rest of Thanksgiving weekend.
posted on 11/18/2007

 
What's Omar Thinking?

Yorvit Torrealba?
posted on 11/14/2007

 
Week 10

A restful and meaningful bye week to all.
posted on 11/11/2007

 
Judaism, Tragedy and God: A Rabbi Without All The Answers

This week's Los Angeles Jewish Journal includes an excellent column about Judaism and tragedy by Rabbi Moshe Rosenberg of Congregation Etz Chaim in Kew Gardens Hills.

For so many years I have heard rabbis and many lay members of the religious Jewish community mumble about "hashgacha pratis," the notion that everything is for the good, etc., that I had essentially given up on hearing anything rational on the topic of how to react to tragedy. Just now, in my office perusing through a few web sites before turning to preparation for trial, I came across Rabbi Rosenberg's piece. He writes, in part:

It's a lot easier to believe in an omnipotent and omniscient God than a
benevolent one. Bad things do happen to good people -- all the time -- and the
believer spends a great deal of spiritual energy putting aside, and keeping
aside, creeping doubts in God's goodness. When I let it, my mind wanders to my
first trip to Israel in 1983, when I was accompanied by my 22-year-old sister,
and seriously dated a former classmate from Ramaz. A dozen years later, both
women would be dead from cancer...

Part of me wonders: Am I blinded by self-interest to take up the cause of
God simply because He is not currently aiming his bow at me? Am I dishonest to
preach belief in a good God, when so many around me are suffering? When I help
comfort a mourner or ease the pain of another human being, am I God's partner as
I preach, and as I dearly want to believe, or am I cleaning up after Him, saving
His creatures from His wrath?...

I don't justify terrible things when they happen to others, and I don't
know why they don't happen to me. But I know that just as surely as there is
inexplicable evil in the world, there is inexplicable good, as well. It's
something to put on the other side of the scale, something to attribute to a
good God.

I don't have time now to offer any detailed thoughts. Thanks to Rabbi Rosenberg for his candid, honest approach - and for recognizing that none of us has the answers to life's most difficult questions.

See prior posts on this topic:

Tragedy, Answers, And Hashgachah Pratis

Rosh Hashanah Sermons: Green Bay Packers and G-d's Role In The World

Judaism and Tragedy Redux

Judaism and Tragedy

9/11 Miracles
posted on 11/11/2007

 
Week 9

The Jets followed their usual script today. Kickoff return touchdown, good start by the offense based on a short passing game, overuse of the shotgun, little run game, very few downfield throws and almost no deep passes, ill-timed dropped passes and penalties, terrible run defense, an inability to get stops on 3rd downs and not enough 3rd down blitzes, and a flat second half performance on both sides of the ball.

The Jets' game-tying field goal drive was a diversion from the script. That drive was alright, but even though they had plenty of time, there was never a sense that the Jets would go for a game-winning touchdown.

Pete Kendall manhandled the Jets defensive line today.

At least David Harris looks like a player. But the Jets have so many holes that trading five picks to move up for both Harris and Darrelle Revis was the wrong move.

As good as Leon Washington has been returning kickoffs, he's lost on punt returns.

Eric Mangini is starting to resemble a young Rich Kotite.

Thankfully, next week is the Jets' bye.
posted on 11/04/2007

 
Weekend Musings

I don't have time for any detailed posts, so some quick thoughts about various topics:

1. With Yigal Amir, the murderer of Prime Minister Rabin, back in the news, the crazy right is back in force. The other night in Queens, someone was ranting, to the apparent agreement of those around him, that Amir should be prime minister for the holy task of killing Rabin. Then two minutes later, he was screaming that the Israeli Shin Bet had actually killed Rabin, not Amir.

If Amir was framed, why should he be credited with the murder by being appointed prime minister?

Logic has never been the fanatic right's strong point.

2. I am very interested in politics and in political debate. I read different kinds of publications, and am interested in different viewpoints.

What I can't stand is being subjected to political speech in shul. In that setting, I am unable to express my own opinion, while being forcibly subjected to someone else's. At best, those forcing congregants to listen to their political diatribes lack respect for the masses' ability to mind up their own minds. For me, I feel like a hostage, and this is the case even when I agree with the opinions expressed.

3. In principle I have no problem with the Mets trying to sign A-Rod, but in real life it makes no sense. The Mets are fine at shortstop and third base, and to weaken David Wright by forcing him to move to another position would be a bad idea. As I recall, past Mets experiments in moving players out of position have almost always failed miserably.

Unless the Mets can obtain Johan Santana by making Jose Reyes the centerpiece of a deal, A-Rod and the Mets are a bad fit.

4. So are Tom Glavine and the Mets. I don't get Omar Minaya's love for Glavine and desire to overpay for him. Both with the Mets and Braves, Glavine has been mediocre in key games. Perhaps Omar is feigning interest in Glavine to ensure that the Braves pay him as much as possible.

At this point, Curt Schilling would be preferable to Glavine, and if he's healthy, Kris Benson would be an okay replacement too. Neither appears to be on Minaya's radar, however.

5. Here's the latest idiotic statement from Herm Edwards: "there have been some positives. We haven't seen them on the scoreboard on Sundays, but there are some things going on Monday through Saturday that I'm encouraged by. I'm happy where the program is."

Actually, Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum said this in today's Newsday. Specifically, "Tannenbaum pointed to the progress of Abram Elam, Brad Smith, Leon Washington and Jacob Bender."

Tannenbaum is officially a moron. Elam committed a major penalty against the Bengals, and then put a hard hit on teammate Darrelle Revis on Sunday, taking away an interception from Revis and giving Bills WR Lee Evans an 85 yard TD pass.

Bender was inactive the first seven games, and then played sparingly on special teams on Sunday.

Washington has been good in kickoff returns but has been invisible on offense. Smith has been a little bit more visible, but his 14 receptions and 1 touchdown are modest progress at best.

Tannenbaum forget to mention the fact that his team's offensive line and defensive line have been terrible and that both the linebackers (except David Harris) and secondary are unable to tackle.

But that's only on Sunday. I hear the Jets are looking great the rest of the week, particularly Thursdays.
posted on 11/02/2007