In Praise of Legal Pad Roommate

In a detour from the normal line of satire, Blogger would like to point out that Legal Pad housemate Seth is the man.

On Friday, Seth argued motions on a cop killer case in Santa Maria, CA, before the same judge and in the same courtroom as the Michael Jackson case.

On Tuesday, Seth got Blogger a free ticket into a private reception to see Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert.

Blogger could take time to point out a few hundred annoying traits of the aforementioned roommate, but they all pale in comparison to such deeds.

MB

Republicans, Seahawk Fans, and Fundamental Distrust of Binding Authority

It is a bad time to be a Republican Seahawk Fan.

Dino Rossi loses on the third recount after King County manages to make sure that just about every homeless person and felon in the western United States has their vote counted. All of this was a upheld by a judge who clearly believed that the third recount was the only one that should count, regardless of how strange it all was.

The Seahawks lose a game that the national media is describing as the worst officiated game in Super Bowl history. In fact, basketball player Steve Nash described losing on a controversial no call in terms of "I feel like a Seattle Seahawk."

Is it any wonder that many Seattle Seahawk Republicans, one of the most law abiding segments of west coast society, are becoming cynical in their belief that whether in sports or law justice is hard to obtain?

Blogger Explains Why He Refuses To Rant About Super Bowl Loss

After sitting through a Super Bowl surrounded by Pittsburgh fans by a 10-1 margin, Blogger is tempted to point a few things out to the general public.

For instance, he is tempted to point out that in the long history of Seahawk persecution and ineptitude (yes, they are separate categories in these years of misery) there has been significant historical events you should know about:

That Pittsburgh "Touchdown" that their quarterback made and was not overturned? (despite most analysts on ESPN and other stations saying that it was not a touchdown.) How about how we have instant replay in the first place? Because the New York Jets Vinny Testeverde was awarded a fourth down last minute touchdown that knocked the Seahawks out of the playoffs about ten years ago. The NFL agreed that it was obviously a horrible call and instituted instant replay for the next season. It's been here ever since. But there appears to be a "Seahawk exception" to opposing quarterback goal line drives.

And, oh yes, I do think that the goal line Ben touchdown was one of the least of the bad calls (at least it was clearly questionable). Even the Pittsburgh fan next to me agreed (very honest fellow) that it probably wasn't a touchdown.

The holding penalty that negated the third down reception to Darrell Jackson in the first half? "Phantom Call" according to ESPN. The Hawks punted two plays later.

The "push off" in the endzone that negated the touchdown to DJ? ESPN (several different analysts) agrees with me that it was incidental contact. Find another offensive push off of that nature this year.

How about the first incomplete pass to Jeremy Stevens? He grabbed the ball with both hands and turned around with both feet down before it got knocked away from him. Incomplete.

How about the last catch out of bounds at the end of the first half by Darrell Jackson? Yes, he was out. Clearly out. Then he took another two steps. Then he was hit out of bounds with no unnecessary roughness call.

But it's the Super Bowl. Let them play!

Except for when a quarterback dives at a ball carriers' feet to make a tackle. Please find a play similar to Matt Hasselback's tackle where the tackler is called for a 15 yard penalty. Good luck. Those 15 yards allowed Pittsburg to go down the field and seal the game with the last touchdown.

However, Blogger can not in good conscience blame the game on the inherent bias of referees against the Seahawks (even though it probably would have changed the outcome of the game.).

There is an element of personal responsibility that must be taken by the Seahawks. Therefore, we shall talk about ineptitude (and yes, it was a practice squad free safety playing because of injury that got burned on the trick long pass and our best defensive lineman pulled his hamstring and sat out the second half).

Jeramy Stevens should take a good share of that. Two drives ended because of him. I am not even counting the last drop.

Darrell Jackson failed to drag his feet for a makeable catch at the two yard line. Tom Rouen kicked four punts into the endzone. Not one was inside the 20.

Josh Brown missed two field goals.

Matt Hasselback had that one dreadful interception in an otherwise great game (if you add up the drops and wrong routes and forgot to look for the ball, he would have had a great game).

Even with the bad calls, the Seahawks should have won.

With all of these could've, would've, should'ves, Blogger has one main regret: That the Steelers fan sitting next to him named "Rick," wasn't a Seahawk fan from Corvallis named "Rick."

Hopefully, I get to watch the Super Bowl with him someday.

(and yes, this was a rant, but titles are hard to come by for Seahawk fans. ouch).

In Show of Great Maturity, Blogger Spends $2300 to Go To Super Bowl and Root on His Seahawks

When faced with the choice between sinking $2300 into his retirement account, debt reduction, work clothes, charities, and trips home, Blogger made the thoughtful choice of flying to Detroit, Michigan, to cheer on his Seahawks.

Millions of people every year put money into their retirement account, pay off debts, give to charity, etc. But only a select few get to go to the Super Bowl. Realizing the lasting value of a Super Bowl trip in comparison to the trivial nature of personal finances, security, etc, Blogger made the choice to head to Detroit.

To paraphrase scripture, "Do not criticize this man for this special thing he has done. You will always have something to pay off, opportunities to save money, charity. . . but the Seahawks going to the Super Bowl is a once in a lifetime experience (unfortunately). "

As a side note, Blogger is having a great time with law school buddy Josh Nunez. Josh is running for State Representative. Political scheming makes Blogger feel very important.