Are you ready for some football?

In honor of the kickoff of the pigskin season, I present you with the all-time Presidential football team.

OFFENSE

Quarterback/Punter - Ronald Reagan

This is by far the most important position in the game and it was a very tough choice. I decided to go with Reagan (6-ft-1, 185 pounds), who played collegiality at Eureka College. Though somewhat small for the modern position of QB, Reagan gets the job for his portrayal of George Gipp in the classic 1940 movie, "Knute Rockne, All-American." Of course it was Rockne that invented the forward pass and decided his team needed to "Win one for the Gipper." Gipp played multiple positions at the University of Notre Dame and Reagan is perfect because to be the quarterback you have to look like a movie star.

Running Back - Dwight D. Eisenhower

You have to go with Eisenhower (5-ft-10, 173 pounds) here because he actually played the position at Army and was known on the gridiron as the "Kansas Cyclone." He hurt his knee tackling the legendary Jim Thorpe in 1912. Throw in the fact that he was a major reason why we won World War II and it's easy to see why we like Ike. Eisenhower is one of just two players on the team on both offense and defense.

Fullback - John F. Kennedy

We've all seen countless images of the Kennedy clan playing football at the family compound in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts, so we needed to find a spot for JFK (6-ft-0, 175). Both Reagan and Eisenhower should feel good having the PT-109 captain blocking for them as Kennedy once saved someone's life during WWII by swimming him to safety. Kennedy gripped the guy's lifejacket with his teeth while they swam.

Left tackle and Left guard - William Howard Taft

This is a big task for a big guy, but we decided that Mr. Taft (6-ft-0, 332) could man two positions at the same time. Our country's heaviest President needed a custom-made bathtub built in the White House - he was one large dude.

Center - Gerald Ford

If this team is going to win games it will be because of this guy - the most athletic President in our history. Ford (6-ft-0, 195) was an All-American center at the University of Michigan. He led the Wolverines to the national championship in 1933. See his picture to the right. This is our captain and he was also a linebacker at Michigan, so like Eisenhower, he'll be playing on both sides of the ball.

Right tackle and Right guard - Warren Harding and Grover Cleveland

You've got to have size on the offensive line and these guys will help Ford and Taft protect the quarterback. Harding (6-ft-0, 240) and Cleveland (5-ft-11, 307) round out an impressive group. Harding also holds the title of having the biggest shoe of any President with a size 14.

Tight End - Teddy Roosevelt

I think this Rough Rider will more than hold his own at this important position. Roosevelt (5-ft-10, 200) overcame asthma to box at Harvard and was known to play tennis on the White House front lawn.

Wide Receivers - Barack Obama and George H.W. Bush

You need some guys with sure hands at this position and each one fits the bill. Obama (6-ft-1, 180) led the Occidental College basketball team in scoring in 1979 and is shown above running circles around the First Dog, Bo. Bush (6-ft-2, 195) played first base at Yale and led the school to the College World Series in 1948. Plus, many times during his presidency, quarterback Reagan threw things in Bush's direction.

DEFENSE

Defensive Line - Lyndon Johnson, Bill Clinton, George Washington and Chester Arthur

On the D-Line, you want some guys that can pressure the quarterback and this group will get the job done. Johnson (6-ft-3, 200) and Clinton (6-ft-2, 232) make up the left side of the unit with Washington and Arthur manning the right, both at 6-ft-2, 222. I think Washington can lead the league in sacks as he's been chopping down cherry trees in the off season.

Outside Linebackers - Eisenhower and Ford (see above)

Middle Linebacker - Richard Nixon

In the National Football League, the middle linebacker is wired on the field so coaches can communicate with him whenever needed. Nixon (5-ft-11, 173) brings a lot of wire tapping experience to the table and he played the position at Whittier College.

Secondary - Woodrow Wilson, Jimmy Carter, Franklin Roosevelt and Thomas Jefferson

We've got some speedsters in the secondary who will be all over the opposition's receivers. Wilson (5-ft-11, 170) played center field at Davidson College. Carter (5-ft-9, 160) can run all day as he was on the cross country and baseball teams at Navy. Pre-polio FDR (6-ft-2, 192) ended the Great Depression and Jefferson (6-ft-2) wrote the Declaration of Independence - enough said.

Kicker - James Madison

I'm not sure if Madison had any athletic talent at all, but this position is reserved for little Oompa-Loompas and he fits that bill at just 5-ft-3, 100 pounds.

Coach - Abraham Lincoln

I want our nation's smartest President at the helm and Lincoln is the definition of a leader.

Water Boy - George W. Bush

Do I really need to elaborate?

So there you have it - the all-time Presidential football team. Enjoy the season!

OUT IN THE FIELD (UPDATE)

111 TOTAL NEW DEMOCRATS

18 REPUBLICAN KILLS

Right way to remember 9/11

It's really hard to believe that it's been eight years since that terrible day. I think this is a sentiment shared by most Americans because it still holds a very dear place in our hearts and each anniversary brings back a flood of varied memories. We will never forget the brave men and women who were killed by a group of cowards with a twisted agenda.

I really didn't want to get political today, but leave it to our conservative friends to go there and I feel the need to respond. From an article in USA Today, Laura Ingraham, guest-hosting on Fox's The O'Reilly Factor last night, said the following, "a smattering of left-wing groups is trying to co-opt 9/11 and make it their day."

Apparently the former Ronald Reagan speechwriter and current a-hole is not happy with President Obama's signing of legislation in April to make 9/11 a National Day of Service and Remembrance. She sees no good in people giving back to their communities today.

"It blurs the importance of what happened," Ingraham said. She went on to say that the day should instead be used to educate the young people "on the threats to freedom and liberty...by Islamic jihadists."

Not surprisingly, people that actually lost someone during the attacks disagree with Ingraham's sentiments.

In the USA Today article, Nikki Stern, who lost her husband at the Trade Center, says she likes the emphasis on service. "I don't want my husband's death to justify an eternal armed-guard mentality. The day is more about the spirit that impelled Jay's brother to run into that building."

Since when did good deeds and service to the community become political? It probably occurred around the same time it became uncool to have the President talk to our schoolchildren. Or was it when we started applauding the denial of health care to our fellow man. Or maybe it began several years ago when we used a tragic event to fight a pointless war by manipulating the emotions of a grieving nation.

Foreclosure in Greenfield

As I walked through a beautiful little neighborhood in Greenfield last night knocking on doors to register new Democrats, I was taken aback by the number of houses in foreclosure. There was one stretch of four houses in-a-row all in the same predicament. It's a sad sign of the times here in California and across the United States.

According to Housing Predictor (www.housingpredictor.com), one in every 357 U.S. households received a foreclosure filing during the month of August. Some 358,471 properties had filings, keeping activity 18 percent above a year ago. California had the third highest rate in the country with one in every 144 homes in foreclosure or in the process. The state posted the highest number of REOs (Real Estate Owned) properties in the country with 92,326 properties receiving a notice in August. A REO is a property that goes back to the mortgage company after an unsuccessful foreclosure activity.

What does this all mean for the future? Opinions vary, but there is some optimism as the total number of foreclosures dipped from July. I just wonder how long these homes in Greenfield, and in other communities in Monterey County, will remain vacant.

OUT IN THE FIELD

We made our way to King City tonight and we're prepared for some opposition in a place that has nearly double the amount of registered Republicans as Greenfield. It was a decent night for a Friday - traditionally the slowest night of the week. Most of the people I encountered were very nice and I was able to convert six new Democrats. Despite the challenge of more Republicans, I think we've got a chance to have a real solid Saturday. We'll wait and see.

106 TOTAL NEW DEMOCRATS

16 REPUBLICAN KILLS

To clap or not to clap

Aside from watching President Obama give one of his best speeches yet, my favorite part of last night was seeing confused Republicans debating when and when not to clap. Here's a great clip from the Jimmy Kimmel show about it (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=la3lolzqip4).

Like a college professor, Obama passionately broke down the details of his health care plan and at the same time, squashed the various lies/theories that have been dreamed up by the right in recent months. Though I've listened to him discuss the plan many times, it was even more effective hearing him do it in front of Congress and the American people on prime time television.

Let's not pull any punches here Republicans, the President addressed your so-called concerns and even gave you guys tons of credit for your contributions to improving the legislation, but we all know you're still going to kill it. It's what you think you have to do because politics and being re-elected are much more important than saving lives and doing what is good and what is right. You're stuck each day and night with this inner turmoil because I know deep down you feel bad for the people not insured. I really do believe each one of you has a heart.

Of course the most despicable moment of the night came courtesy of Joe Wilson, a Republican representative from South Carolina, who in classy fashion called the President of the United States a liar. I bet when Mr. Wilson was in high school he also used to yell at the nerds and liked giving the smaller boys wedgies. I was very pleased to hear this morning that Wilson's Democratic opponent in South Carolina in the upcoming election received a boatload of new contributions following the outburst.

As I noted above, the speech was one of Obama's best and that's saying a lot considering how good his others have been. The final 15 or so minutes when he spoke of Senator Kennedy were uplifting and right from the heart. Not only did it make me even prouder to be an American, but I'm so so glad I'm on this side of the debate.

OUT IN THE FIELD

It was a decent night in Greenfield though I missed the first game of the NFL season. I happened to catch a little of the beginning because a new Democrat invited me in his home to fill out the paperwork during the opening kickoff. It was also a milestone of sorts as I hit the century mark having registered my 100th new Democratic voter in just over three weeks of work. It was especially fitting because he was a Republican upset at all the cuts made to state workers by the Governator. I was also berated by a Republican who basically told us to enjoy our short time on the planet because the socialist President is going to lead us all to doom. Hate Obama all you want, but it's hard to imagine him presiding over the end of human existence. I guess we'll have to wait and see. Stay tuned!

100 TOTAL NEW DEMOCRATS

16 REPUBLICAN KILLS

Terminate the Terminator

According to the folks over at Uprising Radio (www.uprisingradio.org) a new alliance called Californians for Accountable Leadership has formed in an effort to impeach Governor Schwarzenegger stating that his leadership has constituted a "gross misconduct in office."

Now I know that you can Google the name of just about every high profile politician on both sides of the aisle and find a group trying to have them impeached, but what makes this group stick out is the variety of people from different walks of life involved.

The coalition of community organizations, social service agencies and labor unions will be presenting their demands Thursday to Assembly Speaker Karen Bass and Senator Darrell Steinberg. The group is contending that the Governator should be impeached because of his line-item veto abuse, negligence in the face of the budget crisis and putting the lives of Californians at risk by making deep cuts in necessary social services.

Based on my experiences thus far out in the field signing up new Democrats, I have only met one person who even admitted to voting for Schwarzenegger and she gave him a very back-handed compliment when she said, "I think he's doing a good job, kind of."

From an Associated Press article in today's Monterey County Herald (www.montereyherald.com), among Schwarzenegger's cuts is the closing of six domestic violence centers. This is yet another example of the convoluted conservative logic of cutting from the bottom versus the top. Why again and again do we see those without band-aids getting cut over and over again?

In addition to the six closings, dozens more are on the verge of shutting down due to the lack of money. Schwarzenegger eliminated the program's $20.4 million budget when he used his line-item authority to veto nearly $500 million in the revised budget passed by the Legislature. Lawmakers had voted to maintain the program but cut its budget by 20 percent.

It's a sad day when abused women and children can't seek help they so desperately need and it shows just how out of touch this guy is with the everyday lives of his poorer constituents. The rally calling for impeachment is on Thursday, Sept. 10 at 4 p.m outside the Los Angeles offices of Speaker and Senator Pro Term at 300 N. Spring Street.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlLpCh-lE54

Did anyone bring an apple for the President?

Leave it to the Republicans to make a political issue out of the President visiting a school. I wonder why they didn't get upset when a former President wouldn't leave a school?

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rO3F6mZUaE)

Anyway, President Obama gave his much publicized speech today in Virginia and none of the points the Republican and conservative talking heads said would surely be in it were.

According to an article in the Wall Street Journal (http://online.wsj.com), a small group of protesters gathered outside Wakefield High School in the Washington D.C. suburb of Arlington, Va. waiting for the President's arrival.

One sign read: "Mr. President, stay away from our kids." I wonder if this person even had a kid at the school. It's hard to believe that someone would be upset that their kid met a President of the United States, something they will be able to talk/brag about for the rest of their lives. Instead, this person holds up a sign with the kind of message normally reserved for visiting child molesters. I want to meet this person holding up the sign because I bet that if he/she does in fact have kids, they will grow up to be Democrats.

I'm trying to remember if any past presidents received gruff for addressing schoolchildren and surprisingly, nothing comes to mind. I recall the local weatherman visiting our kindergarten classroom and thinking that was the greatest thing ever. I can only imagine how cool it would've been to meet any president, especially if they read us a book like, I don't know, "My Pet Goat."

Conservatives contended that Obama's speech would indoctrinate the children with a "socialist" political agenda.

"I think it's a sad, sad day that the political back-and-forth has intruded on anyone speaking to schoolchildren and teachers and parents about the responsibilities that they have as we enter a new school year," White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said Monday.

Anger over the president's education address prompted the Department of Education to revise a suggestion that children write a letter about how they could help the president. God forbid if schoolchildren give back to their country. We must never forget the inspiring words of another former president that the right liked calling a socialist. Doesn't it seem all the great ones are called socialists (Franklin Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, Bill Clinton and now Barack Obama)?

"And so, my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country."

John F. Kennedy

Out in the field - It was a decent night in Greenfield as the team had a record-breaking total. I personally was able to sign up nine new Democrats in all, including two more Republican kills. I'm nearing the century mark and hope to hit it over the next two nights.

CURRENT HIT TALLY

TOTAL OF 90 NEW DEMOCRATS

15 REPUBLICAN KILLS

Milk's legacy shines on

Amazingly in this state of disarray we call California conservative lawmakers have enough time on their hands to COME OUT against a proposed day honoring Harvey Milk.

In Friday's Los Angeles Times will be a story about how conservatives are calling on Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to veto a day to recognize the many achievements of the slain San Francisco supervisor. Milk, the first openly gay elected leader, was gunned down in San Francisco City Hall back in 1978. A movie, "Milk," was made about his life last year and actor Sean Penn won the Best Actor honor at the Oscars for his portrayal of the gay rights icon.

According to the story (www.latimes.com), a proposal for a day to recognize Milk was passed by the Legislature on Thursday and is among more than a dozen gay rights bills offered in the aftermath of Proposition 8, last November's ballot initiative that outlawed same-sex marriage in California.

The proposal, penned by Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco), would make May 22 "Harvey Milk Day" throughout the state.

Leno told the newspaper, "There are days of special significance for John Muir, for the California poppy. Why would we not have such a day for this unique California hero?"

It's a very simple answer according to opponents - because Milk's gayness will ruin our children and brainwash them into a gay lifestyle.

Randy Thomasson, president of SaveCalifornia.com, protested on the steps outside the Capitol on Thursday saying that "Harvey Milk is and was a terrible role model for kids... He was a public liar that twisted the truth while running for office about his military career... and was a sexual anarchist who had multiple boyfriends." Geez, there's never been a straight politician that didn't get accused of being a "public liar" (see all of them), or twisted the truth about his military career while running for office (see George W. Bush) or had multiple girlfriends (again, see all of them).

Opponents also say that honoring Milk would be endorsing homosexuality and schools might hold mock gay weddings and gay pride parades on campus. When I started writing this entry I wanted to be supportive of the proposed day, but now all this gay talk is making me want to blow a Republican. I can see what they're saying about how cock-eyed the idea really is and I refuse to bend over for the left. I quickly digress.

Not surprisingly, the Governator's office has been receiving waves of phone calls, e-mails and faxes for weeks from both gay rights advocates and conservative Christians so much so that Schwarzenegger's office has created a special phone line to handle the volume.

Now I'll be the first to admit that I'm a big fan of Milk, so my views are a bit biased on this whole controversy. He's a fellow graduate of the University at Albany and I've got to support my peeps. It just seems like there's too much shit going down here for these a-holes to worry about a celebration of Harvey Milk.

Alice Kesler of Equality California, a gay rights organization that fought Prop 8, made a great point in the Times story when she said, "When we honor civil rights leaders, we honor them for their public service, not for their personal lives. This is just a red herring."

Here's where things will get interesting. Last year, Schwarzenegger vetoed a similar proposal placed on his desk, but since then Milk's life has become even more publicized. In addition to the movie, Schwarzenegger and his wife, Maria Shriver, announced Milk would be one of a dozen men and women inducted into the California Hall of Fame this year. In July, President Obama awarded Milk the posthumous Medal of Freedom. It's going to be a lot harder for the Governator to veto it this year, but let's not be surprised when he does.

OUT IN THE FIELD: It was a decent night in Soledad even though the warm California sun nearly burned right through me. Luckily, a kind woman and her little son gave me a freezing cold bottle of water about halfway through. It's amazing what lengths I will go to in the spirit of registering people to vote. BTW, I was able to swing three Republicans tonight and had 11 new Democrats registered in all.

CURRENT HIT TALLY

TOTAL OF 67 NEW DEMOCRATS

10 REPUBLICAN KILLS

A Whole Lotta Bitin' Going On

Things got so testy at a health care rally last night in Thousand Oaks (near Los Angeles) that an attendee had their pinkie finger bitten off.

Numerous media outlets are reporting that a 65-year-old man rallying against President Obama's reform ideas had his finger bitten off by a pro-reformer during a scuffle. The action all took place as an estimated 100 supporters of health care reform affiliated with Moveon.org had gathered as part of a nationwide array of pre-Labor Day rallies to attract attention in support of Obama's reform plans currently being debated before Congress (www.latimes.com)

Anti-health care-reform protesters gathered across the street and the suspect decided to join them. Pretty soon, biting ensued.

There have been conflicting reports on which side did the biting and who's hurting, but one thing is for sure, this is not a good way to move forward on this debate. As you readers know, I personally attended a health care debate on Monday night and walked away from it wanting to fight someone. Now, I haven't been in a fight in many years and I'm not sure my pearly whites would get involved in an altercation, but I can understand the anger this biter probably had all built up inside. I'm not condoning biting, spitting, tasering or dumping liquid acid on anyone, but I do understand where those sentiments are coming from.

Scratch the part above where I said this isn't a good way to move forward on this debate. I'm actually becoming more pro-biting as I type this. By the way, the anti-health care guy lost his pinkie finger. It's not like he lost a real important finger like the index or middle. Now if he had lost his thumb, I would really come out against such biting, but the pinkie finger is useless just like the pinkie toe. Plus considering what side the older man is on in the debate you have to assume he has a great health insurance plan.