Chuck Hagel the right man at the right time
Chuck Hagel has always defied categorization, which is one reason I’ve liked and respected him.
Of course, that also explains why Hagel’s nomination as defense secretary faces opposition from elements of both political parties. Washington likes people who can be “counted on,” meaning that they adhere to the brightly defined lines that are used to distinguish “us” from “them.” People such as Hagel, who pay little attention to such lines, are viewed with suspicion and distrust by some.
In Hagel’s case, he is Republican, but according to conservatives not a “real” Republican. He is a war veteran who earned two Purple Hearts in Vietnam as an enlisted Army infantryman, but his thoughts on foreign policy reveal a sophisticated doubt about the usefulness of war. Although he voted in favor of the invasion of Iraq, he quickly became a harsh critic of the conduct of that war. Most of all, Hagel is a questioner by nature, and he is more willing to follow where the answers lead him than are most in the nation’s Capitol.
I strongly disagree with Hagel on some points, particularly on his willingness to defer to intelligence and law enforcement when constitutional rights supposedly conflict with national security concerns. Back in the late ’90s, Hagel also publicly opposed the nomination of James Hormel as a U.S. ambassador on the grounds that Hormel was “”openly, aggressively gay.”
Those words reflected a depth of homophobia that did not speak well of Hagel. But it is also true that the country as a whole has moved a long way on gay rights in the past two decades, and if Hagel has moved along with it, as he now claims, that should not disqualify him from high service.
On the other hand, the claim by some that Hagel is somehow anti-Israel or even anti-Semitic because he has been willing to question the decisions of Israeli political leadership is and always has been nonsense. Nothing that Hagel has said or done on such issues places him outside the mainstream in this country or even in Israel itself, and certainly do not disqualify him from service as U.S. defense secretary.
Hagel’s nomination comes at an important point in this nation’s military and foreign-policy history. The world has changed; our relative position in the world has changed as well. But those changes are not yet reflected in our defense structure, policy and ideology. By his background, intellect and questioning nature, Hagel is well-suited to that role.
Politically speaking, the Hagel nomination also plays into the meta-narrative that the White House appears to be spinning these days. By nominating a Republican ex-senator to a top Cabinet position, Obama can claim credit for a gesture of bipartisanship. To the degree that Senate Republicans erupt in outrage, attempting to bar their former colleague from service on grounds of being insufficiently conservative, they cement their image as extremists unwilling to compromise. So it will be interesting to watch how they play this.
– Jay Bookman
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448 comments Add your comment
Soothsayer
January 7th, 2013
10:12 pm
Thelma must be down at the local sports bar with his other Speedo buddies. Otherwise he would be on here crowing at the top of his lungs.
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
January 7th, 2013
10:13 pm
SoCo/Bro
I’ll still pay up.
You gotta cover the parking.
getalife
January 7th, 2013
10:13 pm
jm was a big mitt fan.
Brosephus™: "Team Gump will prevail over Team Rudy"
January 7th, 2013
10:16 pm
Kam
It’s cheaper to foot the bill….
Get Real
January 7th, 2013
10:25 pm
posting at halftime….anxious to hear the senate Q&A, I am reserving judgment….
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
January 7th, 2013
10:25 pm
SoCo/Bro
I can top that.
Jay pick’s up the tab.
At Manuel’s Tavern.
Brosephus™: "Team Gump will prevail over Team Rudy"
January 7th, 2013
10:31 pm
W
Kam
We may have to pull that one. I haven’t been there before.
Mama Says
January 7th, 2013
10:32 pm
Lets be honest on two points please. The republicans seem a bit while out of touch opposing a former senator who gained his reputation as a hard line conservative while sitting as an active member of the senate and armed service comm. I suppost his nomination as a conservative and as a fair minded senate rep who did his job.
now for the other bit of honesty, those of you who wish to jump on republicans for opposing him should look at half of your own party first and ask why. Saying that republicans will opposes anyone who gets nominated is to ignore the fact that you will support anyone he nominates.
by the way so far nobody is opposing John Kerry as Sec of State, that should be a real surprise to you
Brosephus™: "Team Gump will prevail over Team Rudy"
January 7th, 2013
10:38 pm
Man, I might have to crack open the good stuff tonight.
Good evening Mama..
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
January 7th, 2013
10:40 pm
SoCo/Bro
It’s been thirty years or more since I’ve been to the one off E.Ponce. It was the first time I tasted Amstel. Used to be a Manuel’s not too far away from me in the ‘burbs @ Memorial Dr. and S. Indian Cr. that I frequented quite a bit.
It’s just a standard B flat neighborhood bar.
Brosephus™: "Team Gump will prevail over Team Rudy"
January 7th, 2013
10:43 pm
Kam
I’ve heard it’s a cool spot.
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
January 7th, 2013
10:48 pm
SoCo/Bro
Manuel Maloof, the DeKalb politico used to hold sway there.
td
January 7th, 2013
10:49 pm
Alex Jones rimmed Piers Morgan another one.
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
January 7th, 2013
10:49 pm
Holy crap, ND scored.
O/U is toast.
USA Patriot
January 7th, 2013
10:51 pm
BUSHmaster: http://www.bushmaster.com/firearms/acr.asp
OBAMAmaster: http://www.zimbio.com/photos/Michelle+Obama/President+Obama+Begins+Holiday+Vacation+Hawaii/gbzCIgaMaez
Brosephus™: "Team Gump will prevail over Team Rudy"
January 7th, 2013
10:53 pm
Alex Jones rimmed Piers Morgan another one.
The FCC actually allowed that to be shown on CNN??? There’s gonna be some serious fines on that one.
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
January 7th, 2013
10:56 pm
Obama in Hawaii?
Three day old drudgey spam.
White House Bans Paparazzi Images of Sasha and Malia Obama on Hawaiian Beach…
Up-to-date drudgey spam.
Brosephus™: "Team Gump will prevail over Team Rudy"
January 7th, 2013
11:08 pm
The Bear has to be smiling now.
USA Patriot
January 7th, 2013
11:10 pm
Roll Tide Roll!
td
January 7th, 2013
11:15 pm
The National Championship game is just another example as to how bad the national media is. Manti Te’o is not even close to holding Jarvis Jones jock strap after all the talk about how great he is.
Brosephus™: "Team Gump will prevail over Team Rudy"
January 7th, 2013
11:15 pm
Since Obama got elected, the coach’s trophy has not left the state of Alabama. With his re-election, that does not bode well for the NCAA.
Brosephus™: "Team Gump shut down Team Rudy"
January 7th, 2013
11:18 pm
The demise of the SEC has been greatly exaggerated!
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
January 7th, 2013
11:21 pm
Notre Dame to become first BCS championship game loser to totally drop put of final rankings
Heh, heh, heh.
USA Patriot
January 7th, 2013
11:23 pm
td – No kidding! Musburger’s (and ESPN’s) infatuation w/ Te’o has been ridiculous! Heisman? Really?
USA Patriot
January 7th, 2013
11:26 pm
Musburger – “if we could block out the first half this would be a 14 – 14 game” – What a knucklehead!
Brosephus™: "Team Gump shut down Team Rudy"
January 7th, 2013
11:30 pm
Kam
USA Patriot
January 7th, 2013
11:32 pm
Former NYC Mayor Ed Koch – ““Frankly, I thought that there would come a time when [Obama] would renege on what he conveyed on his support of Israel,” said Koch, adding, “it comes a little earlier than I thought it would.”
“It’s very disappointing, I believe he will ultimately regret it,” Koch said, “and it undoubtedly will reduce support for him in the Jewish community, but I don’t think he (the President) worries about that now that the election is over.” …D’Oh!
Brosephus™: "Team Gump shut down Team Rudy"
January 7th, 2013
11:35 pm
Saban for governor…
Brosephus™: "Team Gump shut down Team Rudy"
January 7th, 2013
11:38 pm
USA Patriot
Obama sold bunker busters to Bibi that Bush denied.
Just sayin’
Get Real
January 7th, 2013
11:41 pm
Manny’s is a great place, spent many a fun night their in my 20s and 30s….clearly it has been a while. Glad to know it is still rockin…
Brosephus™: "Team Gump shut down Team Rudy"
January 7th, 2013
11:44 pm
48 hours, and then we begin preparing for next fall.
USA Patriot
January 7th, 2013
11:44 pm
Bro – Bush approved the sale, DoD deferred, based on other concerns w/ the Chinese, then approved in ‘09 when Obama was in office. Just sayin’
http://www.npr.org/2011/09/24/140773755/u-s-sells-bunker-busters-to-israel
Brosephus™: "Team Gump shut down Team Rudy"
January 7th, 2013
11:50 pm
The request was made to Bush, and he held back. I know the details. If Obama were so anti-Israel, they still wouldn’t have them.
Just sayin’
USA Patriot
January 7th, 2013
11:58 pm
“If Obama were so anti-Israel, they still wouldn’t have them.” – No doubt. Never made mention of Obama being “anti-Isreal”. I, too, know the details. Bush never held back.
USA Patriot
January 8th, 2013
12:00 am
Dang, no more college football till September! Good job Tide!
luangtom
January 8th, 2013
12:01 am
The Republicans in the Senate will most likely whine and moan and then eventually cement the appointment of Hagel. I do hope that he is able to get into that office and see about cutting Defense spending. Why are we in over 100-countries overseas? What purpose does it serve to alienate all of the world from us by our occupation of so many countries? If our presence is truly needed, so be it. Yet, if our presence is needed in countries such as Germany, South Korea and Japan, let them help foot the bill for our presence. At least Hagel may see clear to investigate such expenses. That is more than Panetta has done in his term of the position.
I also hope that the Secretary of Defense looks hard at our role in the UN forces. It, too, is an expense that needs investigation. So, let’s see what Hagel can do…….
getalife
January 8th, 2013
12:03 am
That was a great year of college football.
Go back to the Pros and get paid Saban.
Time for LSU to win another one.
Brosephus™: "Team Gump shut down Team Rudy"
January 8th, 2013
12:04 am
USA Patriot
Didn’t say you specifically made that claim, but the general meme from the right is that Obama doesn’t back Israel. The truth is almost 180 degrees different.
Brosephus™: "Team Gump shut down Team Rudy"
January 8th, 2013
12:06 am
getalife
Saban’s retiring in T-town. He’s also re-loading as we speak.
USA Patriot
January 8th, 2013
12:09 am
Bro – Okay, we can agree to disagree on politics. We’ll leave that for another time. Enjoyed Gump shutting down Rudy – think we can agree on that? Good evening/morning to you! Till next time….GO SEC!
Brosephus™: "Team Gump shut down Team Rudy"
January 8th, 2013
12:11 am
In 1992, Bama won the first bowl coalition championship by beating Miami. Now, they become the first to repeat as BCS Champs in Miami. ROLL TIDE!!!!!!
getalife
January 8th, 2013
12:11 am
Bro,
I know.
I watched the all star high school school game, and he gets the cream of the crop.
getalife
January 8th, 2013
12:11 am
Oops, one school.
Redneck Convert (R--and proud of it)
January 8th, 2013
12:12 am
So a lowly specialist will be in a position to fire generals. Sounds about right. Bottom rail on top now. Y’know, I could be running the warehouse one day.
The Tide made ND look like a average team. I doubt half the pro teams could beat Alabama right now. It won’t be long till they start looking into Saban’s recruiting. There’s something wrong when two Alabama RBs can each rack up more than 100 yards against the top defense in the country. Just sayin’. Have a good night everybody.
Brosephus™: "Team Gump shut down Team Rudy"
January 8th, 2013
12:14 am
USA Patriot
We don’t really disagree. I simply don’t subscribe to the anti-Israel Obama idea. The US will always stand with Israel regardless.
USA Patriot
January 8th, 2013
12:20 am
Brosephus™: “Team Gump shut down Team Rudy” – Fair enough. Appreciated the exchange(s) in a civil manner. Again, good evening / morning to you.
Roll Tide!!
Brosephus™: "Team Gump shut down Team Rudy"
January 8th, 2013
12:24 am
Same to you. Enjoy!!
Fred ™
January 8th, 2013
12:49 am
Once agaibn we see, that despite all the vitriol and other conference ref’s attempts to cheat…….. (S. Carolina/Michigan and the first down lol) that the SEC Championship is STILL the most meaningful game of the season…………..
Well unless you are ESPN and support the rape of little boys in which case any game by Penn State is more meaningful…….
Fred ™
January 8th, 2013
12:50 am
What was US Patriot’s name in the states BTW………..
pete
January 8th, 2013
1:11 am
Do we really need to have a Sec. of Defense? I guess someone has to explain the apologies.
stands for decibels
January 8th, 2013
5:58 am
Alex Jones rimmed Piers Morgan
Alex Jones? Actually useful for something? News to me, but I guess that’s cool.
Jm
January 8th, 2013
6:31 am
Bama SEC blog post from jay?
Not likely, but would be fun
USinUK - not very ladylike (and former Girl Scout)
January 8th, 2013
6:34 am
“In Hagel’s case, he is Republican, but according to conservatives not a “real” Republican. He is a war veteran who earned two Purple Hearts in Vietnam as an enlisted Army infantryman”
looking forward to seeing the half-wits from the right try that “purple heart band-aid” crap with Hagel.
he’ll chew ‘em up and spit ‘em out over his breakfast.
Joel Edge
January 8th, 2013
6:39 am
He strikes me as a person who goes whichever way the wind blows, Jay. Basically; a Republican Joe Biden or John I-voted-for-it-before-I-voted-against-it Kerry.
From the AJC.
“Some human rights advocates worry that Hagel will be a voice for a limited military role and likely to oppose intervention in humanitarian crises”
Chuck Hagel: “I will do everything I can to avoid needless, senseless war.”
Pretty words from Hagel. If he’s got the resolve to actually back it up when the next crisis of the week comes up or if he’ll continue the endless American intervention, we’ll see.
USinUK - not very ladylike (and former Girl Scout)
January 8th, 2013
6:42 am
“Alex Jones rimmed Piers Morgan another one.”
honestly … if it was anyone else, I’d be cheering for an Alex Jones beat-down … but, since we’re talking about the most odious, smarmy men on television, it’s a bit of a toss-up
USinUK - not very ladylike (and former Girl Scout)
January 8th, 2013
6:43 am
“John I-voted-for-it-before-I-voted-against-it Kerry.”
really?
this old red herring?
Jm
January 8th, 2013
6:48 am
Today’s number: 7, brought to you by Sesame Street and the SEC
Also the number of straight national championships won by the SEC
Atlanta1
January 8th, 2013
6:57 am
This pretty much covers the real reason for the nomination. Well said Jay…
Politically speaking, the Hagel nomination also plays into the meta-narrative that the White House appears to be spinning these days. By nominating a Republican ex-senator to a top Cabinet position, Obama can claim credit for a gesture of bipartisanship. To the degree that Senate Republicans erupt in outrage, attempting to bar their former colleague from service on grounds of being insufficiently conservative, they cement their image as extremists unwilling to compromise. So it will be interesting to watch how they play this
USinUK - not very ladylike (and former Girl Scout)
January 8th, 2013
7:07 am
From my friend, Andy: “This just in, Karl Rove says Norte Dame hasn’t lost yet”
USinUK - not very ladylike (and former Girl Scout)
January 8th, 2013
7:08 am
“By nominating a Republican ex-senator to a top Cabinet position, Obama can claim credit for a gesture of bipartisanship. To the degree that Senate Republicans erupt in outrage, attempting to bar their former colleague from service on grounds of being insufficiently conservative, they cement their image as extremists unwilling to compromise.”
chess. master.
Joel Edge
January 8th, 2013
7:08 am
http://goo.gl/JBd8m
USinUK - not very ladylike (and former Girl Scout)
January 8th, 2013
7:19 am
Joel – 7:08 – thanks for the link – it proves that the majority of things he has supposedly “flip-flopped” on, weren’t. Patriot Act? yes, the first bill that was shoved through Congress (and the right complained about Obamacare???!!!) should have been replaced with something that better balanced privacy and security
death penalty – he’s not going to interfere with state executions – isn’t that what the right always says it wants?
etc etc etc …
Taxi Smith
January 8th, 2013
7:20 am
I have some concerns about his stance on Israel/Hamas, but only minor ones. I vote “aye.”
Granny Godzilla
January 8th, 2013
7:27 am
Congrats Bama Fans!
My Irish were well and truly rolled.
Doggone/GA
January 8th, 2013
7:30 am
“well and truly rolled”
That’s pretty much how they worded it on the news this AM
USinUK - not very ladylike (and former Girl Scout)
January 8th, 2013
7:33 am
last night’s game did one thing: it’s the first time I’ve ever seen GA fans cheer for Bama.
Corbin Sharpe. Baby Boomer...and Ban the Gun Thug!
January 8th, 2013
7:52 am
Good morning all y’all!
I was waiting for Bro’ to come on board to say this, but even though it cost me a couple hundred bucks, “Bama” Is the word!.. I messed with bro’ yesterday with my link of the Nuns singing the Irish fight song and in doing so alluded to the religious angle…you know God had to be on Notra Dame’s side…what with all those Catholics praying and all…But last night reminded me of something Napoleon was supposed to have said, when one of his generals said, God is on our side. His answer was, God is on the side that has the best artillery. The “Bama” quarterback was the artillery and the “Bama” running backs were the armor. Gotta say it…Roll Tide! Now go clean up that mess…what your red Elephants did to those poor little Leprechauns…EEWWW!
JamVet
January 8th, 2013
7:53 am
If he’s got the resolve to actually back it up when the next crisis of the week comes up or if he’ll continue the endless American intervention, we’ll see.
Agreed.
That there are virtually no Republicans besides him out there with the moral courage to stand up to the Death Party’s proven contemptuous incompetency and swiftboating spinelessness is the backstory.
Right now the neocons look a LOT like Notre Dame did last night…
Rightwing troll
January 8th, 2013
7:55 am
Obama could nominate Darth Cheney and the whiny, duplicitous, b#tches of the GOP would squeal like stuck pigs… It don’t matter who he nominates, the wing nut response will be the same.
Brosephus™: "Team Gump shut down Team Rudy"
January 8th, 2013
8:03 am
Corbin
Brosephus™: "Team Gump shut down Team Rudy"
January 8th, 2013
8:10 am
GG
You’re back to being my favorite granny now.
DannyX
January 8th, 2013
8:17 am
Final College Football Top 5
unkewedpolls.com
#1- Northwestern
#2- Vanderbilt
#3- Oregon
#4- San Jose St
#5- Alabama
Mick
January 8th, 2013
8:20 am
Chuck hagel – excellent choice! So why do all the cons think we need to bow down to israel?
I had a feeling that bama was going to take the irish to the woodshed. Bama’s running back was awesome and strong as a bull, a very good football team and yeah, miss alabama is hot!!!
USinUK - not very ladylike (and former Girl Scout)
January 8th, 2013
8:21 am
“So why do all the cons think we need to bow down to israel?”
because … because … because … MOOOSLEMS!!!
Brosephus™: "Team Gump shut down Team Rudy"
January 8th, 2013
8:22 am
Danny
Mick
January 8th, 2013
8:23 am
usunuk
You’re so cute with your responses! I got kicked out of the boy scouts because I terrorized my den mother…
Granny Godzilla
January 8th, 2013
8:24 am
Bro
Thanks….
You are now my 7th favorite brother.
(My real brothers have to come first, they’ve helped me move!)
Cherokee
January 8th, 2013
8:26 am
“Right now the neocons look a LOT like Notre Dame did last night”
Ouch…
But oh so true…
alex
January 8th, 2013
8:26 am
Jay, if you can’t use extremist and republicans in a sentence everyday, do you dissociate? Does it give you purpose? Can you give apositive “spin” on Obama, or must you denigrate the Republicans? Is that your daily function for your syncophanys..?sheesh, And what is a “meta-narrative”. Moronic writing as usual…..The question is does Hagel have a strategic “vision”, has he written about one in the 21st century, Has he shown in previous discussions in the senate to be intelligent enough to understand the conflicting forces in the world ( whatever THOSE might be),to question is a start, but it does NOT prove an ability to articulate a USmilitary role in the world in this century…Is it enough for “thinkers” like you not to be an “extremist” to be an effective SOD..Are you THAT naive..?
Stevie Ray..Clowns to the left and Jokers to the right..here I am...
January 8th, 2013
8:28 am
BRO,
In my experience, the best hangover reliever on the market is called Underburg…it’s aromatic bitters found in mixer aisle at Kroger et al
I truly enjoyed that butt whipping. Big question is how ND even remained in top 5…they were more exposed than the idiocy in the GOP…
Congratulations..
Stevie Ray..Clowns to the left and Jokers to the right..here I am...
January 8th, 2013
8:30 am
alex
January 8th, 2013
8:26 am
So I guess you look askance at Hagel’s selection? Why?
USinUK - not very ladylike (and former Girl Scout)
January 8th, 2013
8:32 am
” I got kicked out of the boy scouts because I terrorized my den mother…”
I left Girl Scouts because of macrame.
RB from Gwinnett
January 8th, 2013
8:33 am
I see the suspect in the Libya attack was released for “lack of evidence”. Do the Libian authorities not have access to the YouTube video?
Great job Obama!!!
Jm
January 8th, 2013
8:34 am
If Hagel was a Republican nominee, not a single democrat would vote for him
What with his previous statements about gays and jews. Even granting he has apologized for his comments about gays.
Mick
January 8th, 2013
8:36 am
rb
Isn’t it great to have someone to blame for all your perceived ills 24/7???
DannyX
January 8th, 2013
8:37 am
“If Hagel was a Republican nominee,…”
Republican nominee! Lol.
USinUK - not very ladylike (and former Girl Scout)
January 8th, 2013
8:40 am
“Great job Obama!!!”
Obama is the President of Tunisia???
who knew!
stands for decibels
January 8th, 2013
8:41 am
honestly … if it was anyone else, I’d be cheering for an Alex Jones beat-down … but, since we’re talking about the most odious, smarmy men on television, it’s a bit of a toss-up
To be further honestly, I couldn’t pick either Jones or Morgen out in a line-up. I only know about Alex Jones because some survivalist/prepper types seem to think he’s their go-to guy, and whenever I’ve been to his website it’s all “spooky black helicopters are watching you” stuff.
Brosephus™: "Team Gump shut down Team Rudy"
January 8th, 2013
8:42 am
Stevie Ray
No hangover here. I know when to say when.
stands for decibels
January 8th, 2013
8:43 am
Be nice to RB. He was traumatized by a YouTube video, apparently.
alex
January 8th, 2013
8:43 am
No steve, I do Not, I do not know enough about his abilities, it is not important to me that he is not a conservative repub( or for that mattera liberal dem), I don’t give a shi”. I want to know what he thinks about the US role in the world in the 21st century, …Senate confrimation hearings should help, a “white” paper should help, “fact” check is subjective pablum for the lazy… Jay’s “opinion” is lazy
indigo
January 8th, 2013
8:45 am
Joel Edge – “he strikes me as a person who goes whichever way the wind blows”
You have described the majority of American politicians.
Mick
January 8th, 2013
8:45 am
brosephus
As far as saban is concerned with the miami folk – it’s over. Helluva coach, helluva team…
stands for decibels
January 8th, 2013
8:46 am
off topic, but it was news to me: Bowie is back (after 10 years).
http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2013/01/08/david_bowie_where_are_we_now_new_song_from_bowie_surprises_fans_video.html
USinUK - not very ladylike (and former Girl Scout)
January 8th, 2013
8:47 am
“whenever I’ve been to his website it’s all “spooky black helicopters are watching you” stuff”
personally, I can’t wait for the reaction when the cheerleading right-wingnuts realize that he’s a 9/11 conspiracy buff!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8Hk1-BpXO8
USinUK - not very ladylike (and former Girl Scout)
January 8th, 2013
8:48 am
dB – 8:46 – then you’ll love this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEmGQYCuc6M
classic!!!
RB from Gwinnett
January 8th, 2013
8:49 am
Mick, “Isn’t it great to have someone to blame for all your perceived ills 24/7???”
You mean like blaming Bush for pretty much everything wrong in the the country 4 years after he left office? Geez….
USinUK - not very ladylike (and former Girl Scout)
January 8th, 2013
8:50 am
“He was traumatized by a YouTube video, apparently”
having seen Youtube clips of Honey BooBoo, I can relate.
Paul
January 8th, 2013
8:53 am
Congrats to your team, Brosephus!
My brother in law (5th generation Texan) was rooting for ‘Bama. I asked why, he said he just liked’em. Asked who I was for – said I didn’t have a stake in the game for either team but felt inclined towards ND because I have a bias for the underdog. He said, wait, isn’t ‘Bama ranked #2? I said you got me there – what with all the press and pundits I thought ‘Bama was on top of the polls and ND was some upstart got to 2 by a fluke.
Twenty minutes in, it didn’t really matter.
Redneck was right – that ‘Bama team could beat half the NFL teams. Even though they’re losing a good number on the offensive line, their backups’ll be better than most teams’ first strings.
I do kinda look forward to another ‘Bama-A&M game, though.
Jm
January 8th, 2013
8:55 am
“And yet, a little more than halfway through the first quarter of this wildly hyped, endlessly discussed, over-dramatized game, we knew. Alabama was up 14-0 and Notre Dame had barely collected a yard. The Crimson Tide were barreling downfield with little resistance, and that vaunted Irish defense looked gassed. Sporting events (and Professor Berra) condition us to say it’s never really over, but this was over. Notre Dame was toast. Alabama added another 14 points in the second quarter and that 28-0 hole resembled K2. What would Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly even say in the locker room? What possible in-game adjustment existed? Run to the bus? ”
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324391104578228691690242574.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_MIDDLENexttoWhatsNewsForth