Open Letter To Our Good Neighbors Up North

Before delving into my Olympic (jingoistic) spirit, let me get a few things out of the way:

Disclaimer #1 - The next time I get labeled an "Ugly American", won't be the first time. And, no, I don't mean my appearance.

I give thanks every day that I was born an American and to a country that allows me to live my life as I see it and where I can spew my opinions in a forum such as this.
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I do, however, and always have, have a soft spot in my heart for our good friends to the north, the Canadian people.

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Disclaimer #2 - I don't mean the French Canadians in the note above, my feud with them will never cease. Ever.

Anyway, the Canucks are very good natured, caring, and giving people. The beer is top notch and "Oh Canada" is one of the best national anthems going.

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The story of Canadian figure skater Joannie Rochette, who skated to a bronze medal days after her mother's untimely death at the Games, is the feel-good story of these Olympics for me.
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Even the panhandlers in Toronto apologized for bothering me as I nudged by them with my shoulder in the summer of 1994. Sorry 'bout that, I didn't have any spare Monopoly money to spare during my weekend jaunt.

You see, I'm not mean spirited when it comes to Canada. Our neighbors from the north are kinda like the kid in the neighborhood who would do anything to hang with pack.

Need a dollar with no intent on repayment? No problem. Need a beer and don't feel like getting up? Just ask the kid who is just glad to be in the room.

.Real quiet, never causes a stir.........reminds me of Canada. Eh?

Tomorrow at 3 p.m. (EST), my goodwill and diplomacy will take a back seat to good 'ole American pride baby.........Big Brother U.S.A, Stars & Stripes, Apple Pie, you get where I'm going.

We'll be hoping the Canadian hockey players gag under the intense pressure of their country.

Yup..............Big Brother vs. Little Brother.

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Don Cherry? Luv ya dude but I'm hoping Grapes is a bit sour around 6 p.m. Sunday evening and for millions of Little Brothers to be drowning their sorrows in their Molson Canadiens while Big Brother celebrates all night long.

.We'll cheer for Sidney Crosby to become Bill Buckner, for Roberto Luongo to cave under the pressure of his homestanding fans.

For Ryan Miller, I'll go back to disliking you once you are back in Buffalo, but give me one more all-time effort and I'll boo you slightly less when you are playing my Bruins.

You can do it, you are an American. We're better than everyone, just ask me.

Eh?

A Few Random Thoughts During My Day Of Leisure

The day's work is done, the feet are up and my cup is filled with a nice cold beverage. Life is good---but could be better if the Bruins could find some offense 'cuz I don't like what I'm seeing on the tube right now. (More on that later).

A few days ago, I expertly predicted the running attack and top notch defense of the J-E-T-S Jets! Jets! Jets! would carry Coach Ryan's to their first Super Bowl bid since 1969. Uh, I'm waffling on that now with kickoff a mere 25 hours away.

As hot as the Jets have been, I can't pick a rookie QB over Peyton Manning. Colts 24-19 in a thriller.

Down in 'Nawlins...........this should be a great game as the good folks get an early start to the Mardi Gras celebration.

The Minny D-line is the best in football and they'll have to be as the secondary could be in for a long day against Drew Brees.
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The crowd will be off-the-charts insane as the 'Aints clinch a Super Bowl berth, 38-27.

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Early candidate for D-Bag of the Year: see Arenas, Gilbert.

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Reason #8,678 that I haven't followed the NBA in a decade.
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To quote George Costanza........Was that wrong? Should I not have done that? I tell you, I gotta plead ignorence on this thing, because if anyone had said anything to me at all when I first started here that that sort of thing is frowned upon... you know, cause I've worked in a lot of offices, and I tell you, people do that all the time."

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Back to the Bruins......yes, Phil Kessel wasn't big on playing defense and his dedication to the team game sucked, but he could light the lamp. The B's got two top draft choices for him from Toronto and I am patiently waiting for the Bruin brass to deal those picks for a sniper (Ilya Kovalchuck???) or the postseason run will be brief, if they qualify.
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Almost time for pitchers and catchers.....NASCAR is getting ready to rev up the engines for another 82-week season. I like the NBA more than NASCAR, soccer too....I know, I've written that in the past. I thought I'd do it again in case anyone forgot (Mike P., Jim).

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Tom Cable is still the coach of the Raiders, for now. I'm checking the internet thrice hourly to see if the madman-who-used-to-be-a-genius has made a move. When you are on the receiving end of a joke by the Buffalo Bills GM Buddy Nix, you know you are in trouble....I'm loyal to a fault, but the last 7 years have been hell as a Raider fan. ...Any chances JaMarcus Russell and Darius Heyward-Bey are practicing their overthrows and drops right now? Hmmm............

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I say we keep the Cable guy but hire an offensive coordinator. Let someone else call the plays. Sad thing is, I don't get a vote, although I deserve one.....Ray Guy got snubbed in the Hall of Famve vote showing the complete stupidity of those involved in the selection process.
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Guy was the best punter in the history of the league. For the naysayers, ever heard of the importance of field position? This guy wasn't an afterthought on the roster, he was a weapon.
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Runner Up for Early Candidate for D-Bag of the Year: see Kiffin, Lane.
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Yeah, that tool will help SC ward off the NCAA vultures with his understanding of rules compliance. Hey, Rocky Top......TOLD YA SO!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey Santa, just making sure your list is up to date

Just the kind of guy I am, always thinking of others and forever giving......I thought I'd help jolly 'ole St. Nick with his Christmas list this year and he readies to pack up the sleigh---secretly hoping he overlooks the "naughty" part of the deal when he stops by my humble abode............

For Ndamukong Suh, a big, fat contract befitting the top pick in the 2010 NFL draft after ignorant Heisman voters placed him fourth in the balloting......To Randy Moss, some heart and desire to offset the declining skill set and horsesh*t attitude....To Fans of the New York Yankees, some humility and the realization the universe does not center around the obnoxiousness emitted by their fans thru the horrific sounds and finger-nail scratching broadcasts of John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman.

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To Tiger Woods, a HUGE package filled with some privacy to deal with his family issues (it is none of my business so i won't comment), and a parachute to soften the free-fall of his public persona that can only compare to my friend Gasper's fantasy baseball team every June...For Tim Tebow, a fair and decent shot in the NFL. I don't think he has any shot at success at QB, but he is a class act....A chance at a championship for Roy Halladay and for him to lead Team Pugsley back to TSBF fantasy baseball glory.

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To the City of New Orleans,a Super Bowl championship. The memory of Hurricane Katrina will live forever, a Super Bowl title would do wonders for the folks on the Bayou....Fans of the New York Giants, a 2009 season void of the playoffs....Boxer Manny Pacquiao, a win over Floyd Mayweather in March in the Fight of the Century.
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For Raymond Guy, his rightful place in the NFL Hall of Fame...To the Dallas Cowboy organization....some class--i think i requested this last year, Mr. Claus forgot----obviously.....For the NBA, a reason for me to care again after 12 years of ambivalence....A quick maturation period for the 09-10 North Carolina Tar Heel basketball team....A rules manual for Kentucky coach John Calipari.

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For our brave service men and women around the world, safety with hopes that all will be home soon. Sadly, there are too many d-bags on the planet to realistically hope for world peace, but I am grateful each and every day for the effort of our true heroes.

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For my bride, a better me this year. The best is yet to come.

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For me, the luckiest man in the world, I don't need a whole lot. Although, tickets to the Winter Classic would be nice with a much bigger prize in sight in June for my beloved Boston Bruins.