Cheatin' and stealin'

by M. Stewart
The New England Patriots are to the Steelers what the Steelers are to the Browns. Maybe that’s why no one—repeat, no one—expects the Steelers to make much of a showing in Foxborough this afternoon.

Of course, in the past the Patriots have cheated, especially in big games and definitely against Pittsburgh, but the NFL hushed that business up very quickly after fining the Pats a few dollars. Since the cheating scandal, New England is a team I always root against. The Giants’ Super Bowl victory over the “invincible” Patriots (with Tom Brady) was one of the greatest moments in professional sports history. It was great watching Bill Belichick run off that field, his mouth full of poop.

So do I think the Steelers will defeat the Patriots today in New England? I try to avoid prediction. It has nothing to do with anything but betting, and I don’t bet.

How about that woman who got robbed and beat up Saturday night in West Point? [See Morning Journal, "Woman injured in robbery attempt.”] According to the newspaper, the 55-year old female had stopped on Applegate Road (near Rt. 30/45) to check if she had a flat tire when a man and woman pulled up in a dirty, old pickup truck. It all sounds like a B-movie script.

The man roughed the lady up and stole (or tried to steal) her rings. His emaciated female accomplice just stood there and watched. According to the paper, the truck they were driving was old, black and “very dirty with a smashed tailgate.” The white male assailant had “dirty and greasy looking” brown hair and a “bad complexion” with a pitted, unshaven face. He was wearing a blue flannel shirt and dirty, ripped up jeans. The girl was short and thin with “blond, dyed hair [with] dark roots showing.”

Although these physical descriptions fit about half the people living in the Lisbon-West Point-Salineville “research triangle,” the smashed up black truck might be something to look for. If you happen to see the truck, and the people in it fit the description, run them off the road, pull out your gun and shoot both of them in the head.

This is Columbiana County. No questions will be asked.

Central School 1851

Here is the East Liverpool school that preceded the Union School. Rather than facing Fourth Street, it faced south to the river. Click to enlarge.

Black Friday/Tips for the Holidays

Well folks, it’s Black Friday. By now, most of the rabid bargain hunters are on their way home, loaded down with electronic gadgets—telephones, televisions, video games. Somehow we’re supposed to remember it’s all about the baby Jesus.

Despite Americans stuffing themselves with birds and borrowing money to buy Christmas junk, the world turns.

India is still trying to figure out what went on with the recent terrorist attacks that claimed over 100 lives. The Mumbai (Bombay) attacks apparently were aimed at Americans and other Westerners and carried out by a hitherto unknown organization. According to the Washington Post, counterterrorism officials are thinking about “Islamist networks based in Pakistan” with names like Lashkar-i-Taiba, which (according to the Post) means "Army of the Pious," and Jaish-i-Muhammad, or "Soldiers of Muhammad."

In short, it looks like the religious nuts are at it again.

Closer to home but sticking with the Indian theme, the Pittsburgh Pirates have signed a couple of “pitchers” from India in what we can only assume is some kind of publicity stunt. Not that Indians can’t throw baseballs, but this is the Pirates we’re talking about—you know: great field, terrible team.

I gave up on professional baseball a long time ago, but it’s interesting to watch people from Wheeling, W.Va. try to run a major league team in Pittsburgh. The once great franchise has been reduced to a long-standing joke. People still go to PNC park, but not to see the Pirates. Instead, the go to enjoy the park and catch glimpses of the real major leaguers on visiting teams.

To wrap things up on this Black Friday, here is a holiday piece from our friend in Virginia, Rick Cooper, who is, by the way, a Christian who gives sermons in church from time to time.

Tips for the holidays
by Richard Cooper

1) Let's put the X back in Xmas. We're quite certain that Jesus wasn't born on December 25th. We really should quit pretending that it's more sacrilegious having Him conspicuously absent from the holiday than it is to not try to at least estimate when He was born but "celebrate" his birthday on a Roman earth-worship day. Either skip the day (like a Jehovah's Witness) or quit trying to carry on such an odd religious tradition.

2) Beat up a Scrooge. Most people are giddy with anticipation of Xmas but there are always those people who love to spread disgruntlement. They talk about wanting to cancel the holidays or they put themselves in situations they can't handle, almost having nervous breakdowns due to the rigors of shopping, cooking, or planning a get-together. Better than beating up a Scrooge, help them or encourage them. One way or the other, quiet them so the rest of us can be at peace. Religious or not, this holiday is all about peace and harmony.

3) Make up with an old friend, lover, or family member. They'll let you and it will make the holiday brighter for you both. Religious or not...

4) Sing Sing Sing, you crazy diamond! Sing like you never have before it doesn't natter what you sing, just let loose. Be joyous and let everyone know it. If you sing well, great. If you sing poorly, awesome. It's inspiring to hear a group of ill-voiced carolers on one's doorstep. The mark of a truly happy and free person is when she doesn't care what everyone around her thinks about her.

5) Give gifts. If you have a lot of money, spend it. Paying a bill for someone this year could be in order. If they don't need a bill paid, buy them something they'd never think of buying for themselves. If you're broke, do something for them they can't do for themselves.

6) Above all, try to make someone (or everyone) have the holiday you want for yourself.

Union School

The Union School (1870-1895) was located at the corner of Union and Fourth streets (now East Fourth) in East Liverpool. It is clearly visible in the 1876 panorama of the city, which is available at the E.L. Historical Society Web site.

The holiday dead zone

by M. Stewart
Now that the election is over and everyone is getting ready for the annual holiday season, there’s not much news to discuss. Get used to it. The holidays usually are a dead zone.

Anything going on in your neck of the woods?

Here's one thing from up north: I see in the Morning Journal that the city of Salem has decided to get out of its contract with the county and restore its own health department. As far as I’m concerned, contracting with the county for any service is a waste of time and money.

As regular readers know, I consider all taxpayer dollars that go to the county as wasted money for city dwellers. Others disagree—mostly those who work for the county—but my opinions are political, not personal.

Generally speaking, I believe in hyperlocalism when it comes to taxes. One exception is the money given to the city of East Liverpool for state highway maintenance. I forget how much it is—$300,000 per year (?)—but even if it’s $100, it’s wasted on the East Liverpool Street Department.

State routes 11 and 39/30 have been falling apart for years, but no one cares. Whatever happened over there on Route 11 that has the northbound surface reduced to one lane may never be repaired. That it's extremely dangerous for drivers doesn't seem to matter.

The state needs to conduct an audit of the money it gives East Liverpool. No way the city is spending this money on highway maintenance and repairs. No way. So where is the money going?

Apparently the brick surface on Fourth Street between Market and Washington Streets poses a problem beyond the capacity of city hall or the street department to solve. Mayor Swoger has claimed that the street work must be done by union bricklayers. For some reason, that means it cannot be done.

Hey, it’s a city street. I don’t care if it’s made out of steel. Rather than provide excuses for why it can't be done, the mayor should force street workers to get out of their trucks and fix that street.

What is the problem? I'd really like to know. Why is city hall unable to manage this one block? The street hasn't been touched since the trolley tracks were pulled up. How long has that been? 75 years?

The Browns suck

by M. Stewart
I know you Cleveland fans don’t want to hear this from a black and golder like me, but let’s put it on the table anyway:

The Browns suck.

Doesn’t go far enough? Ok, how about:

The whole Cleveland Browns organization sucks.

There, that pretty much says it.

Sunday’s 16-6 loss at home to the Houston Texans—another 4-7 team that’s going nowhere fast—was more than another step into mediocrity; most likely it was the end of Romeo Crennel—which, in a way, is too bad. I like Romeo, but an NFL head coach he is not.

His decision to yank two-week starting quarterback Brady Quinn and insert former starter Derek Anderson in the third quarter shows unequivocally that the wheels have fallen off the coaching staff wagon.

Don’t get me wrong; I’m not opposed to yanking any quarterback who isn’t getting the job done in a do-or-die situation. Sometimes you have to take drastic measures in big games, but this wasn’t that. Everyone knows the Browns aren’t playoff bound this season, so you let Quinn take his lumps and have a learning experience. That’s just the way it works.

Crennel told the press after the game that he thought Anderson might provide the “spark” needed to get the offense on track, but even had it worked (which it didn’t), the philosophy is unsound in a toss-off season.

To be honest, Anderson actually did come in and throw some accurate (incomplete) passes—one of them for a touchdown, but unfortunately it was to head case Braylon Edwards, who is going to require some kind of hypnotherapy in the off-season. When your #1 wide receiver can’t catch a football, well … what can you say?

The Browns have gotten so bad that it’s going to take a gasoline enema to right the ship. I’ll be a little surprised if Crennel survives the week. If so, he won’t be back next year. I know everyone in Cleveland thinks former Steelers head coach Bill Cowher is standing in the wings ready to take on the job, but don’t count on it. Bill can have any open job he wants. Why would a guy who worked for the Rooneys choose to work for Cleveland management? Hey, if it turns out I’m wrong, fine, but I don’t think so.

As if Sunday’s loss wasn’t enough of a blow to Cleveland fans, one of the Plain Dealer’s lead stories today is titled: Pittsburgh’s renaissance holds lessons for Cleveland. While that might be true, it’s not something anyone in northern Ohio wants to hear today. Or maybe they do.

132 years ago

East Liverpool in 1876, the same year Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone. Which street runs north-south in the center? Click to enlarge.

Taking it to the Steelers?

by M. Stewart
The morning after the 1-9-1 Cincinnati Bengals posted just 208 yards total offense and lost 27-10, the headline of the Cincinnati Enquirer sports page reads “Taking it to the Steelers.”

I don’t think so.

Compare that ridiculous headline to today’s online Post-Gazette’s matter-of-fact head: “Steelers boost their record to 8-3.” Why not “Steelers pound Bengals”?

Maybe because they didn’t.

I’ll let PG sportwriter Bob Smizik sum it up: “If this is how [the Steelers are] going to play in their remaining five games, four of which are against teams with winning records, it's going to be a short postseason -- if there is one at all.”

Obviously, the concern is that the Steelers didn’t beat the Bengals 50-0.

I won’t defend the Cincinnati Bengals; this is an undisciplined team having a miserable season. Still, the Bengals last week tied the Philadelphia Eagles, who earlier this season dealt Pittsburgh its most humiliating loss in recent memory. And the Bengals have played well in several of their nine losses. With a healthy Carson Palmer, who knows? Cincinnati could be playing .500 football.

The concern in Pittsburgh is the offense and a lack of confidence in quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. In the last two games, Ben has been “getting it done” with short passes, but he still can’t throw downfield. To beat great teams, you have to be able to strike quickly when necessary. To run the ball effectively, pass defenders have to believe you’ve got a deep game. When Ben throws deep, he just flings it up in the air and hopes his receiver can make the adjustment.

First place in the AFC North and an 8-3 record is very good at this point, but with New England, Dallas, Tennessee and Baltimore on the horizon, Steelers fans know how easily this season could turn. These games are impossible to predict. That alone makes people uneasy.

Back to the Bengals: How about that Chad “Ocho Cinco” Johnson? The Bengals should have dealt this guy two years ago, regardless of his production. He is the symbol of everything that’s wrong with that team and is, therefore, a serious liability. The Bengals should trade him to Detroit for a 10th round draft pick.

Republican socialism

by M. Stewart
Stinking rich auto executives flying in private jets to Washington demanding billions to cover their own business failures is something that could only happen after eight years of a surreal Bush administration.

It turns out that the Republicans are the new socialists, who hand out money they don't have to virtually everyone. The citizens have received "economic incentive" checks not once but twice. (The incentive checks did nothing to help the economy.) Now the government is ready to hand out hundreds of billions to wealthy businessmen precisely because they have run their corporations into the ground.

All of this is to put off the consequences of a completely unsustainable consumer economy--an economy that depends upon everyone spending far more than they earn.

To the point: The U.S. government should not give the auto makers any money. Let them go bankrupt and deal with their financial incompetence that way everyone else does. As painful as it might be for a whole lot of people, it needs to happen. While it is possible to delay the inevitable collapse of the consumer economy, it cannot be avoided.

Capitalism is all about allowing people and businesses to win or lose by competing in a free market. If you lose, it's time to reorganize and rethink your plan. Failure is the greatest of all human motivators. Let the Big Three fail. It is their right.

Can't be worse than Bush

by Richard Cooper
I heard about "change" two years ago as the Nancy Pelosi coup took place, but nothing changed other than for the worse. That's why I expected very little in the way of change from President-elect Obama.

I told friends that if Obama put Hillary in his cabinet, it would be apparent that he wasn't his own man and was going to be controlled by the Democratic Party. (He owed the Clintons only slightly more than he owed Jesse Jackson and Jesse, Jr.) By Friday, it was well-known that he was "considering" Hillary for secretary of state.

Now it has been announced that Obama's Attorney General will be Eric Holder. Holder, you'll remember, was the deputy attorney general who was knee-deep in the Marc Rich pardon. Holder recommended Jack Quinn to Rich's people, advised Quinn about how and when to approach Clinton for a pardon, and helped try to keep the Justice Department from finding out about and opposing the pardon.

I didn't really expect anything but "poltics as usual" from a successful Illinois senator, but I guess I was caught up for a brief second in the relief felt from saying goodbye to the Bush/Cheney regime and not ushering in another Republican, even one who claimed to be a "maverick."

I googled Eric Holder and was surprised to find that he was one of three advisors who vetted the vice-presidential choice, so Obama was already associated with Holder before the election. I guess we should know these things before we vote. Or do we really care?

Maybe we'll be able to stomach more of the same in government by rationalizing that who Obama surrounds himself with will always be better than Bush's bunch.

[Richard Cooper lives in Roanoke, Virginia and reads ORL on his telephone.]

Roughly the same view now

Maybe this will help. Courtesy of Google Earth. Click to enlarge.

The Stend in the 30s

Homer Laughlin Pottery in the East End of Liverpool in the 1930s. Click to enlarge.

Wanted: qualified fiscal officer

by M. Stewart
If ever a city needed a competent auditor it’s East Liverpool. Former auditor Kim Woomer was infamous for avoiding the office; now we have a council member checking into a recall election for current auditor Terry Sprague due to perceived incompetence.

According to today’s Review, Sprague avoids city council meetings because she’s “sick of being blasted.” All I can say is that there must be a reason for it. I don’t know everything Councilman Ryan Stovall has on Sprague, but he should elaborate. If there is to be a recall, we need to know the details.

Let’s be frank: Sprague was elected because she was not Kim Woomer. No one really knew whether she could do the job. Now it’s starting to look like she may be in over her head. Council needs to be able to trust and respect the city auditor. Otherwise, we’re all in trouble.

The real problem is that this important position is left up to the electorate. It should be a posted job that goes to the best qualified person, not merely someone who can get elected. One very positive change that came out of Wellsville’s last fiscal emergency was that the village clerk’s job was changed from an elected position to a hired fiscal officer.

If Councilman Stovall and others at city hall can demonstrate that Sprague is incompetent, a recall election is something to be explored, but it won’t be the first time a councilman has wanted to recall an auditor in East Liverpool. When Councilman Jim Tenant tried to organize a recall for Kim Woomer several years ago, the board of elections said it could not be done. Has the law changed since then?

ORL Quiz

Anyone know where this is (was) in East Liverpool? Click to enlarge.

Federal Appeals Ruling Puts Ohio Coal Proposals in Jeopardy

ORL received the following press release from the Sierra Club last Friday:

Columbus, OH – In a move likely to advance a clean energy future for Ohio, the federal appeals board for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ruled yesterday EPA had no valid reason for refusing to limit the carbon dioxide emissions that cause global warming from new coal-fired power plants. The decision means that all new and proposed coal plants nationwide must go back and address their carbon dioxide emissions.

Two of the largest new coal proposals for Ohio, the AMP-Ohio power plant in Meigs County and the Baard liquid coal plant in Columbiana County, are likely to face setbacks from the ruling. Both companies had previously insisted that carbon dioxide should remain unregulated – an argument rejected in today’s ruling – and had resisted attempts to establish carbon limits in their air permits.

“Coal plants emit 30% of our nation’s global warming pollution. Building new coal plants without controlling their carbon emissions could wipe out all of the other efforts being undertaken by cities, states and communities to fight global warming across the country," said Bruce Nilles, Director of the Sierra Club’s National Coal Campaign. “Everyone has a role to play and it’s time that the coal industry did its part and started living up to its clean coal rhetoric.”

The Sierra Club went before the Environmental Appeals Board in May of 2008 to request that the air permit for Deseret Power Electric Cooperative’s proposed waste coal-fired power plant be overturned because it failed to require any controls on carbon dioxide pollution. Deseret Power’s 110 MW plant in Bonanza, UT would have emitted 3.37 million tons of carbon dioxide each year.

“The implications of this ruling for Ohio are huge,” said Nachy Kanfer, with Sierra Club’s National Coal Campaign in Ohio. “This federal ruling underscores the necessity to invest in green jobs in Ohio, rather than building more coal plants that create air pollution and increase global warming. People in Ohio want green jobs, and this is a powerful incentive to invest in the green industries that can revitalize our manufacturing base.”

The proposed Baard Energy facility was projected to emit over 25 million tons of carbon dioxide every year, or approximately 10% of Ohio’s total carbon emissions from transportation, commerce, industry, residences, and agriculture. The proposed AMP-Ohio plant had come under fire for using antiquated, inefficient pulverized coal technology to produce electricity. In addition to the federal case, Sierra Club has appealed environmental permits for both plants on the state level, as well.

A copy of the decision can be found here.

Update: Sierra Club spokesman Nachy Kanfer sent me an update later Friday after speaking with the Ohio EPA. "They insist that permitting will not be affected, and everything will move forward as planned," he said. "The lawyers I've been talking to seem to think otherwise, so it's all a big mess, but EPA says they'll issue the air permit next week."

Steelers win 11-10

by M. Stewart
Ben Roethlisberger was 31/41 for 308 yards Sunday, leading the Steelers to a very weird 11-10 victory over the San Diego Chargers. Thanks to the New York Giants, who pounded the Baltimore Ravens earlier in the day, Pittsburgh now has sole possession of first place in the AFC North.

Although the offense scored just nine points (two came on a safety) with no touchdowns, Roethlisberger ran a ball-control offense that kept the Chargers offense off the field. The AFC’s top quarterback, Philip Rivers, managed to pass for just 159 yards and threw two very key interceptions.

It’s about time Big Ben stepped up and took control of the game. However, had the Steelers lost—and truly this was anyone’s game until the end—it would have been more difficult to laud Ben’s performance. He completed nothing down field and couldn’t manage a touchdown. But as it turned out, Steelers fans will take the win and pat Ben on the back for a job well done. A win is a win.

The last play of the game was a queer one to be sure. If you’re reading this, I’m sure you saw it. Troy Polamalu scored a touchdown on the last play of the game after the Chargers attempted a series of laterals when Rivers completed a short pass over the middle. Inexplicably, the officials removed the touchdown from the board after deciding there was an illegal forward pass involved. The only problem is that clearly there was no illegal forward pass.

There was some discussion on the NBC night pregame show about how if that final touchdown would have been allowed, Pittsburgh would have beat the spread, which had the Steelers by five points. I hope the NFL looks into this matter, because something sure wasn’t right with that call—at least not in terms of how I understand the rules.

Can anyone back up the officials on this one?

Turkey Bowl champs

Eric Wilson (left) took first place in Saturday's "Downtown Duels" Madden NFL Football championship held at the Kent State East Liverpool campus. Second-place honors went to Jared Shilot (right). The event was sponsored by the Ohio Valley Technology Council, New Life Technical Institute, and KSU-EL. (Photo by Shawn Golden)

Madden NFL Football Tournament

If you think you've got what it takes, come down to the KSU-EL Main Building Saturday and compete in the first Ohio Valley Technology Council Madden 09 Turkey Bowl competition. Registration begins at 9 a.m. Warning: My understanding is that there will be a lot of people in this competition, and slots are limited, so don't be late.

Pop's Chinaware & Novelties

I assume Pop's Chinaware was located on Dresden Avenue. Please correct if I'm wrong. Click to enlarge.

Big Ben under the microscope

by M. Stewart
When the Steelers announced Thursday that quarterback Ben Roethlisberger “should start” Sunday against the San Diego Chargers, no one stood up and cheered. With a 76 passer rating, Roethlisberger (the NFL’s highest-paid player this year) has become one of the league’s most ineffective quarterbacks leading one of the league’s worst offenses (#26). No matter how you “feel” about Ben, it’s clear that the guy is dragging a very good football team down.

As a result, Roethlisberger will be under the microscope in Sunday’s San Diego game, regardless of the outcome. With a remaining schedule that includes Dallas, Baltimore, Tennessee and New England, the Steelers will have to play extremely well to win the AFC North, and no question that the Baltimore Ravens are playing better football than Pittsburgh. Luckily, Baltimore has an equally tough schedule ahead.

Should Ben falter against the Chargers, Mike Tomlin will have to consider starting Byron Leftwich against the Bengals next Thursday. In fact, if Ben turns in a lousy first-half performance against San Diego and the Steelers find themselves behind, Tomlin may have to make a halftime decision.

Replacing your starting quarterback just after he’s signed a $100 million-plus contract is not a decision any head coach wants to make, but because pro sports is all about winning, I don’t think Tomlin is in a position to reduce his team’s chances for the purpose of stroking one player’s ego, even if it is Ben Roethlisberger.

If Ben’s shoulder injury is causing his performance problems, he should be forced to sit down until the shoulder heals. So far, the decision has been left up to him. That is a mistake.

For Steelers fans who have forgotten what good quarterbacks look like, check out the highlights of last night’s Jets-Patriots game on NFL.com.

Small town football

by M. Stewart
The high school football season is over in our area. This year’s East Liverpool Potters had a rough season, but they did improve over last season. Two of the three wins were taken away by forfeit; still, the team won three games and that’s an improvement, despite the payola scandal. The final win against Salem left the program on a high note.

I went with a friend to see the playoff game at Patterson Field last weekend between Malvern and Shadyside, and we were impressed with these teams. Malvern clearly was the superior unit, but both teams had talented players and showed relatively complex offenses. The quarterbacks passed and ran well, and the receivers ran good routes.

We knew nothing about these teams, even where they were from. After the game, we looked them up on the map and were surprised to find that Malvern is small town in Carroll County with a population of about 1,200. Shadyside is a village of 3,600 located just below Belaire. Playing in East Liverpool was a trip to the big city for both.

Don’t misunderstand me; I’m not trying to insult the kids who play football in East Liverpool, but how is it that these tiny towns can produce this kind of athletic talent and coaching and we cannot? Clearly we have good athletes, but we should have more. And why do our coaches run such primitive, one-dimensional running offenses all the time?

I admit that I don’t follow high school football closely. I go to a handful of games per year. So I’ll leave the question up to those better equipped to answer it. What’s the deal?

Proposition 8

I can't help but wonder what ORL readers feel about the passage of California Proposition 8. Keith Olbermann presents what amounts to the same argument I would make, only he does it better than I ever could. After viewing the video, let us know what you think.

Good riddance

by M. Stewart
According to today’s newspapers, East Liverpool police on Monday executed a court order and shut down the Sixth Street nuisance business known as Dan’s Bar. While most of the decent people in town will praise the action, those same people know that closing the bar doesn’t solve the general problem of undesirables. Still, it represents another step in the right direction.

Clearly the social problems of drugs, alcohol and prostitution are much larger than the closing of any single establishment, but we must see the closing of Dan’s Bar in the context of similar past actions that include the closing of University Club, the Colonial, and private homes deemed public nuisances. I’m glad the newspapers provided that context.

Responding to the obvious assumption that Dan’s Bar patrons simply will migrate to other bars in town, Mayor Jim Swoger told the Morning Journal, "We'll close them down, too. If the owners don't keep control of their facilities, they'll be next."

Were Monday’s action not part of a pattern, the mayor’s words might ring hollow, but given the trend, they should be taken seriously. If government puts enough pressure on businesses that provide staging grounds for criminal activity, it becomes unprofitable to operate such businesses. Those who think chasing away any business is bad public policy care only about commerce, not the community.

Let’s face it, Dan’s Bar has been a serious hindrance to business on that block of Sixth Street for many years. Bricker’s restaurant might complain about losing the patronage of drunks, crackheads and prostitutes during the evening hours, but it could be that others avoid the restaurant precisely because they don’t want to sit in the same booths used by those we see walking in and out at night.

With the demise of Dan’s, there is some hope that the block can recover from the recent fire. Had Dan’s been allowed to stay open, there would be no chance.

Big Ben blows another one

by M. Stewart
While Ben Roethlisberger gave a clinic on how to lose a big game, Peyton Manning did just the opposite. There might be other ways to see Sunday’s 24-20 loss to the Indianapolis Colts, but the quarterback contrast was hard to miss.

A passing day of 21/40 for 240 yards isn’t a great game for Manning, but when you add three TD passes, no interceptions and a win, it looks just fine. Roethlisberger, on the other hand, wasn’t up to it. Normally, 30/42 and 284 yards is a great day for Ben, but when you add three interceptions, no TD passes and a loss, in looks pretty bad.

Everybody knows that when you’re ahead by 10 points going into the half, you don’t take chances, especially when you have the ball deep in your own territory. What does Ben do? He throws an unbelievably bad pass for an interception that sets up an Indy touchdown. Worse yet, it turned momentum over to the Colts, who never gave it back.

In the fourth quarter, the Steelers were poised to go up by seven with a first and goal at the Colts five yard line. After three telegraphed runs up the middle failed, everybody knew the field goal wouldn’t be enough to beat Peyton Manning. Naturally, the Colts got the ball and marched right down the field for the winning touchdown.

As if to set up the quarterback comparison, the Steelers got the ball back with plenty of time for a great quarterback. Unfortunately, the Steelers don’t have one. Mismanaging the clock badly, Roethlisberger couldn’t get the job done, and the game ended on a Hail Mary interception. Hey, at least it didn't end with a sack.

Someone posting on NFL.com this morning referred to Ben as "Worthlessberger." By no means am I ready to go that far, but in my opinion this team is superior to Cowher's Super Bowl team--that is, except for Roethlisberger, who was paid $1,687,500 for Sunday's loss.

Earlier in the day, the Baltimore Ravens blew out Houston and are tied with Pittsburgh for first place in the AFC North.

_____________________________

For another view on the Roethlisberger issue, see Post-Gazette's sports columnist Bob Smizik.

The 2012 Republican nominee for president

This little reminder is for all of you forward thinkers out there who insist that Sarah Palin will be back in 2012 to head the Republican ticket. Pardon me, but I've always assumed that the goal of an election is to win.

To all of you Republicans who don't identify with Hick-Belt politics: TAKE BACK YOUR PARTY BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE!

No politics, football

by M. Stewart

Yesterday’s Post Gazette carried an article that included quotes from Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger after having emerged from a closed-door meeting with head coach Mike Tomlin. Although the specifics of that discussion were not disclosed, Ben came out telling reporters that he definitely was going to start playing better. [See Post-Gazette article.]

"You know what? I have played sub-par football to date," Roethlisberger said. "It's time for that to change and it will change. I think as my performance changes, I think you'll see some changes in the offense because we'll be clicking more, we'll be making more completions and things will happen nice."

Keep in mind that with signing bonuses, Ben Roethlisberger will make more money this year than any other player in the NFL ($27 million—nearly twice what either of the Mannings make). And over the next eight years—assuming he’ll last that long—Roethlisberger will earn $102 million. Currently he is #21 in overall quarterback stats, and there are 32 teams in the NFL. I guess "sub-par" is one way of putting it.

We can only speculate on what Roethlisberger and Tomlin discussed during their meeting, but I’d be willing to bet that Byron Leftwich came up in the conversation. We saw last week the kind of arm Leftwich has, and let’s face it, he can throw a football much better than Ben. Is Leftwich as mobile? No, but it’s Ben’s mobility that has earned him the title of King of Sacks. As he gets older and even more banged up, Roethlisberger will be lucky to be walking in eight years, let alone leading the Steelers to a Super Bowl.

Regular readers know that I’m skeptical of Roethlisberger. Like all NFL quarterbacks, he looks good when he plays well, and I’m willing to say that aside from the brain-damage year, he’s played high-caliber football for the Steelers and deserves the big money. But so far this year, despite the 6-2 team record, he hasn’t come close to earning his millions.

First and foremost, great NFL quarterbacks have great arms. I can’t think of a great quarterback whose primary skill is dancing around in the backfield until he gets sacked. Everybody keeps talking about the fact that Roethlisberger plays with injuries. The truth is that most of his injuries come from his chosen style of play. If Ben would throw the ball instead of hanging on to it forever, 300-pound defensive linemen wouldn’t hit him so much. If his performance is compromised due to injury, he should sit down until he’s healed.

Speaking of injuries, running back Willie Parker lasted all of one game before he got injured again. Like Big Ben, Parker has a shoulder problem that will keep him out of Sunday’s game with Indianapolis.

Do I hope Roethlisberger plays Sunday and throws for 350 yards? Of course I do. And if he does, I’ll rejoice and give him credit where credit is due. Should he play injured and risk losing the game for the team? The answer is no, not when you have a healthy, competent back-up in Byron Leftwich. That’s what back-ups are for.

The Cleveland Browns managed to blow another big lead and lose at home to the Denver Broncos last night, but it wasn’t quarterback Brady Quinn’s fault. He played well, validating coach Romeo Crennell’s decision to hand him the starting job.

No, it was the Browns' lousy defense that allowed Denver to win. Not every NFL player will fall down when you bump him, especially ones who want to win. You have to put your arms around the legs and hold on. That usually works. It’s called tackling.

Teams with bad defenses can win games, but only if they are able to light up the scoreboard on offense. Putting up 40 points per game will have to be the Browns’ strategy for the remainder of the season.

Finding the scapegoat

by M. Stewart
Why McCain lost:
1. Inablility to establish credible distance from George W. Bush.

2. A failed Republican economic philosophy that finally came home to roost at the wrong time for McCain, whose response to the “economic crisis” was weak and idecisive.

3. Aggressive negative campaigning that sought only to elicit irrational fear. This worked in the Hick Belt, but not with rational voters. It also made many educated Republicans uncomfortable.

4. An unfocused, poorly run campaign characterized by desperate mistakes. Inability to appeal to Independent voters.

5. Sarah Palin, who was selected as VP candidate for all the wrong reasons. The Katie Couric interview was a disaster from which the campaign never recovered. Her weaknesses were obvious to everyone except those operating at her level. She took the spotlight away from McCain, alienated the Republican elite, and most likely will continue to divide and fragment the party.

6. The campaign attempted to make the fictitious character of Joe the Plumber an icon. As with Palin, the character alienated more people than it attracted.

Why Obama won:
1. Charisma. Obama is an intelligent, articulate, inspiring person. Although not necessary in politics, these qualities are completely lacking in George W. Bush, and people are tired of being embarrassed by an intellectually challenged president.

2. Opposition to the outsourcing of American jobs. This was a big issue in Ohio. As well, Obama's health care reform plan was more sensible than McCain’s. In short, Obama won the debate on key issues.

3. Resistance to unfounded personal attacks. Obama ran an issues campaign without resorting to the McCain campaign's transparent propaganda tactics.

4. Strong and graceful under pressure. At no point did Obama come off as “weak” on national defense. By doing so, he neutralized McCain's only ace in the hole.

5. An extremely well-run and focused campaign. Obama was successful at bringing disaffected Hillary Clinton voters to his side. (Sarah Palin also assisted in that effort.) The campaign targeted both the working and middle classes, not just the working class. It didn’t waste time on social conservatives.

6. Obama appealed to white voters by keeping racial issues off the table. At the same time, his candidacy mobilized and inspired minorities.

7. The message of “change” was simple and straightforward. If ever a country needed a change after the eight-year nightmare of George W. Bush, it’s this one.

Antichrist elected president

by M. Stewart
The media elite has “elected” the Antichrist as president of the United States, and the history of the END TIMES begins today. Later this week, I will outline Satan’s plan for world domination and lay the groundwork for the Resistance. Come Jan. 20, they will be going door-to-door to collect all our guns and Bibles, so stash your weapons now.

DO NOT LOSE FAITH. It is prophesied that WE WILL WIN in the end. Until they shut us down, Ohio River Life will be our means of communication, but be careful. Use the code described in R-634. (If you don't know what I mean, you're one of THEM.)

Feel free to discuss local election results openly.

Pittsburgh 23 Washington 6

by M. Stewart
Well, it’s finally here. Go vote, but please don’t vote in races that you know nothing about; that destroys the integrity of the process. It’s ok to leave things blank. Also, I’m hearing that the polls are crowded, so give yourself plenty of time.

Now on to football:

For the first time this season, the Pittsburgh Steelers played a first-tier team and won, but at 6-2, they’re just one game ahead of the Baltimore Ravens—a team that finally seems to have found a competent quarterback in rookie Joe Flacco.

After losses to the New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles—both pitiful offensive performances—the Steelers’ 23-6 Monday night defeat of the Washington Redskins was a statement in more ways than one.

First of all, starting QB Ben Roethlisberger was well on his way to yet another miserable game prior to his injury. For whatever reason, Ben just can’t perform against good defenses. As the undisputed King of Sacks, he still hasn’t learned that a quarterback can’t hold the ball until he’s on the ground. You can’t blame everything on the offensive line. If Ben thinks he’s Superman, somebody needs to tell him he isn’t.

Before leaving the game with a shoulder injury, Ben was 5 of 17 for 50 yards, and only one of the five completions was a well-thrown ball. His performance in big games is unacceptable. If the Steelers didn’t have the best defense in football, they might very well be 2-6 with Roethlisberger running the offense. Obviously, he’s played well against tough opponents in previous years, but this year he’s shown no sign that he can lead a playoff-caliber team.

Even though back-up quarterback Byron Leftwich came in and provided the skill and leadership Roethlisberger couldn’t muster, head coach Mike Tomlin isn’t even close to making a permanent change; however, should Ben keep bumbling and stumbling to the point where the season is in jeopardy, giving Leftwich the ball is a no brainer. The goal in sports is to win, no matter what it takes.

As tempting as it is to give last night’s game ball to Leftwich, it really goes to the Steelers defense, which showed why they are the league’s best. Redskins running back Clinton Portis was held to a mere 51 yards, and 22 of those came on one carry. When you take a guy like Portis out of the game and keep the passing attack in check, chances are you’re going to win. Add to that seven quarterback sacks, two interceptions, and a blocked punt, and you’ve got a truly great defensive performance.

The Cleveland Browns announced yesterday that they will start back-up quarterback Brady Quinn against the Denver Broncos Thursday night. After a very disappointing loss to Baltimore on Sunday, the team has decided that Derek Anderson just isn’t getting the job done.

It’s unfortunate for Anderson that he is being made the scapegoat for the team’s problems. After all, the Browns have receivers who can’t catch and a laughable defense, but head coach Romeo Crennell has to do something to light a fire under his mediocre team. It’s clear that Anderson is not going to be the future of this franchise, whereas Quinn may be. Throwing the young quarterback into the fire during a short week might be questionable, but he should have been the starter since week one. Better to correct a mistake too late rather than not at all.

Browns fans shouldn’t expect miracles out of Quinn. Still, the Denver Broncos are not a very good football team, and it’s as good a game as any to hand him the ball. Because we don’t get the NFL network, I doubt if I’ll get to see the game, but I do wish the Browns well.

The $250k infiltration

by M. Stewart
Sunday’s Review carried a story about a $250,000 offer from the National Network of Digital Schools to help save Westgate School, but school board president Gary Bonnell would rather demolish the building than let NNDS have a hand in saving it.

Before I discuss the particulars of the situation, let me say that I believe the East Liverpool public school system is a sinking ship, and if ever we are to have education reform here, it will come from the continued development of private institutions. The state of Ohio is not capable of operating a successful K-12 public school system in this city.

We hear a great deal about the Ohio School Facilities Commission “master plan” as though somehow spending millions of taxpayer dollars on new buildings will turn things around. It won’t. Our problem has nothing to do with buildings. The state’s desire to demolish Westgate is a symbol of these misplaced values.

Rather than allow the building to be saved, Mr. Bonnell says the plan in to “bulldoze” Westgate and build an “athletic complex.” What exactly is an athletic complex? And what will it do to improve our district’s dismal academic reputation?

The problems with the school district are obvious. Rather than attempt to compete in the education marketplace by working to improve its product, the district demonizes its competitors and isolates itself from the education community. By making everything personal, Mr. Bonnell has further limited the prospects of the district (if that’s even possible).

In Sunday’s newspaper Bonnell is quoted as saying that Buckeye Online School for Success (an East Liverpool NNDS affiliate) has “infiltrated the schools.” This paranoid rhetoric demonstrates how much the district fails to understand that in the state of Ohio, public education is a free market competition. If you don’t even know you’re in the game, how can you expect to win?

I don’t know how or if this NNDS money can fit into a plan to save Westgate School, but it should be explored in a rational way so a sound judgment can be made. Kneejerk paranoia is not rational.

Thank Zeus! It's almost over

by M. Stewart
It’s hard to believe that in the 21st century, politicians still try to out-god one another to get elected. That’s exactly what’s happening in North Carolina where Democratic challenger Kay Hagan is taking legal action against Sen. Elizabeth Dole for running an attack earlier this week implying that Hagan is “godless.” As a result, Dole’s poll numbers show a decrease in support. See Charlotte Observer story.

All I have to say is thank Zeus the campaigns are nearly over! For the last month or so, the Palin-McCain ticket has been doing everything it can to assault Obama’s lead, but polling data tells us they are preaching to a diminishing choir. For a very good analysis of political polls and polling date, see fivethirtyeight.com.

They say Obama’s support among younger folks is legion, but it remains to be seen if they will actually turn out to vote on Tuesday. After all, registering to vote isn’t the same as showing up and punching the chad. According to the Detroit Free Press, “Despite all the hullabaloo about young people and the 2008 election, as a general rule, 18-to-late twentysomethings don't care about voting as much as their elders.”

At the Kent State East Liverpool Campus, a “mock” presidential election held this week by student government supports that notion. Out of 900 or so students, only 37 were willing to vote. Many actively “refused” to participate when asked. Of the 37 student voters, McCain pulled 49 percent, Obama 43 percent, and others 8 percent. When faculty/staff votes are included in the mix, the tide shifts to Obama with 59 percent to McCain’s 36 percent.

If anything the informal, unscientific data gathered at the East Liverpool campus show that very few of our young people take part in the political process. Those who do favor McCain for president, while faculty and staff overwhelmingly favor Obama (79 to 21 percent). No surprise there. We all know that university faculty are a bunch of godless, socialist, unpatriotic terrorists.