Saturday, September 4, 2010

Why the Title?

I am a huge Pink Floyd fan, and though clearly written many decades ago and having nothing to do with current politics, the first couple of stanzas from the song Sheep from their 1977 album Animals is a good analogy for the masses in our current times.  In fact, according to The Rough Guide to Pink Floyd by Toby Manning, Roger Waters actually wrote the song to express his distaste for the masses and their seeming stupidity.  So take a look and see what you think...

Harmlessly passing your time in the grassland away;
Only dimly aware of a certain unease in the air.
You'd better watch out!
There may be dogs about
I looked over Jordan, and I've seen
Things are not what they seem.

That's what you get for pretending the danger's not real.

Meek and obedient you follow the leader
Down well trodden corridors into the valley of steel.
What a surprise!
A look of terminal shock in your eyes.
Now things are really what they seem.
No, this is not a bad dream.


There you have it, the inspiration for the title of this blog!


*Note  The rest of the album Animals is similarly dark in its commentary on human nature.  Perhaps at another time I will take a closer look at the remaining songs, Dogs & Pigs (Three Different Ones).*

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Just for Fun - 2010 NFL Predictions

Here are my predictions for the 2010 NFL Season.  You may ridicule me after the season is over.

First Round Bye     Wild Card

AFC East                                                                         AFC North                                                  
New York Jets: 11-5                                                        Baltimore Ravens: 13-3
New England Patriots: 9-7                                                Cincinnati Bengals: 9-7
Miami Dolphins: 8-8                                                         Pittsburgh Steelers: 8-8
Buffalo Bills: 4-12                                                             Cleveland Browns: 6-10

AFC West                                                                       AFC South                                                   
San Diego Chargers: 12-4                                                Indianapolis Colts: 11-5
Denver Broncos: 8-8                                                        Houston Texans: 8-8
Kansas City Chiefs: 7-9                                                    Tennessee Titans: 7-9
Oakland Raiders: 4-12                                                     Jacksonville Jaguars: 5-11

NFC East                                                                        NFC North                                                   
Dallas Cowboys: 10-6                                                     Green Bay Packers: 14-2
New York Giants: 8-8                                                     Minnesota Vikings: 11-5
Philadelphia Eagles: 7-9                                                   Chicago Bears: 8-8
Washington Redskins: 6-10                                             Detroit Lions: 2-14

NFC West                                                                      NFC South                                                     
San Francisco 49rs: 11-5                                                 New Orleans Saints: 13-3
Seattle Seahawks: 7-9                                                     Atlanta Falcons: 9-7
Arizona Cardinals: 5-11                                                   Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 7-9
St. Louis Rams: 4-12                                                       Carolina Panthers: 5-11

AFC Championship: Baltimore Ravens over San Diego Chargers
NFC Championship: Green Bay Packers over Dallas Cowboys

SUPER BOWL CHAMPIONS: Green Bay Packers over Baltimore Ravens