cb.blog

Unbelievable:

Rush talked about the atrocity committed in Nebraska, in which the State removed a five-week-old baby from the home of his parents for a week, in order for the baby to undergo state-mandated blood tests. The parents objected to the testing on religious grounds, so the state prosecutors went to a judge and then sent armed sheriff’s deputies to the house to remove the baby.

The baby, still nursing from his mother, was placed in foster care not only for the blood to be drawn, but also to await the return of the results of the bloodwork.

Hey, Nebraska: do you remember the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States?

Such blatant disregard for the First Amendment is the very reason we have the Second Amendment.

Here’s one for my mother-in-law: the fraternity house in which I lived while in college is haunted. The Terre Haute Trib-Star writes about it every so often; here’s the latest. Here’s a little background from the article:

[The] fraternity house was part of a several-building complex for the former Vigo County Home for Dependent Children, which was also known as the Glenn Home. The orphanage was created in 1903, though the “main building” was constructed in 1896, and still survives, a Web site dedicated to the Glenn Home’s history reports.

Several buildings were replaced through the orphanage’s tenure, which lasted more than 75 years. It finally closed in 1979, and many of the buildings later became part of Pi Kappa Alpha’s property.

And then the legends began.

Here is the Glenn Home History website.

(Or: Shutting Up Tony Cornhole)

So, are the Pats really dominating more than any other team in the league? From listening to the sycophants analysts, one would think so. However, that analysis may not be true.

Using the team-offense and team-defense stats available on NFL.com, I compared how each team has performed relative to their opponents.

Patriots Through Week 7

The Pats are ranked 1 in scoring offense at 39.9 ppg, and 10 in scoring defense at 17.1 ppg.

The Pats’ opponents have a combined record of 17-28 (average record of 2.4-4), their offenses score an average 23.8 ppg, and their defenses give up an average 26.7 ppg.

Discounting each team’s game against the Pats, those teams have a combined record of 17-21 (average record of 2.4-3), their offenses average 24.6 ppg, and their defenses give up an average of 23.9 ppg. This “composite” team would rank 8 in offensive scoring and 24 in defensive scoring.

Against the Pats, these teams scored an average of 17.1 ppg and their defenses gave up an average of 39.9 ppg.

Thus, relative to their opponents, the Pats have held their opponents to 7.5 ppg less than their average, while scoring 16 ppg more than their other average.

Colts Through Week 7

So how do the Colts compare?

The Colts are ranked 3 in scoring offense at 32.2 ppg, and 6 in scoring defense at 15.8 ppg.

The Colts’ opponents have a combined record of 20-18 (average record of 3.3-3), their offenses score an average 19.4 ppg, and their defenses give up an average 20.9 ppg.

Discounting each team’s game against the Colts, those teams have a combined record of 20-12 (average record 3.3-2), their offenses average 20.2 ppg, and their defenses give up an average of 19.0 ppg. This “composite” team would rank 18 in offensive scoring and 14 in defensive scoring.

Against the Colts, these teams scored an average of 15.8 ppg and their defenses gave up an average of 32.2 ppg.

Thus, relative to their opponents, the Colts have held their opponents to 4.4 ppg less than their other average, while scoring 13.2 ppg more than their average.

Conclusion?

The Pats have played teams with good offenses and horrible defenses. Against these teams, they hold them to 7.5 ppg less than their average, while scoring 16 ppg more than their average.

The Colts have played teams with both average offense and an average defense. Against these teams, they hold them to 4.4 ppg less than their average, while scoring 13.2 ppg more than their average.

Thus, the Pats’ defense is clearly playing well against good offenses, while their offense is feasting on atrocious offenses. Meanwhile, the Colts’ defense is outplaying average offenses, while their offense is clearly dominating average defenses.

The Pats’ defense is a bit more impressive against good offenses than the Colts’ defense is against average offenses; however, The Colts’ offense against average defenses is performing on par with the Pats’ offense against terrible defenses.

In other words, anyone who, at this point in the season, crowns the Pats’ offense as head-and-shoulders above everyone else is simply ignorant of the facts. This Colts offense is demonstrably as good as the Pats offense.

(My calculations can be found in this (.ods format) spreadsheet: Colts Pats Comparison 2007 Week 7.)

Fred Thompson apparently takes one to the house Manning-to-Harrison style at the Washington Briefing. (H/T RedState. More here.)

Some interesting quotes:

“Our people have shed more blood for the liberty of other people than another other group of people on earth.”

As President of the United States, no legislation that supports [abortion] will pass my desk without my veto.”

On fiscal responsibility: “Those who are yet to be born do not have a seat at the table as we kick the can down the road for someone else to deal with. We have to blow the whistle on this irresponsibility.”

On not knowing what he would do during his first 100 days as President, but knowing what he would do in his first hour: “I would go in the Oval Office and close the door, and pray for the wisdom to know what was right.”

(P.S. - Unlike the left’s “Anyone But Bush” anti-enthusiasm in 2000 and especially in 2004 that led to Kerry’s nomination, while we on the right detest the thought of a Hilary presidency, we have a few good choices for our presidential nominee. While my first choice is Fred, I would gladly vote for Giuliani - who also impressed at the Washington Briefing - should he ultimately win the nomination.)

To all my Colts-fan friends: here’s an easy way to get an autograph from Colts punter Hunter Smith. His band, Connersvine, is releasing an album October 23, 2007. Pre-order the album, and it will come with an autographed insert. See the official web site for details.

Oh, and for those of you in Indy, you might be interested to know that Connersvine will be having a CD release party at Trader’s Point Christian Church, on the far northwest side.