Midnight Decisions Leave New Yorkers Baffled

Caroline Kennedy decided to not pursue Secretary Clinton's senate seat from New York. However, the weird hour and circumstances surrounding this whole situation leaves one thinking that there is more under the surface.

Rumors concerning an affair, taxes and nanny issues have been swirling in blogs and other smear sites. The reality is Caroline Kennedy is a very private person and does not like to speak in public. Governor Patterson had been pushing her to circulate and speak more, which moved her way out of her comfort zone. Many believe that this is the real reason she decided to withdraw from consideration.

Obama Signs Order to Close Gitmo

President Barack Obama signs executive order to close Guantanamo Bay within a year. A plan is forthcoming concerning the placement of the individuals who are being detained at that facility.

President Obama has signed another executive order that require all interrogations abide by the Geneva Convention and Army Field Manual.

He also signed two other executive orders concerning policies affecting future situations that are similar to the detainee situation Guantanamo Bay.

Secretary Clinton Takes Charge of the Department of State

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton takes over as the top diplomat of the United States. In her speech today she was clear about the type of boss she be by stating this, "Among the many conversations that I've had with the President and with the Vice President, over years, but certainly much more astutely and in a concentrated way in the last weeks, we want to send a clear and unequivocal message: This is a team, and you are the members of that team. There isn't anything that I can get done from the seventh floor or the President can get done from the Oval Office, unless we make clear we are all on the American team. We are not any longer going to tolerate the kind of divisiveness that has paralyzed and undermined our ability to get things done for America."

Clearly there is going to some serious changes with the iron fist of our Madame Secretary. For good or bad, I am glad I don't work there.

Forget the Despair, Let's Appreciate The Unexpected Ride

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: A surprising season ends for the Baltimore Ravens. Looking back, many Raven's fans didn't expect this ride to the AFC Championship at the beginning of the season. So instead of wallowing in the disappointing loss, instead let's look back at the unexpected rise of "the team nobody wants to play.'

Coming off a disappointing 4-12 season, they turned it around and sparked some life back into Baltimore's treasured franchise. Flacco jerseys have been hard to come by, especially the authentic jerseys.

By some weird sort of fated circumstances, Joe Flacco, an underrated NCAA Division 1 AA standout who was taken by Baltimore in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft, became the starter. The quarterback for tomorrow, became the quarter for today. He became the new face, an offensive face for a team known for defense. Calm, cool and collective, Flacco made a serious case for Rookie of the Year and deservedly so.

Ray Lewis continued to lead a fearsome defense that literally punished offenses all year. Ed Reed had an outstanding year leading the NFL in interceptions and setting an NFL record for career interception return yardage, breaking the 1000 yard mark. Both are solid Hall of Fame candidates. Jim Leonhard came on board and immediately fit in with the Raven's defense becoming an important part of that unit.

The loss of Rex Ryan as defensive coordinator is big to the Ravens. Hopefully, they can find the right person to fill that position that can compliment Cam Cameron. This is a very important decision and Raven fans will definitely be watching.

The other important issue is keeping the defense in tact. Bart Scott, Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs are all free agents. Keeping this unit together until the Ravens can find Ray Lewis' replacement. This is the most pressing issue for the Raven's front office and I am sure proper overtime has been allotted.

George Washington Not The First President of the United States - John Hanson was.

Many forget the actual first President of the United States - John Hanson. Actually we forget the first seven Presidents, who all served one year terms. Check out this link...
http://www.marshallhall.org/hanson.html

American Recovery and Reinvestment

As we come upon a new wave of "Change" I have an open ended question and comments. I like the fact that the upcoming administration is promising a veil of transparency...Although I don't think we can count on this throughout his administration. This brings me to my point...
What is American Recovery and Reinvestment? This is his own words:
“We need an American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan that not only creates jobs in the short-term but spurs economic growth and competitiveness in the long-term,” he says. “And this plan must be designed in a new way—we can’t just fall into the old Washington habit of throwing money at the problem. We must make strategic investments that will serve as a down payment on our long-term economic future. We must demand vigorous oversight and strict accountability for achieving results. And we must restore fiscal responsibility and make the tough choices so that as the economy recovers, the deficit starts to come down. That is how we will achieve the number one goal of my plan—which is to create three million new jobs, more than eighty percent of them in the private sector.”

In my opinion this is redistribution of wealth. (socialism) So why not just say that Barrack Hussein Obama? Is it because most of the working society does not want this? That you might actually make someone mad? You might drop some points in the approval poll? That you might actually have to raise taxes? Another thing you want to create three million new jobs more than eighty percent in the private sector...What does that mean? Let's break that down and give him the benefit of the doubt. Let's say eighty five percent are in the private sector that seems good but what about the other 15 percent? Doing the math that would be four hundred fifty thousand more government jobs. That would be the largest growth in government ever! Growing government has to mean higher taxes right? But you promised not to raise taxes on the middle class. So that means your gonna raise taxes an the upper class. That means that the people that already have a ton of tax responsibility are getting more piled onto them. Thats the America i want to live in, get an idea, start a buisness, make millions then pay millions to a failing government by way of taxes...Great! Just a couple of questions feel free to comment if you want theses are just my views. Remember that when the socialist's took over Germany it was accepted with open arms!

Steelers Put Down Chargers to Advance to the AFC Championship

Pittsburgh, PA: Mike Tomlin's Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the LT-less San Diego Chargers 35-24. They will host the Baltimore Ravens next week at 6:00pm.

San Diego became the first team in NFL history to be 4-8 and make the playoffs. This was the first playoff win for the Steelers since their 1996 Super Bowl win over Seattle.

Eagles End Giants Chance for a Repeat

East Rutherford, NJ: Donovan McNabb and the Philadelphia Eagles ended the season for the reigning Super Bowl Champions New York Giants. The 23-11 victory for the Eagles continues upset weekend in the playoffs as both number one seeds lost, Ravens beat the Titans on Saturday.

The Eagles will play the Arizona Cardinals next Sunday January 18 at 3:00pm. Winner of the Pittsburgh/San Diego game will host the team nobody wants to play, the Baltimore Ravens, at 6:00pm that day.

STUFFED! Ravens Knock Titans Out of The Playoffs.

Nashville, TN: Joe Flacco becomes the first rookie quarterback in NFL history to win two playoff games as he leads the Baltimore Ravens to the AFC Championship Game. Matt Stover's 43 yard field goal with 57 seconds left sealed the 13-10 win for Baltimore. The Titans offense racked up 391 yards of total offense against a Raven's defense that employed the "bend but don't break" philosophy.

3 forced turnovers and mental mistakes resulting in 12 penalties for 89 yards didn't help the cause. 8 forced turnovers this post season shows the tenacity of the Ravens defense and their ability to disrupt an offenses movement in the Red Zone.

Flacco was 11 for 22 for 161 yards, 1 touchdown and 0 interceptions. Not impressive figures but Flacco made few mistakes, especially any mistake that would cost the game.

Defense again was what this game was about. Ray Lewis had 8 tackles, 3 assists and one forced fumble. Samari Rolle had 3 tackles and an interception. Bart Scott had 11 tackles picking up some slack after Terrell Suggs left with an injured shoulder. Jim Leonhard was an impact as well with a forced fumble on one play and then a fumble recovery.

Ravens will play the winner of the San Diego/Pittsburgh game tomorrow for the AFC Championship. This is the Ravens second AFC Championship appearance. The last one resulted in the Ravens winning the 2000 Super Bowl.

Ed Reed is 3rd in Voting For Defensive POY?

Sure, James Harrison is very deserving of the Defensive Player of the Year award but the question is did Ed Reed deserve it more? Ed Reed led the NFL with 9 regular season Interceptions. He had two returns for touchdowns, one was 107 yards, the longest Interception return in NFL history.

Ed Reed also reached a milestone this year, 1,144 interception return yards. Ed Reed is the only person in NFL history to score a touchdown off an interception, fumble recovery and punt return.

What makes Ed Reed such a dangerous threat to quarterbacks, he used to be one. He knows what a quarterback is thinking. Quarterbacks have do so many things when they play the Ravens and one more thing to worry about is "where is Ed Reed when I throw this ball." Reed has 16 pass deflections plus 9 interceptions equals 25 times Reed touched a pass thrown.

In my book, Ed Reed is one of the most dominant defensive players in the game. With Reed, Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs, the Raven's defense is very formidable and has every right to the claim as one the best Defenses in NFL history.

We Need a Few Detctives Like Vic Mackey

Bob thinks that SPD needs a few detectives like Vic Mackey. Now, granted Vic Mackey may be a little dirty but he gets results. He's not perfect, heck none of us are. Bob firmly believes we need cops to get in their faces and root out the gang situation. A few like Vic Mackey may put the fear of God in these wannabe thugs.

Just a random thought that popped into Bob's head today.

This was originally posted on View From A Salisbury Grinch blog

No Monday Night Football is Depressing

The weekly fall ritual of Monday Night Football is done, gone, over until next August. It just leaves no room for excuses if someone asks what are you doing tonight, why don't you come over? What do you say? "I am watching Raw." What?

With the amount of football games diminishing every weekend, you begin to wonder.... "What do I do with all this time on my hands?"

Just the truth of what happens to football fans when MNF is gone and we finally realize it.

Long Cut joins the crew

I would just like to thank you for inviting me to contribute to this blog

Ravens Move On After Beating Miami

Ed Reed still making a case for Defensive Player of the Year with two interceptions and running one back for a touchdown as the Ravens crushed the Miami Dolphins 27-9. In the playoffs - Defense wins championships. With 5 turnovers, 4 interceptions and one fumble recovery, the Ravens defense just ravaged Miami. Miami tied for lead the NFL in the regular season with fewest turnovers, the Ravens defense led the NFL in takeaways.

Joe Flacco led the Ravens offense that provided incredible pass protection. No turnovers by the Ravens was key in keeping momentum going for Baltimore. Joe Flacco is the first rookie Quarterback in NFL history to start all sixteen regular season games and win his first playoff game.

Flacco put the nail in the coffin with a 4th quarter touchdown. LeRon McClain had 19 rushes for 75 yards and one touchdown.

Next week the Ravens face the Tennessee Titans which is sure to be a great game.

A Big Welcome To Our New Contributors

Delmarva Views would like to welcome our new contributors - the Salisbury Grinch and the Rubberbandman4000. Glad you guys are on board.

Bob

Thank you Bob

Look forward to working with you.

Ravens vs. The Dolphins

Should be a great game. Joe Flacco should be his consistent self. If he maintains his composure the way he did at Texas Stadium when the Ravens beat the Cowboys, he should do well on Sunday at Miami. This is a reallt exciting time to be a Ravens fan.

Given his situation at the beginning of the year, I felt Flacco deserved to be name Rookie of the Year. I do feel Ed Reed is probably the top contender for Defensive Player of the Year. I know Ray Lewis as always will be considered, as is Troy Polamalu from Pittsburgh. If Lewis gets it, he deserves it as well.

You know what I will be doing at 1pm.

Go Ravens!

The Views From Delmarva

A simple, yet straight forward blog about Delmarva. Let's keep it civil, clean and productive.