Sunday

So the Hawkeyes managed to give all their fans a complete dose of depression for three quarters yesterday, and then came up with a spectacular fourth quarter antidote. I'm sure that the national press corps will skewer Iowa as an unworthy BCS finalist, but if they win out, they'll deserve at least third place. Under the presumption that Texas and the Florida-Alabama winner are also undefeated at the end of the season, Iowa will most certainly go to Pasadena for The Rose Bowl.

But before anyone gets too excited, Northwestern will come to play on Saturday.

Looked to me like there were more than a few empty seats in the Alamo Dome last night for the ND "home" game. But my guess is that a few dollars were deposited into ND's bank account and that the experience will make the future away/home games even more successful.

Low-key weekend for me. The high-light may have been dog-sitting Winnie this afternoon. What's that say about my life? Also mowed my yard. How often do you mow your yard in November?

2 and I are headed over to Lincoln on Friday to visit 4. Oklahoma is visiting the Huskers (although we don't have tickets). I'm guessing that the Sooners will be spotting the hosts a couple of touchdowns.

Edmunds, Inc ran into the New Reality late last week when they released a report from their research on recent US auto sales, specifically the Cash for Clunkers program. The gist of the report was that the incremental sales from the $3 billion program were only in the 125,000 range, meaning that it cost the Treasury $24K per vehicle to fund it. The White House didn't take kindly to the report and jumped all over it on their blogs and other media. Another example of Don't Mess With Us.

I've used Edmunds' websites numerous times in the past, most notably when I was searching for classic cars several years ago (a search that ultimately led to Margret). I never even thought of them as political. This response from the WH to a mildly critical report smacks of an immature, grade school mentality.

There is a philosophical koolade being passed down from the Democratic leadership, and then around by their complicit friends in the media, that anyone who doesn't believe in true health care reform, abortion rights, taxing the rich, and international appeasement is a member of some right wing fringe group. Whatever.

My new nickname can be Fringe.

Have a great week.

BCOT