Happy Monday!

Clinton confident...

NFL optimistic...

…and there's heartwarming news from hither and yon.

Feel better now?

The truth is out there.

Sally Kohn shares some...

I’m not weighing in here on whether the military action required congressional approval or oversight. My point is, Obama could have brought a resolution to Congress on a silver platter, and Republicans would be all over the news complaining it should have been gold.

They just hate him.

Stephen Squibb has some more...

It has frequently been said that in this country we have socialism for the rich and capitalism for the poor. What the case of the NFL demonstrates so clearly is that what we have, in fact, is whatever the rich want whenever they want it. And whatever they want always gets the same name, free market capitalism, regardless.

Not that most folks are looking, or listening, but I stubbornly cling to the notion that where there's truth, there's hope. As long as we can name the lies, we can fight them. That's my hope, anyway.

Me too…

…too. Neil Sinhababu, on the immanent NFL lockout...

There's causes that I'll get more excited about, like the situation of ordinary union people in Wisconsin, but I hope the players win.

There's a core group of dedicated union busters among the NFL owners. Sure, there's an element of millionaires vs. billionaires that makes it hard to worry about beyond the implications for my fantasy league, but at its heart it's just labor vs. capital with a very high, and hard earned, wage scale.

The Player's Union has made concessions, stands ready to bargain and wants to work. They deserve our support.

Oh well...

...at least I can root against the Steelers with more enthusiasm than I could have rooted against the Jets.

Let's go, Green Bay!

One done...

Congrats to the Packers. Now, let's go Jets!

Let's Go Green Bay!

I'm pulling for a Packers-Jets Superbowl. The Lombardi era Pack was my team as a kid and they've tugged at my football heart a bit every since. Football's always a better game when the Pack is back.

On the AFC side, I haven't cared much about the Jets since the Broadway Joe days, but I'll never forgive the Steelers for Super Bowl XL.

Of course, both games will be on all three screens at the perfect tavern, so if you're nearby, drop in and watch some football with me. Mention the blog and you just might win a prize...

It's 1737 miles to Chicago…

...we got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and we're wearing sunglasses (because our future's so bright.)

Nothin' left to say but..

How 'bout them Packers!?!

Though I suppose Bears fans are just as happy, and maybe a bit more confident, than I am right now.

But Yay Packers! and Go Hawks!

I think it's time to say...

...how 'bout them Hawks!?!

Maybe?

Probably.

AP - Maybe the award should be renamed Most Valuable Peyton.

Manning got me to, but not through, the finals of my fantasy league this year. I wish him better luck in real life. In an era of noteworthy quarterbacks, he's a marvel.

Shorter Rush.

By Steve M., who reads the Wall Street Journal so you don't have to…

McNabb and Obama got where they are because whites graded them on a curve out of racial guilt -- which I'm saying in a purely non-racist way!

Heh™.

Let's be clear…

…the reason that Rush Limbaugh shouldn't, and doubtless won't, be an NFL team owner isn't because he's "controversial" or conservative. The NFL, particularly at the ownership level, is chock full of conservative Republicans, and the league is no stranger to controversy at any level.

The reason that Rush Limbaugh shouldn't, and doubtless won't, be an NFL team owner is that he's made overtly racist remarks about an active, effective and highly regarded player in the NFL. That's enough.

More than, even.

Good question.

Oliver inquires...

...if you can’t sell out a playoff game, what the heck are you doing with an NFL team in the first place?

All the more reason, of course, for the Seahawks to return to their divinely ordained position atop the division.

“That requires an explanation...”

Specter said.

No it doesn't. Comparing the NFL's disposal of property after an investigation involving their private rules with the C.I.A. destroying public records they were under specific order to retain? What a ridiculous trivialization of the crimes of the executive branch agency.

The NFL is a private business concern, not a public agency.

Evidence gathered during NFL investigations is private property, not public records.

The NFL rules are a private agreement, not a federal law.

Our soldiers are at war. The economy is tanking and taking the middle class with it. Our nation is diminished to the status of beggar in the international arena - begging the Saudis for energy relief, NATO for more troops to conduct wars we've started and can't sustain.

Meanwhile, Arlen Specter is wondering if maybe his Iggles didn't get ripped off by Bill Belichick's rogue cameraman or some such silliness.

Silly is fun. I like silly. The US Senate, though, at this time? That's no place for silly.

I love me some NFL, but this is ridiculous.