Your Son is a Statistic, Not a Martyr!

I will start off by saying that suing the restaurant is not as dumb as it seems. Generally if someone is involved in an alcohol related accident resulting in damage or death to people or property (not including the driver), then the place where alcohol was last consumed (whether a public establishment or private home) can be held partially liable for damages to the victims, and in some cases can be charged criminally not just sued in a civil court. Having worked in restaurants that serve alcohol, part of the training and policies are a maximum of 3 drinks per customer (or 2 in some places). Based on the early facts of the case, this restaurant (along with the owner, manager on duty, and possibly server/bartender) will likely be found as negligent due to the fact that they continued to serve alcohol past the point of noticeable intoxication (and yes, twice the legal limit is definitely noticeable). I don't necessarily agree with this precedent but it is what it is.

As an aside, this is the first case I have heard where the only victim was the intoxicated driver (of legal drinking age) but whose estate is also the complainant. This fact alone throws a monkey wrench into a normally expected open and shut case where the establishment (and managers/employees) are found liable for damages.

I would not have felt the need to write anything if this case was only against the establishment. When the owner of the tow truck and the stalled vehicle were also named as defendants, I was thoroughly disgusted with the father and attorney attempting to turn the deceased into a martyr.

As someone who had a DUI a few years ago (no lives or property were affected and who has served his debt to society) I can tell you that for most people who are either arrested for DUI for the first time or involved in an alcohol related accident for the first time...in all likelihood it was not the first time the driver has driven under the influence (and usually not 2ND or 3rd either). Just as former pitcher Hancock did a few weeks ago, and just as I did a few years ago, a bad choice was made while sober...to drink and then drive. This decision is made when you first get in the car while sober - so to his father; you can not start deflecting blame from your dead son to others.

Some questions I would pose directly to Hancock's father if given the opportunity....

Was your son of legal drinking age, and of reasonable competency prior to that fateful night?

That readily handy bag of weed in your son's vehicle containing just over 8 grams was not a standard quarter bag, it tells me he actually had at least a half ounce when purchased. People who smoke weed generally will smoke it when drunk to "balance themselves out". My question - there was nobody else in the vehicle, so who smoked just over an eighth of weed from that bag???

Are you going to name the drug dealer, and the drug dealers union in your lawsuit?

Is it safe to speed during the day?

How about at night?

Is it safe to talk on the cell phone while driving during the day?

How about at night?

Is it safe to get drunk, smoke weed, speed, and talk on the cell phone all while driving during the day?

How about at night?

Did your son have a choice to do all of the above?

I made my bed and lied in it several years ago. Your son made his bed a few weeks ago. It's time to let him lie in it (permanently as it is). Just be glad he didn't hurt or kill anyone else, or his estate would be the one defending lawsuits.

Take some responsibility where your son did not.

Icy Aftermath/Storm Update

The snow and sleet have moved out of the Reading area, but now comes the wind and bitter cold.

The winter storm began for the Lehigh Valley as light snow during yesterday's morning commute. Snow continued off and on throughout the morning into the early afternoon when the snow really intensified for the afternoon drive home. Roads which were mainly wet throughout the day, became snow covered within 30 minutes. After picking up about 3 inches of snow, the precipitation turned to sleet as warmer air aloft invaded the area around 7pm.

The sleet continued throughout the night and into Wednesday morning at varying intensities. By 10 this morning sleet had accumulated about 2-4 inches throughout the area. As the coastal low moved northward to Long Island, winds shifted from the east to north-northwest thus driving out the warmer air aloft and changing the sleet back to a several hour period of heavy snow.

The snow tapered to flurries by late afternoon but not before leaving another 4-8 inches of snow on top of the mess that had already fallen. As the storm moves away, northwest winds will increase greatly pulling in brutally cold Arctic air to the region. Temperatures will plummet to around 5 degrees tonight with sustained winds of 20-30 mph. This will produce dangerously cold wind chills around 20 below zero. Any slush or standing water will freeze solid by midnight creating yet another tricky commute tomorrow morning. My advice is stay off the roads tonight and possibly wait a couple hours tomorrow morning before venturing out.

From the fabulously cold bachelor pad/weather center in Reading, I'm K-money.

Winter Storm

I welcome myself back from Blogger hiatus. First major winter storm of the season here in Reading. Snow, then sleet, then a lllllllllllllllot of sleet, and now back to snow. Work is closed for today, so I am inspired somewhat to update. For you snow nuts - the next storm could be this coming Monday, Presidents Day, stay tuned...

To Trouble - we miss you here is PA, our fingers are crossed for you!!

Week 11 picks

Last week - 8-8 straight up, 10-6 ATS
Year to Date - 88-57 straight up, 52-52-3 ATS

Straight up winners in bold, ATS winners in green



Atlanta at Baltimore (-4.5) BAL
Buffalo at Houston (-2.5) HOU
Chicago at N.Y. Jets (+6.5) NYJ
Cincinnati at New Orleans (-3.5) NO
Minnesota at Miami (-3.5) MIA
New England at Green Bay (+5.5) GB
Oakland at Kansas City (-9.5) OAK
Pittsburgh at Cleveland (+3.5) PIT
St. Louis at Carolina (-6.5) STL
Tennessee at Philadelphia (-12.5) PHI
Washington at Tampa Bay (-3.5) TB
Detroit at Arizona (-2.5) ARI
Seattle at San Francisco (+6.5) SEA
Indianapolis at Dallas (+1.5) IND
San Diego at Denver (-2.5) DEN
N.Y. Giants at Jacksonville (-3.5) NYG

Week 10 Picks

Last Week - 8-6 straight up, 8-6 ATS
Year to Date - 80-49 straight up, 42-46-3 ATS

Straight up winners in bold, ATS winners in green



Baltimore at Tennessee (+7.5) BAL
Buffalo at Indianapolis (-12.5) IND
Cleveland at Atlanta (-7.5) ATL
Green Bay at Minnesota (-5.5) GB
Houston at Jacksonville (-10.5) HOU
Kansas City at Miami (+1.5) MIA
N.Y. Jets at New England (-10.5) NYJ
San Diego at Cincinnati (+1.5) CIN
San Francisco at Detroit (-5.5) SF
Washington at Philadelphia (-6.5) PHI
Denver at Oakland (+9.5) DEN
Dallas at Arizona (+6.5) DAL
New Orleans at Pittsburgh (-3.5) PIT
St. Louis at Seattle (-3.5) STL
Chicago at N.Y. Giants (-2.5) NYG
Tampa Bay at Carolina (-9.5) CAR

Week 9 Picks

Last week - 8-6 straight up, 5-9 ats
Year to date - 72-43 straight up, 34-40-3 ats

Straight up winners in bold, ats winners in green


Atlanta at Detroit (+5.5) DET
Cincinnati at Baltimore (-2.5) BAL
Dallas at Washington (+2.5) WAS
Green Bay at Buffalo (-2.5) GB
Houston at N.Y. Giants (-13) NYG
Kansas City at St. Louis (-2.5) STL
Miami at Chicago (-13.5) CHI
New Orleans at Tampa Bay (+1.5) NO
Tennessee at Jacksonville (-8.5) JAX
Minnesota at San Francisco (+5.5) SF
Cleveland at San Diego (-12.5) SD
Denver at Pittsburgh (-2.5) PIT
Indianapolis at New England (-3.5) IND
Oakland at Seattle (-7.5)

Tragedy

Orlando Rivera, a friend of Bob and myself (among many others) was robbed and killed Wednesday in Philadelphia. Listed below is his obituary (27 years old).


http://www.snyderfuneralhome.com/OBITUARIES/Rivera.htm



After staring at this blinking cursor for the last 15 minutes, I just cant seem to come up with what I feel is appropriate to say. Orlando, you loved life, many people loved you, and you will be missed sorely by all your family and friends. In a period that was all too brief, it was an honor to have known you. If there is an afterlife, then I am sure you will enjoy or are currently laughing at us all (with cocktail in hand, no doubt).

Week 8 Predictions

Last Week: 5-8 straight up, 4-9 against the spread

Year to Date: 64-37 straight up, 29-31-3 against the spread

Straight up winners in bold, ATS


Arizona at Green Bay (-3.5) GB
Atlanta at Cincinnati (-4.5) CIN
Baltimore at New Orleans (-2.5) NO
Houston at Tennessee (-3.5) TEN
Jacksonville at Philadelphia (-6.5) PHI
Seattle at Kansas City (-6.5) SEA
San Francisco at Chicago (-16.5) SF
Tampa Bay at N.Y. Giants (-8.5) NYG
St. Louis at San Diego (-9.5) STL
Indianapolis at Denver (-2.5) IND
N.Y. Jets at Cleveland (-1.5) NYJ
Pittsburgh at Oakland (+8.5) PIT
Dallas at Carolina (-5.5) CAR
New England at Minnesota (+2.5) NE

Week 7 Picks

Last Week - 8-5 straight up, 5-8 against the spread (yuck)

Year to Date - 59-29 straight up, 25-23-3 against the spread

Carolina at Cincinnati (-3.5) CIN
Detroit at N.Y. Jets (-3.5) NYJ
Green Bay at Miami (-3.5) GB
Jacksonville at Houston (+9.5) JAX
New England at Buffalo (+5.5) NE
Philadelphia at Tampa Bay (+5) PHI
Pittsburgh at Atlanta (+2.5) PIT
San Diego at Kansas City (+5.5) SD
Denver at Cleveland (+5) CLE
Arizona at Oakland (+2.5) ARI
Minnesota at Seattle (-6.5) SEA
Washington at Indianapolis (-9.5) IND
N.Y. Giants at Dallas (-3.5) DAL

Last week - 12-2 straight up, 9-3-2 against the spread
Year to date 51-24 straight up, 20-15-3 against the spread


straight up winners in bold, $$ winners in green


Buffalo at Detroit (+1) BUF
Carolina at Baltimore (-3) CAR
Cincinnati at Tampa Bay (+6) CIN
Houston at Dallas (-12.5) DAL
N.Y. Giants at Atlanta (-3) ATL
Philadelphia at New Orleans (+3) PHI
Seattle at St. Louis (+3.5) SEA
Tennessee at Washington (-10) WAS
Kansas City at Pittsburgh (-7) PIT
Miami at N.Y. Jets (-2.5) NYJ
San Diego at San Francisco (+10) SD
Oakland at Denver (-15) OAK
Chicago at Arizona (+10.5) CHI

Oh Yeah

Oops I almost forgot............

HOW BOUT THEM COWBOYS!!!!!

Welcome to Philadelphia assholes! What a fantastic game to watch!

A Brilliant (Football) Weekend

So I went 12-2 straight up and 9-3-2 againt the spread. That 9-3-2 is damn impressive if I do say so myself. Lets say you bet $10000 on every game this past weekend, which of course is a total bet of $140,000. If you did this with my picks, you came home with $200,000. Thats a mere 43% net profit in a weekend.

Cha-ching folks

For some perspective, people who are "in the know" who bet football, bet college not the pros cause Vegas cant scout every game in college like they can the pros. This inability to in-depth scout every college football game leaves betting lines that knowledgable people know are easy money. The shear number of college games just doesnt allow for Vegas to scout properly. Conversly, there are never more than 16 NFL games, all of which are dissected minute to minute by Vegas, other teams, scouts, fans, and the media. This way Vegas is much better at putting out lines that people think are easy money, but really arent. Which is why last year was the first year EVER that the bettors beat Vegas in NFL games.

Well thats 2 weeks in a row that I beat Vegas this year, and not just by 1 game. 9-3-2 is fucking impressive. Case in point, sportsline.com (run by CBS) has "experts" that pick against the spread for every game, every week. Here is how they are doing http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/features/writers/expert/picks

As you can see I did better than their best, and on the season I am 20-15-3. This means 39% of my picks are wrong. Sportsline's best on the season is wrong 43% of the time. With 512 total games in the season, that 4% is significant. Again that is their best. Hope I can keep it up year long, especially since I have an error rate of only 29% the last 2 weeks (since I have started picking every game Vegas style).

Cha-ching!

Week 5 predictions

Last Week - Straight Up 10-4 ATS 8-5-1
Year To Date - Straight Up 39-22 Against the Spread 11-12-1

Good week last week against the spread, would have won $$


Straight Up winners in bold, against the spread


Buffalo at Chicago (-11) CHI
Cleveland at Carolina (-8.5) CAR
Detroit at Minnesota (-6.5) MIN
Miami at New England (-10) NE
St. Louis at Green Bay (+3) GB
Tampa Bay at New Orleans (-6.5) NO
Tennessee at Indianapolis (-18.5) IND
Washington at N.Y. Giants (-4) NYG
Kansas City at Arizona (+3.5) ARI
N.Y. Jets at Jacksonville (-7) JAX
Oakland at San Francisco (-3.5) SF
Dallas at Philadelphia (-2.5) PHI
Pittsburgh at San Diego (-3.5) SD
Balitimore at Denver (-4) DEN

Week 4 Predictions (29-17 straight up, 3-7-1 against the spread)

Okay so last week was a complete fucking disaster, 7-7 straight up, 1-4-1 against the spread. P fucking U. Guess what? It was bad for everybody, except Vegas - they were lauging all the way to the bank as Baltimore, Detroit, Miami, New York Giants, and Atlanta were all terrible. These were big picks last week versus the spread and all failed to come close to covering. Brutal.

Bounce back week, here we go...

Straight Up winners in bold. Against the Spread


Arizona at Atlanta (-7.5) ATL
Indianapolis at N.Y. Jets (+9) IND
Miami at Houston (+4) HOU
Minnesota at Buffalo (-1) BUF
New Orleans at Carolina (-7.5) CAR
San Diego at Baltimore (+2) BAL
Dallas at Tennessee (+10) DAL
San Francisco at Kansas City (-7) SF ***Upset Special***
Detroit at St. Louis (-6) STL
Cleveland at Oakland (+3) OAK
Jacksonville at Washington (+2.5) JAX
New England at Cincinnati (-6) CIN
Seattle at Chicago (-3.5) CHI
Green Bay at Philadelphia (-11) PHI

Week 3 Predictions (22-10 so far)

Ok, Ok so 11-5 straight up 2 weeks in a row. Once again, decent but Im looking for better, unfortunately only 14 games this week so I expect at least 10-4, but Im gonna shoot for 11-3 this week, here goes...


Carolina at Tampa Bay
Chicago at Minnesota
Cincinnati at Pittsburgh
Green Bay at Detroit
Jacksonville at Indianapolis
N.Y. Jets at Buffalo
Tennessee at Miami
Washington at Houston (here is my upset pick of the week)
Baltimore at Cleveland
N.Y. Giants at Seattle
Philadelphia at San Francisco
St. Louis at Arizona
Denver at New England
Atlanta at New Orleans


Against the spread, 2-2 last week so no harm, no foul

Wash at Hou +4 This is my upset of the week, I am taking Houston to not only cover but to win the game too

Phi at SF +6 Philly is a great bounce back team under Andy Reid, they have a bad tasted in their mouths from last weeks debacle, with the veterans on this team look for the Eagles to take the 49ers to the woodshed.

Jax at Ind -7 the Jags have looked good in beating Dallas and Pittsburgh, they have a very good defense. Vegas is begging you to take the Jags in this game, you know why they are giving you 7 points? Cause many are gonna bite on that. Not me, I'll take the Colts and give the 7.

Bal at Cle +6.5 I said it in my season predictions, McNair + that defense = playoffs. Ill take the Ravens to roll over the Browns and gladly give the points.

Den at NE -6.5 Denver has had the Pats number of late, but they look very mediocre this year. Statement game for New England. Take the Pats at home, give the points

Atl at NO +3.5 Ah the feel good story of the week, the Saint return to the Superdome for the first time since Katrina hit, sellout crowd, big halftime show, Monday Night Football, Reggie Bush's home debut, both teams hate each other, both are surprisingly 2-0, yadda yadda yadda. Atlanta is the superior team hands down. Give me the Falcons give the 3 and a half.


Game I wont touch with a 10 foot pole - Ten at Mia -11.0, we knew Tennesse would be terrible, but wow Miami has looked bad this year. Im sure the Dolphins will win, but their QB Daunte Culpepper has been a turnover machine which might keep the Titans close. ICK - You can call this game the Toilet Bowl.

Week 2 Predictions

So 11-5, week one - decent but I can do better, on that note....


Buffalo at Miami
Carolina at Minnesota
Cleveland at Cincinnati
Detroit at Chicago
Houston at Indianapolis
New Orleans at Green Bay
N.Y. Giants at Philadelphia
Oakland at Baltimore
Tampa Bay at Atlanta
Arizona at Seattle
St. Louis at San Francisco
Kansas City at Denver
New England at N.Y. Jets
Tennessee at San Diego
Washington at Dallas
Pittsburgh at Jacksonville

And I have some lines so here are my selections for against the spread.

Oakland at Baltimore (-11.5) - thats a big number to be giving, but I'll give the points, Baltimore will win by 12 or more.

Detroit at Chicago (-8) - I will take Chicago to win, but Detroit to cover the spread

Carolina at Minnesota (+2) Bounce back week for the Panthers, I pick them to win outright, and cover the 2 points.

New England at New York (+6) Tempting to take New York to cover when getting 6 at home, but I bet Tom Brady has a feast of a game this week. New England wins by more than 6.

Week 1 NFL Predictions

Straight up, I dont have the lines so I cant do against the spread so just picking the winners (in bold)...

Miami at Pittsburgh
Atlanta at Carolina
Baltimore at Tampa Bay
Buffalo at New England
Cincinnati at Kansas City
Denver at St. Louis
New Orleans at Cleveland
NY Jets at Tennessee
Phildadelphia at Houston
Seattle at Detroit
Chicago at Green Bay
Dallas at Jacksonville
San Francisco at Arizona
Indianapolis at NY Giants
Minnesota at Washington
San Diego at Oakland

NFL Season Predictions

Ah its my favorite time of year, football time. No bullshit lets get right to the season predictions. Order of finish, record prediction, small blurb on NFC East teams. Playoff teams in bold

NFC EAST

Philadelphia Eagles 11-5...Defense must play to ability, injury bug must stay away, must go 8-2 (thinking 9-1 is likely) or better in the first 10 games to make playoffs, last 6 games are murderer's row. This is an easy schedule the first half of the season, Eagles must take advantage because the last 6 games are against teams that will contend playoff spots. By the way, I really really love the acquisition of Donte Stallworth, he reminds me of Mike Quick (for those "older" Eagle fans)

Dallas Cowboys 10-6...TO will help the Cowboys, unfortunately for them their O-line sucks ass. TO cant get the ball if the QB doesn't have time to throw. They will beat who they are supposed to beat on the road (Titans & Cardinals) and only lose to the Colts at home. The soap opera Dallas is back in production, TO is playing J.R., the question is....Who will shoot him?

New York Giants 9-7...due to Katrina they got 9 home games last year and went to the playoffs. Their reward? The toughest schedule in the NFL. I really think the Giants are a good team, too bad they get 3 "cupcake" games. You may not see it, but for me to put them at 9-7 with THAT brutal schedule shows a lot of respect.

Washington Redskins 6-10...their star runningback is injured, their quarterback (who is older than dirt) hasn't finished a full season in a decade. Very good defense, a good offensive line, great coaching staff...all of this will be for naught. Last year, they had several flukey victories, the skins will take a step back this year (in the cellar where they belong).


NFC NORTH

Chicago Bears 11-5...Will feast on the worst division in football
Minnesota Vikings 6-10... This team will improve late in the season - look out next year
Detroit Lions 4-12... Neither Jon Kitna nor Josh McCown is NOT the answer at QB
Green Bay 3-13... Sorry Brett, you should have retired. Green Bay is in rebuild mode.

NFC SOUTH

Carolina Panthers 12-4... Best team in NFC if their runnigback stays healty (a big if)
Atlanta Falcons 9-7... They are good one year, bad the next, trend says winner this year
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 8-8... Age catching up to star defenders Barber, Brooks, & Quarles.
New Orleans Saints 5-11... Reggie Bush is nice. Sean Payton is their head coach, wait wasnt he run out of New York 3 years ago as offensive coordinator and then while on Dallas last year, wasnt he stripped of playcalling duties from Bill Parcells? Now he is a head coach? I just dont get the math here, neither will the Saints.

NFC WEST

Seattle Seahawks 10-6... First Super Bowl loser to go the playoffs the next year in a decade
Arizona Cardinals 8-8... Signing Edgerrin James was big, but this is the worst offensive line in football. Think the good and bad balances out in Arizona this year (8-8 is a good season for them anyway)
St. Louis Rams 6-10... Different year, same problem - TERRIBLE defense.
San Francisco 49ers 2-14... The long rebuilding project continues, strides wont be made till next year at the earliest.


AFC EAST

New England Patriots 11-5... I'll stop picking them when they start losing, not gonna happen though.
Miami Dolphins 8-8... Trendy sleeper Super Bowl pick by many insiders - Daunte Culpepper has always been a turnover machine in big games. Thats going to change now, 7 years into career? Wrong.
Buffalo Bills 4-12... Have some good players sprinkled into a plethora of bad players.
New York Jets 3-13... The wannabe Patriots need a couple seasons before contending

AFC NORTH

Baltimore Ravens 10-6... That defense + adding Steve McNair at QB = playoffs
Cincinnati Bengals 9-7... Very tough schedule, but this team is loaded enough to squeak over .500
Pittsburgh Steelers 7-9... Defending Super Bowl Champs, but Bettis retired, Chris Hope went to Tennessee, Randle-El went to D.C., and Kimo von Oelhoffen went to New York. Roethlisbergers went face first into a windshield in June, then had an emergency appendectomy last week. Now Hines Ward has a bad hamstring. As an Eagle fan I know what happens when one bad thing after another happens in the offseason. It carries over to the regular season and you end up 7-9 or 6-10 - see Philadelphia last year....
Cleveland Browns 4-12... The slow painful building (not rebuilding cause theyve been awful since the "new Browns" came to town)

AFC SOUTH

Indianapolis Colts 13-3... Best team in the NFL right now, hands down.
Jacksonville Jaguars 11-5... They dont blow teams out 49-3, they just win week after week 17-10 with a fantastic defense, and a ball control offense that doesnt make many mistakes (kinda like the Patriots). They are about about 2 players away from being serious Super Bowl contenders.
Houston Texans 4-12... Their new coach will turn this team around....but he needs time
Tennessee Titans 2-14... Poor Jeff Fisher, I think he is one of the best coaches in football, but has been given shitty crumbs to work with the last couple years. Unfortunately he doesnt make the personnel decision on the team, that goes to meddling owner Bud Adams and his management team of football "gurus" [sic].

AFC WEST

Denver Broncos 12-4... Loved their signing of Javon Walker
Kansas City Cheifs 8-8... Will run the ball ALOT, but still have a crappy defense
San Diego Chargers 7-9... Poor Marty Schoettenheimer, he has been told "make the playoffs this year or you are fired" the team subsequently traded his starting QB to New Orleans - ugh
Oakland Raiders 6-10... Will score points in droves, but their defense couldnt stop a high school team.


The Playoffs....

Round 1

Philadelphia over New York
Seattle over Dallas
Baltimore over Jacksonville
New England over Cincinnati

Divisional round

Philadelphia over Chicago
Carolina over Seattle
Denver over New England
Indianapolis over Baltimore

Conference Championships

NFC

Philadelphia over Carolina - Yeah I said it

AFC

Denver over Indianapolis

Super Bowl 41

Philadelphia Eagles over Denver Broncos - Yeah I said that too, you just watch!!!!!

Crikey!!!!

thats all...

Designer Imposters

If you like Open Grave, you'll kill to get......

CADAVER!

Available at CVS, Phar-Mor, or your local convenience store...

I had a very appropriate picture, but blogger is being a pain in the ass and wont let me upload - bastards!


Oh yeah, speaking of cadavers....I guess up and coming fashion model Heather Bratton was killed in a fiery car crash last week. Fashion industry gurus were hailing Bratton as the new Kate Moss, with their many similarities.

And for the "Insensitive yet Hilarious Comment of the Day".....


Several helpless bystanders witnessed Bratton being burned alive as she was trapped in the Crown Victoria she was riding in. One person quipped "Wow, I bet thats the most emotion she has shown in 19 years"