Open Mouth, Insert Foot

Quoting Oklahoma State Legislature Representative Sally Kern:

"minorities earn less than white people because they don't work as hard and have less initiative.....a lot of people of color....didn't study hard because they said the government would take care of them..."

This comes from an article I read on the Huffington Post today:
Sally Kern: Minorities Earn Less Because They Don't Work As Hard

These remarks came from a speech she was making about a proposed amendment for the Oklahoma Constitution that would effectively forbid affirmative action, that is, would make it against the law to give preferential treatment to someone based on their color, sex, etc...and would apply to employment and education.

Personally, I am in favor of this law. I think people should be hired based on their merit, not on their race. However, I in no way condone Representative Kern's remarks. They are just.....wow...just wow. I would not be at all amazed if these remarks lose her another election.....at least I hope they do.

NHL Roundup (4-28-11)

The Conference Semifinals are on! Here are the teams that will be playing against each other:

Western Conference

Vancouver Canucks vs Nashville Predators.

Begins tonight.

My money goes toward the Canucks.

Detroit Red Wings vs San Jose Sharks

Starts tomorrow night.

Gonna have to go with the Red Wings on this one.

Eastern Conference

Philadelphia Flyers vs Boston Bruins

Starts Saturday afternoon.

I pick Boston on this match up.

Tampa Bay Lightning vs Washington Capitals

Starts Friday night.

I'm going with Washington strictly because I don't think Florida should have a hockey team.

Top 11 Pop Punk Albums

First of all, I want to make sure you understand this is MY favorite pop punk albums list. I'm not SPIN magazine or Rolling Stone trying to tell my readers that they have no musical intelligence and that they must agree that these are in fact the best pop punk albums of all time. My opinion. OK. Understood? Good.

So anyway, this is my list of my top 11 pop punk albums, listed in chronological order. That is, in order of their release date.

Enjoy!!

1. Rocket to Russia - Ramones
Released in November 1977 by Sire Records.
Highlights:
"Rockaway Beach" "Sheena is a Punk Rocker" and "Teenage Lobotomy"

2. My Brain Hurts - Screeching Weasel
Released in November 1991 by Lookout! Records.
Highlights:
"Making You Cry" "Veronica Hates Me" "Cindys on Methadone" "The Science of Myth" and "My Brain Hurts"

3. Stranger Than Fiction - Bad Religion
Released in September 1994 by Atlantic Records.
Highlights:
"Stranger Than Fiction" "The Handshake" "Infected" "Marked" "Inner Logic" and "What It Is"

4. Pummel - ALL
Released in April 1995 by Interscope Records.
Highlights:
"Self-Righteous" "Million Bucks" "Long Distance" and "Breakin Up"

5. Face to Face - Face to Face
Released in September 1996 by A&M Records.
Highlights:
"Resignation" "Walk the Walk" "Blind" "I Wont Lie Down" "Handout" and "Everythings Your Fault"

6. Everything Sucks - Descendents
Released in September 1996 by Epitaph Records.
Highlights:
"Everything Sux" "I'm the One" "Rotting Out" "Sick O Me" "When I Get Old" "She Loves Me" "We" and "Thank You"

7. Bark Like a Dog - Screeching Weasel
Released in November 1996 by Fat Wreck Chords.
Highlights:
"Cool Kids" "First Day of Summer" "You Name is Tattooed on My Heart" and "Phasers on Kill"

8. Destination Failure - Smoking Popes
Released in August 1997 by Capitol Records.
Highlights:
"No More Smiles" "Paul" "Lets Hear It For Love" "Pure Imagination" "Pretty Pathetic" and "Follow the Sound"

9. So Long and Thanks For All the Shoes - NOFX
Released in November 1997 by Epitaph Records.
Highlights:
"Its My Job to Keep Punk Rock Elite" "Murder the Government" "Monosyllabic Girl" "All Outta Angst" "Kill Rock Stars" and "Quart in Session"

10. American Idiot - Green Day
Released in September 2004 by Reprise Records.
Highlights:
"American Idiot" "Jesus of Suburbia" "Holiday" "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" "Wake Me Up When September Ends" and "Whatsername"

11. 21st Century Breakdown - Green Day
Released in May 2009 by Reprise Records.
Highlights:
"21st Century Breakdown" "Viva La Gloria" "Christians Inferno" "Last of the American Girls" "Murder City" "Viva La Gloria (Little Girl)" and "21 Guns"

The Rise of Independents in America

Here is a post I read today that demonstrated this fact.

Arizona Independent Calls for Non-Partisan Elections

In this post, it talks about a former mayor of Phoenix Arizona that was once a Democrat but is now registered as an Independent. Paul Johnson, the former mayor, states that...

"partisan politics is wrecking our country......The current two-party system...has created a currency of distortion, exaggeration, misrepresentation, centralization of power and the unfortunate motivation to put political stripes above the greater good..........."

And in another blog which quotes the Herald Tribune...

FL: Independents Surge in Sarasota

From the post it states that

"7 out of 10 voters in Sarasota County are...signing up as independents or with minor political parties......Statewide...the 2 major parties have lost more than 120,000 voters...[and]..independents and minor party registrations have grown by almost 120,000 since November 2008."

Monday Night Shuffle (4-18-11)

1. Elevation - U2 (from All That You Can't Leave Behind)
2. If We Are the Body - Casting Crowns (from Casting Crowns)
3. Symbiotic - Living Sacrifice (from Conceived in Fire)
4. MakeDamnSure - Taking Back Sunday (from Louder Now)
5. Soul Mate - No Use For A Name (from Leche Con Carne)
6. Heavy - Collective Soul (from Dosage)
7. Rock N Roll Band - Boston (from Boston)
8. Jealous of the World - Descendents (from Hallraker)
9. In Harms Way - Face to Face (from Ignorance is Bliss)
10. The Great Golden Gate Disaster - Project 86 (from Songs To Burn Your Bridges By)
11. Until The Whole World Hears - Casting Crowns (from Until The Whole World Hears)

Wisconsin People to Recall Senators

According to an article I recently read on NPR's website, the people of Wisconsin have begun a new front in the fight against the government over collective bargaining. Recalling State Senators.

In Wisconsin, Efforts to Recall Senators Gain Steam

So far, activists have filed petitions to get 3 State Senators recalled this summer and apparently there are more expected to be filed before its all through.

Personally, I applaud their efforts. No matter what I think about the new law passed in Wisconsin, and I'm not going to bother getting into that here, I think this is democracy at its best. People getting together peacefully and filing a grievance against the government for what they believe in.

These are the kind of people that are taking that extra step to make sure their voice is heard in Wisconsin. They don't agree with what their elected officials are doing so they want to fire them. I'm all for that. I'm all for firing a few jerk-off senators.

Again, I applaud their efforts and I hope their voice is heard. And I also hope they serve as an example for the rest of the country to stop bitching about everything that is wrong with their local politics and actually DO something about it!

Currently Reading: Jedi vs Sith - The Essential Guide to the Force

Title: Jedi vs Sith: The Essential Guide to the Force
Author: Ryder Windham
Year Published: 2007
Publisher: LucasBooks

This is a pretty cool book. Another one that I picked up at the library yesterday.

It's got some pretty cool history of the Jedi and the Sith. I particularly like the Sith history stuff. It really goes into some pretty good detail (although the website Wookiepedia has a great more detail) and some pretty good illustrations (done by Chris Trevas and Tommy Lee Edwards).

It starts with the earliest history, including the discovery of the Force and then ends after the Yuuzhan Vong War.

Check it out if you are a Star Wars nerd or not. LoL!

Currently Reading: String Theory for Dummies

Title: String Theory for Dummies
Author: Andrew Zimmerman Jones
Year Published: 2009
Publisher: For Dummies

I saw this book in the library and definitely had to give it a read. Why I was in the section that would have books on physics I have no idea but I was.

So I watch the show Big Bang Theory (although I am not watching the current season because we don't have cable) and there is often talk about string theory in that show. Problem is, I have no idea what they are talking about. So that is what prompted me to borrow this book.

John Moreland: DoTM

This is a list of albums released both by John Moreland as a solo artist and with his backing band The Black Gold Band.


2006-2007 Demos
Released in 2007 by Bandcamp.
Recorded from March 2006 and May 2007 at Valcour Sound in Broken Arrow, OK.
Produced by Hank Charles.
Band lineup:
John Moreland - vocals, guitar, harmonica; Wayne Wedge - guitar; Patrick Caldwell - guitar; Clay Flores - bass; Nick Flores - drums; Hank Charles - piano.
Tracks: 12

Endless Oklahoma Sky
Released in 2008 by Little Mafia.
Recorded from March 2007 to February 2008 at Valcour.
Produced by Hank Charles.
Lineup changes:
Patrick Caldwell did not play on this album.
Tracks: 11

Robs House Demos
Released in 2009 by Bandcamp.
Recorded from May to November 2008 at Rob Harris' Houses in Oklahoma City and Norman.
Band lineup:
John Moreland - vocals, guitar;
Tracks: 8

Things I Can't Control
Self-Released in 2010.
Recorded in 2009 at Armstrong Recording Company in Tulsa, OK.
Produced by Stephen Egerton.
Band lineup:
John Moreland - vocals, guitar, harmonica, bass; Wayne Wedge - guitar; Mike Williams - bass; Stephen Egerton - drums.
Tracks: 13

Hope Springs Ephermal
Released in 2010 by Bandcamp.
Recorded in November 2010 at Valcour.
Produced by Hank Charles.
Band Lineup:
John Moreland - vocals, guitar; Mike Williams - bass; Steve Walden - drums.
Tracks: 3

Earthbound Blues
Released in April 2011 by Bandcamp.
Recorded between September 2010 and March 2011 in Choctaw, OK.
Produced by Matt Dylan Street.
Band lineup:
John Moreland - vocals, guitar, bass; Matt Dyland Street - piano; Steve Walden - drums.
Tracks: 10

Everything the Hard Way

Released in November 2011 by Okie Tone Records.

Recorded in October 2011 in Tulsa, OK.

Produced by John Moreland, Mike Williams, Steve Walden and Ryan Wallace.

Band lineup:

John Moreland - vocals, guitar; Mike Williams - bass, vocals; Steve Walden - drums

Tracks: 10

Top 5 Bands

I haven't done one of these lists in a while and since the list has updated somewhat, I figured it would be a good time to put it up here on The Otter Limits.

These are my 5 Favorite Bands, not really listed in any particular order....well, somewhat in order of preference but not 100% on that.

U2
Formed in 1976 in Dublin, Ireland.
Members:
Bono - vocals; The Edge - guitar, vocals; Adam Clayton - bass; Larry Mullen Jr - drums.
Studio Albums:
Boy - released in 1980 by Island Records.
October - released in 1981 by Island.
War - released in 1983 by Island.
The Unforgettable Fire - released in 1984 by Island.
The Joshua Tree - released in 1987 by Island.
Rattle and Hum - released in 1988 by Island.
Achtung Baby - released in 1991 by Island.
Zooropa - released in 1993 by Island.
Pop - released in 1997 by Island.
All That You Can't Leave Behind - released in 2000 by Island/Interscope.
How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb - released in 2004 by Island/Interscope.
No Line on the Horizon - released in 2009 by Interscope.

Dropkick Murphys
Formed in 1996 in Quincy, Massachusetts.
Current Members:
Al Barr - vocals; Ken Casey - bass, vocals; Matt Kelly - drums; James Lynch - guitar; Scruffy Wallace - bagpipes; Tim Brennan - guitar; Jeff DaRosa - acoustic guitar, piano.
Former Members:
Marc Orrell - guitar; Spicey McHaggis - bagpipes; Ryan Foltz - mandolin; Rick Barton - guitar; Mike McColgan - vocals; Jeff Erna - drums.
Studio Albums:
Do or Die - released in 1997 by Hellcat Records.
The Gang's All Here - released in 1999 by Hellcat.
Sing Loud Sing Proud - released in 2001 by Hellcat.
Blackout - released in 2003 by Hellcat.
The Warriors Code - released in 2005 by Hellcat.
The Meanest of Times - released in 2007 by Born & Bred Records.
Going Out in Style - released in 2011 by Born & Bred.

Descendents
Formed in 1978 in Hermosa Beach, California.
Current Members:
Milo Aukerman - vocals; Bill Stevenson - drums; Karl Alvarez - bass; Stephen Egerton - guitar.
Former Members:
Tony Lombardo - bass; Frank Navetta - guitar; Ray Cooper - guitar; Doug Carrios - bass.
Studio Albums:
Milo Goes to College - released in 1982 by New Alliance Records.
I Don't Want to Grow Up - released in 1985 by New Alliance.
Enjoy! - released in 1986 by New Alliance/Restless.
All - released in 1987 by SST.
Everything Sucks - released in 1996 by Epitaph Records.
Cool To Be You - released in 2004 by Fat Wreck Chords.

Face to Face
Formed in 1991 in Victorville, California.
Current Members:
Trevor Keith - guitar, vocals; Chad Yaro - guitar, vocals; Scott Shiflett - bass, vocals; Danny Thompson - drums.
Former Members:
Pete Parada - drums; Rob Kurth - drums; Matt Riddle - bass.
Studio Albums:
Don't Turn Away - released in 1992 by Dr Strange Records.
Big Choice - released in 1994 by Victory Music.
Face to Face - released in 1996 by A&M Records.
Ignorance is Bliss - released in 1999 by Beyond Records.
Reactionary - released in 2000 by Vagrant Records.
Standards and Practices - released in 2001 by Vagrant.
How to Ruin Everything - released in 2002 by Vagrant.
Laugh Now, Laugh Later - scheduled to be released in 2011 by Antagonist Records.

Alkaline Trio
Formed in 1996 in McHenry, Illinois.
Current Members:
Matt Skiba - vocals, guitar; Dan Andriano - vocals, bass; Derek Grant - drums.
Former Members:
Rob Doran - bass; Glenn Porter - drums; Mike Felumlee - drums.
Studio Albums:
Goddamnit - released in 1998 by Asian Man Records.
Maybe I'll Catch Fire - released in 2000 by Asian Man.
From Here to Infirmary - released in 2001 by Vagrant Records.
Good Mourning - released in 2003 by Vagrant.
Crimson - released in 2005 by Vagrant.
Agony and Irony - released in 2008 by Epic Records.
This Addiction - released in 2010 by Epitaph Records.


Honorable Mention

Weezer
Formed in 1992 in Los Angeles, California.
Current Members:
Rivers Cuomo - vocals, guitar, keyboards; Brian Bell - guitar, vocals; Scott Shriner - bass, vocals; Pat Wilson - drums.
Former Members:
Jason Cropper - guitar, vocals; Matt Sharp - bass, vocals; Mikey Welsh - bass, vocals.
Studio Albums:
Weezer - released in 1994 by DGC.
Pinkerton - released in 1996 by DGC.
Weezer - released in 2001 by Geffen.
Maladroit - released in 2002 by Geffen.
Make Believe - released in 2005 by Geffen.
Weezer - released in 2008 by DGC.
Raditude - released in 2009 by DGC.
Hurley - released in 2010 by Epitaph Records.

John Moreland Interview with Lefty

Here is an interview that Lefty recently did with Tulsa-native musician John Moreland.

10 Questions With John Moreland

Face to Face: The Videos

Movie of the Moment: Shoot The Moon

Last night, I watched this movie, actually it's a rockumentary not really a movie, about the career of the pop-punk band Face to Face.

Shoot the Moon was the title of a compilation album the band released shortly after they broke up and this video was a sort of companion DVD to it.

It chronicles the life of the band from the time of their inception to their eventual break up in 2004.

I found it while I was browsing through the music/concert videos on Netflix and when I saw this I instantly had to watch it (good thing it was available for instant streaming so I did not have to wait for the dvd to be mailed to me!).

This video is one of the best rockumentaries that I have ever seen. Course, I have a bit of a bias toward it considering Face to Face is one of my favorite bands. But really, this thing is great. It had interviews from all members of the band, past and present. It chronicled their rise from a garage band to one of the biggest pop punk bands to come out of California and how they all dealt with their rise to success.

If you are interested in this band at all, or at least interested in music biographies of any sort, check this video out immediately!

Face to Face: DoTM

I did a DoTM for this band back in September (after realizing that I had never done one already, which is tragic) but after looking back at it, it was not done very well so I decided to completely re-do it.

Face to Face is a pop-punk band that formed originally in 1992 in Victorville, California (about an hour and a half northeast of Los Angeles). Originally, they were called Zero Tolerance.

After releasing some great albums and spending tons of time on the road (and after a farewell tour) the band parted ways in 2004. It re-united in 2008, mostly to do some reunion shows, and will be releasing an album of new material sometime in May.

Personally, I think this band is severely under-rated and their music heavily influenced a slew of California punk rock bands.

Here are some websites where you can check out more info about them:

Face to Face Wiki site
Official F2F Website
F2F Facebook page
Brazilian F2F Fan website

DISCOGRAPHY:

Don't Turn Away
Released in 1992 by Dr Strange Records.
Recorded in October 1991 in Hollywood, CA and August 1992 in Los Angeles, CA.
Produced by Face to Face.
Band lineup:
Trevor Keith -- guitar, vocals; Matt Riddle - bass, vocals; Rob Kurth - drums.
Tracks: 13
"You've Done Nothing" "I'm Not Afraid" "Disconnected" "No Authority" "I Want" "You've Got a Problem" "Everything is Everything" "I'm Trying" "Pastel" "Nothing New" "Walk Away" "Do You Care" "1000 X"

Over It
Released in 1994 by Victory Music (not Victory Records).
Produced by Face to Face.
Lineup changes:
Chad Yaro was added as a 2nd guitar player.
Tracks: 7
"I Want" "Nothing New" "Disconnected" "AOK" "I Used To Think" "Don't Turn Away" "Not Enough"
Notes:
This EP is no longer in print.

Big Choice
Released in 1994 by Victory Music; re-issued in 1995 by A&M Records.
Produced by Face to Face and Thom Wilson.
No lineup changes.
Tracks: 12 (14 on the A&M re-issue)
"Struggle" "I Know You Well" "Sensible" "AOK" "You Lied" "Promises" "Big Choice" "It's Not Over" "Velocity" "Debt" "Late" "Song 12" "Disconnected" "Bikeage (Descendents cover)"
Notes:
The song "Song 12" is a 1:16 length track and features a conversation about the re-recording of the song "Disconnected."

Face to Face
Released in September 1996 by A&M.
Recorded in Spring 1996.
Produced by Face to Face and Jim Goodwin.
Lineup changes:
Matt Riddle left the band and was replaced by Scott Shiflett.
Tracks: 12
"Resignation" "Walk the Walk" "Blind" "Ordinary" "I Won't Lie Down" "Can't Change the World" "Handout" "Everything's Your Fault" "Take It Back" "Complicated" "Put You in Your Place" "Falling"

Live
Live album released in 1998 by Imports Records.
Recorded in September 1997 in Los Angeles.
Produced by Face to Face.
No lineup changes.
Tracks: 18
"Walk the Walk" "I Want" "Blind" "I'm Not Afraid" "It's Not Over" "I Won't Lie Down" "You Lied" "Ordinary" "I'm Trying" "Telling Them (Social Distortion cover)" "Don't Turn Away" "AOK" "Complicated" "Not For Free" "Pastel" "Do You Care" "Dissension" "You've Done Nothing"

Standards and Practices
Covers album released in 1999 by Lady Luck/Vagrant Records.
Produced by Face to Face.
Lineup changes:
Rob Kurth left the band and was replaced by Pete Parada.
Tracks: 10 (12 on the Japanese import)
"What Difference Does It Make? (Smiths cover)" "Chesterfield King (Jawbreaker cover)" "Don't Change (INXS cover)" "Sunny Side of the Street (Pogues cover)" "Planet of Sound (Pixies cover)" "The KKK Took My Baby Away (Ramones cover)" "Heaven (Psychedelic Furs cover)" "Merchandise (Fugazi cover)" "Helpless (Sugar cover)" "That's Entertainment (The Jam cover)" "Planet Earth (Duran Duran cover on Japanese import version)" "In a Big Country (Big Country cover on Japanese import version)"

Ignorance is Bliss
Released in July 1999 by Beyond Records.
Produced by Trevor Keith, Scott Shiflett, and Chad Blinman.
No lineup changes.
Tracks: 13
"Overcome" "In Harms Way" "Burden" "Everyone Hates a Know-It-All" "Heart of Hearts" "Prodigal" "Nearly Impossible" "I Know What You Are" "The Devil You Know" "Pathetic" "Lost" "Run in Circles" "Maybe Next Time"
Charts:
#162 on the Billboard 200.

Reactionary
Released in June 2000 by Vagrant.
Recorded in January 2000.
Produced by Trevor Keith, Scott Shiflett, and Chad Blinman.
No lineup changes.
Tracks: 14
"Disappointed" "Out of Focus" "Whats In A Name" "You Could've Had Everything" "Hollow" "Think For Yourself" "Just Like You Said" "Solitaire" "Best Defense" "Icons" "Shame on Me" "Estranged" "Nullification" "Talk Talk"

How to Ruin Everything
Released in April 2002 by Vagrant.
Recorded between August and September 2001.
Produced by Trevor Keith, Scott Shiflett, and Chad Blinman.
Lineup changes:
Chad Yaro left the band. He was not replaced.
Tracks: 17
"Bill of Goods" "The Take Away" "14 Hours" "A Wolf in Sheeps Clothing" "The New Way" "The World in Front of You" "Why Would I Lie?" "Unconditional" "Shoot the Moon" "Graded on a Curve" "Fight or Flight" "Waiting to Be Saved" "Double Standard" "The Compromise" "How to Ruin Everything" "Nothing Succeeds Like Success" "Anybody Listening?"
Charts:
#178 on the Billboard 200.

Shoot the Moon
Compilation album released in November 2005 by Image Records.
Tracks: 21
4 from Dont Turn Away; 1 From Over It; 4 from Big Choice; 4 from Face to Face; 3 from Live; 2 from Reactionary; 2 from How to Ruin Everything; 1 previously un-released track "Thick as a Brick"

Laugh Now, Laugh Later
Scheduled to be released in May 2011 by Antagonist Records.
Band lineup:
Trevor Keith - guitar, vocals; Chad Yaro - guitar, vocals; Scott Shiflett - bass, vocals; Danny Thompson - drums.
Tracks: 11
"Should Anything Go Wrong" "It's Not All About You" "The Invisible Hand" "Bombs Away" "Blood in the Water" "What You Came For" "I Don't Mind and You Don't Matter" "Stopgap" "All for Nothing" "Pushover" "Under the Wreckage"

NHL Roundup (4-10-11)

The regular season is over. The playoffs will now begin.

Here are the teams that will be in the playoffs:

Eastern Conference
Washington Capitals
Philadelphia Flyers
Boston Bruins
Pittsburgh Penguins
Tampa Bay Lightning
Montreal Canadiens
Buffalo Sabres
New York Rangers

Western Conference
Vancouver Canucks
San Jose Sharks
Detroit Red Wings
Anaheim Ducks
Nashville Predators
Phoenix Coyotes
Los Angeles Kings
Chicago Blackhawks

Here is the schedule thus far:

Quarterfinals

1. Capitals vs Rangers - Wed I'm going to have to pick the Capitals on this one.
2. Penguins vs Lightning - Wed My pick - Penguins
3. Canucks vs Blackhawks - Wed Dang! This is a hard one to pick. My two favorite teams playing each other?!? Well, I'm gonna have to go with Vancouver on this one. Better record.
4. Red Wings vs Coyotes - Wed Not a hard one. Red Wings.
5. Ducks vs Predators - Wed Hmm..two teams I could care less about. I'll go with the Predators. Cooler name. LoL!
6. Flyers vs Sabres - Thurs Although I like the Sabres better I'm going to pick the Flyers. All around better team I think.
7. Bruins vs Canadiens - Thurs No sweat. Boston.
8. Sharks vs Kings - Thurs Picking the Kings.

Sunday Night Shuffle (4-10-11)

1. Autumn - Haste the Day (from the album Dreamer)
2. True - Duvall (from the album Volume & Density)
3. Everything Sucks - MxPx (from the album Before Everything And After)
4. The Science of Lies - Demon Hunter (from The Triptych)
5. To Hell With the Devil - Stryper (from To Hell With the Devil)
6. Separation - Living Sacrifice (from Conceived in Fire)
7. Bull Takes Fighter - Stavesacre (from Bull Takes Fighter e.p.)
8. Glorious - Newsboys (from In The Hands of God)
9. Show Me Your Glory - Third Day (from Come Together)
10. God With Us - MercyMe (from All That Is Within Me)
11. Cut and Move - Day of Fire (from Cut and Move)

MLB Roundup 2011 (April 10)

Here it is! The first installment of MLB Roundup for the 2011 Season!

AMERICAN LEAGUE

East
Baltimore
NY Yankees
Toronto
Tampa Bay
Boston

Central
Cleveland
Chicago White Sox
Kansas City
Detroit
Minnesota

West
Texas
Los Angeles Angels Wait, weren't they the Anaheim Angels last year?
Oakland
Seattle Not surprising that they are in last. They haven't started off too well.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

East
Philadelphia
Florida
New York Mets
Atlanta
Washington

Central
Cincinnati
Pittsburgh
Chicago Cubs
Milwaukee
St. Louis
Houston

West
Colorado
Los Angeles Dodgers
San Francisco
San Diego
Arizona

STATS

Batting Average
Miguel Montero (Diamondbacks) - .500
Paul Janish (Reds) - .462
Nick Hundley (Padres) - .435

Hits
Shane Victorino (Phillies) - 14
Howard Kendrick (Angels) - 14
Alex Gordon (Royals) - 14

Runs
Joey Votto (Reds) - 11
Brandon Phillips (Reds) - 10
Jose Tabata (Pirates) - 10

Home Runs
Nelson Cruz (Rangers) - 5
Mark Teixeira (Yankees) - 4
Miguel Cabrera (Tigers) - 4
Ian Kinsler (Rangers) - 4
Howard Kendrick (Angels) - 4
Ryan Braun (Brewers) - 4

RBIs
Paul Konerko (White Sox) - 11
Prince Fielder (Brewers) - 11
Ryan Howard (Phillies) - 11

Wins (Pitching)
Tim Hudson (Braves) - 2
AJ Burnett (Yankees) - 2
Bronson Arroyo (Reds) - 2

Saves (Pitching)
Huston Street (Rockies) - 3

Strike Outs (Pitching)
Edwin Jackson (White Sox) - 20
Matt Garza (Cubs) - 20
Tim Lincecum (Giants) - 18
Jaime Garcia (Cardinals) - 18

ERA
Chris Narveson (Brewers) - 0.00
Jered Weaver (Angels) - 0.60
Jaime Garcia (Cardinals) - 0.60

ESPN Power Rankings (Top 19)

New York Yankees
Philadelphia Phillies
Texas Rangers
Chicago White Sox
Cincinnati Reds
Atlanta Braves
Boston Red Sox
Toronto Blue Jays
Baltimore Orioles
Los Angeles Dodgers
San Francisco Giants
Colorado Rockies
San Diego Padres
Chicago Cubs
Detroit Tigers
Florida Marlins
Minnesota Twins
Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Seattle Mariners

NBA Roundup 2011 (April 10)

No changes since the last update with the standings.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Atlantic
Boston
New York
Philadelphia
New Jersey Toronto

Central
Chicago
Indiana
Milwaukee
Detroit
Cleveland

Southeast
Miami
Orlando
Atlanta
Charlotte
Washington

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Northwest
Oklahoma City
Denver
Portland
Utah
Minnesota

Pacific
LA Lakers
Phoenix
Golden State
LA Clippers
Sacramento

Southwest
San Antonio
Dallas
New Orleans
Memphis
Houston

STATS

Points per Game
Kevin Durant (Thunder) - 27.8
LeBron James (Heat) - 26.6
Dwayne Wade (Heat) - 25.8

Scoring Overall
Durant (Thunder) - 2084
James (Heat) - 2050
Kobe Bryant (Lakers) - 1984

ESPN Power Rankings (Top 9)

Chicago Bulls
Denver Nuggets
Los Angeles Lakers
Miami Heat
San Antonio Spurs
Orlando Magic
Oklahoma City Thunder
Boston Celtics
Portland Trailblazers

Motorhead: DoTM

Motorhead is a hard rock band that formed in 1975 in Great Britain by Ian Fraser Kilmister (aka Lemmy) after being fired from the English rock band, Hawkwind. They are a hybrid of heavy metal and punk rock but they would rather just call themselves rock-n-roll.

Here are some links where you can read more about Motorhead:

Official Motorhead website
Motorhead Wiki article
Motorhead Facebook page
Motorhead MySpace page

DISCOGRAPHY

Motorhead
Released in September 1977 by Chiswick Records.
Recorded in 1977.
Produced by Speedy Keen.
Band lineup:
Lemmy - bass, vocals; Fast Eddie Clarke -- guitar; Phil Taylor - drums.
Tracks: 8
Singles:
"Motorhead"

Overkill
Released in March 1979 by Bronze Records.
Recorded between Dec 1978 and Jan 1979.
Produced by Jimmy Miller.
No lineup changes.
Tracks: 10
Singles:
"Louie Louie" "Overkill" and "No Class"

Bomber
Released in October 1979 by Bronze.
Recorded between July and August 1979.
Produced by Jimmy Miller.
No lineup changes.
Tracks: 10
Singles:
"Bomber"

On Parole
Released in December 1979 by United Artists; Re-issued in 1997.
Recorded in 1975.
Produced by Fritz Fryer.
Band lineup:
Lemmy - bass, lead vocals; Larry Wallis - guitar, lead vocals; Phil Taylor - drums; Lucas Fox - drums on the song "Lost Johnny"
Tracks: 9 (13 on the re-issue)
Notes:
This was the 1st album they recorded but was not released until after they had already become popular.

The Golden Years
Live album released in May 1980 by Bronze.
Tracks: 4

Ace of Spades
Released in November 1980 by Bronze & Mercury Records.
Recorded between August and September 1980.
Produced by Vic Male.
Band lineup:
Lemmy - bass, vocals; Fast Eddie Clarke - guitar, vocals; Phil Taylor - drums
Tracks: 12
Singles:
"Ace of Spades"

Beer Drinkers and Hell Raisers
Released in November 1980 by Big Beat Records.
Recorded in 1977.
Produced by Speedy Keen.
Tracks: 4

St Valentines Day Massacre
Released in February 1981 by Bronze.
Recorded in December 1980.
Produced by Vic Maile.
Tracks: 3
Notes:
This was a single released by MotorheadGirlschool, a band comprised of the members of Motorhead and the band Girlschool.

No Sleep 'til Hammersmith
Live album released in June 1981 by Bronze.
Recorded in 1980 and 1981.
Produced by Vic Maile.
No lineup changes.
Tracks: 11

Stand By Your Man
Released in 1982 by Bronze.
Recorded in May 1982.
Produced by Lemmy, Rod Swenson and Dan Hartman.
Band lineup:
Lemmy - bass, vocals; Phil Taylor - drums; Wes Beech - guitar; Richie Stotts - guitar; Wendy O Williams - vocals on "Stand By Your Man"
Tracks: 3

Iron Fist
Released in April 1982 by Bronze/Mercury.
Recorded between January and March 1982.
Produced by Will Reid Dick and Eddie Clark.
Band lineup:
Lemmy - bass, vocals; Fast Eddie Clark - guitar; Phil Taylor - drums.
Tracks: 12
Singles:
"Iron Fist"

What's Wordsworth?
Live album released in March 1983 by Big Beat Records.
Recorded in February 1978 at The Roundhouse in London.
Tracks: 9

Another Perfect Day
Released in June 1983 by Bronze.
Recorded in 1983.
Produced by Tony Platt.
Lineup changes:
Fast Eddie Clarke was replaced on guitar by Brian Robertson.
Tracks: 10
Singles:
"I Got Mine" "Shine"

No Remorse
Compilation album released in September 1984 by Bronze.
Tracks: 24
Singles:
"Killed By Death"

Orgasmatron
Released in August 1986 by GWR.
Recorded in 1986.
Produced by Bill Laswell and Jason Corsaro.
Band lineup:
Lemmy - bass, vocals; Phil Campbell - guitar; Wurzel - guitar; Pete Gill - drums.
Tracks: 9
Singles:
"Deaf Forever"
Charts:
#157 on the U.S. Billboard 200.

Rock 'n' Roll
Released in September 1987 by GWR.
Recorded in 1987.
Produced by Motorhead and Guy Bidmead.
Lineup changes:
Phil Taylor returned and replaced Pete Gill on drums.
Tracks: 9
Singles:
"Eat the Rich"
Charts:
#150 on the U.S. Billboard 200.

No Sleep At All
Released in October 1988 by GWR.
Recorded in July 1988.
Produced by Motorhead and Guy Bidmead.
No lineup changes.
Singles:
"Ace of Spades"

Dirty Love
Released in 1989 by Receiver Records.
Recorded in 1980.
No lineup changes.
Tracks: 11

Live - Blitzkrieg on Birmingham
Live album released in 1989 by Receiver Records.
Recorded in June 1977 at the Birmingham Town Hall.
Tracks: 15

Lock Up Your Daughters
Live album released in 1990 by Receiver Records.
Recorded in September 1978 at the St Albans Civic Hall.
Tracks: 11

The Birthday Party
Live album released in 1990 by GWR Records.
Recorded in June 1985 by Hammersmith Odeon.
Tracks: 15

1916
Released in February 1991 by WTG.
Recorded in 1990.
Produced by Peter Solley and Ed Stasium.
No lineup changes.
Tracks: 11
Singles:
"The One to Sing the Blues"
Charts:
#142 on the U.S. Billboard 200.

Live 1983
Live album released in 1991 by Streetlink/Castle Communications.
Recorded in June 1983 at Sheffield University.
Tracks: 16

March or Die
Released in August 1992 by Epic Records.
Recorded in 1992.
Produced by Peter Solley and Billy Sherwood.
Band lineup:
Lemmy - bass, vocals; Phil Campbell - guitar; Wurzel - guitar; Tommy Aldridge - drums; Phil Taylor - drums on "I Aint No Nice Guy"; Mikkey Dee - drums on "Hellraiser"; Slash - guest guitar solor on "I Aint No Nice Guy"; Ozzy Osbourne - guest vocals on "I Ain't No Nice Guy"
Tracks: 11
Singles:
"Hellraiser"

Live Jailbait
Live album released in 1992 by Receiver Records.
Recorded between 1977 and 1982 at Theatre Royal in Nottingham and CNE Coliseum in Toronto.
Tracks: 22

'92 Tour EP
Live album released and recorded in 1992 by WTG/Epic.
Produced by Billy Sherwood, Peter Solley and Ed Stasium.
Band lineup:
Lemmy - bass, vocals; Phil Campbell - guitar; Wurzel - guitar; Mikkey Dee - drums.
Tracks: 4

Bastards
Live album released in November 1993 by ZYX.
Recorded in 1993.
Produced by Howard Benson.
No lineup changes.
Tracks: 12
Singles:
"Don't Let Daddy Kiss Me" "Born to Raise Hell"

Live at Manchester Apollo
Live album released in 1994 by Dojo Records.
Recorded in June 1983 at Manchester Apollo.
Tracks: 18

Live at Brixton
Live album released in 1994 by Roadrunner Records.
Recorded in December 1987 at the Brixton Academy in London.
Tracks: 12

Sacrifice
Released in July 1995 by CMC/Steamhammer.
Recorded in 1995.
Produced by Howard Benson.
No lineup changes.
Tracks: 11

Overnight Sensation
Released in October 1996 by CMC/Steamhammer.
Recorded in 1996.
Produced by Howard Benson and Duane Baron.
Lineup changes:
Wurzel left the band making Phil Campbell the sole guitarist.
Tracks: 11

King Biscuit Flower Hour
Live album released in 1997 by BMG.
Recorded in August 1983.
Tracks: 8

Snake Bite Love
Released in March 1998 by CMC/Steamhammer.
Recorded in 1998.
Produced by Howard Benson and Motorhead.
No lineup changes.
Tracks: 11

Everything Louder Than Everyone Else
Live album released in March 1999 by SPV.
Recorded in May 1998.
Produced by Motorhead.
Tracks: 25

We Are Motorhead
Released in May 2000 by CMC/Steamhammer.
Recorded between June and August 1999.
Produced by Motorhead, Bob Kulick, Bruce Bouillet, and Duane Barron.
No lineup changes.
Tracks: 10
Singles:
"God Save the Queen"

Deaf Forever: The Best of Motorhead
Compilation album released in August 2000 by Import Records.
Produced by Ken Caliat.
Tracks: 20

The Best of Motorhead
Compilation album released in September 2000 by Metal-Is/Sanctuary.
Tracks: 32

Hammered
Released in April 2002 by Metal-Is/Sanctuary.
Recorded in 2001.
Produced by Motorhead, Thom Panunzio, Chuck Reed, and Lemmy.
No lineup changes.
Tracks: 11

Hellraiser: Best of the Epic Years
Compilation album released in March 2003 by Sony Records.
Tracks: 16

Stone Deaf Forever!
Box set released in October 2003.
Tracks:
Disc 1: 22
Disc 2: 21
Disc 3: 19
Disc 4: 16
Disc 5: 21

Live at Brixton Academy
Live album released in December 2003 by Steamhammer/SPV.
Recorded in 2000.
Produced by Motorhead.
Tracks: 23

Inferno
Released in June 2004 by SPV.
Recorded in 2004.
Produced by Cameron Webb.
No lineup changes.
Tracks: 12

BBC Live and In-Session
Live album released in September 2005 by Sanctuary Records.
Tracks:
Disc 1: 12
Disc 2: 10

Kiss of Death
Released in August 2006 by SPV.
Recorded in 2006.
Produced by Cameron Webb.
No lineup changes.
Tracks: 12

Better Motorhead Than Dead: Live at Hammersmith
Live album released in July 2007 by Steamhammer/SPV.
Recorded in June 2005.
Produced by Motorhead.
Tracks: 23

Motorizer
Released in August 2008 by Steamhammer/SPV.
Recorded in 2007 and 2008.
Produced by Motorhead and Cameron Webb.
Tracks: 11
Charts:
#82 on the U.S. Billboard 200.

The World Is Yours
Released in December 2010 by Future PLC/Motorhead Music.
Recorded between February and July 2010.
Produced by Cameron Webb.
No lineup changes.
Tracks: 10
Charts:
#98 on the US Albums Chart.

My Thoughts on the Tea Party by Lefty

My latest assignment for the Otter Limits was to write up my thoughts on the Tea Party movement.

Well, what exactly is the Tea Part movement?

According to Wikipedia, it is:

"...an American populist political movement, which is generally recognized as conservative and libertarian and has sponsored protests and supported political candidates since 2009. It endorses reduced government spending, opposition to taxation in varying degrees, reduction of the national debt and federal budget deficit, and adherence to an originalist interpretation of the United States Constitution."

The movement sprung up within months of President Obama taking office and has often been criticized as a racist movement. While I have no doubt that there are racist individuals in the movement, I don't think that the movement as a whole can be called racist. That's like calling the entire environmental movement communists. Sure there are pinkos in there but that doesn't mean they all are.

Since I listen to quite a lot of conservative talk radio, I've been able to follow the Tea Part movement from the beginning and the one thing that I know is that it is a bit of a cluster-you-know-what. The Tea Party movement isn't as much a coherent whole as much as it is a lot of people who, for a variety of different reasons, are really pissed off at the government. What that has translated into is a number of protests around the country (some being quite large) and a group of freshman (mostly) members of Congress who have dubbed themselves the Tea Party Caucus.

So far, this group seems extremely determined to stand their ground on cutting spending, no matter the cost (see the current government shutdown debate fiasco). While I admire that these folks are determined to stick to their guns and are more than willing to take on the Washington establishment, I have to wonder if they aren't a bit misguided in how they are doing it.

But when I think about the movement as a whole I must admit that I'm pretty ambivalent. I don't have strong feelings about the Tea Party one way or the other. I am glad that people have gotten involved in our system because of the Tea Party movement. That is a mark on the plus column for them. One the flip side, I am opposed to many of the policies they they promote so that is a mark in the minus column.

Will this movement eventually fizzle out? Probably. Things will, hopefully, settle down and, once the economy gets back on its feet, people will go back to not caring and the movement will dwindle and die (or at the very least it will become a shadow of its former self). I would actually prefer to see it continue and spark a counter movement but even if that did happen it would probably amount to a whole lot of screaming and nothing actually getting accomplished.

- - Lefty

Avril Lavigne: DoTM

Avril Lavigne is a pop artist from Ontario, Canada that was born in 1984.

Let Go
Released in June 2002 by Arista Records.
Produced by Antonio Reid, The Matrix, Clif Magness, Curt Frasca, and Peter Zizzo.
Tracks: 14
Singles:
"Complicated" "Sk8er Boi" "I'm With You" and "Losing Grip"
Charts/Sales:
#2 on the U.S. Billboard 200
#1 on the UK Albums Chart
#1 on the Canadian Albums Chart
Has sold nearly 7 million copies in the U.S. alone.

Under My Skin
Released in May 2004 by Arista
Produced by Butch Walker, Raine Maida, and Don Gilmore
Tracks: 12
Singles:
"Don't Tell Me" "My Happy Ending" "Nobodys Home" and "He Wasnt"
Charts/Sales:
#1 on the US Billboard 200, the UK Albums Chart and the Canadian Albums Chart.
Has sold over 3 million copies in the US alone.

The Best Damn Thing
Released in April 2007 by RCA
Produced by Dr Luke, Matt Beckley, Steven Wold, Butcher Walker, and Deryck Lavigne
Tracks: 12
Singles:
"Girlfriend" "When You're Gone" "Hot" and "The Best Damn Thing"
Charts/Sales:
#1 on the US Billboard 200, the UK Albums Chart and the Canadian Albums Chart
In the US alone this album has sold 1.6 million copies

Goodbye Lullaby
Released in March 2011 by RCA
Produced by Avril Lavigne, Butch Walker, Dereck Whibley, Max Martin, and Shellback
Tracks: 14
Singles:
"What the Hell"
Charts:
#4 on the US Billboard 200
#9 on the UK Albums Chart
#2 on the Canadian Albums Chart

Why We Need Public Broadcasting by Lefty

For decades, Republicans and conservatives have been against public broadcasting for a variety of reasons now, with the budget crisis that is engulfing our country, they see this as the perfect time to pounce and finally end that which they seem to loathe so much.

In my opinion, they are wrong. Their belief in conspiratorial liberal media bias and hatred of everything related to the government has blinded them to the value of public broadcasting.

Why do we need public broadcasting? There are hundreds of channels out there on cable and satellite and countless things to find online. So why is public broadcasting needed? It's actually quite simple really.

Public broadcasting is not motivated by profit. Thus, it has the freedom to pursue news stories and provide thoughtful and engaging programming with a depth and detail that is just not possible in the for-profit media outlets. We need media that is not motivated by profit. Most media outlets are concerned with advertising dollars above all else, not the content of their programming.

I'm not begrudging them, really. That is how they stay in business and I want them to stay in business. But we also need an alternative that doesn't have that same driving force behind what they do.

Let's take NPR as an example because when we talk about public broadcasting we are generally talking about NPR and PBS. In the Oklahoma City market, none of the programming on the news talk stations (KTOK and KOKC) can hold a candle to the in-depth and detailed news reporting or the diversity of opinions in analysis that are found on the programs playing on KGOU. One member of the round table show News Studio B on KTOK even admitted as such a few weeks ago.

Now let's look at PBS, and specifically the children's programming on PBS Kids versus that of Nickelodeon and the Disney Channel. Compare the shows on PBS to those of its rivals and you will find those on PBS are far more educational. I grew up watching Sesame Street and Mr. Rogers Neighborhood and those shows taught me lessons that have stayed with me to this day and I know my children have learned many of those same lessons watching those shows. Now, to give credit where credit is due, shows like Blue's Clues and Bear in the Big Blue House are great for kids. But overall, Nick and Disney just can't compare or compete.

So, in this time of belt tightening, I think that public broadcasting is an investment that we should continue, if not increase.

Yes, the budget needs to be cut. But there are better ways to do it than attacking public broadcasting.

- - Lefty (aka Dave of Oklahoma Lefty)

Sunday Night Shuffle (4-3-11)

1. Wheel of Misfortune - Dropkick Murphys (from the album Live on Lansdowne)
2. The Kids Are Alright - Pearl Jam (from the album 2/8/3 Australia - #1 Brisbane)
3. Bleed Alone - Haste the Day (from When Everything Falls)
4. Original Me - All (from Breaking Things)
5. The Secret - Emery (from The Weak's End)
6. Where Moth and Rust Destroy - Tourniquet (from Where Moth and Rust Destroy)
7. My Name is Jonas - Weezer (from Weezer)
8. Victory Song - John Moreland and the Black Gold Band (from Things I Can't Control)
9. Flying Down the Road - Miracle Max (from Self Absorbed)
10. Run Around - Blues Traveler (from Four)
11. Call My Name - Third Day (from Revelation)

Thoughts On Libya by Lefty

Up until now I have not voiced my opinion on the situation in Libya and our military involvement there. Then Steve "assigned" this topic to me for my first guest post on The Otter Limits. So, here we go!

Now, before I get too far into this let me first admit that I have not been actively following this story. I have listened to various news reports on the radio but haven't read anything online and I didn't listen to or read the President's speech. Lately, I haven't had the mental capacity to really keep up with politics.

So here are my initial thoughts:

1) The Libyan people have suffered under a brutal dictator in Muammar Gaddafi for far too long.

2) The protesters deserve and need help in standing up to this brutal regime.

3) At the moment the United States simple is not in the position to be the one to help.

At the moment, the United States is caught up in two wars that honestly have no end in sight. If we were only in the midst of one war, then maybe we would be able to help in Libya. But that simply is not the case. Granted, thanks to the clarity of hindsight, I think it is safe to say that an operation in Libya would be more justified than the one in Iraq. It's not that Iraq is not better off without Saddam Hussein in power but that country has been through hell in the past eight years and only now do things seem to be turning around for those people.

The purpose of going into Libya is, in theory at least, to protect the protesters. That seems like a noble thing to me but I'm sure that there are ulterior motivations for the operation.

Sadly though, even though the operation in Libya is for good reasons, on the surface at least, we simply can't afford it. Even if the country was not drowning in debt and the fact that our military is spread exceedingly thin, it just can't sustain another operation.

On top of that there is the public relations issue. It can't look good at all for the United States to be engaging in another military operation in yet another Muslim country. If the radical Islamists didn't hate us enough already, here is another gallon of gas on that already raging fire. The fact that we're in there trying to help them, won't matter at all. That's what happens when people are blinded by their hatred, biases, and faith. They often can't see the truth when it runs counter to what they believe.

But on top of all that, here's my question.

Why Libya? If we really are going in there to help the protesters, then why haven't we helped the people throughout a variety of countries in Africa that are living through much worse conditions? Could oil have something to do with it? I suspect that it does. I would love nothing more than for the United States to be able to sweep in and help those who are suffering under tyrants and totalitarian regimes but the simple fact is that we can't.

We don't have the manpower nor the money to be the world's police.

Besides, we have plenty of suffering here at home that needs to be addressed. I'm not suggesting that the United States become an isolationist nation because that would be a horrible idea. But for now, at least we need to finish the engagements that we have started and get our own act together so that we can continue to be a prosperous nation that can serve as an example for the rest of the world.

But in order to do that, we must stop this almost empire-like behavior and lead by example, not force.

- - Lefty

Time for Change

Up until now, The Otter Limits has been a blog with post written by one person, me.

Today, that all changes. As of today, The Otter Limits will become a group effort. A group effort in the sense that it will have multiple writers.

I have asked several people to "join the gang" so to speak and come on board as guest writers.

Mostly I did this because I felt like the blog was getting kind of stagnant and needed to get some fresh air breathed into it.

I think this will make the blog a better blog overall.

The first "guest" post has been submitted by my friend Dave from Oklahoma Lefty.

Enjoy!

- - Otter