SWITZERLAND FORUM

[Baglady]

Belated Happy Birthday Peter!

CK, glad you FINALLY received a return call from the Dolphins office..... and a free parking pass. Sorry to hear Henne went out - hope the shoulder is OK. Didn't get to see your game. Steelers - TX's game on here - congrats on the W Em .

Some surprises yesterday, the preseason SB favorite Eagles so called "dream team", 1 and 3 after losing to SF and I sure didn't expect the Bengals to beat the Bills... Glad the Giants were able to pull off a W

[cklaurence]

Hey Bags! Just left you a big message over at your Lucas Oil room. As I told you over there, I have mixed feelings about Henne going out. I feel very comfortable with Moore in there, but Henne has declared that an injury to his non-throwing shoulder won't stop him from playing. Also, Jason Taylor--who you know well I worship and adore, has once again issued a challenge to his fellow players. He takes responsibility for his part in the losses, and asks that everyone own up to theirs. The players need some decent coaching first and foremost. They've lost their confidence in their ability to win. They have their bye this coming week. It would be wonderful if we could get a decent coach in there, but I truly don't believe Ross is capable of hiring a decent coach. He'd probably bring up one of the assistant coaches, and there doesn't seem to be any coach at any level that is doing things right. Besides, after he made a jackass out of himself running openly to the left coast to get Harbaugh and coming back empty handed, he gave Sparano a two year contract. I doubt he's going to fire him 4 games into that contract.
I was really happy to see the Giants pull the game out too. Seeing the Jets and Buffalo get beaten is always a pleasure, but seeing Brady and Co. win again is painful. Saw an interview with Peyton yesterday. It was disturbing. You could feel his fear about his career worries. It was a tentative Peyton, that I've never seen before. I sure hope he takes a turn for the better, SOON! I miss him.

[Emeritus]

All of the Texans fans are SO glad that the Cowboys fired Wade Phillips. The difference in our defense is amazing! I would never have believed that changing defensive coordinators could make that much of a difference. They just attacked the Steelers! Five sacks and Big Ben went home wearing a boot on one foot. They beat up everybody who touched the ball! We had two defensive touchdowns called back because of penalties, or it would have gotten out of hand.

[cklaurence]

Yes, Em--it was a pleasure to watch the game yesterday. I have no warm, fuzzy feelings for Ben Ruthlessberger, who continues to deny guilt in his off-field shenanigans, when his boorish behavior is well documented over the years. So I thoroughly enjoyed the beat down. Oh, I'm not very fond of the Steelers all together anyway. The days of Mean Joe Green and the lovable Terry Bradshaw are long gone, and of course, because of Reeceykins, who I miss terribly, but love nevertheless (and he did say he might make it down here for a game some time this year, which would be a great treat for me), and you, Em, I do pull for the Texans except when they are up against the Fins (why I bother, though is an enigma to me--some kind of twisted fan loyalty that I just can't shake ), Colts or Giants.
I just read back over that paragraph and I apologize for the grammar and just plain awkwardness of the wording. I believe it is readable though, so I'm going to let it ride.

[cklaurence]

It grows more bizarre upon more bizarre. Ross has come out and assured us that Sparano is the man for the job. He is safe through the bye week and on into weeks six. It's not as though there is anyone else is beating the doors down to become the head coach of the Fins, but really--"Sparano is the coach for the Dolphins."--Talk about making fans spend their lives hanging over toilets and emptying their stomachs because of neverending nausea... Someone needs to tell Ross what my mommy used to tell me (Rest her soul): "If you have nothing to say, say it..." Moron!

[Emeritus]

Our owner has so little to say that I forget who he is.

[cklaurence]

Yes Em. Our owner limits himself to silly surveys, that are more like subliminal suggestion sheets pleading with season ticket holders to agree that the new 'entertainment' mode--orange carpet entrances for movie stars, pre-game festivities where you can see the stars perform and a bunch of other silly fluff that has nothing to do with football. It just turns my stomach that he would dare to say "Sparano is the Coach for this team." Well yeah, when you look at it this way--the team is a loser, and he's a loser, so why bother looking for a winning coach?

On another note... Is it just me, or are the talking heads totally obsessed with Tony Romo? I can't turn on the radio or television to hear football news without hearing about Tony Romo! They just go on and on and on about him. I think he's a total non-entity (and I always have). He's a self-centered, and in love with Tony Romo (just like the media)--has always let his team down at the most important junctures in the games, and they fired one coach over him. Now they're talking about letting Garrett go over him. Does Garrett have the autonomy to let him go? If he does, I'd cut his ass so fast, he wouldn't know what hit him. At least bench him. Let him sit a few games out and feel the sting. Could it be another case of poor coaching? Or does he just have a problem following the coaching? Or is he ADD and incapable of following the coaching? I don't know--but here I am giving air time to him, and I started out complaining about all the air time the give him! Seriously, this has been the third week in a row that over fifty percent of the talk has been about Tony Romo, and I really believe there's a lot more to talk about in the NFL this season.

In the opposite situation are my Dolphins. You could rot waiting to hear anything about my Dolphins. I understand that they are 0-4, and like, who wants to hear about a 0-4 team, but there are still 3 or 4 Dolphin fans left, and I know I would love to hear what the pros thoughts are on why we are in the situation we are in. I'm pretty sure I've got it thought out right, but I sure wouldn't mind some input from those who do the analyses for a livingdddddddd...

[Emeritus]

I know what you mean. For years the football shows would talk up the current top teams and give their game picks. They wouldn't even bother to mention the Texans games. As for Romo, I think that he's talented, but erratic. I've seen him make spectacular plays and I've seen him throw away games. I think that he's still around because nobody with more talent has been available when it was the Cowboys turn to pick. Nobody ever talks about our quarterback, but he throws for 4000 yards every year and has a better quarterback rating. Go figure.

[cklaurence]

The thing about Romo, Em, is that they don't just talk about him, they are totally obsessed with him. They talk about him constantly. I can't get into my car without hearing them going over every move he made/makes, being in awe about why he was or was not fired! Same with the talking heads on tele-bisshun. How're you doing, kind sir, Em?

[Emeritus]

I'm doing fine. I'm in good shape physically and I'm able to choose just how involved I will be in local affairs. I have found something new to study, so I am happy. I try to ignore politics altogether, because I get annoyed at the dittoheads, rednecks and religious zealots. I have been interested in the Wall Street protests, though. They are futile, but obviously express the discontent of a lot of people. So far my Texans are doing well enough, although they have some tough games coming up. All is right with my small world.

[cklaurence]

You forgot to address my question, Em. TONY ROMO???? Don't you think he gets way too much air time, for doing way too little?

[Emeritus]

Sorry, this was intended to address your question.

Nobody ever talks about our quarterback, but he throws for 4000 yards every year and has a better quarterback rating. Go figure.

[Baglady]

RIP Al Davis - like him or not, have to appreciate all his contributions to the NFL....

Good luck to your teams today or tomorrow (well, ex the Chiefs) and enjoy the games!

[dredwak]

this is how i like to remember al...
happy birthday ck... tony doesnt get too much press...

[cklaurence]

I guess you choose NOT to comment on the Tony Romo thing, Em? Or anyone else? I am just amazed at what a super big dear they are making about the fact that they are paying so much attention and time to him when he is such a non-entity...

[Emeritus]

ck, I thought that I had commented on the attention paid to Romo, twice, by pointing out how little press our quarterback gets in comparison. It seems to me that the only objective way to rate that attention is by comparing it to the attention paid to other quarterbacks. Otherwise, how do you know what is too much?

[cklaurence]

NOW I getcha, Em. Apparently no QB rates discussion except Romo. They talk about him nonstop, as though he is simply the most important in the NFL. Followed (though not closely) by Vick and Ruthlessbugger--neither of who I am a fan of, although it is interesting to note how few flags are thrown when Vick takes late or wrongful hits vs. when other QBs in the league get hit. I don't think it is a racial slam though, so much as a show of distaste for his past deeds OFF the field. He served his time and was supposedly forgiven--so why are they still hassling him (as I believe they are)? Don't get me wrong... I am definitely NOT a Vick fan. I find no favor in someone who can stomach dog fighting, which I find sub-human, but he did what he did and served his time, then was allowed back into the league and was picked up by a team. So that is that. He should be treated fairly from here on out...

Dred--thank you for your sweet birthday wishes! Have I told you lately that I love you? And that goes for all of my Swiss family that continues to post here, regardless of how many have gone on their way. I treasure you all who have stayed on, and so long as you continue to post here, I will keep the pages open with great joy. You never know when people are going to get tired of all the constant changes at facebook (or should I call it 'changebook' lol) and will choose to return to good ol' Switzerland for some beer and old friends and straight football talk...

[Emeritus]

I hope that you are right, ck. I have a Facebook account, but I'm uninterested in having hundreds of "friends" with whom I share no interests. There also seem to be a lot of dittoheads airing their troglodyte views on Faceboodk.

[dredwak]

i have a facebook account for 2 reasons...friends who no longer post here or at fox...and family...

[Emeritus]

Hi dred! I also use it to upload photos to post to sites that only allow on-line files to be posted.

[cklaurence]

Well, you all know why I have a facebook account and it's pretty much for shamelessly plugging my last novel, and hopefully, when I get the one I am finally working on again finished, that one as well. My old publisher insisted on it, and there's not a doubt in my mind that my new one will as well. There are nearly 4,000 so-called 'friends' there now, around another 200 on my 'Author' page--and growing. I have always considered my Switzerland family, however, more of a family. I have been more deeply hurt by people from Switzerland, and isn't that what family does? Just kidding about that, but it seems I am still taking hits from former Swiss family members, and it never ceases to amaze me when I get broadsided or kicked in the back when I least expect it. We are down to our lowest active membership, but I am the most comfortable with you dred, Em, TryThinking, Peace of course (but he gets paid to love me, lol), Ms Bags, Maineiacgirl pops by every now and again (and Shadow)--pretty soon Adam will be old enough to join the family , and so it goes...

I'm looking forward to the day my Dolphins become competitive again, so I can brag on them. It's been so long, I've forgotten what winning feels like, which, I'm afraid is part of my team's problem. You forget what winning is like and you get that "loser" mentality--which they certainly have taken to far too seriously. So frustrating...

[cklaurence]

I know we aren't supposed to talk politics here, but this isn't really politics, just a question about National News. I've mentioned I'm sure that I've backed off from watching news, pretty much of any kind, but today when I was on the computer working on The Sequel, I had half-an-eye on the television where I saw a set-up where it looked rather like the Prez (or someone of National Importance) was going to appear with Very Important News. It had to do with (as I understood it) a huge bombing attempt that had been stopped by the government on Israeli and American Embassies. I did not catch where the Embassies were or any other details, but the news conference looked imminent--but I did not hear another thing about it. I don't know if I napped off, if it was my imagination, maybe a dream or if I'm just plain going nuts (in which case I probably should not be posting this out loud, but whatever...). Did anyone hear or see anything further about it? Please post anything you know...

[Emeritus]

Israel wasn't involved, ck. There was a plot to kill the Saudi ambassador with a bombing in an American restaurant that he likes. A faction with ties to high-up elements of the government of Iran tried to hire a Mexican drug cartel to do the job. They didn't know that they had approached an undercover DEA agent.

[cklaurence]

Israel wasn't involved, ck. There was a plot to kill the Saudi ambassador with a bombing in an American restaurant that he likes. A faction with ties to high-up elements of the government of Iran tried to hire a Mexican drug cartel to do the job. They didn't know that they had approached an undercover DEA agent.

[size=150]Thanks, Em. You saved me from having to go on to the Internet and pay attention to the news. I appreciate it... c.[/size]

[cklaurence]

I meant to tell you, Em and of course, Reecey, that I was sorry about Houston losing this week. I really thought they had that game. I hope next week is better for you--and at least you have hope!!!

[Emeritus]

I never expected the Texans to go undefeated and we are still tied for the division lead. Naturally I was disappointed, but that's life. It's all a matter of proportion. Compared to the health of loved ones, or human tragedies, my football team losing isn't that important. Besides, there's always hope for the next game until we run out of season.

[cklaurence]

Well, football is football, Em--and it's supposed to take our minds off of death and unhappiness. You should just be loving this season and jumping for joy! I can't remember when the Fins have had a 4 and 1 start. Shoot, we die again every week--and every week we die again. Yes, I know, I repeated myself, just like my team does. Lose, lose, lose. I don't know if you read my post in my Dolphin page, but Ross is just doing one boneheaded thing after another to assure us we will never win again in the history of the sport!!! Oi vey.

[Emeritus]

LOL. Sounds like the definition of a schlemiel to me.

[cklaurence]

He's a shlmiel when it comes to football, that's for damned sure, Em. He makes me a crazy woman. My son and I (oldest son, Josh) argued about it at lunch today. We don't agree on anything football, it seems. He believes that if we're not cutting it in the division, we should root for another team in the division and I disagree vehemently. You don't catch another team in the division pulling for us when we are (well, once upon a time long ago, lol) leading the division. In college ball it's one thing, but in pro ball, it'd be a cold day in Hell before I'd be rooting for New England or the Jets, and I know it's mutual. What do you think about that?

[Emeritus]

I'm entirely with you on that one, ck. I could easily root for a team from another division - in fact I often have. There is no way that I would root for a division rival, even a respected one like the Colts.