Don’t Kiss The Urinal: It Is Out Of Order

This photo comes from the restroom at work.  What was the author of this sign trying to communicate?  Was this a warning to not kiss the urinal?  Are you being warned to not kiss the urinal because it is out of order?  So as soon as they get the urinal fixed, fell free to go back to frenching to your hearts content.

yojoe out

UCLA Cheating On Admission Standards: In Violation Of Proposition 209

No, this has nothing to do with Coach Rick Neuheisel starting another high-stakes gambling pool.  But, that is a good guess.

This involves a violation of California’s Proposition 209, which prohibits the state from discriminating,

against, or grant preferential treatment to, any individual or group on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin in the operation of public employment, public education, or public contracting.

Professor Timothy Groseclose is a professor of political science at UCLA, and was previously a member of the committee that handled undergraduate admissions.  That is, until he resigned “in protest, from the committee,” and issued his report on the illegal admission standards being used by UCLA.

The reason behind Professor Groseclose’s resignation:

There is considerable evidence that high-ranking administration and a controlling block of my committee are engaged in a cover-up – they are preventing me and others from obtaining these data [admissions data] so that the above malfeasance will not be discovered.

Army Not Happy With The Size And Weight Of MRAP

The Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle have been life-savers on the battlefield.  But, they are just to big and bulky.

The 10-ton vehicle must be transportable on a C-130 cargo plane. It should have a minimum range of 300 miles, and a turning diameter of 49 feet, And the crew has to be able to get out quickly, in case of a rollover. (“Of the 38 MRAP accidents between Nov. 7 and June 8, only four did not involve a roll-over,” Army Times noted.)

Maybe the Army will be interested in the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle, that was placed on hold last year.

yojoe out

Pop, Soda, Or Coke: Which Word Do You Use?

The answer to this question is determined by where you were raised.  California you say soda.  Michigan you say pop.  Mississippi you say coke.

This according to the always compelling blog Strange Maps.  The map below shows the regional differences in the generic word used to refer soft drinks.

USC Football Logos

With the college-football season just about to begin, here is a post to get everyone in the mood.  This is a collection of logos from USC, including USC football logos.  The USC logos include the SC interlock, Traveler, Tommy Trojan, and George Tirebiter and some Win Forever wallpaper with Coach Pete Carroll.   Enjoy and Fight On!

USC Football: Stanley Havili In Washington Post

Readers of Dreadnaught know that USC fullback Stanley Havili is a favorite.  Beginning with his recovery from a broken leg, suffered in 2006, to his outstanding play against Idaho last season.  Now the Trojan has been profiled in the WaPo:

With Havili leading the way — often executing what is known in Trojans lingo as a “surgery” blocking technique — USC’s three leading rushers last season combined to average 6.6 yards per carry. But to limit Havili’s contribution to the Trojans’ offense by painting him as a fullback in the traditional sense (simply a burly road grader) would not do justice to the player who amassed the fourth-most receptions and receiving yards on the team in 2007.

“He’s versatile; he is our offense,” junior running back Stafon Johnson said of Havili. “Our offense runs through him because he can do so many things.”

yojoe Fight On!

USC Football: Mark Sanchez To Start Against Virginia

According to ESPN,

USC quarterback Mark Sanchez went through his first full practice Monday since dislocating his left kneecap 17 days earlier, and appears on track to start Saturday’s season-opener at Virginia.

“Oh, I think so, absolutely. Especially mentally,” Sanchez said afterward, when asked if he believes he’s ready to play. “I feel good about it. If it were up to me, I’m in.”

Sanchez, the projected starter for Southern California, was carted off the practice field Aug. 8 after making a throw and landing awkwardly. X-rays and an MRI exam revealed no ligament, cartilage or bone damage. He had been jogging and throwing for over a week, but wore cleats for the first time Monday since being injured and did most of the work with the first team while wearing a sleeve and a brace on his injured knee.

The Trojans will play at Virginia on 30AUG08.  ABC will be sending Brad Nessler, Bob Griese, Paul Maguire to cover the game.

The depth chart for Virginia looks like this:

OFFENSE
Pos No Name Ht Wt Yr

WR 20 Kevin Ogletree 6-2 189 Jr.
26 Cary Koch 6-0 192 Sr.

USC Football: Ricky Rosas Gets His Rose Bowl Ring

For those who are unaware, Ricky Rosas is Coach Pete Carroll’s special assistant, and his story is extraordinary:

He is 4 feet 8. He weighs 91 pounds. He doesn’t have a driver’s license. He doesn’t have money. He can’t sign his name.

But around USC, nobody’s name has been chanted more. Nobody has been hugged more. Nobody has been loved more. Nobody is richer.

“It’s funny how the hugest of guys take care of the littlest guy,” Ricky says.

In one world, there are struggles to live with three others in a house with one tiny bedroom and a primitive bathroom. His mother sleeps on the couch, his sister on the floor, Ricky on a bare mattress under a rickety bunk bed.

In the other world, there is the triumph of a job, handing out water at practice, picking up lunch for the coaches, shredding old game plans, Ricky on the sturdy foundation of importance.

The Strongest BCS Conference: Big 12

At least according to Fox Sports, the Big 12 is the strongest conference in college football.  Randy Hill lists the BCS conferences as follows:

1. Big 12
2. SEC
3. PAC-10
4. Big Ten
5. ACC
6. Big East

Trivia About Top 25 College Football Teams

From Brian Hood at bleacher report comes a great post containing  little-known facts about the to25 college football teams:

No. 1 Georgia: Before the Bulldog became Georgia’s now famous mascot, their first unofficial mascot was a goat.  That’s right—when Georgia played its first intercollegiate game against Auburn in 1892, they introduced the ferocious goat as their lucky charm.

No. 2 USC: A recent tradition at USC is if you want to wear the number 55 at USC, you’re going to have to earn it.  Typically regarded as the anchor of the defense, the number cannot be picked by a player, but must be assigned by the head coach.

No. 3 Ohio State: Just about everyone knows Ohio State is famous for its band’s performance of dotting the i in “Script Ohio,” but the first band to perform the Buckeye tradition was…wait for it…Michigan.

Judge Halverson: Misconduct Hearing Delayed By Health Problem

The misconduct hearing for Judge Elizabeth Halverson was delayed when she became ill in the middle of her testimony.  Apparently,

Judge Halverson suffered what her attorney called a “hypoglycemic” event this morning. Her attorney says the judge’s blood sugar level became low, and she was unable to continue her testimony.

Odd, Judge Halverson is the last person one would suspect to have a medical condition.  She appears to be the picture of health.

The hearing is set to resume on 14AUG08.  The judge also lost her bid for reelection.

For more on Judge Halverson see here and here.

yojoe out

Hard Knocks Season Two: Dallas Cowboys Training Camp

The HBO sports documentary Hard Knocks returned for its second season last night, 6AUG08.  This season looks to be better than the last.  This year Hard Knocks follows the training camp of the Dallas Cowboys.  With TO, Pacman Jones, and Tony Romo in camp, there will be plenty of controversy.

Even if you are not a fan of the Cowboys – the author is assuredly not – or the NFL you will enjoy this program.  Learning about the back stories of rookies trying to make the team, and veterans trying to hold on for another year is fascinating.

USC Football: Sports Illustrated Cover

Three Trojans grace the cover of Sports Illustrated: Brian Cushing, Mark Sanchez, and Rey Maualuga.

yojoe Fight On!

USC No. 2 In USA Today Top 25 Coaches’ Poll Preseason 2008

The Trojans open at #2 in the 2008 USA Today Coaches’ Poll.  Ohio State comes in at #3.  This will not last for long after the Men of Troy meet the Buckeyes on 13SEP08 in LA.

The 2008 Preseason Poll:

1. Georgia
2. Southern Cal
3. Ohio State
4. Oklahoma
5. Florida
6. LSU
7. Missouri
8. West Virginia
9. Clemson
10. Texas
11. Auburn
12. Wisconsin
13. Kansas
14. Texas Tech
15. Virginia Tech
16. Arizona State
17. Brigham Young
18. Tennessee
19. Illinois
20. Oregon
21. South Florida
22. Penn State
23. Wake Forest
24. Michigan
25. Fresno State

yojoe Fight On!

Judge Elizabeth Halverson Faces Nevada Judicial Discipline Commission

Last year, the chief judge of the Nevada Supreme Court ordered Judge Elizabeth Halverson to be prohibited from entering the courthouse.  The Nevada Supreme Court ruled that the chief judge exceeded her authority in banning Judge Halverson, but was correct in removing her from the criminal docket.  Judge Halverson had a number of complaints lodged against her, including:

• Bailiff complains judge makes him massage her feet and back
• Judge would put staff members under oath and ask them questions
• Judge put her husband under oath to ask if the house was clean
• Judge’s mother asked if the bailiff was her “servant”
• Judge fell asleep during her first criminal trial
• Judge spoke to criminal juries, outside the presence of accused and counsel for both parties
• berated lawyers for not contributing to her election fund (she dismisses this on the basis that no lawyers contributed so she could not be discriminating against any individuals)
• Judge would call staffer “the evil one,” “bitch,” “the elf,” and “the Antichrist”
• Judge fired her assistant Ileen Spooner, which resulted in a defamation suit against the judge

The current proceeding against Judge Halverson will determine if she is to be removed from the bench.  During the first day of the hearing, the bailiff testified,

“It made me feel very bad,” said Bailiff Jonny Jordan.

He says he did everything to keep his composure during his testimony, but it was not enough.

“I was robbed of my rights, my dignity, my dignity was taken, my dignity was taken, how would you feel if it happened to you,” said Jordan.

Chief Judge Kathy Hardcastle then took the stand,

“I reached the point where I had judges refusing to attend meetings if she was going to be there because she was so disparaging to everyone and to the other judges,”

There will assuredly be more to come in this case.

yojoe out