Random Thoughts and Such

Music Notes:

- Writing the Death Magnetic review got me in a musical mood. I have yet to hear Mastodon's newest album Crack the Skye but I anxiously await doing so. Their previous albums have all revolved around a central concept and this one is no different. The concept behind this album is actually up for debate, as some members of the band itself have varying ideas of what that is ( http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/BLABBERMOUTH.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=113220. ).

- If you've never listened to a Mastodon song be prepared. While they are a hard-charging metal band that can blow ear drums with their volume and intensity, they also are a very cerebral band. The Atlanta-based group features songs that play out like a movie in that you can notice something unique and different about it each time you hear it.

- I have a newfound appreciation for another hard rock track. Rollins Band has a song called "Starve" that I simply cannot get enough of.

Mark Sanford

- SC Governor, Mark Sanford-R, has been in a well-publicized contest with the White House over the use of the $787 billion stimulus package. He claims that it just delays the inevitable and the state will have to pay back the money, and he is willing to take the state with the second highest unemployment rate and guarantee that number to increase without the funds from the government. Without stimulus funds, 500 teachers in Greenville County alone will lose their jobs. While some argue that the stimulus money for education goes towards school "beautification" projects, it is a certainty that teachers and other school employees will lose their jobs. It is baffling to me that Sanford, who was quoted in The Greenville News saying his decision is based on his personal values, would put his beliefs ahead of the jobs of the people who elected him. This is another example of Sanford's decommitment to public education besides the fact that South Carolina college tuition has risen under his leadership. Aside from this, with South Carolina a perennial bottom feeder in national education statistics, teacher lay-offs will guarantee higher student-to-teacher ratios; further increasing the strain on educators to reach the needs of their students. Maybe you see it differently, but having two parents that are educators I have witnessed first-hand that the positive impact the stimulus funds on protecting the jobs of teachers and faculty is a certainty.

Quarterbacks Near and Far

- On a lighter note, Byrnes product Willy Korn is in a true battle with redshirt freshman Kyle Parker for the starting quarterback job for this coming fall. While this is a surprise to many, and honestly it is to me somewhat, Parker was a highly acclaimed prospect in his own right out of high school. Both were members of the prestigious Elite 11 quarterback camp and Parker is probably the better athlete as he stars on the Clemson baseball team, too. This will certainly be one of the more interesting duals to watch before the season kicks off.

- New Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler may bemoan his trade demands from Denver. The Broncos new coach and former New England offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels had hoped to trade for quarterback Matt Cassel from the Patriots. This did not work out, and Cutler felt betrayed by his new coach. This is a completely logical feeling for Cutler to have, especially after having as impressive a season as he had last year. However, Cutler's unwillingness to get over this fact lead to his trade last week to Chicago. The grass may have looked greener elsewhere for Cutler, but he now takes the reins of an offense with little star power, and no proven target for him to throw to. Denver now has the 12th and 18th picks in the upcoming NFL Draft, and could use one of those on Southern Cal quarterback Mark Sanchez. It would be highly ironic if McDaniels chose him seeing as Cassell is himself a former Trojan. Maybe McDaniels just wants a Trojan to lead his team one way or another.