The Widdershins

Go. ‘Dawgs Sic ‘Em!!!!

I am SO ready for some football.  Not only because it’s football, but because it will take my mind off of overtopped levees and over the top speeches, blowing winds and bloviating speakers, arching trees and overarching principles, and everything else that has taken place in the past few days.  Comparatively speaking, football is actually pretty clean:  it’s controlled savagery with a clearly defined purpose, and written rules with consequences attached. Football ain’t beanbag.

Tonight kicks off the SEC slate, with South Carolina opening their conference schedule versus Vanderbilt. Texas A&M was to play in Shreveport tonight, but punted the game to an October date, figuring that the rains will surely have ceased by then.  My ‘Dawgs play the University of Buffalo on Saturday, while Fredster’s Tigers line up against North Texas.  Georgia’s campus was out of storm range, and I feel certain that the Tigers will play even if there are no seats on the bleachers in Death Valley.  We take our football seriously, and these games are known euphemistically as “planned victories”.  A-hem!!!    There will also be a game between University of Michigan and University of Alabama.  Now, my first (and ex) spouse went to Michigan, and no one likes The Tide (except for themselves), so for whom do I root?   This game will take place in the Cowboys’ new place, and it should be interesting.  Anyhow, we have a full three days worth of games to cleanse the soul here, and I for one cannot wait.

Neither Mr. Romney nor President Obama are football fans, but they both  enjoy funding from the game.   Mr. Romney enjoys “sport”. and has many friends amongst owners.  The Prez is a basketball guy.  I saw a poll that said (unsurprisingly) professional athletes overwhelmingly backed Obama, while owners picked Romney is a financial landslide.

What might be just as entertaining as watching the football games is watching the political games that will doubtlessly ensue this weekend status post Isaac.   No one, but no one, wishes to emulate the infamous Bush “flyover”, so candidates will likely rush the affected areas, showering supplies as they go.   During Katrina, Louisiana had a Democratic governor and a Republican President, neither of whom looked particularly stellar.  Now, they have a Republican governor and a Democratic President, both of whom are likely to try to outshine the other while trying even harder nor to fumble.  I predict that candidates of all stripes will be buckling up their chin straps,  running, and rushing to aid the victims while blocking, tackling, and clipping their opponents’ efforts.  This should get much-needed relief supplies to the victims in a timely manner, meaning that the rest of us won’t have to leave home and do it ourselves like we did after Katrina,  and it might just be kind of interesting.  We can watch it during halftime.

So, make the popcorn, call out for pizza, and get ready for kickoff – otherwise, it’s an open thread.