Shabbat Shalom 22 Elul 5766

Sports Picks by Paulie

Welcome to my new weekend edition feature, Sports Picks by Paulie. Along with my brilliant political and social commentary, I will be providing my insight on weekend sporting events. The information provided is for entertainment purposes only, but if you decide to take my advice and utilize your right to wager...Good Luck.

Saturday College Football

Notre Dame vs. Michigan: The #2 ranked Fighting Irish are a 6 point favorite at home against the Wolverines who have yet to be battle tested this year. Michigan is ranked 11th, but should be closer to 20th. I like Notre Dame to cover the 6pts. Look for a 27-17 Irish win.

Ohio State vs Cincinnati: The #1 team in the country, Ohio State will be man-handling the pathetic Bearcats of Cincinnati. OSU will win, but the question is by how much? The Buckeyes are a 29.5 point favorite and I believe they will cover. Don't be surprised if the score-board reads 49-3 when the game ends

Sunday/Monday Night NFL (Updated Saturday)

Bears vs. Lions: Bears fans are walking around with erections after QB Rex Grossman passed for over 260 yards last week in the Bears 26-0 win over the Packers. Bears should be confident, but they still have to prove they can defeat a real team. This week they are an 8 point favorite against the improved yet average Detroit Lions. Detroit will have trouble scoring against the Bears defense so expect the Bears to cover the 8 points. Don't be surprised if the score is 13-3.

Steelers vs. Jaguars: This is a great match-up simply because Steelers QB Ben Rothlisberger health is questionable and the Jaguars are hurting on Defense with three starters injured. Pittsburgh is a 2.5 point favorite in this game, but I don't think they will cover. Monday Night, Jaguars at Home and Rothlisberger recovering from an injury, I like Jacksonville in a nail-bitter. End of the game field goal attempt to win or loose. 24-23 field goal wins it.

Shameful Comparison

On Wednesday comedian/actress/talk show hostess, Rose O'Donnell, made a statement, put it in a box, gift wrapped it and gave it to the Republican party. She stated, "Radical Christianity is just as threatening as radical Islam in a country like America where we have separation of church and state." (ABC's "The View," 9/13/06)

I will be the first one to admit that I have concerns about the current status of the separation of church and state in our country. However, comparing radical Islam to whatever form of Christian extremism that exists in America is scary. As a proponent of gay rights, I have seen how the homosexual rights movement continues to hurt their cause. O'Donnell who is an outspoken gay rights activist, makes statements comparing Christians to terrorists (intent or not), reinforces negative attitudes toward gays, while supporting the notion that the far left doesn't understand the real threat posed by radical Islam and has disdain for their own country.

O'Donnell's comments reminded me of horrific remarks made earlier this year by Chicago area gay rights leader, Rick Garcia. When it was revealed that Governor Blagojevich appointed an advisor and follower of Louis Farrakhan to a state panel to fight discrimination, Garcia excused the appointment stating that Farrakhan wasn't nearly as bad as Pat Robertson. Garcia and O'Donnell forget that Christians may think they are sinners and shouldn't be allowed to get married, but Farrakhan and Islamic fundamentalists believe homosexuals should be tortured to death.

I do believe there is a big difference.

Paulie