Okay, there's a zillion people bitching about Pacman Jones, particularly if you're anywhere near talk-radio. I certainly wouldn't disagree. He's not done himself any favors this week after his arrest at the former Trap. Grinning and munching on a toothpick during your Night Court booking isn't cool. Having your agent go on the biggest sports-talk show in town the next day and talk about how the arrest isn't that big of deal is definitely not cool. We all do stupid things and hang out with stupid people in our early 20s, but our actions generally don't have millions of dollars of revenue riding on them. And being "ghetto"might fly in Atlanta, but not here.

Therefore, since the Titans presumably have some big-time negotiating leverage now, I have a proposal for how to possibly straighten this guy out and benefit the team at the same time. Keep in mind that what I know about NFL contracts and the legalities would fit on the head of a pin and still have room for the Lord's Prayer, but there has to be some way to work this out.

- Sign Pacman, but cut at least $750,000 out of his first year's contract in such a way that it frees that much room on the signing cap this year.
- Use that money to sign Eddie George (he's willing to play for his league-minimum, which is $750K.)
- Put some clause in that if Pacman keeps his nose clean legally for a calendar year from July 13, 2005 and spends at least five days a week training with Eddie, starting during training camp, he will get back that $750K, plus some sort of bonus (I'm being generous.)

Yes, I know that Eddie plays offense and Punkman (Joe Williams' nickname for him, not mine) plays D. Yes, I know that Eddie is now looking about as washed-up as the coast of Navarre Beach. But since Eddie left last year, I've learned his main asset to the Titans is not his ability to grind out yardage. He is pretty much the prototype of how to be a successful NFL player, especially in Nashville. His workout regimen is legendary, he's started at least two businesses outside of football, and he's a great family man. Also, he'll be the first to admit that he wasn't an angel in his early years in the league. He's not a perfect person or a perfect player, but his leadership is not only admirable, but necessary for this team. People learn by example, and I can't think of a much better example to show Pacman how to deal with the pressures of sudden fame.

The Titans are beginning to look like either the southern version of the Raiders or like a really bad reality show. So going into fantasy-mode here, the Titans could even capitalize on this whole thing by signing a deal with ESPN, moving Pacman into Eddie's home and packaging it as "Living With Eddie - When the player stops being ghetto and starts getting real." Now that would be interesting TV.

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My last posted comment about the London bombings, and the ensuing Homeland Security debate:

This is more proof that the majority of terrorism is homegrown, even if the ideology is imported. Yes, Al Quaeda is America's #1 enemy and should be crushed like a grape, but there are a lot of groups who will give you an excuse to hate whatever country you're in and will give you the means to express it. Remember Timothy McVeigh.

Moving on.....

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Proof that Anderson Cooper has a sense of humor about himself - he reaired John Stewart's hilarous comments on his hurricane coverage, and he pointed out these fabulous eBay auctions.

Potato "found" after Coop's Ramada live shot
A piece of the Ramada sign

Yes, you really can find anything on eBay.

BTW, if any of Paula Zahn's folks happen to read my blog, I would like to point out that the university in Raleigh, NC with the clock tower and the ugly red signs is N.C. State University. The school in Chapel Hill with the pretty Old Well and the classical light-blue signs is the University of North Carolina. They are definitely not the same school. On behalf of UNC alumni everywhere, please get those two straight before your next live shot out of Raleigh. Thanks.

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A book that I'll be reading while I wait for Harry Potter tonight at the bookstore (but not buying): 100 People Who Are Screwing Up America (And Al Franken is #37). I have a feeling it'll piss me off right good, but it still looks interesting.

If you're not already sick of these two topics...

This is a hilarious sendup of the Karl Rove controversy, as well as the Harry Potter hype. And no, the spoilers aren't real. At least, I hope so.

Honestly, it amazes me how unspoiled Harry Potter has stayed, book after book. I know that bookstores have a lot to lose by leaking copies (i.e. getting to sell the next sequel and monetary fines) but now that there's only one book left, the power of that threat is diminishing. Plus there are a ton of people who have nothing to lose by sneaking in, popping a box, reading the last two chapters and then creating an anonymous blog to leak the goodies (note: I would never personally do that, so if this actually happens, don't look at me.) And if there's one thing that I've learned about online fandoms is that nothing is unspoiled. Back in my extreme X-Phile days, I knew what was happening in every episode at least three months ahead of time, usually six. And it's that way with every album, every TV show and movie and even every breaking news event, if you think about it (unless it's a truly breaking event, there's always some prelim activity that can tip you off beforehand.)

Yes, I will be buying the book at midnight, just as I have for the last four books. Right now I'm hatching my plan, because it's not as easy to do that in a big city as you'd think. Back when I lived in Carbondale, IL, I drove to the local B&N at 10:30, saw the line snaking around the building, turned around and ended up first in line at Wal-Mart. Easy as pie. Tonight I actually would like to go to the B&N that's closest to my apartment (Shopry Mills) but they're expecting over 200 people by 8 pm and several media trucks. Sorry, but I spend enough time around news trucks during the day. So I'm considering my options. Media Play at Hickory Hollow? Borders on West End? (EDIT: They're expecting 800+, so no way.) Or the boring way out and Wal-Mart? I bet there won't be a horribly long line in Bucksnort.

In any case, I don't think anyone will have any trouble finding me tomorrow. Between this and A Very Long Engagement's release earlier this week, I have an excuse to be a couch potato. Although it would be cool if anyone would like to go out Sunday. No reason....

The wonderful things you can find online sometimes....

PublicRadioFan.com is fabulous. It's international, and it even lists podcasts!

And if you're into world music, these look like great resources.

If you haven't bought an iPod yet, this $35 plug-in-the-car MP3 player looks like a find.

Oh, and even if I do think that people should just get over the TomKat/Scientology thing, I do admit that Tom Cruise's (fake) blog is very funny.

If you haven't seen it...

Here's this generation's Dan-Rather-hanging-from-a-lightpole - Anderson Cooper almost getting clobbered by a Ramada sign. A lot of people are making fun of him online, so I hear. I personally thought it was cool and realistic (although watching it live was slightly freakish.)

I take back most that I've said about Hummers. I now really want a Hurricane One. Maybe then I could actually cover one of these suckers myself.

EDIT: Digital Spy agrees with me that CNN's hurricane coverage ruled.

I'd also like to mention that Jacqui Jares is the first weather person I've seen who was wearing bright green in front of a WX wall. As probably everyone knows, WX walls are generally green, and meteorologists (plus reporters and anchors who do standups there) have to be careful on what colors they wear, lest the weather keys show through their clothes. I'd be interested in seeing what their setup is.