Monster Jam World Finals 2006 – It’s for the Fans

The official results only tell half of the story…

Las Vegas, NV – Sam Boyd Stadium

MONSTER JAM WORLD FINALS 7
Saturday March 25, 2006 – 7:30 p.m.

In what rates as the greatest event in Monster Jam history the legends returned to the top of the sport when Dennis Anderson drove Grave Digger to his second Monster Jam World Racing Championship in the last three years, and Tom Meents extended his all-time record by winning his seventh overall world title by piloting Maximum Destruction to the 2006 Monster Jam World Freestyle Championship in front of a sold out Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas.
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FINALS – GRAVE DIGGER DEFEATED BOUNTY HUNTER
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The monster Jam World Finals is an experience, there is so much more to it than just the races.

As I wrote last year, Monster Jam is all about the fans. These drivers are the best bunch, as a whole, of any sport or sports entertainment crowd. They are friendly, aptient and always put on a happy face for the fans. They seem to actually enjoy their job, even when it means sitting outside in the wind, meeting fans and signing anything they put in front of you.

I arrived late to the pit party this year so I had no chance at meeting Dennis Anderson (unless I wanted to wait 2 1/2 hours). I met him last year, and then, he was awesome, and I saw nothing this year to indicate he was any different.

This years exciting addition (and my first stop at the pit party) was the Batman truck. Man that thing was awesome. A best rendition of the RC vehicle they put out last year, it was cool it see it actually get made. Up close it is awesome, with so many specialized body panels and double redundant construction. That truck is both good looking and very durable (as it proved in freestyle). Batman was one of the few trucks that left the arena mostly intact (however not under it’s own power).

Me getting my hard found Batman Racing shirt signed by driver Jason Childress (GD #14)

Read all about it here

A former Hostage Speaks Freely…Finally

When Jill Carrol was released this past week, her statement made her captivity look like a stay at the Ramada. That was in sharp contrast to the terrified girl we have seen in propaganda films during her ordeal. Now that she finally believes she is safe, the truth can finally come out:

During my last night of captivity, my captors forced me to participate in a propaganda video. They told me I would be released if I cooperated. I was living in a threatening environment, under their control, and I wanted to go home alive. So I agreed.

Things that I was forced to say while captive are now being taken by some as an accurate reflection of my personal views. They are not. The people who kidnapped me and murdered Alan Enwiya are criminals, at best. They robbed Alan of his life and devastated his family. They put me, my family and my friends – all those around the world – who have prayed so fervently for my release – through a horrific experience. I was, and remain, deeply angry with the people who did this.

I also gave a TV interview to the Iraqi Islamic Party shortly after my release. The party had promised me the interview would never be broadcast or aired on television, and they broke their word. At any rate, fearing retribution from my captors, I did not speak freely. Out of fear I said I wasn’t threatened. In fact, I was threatened many times.

Also, at least two false statements about me have been widely aired: One, that I refused to travel and cooperate with the U.S. military and two, that I refused to discuss my captivity with U.S. officials. Again, neither statement is true.

I want to be judged as a journalist, not as a hostage. I remain as committed as ever to fairness and accuracy – to discovering the truth – and so I will not engage in polemics. But let me be clear: I abhor all who kidnap and murder civilians, and my captors are clearly guilty of both crimes.

Now, I ask for the time to heal. This has been a taxing 12 weeks for me and for my family. Please allow us some quiet time alone, together.

– Jill Carroll

It sounds like Miss Carroll is finally, thankfully, home.

I Changed My Mind

Five years ago, I became a conservative… I have decided I was wrong.

We need to spend as much as we can on the poor, we simply need to destroy poverty through shear will of money. Why shoulod any family ever have to struggle to get along? Why should I be so fortunate and they have so little.

The Problem with our education system is that it doesn’t have enough administrators to look over the paper work. We need more administrators to help the teachers do all their paperwork, so that teachers can have the time to instill politically correct morals in our children. The state knows better than I how to raise my children, so why should I try, I would rather just pay them.

Puplic schools are the best we can do, vouchers and charter schools are just a waist of time. Why would we want so many choices anyway, ti just makes the whole thing too confusing. I think there is only one way to learn, and the government is the best vessle to provide that learning.

The government should also be in controll of my lodging, food and safety, I trust them, they are rarely wrong, so why not. Charity should alos come mostly from the government, besides, they have all that money to spend, and it doesn’t cost me anything right?

Crime would go away if there were no guns in america. I think all guns should be outlawed, then tehre will be no more guns, and thus, no more crime. Wouldn’t that be nice? No more crime? Why would we ever need a gun anyways if we are all getting along and there is no crime. we can do it, if we only get rid of the guns…

Being a conservative is just too hard, so I give up. I just want to live my life with no effort and no worries. Who’s with me?

Sounding the Alarm to Republicans

Just started Hugh Hewitt’s new book, Painting the Map Red. You can find it under Liberty Recommends in the right sidebar. I’ll be reading it on the train to work this week, and give a full review next weekend. In short, Hugh sounds the alarm that Republicans could very well lose big in 2006, and pave the way to bigger losses in 2008. But, he also gives ways we can not only win big, but take a 60 seat majority in the Senate, if Republican Congressmen will listen to their base. Should be a great way to spend the hour heading in to Chicago.