Onward

-What is it in the brains of extraordinarily talented people that tends to make them self-destruct at an early age? Heath Ledger would seem to have had the world at his mercy. How sad.

-So there's a deal to send some tax money back to us in order to stimulate the struggling economy. Just think how stimulated it would be if we didn't have to send so much to the various levels of government in the first place. And why do the tax refunds always seem to happen in election years? Hmmmmm.

-The Blues have 9 home games in February, 6 on the road. If next month isn't kinder to them than January, they will likely be trade deadline sellers again. As I've heard John Davidson say many times, you need to get some value for your assets before you get nothing when those assets become free agents.

-What did Rick Majerus expect would happen when someone stuck a camera in his face and asked him his views on abortion and stem-cell research...and they weren't in agreement with those of his religious employers. If I'm coaching at a Jesuit university, that's when I take the opportunity to keep my mouth shut.

-Matt Blunt's stunning announcement that he wasn't running for a second term as Missouri Governor has me waiting for another shoe to drop. It seems likely that his "I accomplished all I wanted to, so I'm getting out" is just the tip of some iceberg.

-They just announced the name of it today, and I'm already looking forward to the next James Bond film..Quantum of Solace. I didn't think I'd like Daniel Craig as 007. But Casino Royale was one of the best Bond films ever...IMHO.

-As someone born well before the Civil Rights Act of 1964, I never thought I'd see the day when an African-American (new term since 1964) would be a front-runner for President. For that matter, as a kid I thought only old, white men were allowed in Washington. We've come a long way in that regard. Whether the country is run any better now than then is another matter.

-If you're among the many who highly value prime seats at Gateway Grizzlies games, this is your official "git 'er done". Time to get those season tickets. May isn't that far away, believe it or not.

-Dennis Kucinich drops out of the presidential race. At least he didn't have to drop very far.

-Cards opening day lineup...(my prediction)
Rick Ankiel rf
Aaron Miles 2b
Albert Pujols 1b
Troy Glaus 3b
Chris Duncan lf
Colby Rasmus cf
Yadier Molina c
Adam Wainwright p
Cesar Izturis ss