Not much to say, really, about the Fed

They apparently care more about keeping the ten million dollar bonus checks coming in for their friends at Goldman Sachs than about dealing with the economic malaise that's spreading. A one half percent cut in the prime rate isn't going to help anyone facing a balooning mortgage payment, or a small businessman who's bank is cutting his line of credit because they're scared about the economy - but the stock market is up 300 points. Let's have a damn parade - right up to the front door of the fed and lynch the SOB's.

When gas is five dollars a gallon, it won't be because the Arabs dont like us, it'll be because the dollar is worth less (worthless?). And when you can't afford to throw a couple of pounds of ground beef into the grocery cart, you can console yourself that meat isn't really good for you anyway. Problem is fruits and veggies are going to be pretty pricey as well.

Meanwhile, the word out of South Bend is that practices this week have been full pads, full contact, and full speed. Apparently the lads had been working out against blocking sleds and tackling dummies to minimize the risk of injuries because we're a little short of talented players. Problem is on Saturday you don't get to play against sleds and dummies.

Some of the fans are hoping for a tussle in the tunnel before the game to get the players fired up. Michigan State would probably be willing to cooperate.

Also the legend of Thomas Bemenderfer is gaining circulation. He's a young man from Mishawauka (right next to South Bend) who didn't get an offer from ND so he accepted a scholarship from Northwestern. His freshman year Northwestern's head coach Randy Walker died, and that depressed Tom, and put him in the "life's too short" frame of mind. So, with no comittment from ND or the Irish coaches he transferred to ND. He's a serious pre-med so academics weren't a problem, but he had to ask his parents to come up with the cash which at Notre Dame is a hefty sum. His sophmore year he worked out with the team but had to sit out a year as a transfer student. This year he made the team as a walk on, got his scholarship, and played Saturday, actually opening a few holes for running backs. (an idea we hope will catch on with a few of his team-mates.) Hey, I'm not saying he should be starting ahead of the senior captain center who was snapping the ball over peoples' heads, or the highly prized sophmore guard who appeared to have been injured Saturday, but at least, get him some serious playing time. Maybe some of the other kids could learn from the example of a guy who really wants to be out there.


Thomas Bemenderfer