Spoiler? Who Knows?

Ralph Nader said he will run for president as a third-party candidate, criticizing the top White House contenders as too close to big business and pledging to repeat a bid that will shift the power from the few to the many.

Nader, 73, said most people are disenchanted with the Democratic and Republican parties due to a prolonged Iraq war and a shaky economy. The consumer advocate also blamed tax and other corporate-friendly policies under the Bush administration that he said have left many lower- and middle-class people in debt.

Nader also criticized Republican candidate John McCain and Democrats Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton for failing to support full Medicare for all or cracking down on Pentagon waste and the bloated military budget. He blamed that on corporate lobbyists and special interests, which he said dominate Washington, D.C., and pledged in his third-party campaign to accept donations only from individuals.

The issue is do they have the moral courage, do they have the fortitude to stand up to corporate powers and get things done for the American people, Nader said. We have to shift the power from the few to the many.

Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee, speaking shortly before Nader's announcement, said Nader's past runs have shown that he usually pulls votes from the Democrat. So naturally, Republicans would welcome his entry into the race, the former Arkansas governor said on CNN.

Nader vociferously disputes the spoiler claim, saying only Democrats are to blame for losing the race to George W. Bush. He said Sunday there could be no chance of him tipping the election to Republicans because the electorate will not vote for a pro-war John McCain.

He will at least rock the boat some so it may change the outcome. Hopefully for the better because the way things have been going I really have not felt good about any candidates so far. I feel anything would be better than what we have had the past 8 years.

On the other hand God forbid, history just might repeat itself and the letter above could be from the Republican John McCain and I can't help but feel that would not be a good thing because everything will stay the same and we the people will not have the change we are seeking.

I have set up a link for anyone who wants to know more about why Ralph Nader is going for his 3rd try just click on the Title (Spoiler? Who Knows?) at the top of this posting.

Can't Win Them All!

The Giants Win 17-14 and did almost exactly what they sought out to do with the opening kickoff, using up nearly 10 minutes to go 63 yards. Almost exactly, but not quite, because they settled for a 32-yard field goal after converting four third downs on the 16-play series. The 9:59 drive was the longest in Super Bowl history.

The upset also could be viewed as a source of revenge not only for the Giants, but for the other NFL teams over Spygate back in September. That cheating scandal made headlines again late in Super Bowl week, and could have placed an infinite cloud over New England's perfection.

The Patriots were done in not so much by the pressure of the first unbeaten season in 35 years as by the pressure of a smothering Giants pass rush. Brady, winner of his first three Super Bowls, was sacked five times, hurried a dozen more and at one point wound up on his knees, his hands on his hips following one of many poor throws in New England's lowest scoring game of the season.

Every team is beatable, you never know, Giants coach Tom Coughlin said. The right moment, the right time, every team is beatable.

It was the first time the Patriots tasted defeat in more than a year.

Defensively, the Giants accomplished the goal that all teams preach but precious few can execute: Tormenting Brady to the point where the game's best quarterback is rattled and out of rhythm. New York sacked Brady a season-high five times and, according to the unofficial stats kept by the team, hit him on 23 occasions.

Brady (29 of 48, 266 yards) produced just 14 points – 21.7 less than the Pats' average coming in and failed to complete a pass of 20 yards or more. We never saw that glazed look in his eyes that so many other quarterbacks get, said defensive end (Justin Tuck )who had a pair of sacks and forced a Brady fumble

Still, when Brady got the ball on his own 20-yard line with 7:54 remaining and the Giants up 10-7, the quarterback coolly put together a go-ahead scoring drive that ended with his six-yard touchdown pass to Randy Moss. It was 14-10 Pats with 2:42 to go, and Brady and Bill Belichick and the rest of the NFL's bullies seemed to have retained the upper hand.

But in the end the Patriots just were simply out played by the NY Giants. I have the game stats if anyone wants to see them just click on the Title at the top of this post (Can't Win Them All!).