2008 Stanley Cup Prediction

Detroit vs Pittsburgh

The Penguins have shown their young team could be the start of a dynasty. But in the final the Penguins will face their toughest test yet. The Red Wings have 11 players who have won the Stanley Cup. The defensive trio of Lidstrom, Rafalski, and Kronwall are the reason why opponent's shot totals are low against the wings and their defense also contributes offensively. Pittsburgh is a great team but this year they are not the NHL's best.

Detroit in 5.

Hillary-The Game's Over

The writing is on the wall. Obama will win the majority of pledged delegates and Hillary is clinging to hope that the superdelegates and even some Obama pledged delegates will defect to Hillary and she will win the race in the backroom. If this actually happenend the primaries would be useless and the US's international image would tarnished even more. This race has dragged on to long. The staggered voting of the various states adds suspense to the race but it is too costly and the early-voting states have an advantage over the states voting at the end when the result is already official. Hillary thought she was destined to become President. Bush's popularity has plummeted and people were willing to welcome Clinton with open arms. But a young charismatic politician made this race a contest and won it. Obama's sudden rise wasn't just a victory against the Washington political establishment but it was a victory against negative-politicking, specific interest candidates, and most of all a fight against winner-take-all politics and the introduction of a television-friendly politician would can comprise and build support amongst diverse groups of voters.

2008 Round 3 Predictions

Detroit Red Wings vs Dallas Stars

The Stars had difficulty finishing off San Jose and despite being a dominant team the best decade they only made it to the finals once. Detroit's defense is healthy, Franzen is outshining Detroit's two scoring stars (Zetterberg and Datsyuk), and it the chances are very good two of the NHL's greatest Hasek and Chelios will hoist the cup once again.

Detroit in 4 games

Pittsburgh Penguins vs Philadelphia

Like the other series the Flyers don't have a chance. Crosby and Malkin are two of the greatest players today and will continue to improve. The Penguins haven't encountered a strong NHL team yet in the playoffs and won't compete against one till the Stanley Cup Finals.

Pittsburgh in 4 games

Just Ducks and Alberta's Only Political Opposition (The International Media)

If Alberta doesn't want to be the dark sheep of confederation their government must start acting more accountable. Alberta is not a a jurisdiction overrun by war or disease and its inexcusable that wildlife can't be protected. The duck incident is yet another example (remember Mad Cow) that Alberta's Conservative government doesn't have strong enough standards to regulate industry. Fort McMurray's huge oil revenues shouldn't blindside the government from enforcing sufficient environment standards. Further infuriating the situation is the government's "shoot, shovel, and shut up" strategy that aims to minimize public damage to the province by discrediting environmental groups.

"They (Environmental groups) obviously have a goal in mind, but it's not going to deter us from pursuing this matter as a province and ensuring that we get this message out to all North Americans." Ed Stelmach

The messenger shouldn't be targeted. Alberta's opposition has been weakened so catastrophically that it is unable to find areas of government failing and incite change. Instead Albertans have to wait ducks and the international media to spark international condemnation of Alberta's lackluster environment standards.