Xavier Cromartie

Today's pirate news: The pirates on the MV Faina are unhappy that the ship's owners are taking too long to hand over the US$3,500,000 ransom. Source: AFP. Somali pirates are not only in the Gulf of Aden. They tried to capture a Dutch ship off of the coast of Tanzania, but the ship sped up and got away. Source: AP. We'll capture another one soon.

Today's pirate news: The Mindanao Examiner (Philippines) has a roundup of recent news. I am most interested in the section of the article that questions a Danish warship's destruction of a Somali vessel. Key quotes: [sic]

Today I'm going to play a game: COMMENT BATTLE: AMERICA VS. THE WORLD! I will check fairly current news articles and compare the first substantial American comment with the first substantial non-American comment. A point will be awarded when there is a clear winner. The format is best 3 out of 5. 1. Somali pirates free Yemeni ship (Al Jazeera English) USA: 0 World: 1 2. Cruise ship Britons in brush with Gulf pirates (The Times) USA: 1 World: 1 3. Somali pirates seek 'honest' talks (Al Jazeera English) USA: 1 World: 2 4. Hong Kong grain ship seized as Somali pirates hold world to ransom (The Times) USA: 2 World: 2 Let's settle it with this 'neutral' story: 5. Navy 'sunk Thai trawler by mistake' (Al Jazeera English) This post exemplifies a typical American's simplification. He acts as if the Thai ship were just minding its own business. In fact, it was one of the many ships that have robbed the Somali coastline of its fish. Thus... USA: 2 World: 3

Today's pirate news: Since Douglas R. Burgess, Jr. used The New York Times today as a medium to sell his shitty piracy book, we should respond with the following excellent article: What I learned from the Somalia pirates. Key quotes:

What's odd is that Mr. Miller, speaking like a Tamarian, still makes more sense than Mr. O'Reilly. Most Somali pirates are 20–35 years old.[1] The MV Sirius Star has a length (not width) of 1090 feet—0.2 miles.[2] [sic] for "a disease which." Anyway, the fix is not in.[3]

Bill O'Reilly and Dennis Miller have a serious, intelligent conversation about Somali pirates (FOX News): FUCK THE HECK?

Today's pirate news: 1. Drudge links to a short IHT article that the AP wrote about China's sending ships to combat piracy. Key quote: 2. The UN spies on pirates from space and makes pretty maps. (Wired.) 3. Excellent article alert: Spiegel writes more in-depth about the struggles of Somali fishermen. Key quotes:

Pfft, a flotilla. A tortilla would be more effective, because, as Yusuf Hassan says in one of the videos that accompanies an excellent CNN article, "People are hungry. People are, you know—the UN estimates nearly 3 million people need food assistance in Somalia this year." From the written article:

I looked for more technical information about the audio device and its effect on the human body. The Wikipedia article long range acoustic device contains this interesting (although uncited) bit:

Today's pirate news: Salon has an excellent interview with Nick Davis, head of Anti-Piracy Maritime Security Solutions. I've added this article to the list of excellent articles in the first post. Key quotes: (lol)

Today's pirate news: NBC News interviews the captain of Al Mansoura, an Egyptian cement cargo ship that was captured on 3 September 2008. The pirates eventually received US$600,000 in ransom. This ship is currently absent from Wikipedia's list of attacked ships. NBC's Charlene Gubash quickly dispelled any notion that Charlene Gubash objectively reports the news. "Mistreatment" of captives mentioned in the article: 1. Don't move. 2. Did they fire the gun? No. The pirates shot into the air (not at anyone) while crew members attempted to thwart the pirates' chance at a huge ransom. The pirates listened to and accepted the captain's suggestion in regard to the safety of the crew. So, the pirates got food for everyone. And the captain understands that they wanted only money. The deal: Oh come on, Ms. Gubash. The negotiations determined how much money the pirates would receive. The pirates accepted a lower offer than they had demanded after listening to the reasons that their demands were too high.

FOX News wrote a similar article today about the pirates' general unstoppableness. Key quote: And the concluding line:

Today's pirate news: Apparently, a deal has been reached for the release of the Saudi oil ship, the MV Sirius Star. The pirates may get the US$12,000,000 ransom they want, although the Saudis do not want to admit it. Source: RIA Novosti (Russia). The Yemeni steel cargo ship, the MV Amani, will be released without a ransom. Maybe the pirates traded the ship for "future considerations." Actually, it probably has to do with the good relations between Puntland (Somalia) and Yemen. Sources: Gulf News (Dubai); Independent Online (South Africa).

I would guess that the owner of the MV Sirius Star (carrying US$100,000,000 worth of oil) would be willing to pay for the piracy security/insurance that costs "as much as $60,000 for a single journey through the Gulf of Aden." (Source: Al Jazeera.) But, the aforementioned Thai ship was transporting fishing equipment. I doubt Sirichai Fisheries can afford private security or insurance for every trip.

India tried Agent's "torpedo their asses" method on 18 November with the FV Ekawat Nava 5. Key quotes from the stories: Daily Times (Pakistan) Bangkok Post Newsweek

Today's pirate news: A ransom deal, possibly for US$3,000,000, has been reached to release the Ukrainian ship MV Faina, which was captured on 24 September 2008. Source: Al Jazeera. It's a notable victory for the pirates since they still got what they wanted after two months and made the international forces look powerless.

No one picked Washington. The two people who were eliminated early didn't select any team.

You are now on the hate list, also.

I've hated Hillary passionately, but she just gave Barack about a 5 or 6 point bounce. We need her until November. You know whom I hate right now? JOHN McCAIN

Heh. It's going to take a lot more than 4 short years for America to get anywhere close to electing a black president, no matter how good of a speaker he is. Besides, NO WAY the Democrats EVER would vote for a black man to be President. The first black President will be a Republican. -=Mike

Rielle is kind of a milf when she's all dolled up. John Edwards cummed inside of her vagina and the spermatozoa reached her egg and fertilized it.

It's like the Miss TSM Tournament, but I make all the rules and do all the voting! RULES: 1. Girls only. The hottest girls. For the purposes of this tournament, only their looks matter. 2. Age limit of 17+ (Disqualified: Miley Cyrus, Demi Lovato, Selena Gomez.) 3. The girls shall be famous. 'Fame' is defined as having 5+ pictures turn up on Google Images. (Disqualified: Leena, local girls.) 4. Voting shall be based on current physical form (Disqualified: Dead porn stars.) 5. Voting between two girls shall be determined by which one I would rather creampie (while considering all possible real-life consequences). 6. Seeding is simply the order in which I added the girls to the tournament. Upsets can and will happen. ("And the seventh thing, I like the most that you dooooo...") 7. Brackets shall be broken into four geographic regions: North (Europe), South (Latin America), West (North America), and East (Asia). Each bracket shall contain 16 girls who fit in that region. ROUND 1 (64) NORTH (Europe) 1. Scarlett Johansson (Denmark) 16. Monica Bellucci (Italy) 8. Angelina Jolie (Slovakia) 9. Veronica Zemanova (Czech Republic) 5. Lucy Pinder (England) 12. Olga Kurylenko (Ukraine) 4. Audrey Bitoni (Italy) 13. Layla El (England) - Difficult decision. 3. Eliza Dushku (Albania) 14. Mila Kunis (Ukraine) 6. Petra Nemcova (Czech Republic) - Czech girls are babes. 11. Ashley Robbins (Czech Republic) 7. Lacey Chabert (France) 10. Alyson Michalka (Ukraine) 2. Kim Kardashian (Armenia) 15. Alyssa Milano (Italy) SOUTH (Latin America) 1. Mariah Carey (Venezuela) 16. Somaya Reece (Puerto Rico) - Super upset alert! Mariah looks great, but Somaya is insane. 8. Roselyn Sanchez (Puerto Rico) 9. Christina Milian (Cuba) 5. Eva Avila (Peru) 12. Jessica Alba (Mexico) 4. Paulina Rubio (Mexico) - Hottest 37-year-old ever. 13. Sienna West (Mexico(?)) 3. Alessandra Ambrosio (Brazil) 14. Jenaveve Jolie (Mexico) 6. Shakira (Colombia) - More of a good girlfriend. 11. Alexis Amore (Peru) 7. Eva Longoria (Mexico) 10. Nina Mercedez (Mexico) - Here's a possible George Mason. 2. Adriana Lima (Brazil) 15. Paula DeAnda (Mexico) - Would have beaten quite a few other people. WEST (North America) 1. Ashley Tisdale (USA) 16. Morgan Webb (Canada) 8. Katherine McPhee (USA) 9. Paris Hilton (USA) 5. Elisha Cuthbert (Canada) 12. Pandora Dreams (Native American) - Tough draw. 4. Kelly Kelly (USA) 13. Lindy Slinger (USA) - She's a Tisdale clone! 3. Tiffani Amber Thiessen (USA) - Back in the day, she'd have final four potential. 14. Hilary Duff (USA) 6. Kristy Lee Cook (USA) 11. Julie Dubela (USA) - Love the attitude. 7. Lanny Barbie (Canada) - It's amazing that she does porn. 10. Brenna Gethers (USA) 2. Shyla Stylez (Canada) 15. JoJo (Native American) EAST (Asia) 1. Vanessa Hudgens (Philippines) 16. Satomi Yoshida (Japan) 8. Moon Bloodgood (South Korea) - She gives those sexy looks. 9. Kaylani Lei (Singapore) 5. Koda Kumi (Japan) - Wins the coincidental Cutie Honey battle. 12. Eriko Sato (Japan) 4. Brenda Song (Laos) - Not an instant decision. 13. Leah Dizon (China) 3. Miranda Kerr (Australia) 14. Sayaka Ando (Japan) 6. Miwa Oshiro (Japan) 11. Natsuki Iijima (Japan) - Minor upset. 7. Aishwarya Rai (India) 10. Tera Patrick (Thailand) - Damn, India vs. Thailand. Both rock. 2. Reon Kadena (Japan) 15. Chisato Morishita (Japan) ROUND 2 (32) NORTH (Europe) 1. Scarlett Johansson (Denmark) 9. Veronica Zemanova (Czech Republic) - Hail to the Czechs. 5. Lucy Pinder (England) - Tits only get you so far. 13. Layla El (England) 3. Eliza Dushku (Albania) - Too girlfriendy. 6. Petra Nemcova (Czech Republic) 10. Alyson Michalka (Ukraine) 2. Kim Kardashian (Armenia) - You know you're hot when you beat a Disney girl. SOUTH (Latin America) 16. Somaya Reece (Puerto Rico) - So hot. 8. Roselyn Sanchez (Puerto Rico) 5. Eva Avila (Peru) 4. Paulina Rubio (Mexico) 3. Alessandra Ambrosio (Brazil) 11. Alexis Amore (Peru) 10. Nina Mercedez (Mexico) 2. Adriana Lima (Brazil) - This matchup happened too early. I want inside them both. WEST (North America) 1. Ashley Tisdale (USA) 8. Katherine McPhee (USA) 5. Elisha Cuthbert (Canada) - You know you're hot when you beat a Tisdale clone. 13. Lindy Slinger (USA) 3. Tiffani Amber Thiessen (USA) 6. Kristy Lee Cook (USA) 7. Lanny Barbie (Canada) - I'd rather creampie Lanny. 2. Shyla Stylez (Canada) - But I'd rather fuck Shyla because of her sexual ability. EAST (Asia) 1. Vanessa Hudgens (Philippines) 8. Moon Bloodgood (South Korea) 5. Koda Kumi (Japan) 4. Brenda Song (Laos) 3. Miranda Kerr (Australia) 11. Natsuki Iijima (Japan) 10. Tera Patrick (Thailand) 2. Reon Kadena (Japan) - Chalk. ROUND 3 (Sweet 16) NORTH (Europe) 9. Veronica Zemanova (Czech Republic) 13. Layla El (England) 6. Petra Nemcova (Czech Republic) 2. Kim Kardashian (Armenia) - Too gorgeous to allow the all-Czech battle. SOUTH (Latin America) 16. Somaya Reece (Puerto Rico) 4. Paulina Rubio (Mexico) - Fuck, what a matchup. 3. Alessandra Ambrosio (Brazil) 2. Adriana Lima (Brazil) - Look at her eyes, holy shit. WEST (North America) 1. Ashley Tisdale (USA) 5. Elisha Cuthbert (Canada) - I considered having her actually beat Tisdale, but no. 3. Tiffani Amber Thiessen (USA) 7. Lanny Barbie (Canada) - I'm surprised she's still going. Cuthbert crushes her. EAST (Asia) 1. Vanessa Hudgens (Philippines) 4. Brenda Song (Laos) - Would have won a few years ago. 3. Miranda Kerr (Australia) 2. Reon Kadena (Japan) - No one has really challenged her. ROUND 4 (Elite 8) NORTH (Europe) 9. Veronica Zemanova (Czech Republic) 2. Kim Kardashian (Armenia) - Practically a toss-up. SOUTH (Latin America) 4. Paulina Rubio (Mexico) - A sexiness that transcends time. 2. Adriana Lima (Brazil) WEST (North America) 1. Ashley Tisdale (USA) - No contest. 7. Lanny Barbie (Canada) EAST (Asia) 1. Vanessa Hudgens (Philippines) - It's almost not fair to put her in Asia. 2. Reon Kadena (Japan) ROUND 5 (Final 4) NORTH (Europe) vs. SOUTH (Latin America) 2. Kim Kardashian (Armenia) 4. Paulina Rubio (Mexico) - She's less curvy but still definitely sexier. WEST (North America) vs. EAST (Asia) 1. Ashley Tisdale (USA) - Hudgens was better in High School Musical 1 but not anymore. 1. Vanessa Hudgens (Philippines) ROUND 6 (Championship) WORLD CUP 4. Paulina Rubio (Mexico) 1. Ashley Tisdale (USA) - She's simply invincible right now.

Since the group of 64 ladies was hastily put together, I will use this space to list lasses who should be considered for inclusion next year: Dillan Lauren (Spain) Amber Lee Ettinger (USA) Jelena Jensen (Germany) Defrancesca Gallardo (Italia) Taylor Hayes (USA) Tia Bella (Greece) Heather Wild (Czech Republic) Asa Akira (Japan) Amy Reid (Germany) - not cute but has an outstanding body Christine Alexis (USA) Monique Fuentes (Colombia) Lisa Ann (USA) Catalina Cruz (Mexico) Hana Melonova (Czech Republic) Kianna Dior (South Korea) Sarah Vandella (USA) Denise Milani (Czech Republic) Lacey Duvalle (USA) Paola Rey (Brazil) Samantha Lucci (USA) Kayden Kross (Sweden)

Here's what I consume every day: 60g organic strawberries 8 oz. orange juice + 1 tbsp olive oil + 4g sugar 20g organic raisins 8 oz. orange juice + 1 tbsp olive oil + 4g sugar 120g organic banana + 1 tbsp coconut oil 8 oz. orange juice + 1 tbsp olive oil + 4g sugar 8 oz. orange juice + 1 tbsp olive oil + 4g sugar 2 oz. sashimi (salmon, mackerel, and/or yellowtail) + .5 oz. sundried organic tomato + 1 tbsp olive oil (delicious!) 8 oz. orange juice + 1 tbsp olive oil + 4g sugar 20g organic raisins 8 oz. orange juice + 1 tbsp olive oil + 4g sugar 120g organic banana + 1 tbsp coconut oil 8 oz. orange juice + 1 tbsp olive oil + 4g sugar 120g organic banana + 1 tbsp coconut oil 8 oz. orange juice

My most-trusted adviser informs me that this topic would fail in the Sports folder. Ergo, it will be relegated to the blog. Xavier Cromartie, volleyball player Positives A fantastic defender... Outstanding reflexes... Gives 100% effort... Tremendously competitive... Smart player... Understands defensive positioning and angles... Good footwork... Anticipates where the ball will go... Sacrifices his body for saves... Has excellent stamina... Very fast and agile... Can get to almost any ball... Makes saves in unorthodox situations and positions... Fearless against incoming attacks... Reliable passer... Dangerous server... Plays well under pressure... Has won at the small-college level... Distributes the ball well... Good back-setter... Almost never gives up the opponent's winning point... No injury history... Studies and is willing to make changes... Recognizes when his teammates need him to take control of the game... Experienced... Has fairly good timing... Won't quit... Knows obscure rules and takes advantage of them... Confident... Has a biological advantage because of his nutritional knowledge... Lots of upside. Negatives Needs to improve vertical jump... Upper body is still a work-in-progress... Effective but inconsistent blocker... Tends to make unnecessarily risky serves... Gets frustrated by mistakes... Needs to control spikes better... Favors the amazing play to the safe play too often... Not familiar with all formations... Sets have room for improvement... Does not always communicate... Has some trouble with pancake saves... May be distracted by female players' uniforms. Notes A prototypical libero... A southpaw.