The US will be playing in the much more important 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Ah, yes! Against dazzling teams like Antigua? Belize?

Lief, I love you and I find the sarcastic Paultard signature amusing but you're exactly the type of person that would be blowing up when/if Bush/any Republican did this.

First of all, Toomey was hammered for his business background/economic beliefs so that doesn't help the argument that PA isn't as socially conservative. Secondly, Sestak played up a more moderate image. The military man constantly wearing his bomber jacket. The decades long registered Independent (because of his time in the military). The outsider (only in DC for four years) that challenged the establishment and won. Sestak's record was unquestionably leftist but that's not how he was seen. These are reasons why I think he did so well plus having a stellar campaign team. I had to go head-to-head with them. They were good.

So I don't think Toomey-Sestak was any proof that the state isn't less socially conservative than people think because the battles weren't really on that front. Not to say we're as conservative as some think. Again, I don't think it will take Hell freezing over for gay marriage to pass here. I just don't think using the Toomey-Sestak comparison is ideal.

I don't agree that it will take Hell freezing over. HockeyDude is right in pointing out that many Republicans in the Philly (and Pittsburgh) suburbs don't care if gays get married. That being said, look at the legislature. This isn't changing anytime soon (assuming we don't consider action in the courts). And I wouldn't point to Philly for votes in favor of gay marriage. Yes, an overwhelming majority would support it and views in historically hostile communities are "evolving" but we have our populist pockets that would still be against it. It wouldn't be an 85% to 15% result. It wouldn't be like Toomey vs. Sestak.

Speaking of that race, I don't think that's proof that PA is less conservative than Grumps thinks. Sestak did well for other reasons.

Meanwhile some joke team gave up a two goal lead to Haiti today. It was pretty funny.

Hey, can't wait to see your teams in the upcoming Confederations Cup! I forget though: are Germang and the U.S. in the same group or different?

Wait, how did it fall off a building? Were you driving under it? Or did it just blow it off and the rock floated in mid air to your car? I'm liking the rock throwing theory. Maybe Bushie was playing at a playground with some kids and the teens started making fun of him and throwing rocks. Fearing for his life, Bushie ran to his car and got in but one of the punks threw a rock and hit his windshield.

Sounds plausible to me.

We're starting to hear rumors of a second rock thrower in a nearby grassy knoll.

Uruguay hang on in a very dramatic finish. Lone goal came from Cavani.

Mexico are still tied 0-0 in Mexico City. What a failure. 

I'll probably walk again, as soon as I can motivate myself.

Has to motivate himself to walk...yet has no issues going to Kenya and adopting kids.

No. No, no, no. That's another thing: all of the nonsense you people put on pizza in this country is God awful, too. "Buffalo chicken" on pizza. It boils my blood.

And, of course, the one time we actually need Inks to swiftly act against a disgusting post, he's no longer around.

Uruguay are already in deep trouble. If they lose, it's over and the rest of the campaign only gets harder.

Italy were up 2-0 with five minutes to go, concede a penalty and a 91st minute goal to Haiti.

Barring goals in the final minute or so, Armenia pull off a 4-0 win in Copenhagen after losing to Malta at home.

Liking either option should mean a swift banning.

McCord has formed his committee.

Armenia has been sucking lately but they came out guns blazing in Denmark. Goal in the first minute. Now up 2-0 before half. Maybe the death blow got Denmark's qualifying hopes.

In Friendly news, Italy went up 1-0 just twenty seconds in against Haiti!

[putting ketchup on their pasta]

God bless Our Dear Friend but he's almost certainly the type that puts ketchup on his spaghetti. Ketchup already disgusts me. If I was ever in the presence of someone putting ketchup on their pasta, I'd literally vomit.

Why do you find that so repulsive?
 
(putting it on pasta is the primary use of ketchup in my neck of the woods, so you better stay far away from Scandinavia)

The primary use? Wow. What a horrible part of the world.

People actually put ketchup on pasta?!

Yes, they're called "filth."

1) The Fighter
2) Chris Christie
3) Marco Rubio

God bless Our Dear Friend but he's almost certainly the type that puts ketchup on his spaghetti. Ketchup already disgusts me. If I was ever in the presence of someone putting ketchup on their pasta, I'd literally vomit.

At first glance, it does seem strange since PdL has a nice lead nationally and PD is a mess. Plus, I believe the center-left already held most of these but local scandals cost the center-right. Plus, it's been established that while the country will vote for PdL in national elections because of Berlusconi, his influence doesn't trickle down to the local level anymore and relying on Silvio only does so much anyway. You need the party to be more than just him. Supposedly, a lot of these candidates sucked.

Sally is the best. And I'm so glad Megan is looking...the way she did before.

Are these answers serious so far? I guess I shouldn't be surprised.

I do a set of 50.

National polls aren't looking any better for the center-left though. Of course, Renzi as the leader will likely change all of that but we'll see.

Another good frozen pizza brand is Dr. Oetkers.

I've never heard of that brand before but it's the second time I heard it today. Someone at work mentioned it a few hours ago. Weird.

". I still have work to do in Oklahoma for a little while longer, but the way I'm seeing it now, I could be an "American-African" within the next 15-24 months."

I'm cracking up on the train right now (as I sit next to someone I once thought was Flyers).

As I told someone earlier, I haven't had any issues with moderators recently. For the record, I only reported Inks' (possible) resignation because it is newsworthy. He did rule during very bad days around here, Torie.