A Rockin' Debate

With our nation’s current financial crisis there have been many contentious debates both in Washington and in the many state legislatures. But recently, Oklahoma’s State legislature took a few minutes away from arguing the merits of bailouts and budgets and turned their focus to the state’s official rock song. The winner of the debate was a 2002 song by the band The Flaming Lips entitled “Do you realize.” This got me to thinking, if Massachusetts had to name an official rock song for the commonwealth what would they choose—“Dirty Water,” “Shipping up to Boston,” or perhaps something by hometown rockers Aerosmith or Jay Giles? This issue clearly merits a robust and complete debate.

U2's Hype Machine Rolls On

The unprecedented hype machine that has become U2’s promotion of their new album, No Line on the Horizon, saw the band turn in another excellent performance on David Letterman Tuesday night with their performance of Magnificent, another song off the new album. The performance followed the band’s Monday performance where they played Breathe and will be followed by performances on Letterman each night this week.

Here in Boston, U2 has seemingly taken over the airways of Boston’s FM radio with WBCN, WAAF, WBMX, WZLX, WFNX, and WBOS all running contests to grant winners entry to U2’s “secret” performance next Wednesday March 11, at a yet to be announced venue. The performance is expected to include a short performance by the band and a question and answer session led by Garbage lead singer, Shirley Manson.

Manny, Nomar, Reportedly Both Close to be California Dreaming

In one of the longer, and in my opinion unnecessary, protracted MLB contract negotiations, Scott Boras has agreed to terms with the Dodgers on a two year $45 million contract for his client Manny Ramirez. The two sides spent much of this week disputing how much if any of the $45 million would be paid out as a deferred payment. Ramirez who was traded to the Dodgers last July at the trade deadline helped to lead the Dodgers to a playoff birth by driving in an average of one run per game.

In other news from fellow Red Sox alumni, Nomar Garciaparra is said to be very close to signing a one year deal with the Oakland Athletics. Garciaparra had said to be contemplating retirement but now it looks like he will suit up for at least one more season.

U2 Revs up the Hype Machine in the .S.

Today marks the release of U2’s latest effort, No Line on the Horizon, and to get a preview of the band’s thoughts and feelings going into the record and subsequent tour check out The New York Time's Sunday piece on the band.

Last night also marked the band’s first of five performances on David Letterman’s show and to see that performance check out this Youtube video. (While it lasts)

Cassell a Chief

Matt Cassel’s days as a New England Patriot are officially over as The Boston Globe now confirms that there is a trade in place to send the quarterback to the Kansas City Chiefs. The Patriots compensation is not yet known but it is believed that the two team's trade yesterday that included the sending of Mike Vrabel to the Chiefs is also a part of the Cassell trade.

Busy Days for U2

It would be hard to imagine a more busy time in the lives of U2 than the one they are currently facing. Next Tuesday marks the release of their latest effort, No Line on the Horizon, which will be promoted heavily by the band’s week-long turn as house band for David Letterman and followed up by the band’s first ever morning show appearance that Friday (March 6) on Good Morning America. All of this U.S. promotion comes on the heels of a week-long blitz from the band through the United Kingdom where they seemed to be omnipresent on Britain’s BBC.

If all of this excitement was not enough, this week has found the band in a firestorm back in their homeland for the band’s decision to withdraw a portion of their business from Ireland to the Netherlands in order to capitalize on more beneficial tax policies. The controversy stems from the fact that in his work advocating for expanded financial support to African nations from the Irish government, Bono is acting hypocritical by taking business away from Ireland. The dispute has been around for a few years and only time will tell if the band can lay it to rest.

In addition to all this, this week produced confirmation of a start date for the 2010 Broadway production of Spider-Man the musical which Bono and the Edge wrote the music for. No confirmations on the cast of the musical was made at this time.

2009 is off to a fast start for U2 and it seems as though things are just getting started for the Irish rockers.

Busy First Day of Free Agency for Patriots

The Patriots wasted no time during the first day of NFL free agency by signing Fred Taylor to a free agent contract. Terms of the contract weren’t immediately available but The Boston Globe reports in the article that Taylor would be holding a 6:00 PM press conference to discuss the details of the signing. Taylor is the Jaguars all-time leading rusher and was forced out of Jacksonville as a salary cap casualty.

In other Patriots news, veteran linebacker and team leader Mike Vrabel saw his time as a Patriot come to a close when he was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs for an undisclosed draft pick. Vrabel whose presence in the Patriots locker room has been touted by many former and current players will leave Patriots fans with many fond memories probably none more so than his ability to switch from defense to offense and become a dangerous touchdown threat.