© Copyright 2009 Eric Allie – All Rights Reserved.
Used with permission

The results are in from the Rat Pack Week at American Idol, and it certainly had its share of drama, especially as to the makeup of the Bottom Three. Forty-seven million votes were cast last night for their favorite American Idol contestant.

The Ford Music Video and group song were goofy as always. Also goofy was the video of the food fight. Fortunately, they got through all that fairly quickly, and went to the results.

The World Health Organization (WHO) says that swine flu is moving closer to Phase 5 of the pandemic alert scale. This begs the question, what the heck is the pandemic alert scale?

Developed in 1999, the WHO Global Influenza Preparedness Plan breaks potential (and actual) pandemics into six phases.

One of the advantages to being married to someone on the front lines of emergent medicine is that I am privy to medical information sans the hype, idiocy and incorrect statements of the press and media. I can also get translations into the low English us Texans speak when I need it.

So, in a nutshell, here is the latest confirmed info on the swine flu situation (source: The Center for Disease Control).

© Copyright 2009 Gary McCoy – All Rights Reserved.
Used with permission.

It was American Standards night at American Idol. The theme was supposed to be connected to the Rat Pack, but in the show at least, the ties were tenuous at best.

The mentor for the week was built up as a big surprise, and it turned out to be Jamie Fox. Really? Yes, he was in “Ray” and “Showgirls”, but that’s a bit sketchy.

It turns out he was classically trained in music, so maybe, just maybe, he’ll know a thing or two.

© Copyright 2009 Nate Beeler – All Rights Reserved.
Used with permission.

© Copyright 2009 Randy Bish – All Rights Reserved.
Used with permission.

What was it I heard on ESPN about Quan Cosby and Bing Crosby hanging out together during NFL Draft Day?

The Big Twelve Conference had a solid showing in the first round of the 2009 NFL draft, with seven players taken in the initial thirty-two picks.

The St. Louis Rams took Baylor offensive tackle Jason Smith with the second pick. A 6′ 5″, 309 pound converted tight end, Smith was the first non-special teams All American for Baylor since 1995.

Texas Tech’s Michael Crabtree was picked tenth by the San Francisco 49ers. Crabtree is easily the most talented receiver in this years draft, but dropped quite a few spots due to concerns over his attitude and resilience.