Mad Mad Mad March

It's a MAD,MAD, MAD March...

I have some thoughts on Brackets....Read more on GOLOLOCAL PROV

Is it me, or is everyone just twisted? I am beginning to think we are taking the March Madness theme way too literally. If only it was just the basketball driving us to frenzy; but alas, it is much, much more. With each cold morning and gloomy dark day, I feel I’m beginning to morph into The Shining’s lead character, Jack Torrance…Heeere's Carol! This eternal winter is growing more maddening each day. And, guess what? It’s March Madness, so perhaps I will fit right in. Look, I hope not to step on any toes here, as GoLocal’s John Rooke is a master at sports analysis, but I shall wade into the waters of sports analogy if you allow me. Come on; let’s have some fun! Crimea, health care, politics, and the stagnant RI economy will sadly still be there tomorrow. Let’s see how the political brackets shape up.

Tourney Time

In my view the NCAA bracketology and political bracketology are kinfolk, as they share a spirit and many characteristics. They both have drama, bubbles, big money, a squishy selection process and my personal favorites, underdogs and the ever-captivating Cinderellas. And oh how we root for them—be it basketball, candidates, or campaigns—we get invested. Whether for voters or fans, the post-selection analysis and post-election analysis is always a head scratcher.

The bracket for the big dance is set and the battles underway, not unlike the madness taking place in the political brackets. While there is no North, South, East and West, there exist the brackets on the domestic and world fronts.

New brackets include the Healthcare Bracket (HC), Midterm Bracket (MT), Hot Races Bracket (HR), and the Wild Putin Bracket (WP). So let’s take a closer look...

Healthcare Bracket

Seeded in the Healthcare Bracket (HC) are the Millennials. They are a young, fresh, and seemingly invincible group, but it is their undisciplined approach that could be their undoing. However, they remain a fiery mass ready to run at Obama and the GOP. These young guns can make or break the ACA. They really don’t liked to pushed around in the paint and take every chance to return the elbows. They are a strong and unfocused group, but I consider them a real threat as they are poised to make a big statement in the national discourse. Look for an exciting finish, as the shot clock is running.

Midterm Bracket (MT)

This one promises to come down to several double and triple overtimes. The top seed in this bracket is clearly the GOP, but big questions lurk. Which lessons were learned last season? Have they beefed up the bench? Is that Christine O'Donnell I see riding the pine…? Better hope no one fouls out. Will those with the ball in the end be ready to make the money shot? In this bracket, the seeds are literally playing for the whole magilla: the Senate and the House. The eager GOP is drooling over Senate control and it is not out of reach. They lean heavily on the guards known as repeal and replace, and plan on a strategy of running out the clock. So the question is, can they pick and roll their way to victory? Tick tick tick…

Hot Races Bracket (HR)

Get your tickets now, as the early rounds in this bracket will be chock full of knockdown, drag-out excitement. Raimondo, Tavares, and Pell will be the premier showdown. Not to be outdone, the early rounds featuring Magaziner, Caprio, and Almonte promise to deliver as well. The always steady Kilmartin could get rattled in this one, as a guy named Hodgson has been practicing with all due diligence. Seeded here too are the many of the Cinderellas the underfunded, the dreamers, the idealists, and conversely, the big dogs and the Goliaths. Lots to cheer for and against in this baby—real smash mouth competition will be on the docket. Expect lots of fouls perhaps even a technical or two as they will play hard and for keeps.

Wild Putin (WP) bracket

This is clearly the most intense bracket. My intel tells me the practice sessions are old school shirts and skins, and we know what practice team ole Vlad is running with—skins all the way. He had to be told he couldn't play in 2 brackets at once; he is a selfish little man. The Putin plan is to overwhelm, take up lots of ground, hold the ball, spread the floor, and play an ever-extending zone. But this strategy could very well backfire, as his greedy style of play could energize and mobilize domestic adversaries (wake up DC) in hopes to quash the progress of a common enemy. It seems John McCain is in the house and he is constantly berating the officials. At first blush, #1 seed Vlad seems to have full control and a steady path to victory, but this is the bracket where the underdog American society may rise up with a cold war temperament and shock the shirtless Russian leader. This bracket is ripe for surprises and intensity.

Good Luck Friars

Sending much luck to our very own PC Friars as they take on NCU in the first round tomorrow in San Antonio at 7:20 pm. The one game prediction I can make with certitude is that Jim Hummell will be tied in knots…but I digress. It seems many will have meetings outside the office this week. Fret not, everyone knows and as stealthy as you think you are being, let’s just say timing is everything! I can hear the prognostications from here—everyone has a nuance, everyone has a Cinderella, everyone has deeply held thoughts and beliefs on how things will proceed, all in the hopes of either winning the office pool or cheering for their favorite 5. Time to enjoy the madness, as we await warm spring weather. GO PC!