Posted by Nolan Dalla on Nov 1, 2026 in Blog |
Note: This was written on Friday, the day after I voted in-person here in Nevada. On Saturday, my home was visited by two DHS agents. I posted about that incident in a video testimony of what happened. What follows here will deal exclusively with voting and my experience on the previous day.
My state, Nevada does an excellent job with in-person voting (I have never voted by mail). It’s accessible, quick, and easy. I also feel more confident in the process now having done it. Yesterday, we voted at the West Sahara Community Center. From the moment we drove into the parking lot until leaving, the entire process took 20 minutes.
We’ve voted in every election since 2004, and in most primaries. Nevada provides a wide window of calendar dates to vote — nearly three weeks long. All states should adopt a similar window of opportunity. In fact, broader extensions should be universal. Making voting difficult for registered voters is unconstitutional, yet it’s been an ugly practice since our nation was founded (intended to discriminate and disenfranchise–mostly minorities and poor). Keeping polls open for more than one day costs more, but if increased voter participation is the objective, then multiple days are mandatory.
Now, a few specific thoughts about this poll location and my experience:
1. Question: Do the hundreds of signs littering every access point around the voting station *really* change anyone’s opinion? I suppose these political signs are as much DEFENSIVE in nature as anything positive. If several candidates were NOT put up signs, that means fewer signs would then draw more attention. And, the worst thing for any candidate is to have ZERO name ID, while the opponent is a familiar name. If innumerable signs clutter up the space, no one looks or notices them. Just an off observation here about how absurd campaigning works and distorts reality.
2. Hustlers: I used to hate walking the gauntlet through the fleas who try to stick a pamphlet in your hand while walking from the car to the polling place. They used to nearly attack you, and it was usually some candidate’s rep you’ve never heard of (I guess that’s the idea). My local polling place did a really good job this year–first time I’ve seen this. They put up yellow police-line tape so voters can walk up the sidewalk without being badgered by hustlers. However, they do stand there on the opposite side of the police tape, and can be approached IF YOU want to engage them. Well done, Nevada (I assume this is a statewide rule which is enforced).
3. More about the Hustlers: I have mixed feeling about them. On one hand, I admire anyone’s volunteerism. It’s not easy standing around for hours trying to engage with strangers. People, sheesh! I get it. On the other hand, I dislike the intimidation factor. I’m pretty direct and have a teflon personality, but others who make that walk may not feel as comfortable when getting pitched and hustled by some dude pimping the Family Court candidate in District 21. Admittedly, I’ve gotten into arguments with some hustlers in the past who pimp Republicans (shocker–profanity has been hurled). The police line tape protects THEM as much as ME.
4. Check-In: Plenty of poll workers. Quick and easy. They ask your name, but most people show ID. This is a controversial issue right now (mandating voter ID). Most people just willingly volunteer their drivers license, and that makes verification much easier. I’m not sure what they do if or when someone shows up without identification, but that’s not a problem here (and it’s ridiculously overblown nationally, intended to stir up mistrust in the voting process). I was asked if I *also* received a mail-in ballot, and I answered YES. I was told NOT to mail that in (which would mean voting twice) and doing so would be a felony. I noticed everyone is told this, and it’s shown in writing when you sign the screen. Presumably, sophisticated system controls are in place to flag multi-voters. In the few cases they happen, it’s probably about equal and a cancel-out effect takes place (but that’s speculation).
5. The Voting Booth: Here’s where a surprise happened. If you’re older, you may remember clunky old grey metal machines with a curtain that closed behind you and levers. It was the size of a golf cart with wheels. Those voting machines were used for years. I never trusted those relics, because it seemed every state had malfunctions, accusations, and controversies. This time, our “voting booth” looked more like a grocery self-check out. That’s really as close a description as I can think of. You stand there in front of an oversized computer screen with large letters (thank you!). And it’s touch screen voting. What was interesting — you can talk to the person next to you (Marieta was voting right beside me). If you crane your neck, you can also see the other person’s screen. This does raise questions about “privacy,” but upon closer inspection when you deviate just a little from looking STRAIGHT into the screen, the image becomes fuzzy. So, this privacy protection is effective. However, some voters accustomed to curtains and some obvious signs of secrecy may question this “grocery check out” process.
6. The Print-Out: After entering the choices onscreen, next we print up our own completed ballot. There’s a printer right there! Then, you take a double-page ballot that’s the size of a sportsbook sheet and take it to another station. There, it’s scanned, then held. So, it appears there are THREE records of your vote: 1. computer 2. scanned copy 3. hard-copy paper ballot. This makes me trust the process much more, as a properly supervised vote audit would reveal the proper tabulation of votes. I’m not saying manipulation isn’t possible — but here in Nevada it would take some other means to rig three distinct voting records.
7. The Walk After: It’s funny to walk the gauntlet and return to your car. All the hustlers pay you NO attention whatsoever. It’s like you become INVISIBLE after voting. The deeper political symbolism of this is not lost on me. On this day, I did stop and talk to a Democratic Party volunteer. She was handing out a tout sheet with “recommendations” on all the races. Note there was a Republican Party volunteer doing this, as well, but I did not engage that person. I told her the tip sheet was very helpful and what she was doing was important because most voters (including me) didn’t know which were the most progressive candidates, especially in non-partisan races. The write-up and post that I shared from Nick C. was also useful, as I had my phone open and voted for those candidates, mostly judges. Another observation: A local DJ was spinning records in one tent. At another, a classical guitarist was playing, though it was hard to hear with the clash of music. I didn’t see who the DJ and guitarist were with — I wonder if music sways any votes? (dubious dirty-tricks idea–set up a station and then play the most OBNOXIOUS music and then have the banner of the opposing candidate–“screw that person, I’m not voting for them!”)
In summation, this was a pleasant, educational, and satisfying experience. However, I don’t know if this us typical — nationally. Perhaps other states have much more antiquidated systems. Feel free to comment. I’ll post more in the next few days. Thanks for reading.
— ND
(This is a stock photo above–from UNR’s website. I’m not sure of photography is allowed at polling places, so I didn’t take any pictures.)
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Posted by Nolan Dalla on Nov 1, 2026 in Blog |
The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) knocked on my front door on this Saturday morning, and tried to intimidate and question my family. Here’s the story of what happened….
On Saturday morning, three days before the election, two DHS agents visited my home. I discussed this in another thread, with a video describing what happened.
Since I’ve been accused of *lying* about this or fabricating or making up the entire incident, I will provide proof here and now of the encounter.
I offered those who questioned my honesty a prospective bet of $10,000. Put your money where your mouth is. So far, no takers. Just talkers.
This is the short video showing when they knocked on my front door taken with the Ring camera. You can also hear the audio, which captures the first part of our conversation.
I’m closing the comments on this thread as the discussion is taking place in the other Facebook post I put up yesterday. This is provided just for evidence purposes.
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Posted by Nolan Dalla on Oct 30, 2026 in Blog |
We have an international satellite inside our home that gets live television feeds from Europe. We’ve had this dish for 20 years, mostly for Marieta’s mother (she speaks Romanian, and now has Alzheimers — the TV in her room helps maintain a “conversation”).
I see Romanian news coverage almost every day. Something terrific on these TVR International broadcasts struck me and needs to be shared. It should be copied here, and become a regular feature. I wish American news networks would copycat this.
The daily feature is called “BREAKING FAKE NEWS.”
Huh? What? No, this isn’t a parody or a comedy show. This is on the main national news station.
Apparently, Romanian media and culture is just as infected with lies, distortions, memes, and AI-generated slop as here, or anywhere else. National dialogue on important issues gets polluted. It becomes nearly impossible for regular citizens to decipher between fact and fiction. THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM!
TVR International examines the most egregious “fake” outrage topic of the day and then deconstructs it with actual data, facts, historical records, and expert testimony. Runs about 10 minutes long. The “FAKE” topic is always something plucked straight off social media. Sometimes, they take on popular myths widely believed as true, which are demonstrably false. On this particular day (Friday) TVR showed the now widespread lie that “foreigners” are causing all the problems in France with protests and riots. But they pick a different topic every day, from all parts of the world, and it’s fantastic! Sometimes they go after Trump. Other days, it’s Putin. And Romanians have their own troll factories and sludge sweatshops that gum up our sense of reality. Sadly, Romania has become one of the hubs of a global disinformation network — so it’s good to see the nation’s most watched TV news network exposing their lies.
Sometimes, knowing what ISN’T true can be just as essential as knowing what IS true.
Gee, we sure could use a “BREAKING FAKE NEWS” segment here in the USA. There’s no shortage of fake news that desperately needs to be exposed. We should also expose the vile perpetrators of these lies. They should be known and shamed publicly, though I realize lying has become both entertainment and sport, with no consequences.
I took this photo above of TVR International’s “BREAKING FAKE NEWS” (a great title with a double meaning) this morning….
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Posted by Nolan Dalla on Oct 29, 2026 in Blog |
2026-27 NFL SEASON: WEEK 8 – ANALYSIS AND PICKS
2026-27 NFL BETTING RECORD:
WINS — 59
LOSSES — 50
PUSH — 2
NET WIN/LOSS — – $25.
LAST WEEK’S RESULTS — 9-5-1 (+ $365)
STARTING BANKROLL: $10,000.
CURRENT BANKROLL: $9,975.
ALL WAGERS ARE FOR $100 EACH AND ARE PRICED AT THE STANDARD 110/100 VIG, (UNLESS NOTED OTHERWISE)
To read the FULL REPORT, with a write-up and picks on the entire schedule of games this week, CLICK the link below (note that the page is updated regularly between now and mid-day Saturday with more games and content — typically, I end up posting 15-20 bets per week:
CLICK HERE
https://www.betcoin.ag/page/nolan-2026-week8/
UPDATED:
FINAL LIST OF WEEK 8 WAGERS:
[For those who just want the picks]
Full-Game Total: OVER 47 points–both teams combined (-110)…L
First Quarter Total: OVER 9.5 points–both teams combined (-115)…L
Player Prop: GB WR Watson OVER 4.5 receptions (-115)…W
Player Prop: DET RB Gibbs UNDER 88.5 rushing yards (-115)
Player Prop: NYJ QB Smith OVER 218.5 passing yards (-115)
Player Prop: LV QB Cousins OVER 239.5 passing yards (-110)
Full-Game Team Total: Dallas UNDER 31.5 points (-115)
Full-Game Side: TAMPA BAY -2.5 (-110) vs. Atlanta
Player Prop: ATL QB Penix UNDER 231.5 passing yards (-115)
Player Prop: TB QB Mayfield UNDER 217.5 passing yards (-115)
Player Prop: TEN QB UNDER 194.5 passing yards (-115)
First-Half Total: PHI-WAS OVER 19.5 (-130) combined both teams scoring
Player Prop: ARZ TE McBride OVER 73.5 receiving yards (-115)
Full-Game Side: CLEVELAND +3.5 vs. Pittsburgh (-110)
Player Prop: LAC RB Mitchell OVEr 1.5 receptions (even)
Full-Game Team Total: New England OVER 26 points (-110)
Player Prop: WAS WR Diggs OVER 4.5 receptions (+125)
WEEK 8 ANALYSIS AND PICKS
CAROLINA at GREEN BAY (TNF)
Line: Packers -3.5
O/U: 47
Did I really read this correctly? Carolina is on a monster tear – both on the money line and against-the-spread when they’re coming off a loss. And when the Panthers are coming off both a SU loss and ATS non-cover, their next-game record is phenomenal.
I read some subset of data that Carolina either wins or has covered 15 in a row, dating back to mid-2024. Those results are with the same coaching staff and QB/skill players, so data here remains relevant. I tracked this myself and it looks like the Panthers have gone 13-2 ATS after a loss, as best I can tell. This is a long-winded way of saying Carolina has been an outstanding team to bet on coming off a loss in recent years. Note the Panthers got demolished last week at home hosting Tampa Bay. It was a humiliation. Let’s pay attention to teams that rebound well, and this is one of those spots for them. Carolina plus 3.5 is very tempting.
The total on this mid-week game dropped a full point from 48 down to 47. One Reason: Carolina’s defense has looked horrendous at times this season, maybe the worst in the league against the run. Fortunately for them this week, they face a one-dimensional offense that’s also been inconsistent. It would be hard for me to bet the UNDER given what I’ve seen, but capturing the *47* as a key number is helpful if you’re considering a wager on the OVER. I’ll be taking the OVER in this game.
I like two props, plus a wager on the full-game total:
OVER 47 – First, I see two offenses that aren’t afraid to throw the ball. CAR QB Bryce Young averages 38 pass attempts per game and ranks second among NFL QBs in yards per game (285 YPG on average). He’ll face a mid-level pass defense (ranked 13th in yards allowed). As for GB QB Jordan Love, he’s expected to throw early and often. The Packers’ rushing attack is horrific, ranked dead last at just 60 YPG. That’s 15 yards per game lower than the second worst rushing team. Yuck! Even though the Packers are up against a really bad run defense this week (Panthers are the NFL’s worst defense, averaging 5.1 YPC!), Love should still throw plenty of passes. All this passing should be very good for the OVER. And, catching the 47 is key in totals betting, which makes this quite playable.
1Q OVER 9.5 – First-quarter totals can be tricky. Sometimes, they’re sucker plays. Why? A couple of punts, and the UNDERs usually cash. The dynamics do indicate more passing in this matchup, meaning more possible clock stoppage. Capturing a win on 10 is essential here. We also see lots of mistakes from both of these teams, so a turnover wouldn’t be out of the question. I’ll play both teams to combine for 10 points or more in the opening frame.
GB WR WATSON OVER 4.5 CATCHES – Given that Green Bay can’t run the ball at all, that means the WR duo of Christian Watson and Matt Golden get plenty of targets. Golden has been an absolute beast this season, targeted 67 times in 7 games. He’s caught 6 passes in each of the past three games. However, in this short week, go-to Golden is listed as “questionable” (this is a Wed. afternoon report). He didn’t practice, and so Golden might not see as much action in this game. That shifts more possible targets on the other side over to Watson, who’s stat-line isn’t as impressive, but he’s still seeing plenty of passes. Even with Golden getting 12 targets in each of the past two games, his counterpart Watson got 8 throws in each of the past three weeks. If Golden is sidelined, Watson’s stock rises substantially. Even with Golden possibly starting, that could command more coverage from a really bad defense, leaving Watson open to catch passes. We need Watson to catch 5+ passes to cash this ticket. Assuming the Packers’ run misery continues and Golden is questionable, that spells a possible good night for Watson.
Wagers:
Full-Game Total: OVER 47 points–both teams combined (-110)
First Quarter Total: OVER 9.5 points–both teams combined (-115)
Player Prop: GB WR Watson OVER 4.5 receptions (-115)
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Posted by Nolan Dalla on Oct 27, 2026 in Blog |
A BASEBALL BAD BEAT AND THE BLOODY SOCK GAME
Milwaukee is currently up 3-0 in the baseball World Series. Game 4 plays tonight, and the Brewers can sweep it and win their first championship. No team has ever come back to win a World Series after falling behind 0-3. This disparity has happened 25 times before, and all 25 leading teams won. In fact, 21 of them won Game 4 and swept. Things don’t look good for Tampa Bay.
However, one team did pull off a baseball miracle. In all the playoff series where one team was behind 0-3 in a best-of-seven series, just ONE came back and won–meaning they swept the final four games straight and won the series 4 games to 3. It was in the American League Championship Series — exactly 22 years ago.
Of course, I was on the losing side of the miracle. That was my biggest baseball bet ever and I sure do remember it. It’s worth telling the story now of what happened:
I rarely watch baseball. But I’ve bet on it most of my life. Back in 2004, I was betting various systems, angles, trends, martingales — you name it. Call it a daily grind, because that’s what it was. I’d run my sports betting bankroll up pretty good, and it was also the middle of football season and was having a good year, so I had plenty of cash.
My best friend Rich Korbin and I hung out together. We bet tons of sports and talked every day. Boston was playing the NY Yankees in the ALCS that year. The Yankees looked unbeatable. They were coming off a World Series appearance the previous season and won 103 games in 2004, ten wins more than the Red Sox, which just seemed lucky to be in the playoffs.
Rich rarely touted me to bet on games. But he absolutely looooooooved the Yankees to win the series and advance, which looked easy. That NYY team was loaded. I forgot the odds, but it wasn’t as bad a lay-price as you’d think. I decided to bet $5,000 on the Yankees, my biggest baseball bet ever.
Imagine our delight when the Yankees breezed through the first three games against the Red Sox. They won 10-7, 3-1, and 19-8 to go up three games to none. The Yanks outscored the Sox 32-16.
Locked money.
Famous last words.
In Game 4, the Yankees were up 4-3 with the Red Sox down to 3 outs. Bottom of the 9th. This was as dire a situation as it gets being behind, down to one final inning, and then stuck in a hole 0-3 in the series. Boston was TOAST.
Hey! Look how easy this is! Free money. Call me the Rainmaker. Where’s my winning sports ticket? Should I go cash it tonight, or wait until tomorrow?
Ooops!
Boston scores a run, forces extra innings, then wins Game 4 in the bottom of the 12th.
No big deal. Still up, 3-1.
In Game 5, Yankees were up 4-2 in the game. Red Sox score 2 runs to tie it. Extra innings again. Then, Boston scored and won in the bottom of the 14th. Ummmph!
Now, it’s Yanks up 3-2 in the series.
This can’t be happening, right?
Okay, it’s time for Game 6. Gee, I guess I better start watching the games.
Back then, there were no online betting services in Nevada. So, unless you bet offshore, that meant physically driving to the sportsbook and making bets with cash through the window. Trust me, there’s a difference in mentality when barking out a bet to a bookie on the phone or clinking “confirm” at an online sports account …… versus ACTUALLY SEEING your cash pushed through the window. For me, I always have a “are you really sure about this?” moment.
I’d decided to hedge my bet. I did a fair amount of hedging back then, especially on wagers of any decent size. I forgot what I was going to hedge specifically–or the amount. But, I intended to put money on Boston, lock up a middle, and essentially enjoy a “can’t lose” betting situation. I walked into the SunCoast and went into the sportsbook. I even got in line. Up on the wall were the TV screens and of course, they’re all tuned to the baseball game. The place was packed.
Fox was doing the broadcast. In the pre-game warmups, they showed the Boston starting pitcher Curt Schilling. His ankle is bleeding! This is before the game started.
Wait.
I’m going to bet on this guy? With my cash? His ankle is a piece of raw red meat. In his previous start, Schilling had been hit by a ball, and it busted open his right tendon. He’s ruptured his flexor tendon, and the doctor quilted in some stitches in a half-assed repair job that must have been seasoned with painkillers. Do you know how difficult it is to throw a fastball in pain, and without the full use of the right ankle?
Again, full top. I’m betting my money on this guy? He can barely walk!
Screw that. Let my NY Yankees series wager ride. I got out of line and headed to the parking garage. Good thing I saw that shot on the TV screen of his ankle! That saved me a few grand! This guy’s gonna’s be gone by the third inning. He’ll be getting out of the shower while the Yankees are pouring champagne over themselves. Besides, they’re back in New York now, and certainly the Bronx bombers will take care of business in front of the home crowd. Man, am I smart — or what?
Well, in what (in)famously became known as the “bloody sock” game, Schilling tossed an absolute masterpiece. A pitching gem. The mighty Yankees were held SCORELESS entering bottom of the 7th. Boston won, and the series was tied.
By the time Game 7 rolled around, I was already so angry I didn’t even think about hedging or driving to the sportsbook. Let it ride. Let fate be fate. If it’s meant to happen, let it happen. Besides, the deciding game is in New York. The Yankee don’t want to disappoint the home fa……oh, fuck it.
Bang. Bang. Bang. Bang. Bang. Bang. Red Sox lead 6-0 in the SECOND INNING. I turned off the TV and just stared at the $5,000 Yankee ticket like it was a positive STD test.
Final score: Boston 10 / NY Yankees 3.
The irony to this story is — in the two biggest upset/comebacks of the decade, I was on the LOSING end of both. The Yankees loss cost me $5K. Then, four years later, I lost $39K on the Patriots in the Super Bowl when their “perfect” season was ruined along with my sports betting bankroll. That remains the biggest bet I’ve ever lost (I hope never to break that record).
Oh, and for the record, I have no action on the Milwaukee-Tampa Bay series.
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Posted by Nolan Dalla on Oct 26, 2026 in Blog |
HOW (FINALLY) TO PISS-OFF A MAGAT
Question: Has there ever been a more dirt-dumb, selfish glob of gullible, immoral, brainwashed imbeciles than a MAGA Trump supporter?
Think about this…..
1. Another dumb ass Middle East war based on lies, with no plan, nor end ….. <silence>
2. National deficit explodes to $42 trillion (and rising) ….. <silence>
3. Health care coverage slashed for millions–including children ….. <silence>
4. Working people struggling while Trump crime family reaps billions ….. <silence>
5. Ballrooms, water fountains, giant arches, helicopter pads, gold leaf walls ….. <silence>
6. Trade and tourism with Canada collapses ….. <silence>
7. America’s allies insulted, threatened, treated like enemies ….. <silence>
8. Foreign thugs and nations committing war crimes praised, supported, embraced as allies ….. <silence>
9. Tariffs paid for by Americans, then government rebates returned to corporations ….. <silence>
10. Renaming the Gulf of Mexico, Lake Ontario, now proposing to change — “New Mexico” ….. <silence>
11. Constant threats, lies, embarrassments, and grade-school bullying ….. <silence>
12. Dehumanizing attacks on women, female journalists, even abuse victims ….. <silence>
13. Promising to release Trumpstein Files, then lying and covering them up ….. <silence>
14. A lifelong history of racism and ugliness, now official government policy ….. <silence>
15. Vicious insults directed at immigrants, including legal naturalized citizens ….. <silence>
16. Murdering Americans who protest in the streets, then lying about it ….. <silence>
17. Hiring the most callous, corrupt, and incompetent staff and cabinet in American history ….. <silence>
18. Oil companies $92 billion in profit (record high-last three months alone) while Americans are told to to suck up ….. <silence>
19. Openly stating he doesn’t care about high prices or people suffering ….. <silence>
20. Republicans controlling ALL branches of government, and every federal agency amidst the chaos ….. <silence>
But then…..
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
WHAT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It costs $140 to fill up a pick-up truck !
W.T.F. ???
STOP !!!
SOMEBODY DO SOMETHING !!!
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Posted by Nolan Dalla on Oct 25, 2026 in Blog |
Something unusual happened yesterday. Marieta made spaghetti and she combined two different brands of tomato sauce. She changes recipes all the time — on some occasions cooking everything from scratch, and on other occasions using a store-bought brands.
For 20 years, Rao’s has been our “go to” sauce. Sometimes, we try other brands. But Rao’s always delivers quality and consistency.
Then, came yesterday’s surprise. We made a new discovery.
Marieta brought over two jars to me. She asked me to do a smell test. This was foodie’s perfume (see pict). I couldn’t believe the difference.
Rao’s is always good. But this unfamiliar brand we’d never tried before was — GREAT.
CARBONE is the brand (Noah, is this your family?). Cost $8 a jar (Rao’s is typically $9, but you can often find it on sale). So far, we’ve only tried the Arrabiatta.
As for taste, it was impossible to compare the two because Marieta had combined the sauces. Next time, we’ll use the Carbone brand exclusively and see if there’s a big difference.
Grocery shelves are crowded with many different brands of spaghetti sauces. The low-end sauces are almost inedible. Last time I tried Prego, my eyes stung. Ragu might be okay if you’re locked in a Guyanan prison and your name is Papillon and you can’t find any bugs. Good old-fashioned Hunts is simple, and fine in cases of an emergency. But those cheap brands loaded with preservatives, chemicals, and sugar belong in the garbage disposal.
Spaghetti sauces are like beer, cars, and cigarettes. Brand loyalty is a big thing.
I think I’ve found a new spaghetti sauce brand — CARBONE.
Anyone have another brand they think stands out?
Note: Join the discussion on Facebook here.
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Posted by Nolan Dalla on Oct 24, 2026 in Blog |
NFL WEEK 7
ANALYSIS AND PICKS
I made 15 cash bets this week (so far). Please click the link here to read all the picks and plays of the week.
CLICK HERE
Here are a couple of appetizers for what I hope will be a Sunday feast:
GREEN BAY at DETROIT
Line: Lions -3
O/U: 53.5
I’m betting against Green Bay this week. Translation–I’m not betting so much on Detroit as against the Packers. The Lions’ offense needs no justification or write-up. We all know that this is one of the best in the league and now they’re back at home, where the Lions often put up big numbers. The Lions simply look like the better team, even with their defensive lapses.
Regular followers here know I’ve been “anti-Green Bay” most of the season. They’d been a horrid covering team up until a few weeks ago (two straight covers currently), failing ATS in 9 straight games before that–dating back to last season. We can credit the Packers for a couple of back-to-back home wins. But was beating CHI (which started a third-string QB) and the floundering badly-coached Cowboys (one of worst defenses in the NFL) really such a big deal? Going on the road at Detroit will be a far bigger test for Green Bay. In horse racing this is called a big step up in class.
This point deserves more emphasis: Green Bay faced these opposing QB’s, so far this season:
MIN (Murray making his first start with a new team, then replaced by the backup)
NYJ (Smith making his second start on a bad team)
ATL (Penix, Jr., coming off an injury)
TB (Daniels making his first-ever NFL start)
CHI (a third-string QB, with Williams and Kennum sidelined)
DAL (Prescott, suffering a miserable season)
Now, they’ll say hello to Jared Goff and the Lions, who also rush the ball very well. Stats: QB Goff has 12 TDs and 0 INTs this season. Repeating the horse racing thing — that’s quite an step up in class.
The Packers rushing game ranks as the league’s absolute worst, with just 60 YPG, for a horrible 2.8 YPC average. That’s a putrid figure. So, Green Bay must pass the ball and keep up with the Lions on the road. I’m glad to fade GB QB Jordan Love, who is an erratic performer and has yet to show he’s worth all the money they’re paying him.
I’m trusting Detroit’s offense to simply outscore the inferior team and cover here. I’d skip this if the line was -3.5. Laying only a FG seems quite reasonable.
Wager:
Full-Game Side: DETROIT -3 (-115) vs. Green Bay
–
NY GIANTS at HOUSTON
Line: Texans -10.5
O/U: 42.5
It’s rare to see a team with a better W-L record as a double-digit underdog. This line opened at HOU -9, but crossed a key number up to -10.5 based on the midweek announcement that QB J.J. McCarthy will start for the Giants. He’s basically the third-string QB and was acquired only a month ago from Minnesota. His couple of starts last season were torcherous, though last week he put up decent numbers due to playing in the 4th quarter versus a prevent defense that gave McCarthy plenty of trash-time stats. As much as I wanted to grab the Giants and take the juicy points here, I can’t. Houston may also have shed its monkey on its back after a horrible 0-4 start, having won two in a row. The Texans looked terrific on offense last week beating Jacksonville.
The standout play prop value could be HOU WR Nico Collins. He’s scored a TD in 3 of his 4 games this season (two games were missed with injury). He’s likely to be targeted generously this week, given he’s the Texans’ “go-to” receiver. NYG CB Newsome has been ruled out for this game, which means the Texans’ best deep threats will be up against a backup corner. I expect this game could also turn into a confidence builder for Houston given they’re winless at home this season and here’s a great chance to run up the score and please the home crowd. Yes, those things come into play in prop betting.
I rarely make “player scoring a touchdown” prop bets. Here’s an exception. Houston’s Collins has a good chance to get into the end zone at least once. His prop price to score a TD is +130. Houston’s passing attack looks back on track after seeing they put points on a good defense last week, and is certainly now much better with Collins in the lineup. Now, he’s up versus a wounded defense and looks to be a star player to bet on to score a TD.
Wager:
Player Prop: HOU WR Collins to score a touchdown–YES (+130)
–
FINAL LIST OF WEEK 7 WAGERS:
[For those who just want the picks]
Full-Game Team Total: CHICAGO OVER 26.5 points (-115)…W
Second-Half Team Total: CHICAGO OVER 13.5 points (-105)…L
Player Prop: NOR QB Shough OVER 227.5 passing yards (-115)
Full-Game Line: NEW ORLEANS +3.5 (-110) vs. Pittsburgh
First-Half Line: NEW ORLEANS +2.5 (even)
Player Prop: TB RB Irving OVER 35 rushing yards in 1H (-115)
Player Prop: TB RB Irving OVER 15.5 rushing attempts in full game (-105)
Player Prop: TEN QB Ward UNDER 187.5 passing yards (-115)
Player Prop: CIN RB Brown UNDER 51.5 rushing yards (-115)
Player Prop: MIA RB Gordon OVER 52.5 rushing yards (-115)
Player Prop: IND QB Jones to throw an interception–YES (-125)
Player Prop: HOU WR Collins to score a touchdown–YES (+130)
First-Half Line: ARIZONA +3 (-120)
Full-Game Side: DETROIT -3 (-115) vs. Green Bay
Player Prop: SEA QB Darnold to throw an interception–YES (-115)
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Posted by Nolan Dalla on Oct 23, 2026 in Blog |
On this date 58 years ago, President Lyndon Johnson’s GUN CONTROL ACT OF 1968 was signed and became the law of the land. It’s worth remembering on this anniversary — especially since an epidemic of domestic violence and misuse of firearms and mass shootings have become so frequent as federal laws have since lapsed and attempts to control the proliferation of deadly firearms have become a thing of the past.
Sadly, gun laws have not progressed. They have regressed.
As many know, I greatly admire LBJ and view his presidency and domestic agenda as one of the three most progressive periods in American history. Among all the progressive initiatives by LBJ (Civil Rights, Medicare, War on Poverty, etc.), his advocacy of gun control is sadly forgotten. It deserves remembrance. And a reawakening.
Incredibly, it took nearly FIVE YEARS to pass this important bill. After it was learned that assassin Lee Harvey Oswald has bought a scoped rifle for $19.95 in a mail-order from a sporting goods store to murder JFK, the Johnson Administration sought new laws to stop dangerous people from getting firearms. Conservatives in both parties opposed the early attempts to pass gun laws. No surprise — no matter when or what party, conservatives always seem to be on the WRONG side of history. And we all suffer and pay the price. Two men of great vision paid the ultimate price.
When the assassinations of MLK and RFK happened in 1968, those shocking tragedies put gun control back on the domestic agenda. But oddly enough, it was something else that became the tipping point. More than anything else, *racially-motivated fears* gave us this new law and sparked these landmark national gun restrictions. White fears about the ongoing “race riots” in many U.S. cities and panic that disorder would become even more violent if minorities had easy access to guns triggered action. So, the conservative elders in both parties began acknowledging something had to be done. Yeah, that’s what it took to finally change minds — not a dead president murdered on a Dallas street, nor a political candidate gunned down inside an LA kitchen, nor a peaceful preacher covered in blood on a Memphis motel balcony. It was the Blacks rioting in Watts and Newark and Detroit. Time to do something!
Even with overwhelming public support, incredibly, there were still holdouts — far Right wingers in the South (Wallace Democrats) and the holdover Goldwater Republicans remained opposed. Nonetheless, the Gun Control Act passed the House 305-118. It passed the Senate 70-17. It became law when LBJ signed it on Oct. 22, 1968. Back then, even the NRA supported the law and put out a public statement. I know — shocker.
It’s astonishing that nearly six decades have passed since this date, and we’ve regressed into a sad and broken nation that tolerates — and even accepts — gun violence as something that’s normal. School shootings aren’t shocking anymore. They’re expected. A hardline conservative activist even argued that some measure of gun deaths were an acceptable price to pay, before being murdered in public in broad daylight by a disturbed individual armed with a rifle.
At least we tried to take one step forward on this date, before taking two steps backward.
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Posted by Nolan Dalla on Oct 22, 2026 in Blog |
I have a number of comments (and questions) about the 2026 midterm election which is happening right now and will conclude in a few weeks.
Hooray! It’s nearly over!
Some thoughts. And several questions. Here it goes….
–POLITICAL JUNK MAIL–
I wish to report a crime. Mailbox abuse. It’s an epidemic. I don’t understand the flood of candidate junk mail. Are these mailers effective? Who reads them? Anybody? The only thing I see these rectangular cardboard cutouts being useful for is as a dustpan. Who votes based on what they read on a political flyer? How many of you are sick of getting dozens, if not hundreds of junk mailers?
True Story: A few nights ago, our postman came at 7:15 pm. I went outside asked him why he was so late, since it’s never been delivered during night time. He said all the political mailers clog up the postal system and create delays in delivery. Who knew?
–CITIZENS UNITED / CAMPAIGN FINANCE–
Corporations and rich people buy our politicians and sway our elections. That’s a fact. While a dirty strain of grift and corruption has always infested politics, it’s never been so pervasive, expensive, destructive, and anti-democratic — as now. Public service shouldn’t require a candidate to raise millions of dollars. Big money has ruined representative democracy. Granting the most powerful forces in society all control over laws, rules, regulations, and how we live is catastrophic for a democratic society. Unless the sick distortion of a broken system we use to elect our leaders changes, then nothing else will change. Likely, it will only get worse.
–POLITICAL TV COMMERCIALS–
Want to know one of the biggest reasons why nothing ever changes? Easy answer. Somebody’s getting rich! Let’s look at *who* exactly profits from perpetual conflict….who makes the most money off of hate and fear and division…who saps the endless bombardment of ad wars? Answer– bingo! Corporate media giants earn BILLIONS in profits all across the country running a constant cycle campaign ads 24/7, mostly TV commercials. National networks. Social media. Local TV stations owned by mass corporate conglomerates. Giant media companies (and their leech shareholders) rake massive profit off both sides. Secretive PACs with hidden agendas funnel much of the money raised by campaigns into corporate coffers, which spews a seemingly endless pipeline of distortions. It’s a grotesque merry-go-round. Corporate media is making a killing, off of killing democracy.
–NEGATIVE ADVERTISING–
Most voters will insist they don’t like “attack ads.” They often complain about negativity all the time. Then, what do voters do — they pick candidates as a counter-reaction to the negatives of the opposite candidate. Fact is — negative attack ads work. That’s why we see so many of them. Nothing motivates a low-information voter more than anger. Love conquers hate? Wrong! Not in politics and campaign ads.
–PHONE CANVASSING / ROBO CALLS–
Question Does anyone get calls from pollsters? For years, I never received a call from any major polling organization. Now, I can’t shut them off. Of course, most “polls* we come into direct contact with are not legitimate. Most are actually dubious in nature. They “push poll” questions aimed at undecideds, or confused voters susceptible to suggestions and cherry-picked issues. These tactics are political snake oil. I should note that back in 2016, I got “push polled” by the Hillary Clinton campaign, wrote about it, then my social media accounts and website blew up and went viral with more than a half-million views, threats, etc. From that point forward, I went to war with “push pollsters.” Then, I got so overwhelmed that I gave up and stopped answering the phone. It was like trying to drain the ocean.
Another True Story: Our Century Link home landline stopped working a few weeks ago. How did I know? For an entire day, the phone never rang. Not once. We were receiving at least 5-10 calls per day, many recorded messages. Also, I got on the pollster’s *sucker* list, and get at least a few calls daily from “research” companies. Then, dead silence. It was wonderful! As I was thinking about summoning the repairman and getting my landline fixed, instead I decided to wait. This was a gift! No more political robocalls! I’ll call the repairman after the election.
I’ll have more stuff to share, but that’s it for today.
Feel free to post your comments. Even better, if you know answers to any of my questions, then please respond. Maybe we’ll all learn something.
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