Al-Jimzeera Talking Points

* The Rolling Stones will play half-time at the Superbowl. Maybe they'll play "Sweet Neo-Con." The "Janet Jackson" moment? Keith croaks midfield.

* Firing Lions' coach Steve Mariucci is kind of like firing Tommy Franks for the failure of the Gulf War. It's true, if the Lions can't get UP to play on Thanksgiving Day, then when will they? But Steve's dogs can't hunt. Fire Matt Millen. Draft Reggie Bush. You've sucked since Barry Sanders left. The problems go higher. Maybe the Fords ought to sell. Maybe they ought to get an offensive line. Yes, I have opinions about the Detroit Lions. Like all of America I'm tired of watching them get their asses wiped every Thanksgiving.

* Interested in being in a 2006 calendar? Backchannel!

* I signed the Keep Manny petition, but trading him to the Mets is as good as keeping him in my book.

* Baseball players should not be allowed to wear #13. No #13 has been retired in the history of baseball. Wilt Chamberlin is the great #13 in basketball. When you're 7 foot, you can have any damned number you want. Dan Marino wore #13 for Miami (Fantastic QB, 0 Championships). But they should be forced to speak about themselves in the 3rd Person.

* The "Fall Finale" of "Prison Break" was good but not great. They probably didn't expect to be on the shelf until who-knows-when. I think "Nanny 911" rolls into their timeslot and then the unassaiably great "24" rolls 24 straight episodes out. I do like the back to back episodes Fox is unafraid to show. But come back soon, O prisoners.

* The Air Force has hand-held lasers. Set crowds to stun.