Helter Skelter - Greg is on a Streak

Famed Manson family member Susan Atkins died after a VERY VERY LONG bout with brain cancer. While we know what she was famous for she did help at-risk youth, victims of violent crimes and homeless children during her incarcerated years. (Your not supposed to talk ill of the dead. Right?

Her passing gives Greg 39 points and moves him in to 3rd place. Now he only needs Jeff Conaway, Muhammed Ali, and Elanor Mondale to catch Izzy for first.

Greg is finally on the board

Mary Travers of Peter, Paul, and Mary goes to the land of Honah Lee after a lengthy battle with cancer.

May she enjoy frolicking in the autumn mist.

Patrick Swayze - truly a ghost

Actor Patrick Swayze died on Monday after a long battle with Pancreatic cancer. Swayze made it big in Hollywood with his performance in Dirty Dancing. He then went over-the-top with the smash hit Ghost. And then, well, there was Road House.

Swayze was just 57 years old.

His death gives Jacob 43 points and jumps him up to second place. Honestly, I'm just happy Izzy didn't get the points.

Getting Ridiculous

As you probably know by now, Senator Edward Kennedy died at the age of 77. And as you probably have guessed, Izzy gets 23 more points. It's turning into a rout!

Izzy Rules

Conservative political journalist Robert Novak died on Tuesday. He had been battling brain cancer. He was 78 years old.

That gives Izzy another 22 points - like he needs it! But it also puts him in the lead for the 'most deaths' side-bet.

One More for Jim

Another member of the famed Kennedy family has passed away. Eunice Kennedy Shriver died at the age of 88. She was the sister of President John Kennedy. She was known for her charitable work including the creation of the Special Olympics.

Her death is the third for me this year and puts me back into second place. However, the way things have been going lately, don't be surprised if there's another post by the end of the day!

Another Two-Death Day

For the second time this year we have two deaths in the Circling Buzzards on the same day. Earlier in the day famed footballer Bobby Robson died. Now comes news of the death of former Phillipine President Corazon Aquino. She was the first female president of the island nation and although her reign was not very successful, it ended the tyranny of Ferdinand Marcos. Aquino had been battling cancer for some time. She was 76 years old.

Her death is the second for Jacob this year and now puts him in second place with 32 points.

Sorry Dave.

Dave Scores a Goal

Well known footballer and coach Bobby Robson died today. He had a 20-year playing career as well as success as a manager. A year he ago he was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. Sir Robson was 76 years old.

The death is the first for Dave in 2009 and actually vaults him into second place overall.

A request has been made for another Farrah photo but I think I'll put one up of our Grim Reaper friend Rene!!!






















(okay, not really Rene)

Jacob on the Board

Legendary news anchor Walter Cronkite has died at the age of 92. Cronkite was a pioneer in broadcast news covering such events as the assassinations of JFK and MLK as well as the Vietnam War, the Iran Hostage Crisis and numerous Presidential Elections.

His death gives Jacob a whopping 8 points for his first death of the year. And if he can find a way to pull an 'Izzy' he may have a chance at claiming some cash by the years end.

Oh, and what the hell, here's one more picture of Farrah (would you rather see Walter?)



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The Trifecta

It's been a good time for Izzy as he grabs his third death of the week with the passing of Michael Jackson. The pop icon's death gives Izzy a whopping 50 points to go with the 38 from Farrah and 14 from Ed. That may be all he needs to ride out the year as it easily tops last year's best total of 85.

I'll show my respects for Ed McMahon and truly miss the gorgeous Farrah Fawcett but the world may actually be a better place without the child molesting, one glove freak show named Michael Jackson. And he certainly isn't getting his picture on this blog. So here's another one of Farrah:




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Izzy Jumps Ahead

After a lengthy battle with cancer Farrah Fawcett died on Thursday. She was 62 years old. That gives Izzy another 38 points to go with the 14 he got just a couple of days ago thank to Ed McMahon. And it also gives him the lead!

H-e-e-e-e-e-e-r-e's Izzy

Former Johnny Carson sidekick Ed McMahon died on Tuesday. McMahon has suffered numerous ailments in recent years including bone cancer. He was also a recovering alcoholic, something Johnny often joked about on the air. He was 86 years old.

McMahon's death gives Izzy 14 points, his first points of the year. It is only the third death in the Circling Buzzards as we near the halfway point. Apparently it's a bad year to die.

The Rest of the Story

On Saturday evening radio announcer and pioneer Paul Harvey died at the age of 90. Harvey had been heard nationally since 1951 with commentaries and interviews. In 1976 he created a feature known as "The Rest of the Story" featuring anecdotes of the famous and infamous.

This is just the second death for the Circling Buzzards in 2009 and both are for the same owner. While Harvey was worth just 10 points it is nice to be up by two on everyone.

Jim Strikes First

Actor Ricardo Montalban died Thursday at the age of 88. Montalban was an actor on the big screen through the 50's and 60's and later played Mr. Rourke on the hit show Fantasy Island.

This is the first death in the Circling Buzzards for 2009. It not only starts me out with 12 points for the year, I win the prize money for the first death. It is also the first time I have won any money in this damned death pool - and I'll take it!

A New Year

The 2008 season is over and Dave walked away the Champion. He not only had the most points but the added bonus of the final death. The 2009 draft took place on New Years Day. Be sure to check - and double-check - the picks below.