Category: Uncategorized

Access and Security.

On December 15, 1791, the Bill of Rights (the first ten amendments to the Constitution) were ratified by three-fourths of the States.  The second amendment is unfortunately top of mind these days with another school shooting, this time at a high school near Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

The Second Amendment reads: A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.  Little did Thomas Jefferson know that when he authenticated and ratified the Bill of Rights, the second amendment would indirectly lead to many school tragedies including Sandy Hook, Columbine, Parkland, and many other shooting incidents at schools around the U.S.A.  Nor did he know how people of lesser minds would use the weapons allowed by the Second Amendment.

I will not comment on why a 19-year old possessed a AR-15 rifle, groups of gun activists or gun control, nor our divided political system.  What I will comment on is school security.  Don’t get me wrong, I put no blame on the high school administrators where last week’s massacre took place.  My bewilderment relates to the ability of someone, anyone, able to enter a school with little security in place.  As taxpayers, we support the use of schools using crossing guards to protect our students on a daily basis, but what about school security?  With the mental instability of so many, why are many schools left unprotected with the ability to enter a school with little deterrent?  I realize that based on the tax base every school system is different, but at a minimum, should we not employ off-duty police officers to protect our schools, no different than the school crossing guards who basically put their lives on the line every time they direct traffic?

I know these questions may be trivial, but not to the families and friends who lost loved ones last week.  No matter the politics, gun control will be an issue for many years to come.  So while our congressional leaders try to figure out what to do, can we not tackle the issue of security within our schools?

My heartfelt condolences to family and friends who lost their loved ones last week.  It should not be just another Funday Sunday.

Short Takes and DST Update.

Don’t let that measly ever-lasting smile alter your perception of her home ‘country’ of North Korea.  Kim Yo Jong,  sister of the young moron running that country,  has one purpose with her presence at the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics – propaganda.  Detente?  Not a chance.

Nashville – great town, great music and now an MLS team coming on line in two years.  Definitely a destination anytime but especially when Atlanta United has an away game there.

Let’s hope that Tuscon’s maximum security prison provides Larry Nassar the misery and hell he deserves.

We all take it for granted.  You turn the faucet on and let it run for minutes while you rinse off dishes or scrub a pan.  Worse, we take showers that last way too long and use up way too much water.  No big deal until you understand that a few major cities around the world are now in a situation of water stress.  At first glance it does not make sense with 70% of the Earth’s surface covered by water.  Then we learn that only 3% of that water is fresh and that 3 billion people find water extremely scarce for at least one month of the year.  Cape Town is now in a precarious situation with their 4 million residents facing “Day Zero” as early as May.  “Day Zero” meaning all water is cutoff.  Someone way smarter than me (most) – please explain why the ocean’s water cannot be turned into fresh water to alleviate this problem.  My first thought: desalination – the process of removing salt from seawater.

It is maddening to get caught up in the craziness of the market over the last two weeks.  I hope what is happening is a ‘normal’ correction – the first correction in over two years.  Remember, the Dow was on a 7% rally year-to-date and enjoyed a record high on January 26th.  Let’s hope the correction corrects itself.

Early February is a rude awakening for many of us as we must wait until late August for the restart of football.  The silver lining:  only three weeks away from the start of Atlanta United’s season.  This is also the time of year that the Champions League match ups get interesting.  This week, check out Tottenham v. Juventus on Tuesday and PSG v Real Madrid on Wednesday.

Daylight Savings Time countdown:  4 weeks from today.

Adios and Have a Funday Sunday!  

 

 

 

Apathy.  Patton & Schwarzkopf.  DST Update.

My Super Bowl memories go way back – think Jerry Kramer’s block allowing Bart Starr to sneak into the end zone with thirteen seconds left in Super Bowl Two.  This was, and is to this day called the ‘Ice Bowl’ as it was 13 degrees below zero during most of the game.  My recall is even better with the Miami Dolphins and their back-to-back Super Bowl wins – especially the  1972 undefeated season.  Now skip forward to the Atlanta Falcons – a loss in Miami in the 1999 Super Bowl after their starting safety, with his family in the team hotel, was arrested at midnight before the game soliciting a prostitute.  Then, of course, last year’s Super Bowl where the Falcons forgot that it was a 60-minute game.  Later today, the 52nd Super Bowl kicks off and I have never experienced so much apathy towards the Super Bowl.  Is it the teams, is it their coaches and players, or did the behavior of many NFL players disenfranchise the core audience?  I will be watching the game, and the commercials, hoping that the Eagles can pull off an upset of Tom Brady and his Patriots.  As for the ratings, who really knows as the commercials and JT’s halftime show my trump the actual game.  No pun intended.

Three of my favorite leadership and courage quotes:                                                  “No good decision was ever made in a swivel chair.”        “Sure, we all want to go home. We want to get this war over with. But you can’t win a war lying down. The quickest way to get it over with is to get the bastards who started it. We want to get the hell over there and clean the goddamn thing up, and then get at those purple-pissing Japs. The quicker they are whipped, the quicker we go home. The shortest way home is through Berlin and Tokyo. So keep moving. And when we get to Berlin, I am personally going to shoot that paper-hanging son-of-a-bitch Hitler”.           “It doesn’t take a hero to order men into battle. It takes a hero to be one of those men who goes into battle.”

The Daylight Savings Time countdown:  5 weeks!

Adios and have a “Super” Sunday Funday.  

Turning a Blind Eye. Commercializing Space.  Ageless.  South Beach & Wynwood.

It all started with an email to the Indianapolis Star and their five-month investigation into the mishandling of sexual abuse allegations by the national governing body USA Gymnastics.  After reading the piece, Rachel Denhollander, with the emotion that many of us can never understand, wrote the email in which she painfully described how the USA Gymnastics’ team doctor sexually molested her under the guise of performing medical treatment on her back.  The IndyStar thankfully used all of their media power to publicize the email eventually resulting in 156 women coming forward to tell their story of sexual abuse by Larry Nassar, the team doctor of both USA Gymnastics and Michigan State University.  In last week’s sentencing hearing, it was fitting that Ms. Denhollander was the last of the 156 women to deliver a statement during Nassar’s seven-day hearing.  At the end of her statement, all of the courtroom gave her a standing ovation, saluting her courage for coming forward and ending the terrifying abuse delivered by this so-called doctor.   The fallout resulted in the entire Board of USA Gymnastics immediately resigning as well as the President and Athletic Director of Michigan State University.  As for Nassar, (note:  I will not dignify him by using the Dr. prefix in front of his name), the Judge in the case sentenced him to as many as 175 years in prison.  The Judge knows, as well as all of us, that Nassar will have limited days of life left once he enters prison.  Prisoners, as violent as their crimes may have been, have zero tolerance to ‘live’ with sexual predators, especially of children.  To Hell, Larry Nassar.

Falcon Heavy.  Nothing to do with the Atlanta Falcons and their failure to return to the Super Bowl.  Falcon Heavy is SpaceX’s newest rocket, the most powerful rocket currently in operation – and the second-most powerful rocket ever built. The most powerful rocket in history was NASA’s Saturn V rocket, which was used for the Apollo moon landings and was retired in the 1970s.  This is another Elon Musk effort to commercialize space, as once the Falcon Heavy accomplishes it objective of reaching deep orbit, many entities plan on using the Falcon Heavy to carry payloads and satellites into space.  Quite an accomplishment for Elon Musk, who in one word is quite the visionary.

Roger Federer.  After last night, his 20th Grand Slam win.  At 36-years old.  Enough said.

On the lighter side of things, a wedding in the Miami area provided for a wonderful weekend of fun and celebration.  To my daughter and son-in-law: all the best for a life of fulfilled with happiness and joy.  XO.

Adios and Have a Funday Sunday!!

The Blog.  Look Mom, No Hands.  Saudi Drivers.  Portugal’s Leap of Faith.  He Is Really Good.

I have had inquiries from people I don’t know about how and why I started this weekly blog.  It is not very complicated as I like to challenge myself with things that are out of my comfort zone.  So I got a bit of advice from Doug Roberson and Jeff Schultz, both excellent journalists with the Atlanta Journal & Constitution, and looked to journalists who have inspired me over the years:  Peter King, Sports Illustrated; Frank Deford, Sports Illustrated; Dave Barry, Miami Herald; and Hunter Thompson, Rolling Stone.  I have no ulterior motives with the blog other than to write content and stay away from religion and politics.  It is not easy for me but I enjoy the challenge.

Robot taxis. I want to know the first people who, in a major city, decide it is OK to get into an autonomous automobile and sit comfortably while the car, with no steering wheel, takes you to your destination.  It seems that General Motors has decided to enter this market of autonomous automobiles in a big way and they are all good with the no driver and no steering wheel concept.  I know that it is inevitable that driver-less cars will dominate our highways and roads sooner than I think, but my vision of these types of cars in downtown LA, Charlotte, Atlanta, or Orlando only leads me to believe that big time issues will occur.  But then again, no one even knew what an automobile was 120 years ago.

Saudi Arabia.  Progressive in many ways including petrochemicals and oil, and at the same time so 17th century with it’s behavior toward women.  I won’t bore you with all the archaic rules that govern a Saudi woman’s behavior in public but no one could ever understand why Saudi Arabia prohibited women from obtaining a driver’s license.  Maybe a devout Muslim would understand why not, but most people are clueless about Sharia Law.  I won’t go down the path of religion but Saudi Arabia ranks 141 out 144 countries in gender parity and much of that ranking is tied to Sharia Law.   I am not sure if things are changing in Saudi Arabia, but it was announced last week that Saudi Arabian women, for the first time, will be able to apply for a driver’s license.  To keep it all in perspective, it was not until 2011 when women in Saudi Arabia were finally allowed to vote.  Meh.

It’s climate mimics California with it’s beautiful coastal cities and towns, and it’s hilly and mountainous countryside.  Portugal now has become a mecca for marijuana production focused on producing medical marijuana similar to many areas of the United States.  One major difference: Unlike the United States, drug overdose is almost unheard of in Portugal.  The main reason: 16 years ago, Portugal took a risk and decriminalized the possession of all drugs — everything from marijuana to heroin. By most measures, the move has paid off. Today, Portuguese authorities don’t arrest anyone found holding what’s considered less than a 10-day supply of an illicit drug.  I will never condone the use of drugs but what Portugal has done makes you think that there are other answers to the massive U.S. drug problem.

With the signing of Ezequiel Barco, Atlanta United’s starting eleven for this upcoming season is crazy good. Barco is just 18 years-old and is considered one of the world’s top young midfielders. Just as important, United’s bench is much stronger than last year allowing them to rest players at opportune times (note:  unlike last year’s ridiculous September schedule due the Mercedes Benz stadium delay, this year’s schedule is in relative balance). Darren Eales, Carlos Bocanegra, and Tata Martino continue to set a standard that most clubs can only dream about.

Eight weeks to daylight savings time.

Adios and Have a Funday Sunday.   

 

What We All Look Forward To As We Head Into 2018.

For those of us still watching the NFL, an interesting playoff scenario. Can the Falcons win at Philadelphia?

Tomorrow night’s College Football Championship Game.  Can the Dawgs take down Saban?

A new tax plan – if our favorite CPA can figure it out.

Getting rid of this weather and temperatures that align more with Siberia.

A very special wedding.

The Middle East and detente.  Probably not.

A World Cup summer (unfortunately without the U.S.A.)  – We should all support Iceland, a country of 320,000, and our neighbor, Mexico.

Easter, The Master’s, and Passover, which means we finally get into Spring.

Winter Park & Hannibal Square, downtown Alpharetta, downtown St. Pete, and Delray Beach.

Making Iran and North Korea behave.  Doubtful but hopeful.

The Winter Olympics in South Korea.  At least the ski jumping competition.

Figuring out the South Sudan where 7.7 million people depend on aid from all of us to survive.

The start of Atlanta United’s season – and the long-term contract Miguel Almiron will sign.  Doubtful.

Space Tourism.  Think SpaceX.

Daylight savings time – nine weeks and counting.

Adios and have a Funday Sunday! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am ‘on Holiday’ for the next two Holiday weekends.  Here is to remembering and saluting some of the people we lost in 2017:

First and foremost, our Veterans and our Armed Forces personnel.

Don Rickles – he made fun of everyone all the time and everyone laughed.

Gomer Pyle – a.k.a. Jim Nabors

David Cassidy – he made women melt.

Della Reese – talent at its best.

Roy Halladay – one of baseball’s better pitchers – ever.

Fats Domino- if only today’s so-called talent could mimic him.

Robert “Benson” Guillaume – he helped provide a path for African American TV actors

Y.A. Tittle – epitome of competiveness

Tom Petty – his music was a cross-over of everything.

Monty Hall – Everyone watched him host “Let’s Make a Deal”

Hugh Hefner – what is the one word you think of when someone mentions his name?

Jake LaMotta – the boxer portrayed by Robert De Niro in “Raging Bull”

Jerry Lewis – how could someone so goofy be so talented?

Dick Gregory – controversial, spirited and maybe a bit misguided

Glen Campbell – country before country got cool.

Sam Shepard – an incredibly talented playwright and actor

John Heard – the dad in “Home Alone”.

Martin Landau – the intelligent one in the original “Mission Impossible” TV series.

Stephen Furst – remember ‘Flounder’ in “Animal House”?

Adam West – he IS Batman.

Frank Deford – distinguished journalist helped make sports writing an art

Gregg Allman – a pioneer and a legend

Jim Bunning – elected to Baseball’s Hall of Fame and a U.S. Congressman

Roger Moore – was he the best ‘James Bond’?

Chris Cornell – one of the many talented musicians/singers we have lost over the years.  His voice made “Soundgarden”.  Gone at 52.

There are many more we lost in 2017.  Live strong everyday and do what you can do while you can do it.

Adios and Have a Funday Sunday, Happy Holidays, and all the best for a great 2018!  I will be back on January 7.

 

 

 

Derivatives.  Grow Up.  Capturing the Fans $$.  Let’s Get the Silverware.  Franken This.

Will someone a bit more intelligent than I (that is all of you) please enlighten me on the what, why, and how the bitcoin is now top of mind?  I read the words ‘cryptocurrency’ and ‘digital money’ and understand that a Chicago-based exchange is opting to trade bitcoin futures.  Wait, what?  This is a currency without the backing of a government or central bank and has risen in value 1,500% since January 1st….85% in the last two weeks! Is it real, a financial flavor of the month, or just an anti-establishment currency tracking the path of the digital world?

To Baker Mayfield: you are more cocky than skillful and you just won the Heisman Trophy.  You have a bit of Johnny Manziel in you and you have an arrest record.  Enjoy your Heisman trophy and try not to follow many Heisman winners who had little to no NFL success:  Tim Tebow, RGIII, Matt Leinart, Danny Wuerffel, Andre Ware..and there are many others.  In short, wake up and grow up.

Downtown Atlanta is about to blow up again.  The Atlanta Hawks and Steve Koonin are developing what is going to be an awesome entertainment complex right next to Philips Arena.  Once the Hawks get through this tough rebuilding year, their team and the Philips Arena area will be a great night out.  The same is happening in Orlando with the Magic, who are developing a mixed use complex next to Amway Center.  These developments will far exceed L.A. Live next to Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles.

As all of you know I am a big supporter of Atlanta United, who in their inaugural season, achieved tremendous success on and off the field.  I hope Toronto F.C.’s performance last night only provides more motivation for Darren Eales, Carlos Bocanegra , and Tata Martino to build a player pool that gets Atlanta a championship.  It looks like it may have started this week with the signing of 22 year-old Franco Escobar from Argentina’s Newell’s Old Boys.  Escobar is young, experienced and great on the ball out of the back.  I am sure there are many more moves coming in the next few weeks especially if a big European club comes up with the big money to buy Miguel Almiron.

To Al Franken:  crawl up in a hole and don’t come out.  Ever. (Did I just stray from my mantra of no politics/no religion?)

Adios and have a Sunday Funday!   

28 Days to 2018.

Really, we are in the last month of 2017.  How fast did this year go?

The Russians and FIFA at it again…..Russia somehow drawn into the weakest group for World Cup 2018.  Yes, the host country is Russia.

Capital punishment can get very political…which I stay away from….but, the guy who killed four people in the Tampa Bay area.  Enough said.

Yesterday’s win against Auburn puts the University of Georgia in the bowl championship’s final four.  While Ohio State supporters are very disappointed, Clemson, Oklahoma, Georgia, and Alabama should make for a fun final four.

I have previously ranted about individuals accused of sexual harassment in the workplace.  I am sure someone else will hire him for the shock ratings but how toxic is Matt Lauer?

Gulf of Mexico beaches.  In one word:  awesome.

I still have a hard time understanding how, in 2017, a submarine can disappear off the coast of Argentina and  multi-national search crews have no idea where the submarine sits?  Then again, a passenger plane that went missing years ago has never been found.

Is the shine off for February’s Winter Olympics?  Interest seems to be lacking…maybe due to the time difference U.S.A. viewers will experience with the Games being held in South Korea.

Hopefully you had the chance to see the University of Central Florida’s double overtime win in the AAC championship game.  UCF ends up the regular season undefeated and while their schedule is not as tough as most D1 schools, I doubt there is any football coach who would want their team to take on UCF right now.

I-4 from Orlando to Tampa- another example of the U.S.A.’s unfortunate miss with the world of high speed trains.

Adios and have a Great Week!

 

 

Money Talks But PPV Speaks Louder.

I guess we take for granted watching live broadcasts of sporting events, especially college football.  In 1951, a mere 66-years ago, NBC broadcast the first live, nationwide coverage of a live sporting event.  That day it was a college football game between Duke and Pitt.  For perspective, there were 133 college football games broadcast live on TV or steamed online on the opening weekend of college football back in September.  That’s right, 133 games in one weekend.

Yes, we all know that this live broadcast frenzy is fueled by the networks who bid for college football’s broadcast rights.  Many years ago this bidding was enhanced when the FCC abolished the NCAA rights and allowed individual conferences to bid out their conference schedule broadcast rights.  The numbers the networks pay are incredible but they are betting on big paybacks from advertisers who love the gigantic ratings.  It sounds like a plan until you find out that ESPN alone, in 2012, agreed to a 12-year, $5.64 billion dollar contract for the rights to the college football playoffs and the six associated bowl games.  $471m a year in a socio-economic atmosphere of cord-cutting and rampant pirating of broadcasts from numerous dubious sources.  ESPN has made such bad deals that they are now going through their second set of headcount cuts to minimize their cost structure.   This is ESPN’s scenario – CBS and Fox are basically in the same predicament due to the contracts they signed for rights to broadcast the Big Ten, ACC, Pac-10 and SEC conferences.  This take is focused on college football but for perspective ESPN has announced that they are doing a deep-dive study on whether they can afford to keep producing and broadcasting Monday Night Football.

There is not a clear cut answer to the financial dilemma but get familiar with the acronym PPV because it is coming fast.  We pay way too much for cable television but I guess we rationalize the money spent every month on the amazing amount (not necessarily quality) of content. PPV, Pay-for-View, is the model that most European broadcasters have gone to – including the ability to watch live sports that once were part of a subscriber’s monthly package.  Get ready U.S.A. because that SEC and Big Ten ‘free’ football we watch during the Fall is about to change dramatically.  The go forward reality is PPV.

Adios and have a Funday Sunday!!!!