JUST MY TAKE

S$5 Million For 30 Seconds. It Is A Mammal.  The Model Does Work.  Watch the Video.

A bit over $5 million for a 30-second spot. That is the going rate for what many feel are their favorite part of watching the Super Bowl – the commercials. Lets hope that the creative content of these $5M ad spots makes us laugh, delivers a solid message, and keeps us engaged.

Many years ago as a youngster growing up in Miami, I remember a criminal case that at first I did not understand. The Coast Guard, on routine patrol in Biscayne Bay, spotted a fisherman shooting into the water. The Coast Guard closed in and the fishing boat attempted to escape, obviously to no avail. Upon boarding the vessel, the Coast Guard arrested the captain and charged him with killing two dolphins, illegal then and illegal to this day. I was told by friends that killing dolphins was a trophy kill for many fishermen, able to sell them on the “black” market. Unfortunately for this fisherman, or maybe fortunately, he was arraigned on killing a endangered specie – and then faced a Miami circuit court judge who many criminals in Miami feared. I don’t recall his name, but I do remember the judge looked old, acted old, but was known for being the ‘iron fist’ of sentencing. The judge sentenced the fisherman to fifteen years, with no opportunity for parole. The courtroom was shocked until the judge explained his sentence: all fishermen were warned for many years, previous fines and prison sentences had been handed down to others for killing dolphins, and then his statement that hammered home his anger: Dolphins are mammals…they breathe air using lungs, not gills, and they bear live young. He continued that baby dolphins drink milk and have hair, and as a protected specie, and a mammal, he told the fisherman that he was lucky not to be sentenced under the guidelines of pre-meditated murder. Obviously the media had a field day with this ruling and some of the public was outraged. I don’t remember if the sentencing was reduced on appeal, but I do remember that the harassing and killing of dolphins in Biscayne Bay came to a full stop. Unfortunately, some people never learn. Recently, a Texas court sentenced two brothers charged with the killing of a bottle nose dolphin, found dead from a hunting arrow wound near the Louisiana border in the Gulf of Mexico. The perpetrators, who were found guilty to the killing incident in February of last year, were sentenced to two years in federal prison and a $50,000 fine. Similar to the elephant seal moron, you can’t fix stupid.

Not many people outside of South America had ever heard of Miguel Almiron. Pundits were a bit surprised when Atlanta United bought Almiron from Lanus in Argentina for a reportedly $8M. Almiron, under the guidance of manager Gerardo Martino (Tata), went on to be one of the top players in Major League Soccer during his two-year stint in Atlanta. Almiron’s pace, technical ability, and incredible work rate gained notice from many European clubs. Earlier this week, Newcastle United bought Almiron for $27M, yielding a return on investment of 2.5x (not 3x as some of the allocations go to the MLS, etc.) Once again, the magical and hard working staff of Atlanta United, under the tutelage of owner Arthur Blank, have set a massive precedent for Major League Soccer. Kudos to Darren Eales and Carlos Bocanegra, who not only positioned the sale of Almiron, but convinced the South American Player of the Year, Pity Martinez, to sign with the Club to help fill the void of Almiron’s departure. Atlanta United has a massive task at hand after being crowned MLS champions in their second year, but you can only think that their opponents will again frown upon having to deal with Josef Martinez, Tito Villalba, Ezequiel Barco, and the new acquisition, Pity Martinez.

La La land. California beach goers , especially one individual, have voiced there concerns and displeasure with having to give up one of “their” beaches. While seals can be found on many California beaches, the temporary government shutdown opened the door for hundreds of seals, including elephant seals, to take over a beach usually reserved for humans. With government workers on temporary sabbatical, there was no one to maintain this one beach usually inhabited by humans. So the seals, led by the massive elephant seals, decided to take over the beach to to displeasure of stupid humans. The stupid humans quickly forget that the coastline and the beaches are the habitat of many sea species, including thousands of seals. One individual protested by trying to make the seals leave the beach and go back into the water. Yes, park rangers quickly removed the man from the beach – for his own protection. Elephant seals can weigh four tons and reach a length of 20′. The man removed from the beach should be very thankful. See below.

Daylight savings time countdown: six weeks from today.

Adios and Have a Fun Superbowl Sunday!!!

It Has To Be Super. Why Ted Bundy? Can Pity Martinez Fill The Void? The Bread And Milk Raid.

Here is to hoping that Sunday’s 53rd Super Bowl has a better outcome than: 1) the incredulous no-call that allows the Rams, not the Saints, to go up against Tom Brady and the Patriots; 2) two years ago, when the Falcons 28-3 lead in the 51st Super Bowl evaporated quickly; 3) Nineteen years ago, when Super Bowl weekend turned into Ray Lewis weekend. Yes, my friends, that was NINETEEN years ago.

Zac Efron, in my opinion a very good actor, has completed a movie in a role playing Ted Bundy. Question: who the hell is going to see a movie about Ted Bundy? Al Bundy, maybe.

Is Atlanta United’s tremendous success, just two years in, possibly turning into “no good deed goes unpunished”? We all know that Miguel Almiron may move on in the transfer window that closes on Thursday…..but rumors are also swirling about Tito Villalba and Leandro Gonzalez Pirez. Big clubs in Mexico and Argentina, respectively, are reportedly very interested in acquiring these two from United. Interesting times coming off the Major League Soccer championship run.

Maybe a dust of snow in Atlanta midday Tuesday. Panic is in full-motion as Publix and Kroger managers are reporting civil unrest at most stores. Not a laughing matter for 75% of the U.S. population….who will suffer below-freezing temperatures this week.

In tradition of the daylight savings time countdown: less than seven weeks and counting!

Adios and have a great week.

As We Look For Peace and No Drama

Already in the third week of the new year, we sometimes go through tough times, tumult, concerning family matters, and just the everyday challenges we sometimes face. I say keep the glass half full because dwelling on the negative is basically energy draining, distracting, and really solves nothing. I like the phrase ‘cork the whine’, and sometimes I have to do just that. Let’s put this all in perspective. If you are facing some challenges that have you down, benchmark your issues with the following people:

Michael Cohen R. Kelly Jason Van Dyke Anyone Testifying Against El Chapo Theresa May The Opiod Addicted Enes Kantar Rudy Giuliani Workers Caught Up With The Government Shutdown

Compare yourself with this list of people. Don’t get me wrong, I am not supporting or condemning their actions or their situation. I am pointing out that in no way, no how we would trade anything for what these people are dealing with or have gotten themselves into. I would prefer to benchmark against someone like Ocean Ramsey. #Ocean Ramsey, who has become one of the world’s authorities on sharks….by swimming with sharks. This past week, she swam with Deep Blue, the 4,000 lb, 20-foot long great white shark sometimes seen on Shark Week. Her comments about her encounter are maybe a bit ‘off-center’ for most of us, but her positive comments and outlook are quite refreshing compared to the news of the day. I know my friend S² would enjoy swimming with Deep Blue as well.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/marine-biologist-swims-20-foot-long-great-white-shark-n960241

Adios, stay warm, and have a Funday Sunday!!

What Do You Do With This Type of Human?  Just Don’t Watch. Distracted At Dinner. No Alcohol.  OCSC – Make It Happen.

His name is Jake Thomas Patterson. 21-years-old, unemployed with no previous criminal record. Her name is Jayme Closs. 13-years-old and recognized by many as an outstanding student and very special kid. Eighty-eight days ago, near a small Wisconsin town, Jake Thomas Patterson kidnapped Jayme Closs, then went into her home and murdered Jayme’s parents in cold blood…in front of the young 13-year-old. Luckily, after close to three months of captivity, Jayme was able to escape and is now safe. I have expressed my views on these types of crimes, ones that are pre-planned, cold-blooded, and involving children. Keeping with my ethos of no politics, no religion, I will leave it to my readers to provide me with their thoughts on the path of justice and due process with Jake Thomas Patterson. The arraignment, trial, incarceration at the taxpayer’s expense, rehabilitation, etc. Let me know your feelings with Patterson by using the COMMENTS section of the blog site. As a side note, the death penalty in Wisconsin was repealed in 1853. It has had no death penalty for over 150 years, longer than any other state in the country. 

I broke a promise- very unusual for me. After last year’s Academy Awards show, I promised myself, for my own reasons, that I would abstain from watching this type of ‘entertainment’. Don’t get me wrong, at Sunday night’s #GoldenGlobeAwards, Bradley Cooper in ‘A Star is Born’, Amy Adams and Christian Bale in ‘Vice’ and ‘The Americans’ (best TV show) are all well-deserving. The actual show, content, and hosts were sub-par at best. As usual, the acceptance speeches became a platform for some of the award-winners to voice their political, religious and racial views. Unfortunate and uncalled for. And yes, I hear you, if I don’t like it….don’t watch.

I am pleased to announce that Paris’ first (maybe last) nude restaurant, due to the lack of business, will close next week. #O’Naturel’s owners stated that they will only remember the good times with customers who were delighted to share exceptional moments. Seriously?

Teetotaler by definition: “a person who abstains totally from intoxicating drinks”. Also by definition, I am not a heavy consumer of alcoholic beverages. With that said, I do enjoy a cocktail once in a while but similar to the challenge of writing this weekly blog, I took the challenge to abstain from libations for the month of January. I certainly can say that this has been a good challenge amd I honestly do not miss drinking. With that said it has only been 13 days and February 1st, Super Bowl weekend, is right around the corner.

Great to see that Orlando City has made some big changes heading into the new season. A new technical director is definitely stirring the pot with the player pool, the new training grounds are in the design development stage, and as some of you know who have attended games with me, the pre-game experience downtown and the short walk to the beautiful stadium is great fun. Looking forward to balancing my schedule with Orlando City and Atlanta United season tickets. Speaking of Atlanta United, Friday’s college draft may have yielded a diamond-the-rough. Take five minutes and read Doug Roberson’s piece on Anderson Asiedu. Sort of a “Blind Side” story: https://www.ajc.com/sports/asiedu-incredible-journey-from-ghana-atlanta-united/1WHbCFnAK0JIpXCyShH2qO/

As we are already at mid-January, the daylight savings time countdown is on: eight weeks and counting.

Adios and Have a Funday Sunday!

What Really Is Fake News?

Ace Hardware and Home Depot stores in Mexican cities near the United States border are reporting record sales of all types of saws. No reason for the spike in sales have been reported by these retailers.

Reversing their position on weight loss for the seventh time in two years, Harvard’s Medical School has issued this directive: calorie intake is just as important as exercise to impact your weight loss goals. Protesters were seen outside of McDonald’s and Taco Bell voicing their concerns over this earth-shattering information.

Japan has an annual fish auction. A restaurant owner paid $4,902.00 a pound for a bluefish tuna. Total spend on this fish: $3M. I would explain more but I just can’t.

This year’s Consumer Electronics Show again has some very interesting technology to introduce. The introduction of 5G, electric scooters, smart speakers, and roll-up television screens should be leading the way for the 180,000 attendees. Then there is Kohler’s voice-command toilet, allowing you to speak to your toilet to flush, change the MOOD lighting, and set the level of heating on the seat. Obviously I am confused as Kohler’s market research clearly reveals that people utilize the toilet for many reasons I am not privy to.

Alabama and Clemson battle tomorrow night for the college football national championship. It is reported that Alabama’s starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is reportedly bringing 405 ‘family members’ to the game in Santa Clara, California. My simple math: 405 tickets at an average price of $100.00 per ticket = $40,500.00. Let’s hope this is fake news?

Jim Cramer, a leading pundit of the stock market, was seen purchasing a BOGO coupon for a NYC-based psychiatrist. No specific reason was given.

Chelsea Football Club purchased American superstar Christian Pulisic from Dortmund FC for $73M. If Christian Pulisic is worth $73M to Chelsea, what is Atlanta United’s Miguel Almiron worth on the open market? We should find out soon as the winter transfer market is open until January 31.

It is reported that the Florida Department of Transportation, who oversees the massive redevelopment of Interstate 4, has decided to call it quits on further progress. After hearing that the construction will take another $100M and eight additional months, the Board voted 5-4 to just let bad be bad.

Adios and Have a Funday Sunday!!

READ about these two – and “Cork the Whine”.

It is the end of another year. Lots of good and some tough things happened during 2018. I wrote about ‘reflection’ in last week’s blog – and with that said I try not to look back too often. I am busy with work, college bowl fever – including today’s two semi-finals, and some travel. Good things will also happen in 2019 but when you face some adversity please remember these two stories as they are thought-provoking and inspirational. There are many other stories of inspiration, hundreds of them with the women and men of our armed forces and the brave women from the USA gymnastics team. I am not sure, using this web platform, that the two links will open up. If you have issues opening them, just google #Tyler Trent and #Tommy Morrissey. After learning more about these two we have no reason not to ‘cork the whine’.

https://www.news-press.com/story/opinion/contributors/2018/12/24/tyler-trent-face-my-last-days-why-am-grateful/2405781002/

All The Best for A Happy and Healthy 2019!!

What Radar Systems? Bend Over, Tie Your Damn Shoelaces. Salary Cap. Anchorman. He Will Not Lose Any Sleep. How About Monday, Wednesday and Friday?

I don’t know too much about defense contractors, for example Raytheon. What I do know is the the U.S. military, along with many other countries, spend hundreds of millions of dollars with Raytheon on radar systems. Some of these advanced radar systems can track aircraft, missiles, and ships from hundreds of miles away. Some of these radar systems have the ability to establish an ‘electronic fence’ in a perimeter of up to 100 miles. The technology used for these systems is mind-boggling and ever expanding including radar systems used from space. So can someone with military and technology experience please explain to me how a $100.00 drone can shut down one of the busiest airports in the world for 72 hours? Can these radar systems, costing in the hundreds of millions of dollars, not detect and more importantly shut down the signals the drone operator sends to these flying machines? Someone please explain this to me as the use of drones is growing exponentially. I can only hope most of them are being used for the right reasons.

Funny (maybe not?) factoid from Nike: first introduced years ago, the Portland-based sporting goods manufacturer is re-introducing their self-lacing basketball shoes at a “much more reasonable retail price of $350.00”. A bargain considering these shoes for the lazy were first introduced at $700.00 a pair. Seriously?

The Chinese, because they have nothing better to do, have introduced artificial intelligence (AI) to television networks. They have developed AI technology that mimics a human being, specifically an anchor person, to deliver the news, sports and weather. The networks in China are looking to cut costs so what better way than to cut down on the salaries they pay their news anchors. Sources out of NYC tell me that Chris Cuomo, Al Roker, and David Muir have updated their CV’s.

FC Cincinnati, Major League Soccer’s new expansion team, have the distinct pleasure of being Atlanta United’s home opening opponent on March 10 at Mercedes Benz Stadium. I am sure Greg Garza, traded by United to FC Cincinnati two weeks ago, is already thinking about his match up with the right side of Atlanta United’s attack……can you say Tito Villalba and Franco Escobar? All United fans enjoyed and appreciated Garza during last season’s championship run but March 10 will be a different story. On another Atlanta United note: welcome back Michael Parkhurst….you might be sitting down with your new Dutch manager very soon.

I won’t go politics in this blog but many posts ago I wrote about my appreciation for General James T. Mattis, who up to four days ago was the United States Secretary of Defense. He resigned, for reasons of his own, and I am sure he will move on to a consultancy role with a defense contractor or major television network. Last week I posted some of my favorite quotes. I forgot one, a quote from General “Mad Dog” Mattis: “I don’t lose sleep at night over the potential for failure. I cannot even spell the word”.

With $71 billion in revenue that yields a $4 billion LOSS, the United States Postal Service is an independent agency of the U.S. Federal Government and one of a few government agencies explicitly authorized by the U.S. Constitution. I guess if you run a business from your home or receive prescription medication, daily postal delivery, including Saturday’s, may be important. With all of that said would any of you care if your mail was delivered only on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday? Call me crazy but I am definitely okay if my mail service is cut back to two days a week. Can you say privatization?

Adios, have a Funday Sunday, and a safe and Merry Christmas!

What Does the NFL Do With The Millennial Mindset?   President Lincoln and More.

I guess there are some things that just bother me about the Falcons, or maybe it is just the NFL in general.  The Falcons’ current head coach, Dan Quinn, was preceded by former head coach, Mike Smith,  who has the better record through the first 61 games. Smith, in his post-game interviews, ALWAYS used the word ‘Process’ multiple times to explain the team’s issues and plight.  Now I hear Dan Quinn using the word ‘Identity’over and over again explaining how the Falcons, his team, has lost its way.  It is maddening to see a team in their 13th game of the season perform at such a low level – mistakes, penalties,and the lack of execution on both offense and defense.  These are professional players and yes, injuries have affected the Falcons….but EVERY team has injuries.  The Falcons have a leadership problem that is NOT the head coach, along with a fitness problem and most certainly attitude issues.  No one can tell me different.  On top of everything else, Arthur Blank, the owner of the Falcons, has another team that is the exact opposite of the Falcons.  Strong leadership from management and the coaching staff guide a tough group of Atlanta United players who are willing to go into an all out war against their opponents. Examples include last  Saturday night’s MLS Championship game, when Atlanta’s Josef Martinez, the leading scorer in the league, tracked back 40 yards to stop a counter attack, and the defense hammering home an early message to Portland’s attackers with very hard tackling and ball-winning.  Mr. Blank has a problem and that problem is keeping his NFL team relevant in the city of Atlanta.  There were hundreds of people taking photos of  a poster at the end of Saturday night’s MLS Championship game. The poster read: “We are not the Falcons”.  I just laughed it off until later that night when I realized that the poster was 100% true. It is not only the Falcons who have issues, but many of the teams in the NFL. Don’t get me wrong, the NFL is a powerful brand and a massive attraction to both over-the-air and digital networks.  I am just pointing out that when the millinneals, the vast demographic who attend United games,  grow older and have children, it is apparent to me that most families, in the not too distant future,  will favor the MLS over the NFL.  Obviously, just my take.

Sometimes I look for inspiration by looking at historical quotes from various leaders throughout the world.  The Holiday season, for many reasons, provides for a reset and some grounding.  You may or may not agree or like these quotes but they do give you something to think about, especially when of all people, with the groundwork that was provided by leaders around the world, we have the nerve to bitch and complain about our ‘tough’ lives.  Here are a few:

“Neither let us be slandered from our duty by false accusations against us, nor frightened from it by menaces of destruction to the government nor of dungeons to ourselves. Let us have faith that right makes might, and in that faith let us to the end dare to do our duty as we understand it.”

—President Abraham Lincoln, 1860

“Retreat? Hell, we just got here!”

—Marine Captain Lloyd Williams, answering a messenger from the French Commander as Marines arrive at the Belleau Wood sector in WWI.

“I hear a lot of crap about what a glorious thing it is to die for your country. It isn’t glorious—it’s stupid! You don’t go into battle to die for your country. You go into battle to make the other bastard die for his country.”

—General George S. Patton, Jr., speaking to troops in 1941

“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.”

—General H. Norman Schwarzkopf

“Atlanta United – incredible, amazing, and a championship.  Now what the hell are you going to do for an encore?”

-A United supporter who now lives in Orlando

Adios and Have a Funday Sunday!

Let’s Not Ever Forget. Is It Currency?  Saturday Night Fever.  Grow Up.  Mars Anyone?  The China Syndrome.

Friday was the anniversary of a day the U.S. will never forget. Seventy-seven years ago, at 7:55 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 7, 1941, a Japanese force of 183 airplanes attacked U.S. forces on Oahu in the Hawaiian Islands.  The worst of wake up calls for the United States Armed Forces and specifically the United States Navy.  That’s why we should fly the Flag on these days of remembrance….to never forget.

I have little to no knowledge of crypto-currencies.  I understand the general concept of trading monetary value without the intermediary bank or financial institution.  What I do not understand is the governance of Bitcoin or other crypto-currencies.  While the Federal Reserve’s decisions may not be spot on all the time, the thought of no governance with a currency is a bit unnerving.  Last week, Bitcoin value dropped 80% year over year.  Call me crazy….but that IS CRAZY.

Over 73,000 fans witnessed #AtlantaUnited in last night’s Major League Soccer Championship game. The Club and it’s plan and strategy started way longer than two years ago after a tremendous amount of groundwork and strategy that has been executed extremely well by the Atlanta United staff.  United brought home the silverware last night beating a very good Portland team 2-0.  The City of Atlanta should be incredibly grateful to Mr. Blank and his staff.  The strategy to birth a Major League Soccer team was well conceived and came with a bit of risk. The Club, through it’s grassroots marketing tactics, the capital outlay to build a world class stadium, the fantastic training grounds, and the right combination of player pool, has united the City of Atlanta like never before.  The Five Stripes will lose their manager, their top player, and a few more players who will not be resigned or lost to the expansion draft, but you have to feel confident that Mr. Blank’s directive of sustainability will keep this Club, and it’s supporters, engaged year after year for a very long time.

Kevin Hart.  Outstanding stand-up comedian.  A star of many movies.  Funny without even trying.  And a bigoted homophobic who needs to grow up quickly.  Uncalled for, sad, as your tweets must be representative of your character.  

The mission’s cost is over $1B.  It took six months to get there, traveling 100 million miles.  The ultimate goal of this exploration of Mars is to determine and measure similarities to Earth, specifically to figure out how both planets evolved.  Though this mission was funded by NASA, the privatization of space exploration is here and here to stay.  With my creative team, I am charged with providing NASA and Kennedy Space Center with a look at what a “SpacePort” will look like in the future.  The long term thinking from Kennedy Space Center and NASA is that NASA, in the not too distant future, will become the ‘new’ Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).  NASA will govern the private space flight companies (SpaceX, Blue Origin, etc) and how manned flights into space are scheduled and monitored.  This thinking may seem a bit futuristic but it is moving fast with a watchful eye from NASA.  This post goes to many creative and smart people.  I could use some forward thinking on this project from all of you.

We have heard it all before.  “I took all my money and it’s stashed under my bed”.  “I go to Las Vegas monthly and win every time”. Well, after last  week’s Dow Jones debacle those statements are no longer ridiculous.  The Chinese, the trade agreements and posturing.  No es bueno.

Adios and Have a Funday Sunday!!  And Thank You Atlanta United.

And I Thought I Understood.  This Will Be Different.  

I have a strict rule with religion and politics.  I don’t like to discuss or comment on either for many reasons.  So I will stay the course explaining the lesson of real life we experienced in Northern Ireland.  Sure, I was aware of the conflict as more than often me and my father watched Walter Cronkite or John Chancellor on the nightly news.  Sure I asked many questions about the conflict, the street fighting and the bombings.  Sure, I grew up with the awareness of the conflict but it was never top of mind as I roamed the parks and streets of Miami.   After a couple of days in Dublin, a wonderful, thriving city full of life (and too many pubs), the train north put us in Belfast.  A short walk to our hotel in the city center and then off to explore…..and as theme goes ” a two-hour tour”.   We decided to see Belfast using the Black Cab tour – basically a driver and his taxi.  Out of the car comes a 6’1″ exact combination of Sean Bean, Jason Statham, and Vinnie Jones. He has us sit in the car, still parked in front of the hotel, and for 10 minutes goes on to tell us exactly who he is, what he thinks, and his POV on Northern Ireland and it’s history of terror.  He obviously has our full and undivided attention as he drives and explains that the city of Belfast is defined by Falls Road on the Catholic side and Shankill Road on the Protestant side.  He asks us many times to get out to look at the war murals, the head office of Sinn Fein, the Irish Republic Army’s (IRA) political arm, and the so-called IRA museum, where we look through documents, posters, and photos as well as a myriad of weapons used in the conflict.  He shows us the wall the still divides the city and the gates that are still closed in the evenings to prevent the separatists from fighting.  Then he takes us to Shankill Road on the Protestant side, which he told us he would do though I could tell he wanted nothing to do with the area.  We stop at the remains of the Red Lion Pub on Shankill Road where he walks us through simple wall murals that show photos of what was once a pub, it’s patrons, and the three people killed and 30 injured when in November of 1971, an IRA brigade bombed the pub.  The reality:  our driver was/is an IRA operative, jailed twice and definitely the type of man you don’t make enemies with.  I asked him about the existence of the IRA today and he just gave me a look and told me that the IRA will never really go away.  The two-hour experience was everything emotional, shocking, historic and sad.  Our driver was sincere, tough and one-sided but he did give us the POV of “the other side”.  I asked the driver about a real ‘neutral’, no-man’s land within Belfast.  He smiled and replied “This is Belfast.  There is none.”   Background:  Around ninety years ago Ireland was split in two after people living there went to war against their British rulers. The south, where Dublin is located,  became a separate state, now called the Republic of Ireland. This division between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland led to decades of unrest and violence in Northern Ireland, which remained part of the UK.  “The Troubles”, as Northern Ireland’s sectarian strife came to be known, erupted many decades ago, when Catholic Irish nationalists, favoring unification with the Irish Republic to the south, began a violent and terror-filled campaign against Britain and the Loyalist Protestant paramilitaries who supported continued British rule.  Ireland, including the North, is lively, beautiful and historic.  We visited Howth on the southeast coast, which was charming, beautiful and a great place to spend time away from the busy streets of Dublin.  You can’t go wrong visiting Ireland and when in Belfast get a history lesson by taking the Black Cab tour.

This will be not be a 28-3 halftime lead and subsequent debacle.  This will not be the the Falcons in Miami’s Super Bowl with their starting safety arrested the night before the game.  This will not be the 1991, 1992, 1996 or 1999 Atlanta Braves.  This is Atlanta United.  This is Arthur Blank, Darren Eales and Gerardo (Tata) Martino.  This is the MLS Championship at home with 74,000 fans absolutely going crazy for 90+ minutes.  This is a team of warriors.  While everyone just ‘loves their style of play’, this team showed us in the NYRB series that they can go to war and fight, and more importantly play a style that may be ugly but wins games.  With Tata, Miguel, and possibly Josef departing, as well as players who will not be resigned for next year, this team, made up of players from different backgrounds and nationalities, will come onto the field Saturday night ready to go to war.  Portland is a formidable opponent with a rookie coach who has won championships at different levels, but in Mercedes Benz Stadium, under the watchful eye of Arthur Blank and 74,000  supporters, Atlanta United will bring home the silverware.  By the way, there WILL be a parade, and Tata better be given a key to the City as he moves on to run the national team of Mexico.  I am fired up and will be at the stadium to witness this team going to war to get it done.  Unite & Conquer.

Adios and have a Funday Sunday!!!