Be warned, this is a long post, but maybe the most important I have posted.
This is a conversation that I never thought I would have. It just never crossed my mind that anyone could not agree with me on this. I am an adult and I realize, and respect, that there are a variety of opinions out there in the world, most of which don't mesh with my opinions. That is fine. Matter of fact, that is great and that is what makes life so fun. If everyone agreed, then why would there be a need for all of us.
Anyway, I don't really even remember how this argument got started yesterday, but the question came up about which sport is the best sport. Believing that everyone thought the same, I simply made the statement that baseball was the best sport and Scott exploded and demanded that I write a blog explaining why baseball was the best sport and that he would provide a rebuttal. Truthfully, I find it hard to even come up with reasons because there are so many and I have never had to think about why baseball was the best before. I want to use the response "because it is", but I thought I would make a reasonable argument so and allow everyone to respond. I have also offered to post Scott's rebuttal inside this post for everyone to see. I will start with Scott's argument, followed by my own.
Scott's Argument
Before I get a bunch (or maybe one since I think it is only Jim Reader and I who read this blog) of angry e-mails telling me I am un-American for not believing that baseball is the greatest sport in the world please understand that I do enjoy the game… sometimes. I played little league and senior league baseball growing up and even made the all-star team (just in case some of you jerks think I don’t like the sport because I wasn’t any good). I even spent many summers at Watt Powell Park cheering on the Wheelers and then the Alley Cats while growing up in Charleston. But something around my sophomore or junior year of high school made me realize I have better things to do with my time than sit around and watch nine guys stand for the most part motionless in the field while one guy stands around at the plate. In this blog entry I will not even begin to argue the need for a salary cap in baseball or the fact that not having one makes 95 percent of all games played every year meaningless. Instead I will look at the other factors that make the sport a snooze fest.
There is no doubt that there are tens of thousands of hardcore baseball fans across this country such as Mr. Matthew Luke Sutton. They enjoy going to the games and keeping score and tracking every pitch. However, to rest of America baseball is boring. It is slow and lacks the fast pace of other professional sports such as a football and basketball. And as for watching baseball on television, those who can watch an entire game without dozing off are very special people. Working at the library is more exciting than sitting down for a three and a half hour midseason showdown between Marlins and Brewers. Just typing that made me sleepy.
We live in a time of constant stimulation, be it on computers, video games, television, etc. There are literally thousands of options for the average American to spend his or her time. Many, including myself, choose to spend many hours every year watching and attending sporting events. According to the Pew Research Center 46 percent of all adults and 47 percent of males consider themselves very or somewhat interested in sports. That’s great, but what does the research show for which sports are most popular you may ask? Well, according to Pew 34 percent of all adults follow football, 14 percent follow basketball and a whopping 13 percent are interested in “America’s Pastime.” That only beats out soccer, auto racing, golf, tennis, ice hockey and figure skating. This takes me back to my point: baseball just isn’t interesting to the average American (ie. Joe the Plumber).
I will not argue the fact that millions flock to at least one major league baseball game a season, me included. But that is mainly because of the amount of opportunities Americans get to see a baseball game. Let’s do the math, which I am admittedly not very good at. There are 30 teams in major league baseball today and each play a staggering and cumbersome 162-game schedule. That is 81 opportunities every summer to see the baseball team nearest you play at home or 2,430 games every season across the country. Too many games waters down the product and thus makes the majority of games every year boring. I still get a laugh when Sports Center catches a sleeping baseball fan at a handful of those games every year. And those are just the unlucky few who got caught.
I understand that there isn’t much going on in professional sports from about June through August. You are probably asking yourself what you are supposed to do during those 90 days to keep from suffering sports withdrawal. My answer is simple: do what I did two years ago and take up watching NASCAR. Twice the strategy, more than 100 times the movement and most importantly 1,000 times the excitement as baseball. I promise you if you give up four Sundays this spring or summer to watching NASCAR you will never again wonder who won the first game of a weekend doubleheader between the Orioles and Royals.
Sutton Argument:
I want to start off my argument from a fan's prospective. First, baseball is in the summer when there is nice weather and you want to be outside. George Carlin stated, when comparing football and baseball, "Baseball begins in the spring, the season of new life. Football begins in the fall, when everything is dying." I am not going to spend my time knocking any other sport. Football, basketball, NASCAR, hockey, etc are all fine sports that I spend a great deal of time following, but not like baseball.
Anyway, back to my fan based argument. A baseball game is more like a big open bar then a sporting event. I remember a quote I read one time from Humphry Bogart about being at a baseball game. He said, "A hot dog at the ballgame beats roast beef at the Ritz." It is the most enjoyable sporting event to attend. Ernie Harwell, in his book, "The Game for All America, stated, "Baseball? It's just a game--as simple as a ball and a bat. Yet, as complex as the American spirit it symbolized. It's a sport, business--and sometimes even a religion." Carlin described a baseball game with the following, "In baseball, during the game, in the stands, there's kind of a picnic feeling; emotions may run high or low, but there's not too much unpleasantness." For those of you who may argue that football is the most enjoyable sport to attend, let me remind you of how Carlin describe a football game, "In football, during the game in the stands, you can be sure that at least twenty-seven times you're capable of taking the life of a fellow human being." It is just a nice comparison. Walt Whitman told people that "I see great things in baseball. It's our game--the American game. It will take our people out-of-doors, fill them with oxygen, give them a larger physical stoicism. Tend to relieve us from being a nervous, dyspeptic set. Repair these losses, and be a blessing to us." In trying to remember the exact words from Bogart's quote, I came across another quote that he gave that I will use to summarize a fan's experience at a baseball game. He said, "Y'know, you take your worries to the game, and you leave'em there. You yell like crazy for your guys. It's good for your lungs, gives you a lift and nobody calls the cops. Pretty girls, lots of 'em."
The science of the game is another reason that baseball is far superior to other sports. Ask anyone professional athlete in the world what the hardest thing in sports to do is and they will say 'hit a baseball.' In 2005, USA Today ranked the 10 Hardest Things to do in Sports and "Hitting a baseball" was number one. The rationale stated, "considering that a major-league pitch can reach speeds more than 95 mph, hitters have only 0.4 seconds to find the ball, decide where the ball is going and swing the bat." Joe Schultz was a player in the early to mid 1900. He described the difficulties in baseball by saying, "Well, boys, its a round ball and a round bat and you got to hit the ball square." Wes Westrum, a former player and coach, said, "Baseball is like church. Many attend but few understand." Mickey Mantle gave a wonderful quote that in essence summarizes the toughness of baseball. Mantle said, "During my 18 years I came to bat almost 10,000 times. I struck out about 1,700 times and walked maybe 1,800 times. You figure a ballplayer will average about 500 at basts a season. That means I played seven years without ever hitting the ball."
One of the main arguments for baseball being the best sport ever is that it is truly a mental game. Baseball players don't have to be smart, but more so than any other sport, they have to be mentally tough. The great part about baseball is that it is full of situations. It is full of moments that define the sport. There are people say that baseball games are long and boring. They say it because they don't understand baseball. One error by the second baseman can turn a season from great to horrible. Red Barber, a former baseball broadcaster, put it this way, "Baseball is dull only to dull minds." Gabe Paul, who has been a general manager for several baseball teams, describe baseball with the following quote, "The great thing about baseball is that there's a crisis every day." Leo Durocher summed up the intensity of baseball with the following, "What are we at the park for except to win? I'd trip my mother. I'd help her up, brush her off, tell her I'm sorry. But mother don't make it to third."
My final point on this blog about the greatness of baseball is that inspires people, frankly it is a game for everyone. It is something that people can't do without. Stan Isaacs, once wrote about baseball in a Newday column. He wrote, "I do love the baseball that is in the heads of baseball fans. I love the dreams of glory of 10-year-olds, the reminiscences of the 70 year olds." Rogers Hornsby said, "People ask me what I do in the winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring." Ted Williams once said, "Baseball gives every American boy a chance to excel, not just to be as good as someone else but to be better than someone else. This is the nature of man and the name of the game." Al Gallagher, a former player, described his love for baseball by saying, "There are three things in my life which I really love: God, my family, and baseball. The only problem--once baseball season starts, I change the order around a bit." Chuck Tanner, a former player and manager, summed up his love for baseball by stating, "The greatest feeling in the world is to win a major league game. The second greatest feeling is to lose a major league game." A former sports journalist, Red Smith, claimed that "Ninety feet between home plate and first base may be the closest man have ever come to perfection." I sum up this argument with a wonderful quote from Herbert Paper, a noted historian, who said, "It is well to remember that a Martian observing his first baseball game would be quite correct in concluding that the last two words of the National Anthem are: PLAY BALL!"
I simply could go on and on, but if you know sports and love sports, then I don't need to go on, because you already know what I am talking about. Does baseball have some flaws, sure, but that is what makes it great. That despite some of it flaws, like the D.H., it is still the greatest game on earth, because it overcomes those flaws.
I have used a lot of quotes from others to support my argument for baseball. I did it because everything great about baseball has already been said and it supports those inherent believes that most of us already have. So I want to leave you with a quote to summarize my argument about the difference between baseball and the other sports. Bryant Gumbel summarized baseball in ten simple words,
"The other sports are just sports. Baseball is a love."
We both would love to hear what you all think so let the comments fly.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Lesson for the Day
Some days there are lesson that you learn that make a difference in your life. Today's lesson:
Pay your taxes...you never know when you might be nominated for a Cabinet position.
Pay your taxes...you never know when you might be nominated for a Cabinet position.
Grown Men Crying
I am man enough to admit that I have cried before. Several time, for a variety of reasons, and it is really nothing to be ashamed of. But I have been asked to give my thoughts about Roger Federer breaking down and crying after losing the Australian Open, so here they are.
I have to start off by saying that I am a big Federer fan, like I stated in a pervious blog. I have the utmost respect for someone who is "that good" and other than Tiger Woods and maybe Michael Jordon, no one is "that good" at their sport as Federer is at tennis. Federer is still close to the top of his game, but Nadal has simply caught up with him and Federer is slipping a little bit. Federer could be, and should be, considered the best tennis player of all time, so it has to be hard for him to realize that he is not the best in the current game anymore. He is 27 years old and he has already reached the peak of his career. I think that this is what was going through his mind when he broke down after the Open. He is the best ever, he is one Slam away from Sampras's record and he is not the best player in the world anymore. These thoughts simply were too much for someone who is "that good." I think he will get the record for Slams before it is all said and done, but he played as hard as he could in the Open and he lost, this is not a normal day on the court of Federer. He hardly ever has had to play as hard as he can and when he does, he rarely loses. So that is the rationale I give for Federer breaking down and crying.
All the being said, I was dissapointed in him. When you lose you should be pissed off, angry, and thinking about revenge. Was Federer really thinking that this was it for him? Maybe he truly believes that he can't possible do any better, but breaking down and crying, come on man. You got beat, suck it up, show respect for Nadal and move on to the next tournment. Cry in the locker room, cry at home, cry where ever else you want, but not there.
First off, this was Nadal's moment. I am not a huge Nadal fan, but man that guy can play tennis, and I respect that and I love watching him play. Let Nadal enjoy his moment and show the man some respect. Say you got bested by him and that the better man won on that day. You don't have to mean it, but you have to say it and more important, show it. Secondly, you are a professional tennis player. I can understand how much heart, soul, and energy is put into these matches and into their profession in general, but nobody died and nobody got hurt. I understand that it is upsetting to lose when you played your hardest, but come on, act like a professional, move on, and vow to get him next time.
This incident doesn't change the way I feel about Federer. I will still root for him and I still consider him the best ever. I won't look at him differently now and say 'man that guy cried on national television.' It is not the act of crying that bothers me, there is nothing wrong with crying, it is the location and situation that troubles me. Like Tom Hanks said, "There's no crying in baseball." He didn't say that there is no crying, there is just no crying on the field. And folks, he wasn't just referring to baseball.
I have to start off by saying that I am a big Federer fan, like I stated in a pervious blog. I have the utmost respect for someone who is "that good" and other than Tiger Woods and maybe Michael Jordon, no one is "that good" at their sport as Federer is at tennis. Federer is still close to the top of his game, but Nadal has simply caught up with him and Federer is slipping a little bit. Federer could be, and should be, considered the best tennis player of all time, so it has to be hard for him to realize that he is not the best in the current game anymore. He is 27 years old and he has already reached the peak of his career. I think that this is what was going through his mind when he broke down after the Open. He is the best ever, he is one Slam away from Sampras's record and he is not the best player in the world anymore. These thoughts simply were too much for someone who is "that good." I think he will get the record for Slams before it is all said and done, but he played as hard as he could in the Open and he lost, this is not a normal day on the court of Federer. He hardly ever has had to play as hard as he can and when he does, he rarely loses. So that is the rationale I give for Federer breaking down and crying.
All the being said, I was dissapointed in him. When you lose you should be pissed off, angry, and thinking about revenge. Was Federer really thinking that this was it for him? Maybe he truly believes that he can't possible do any better, but breaking down and crying, come on man. You got beat, suck it up, show respect for Nadal and move on to the next tournment. Cry in the locker room, cry at home, cry where ever else you want, but not there.
First off, this was Nadal's moment. I am not a huge Nadal fan, but man that guy can play tennis, and I respect that and I love watching him play. Let Nadal enjoy his moment and show the man some respect. Say you got bested by him and that the better man won on that day. You don't have to mean it, but you have to say it and more important, show it. Secondly, you are a professional tennis player. I can understand how much heart, soul, and energy is put into these matches and into their profession in general, but nobody died and nobody got hurt. I understand that it is upsetting to lose when you played your hardest, but come on, act like a professional, move on, and vow to get him next time.
This incident doesn't change the way I feel about Federer. I will still root for him and I still consider him the best ever. I won't look at him differently now and say 'man that guy cried on national television.' It is not the act of crying that bothers me, there is nothing wrong with crying, it is the location and situation that troubles me. Like Tom Hanks said, "There's no crying in baseball." He didn't say that there is no crying, there is just no crying on the field. And folks, he wasn't just referring to baseball.
Sad Day
I am a reasonable person I know that something bad happening to your favorite sports team isn't a major blow in life. Following a team is something to do and give you a reason to watch games. Now I do it well and I 100% committed to my teams (Mets, Redskins, Lakers, WVU). I wouldn't even know how to think about switching favorite teams and I have a problem with people who do just that. You follow the team, not a certain player. You can have a certain player that is your favorite and follow them if they move to another team, but your favorite team doesn't change.
Anyway, I was awfully sad to see that Andrew Bynum is going to be out for the next 8-12. It almost made me sick to my stomach. It isn't because I don't think the Lakers can win without him, because they can and they will (enter Kobe Bryant's 61 points last night against the Knicks), but I feel horrible for Bynum.
Bynum was a risky draft pick for the Lakers in 2005. He was only 17 years old and really needed some work. Bynum struggled his first couple seasons in the NBA, but last year it just clicked. Bynum was playing at an All-Star level last year and then he loses the season to an injury in his left knee and the Lakers went on to lose in the NBA Finals because they just couldn't get tough inside. This year Bynum was again starting to play at an All-Star level and he hurts his right knee and now he is pretty much out for another year. I just feel awful for this kid. He has increased his level so much over the last couple of years and he is quickly becoming one of the best centers in the game, but he just can't catch a break.
The Lakers will be fine. I have the utmost convidence in Kobe Bryant's ability to lead this team to the Finals again this year and pull it out. He is the best player in the game (please don't try to argue that with me) and he was matured greatly over the last few years to become a team leader and he knows how to get these guys to play. Hopefully they can find a big man to bang around down there for the rest of the season, but if not, and the rest of the team can stay healthy, they will be fine. Bynum will also be fine. He is young and will bounce back, but you simply can help feeling sorry for a young man who seems to be doing everything right, on and off the court, and who has to sit and watch his team play everything night for the rest of the season through no fault of his own.
Anyway, I was awfully sad to see that Andrew Bynum is going to be out for the next 8-12. It almost made me sick to my stomach. It isn't because I don't think the Lakers can win without him, because they can and they will (enter Kobe Bryant's 61 points last night against the Knicks), but I feel horrible for Bynum.
Bynum was a risky draft pick for the Lakers in 2005. He was only 17 years old and really needed some work. Bynum struggled his first couple seasons in the NBA, but last year it just clicked. Bynum was playing at an All-Star level last year and then he loses the season to an injury in his left knee and the Lakers went on to lose in the NBA Finals because they just couldn't get tough inside. This year Bynum was again starting to play at an All-Star level and he hurts his right knee and now he is pretty much out for another year. I just feel awful for this kid. He has increased his level so much over the last couple of years and he is quickly becoming one of the best centers in the game, but he just can't catch a break.
The Lakers will be fine. I have the utmost convidence in Kobe Bryant's ability to lead this team to the Finals again this year and pull it out. He is the best player in the game (please don't try to argue that with me) and he was matured greatly over the last few years to become a team leader and he knows how to get these guys to play. Hopefully they can find a big man to bang around down there for the rest of the season, but if not, and the rest of the team can stay healthy, they will be fine. Bynum will also be fine. He is young and will bounce back, but you simply can help feeling sorry for a young man who seems to be doing everything right, on and off the court, and who has to sit and watch his team play everything night for the rest of the season through no fault of his own.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Groundhog Day
In honor of Groundhog Day, I thought I would honor a man that never gets honored enough...Bill Murray. While Groundhog Day was a really funny movie and is pretty underrated, I have spent the day trying to figure out where it falls on the list of Murray's all time greatest movies (by the way, I do work and pretty hard, but I can think about more than one thing at a time). There is probably room for discussion about the list, but not room for discussion about Bill Murray being one of the top five funniest actors ever. I should note, that even though movies like Lost in Translation, The Royal Tenenbaums, and Broken Flowers are great, they are not classic Murray so they are not included on my list.
Here is my list (my first Top 10 list, take that Hot Clicks). Please comment, complain, agree, or protest if you like.
10. Groundhog Day (this role was made for Murray. "Yeah Rita, there hicks"...great line)
9. Meatballs (Classic for any teenage boy to see)
8. Stripes (Impossible to put Murray, Harold Ramis, and John Candy in a movie and it not be great)
7. Coffee & Cirgarettees (You may not have heard of it, but you should see it. Limited role for Murray, but great movie...classic Murray)
6. Little Shop of Horrors (Steve Martin has never been funnier and Murray played a role he was born for)
5. What About Bob? ("Roses are red, violets are blue, I'm a schizophrenic...and so am I"...doesn't get funnier)
4. Scrooged (Could easily be #2...Murray was priceless..."The bitch hit me with a toaster")
3. Kingpin (Some of Murray's best lines..."Oh, that's not a case at all. the woman's a stone-face liar. Let's not ever talk about that. I pulled out of her really early on that one." "Me, If I get drunk and fall down and hurt myself, I might lose." "Hi. Hi. Not you. Hi")
2. Caddyshack (Most everyone recognizes this a one of the greats..."In the immortal words of Jean Paul Sartre, 'Au revoir, gopher." "Well, I got a lot of stuff on order. You know...credit trouble."
1. Ghostbusters (Doesn't even need any explanation, just some quotes. "Nimble little minx, in't she?" " No, we're exterminators. Someone saw a cockroach up on twelve...Bite your head off, man."Why worry? Each one of us is carrying an unlicensed nuclear accelerator on his back." "Someone blows their nose and you want to keep it?" "We've been going about this all wrong. This Mr. Stay Puft's okay! He's a sailor, he's in New York; we get this guy laid, we won't have any trouble."So, she's a dog." "I don't have to take this abuse from you. I've got hundreds of people dying to abuse me." "Egon, this reminds me of the time you tried to drill a hole through your head. Remember that?" "If I'm wrong, nothing happens! We go to jail--peacefully, quietly. We'll enjoy it. But if I'm right, and we can stop this thing...Lenny, you will have saved the lives of millions of registered voters." Last one I promise, "This happen to you before? Huh. First time?"
Some of you may argue that Caddyshack should be above Ghostbusters. Simply put, you are wrong. If I were doing a list of funniest movies ever, Ghostbusters would be at the top. I am sorry if you don't agree, but if you don't then you really need to watch the movie again and work on your sense of humor. There are very few movies that I can watch alone that I will sit for an hour and a half and laugh out loud uncontrolably and Ghostbusters is one of time (for example, Hear No Evil, See No Evil is another).
Other possible arguments could include me not including Quick Change or The Man Who Knew Too Little. Quick Change was a funny movie and outside Christmas Vacation it was Randy Quaid's best, but there can only be ten on this list, so something had to be left out. Others left out could include Rushmore, Mad Dog and Glory, Ed Wood, and Tootsie. Again I am sorry and no disrepect to those movies, but they just aren't as funny as the ones on the list. And please nobody say movies like Charlie's Angels or The Darjeeling Limited. These were good movies, but not Murray's best.
Stay tuned for more Top Ten List.
Here is my list (my first Top 10 list, take that Hot Clicks). Please comment, complain, agree, or protest if you like.
10. Groundhog Day (this role was made for Murray. "Yeah Rita, there hicks"...great line)
9. Meatballs (Classic for any teenage boy to see)
8. Stripes (Impossible to put Murray, Harold Ramis, and John Candy in a movie and it not be great)
7. Coffee & Cirgarettees (You may not have heard of it, but you should see it. Limited role for Murray, but great movie...classic Murray)
6. Little Shop of Horrors (Steve Martin has never been funnier and Murray played a role he was born for)
5. What About Bob? ("Roses are red, violets are blue, I'm a schizophrenic...and so am I"...doesn't get funnier)
4. Scrooged (Could easily be #2...Murray was priceless..."The bitch hit me with a toaster")
3. Kingpin (Some of Murray's best lines..."Oh, that's not a case at all. the woman's a stone-face liar. Let's not ever talk about that. I pulled out of her really early on that one." "Me, If I get drunk and fall down and hurt myself, I might lose." "Hi. Hi. Not you. Hi")
2. Caddyshack (Most everyone recognizes this a one of the greats..."In the immortal words of Jean Paul Sartre, 'Au revoir, gopher." "Well, I got a lot of stuff on order. You know...credit trouble."
1. Ghostbusters (Doesn't even need any explanation, just some quotes. "Nimble little minx, in't she?" " No, we're exterminators. Someone saw a cockroach up on twelve...Bite your head off, man."Why worry? Each one of us is carrying an unlicensed nuclear accelerator on his back." "Someone blows their nose and you want to keep it?" "We've been going about this all wrong. This Mr. Stay Puft's okay! He's a sailor, he's in New York; we get this guy laid, we won't have any trouble."So, she's a dog." "I don't have to take this abuse from you. I've got hundreds of people dying to abuse me." "Egon, this reminds me of the time you tried to drill a hole through your head. Remember that?" "If I'm wrong, nothing happens! We go to jail--peacefully, quietly. We'll enjoy it. But if I'm right, and we can stop this thing...Lenny, you will have saved the lives of millions of registered voters." Last one I promise, "This happen to you before? Huh. First time?"
Some of you may argue that Caddyshack should be above Ghostbusters. Simply put, you are wrong. If I were doing a list of funniest movies ever, Ghostbusters would be at the top. I am sorry if you don't agree, but if you don't then you really need to watch the movie again and work on your sense of humor. There are very few movies that I can watch alone that I will sit for an hour and a half and laugh out loud uncontrolably and Ghostbusters is one of time (for example, Hear No Evil, See No Evil is another).
Other possible arguments could include me not including Quick Change or The Man Who Knew Too Little. Quick Change was a funny movie and outside Christmas Vacation it was Randy Quaid's best, but there can only be ten on this list, so something had to be left out. Others left out could include Rushmore, Mad Dog and Glory, Ed Wood, and Tootsie. Again I am sorry and no disrepect to those movies, but they just aren't as funny as the ones on the list. And please nobody say movies like Charlie's Angels or The Darjeeling Limited. These were good movies, but not Murray's best.
Stay tuned for more Top Ten List.
Movie and Book Recommendations
One thing that I will do from time to time on this blog is make some recommendations of movies and books that I like. It is my way of letting you know what I think is worth your time.
First, though it probably doesn't need a recommendation, I was to let you know that I really enjoyed Slumdog Millionaire. Even though it was one a bunch of awards and is up for an Oscar, this is not how I found out about this movie. On his weekly show in CNN, Fareed Zakaria always makes recommendations about movies, books, or music that he like (kind of like me). A few months ago, after the Mumbai attacks, Fareed recommended Slumdog. It was a great movie because it had everything. It was funny, serious, educational, entertaining, and captivating. It is probably one of most well-rounded movies that I have seen in a long time. If you get the chance, go and watch. It is only about 2 hours, but you will think that you were only on the movies for about 30 minutes.
My book recommendation is the book How to Break a Terrorist: The U.S. Interrogators Who Used Brains, Not Brutality, to Take Down the Deadliest Man in Iraq by Matthew Alexander (not his real name). Like the vast majority of books I read, I heard about this book on the Daily Show with John Stewart and it peaked my interests. Now I don't read a lot, but I have gotten into it lately and this book was wonderful. It was not long (which is key for me) and it was an extremely easy read. The book is about how this group of interrogators used new tactics, such as respect, friendship, understanding, and rapport to get suspects to give them the information they needed. It really gives you an excellent understanding into the minds of not only the interrogators, but also the suspects. It is also a wonderfully amazing book about strategy and having to outsmart someone who didn't want to give you what you needed. I don't want to give the whole book away, but it really shows how helpful these tactics can be and how useless the tactics of fear and control really are.
First, though it probably doesn't need a recommendation, I was to let you know that I really enjoyed Slumdog Millionaire. Even though it was one a bunch of awards and is up for an Oscar, this is not how I found out about this movie. On his weekly show in CNN, Fareed Zakaria always makes recommendations about movies, books, or music that he like (kind of like me). A few months ago, after the Mumbai attacks, Fareed recommended Slumdog. It was a great movie because it had everything. It was funny, serious, educational, entertaining, and captivating. It is probably one of most well-rounded movies that I have seen in a long time. If you get the chance, go and watch. It is only about 2 hours, but you will think that you were only on the movies for about 30 minutes.
My book recommendation is the book How to Break a Terrorist: The U.S. Interrogators Who Used Brains, Not Brutality, to Take Down the Deadliest Man in Iraq by Matthew Alexander (not his real name). Like the vast majority of books I read, I heard about this book on the Daily Show with John Stewart and it peaked my interests. Now I don't read a lot, but I have gotten into it lately and this book was wonderful. It was not long (which is key for me) and it was an extremely easy read. The book is about how this group of interrogators used new tactics, such as respect, friendship, understanding, and rapport to get suspects to give them the information they needed. It really gives you an excellent understanding into the minds of not only the interrogators, but also the suspects. It is also a wonderfully amazing book about strategy and having to outsmart someone who didn't want to give you what you needed. I don't want to give the whole book away, but it really shows how helpful these tactics can be and how useless the tactics of fear and control really are.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Super Bowl Ads and Other Thoughts
I was going to start this ealier, but I had some internet issues. Let me say that I don't "have a dog in this hunt" and I like (and dislike) both teams for different reason. I really respect and like Kurt Warner and want to see him do well. I also like Mike Tomblin, he seems like a good guy, and Ben Roethlisberger. On the other hand, I really don't like the way the majority of Steeler fans behave. Nothing against any one Steeler fan personally, but when you get them in a group, it is just really annoying and it makes them hard to root for. Anyway, I really just want to see a good game.
I will keep this updated as the game goes on, so keep checking back.
Game Thoughts
I thought Jennifer Hudson was great.
Always take the ball when you have the chance.
Gutsy challenge by Ken Whisenhunt early in the game
Tomlin was smart to go for three early and not risk it on forth down
Going live now:3:58 1st: wow what a play by Big Ben, Arizona better start hitting
End of first quarter thoughts: Arizona better stop giving up ten yards a pop to the Steelers and get their defense off the field
14:09 2nd: 10-0 isn't impossible to comeback from, but they better get started
8:43 2nd: what a catch by Ben Patrick (yes, Ben Patrick), never seen a tight end jump so high...first td of the year for Patrick, I love that
4:16 2nd: Special Teams always plays a role in the Super Bowl, great run by Breston
0:51 2nd: Fitz gets his first catch...remember that moment, could get him started
0:01 2nd: Holy shit, are you kidding me...James Harrison 100 interception return..what were the Cardinals doing...best interception return ever!
End of 2nd, Halftime: What a turn around. Could have been could have been 14-10 Arizona, now it is 17-7 Steelers. It is going to be tough mentally for the Cardinals to come back again, I hope they have it in them
Halftime: I was digging the Boss, but hey, its the Boss. Springsteen rocks has always rocked and he still does. I was really enjoying the show, then they played "Glory Days" and then I was loving it. Best half time show in recent years that I can remember, glad to see they got that right.
7:31 3rd: A stupid roughing the passer penalty, and by stupid I mean on the refs part. This rules really needs to be looked at again. It was a big penalty that the Cardinals didn't deserve.
3:32 3rd: Personal foul on Adrian Wilson. Dumbest play of the game, could pretty much cost his team the game. It has the potential to go from a two possession game to a three possession game. Stupid.
2:43 3rd: Good job by the Cardinals Defenese. It cost them less than a minute, but it was still a stupid penalty, but a field goal is better than a TD. 20-7
End of 3rd: Cardinals better get moving. The Steelers will just run, run, run the clock out, so the Cardinals better score fast. 20-7
14:32 4th: Really glad to see Boldin have a good game. Boldin helped me win fantasy this year, so I am glad to see him get his 7th catch Not really helping though because no one else is doing anything
13:34 4th: There have been some really bad calls in favor of the Steelers. Defensive holding was a bad call and there have been about four others.
9:27 4th: 23 yard reception by J.J. Arrington isn't a huge deal, though it was a big play, but I have two Arrington rookie autograph cards, so I like to see him do well.
7:33 4th: Larry Fitzgerald can really catch and he just got the Cardinals back in the game. We will have to wait and see. There is a lot of time left.
6:39 4th: Dockett sacks Big Ben again. If the Cardinals pull this off, Dockett is a strong MVP candidate.
5:21 4th: Personal fouls are stupid and kill teams. Steelers just got a big one on Ike Taylor and it will hurt.
3:26 4th: Personal foul again on Harrison this time. Not as big of deal, but it could have been. This is the Super Bowl, these guys have to be smarter.
2:59 4th: That was the biggest catch of Santonio Holmes career...and then holding in the end zone for a safety. The game was over for the most part after the first down and not the Cardinals are in great shape to win this thing. They still need a TD though.
2:37 4th: Holy shit...Larry Fitzgerald may be the fastest man alive. Great pass by Warner and Fitzgerald just ran away from everyone else...wow. 23-20 Cardinals
1:56 4th: What were the Steelers doing trying to get that play off before the 2 minute warning. What was their rush and why that play down field. I don't get it.
1:44 4th: S. Holmes is having a great game.
1:01 4th: This is turning out to be a great game and a great finish. The Steelers are at the 50 yard line with 1 minute left.
0:49 4th: I just got done saying that Santonio Holmes was having a great game. I knew there was a reason I drafted that guy in the 4th Round of my fantasy draft
0:35 4th: I have been telling you about Santonio Holmes. What an amazing catch. MVP
0:29 4th: Steelers better play some D
0:22 4th: My lord, Fitzgerald is good. Big catch and they are still alive
0:05 4th: Nothing Warner could do the pressure was just too great. Great try by the Cardinals, but the Steelers are Super Bowl Champs...My only suggestion is that their fans act like champions (see my blog about celebrating below)
End of Game: Steelers win, Holmes is MVP in my book
Ad Scoreboard (out of 10 points):
1st Quarter
Bud Light 1: 5 (guy getting thrown from the window was not good)
Audi: 8 (it had Jason Statham in, nothing else to say)
Pepsi: 6 (Will I am was in it, but nothing great)
Doritos 1: 9 (loved the snow globe going into the snack machine)
Bud Light 2: 4 (Conan was dumb)
Toyota: 4 (Vensa ad was too normal)
Bridgestone: 7 (Potatohead ad was pretty funny)
2nd Quarter
Castrol: 7 (Greese monkeys was a pretty good idea)
Doritos 2: 6 (Good with the guy getting hit at the end)
Go Daddy: 5 (Disappointing after what they have done in pervious years)
Pepsi Max: 8 (I am always down for a good physical comedy ad)
Pedigree: 6 (Funny, but nothing to remember)
Budweiser 1: 4 (Fetch was okay, but I am done with the horse and dogs, they need to find something else)
Budweiser 2: 2 ("Ain't No Mountain", again I am done with horses and dogs, do something else)
Gatorade: 6 (good spokesperson ad for "G", but this is the Super Bowl)
Cars.com: 8 (I really liked this one about the guy how could do anything but buy a car, funny)
Hyundai 2: 7 (Didn't understand the guys going crazy over the newspaper but kinda funny)
Etrader: 9 (that baby is always funny, but adding the second baby was great)
Budlight 3: 3 (Skiing spot was awful...no matter who loses the game, Budlight is the big loser)
H&R Block: 5 (nothing interesting at all with the grim reaper)
Telefora: 4 (flowers in a box, what is wrong with these spots this year)
Cheetos: 9 (great spot with the pigeons, maybe the best so far)
Halftime:
Sobe Lifewater: 4 (all the dancing around and what not...pointless) (I have since read that this was in 3D...why? and why didn't I know that?)
Nextel: 4 (Roadies was a good idea, but not really done that well)
Priceline: 6 (Shatner impression was funny, but it could have been better)
3rd Quarter
WSAZ (local news): 2 (trying not to be flashy and gimmicky, is just gimmicky and it looks bad)
Coke: 5 (been wondering where Coke was, and with that ad, they could have just stayed home)
Bridgestone 2: 9 ("Jump Around" was a good idea in space and pretty funny)
Denny's: 7 (Free Grand Slam is nice and the waitress with the whipcream was funny)
Moster.com: 8 (Moosehead started off a little boring, but the end was great with the guy at the copier)
Budweiser 3: 2 (Horses to America...these ads just keep getting worse)
Careerbuilder.com: 10 (Time to find a new job spot was the best ad thus far...absolutely funny)
Coke 2: 5 (bugs stealing the guys Coke...made no sense and wasn't rememorable)
Frosted Flakes: 5 (nice thing they are doing, but nothing great)
Nfl.com: 8 (I really liked the guys story and it was kinda funny)
4th Quarter
Heineken: 6 (not really as funny as they wanted it to be with the guy being smart and drinking)
Coke Zero: 10 (second best spot. Ripping off the Mean Joe spot and putting in the Coke Zero guys was great)
Cash4Gold: 10 (It had MC Hammer in it, so it has to get the best available rating. it was also very funny)
Vizio: 6 (This direct call to President Obama was cleaver, but nothing other than that)
Taco Bell: 7 (Pretty funny with the guy moving fast on the girl)
GE: 8 (Wizard the Oz talking about the smart grid (whatever that is, but that is a different blog) was a really cleaver way to do that ad)
Hulu: 9 (Alec Baldwin is in it so it has to be great and the drooling part was really funny (by the way, hulu.com is one of the best sites out there, so I highly recommend it)
GE 2: 8 (a funny wind energy ad doesn't seem possible, but it worked well)
Pepsi 2: 7 ("MacGruber" was okay at the start, but really didn't end well, it was still okay)
Budlight Lime: 5 (nothing interesting or different)
Go Daddy 2: 7 (better than the first, but they have a lot to live up to and they just didn't do it.
I will keep this updated as the game goes on, so keep checking back.
Game Thoughts
I thought Jennifer Hudson was great.
Always take the ball when you have the chance.
Gutsy challenge by Ken Whisenhunt early in the game
Tomlin was smart to go for three early and not risk it on forth down
Going live now:3:58 1st: wow what a play by Big Ben, Arizona better start hitting
End of first quarter thoughts: Arizona better stop giving up ten yards a pop to the Steelers and get their defense off the field
14:09 2nd: 10-0 isn't impossible to comeback from, but they better get started
8:43 2nd: what a catch by Ben Patrick (yes, Ben Patrick), never seen a tight end jump so high...first td of the year for Patrick, I love that
4:16 2nd: Special Teams always plays a role in the Super Bowl, great run by Breston
0:51 2nd: Fitz gets his first catch...remember that moment, could get him started
0:01 2nd: Holy shit, are you kidding me...James Harrison 100 interception return..what were the Cardinals doing...best interception return ever!
End of 2nd, Halftime: What a turn around. Could have been could have been 14-10 Arizona, now it is 17-7 Steelers. It is going to be tough mentally for the Cardinals to come back again, I hope they have it in them
Halftime: I was digging the Boss, but hey, its the Boss. Springsteen rocks has always rocked and he still does. I was really enjoying the show, then they played "Glory Days" and then I was loving it. Best half time show in recent years that I can remember, glad to see they got that right.
7:31 3rd: A stupid roughing the passer penalty, and by stupid I mean on the refs part. This rules really needs to be looked at again. It was a big penalty that the Cardinals didn't deserve.
3:32 3rd: Personal foul on Adrian Wilson. Dumbest play of the game, could pretty much cost his team the game. It has the potential to go from a two possession game to a three possession game. Stupid.
2:43 3rd: Good job by the Cardinals Defenese. It cost them less than a minute, but it was still a stupid penalty, but a field goal is better than a TD. 20-7
End of 3rd: Cardinals better get moving. The Steelers will just run, run, run the clock out, so the Cardinals better score fast. 20-7
14:32 4th: Really glad to see Boldin have a good game. Boldin helped me win fantasy this year, so I am glad to see him get his 7th catch Not really helping though because no one else is doing anything
13:34 4th: There have been some really bad calls in favor of the Steelers. Defensive holding was a bad call and there have been about four others.
9:27 4th: 23 yard reception by J.J. Arrington isn't a huge deal, though it was a big play, but I have two Arrington rookie autograph cards, so I like to see him do well.
7:33 4th: Larry Fitzgerald can really catch and he just got the Cardinals back in the game. We will have to wait and see. There is a lot of time left.
6:39 4th: Dockett sacks Big Ben again. If the Cardinals pull this off, Dockett is a strong MVP candidate.
5:21 4th: Personal fouls are stupid and kill teams. Steelers just got a big one on Ike Taylor and it will hurt.
3:26 4th: Personal foul again on Harrison this time. Not as big of deal, but it could have been. This is the Super Bowl, these guys have to be smarter.
2:59 4th: That was the biggest catch of Santonio Holmes career...and then holding in the end zone for a safety. The game was over for the most part after the first down and not the Cardinals are in great shape to win this thing. They still need a TD though.
2:37 4th: Holy shit...Larry Fitzgerald may be the fastest man alive. Great pass by Warner and Fitzgerald just ran away from everyone else...wow. 23-20 Cardinals
1:56 4th: What were the Steelers doing trying to get that play off before the 2 minute warning. What was their rush and why that play down field. I don't get it.
1:44 4th: S. Holmes is having a great game.
1:01 4th: This is turning out to be a great game and a great finish. The Steelers are at the 50 yard line with 1 minute left.
0:49 4th: I just got done saying that Santonio Holmes was having a great game. I knew there was a reason I drafted that guy in the 4th Round of my fantasy draft
0:35 4th: I have been telling you about Santonio Holmes. What an amazing catch. MVP
0:29 4th: Steelers better play some D
0:22 4th: My lord, Fitzgerald is good. Big catch and they are still alive
0:05 4th: Nothing Warner could do the pressure was just too great. Great try by the Cardinals, but the Steelers are Super Bowl Champs...My only suggestion is that their fans act like champions (see my blog about celebrating below)
End of Game: Steelers win, Holmes is MVP in my book
Ad Scoreboard (out of 10 points):
1st Quarter
Bud Light 1: 5 (guy getting thrown from the window was not good)
Audi: 8 (it had Jason Statham in, nothing else to say)
Pepsi: 6 (Will I am was in it, but nothing great)
Doritos 1: 9 (loved the snow globe going into the snack machine)
Bud Light 2: 4 (Conan was dumb)
Toyota: 4 (Vensa ad was too normal)
Bridgestone: 7 (Potatohead ad was pretty funny)
2nd Quarter
Castrol: 7 (Greese monkeys was a pretty good idea)
Doritos 2: 6 (Good with the guy getting hit at the end)
Go Daddy: 5 (Disappointing after what they have done in pervious years)
Pepsi Max: 8 (I am always down for a good physical comedy ad)
Pedigree: 6 (Funny, but nothing to remember)
Budweiser 1: 4 (Fetch was okay, but I am done with the horse and dogs, they need to find something else)
Budweiser 2: 2 ("Ain't No Mountain", again I am done with horses and dogs, do something else)
Gatorade: 6 (good spokesperson ad for "G", but this is the Super Bowl)
Cars.com: 8 (I really liked this one about the guy how could do anything but buy a car, funny)
Hyundai 2: 7 (Didn't understand the guys going crazy over the newspaper but kinda funny)
Etrader: 9 (that baby is always funny, but adding the second baby was great)
Budlight 3: 3 (Skiing spot was awful...no matter who loses the game, Budlight is the big loser)
H&R Block: 5 (nothing interesting at all with the grim reaper)
Telefora: 4 (flowers in a box, what is wrong with these spots this year)
Cheetos: 9 (great spot with the pigeons, maybe the best so far)
Halftime:
Sobe Lifewater: 4 (all the dancing around and what not...pointless) (I have since read that this was in 3D...why? and why didn't I know that?)
Nextel: 4 (Roadies was a good idea, but not really done that well)
Priceline: 6 (Shatner impression was funny, but it could have been better)
3rd Quarter
WSAZ (local news): 2 (trying not to be flashy and gimmicky, is just gimmicky and it looks bad)
Coke: 5 (been wondering where Coke was, and with that ad, they could have just stayed home)
Bridgestone 2: 9 ("Jump Around" was a good idea in space and pretty funny)
Denny's: 7 (Free Grand Slam is nice and the waitress with the whipcream was funny)
Moster.com: 8 (Moosehead started off a little boring, but the end was great with the guy at the copier)
Budweiser 3: 2 (Horses to America...these ads just keep getting worse)
Careerbuilder.com: 10 (Time to find a new job spot was the best ad thus far...absolutely funny)
Coke 2: 5 (bugs stealing the guys Coke...made no sense and wasn't rememorable)
Frosted Flakes: 5 (nice thing they are doing, but nothing great)
Nfl.com: 8 (I really liked the guys story and it was kinda funny)
4th Quarter
Heineken: 6 (not really as funny as they wanted it to be with the guy being smart and drinking)
Coke Zero: 10 (second best spot. Ripping off the Mean Joe spot and putting in the Coke Zero guys was great)
Cash4Gold: 10 (It had MC Hammer in it, so it has to get the best available rating. it was also very funny)
Vizio: 6 (This direct call to President Obama was cleaver, but nothing other than that)
Taco Bell: 7 (Pretty funny with the guy moving fast on the girl)
GE: 8 (Wizard the Oz talking about the smart grid (whatever that is, but that is a different blog) was a really cleaver way to do that ad)
Hulu: 9 (Alec Baldwin is in it so it has to be great and the drooling part was really funny (by the way, hulu.com is one of the best sites out there, so I highly recommend it)
GE 2: 8 (a funny wind energy ad doesn't seem possible, but it worked well)
Pepsi 2: 7 ("MacGruber" was okay at the start, but really didn't end well, it was still okay)
Budlight Lime: 5 (nothing interesting or different)
Go Daddy 2: 7 (better than the first, but they have a lot to live up to and they just didn't do it.
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