On Second Thought...

See, this is what happens when I decide to look on the bright side.

Although I still support the positions expressed in my previous post, my optimistic view has been hijacked because I read about our financial mess. The book is called Griftopia, by Matt Taibi. I have never read a more anger-inducing book.

Now, all those other issues seem like window dressing. Important, yes, but ultimately small compared to ridding our country of the kinds of habits that have turned our financial structure into a house of cards in a ceiling-fan store.

Griftopia takes a very detailed look at the financial crisis of 2008 and how financial institutions ruined so much (it will make you ill); explains the systematic dismantling of regulations designed to enforce responsible practices (it will make you mad); details the irresponsible habits of state and local government (it will make you so very sad); and generally and thoroughly documents what is going on every day (it will make you spit).

I literally had to go on an "angry walk" after every chapter. I coined that phrase for just this book. I read entire chapters to Jen out loud. You have never seen so much head shaking or heard so many pained sighs.

The people who had a hand in the outright theft performed by our financial institutions should be in jail. Still, we are left with a mess whether they are in jail or not. The damage is done, but I'm not sure we have learned anything. By all indications, they are back to financial trickery and used the bailout money to build a bigger house of cards.

I am no Tea Partier, but I get the anger over financial irresponsibility. The problem with that movement is that it over-simplifies solutions. The biggest problem with this mess as I see it is that there is no clear solution. A deep understanding of the root-causes of this mess only lead to a deep foreboding.

No, this is beyond cutting budgets. This is beyond earmarks or such other political shrapnel. This is a problem so ingrained that every proposed-solution seems unrealistic.

I have asked myself many times whether this is simply the knee-jerk reaction of reading an inflammatory book or whether my reaction is merit-based. My conclusion? The book isn't as inflammatory as the facts it gives. I even disagreed with many of the author's conclusions. I even disagree with some of his inferences. However, the facts are there. And, although I do not choose to draw an exact conclusion, my own conclusions are not pretty either.

Now, everywhere I look, there are only more signs of cracks. The 60 Minutes segment I posted above will make your blood go cold. The book describes even more desperate measures being taken by various cities that make them seem like junkies pawning a blender to score $5.00. The best example was the City of Chicago selling its rights to collect its 36,000 parking meters for the next 75 years. All for quick cash now. It fixed a budget hole for one year.

The amounts of unfunded obligations are astounding. I do not know a solution, but things are going to have to get very painful and our sense of entitlement will have to be tested to the limit. None of this is far off. I am starting to see 2008 as merely the initial reaction of hands without callous. The next few years will beat those callouses into us, whether we like it or not.

I am not going to blame this on any one administration or any particular point in our history. Greed, irresponsibility and foolishness like this runs very deep. This isn't political at this point. It's bigger than that.

I really wonder what things will look like in 10 years. Hope may not be lost, but I think the status quo is about to leave permanently. Leaders will have to step up and do things that are VERY unpopular.

Oh yeah... one more thing for those who just have to have an overly-simple catch phrase: we cannot cut taxes every election cycle and also have nice things.

Why Everything is Just Fine

I am starting to feel like the only content citizen these days. I'm certain that I'm not, but like-minded folks are either hard to find or stay quiet at home.

I'm very happy that the 2010 election is over. I'm not overly upset with the results, but I am annoyed by all the chatter, as usual. Of course, none of it surprises me. It's just part of the cycle. I'm hearing apocalyptic rantings from the right, incessant whining from the left and "disappointment" from the middle. But, here's the rub: I have received pretty much exactly what I hoped for when I cast my vote for Barrack Obama and his agenda. Below, I explain why.

To steal a quote from Louis C.K., "Everything is amazing, and no one is happy."

While things aren't "amazing" with the economy, things are better and the man who won the 2008 election has been working through his list just as promised. I know the rhetoric was sweeping, but I certainly hope I wasn't the only one who expected the results to be merely realistic.

HEALTH CARE

It has been reformed in a major way. Was it the wholesale changes the left wanted? No. Did it constitute a literal non-action as desired by the right? No. Was it a compromise? Yes. Was it watered down? Yes. Did it go far enough? No. It never does. our system does not allow it to.

Did it pass? YES. By THREE votes in the House on a reconciliation vote.

That should tell us something. That should tell us that it was not a slam dunk and no one had the power to force the magic number of votes. This wasn't imposed, it wasn't shoved down any throats and it wasn't a shuffling of deck chairs. It was reform born of compromise. Unfortunately, the best settlements leave both sides upset. That's life.

It's also exactly how the system was designed to work. So spare me the talk of our "broken" system. It functions exactly how it was meant to: Slowly, maddeningly, deliberately and with all the runaway momentum of a milkshake through a stirring straw.

Does that make reform either a tyrannical abomination or a weak cop-out and betrayal to legitimate reform? No.

I am as annoyed by those who bitch that it didn't have a public option as those who call it socialist. Why? Because neither sides seems able to understand that IT NEVER WORKS ANY OTHER WAY. A public option would have failed by 100 votes. So, stop it.

Republicans chose not to participate, which made this whole process less satisfying, but that was their choice and success followed anyway. We can't pretend Republicans don't exist any more than we can pretend all Dems would have voted for a public option.

IRAQ

Did everyone forget that this war is over? It's done now. We're staying, yes. But we've stayed everywhere we've ever fought. We don't build "temporary bases." That's life in a geopolitical world, but the war part of it is over and we can move on.

Thank you, Mr. President, for ending the war responsibly. Why does no one talk about this? Big accomplishment.

ECONOMY

We have job growth. Is it enough? No, but tell me what would have done it quicker (and don't say tax cuts alone). Reforms were added for Wall Street and banking. Was it enough? No. But, again, it never is. Remember when I explained how the system works above. This should no longer surprise anyone.

But, this slow process seems to shock people to outrage every single year, with every administration and every election. The minority thanks it for slowing "the march to socialism/aristocracy" and then rails against it when it slows that party's march toward its goals.

The economy still stinks, but I think we all knew this wasn't going to be easy and I support the measures that were taken to stop a deeper fall and get things on the road to improvement. We have less actual control than we think and are, to a degree, along for the ride. Reforms are like steering a runaway car away from obstacles... it doesn't actually stop the car. Still, its worth swerving even if we have to weather the storm.

AFGHANISTAN

This war is now in its 10th year or so. Afghanistan seems to be one of the most difficult and complicated scenarios we have faced since Vietnam. There are very few satisfying options for ending this conflict.

I supported this war when it was started because it involved a direct response to a direct attack. It led to the removal of a regime that openly sheltered, supported and strengthened organizations that have attacked our nation multiple times. Removal was justified.

President Obama was charged with the responsibility to help end this most difficult of conflicts now that we are faced with ending it responsibly. Much like Iraq, this is not a simple task. I'm not willing to express too strong a position one way or the other, but I trust the President's thinking, philosophy and judgment to do what is right in a difficult situation.

I wish him and our troops the best. I try not to spout too many platitudes or proclamations that might over-simplify this mess.

PIE IN THE SKY

I was disappointed when Jon Stewart started taking shots at the President and comparing his phrases in speeches as a candidate to his words as President. For one, I did not think there was a disconnect. Hopeful language about what we can do if we work together is not the same as saying it will be easy.

In politics, and in life really, disappointment is a constant companion. The only tactic to take is to manage it by balancing anything against the possible.

I am happy. I am content. I trust the judgment of our President. I agree philosophically with his solutions.

Just because I am happy, however, does not mean I necessarily mourn the recent Republican victory in the House. All progress is met with backlash and resistance. It has political consequences. If you need any further proof that Health Care Reform was sweeping, look no further than the political fallout of 2010. This is not necessarily a bad thing. I hope it yields cooperation, but I will not be surprised if it merely bogs everything down. This is the equivalent of getting a piece of ice stuck in that stirring straw I mentioned.

My only concern is that the Republicans will now resort to endless investigations and subpoenas rather than taking this opportunity to be a part of the solution. That is that party's problem. I hope for the best.

FINAL THOUGHT

Have you ever noticed how a politician's job seems to be heavy on TV appearances, campaigning, making speeches and supporting other candidates? Well, if you think about it, when exactly do they read these laws, contemplate votes or otherwise actually investigate the right thing to do?

Because they spend so much time in the campaign/political realm of the job, that's what we hear. The scary scenarios, the talking points and over-simplification. It happens every time.

It's possible the reason no one considers the actual merit of things is that no one talks about it.

I'm trying to give it some voice. One person's effort to admit being content.

A Sorting of Books

I now unveil my rankings to determine "Joe's top five books of the year for 2010." Much like the Bowl Championship Series and its crowning of the college football champion, not all books are eligible for top-5 status and the playing field is as even as a spice rack made by a toddler.

I will rank my top-5 for the year and then lump most of the others in various categories. I'll try to comment at least briefly on each. I may yet finish another handful of books, so this list is subject to my final update at the end of the year. Unlike last year, I enjoyed almost every book I read. I think the overall quality of the books I read contributed to my new personal best.

So far, I have read 33 books this year, both obliterating my previous record and being destroyed by Book, who read approximately 582 books this year. Without further ado...

** Denotes a top-5 overall within its individual category.

MY BEHAVIOR SCIENCE KICK

I went on a real behavior science kick this year. I have changed how I operate on a daily basis because of these books.

** Predictably Irrational, by Dan Ariely (Kindle). This book set the standard. I loved this book. As you can see, it landed in the top-5. More on this book later.

Mistakes Were Made (but not by me), by Carol Tavris (Kindle). The next best book I read under this category, and a candidate for top-5. A phenomenal look at irrational behavior within the context of human interactions.

Sway, the Irresistible Pull of Irrational Behavior, by Ori Brafman and Rom Brafman (Kindle). This book offered much less and repeated much of what I have read from Malcolm Gladwell and other behavior science books. This seemed like the "Cliffs Notes" version of the above-referenced books.

Voodoo Histories, by David Aaronovitch. (Kindle). Many people believe all sorts of conspiracies and take on leaps of logic with an "Evel Knievel" determination. The winner for most delusional? Those who dismiss "car accident" as entirely to simplistic an explanation for Princess Diana's death in a car while being chased by photographers. In short: The suspension-of-logic Olympics.

Freakonomics, by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen Dubner (Kindle). A very good illumination of the counter-intuitive elements of life.

Super-Freakonomics, by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen Dubner (Kindle). A forced and inferior follow up.

SPORTS

I enjoy sports books. I was also desperate to fill my football gap with books. What else could I do? All my teams sucked this year. Every one of them have disappointed. I needed a crutch.

Loose Balls, by Terry Pluto. I covered this book in a previous post. Fun and hilarious.

The Book of Basketball, by Bill Simmons. I read it again this year because this book rocks!

The Jordan Rules, by Sam Smith. Great insight into Jordan's Bulls and their first championship season. I always enjoy books that track an entire season. I am always interested in the day-to-day grind of an NBA season. I remember this season vividly because I was emotionally invested in MJ's first title that year. I loved this team and appreciate how much goes on in a given season. I especially loved learning that Adrian Dantley (who ruined Denver's playoff run last year) was a cancer as a player as well! (I'm a bitter fan).

Blood, Sweat and Chalk, by Tim Layden (Kindle). I good history of the NFL and how offenses and defenses have evolved. I actually watch football with a better eye for having read this book.

Seven Games That Changed the Game, by Ron Jaworski (Kindle). Every bit as good as Layden's book. There was some overlap, but Jaworski's book included more back stories and snapshots in time. My only complaint? You can literally hear Jaws shout this book in your head while reading it. That gets old.

BadAsses, by Peter Richmond (Kindle). I still feel guilty for reading this while listening to Denver lose 59-14 at home to the Raiders. The book satisfied my need for a football book during a disaster season all around and my need to read about crazy people. Win-win.

If You Can't Join 'em Beat 'em, by Sal Maiorana (Kindle). A short oral history of the AFL. Formulaic, but informative.

WIDE RANGING NON-FICTION

** Memoirs of the Second World War, by Winston Churchill. Epic.

Last Words, by George Carlin. This book was in the works as an autobiography. It was published after Carlin's death. It was an interesting history of an all-time great comedian.

Mozart: A Life, by Peter Gay (Kindle). I posted on this book earlier. This was yet another book that satisfied my thirst for knowledge of emotionally-unstable people.

Live From New York, by Tom Shales and James Miller (Kindle). An oral history of SNL. A decent book, but mostly just a guilty-pleasure read about dirty laundry. The biggest problem was the number of key cast members who did not participate. Honestly, this book needed Eddie Murphy. Without him, it was fun. With him, it would have been amazing (I can only assume, but I think this is a safe bet). Oh, yeah... and Lorne Michaels needed a cigarette after this book was published.

Into Thin Air, by John Krakauer. (Kindle). Heather assigned this one to me. It was interesting to find out what thin air does to a person.

** Hellhound on His Trail, by Hampton Sides (Kindle). A gripping account. More below.

Game Change, by Mark Halperin and John Heilemann (Kindle). The inside story of the 2008 election. I blogged about this below.

Killing yourself to live, by Chuck Klosterman (Kindle). Klosterman travels to various locations where musicians met their end, but the book is really more about the journey and his musings. A fun read about a road trip.

Hitman, by Bret Hart (Kindle). I blogged about this one as well. A fun read about the train-wreck world of pro wrestling. Debauchery, etc.

**Guns, Germs and Steele, by J. Diamond (Kindle). A staggering work. More below.

TOKEN FICTION
The Girl With A Dragon Tattoo, by Stieg Larson (Kindle). Just a great read. I can see why this book was an international phenomenon. Throw in European sensibilities and its a unique fiction. I called the end, but the rest of the story was worth it.

The Forever War, by Joe Haldeman. Book assigned this one to me. It was interesting. This book was nothing like I expected, which isn't necessarily bad.

V for Vendetta, by Alan Moore and David Lloyd. Gotta love V. For once, the movie was better. Still, a fun read.

**Animal Farm, by George Orwell. (Kindle).

PURE ENJOYMENT

Sh*t My Dad Says, by Justin Halpern. I laughed until I cried. I read this book at the exact right time. It was a perfectly-timed injection of comedy.

Earth (the book), by Jon Stewart. I laughed until I cried with this one as well. I am looking for a loophole to name this a top-5. Somehow, this book eclipsed America (the book). I cannot get enough Daily Show humor.
MISCELLANEOUS

Montessori at Home, by Heidi Spietz. Jen and I are reading up on Montessori so that Jacob will not miss out on the philosophy while at home.

A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius, by Dave Eggers. I loved this book at times and struggled with it at times. By the midpoint, I was certain it was a top-5. It is described as "fierce," which it was at times. This was a late scratch from top-5. Had I read it later in the year, it may have been on the list. A unique style and a compelling story. It hit a little close to home a few times. I'll just call this book the "Boise State" of my BCS. Too bad Eggers wasn't part of the establishment or he would have been given a title shot.

Fargo Rock City, by Chuck Klosterman (Kindle). An entire book about 80s hair bands. I remembered so many of the bands and music videos, which was equal parts awesome and sad. Entirely too much analysis of canned music for my taste, but a fun read about music from a true fan. Although I never put more than 5 minutes of thought into the music described, it was strangely interesting to read about Klosterman's deep thoughts thereon.

IV, by Chuck Klosterman (Kindle). A collection of essays by one of my favorite essayists. As always, fun to read.
TOP FIVE (INCLUDING THE PREDETERMINED WINNER)

5. Animal Farm, by George Orwell. (Kindle).

I loved this book. In short, the animals at one farm rise up and take control. Everything is fine until the "new" leaders become the "old" oppressors. I loved how the pigs try to become human. This work was a great illustration of how things don't always improve when people get their way. I can't believe I waited so long to read this book.

4. Predictably Irrational, by Dan Ariely (Kindle).

After reading a lot of train-wreck accounts, I finally decided to look into irrationality as a whole. I tend to be more rational than the average bear and I genuinely do not understand why so many people are so comfortable making terrible decisions over and over. Through experiments, illustrations and study, Ariely proves that we are consistently and predictably irrational. Countless companies take advantage of our hyper-strong desire to get something for free. We will pay a lot of money to get even insignificant items so long as they are "free." He looks at how the mind consistently tricks itself and utilizes rationalization. One of the most helpful books I have ever read.

3. Hellhound on His Trail, by Hampton Sides (Kindle)

I blogged about this below. This book read like a thriller and takes the reader into the hunt for MLK by the FBI; then MLK by James Earl Ray; and finally, into the hunt for Ray after the murder. I love non-fiction, and if every non-fiction read like this one, everyone else would, too.

2. Guns, Germs and Steele, by J. Diamond (Kindle)

Diamond asks one of the boldest and most uncomfortable questions about human history: Why did certain societies and people progress faster than others? He answers that question definitively. Although his book was very, very detailed and thick with information, I think his conclusion is simple. The mass of information proves his simple conclusion conclusively in my mind. The difference? Chance. Geography. I am convinced that any group of people, if they began civilization at the Fertile Crescent, would have been the ones to thrive rather than suffer. This book was not always easy to read (and sometimes downright difficult), but it earned the Pulitzer it won.

1. Memoirs of the Second World War, by Winston Churchill.
What can I say. I felt like a fly on the wall during the planet's most destructive war. To read Churchill's first-hand account of the most seismic global war was a thrill. I read the abridged version of Churchill's six volumes, but the level of detail was extraordinary. He does not hide his version of events, but he makes no apologies for attempting to write history. I learned so much about events, emotions, day-to-day fears, setbacks lost in the greater story, politics at the breaking point when nations were at stake, and difficulty of making decisions of a magnitude I will never experience. Churchill maintained humor, wrote thoughtfully about amazing events, and did so with dignity and honor. This was the first book I read in 2010, and I knew even then that it was going to finish right here.

Weekend update

... Football is back. In light of results from the weekend, I don't have much more to say on that. Go Saints. Everyone else I root for provided varying degrees of frustration (Broncos), close calls (UVA) or flat out embarrassment (CU... and oh boy do the Buffs stink).

... I'm starting to get the itch to write my story again, which probably has something to do with the end of summer. So, I'm finally going to push for a finish to my story.

... I finally watched an episode of "Hoarders." In a related note, I am now looking for more ways to get rid of stuff. We have done a pretty good job of cutting down on junk, but I'm starting to think sentimental things also need to go. Obviously not family heirlooms, but in looking around, I've kept some pretty weird stuff for "sentimental" reasons. So, I'm going to start getting rid of them. For example, I kept the game program to every Bronco home game I went to from 1991 through about 1998, and I'm thinking there is no logical reason to keep that stuff. I may have to get an e-bay account and go for it.

... Jacob continues to show amazing focus and goal-orientation. He recently made a wonderful little project at school that was completely self-driven. His teacher explained that Jacob, who had begun to discuss the planets, was so interested in astronomy that she created a project just for him. He worked a solid week on a booklet about the planets. It includes lyrics to a little song (and a lot of big words he copied) and pictures of the planets. Jen and I were very proud of him. The teacher spoke about how dedicated he became to the project and how amazed she was at his focus. We are biased, but it really impressed us. He continues to be the biggest joy of our lives.

... I'm up to 26 books this year. I increased my percentage of good to very-good books. I learned much from last year, when I read more than a few books I wish I had not chosen. I will have a difficult time choosing my top five this year. Early leaders are:
VIRTUAL LOCKS: Churchill's memoir, "Hellhound on this Trail," by Hampton Sides and "Predictably Irrational."

STRONG CANDIDATES: Dave Eggers' "Heartbreaking Work;" "Loose Balls," by Terry Pluto; "Animal Farm," by George Orwell; "Guns, Germs and Steele," by Jerod Diamond; and "Game Change."

I am also looking forward to the books I have yet to read this year, so the Top 5 is not yet settled.

... Have a great week.

Hellhound on His Trail

"It seemed like he reached down and pulled everything out of his heart." ..."I was full of joy and determination. Wherever King was, I wanted to be there. It seemed to me from where I was sitting, his eyes glowed." -- Witnesses to MLK's last speech, featured above.

I very much enjoyed reading Hellhound on His Trail, by Hampton Sides. The book details seemingly every fact known about the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The clip I embedded above is footage of a speech Dr. King gave less than 24 hours before he was murdered. He gave this speech without notes during a heavy storm. His mood had been depressed and he was searching for a second wind. The prospect of assassination seemed ever present.

Hampton Sides explores first the stalking of Dr. King by J. Edgar Hoover and the FBI, then the stalking of Dr. King by James Earl Ray and, finally, the stalking of James Earl Ray by the FBI. The story is one of intrigue, and is written in a novel-style. The hunt for James Earl Ray is a lesson in police investigation and in evasion.

The following elements (among others) led authorities to Ray: Dry cleaning tags, fingerprints, receipts, eye-witness accounts, an oil-change sticker, a bar tending school photo, Royal Mounted Police, Scotland Yard, hair samples and more man hours than you can imagine considering all this was done without computers.

Some highlights from the book:

-- Dr. King: "Each of us is two selves. The great burden of life is to always try to keep that higher self in command." This quote just rocks.

-- Dr. King (again): "We must learn to live together as brothers or we will perish together as fools."

-- Jesse Jackson embellished his involvement at the moment King was shot. He hired a public relations agent and was on the Today Show the next day. To be polite, I'll just say other Civil Rights leaders "disagreed" with his story. I'll let James Bevel tell the other side of the story:

"To prostitute and lie about the crucifixion of a prophet within a race for the sake of one's own self-aggrandizement is the most gruesome crime a man can commit." James Bevel. Lets just say Rev. Jackson isn't a hero in the book.

-- From President Lyndon B. Johnson on the rioting in response to the murder: "What did you expect? I don't know why we're so surprised. When you put your foot on a man's neck and hold him down for three hundred years, and they you let him up, what's he going to do? He's going to knock your block off."

-- James Earl Ray: "I should have pulled a holdup in Canada. That's where I made my mistake. I let myself get on that plane to London without enough money to get where I intended to go."

-- James Earl Ray, who was an escapee from prison before he killed King, told other inmates that killing Dr. King was his "retirement plan." If I ever get to the streets, I'm going to kill him." This statement didn't do a thing to stop conspiracy talk.

-- James Earl Ray made some very foolish mistakes. Those include these two gems: 1) While trying to rob a jewelry store in London to supplement his dwindling cash supply, the owner's wife, a lady in her late fifties, jumped on his back. Her husband then wrestled him to the ground and struck him several times. Ray fled. 2) He robbed a bank in London only to trade a perfect thumb-print matching the one found at the crime scene and on the weapon for 95 pounds cash. Oops.

-- Wait, that isn't close to the dumbest thing Ray did. While in custody awaiting extradition to the US, "Ramon George Sneyd" ranted about how he never met "this guy Ray" and how they absolutely had the wrong guy. After Ray calmed down and the British officer asked if they could do anything for him while he awaited extradition, he asked that his brother be notified. The agent said he would do that and asked for contact information. Ray's response?

"Oh, he lives in Chicago. His name is Jerry Ray."

D'oh!

Conspiracies

Obviously, people don't need much help concocting conspiracies. But, if you read this book and care about evidence, you really would have a hard time concluding anything other than that Ray worked alone. Conspiracy theories ranged from the FBI to militant black groups to communists to the mafia and to Southern racists.

My theory? People just don't like it that one nut can do so much damage by doing something rash. Based on the physical evidence presented in this book, you'd have to be looking for a conspiracy and determined to find one to conclude otherwise.

Overall, this book reads like a crime thriller, but it also maintains credibility as a legitimate work of non-fiction. The PBS documentary "American Experience: Roads to Memphis" is featured below and follows much of the book. I recommend this book highly.

Weekend Musings

I have no excuse beyond laziness. I haven't been posting much, which is obvious, but summer is my favorite time and I tend to find things to do.

... I'm on a good book pace (for me anyway), but once again I keep being taken away to do things during the best season of the year. I've read 21 so far, but Book is running away with the title this year. See, I told you an e-reader would speed things up!

... I am also currently not working on my short story because there's just too many options. Oh well. That's what cold months are made for.

... World Cup was amazing. I love the World Cup and root hard for the USA. But, the US is usually out fairly early and I eventually get 100% behind Germany. This led to one of the most gut-wrenching sports losses I've had in 2006. The US choked in 2006, and Germany was the host, so I was all in. I had not been roped into sports in a deep emotional way for a long time, but that 2006 German team roped me in. After a brief career in sports journalism, I had become detached from sports. I thought that would protect me and foolishly let my guard down.

That's when this happened:



My friends who were there with me when this happened will attest that this loss hit me like a ton of bricks. So much for being able to leave the emotion out. I think the circumstances made it the worst possible sports storm because I truly didn't see this stomach punch coming. (Although it is possible I have blocked out much of the 3 horrible Bronco Super Bowl losses for fear of heart failure were I to access those memories).

So, in 2010, I was all in for the US team and loved embarrassing the Brits with a tie, and lost my mind when this happened:



As great as a moment as that goal was, the Ghana game in the knockout round was crushing. Not a stomach punch because they really didn't play well, but a jolt nonetheless. I was bummed, but I don't think I knew exactly how bummed I was. I hated that the US lost like they did, but I was ready to let Germany fill the void.

I took a few hours from work and watched as Spain took Germany down and the combination of the two losses gave me thoughts of 2006 and the pain as that Italian goal went in in extra time. I now know it was the combination because I was not as sold that this 2010 Germany team was as good as the 2006 team. These last two world cups have been brutal to me, but I still love the event and can't wait until 2014!

... Once again into music. Thanks to my bro, I've been introduced to a bunch of new bands with potential. My complete lack of connection to whatever a person needs to connect to for band information renders me completely dependent on others. Between friends and family, I tend to find just enough to keep my I-pod full.

Current bands I'm listening to include Muse, Metric and the White Stripes. Just learned about a few new ones from Jon, too (like "She Wants Revenge"). I continue to go through a grunge phase, too, though. A couple of videos (both new school and old school) for your consideration:

Our Blame Society

I know that BP sucks, I really do. Just bear with me.

I'm just not yet ready to start the crucifixion. Don't worry, they'll have to pay. I know this horrific spill will lead to them paying a steep price and may render BP bankrupt. I'm fine with all that.

There's just one problem: None of that will help the legitimate disaster unfolding as oil continues to gush into the ocean. I mean, oil is gushing into the ocean like a fire hose and has been for more than a month.

I am literally only concerned/hopeful/desperately-anxious for the spout to be plugged. I don't care who fixes the problem. If BP is the best positioned entity to make that happen, so be it. I will never understand how so many can say we should keep the perpetrator from being involved with the cleanup. The message appears to be that if you screw up, your punishment is to let others clean up the mess.

So, why all the attention on vengeance? Why are we SO concerned about seizing assets NOW of all times?

Maybe I'm too jaded right now, but we seem to wash down outrage with pounds of flesh and goblets of blood. It seems to make people feel better that 50 million gallons of oil just became part of our ocean by demanding the immediate surrender of ... well... MONEY. Money and humiliation, really. Many people yelled at BP executives who probably couldn't patch a leak unless it involved accounting practices. Yeah, they took advantage of lax regulations, but do we really think this was done on purpose?

Some are blaming environmentalists for "causing" this to prove a point. That's so dumb it needs no comment. Some accuse the President of inaction (apparently they think he's Aqua Man... or that he cut the pipe with his fake birth-certificate... birthers are idiots.). Both sides blame the other and the scoreboard moves only with podium appearances on oil-soaked beaches.

As sick as I feel watching the carnage, the salve we seek is almost as putrid.

Dolphins, birds, fish, and every kind of living thing in a very large chunk of the ocean is being wiped out. A lot of that sea life helps feed us, by the way.

Like everyone, I feel helpless because there is a pipe injecting tons of oil into our oceans and I can't do one thing about it. The same dynamic happens in our everyday lives.

I'm beginning to think it's that we use blame to make ourselves feel in control. After all, we blame the media, we blame a car mechanic, a teacher, other people's parents and even bystanders for the misfortunes that are a part of life.

Maybe that's why I'm now reading almost exclusively basketball books. Of course, even a basketball coach made more sense than all the indignant talking heads lecturing those actually trying to solve a problem.

"And life," said Phil Jackson to his bench players, "just isn't meant to be fair."

We're all on the bench, and life isn't fair. So, no more talk of who or what to blame. It's time for us all to just deal with life head-on.

We can start with the little things in our own lives. I just wish that would help plug this hole in the earth.