Oh, Canada ...

I read today that a Canadian manual given to Canadian diplomats includes the United States as a nation that tortures. It would be irresponsible for that manual to read any other way.

Specifically, it alerts the diplomats that, when visiting Canadians being held by those countries, the diplomat should be on the lookout for signs of torture. The listing of America on that list was not done for political reasons, but to alert the diplomats to the very real possibility that America may be torturing those we hold captive. For the protection of any nation's citizens, its diplomats must be aware of those realities.

I have also discovered while searching the various news sources that at least two Canadian citizens are currently being held by the US. So, the manual in question is currently relevant.

One of them is being held in Guantanamo Bay - the facility that has become the symbol of our country's morality crisis. Did I mention that this prisoner was 15 years old when taken into custody? Our government claims he was not tortured. That young man's lawyer claims he was. Who can be sure, you might ask? Allow me to break it down for you.

1) Many in the administration have claimed what can generously be called an "expansive" definition of what constitutes "torture;"

2) We have refused to allow the Red Cross or other humanitarian organizations to inspect Guantanamo or other such facilities;

3) America undeniably got caught in the act in Iraq (seen any interesting pictures lately?);

4) Video tapes of waterboarding have been destroyed;

5) Our former Attorney General actually wrote a legal brief calling the Geneva Convention "quaint" and arguing that the president was not bound by it;

6) His successor would not call waterboarding torture during confirmation hearings.

Would YOU believe us?

Simply put, this country has EARNED the suspicion of the world. We are now on a list that includes countries like Iran and Syria. Other countries have now concluded that we are to be dealt with diplomatically as if terrorists ourselves.

This is something about which we should all feel shame.


As I have stated before, I cannot believe we are even debating this issue in this country. Look around you! Look at the company we have chosen to keep by engaging in immoral behavior! We are in the mud with Iran, the very nation we claim is so brutal!

The overly-patriotic in this country scoff whenever other Western (read: like minded) nations are used for comparison. But, on this issue, Europe is right. At one time, we were right along with them. We were even a leader in morality. This issue was once settled - By us and the rest of the civilized planet.

Now, even though generations of Americans have proudly stood against torture in an effort to use our morality as our greatest argument, our current leadership has managed to talk itself out of what should be as obvious as gravity. We are now the ONLY Western (so called "civilized") nation that defends torture.

And, finally, other nations have decided to officially recognize that and conduct themselves accordingly.

This is why folks like Colin Powell have said we need to shut down Guantanamo "today," and why so many in the military, among our populous, in our government, in Europe and indeed around the globe have said torture is a horrible thing to do.

We do it. We even had it on video tape. We allegedly have more on video tape. Those were destroyed by this man's administration:


368 days left.

Dare to Hope

I have made a decision. And, I haven't felt this good about a decision in a long time. I have decided to support a candidate of hope. Indeed, the only candidate preaching optimism, cooperation and hope. I will support Barack Obama because he is the right man for the job.

Not long ago, Book and I discussed politics at a Tuesday coffee night. That day, I had read an article in which Bush decided to veto a bill that would adopt the military's definition of torture into the CIA. Those standards would have forbade water-boarding, electrocution, beatings, sexual abuse, use of dogs and mock executions among other techniques the military has already condemned.

I asked Book that night, "who are we?" I really wanted to know that answer. Who are we as Americans? Are we torturers? Are we brutal? What do we believe? Do we care for each other?

Well, the 2008 election is when Americans will decide who we are from this point forward. And, I believe we should choose hope and optimism for the future by electing Barack Obama as our next president.

I am still reading "The Second Civil War" and my belief in the merits of compromise, bipartisanship and representation for Americans of all beliefs continues to deepen. I am learning that it was compromise that made Roosevelt, Reagan, Clinton and some select other presidents effective. It was the lack of compromise that doomed Wilson, Carter and W. Bush.

I have stated on these pages that I have felt unrepresented by my government for far too long. But, I believe Barack Obama will make ALL Americans feel like their voices will be heard. You can listen to his Iowa victory speech right here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=yqoFwZUp5vc

I implore you to listen to Mr. Obama. He will explain that he is trying to unite. That there are no Red or Blue States, but United States! Just listen to him. I would challenge anyone not to be inspired.

That is a refreshing message. He speaks with conviction, but not just for show. You can tell that he believes what he says. There is passion, and fire.

I spent much of my Holiday vacation researching the candidates. I had decided to pick a candidate before the Iowa Caucuses. I read web pages, found speeches on youtube and paid close attention to the newspapers. It was clear that one candidate stood above the rest. His subsequent victory was a welcome surprise and a validation of his message.

You can see that broad appeal for yourself at ganglylove.blogspot.com, where my long-time buddy and long-time Republican Chris actually caucused for Obama. See that link here: http://ganglylove.blogspot.com/2008/01/iowa-caucus.html.

I about fell over when I saw that Chris, of all people, beat me to the punch on public declaration of support for Barack Obama. But, that is exactly what I love about Obama. He appeals to ALL Americans. He can make conservatives feel welcome as well as liberals. We NEED that.

He won't run a campaign based on fear, but on hope. I believe that, when presented as an alternative to negative or fearful campaigns, the people will move toward the one who uplifts them.

At least one person I talked to today felt he had heard the next president of the United States speak. If you listen to Obama speak, you will see that he has what some call the "undefinable IT" or "the Gift."

The only concern I have - and this is not a concern about Barack Obama - is that many people in this country will not vote for a black candidate. Certainly, Obama is smart, bright, inspiring and everything good in politics. But, what people think when they are alone in a voting booth - away from the scrutiny of a public that shames stereotypes or racists beliefs - one can never say how some will vote.

With that in mind, I choose hope. I believe Obama is the candidate who will assuage fears and overcome preconceptions. I choose hope! And, I believe our country is capable of finding the best candidate. And his name is Barack Obama.

Gremlins - A Running Diary

I'm trying to intersperse some fun themes along with all the politics. I have collaborated with "The Cloth" on an interview, then "The Bookie" for a duelling running diary of the CU-Nebraska football game. "The Fuzz" likes horror films. We decided to do duelling reviews of one of the most fun "horror" movies ever... GREMLINS!!

I decided to do my part as a running diary. I used to watch this movie over and over as a kid. It was even scary at one point in time, but, just like the Dark Crystal, I can't help but laugh at myself for being scared of this movie. I'm not even certain it is a "horror" movie. But, it was fun. The Fuzz and I spent Sunday night watching and dissecting this movie.

Here's a link to the Fuzz's review:

http://tgunhorror.blogspot.com/2007/12/gremlins-1984.html

Let's get it on! (Time stamp equals approximate time into the movie).

0:19 - The movie starts with a father looking for a "unique" gift for his son. A random kid in Chinatown coaxes the man into a tucked-away store. The man promptly tries to sell the "Bathroom Buddy" to the owner of the store.

Did I mention the store features Asian-themed Nick-knacks (and some crazy destructive creatures, but we're not there yet!) and this guy thinks an all-in-one bathroom travel kit would sell there!?!?!? He even looks at a dragon statute and asks the owner to imagine if he discovered that he had "Dragon Breath" and needed a quick brush before the big meeting. Ahhhh, the Bathroom Buddy! Great moments in 1980s cinema!

4:51 - How is it that a failed inventor facing foreclosure and a failing career is able to drop a bunch of hundred-dollar bills to buy a crazy pet never seen before in nature? "$100.00... No? OK, $200.00... I MUST have that Mogwai!" And, he's told the famous three rules (No light, no water, no food after midnight) and manages NEVER to ask why or what will happen!! No wonder this guy sucks as an inventor.

I imagine it would go something like this:

Dad: So, what happens if I feed this thing after midnight?

Creepy Store Owner: It will go into a cocoon and emerge as a violent killing machine and destroy all technology within a 100-mile radius, why do you ask?

Dad: Crap! I make my living on technology working! And, I like to live! Forget this! Got any fancy chopsticks?

7:00 - Holy cow! Cory Feldman is a little kid in this movie. And, one recurring character keeps talking about how great American cars are. When Billy's VW won't start, this guy says "Those foreign cars'll freeze on you!" American Engineering apparently neutralized the elements in the 80s!

(On a side note, remember when Made in the USA meant something to people? Remember when things were made outside of China? Ahhh, the 80s! In a related note, Billy has a man-perm!)

10:00 - While I'm waxing nostalgic, remember when people were supposed to dress up for work? Billy works at a bank and gets scolded for wearing a clip-on tie that is well shielded by a nice sweater. My bank teller here in town actually wears a clip-on with his red, short-sleeved polo shirt. That is not a joke. Sigh.

12:00 - Mrs. Deagle, the cranky old lady who is foreclosing on everyone, brings in the head of her "Bavarian Snowman" and threatens Billy's dog with death for destroying it. The dog then scares her by jumping out from behind the counter and she fakes heart trouble. Once again, the dog saves the day! Dogs were always heroes in 80s movies. Somewhere Michael Vick shakes his head.

15:00 - Judge Reinhold actually brags about having cable to impress Kate. Gotta love the 80s.

20:00 - Billy now has his Mogwai and manages to discombobulate the poor thing with a camera flash, mirror reflection and bathroom light all within 2 minutes of being told it doesn't like bright light. When bandaging Gizmo, he sets him ON THE EDGE OF THE BATHROOM SINK to bandage his entire head after a fall into the garbage. Anyone think Billy can manage not to screw this up?

22:00 - Cory Feldman (Pete) manages to spill water on Gizmo within 10 seconds of meeting him. Gizmo promptly produces 5 more Mogwai, all with crappy attitudes. Way to go Petey!

28:00 - Stripe, the leader of the Mogwai-5, is playing a mini Donkey Kong video game while all the others carouse. Donkey Kong rocked! Still, the fact it has flashing lights doesn't seem to bother Stripe. Hmmmmm.

(OK, they keep showing failed inventions, and it's funny to watch 80s technology being used to "simplify" daily things. Like the "Cordless phone" which requires one to unfurl a long antenna and try to talk like a walky-talky. The Fuzz and I giggled over that one.)

32:00 - After seeing what happened to the Mogwai, Billy takes one to his science teacher for study. Ummm, sure. I guess that's the logical result.

(About this time, Murray tells Kate that foreign cars have Gremlins put in them for sabotage. He's drunk, she won't let him drive... that's Public Service Announcement No. 1 for those counting at home).

34:00 - OK, Billy and Kate see Christmas carollers, which prompts Kate to explain how many people want to "open their wrists while others open presents" during the holidays. Kate, apparently, is crazy. Despite this talk, Billy asks her on a date. Clearly something HORRIBLE happened to Kate on Christmas. Still, Billy takes his opportunity!

40: 00 - The Mogwai-4 at Billy's house and the one at the school all manage to eat after midnight. The ones at Billy's house fool "The Perm" by chewing the cord on the clock at 11:30. Easy enough. The one at the school just waits for the teacher to finish his midnight snack and grabs the sandwich. That's right, a high school science teacher is working after midnight to study the previously-never-before-seen creature brought in by his student AND he left his sandwich by the cage. Stop me if this gets weird.

45:00 - The Gremlin breaks free while the teacher (who, by all accounts, LIVES at the school) shows a film reel about the heart. He asks that his students give him Super Bowl tickets as a gift and then tries to feed the monster a candy bar by putting his hand under the desk. No wonder our school system stinks. Did I mention he didn't turn the light on?

49:00 - Death No. 1: The teacher is found dead half-way under the desk... with a syringe in his butt.

50:00 - Apparently the school is completely empty even though class just got out. Billy chases the Gremlin into the nurse station. Meanwhile, the other Gremlins are playing darts with Gizmo.

54:00 - Billy's mom gets a knife and kills three Gremlins in the kitchen via blender, knife and microwave before being put in a full nelson by one hiding in the tree. Billy comes home and cuts its head off and burns it in the fire. Stripe breaks out the window into the snowy night. No one seems worried that snow is made entirely of water. They must know something I don't because the snow doesn't seem to have the effect of water. If only the high school scientist were available to explain.

60: 00 - Stripe goes to the YMCA to find water... Did I mention Billy tracked his footprints in the snow?!?!?! My head hurts. Anyway, Stripe dives into the water and immediately spawns thousands of new Gremlins. It's unclear why the snow didn't have the same effect considering it took ONE DROP of water to cause Gizmo to multiply. Gotta love a horror movie that doesn't take itself too seriously.

1:08 - Gremlins mess with cars, traffic lights, mailboxes and everything else. Four of them attack Santa Clause, who claws at the police car for help. They roll up the window and drive off. Ti's the season!! Mrs. Deagle gets catapulted out of her home by way of her stair-elevator. That's death number 2 of 2.

1:13 - For the record: pure, simple, unfrozen water and NOTHING else works. Gremlins have invaded the bar and are drinking all sorts of beer and other liquor. Also, I learned that Gremlins like to dance to music with 80s leg warmers, perform puppet shows and expose themselves by opening a trench coat while drunk.

1:16 - Kate, working the bar, uses a Polaroid camera to flash the Gremlins and make her escape. Once saved, she explains why she hates Christmas (this is a doozy): Her dad went missing... the house started to smell by way of the chimney... they expected to see a dead cat or raccoon... (wait for it)... and they found her DAD dressed like Santa with toys in the chimney... dead.

(So, apparently he didn't tell ANYONE he was going to do this. This is the highlight for me of the whole movie. I hadn't remembered that at all from past viewings. We even had to rewind to hear it again. Wow.)

1:22 - All the Gremlins go to the movie theater to see Snow White. Stripe gets hungry. Long story short, Billy and Kate blow up the theater and Stripe escapes. Say what you want, but these writers know how to wrap up a story. Billy and Kate follow Stripe to the department store... comedy ensues. It's the dead of night (remember this).

1:27 - Boom boxes are everywhere. Remember boom boxes? A boom box on the shoulder was a far cry from a walkman, but it said something about your "hipness." Run DMC Y'all!

1:32 - Stripe shoots Billy with a crossbow and throws saw blades at him and charges with a chainsaw. Meanwhile, it's day time!!! For those counting at home, that's 5 minutes until sun-up from when he entered the department store.

1:34 - Gizmo manages to drive a Barbie car even though those things don't actually have motors. This prompts Stripe to say "Gizmo Kaka." Stripe now has a gun.

1:37 - Stripe is in the water trying to multiply when Gizmo opens the shutters to expose a very bright sun. The sun rose especially fast today! By the way, Billy's dad just got back from the inventor's convention and just happened to stop by the department store with his bags. Billy must have left a note... or something.

END - The movie ends with the Chinese man scolding western civilization for its carelessness taking care of ... uh "the world" in general. PSA No. 2 for those counting at home: Westerners suck and everything we do is wrong and ignorant. Darn us! Maybe one day we will be ready.

This movie rocked because it didn't take itself too seriously. It was like shooting fish in a barrel, but we gave it the full MST3K treatment anyway. Good times!

Second Civil War?

Have the lines already been drawn?

(Political Cartoon)

I recently finished watching the Ken Burns documentary called "The Civil War" with my friend Book. It was a great documentary that really exposed the true reasons for the war and the fundamental political differences that eventually required armed conflict to resolve. Ironically, the same basic political differences (slavery aside) remain and continue to fester. States rights, the role of the federal government and its reach remain hot issues.

When we were about three discs into the five-disc series, Book and I were at Barnes and Noble doing some Christmas shopping. I saw a book titled "The Second Civil War: How Extreme Partisanship Has Paralyzed Washington and Polarized America" by Ronald Brownstein. I had heard the author's name before, but I wanted to make sure the book was written by a legitimate source before making the purchase, so I went along my way.

In the meantime, I could not get the title out of my head. I kept thinking about my own fears about our political climate and how vicious politics have become. After my research, I discovered that the author has been a finalist for the Pulitzer twice and is a well-respected journalist from the Los Angeles Times. The book has been met with acclaim and has been praised for its even-handed view of the situation and its measured and academic approach.

I almost became obsessed with purchasing the book to see how it flushed the topic out. Long story short, I bought the book and read the first chapter.

Going into the book, my thoughts are that the idea of compromise has been pushed to the back-burner. This was done in an unusually-extreme way by George W. Bush's Republican Party (W's "my way or the highway" tactics), and (as an inevitable backlash), then by the Democratic party. Obviously the Democrats stink at this, as evidenced by its failure to stand up to bullying. The unquestionable consequence is that both parties and, as a result, the supporters of both parties, have taken a "take-no-prisoners" approach to politics. The best example is that the president will not sign a war funding bill with ANY strings and the Democrats won't present ANY without widrawal requirements. Realistically, neither can have what they want, yet neither will compromise. Time to find a middle ground, but no one is willing to. This kind of thing keeps the government from accomplishing anything.

Compromise seems dead. This is backed up by Brownstein, who shows that partisan voting is up to over 90 percent as opposed to the previously-consistent 70 percent from the 50s through the 70s (and some of the 80s). The result is sheep-like voting with the party line instead of doing what the voter thinks is right. I cannot believe they all just simply agree at a rate of 90 percent. Such things minimize political courage, which is now punished relentlessly. Compromise is now considered a sign of weakness. That's sad.

Let me state unequivocally that I am a firm believer in compromise. I believe that compromise should be the goal in politics. Lack of compromise leads to rancor, bitterness and a sense of defeat in a political opponent. Inflicting such heavy-handed political gains upon the opponent leads to the same treatment when the political winds shift. It also leads to a feeling that the population as a whole is not represented. And therein lies the basic argument for compromise. The varying beliefs of politicians represent the beliefs of his or her constituents. Compromise is true government on behalf of all the people.

I can feel it today. I absolutely do not feel like my point of view has been represented or defended successfully in the least bit from Jan. 20, 2001 until November of 2006. I say that even though I am a moderate. Moderates on the right side of the spectrum also feel this way. That's not good. But it would be equally bad to inflict the same. Two wrongs do not make a right.
Just because I name the Republicans as the first offenders (as does the author when discussing the current situation) doesn't mean I absolve Democrats of any blame. After being pushed for so long by a Republican-controlled Congress and White House, Democrats have responded in kind (or at least they try). I agree that they must stop the one-sided debate and put the brakes on Bush's runaway train, but they must follow up with an insistence on compromise rather than capitulation. In that regard, I guess it's not so bad that the Dems don't seem very good at hard-line politics.

As I begin this book, I will be asking myself whether this is a Second Civil War as asserted by the author. Obviously it's not a shooting war (at least not yet and hopefully never), but is it an ideological Civil War? Has our country fractured as badly as it appears?

The joke political cartoon above seems to illustrate just how clearly the lines have been drawn. The elections are increasingly coming down to the "purple" states that could swing (Ohio, Pennsylvania, etc.). The other states aren't even close. I appeal to the middle to take this country back.

I am interested in any thoughts on this subject. Is this an ideological Civil War? It sometimes feels like one. I will follow up with how the book influences my thoughts if it does.

Black Friday

Oh Yeah! It's time for the first installment of duelling running-diaries with Bookie Q. Santa. Don't worry, I don't gamble, but if you ever saw Book with a santa hat on and a stogie in his hand, you'd know that the name fits. You can see his version of these events at his blog under Links "By the Book."

We decided to each try to keep a running diary of our experience watching the Colorado-Nebraska football game at Old Chicago's. Unfortunately, there's a lot of Cubs merchandise on the walls, which doesn't help karma... without further delay...

10:05- The waiter sees my CU hat and says, "You're going into the lion's den." I look up and see a sea of Red ready to watch the game. Not too worried this year, though, because by just walking into that den, I became the 10th back this season to rush for 200 yards on the Cornhuskers. Time to rumble.

10:12- Eric Cartman introduces the CU team for ABC and makes hippie jokes. That's still better than having Larry the Cable Guy like Nebraska had against USC. Both are funny, but Cartman isn't a redneck. Advantage: CU.

(In a related note, one of the Nebraska defensive players goes by "Big Sexy." Do you think if Larry the Cable guy is booked next year they should just cut to the chase and call legendary wrestler Hillbilly Jim? Tim Allen? Cletus from the Simpsons?)

10:24- 7-3 Nebraska after a Joe Ganz TD run. Book roots for CU, but leaves me to cheer openly alone. He picks his spots.

10:30- CU finally starts running the ball and Hugh Charles breaks a long one, prompting the Nebraska fan sitting behind me to glare and say "Bastards." Like CU wouldn't have figured out you can run on them eventually. That 'N' stands for Nowledge.

Meanwhile, Bookie mentions that someone has 69 yards rushing and we giggle. Welcome to our world, folks!

10:41- I observe that with white pants and white shirts, the Nebraska defense now not only plays like marshmellows, they look the part, too... I'm now semi-openly goading the Nebraska fans.

10:45- Dusty Sprague runs the slowest reverse that gains yardage in college football history. Nice to see Hawk decided to "refine" that annoying habit of running reverses by doing it with the slowest wideout on the roster. This only works against Nebraska. 17-7 CU

11:20- While showing a stat about a CU player from Alabaster, Alabama, one of the commentators says, "Alabaster Alabama is not much like Boulder, Colorado." That's why he makes the big bucks! Way to go out on a limb. In a related note, NBA players would rather play in Miami than Utah.

11:31- CU goes cold. Damnit. Nebraska takes a 21-17 lead. As a bonus, however, a commercial featuring Bookie's college football nemesis Steve Spurrier (the Old Ball Coach), leads to this exchange:

Me: Hey, look, it's Steve Spurrier!

Bookie: Damnit, FSU is going to lose to Florida, then to the Old Ball Coach in a crappy bowl game.

Me: Are you in pain?

Bookie: (Glares).

I'm feeling better now, but the Husker faithful are venturing into optimism, but they remain cautious. This is new to me. Those folks don't seem as confident as usual. Thank you Bill Callahan, I'll miss you.

11:35- I remember when Nebraska fans took pride in pounding the football. Now, because they are new to throwing the football, they have been reduced to whining for pass interference calls whenever it would be helpful. That gets old quick.

11:42- 28-17 Nebraska. This feels like it's slipping away. Maybe I started goading too early. Bookie is stoic.

11:50- TD CU... it's 28-24 and we're back in business. Seems like 1:34 is a lot of time considering how those Huskers are moving the ball.

11:55- 35-24 at the half. Sigh.

12:12- John Saunders just says that the slew of upsets just goes to show that there is no need for a college football playoff "because the whole season is a playoff." I think he has a roomful of Tostitos waiting for him in his room back at the hotel. Maybe a free Nokia phone, too. In short, he's officially on the BCS payroll. And, the only man with that opinion in America.

12:30- PICK 6! CU picks off Joe Ganz and takes it in for the score. 35-31 Nebraska. The Buffs keep reeling me back in.

By the way, I'm torn on Callahan as NU coach. On one hand, I love watching Nebraska stink. On the other hand, he keeps beating CU. I babble about nonsense when the game isn't going my way.

12:36- Another INT. Dusty Sprague duplicates the slowest end-around in college history. It's like Blake Ezor had a reincarnation of his football career!

12:40- The Buffs score to take the lead. 38-35 Buffs. I just realized Shawn Watson (former CU O-coordinator) is now the O-coordinator for Nebraska. Traitor! He never called plays this well while in B-town.

12:46- Momentum is turning fast and furious. Blocked punt by CU!

12:51- Hugh Charles makes the score 44-35 (missed XP). I have decided that the gangly bearded guy on the Allstate Commercials is best represented by my buddy Chris. Good to see Gangles the Rodeo Clown getting endorsements.

1:00- The TV commentators just compared Callahan's first four years to those of Bill McCartney back in the day. Huh!?!?! McCartney took over a dead program. This sets me off on a number of loud proclamations that Bill needs at least 4 more years to turn this around! Just like Alberto Gonzales, he deserves as much time as possible to fix the trainwreck he caused. Nebraska's a red state, right? That logic might work, right? No need to fire him, right? (Please don't fire him!)

1:07- Bookie and I just discussed the possibility of a West Virginia v. Kansas BCS title game. Bookie asks how many tractors one stadium can accomodate. We might find out this year!

1:14- TD CU. 52-35... The Husker faithful are turning into the Husker frustrated. This is a new feeling and I could get used to it. (Chanting) Keep Your Coach! Keep Your Coach!

1:20- CU linebacker coach Brian Cabral is wearing a traditional Hawaiian... um... dress-like thing. Hey, I call it how I see it and I don't know the proper term.

1:30- 58-35. CU needs to hang 60 on them.

1:50- Bookie convinces me not to chant "keep your coach." How's this for a fact: My sports conscience is named Bookie. Better to win with class while the Huskers are down. I can still enjoy this, though. 58-43.

2:00- the Network prematurely cut away from the action and we miss the final CU score. Nebraska scores another junk-time TD and the final is 65-51.

That was fun.

Most Dominant Performance Ever!

I found this video and had to post it right away. I will add a post later to be a description of my evolution as a sports fan... for now, just enjoy the best performance I've ever seen in the world of sports (at least for one half). Pay particular attention to the 4:10 mark (the -2:55 if it counts down) and beyond. Although there are many impressive plays before that, the crowd just goes wild for those two baskets. It starts with a steal by Pippen, Jordan cleaning up Pippen's miss with a monster dunk, an airball by Portland and the sixth three of the half for Jordan in a moment where you wonder "How is this possible?"

Lesson: Never tell MJ he can't do something. I admire that kind of determination. Not everyone in life has it. It was suggested to let MJ shoot to slow him down and he proved that he can excel in whatever way he wishes.

Of all the sporting events I wish I could be in the stands for, the first half of this game tops all others. Just imagine if Portland would have kept this game close and Jordan would have played actual minutes in the second half. He barely played in the second half. He could have dropped 70 in a finals game.

I will always remember this game also because I watched it on a very small TV in my dad's hospital room when he was very sick with a big infection in his back. We were just mesmerized by the amazing performance. Michael Jordan was the only non-home-team player who turned me into a pure fan of one player's raw talent and desire to win.

I would describe Michael as a "cold-blooded killer" on the basketball court. He really had ice water in his veins. This is the best video yet of my favorite performance by the greatest to ever wear sneakers. Enjoy. I've already watched it 5times today.

Jacob!

Here are some pictures of Jacob at Halloween and getting into some trouble with his amazing climbing skills... I have attempted now many different ways to post video of him, but I just can't get it to load onto blogger. In the meantime, here's Jacob:

Messy Face:

On Halloween

Climbing:

That's it for now. I will try to get some video up sometime soon.

In the meantime, I will probably try to explain the new video I have uploaded to the left of this post very soon.... That one may also be my first attempt at a bi-lingual post. Anything written in German will also be written in English... we'll see how this goes (I will welcome grammer corrections).