June 23, 2009

Why Blog?

In the era of Facebook, Twitter, SMS, and character limits on messages, I can’t help but feel that blogging has irreversibly shifted its role online.

Over the past few years of having this space to myself, dozens of people have came to or wrote me for advice on how to start a blog or to let me know I was their motivation for starting their own. Some people wanted to put ads on their blog to generate revenue, some wanted to break into professional journalism by creating a buzz around their work, and some just wanted to simply know the logistics of it all – how to add pictures, secure a domain, etc.

When I look at the idea of blogging, I have to start at the beginning. Since recorded history, all writers have experiemented with different forms that reflect the notion of human thought. As blogging becomes its own literary form (and it certainly is), we must acknowledge that this new form has enabled writers to express themselves in ways never seen before in the history of writing.

The word blog is taken from two words- web and log. It is a log of thoughts and writing posted openly on the web to anyone on Earth with an internet connection. The ability to instantly self-publish to a global audience has only been technologically possible for the mainstream for the last decade. Whereas writers of centuries past worked on short stories, poems, plays, and other forms for sometimes years apiece. Blogging is the spontaneous expression of instant thought (With more than 140 characters).

Unlike most print journalism, blogs give voice to everyone, and the consequences and benefits of that are still being played out.

Fifteen months ago I wrote an entry called, “A Blog is a Blog is a Blog” dismissing the self-righteousness of blogging. I have been asked to write for a several publications or allow others to publish some of my better entries and have declined every time. When I want to be a professional writer, I’ll make it known.

I blog because it allows me to sit and think for a few minutes about an idea. It keeps my writing constantly improving and it allows for reflection on ideas that I may change my mind on. In its simplest essence, maintaining this blog makes me a more disciplined and efficient human. I haven’t made any money off of this blog (Except for a shameful 3-week AdWords campaign that I regret) and am left with limited time to update with enough regularity to ever become a truly followed site (Mark Cuban explains well in a post, “Who cares what people write?”)

There were years of this blog where I would find a particularly clever YouTube clip and make it its own post. That is just where the natural stage of blogging evolution was at the time. Now for their quick shits and giggles, one can turn to Twitter or Facebook to share those type of things online. Blogging has become, dare I say it, more refined- and more professional. Journalism is a dying art as the best writers begin to write books, maintain their own valuable blog, and write occasional op-pieces for big papers. Blogs are in a transitional phase- somewhere between earning mainstream credibility and still being publicity whores.

Blogs also have other upsides over other social media. They are more versatile, powerful, SEO valuable, and professional than other social media. They give people further web identity and can expand corporate brand exposure with proper viral techniques. But again, as the ebb and flow of social media moves through its peaks and valleys of change, where is the place for blogs in the future?

And that leaves us back to the question, why even blog?

With Twitter now an undeniable pulse on the real time conversation of the entire world, it is simply unwise to dismiss the site as a fad vanity application. Twitter, or at least the technology behind real time conversation and search, is not going anywhere (Good TIME article on this subject) and Google should be worried (Will O’Brien explains why).

While I don’t intend to stop blogging, I do think I am going to start actually using my Twitter account (Which you can find here) for updates in the near future.

As Mark Cuban writes in another post, “Tweets are the blog posts you thought about writing, but didn’t feel they had enough substance.” And again, “The beauty of twitter is its simplicity. It works perfectly and quickly on a phone. Translated, its the ultimate time waster for the 30 plus generation.  You are never bored when you have a phone and twitter, no matter where you are. Thats the key to its success.”

So while blogging will have its place on the internet and in my life, I can’t deny the powerful presence that Twitter has brought to the world. Without Twitter (and inherently the internet as a whole), the Western World would be cut off from the history in Iran unfolding before our eyes.

I love blogging and good blogs do have value and should be recognized as so, but they’re static- they’re analog players in a digital world.

Follow me on Twitter if you’d like. I think I’ll be able to bring you some value.

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June 9, 2009

WWDC Thoughts

Yesterday’s WWDC keynote was a widely hyped event for Apple. There was the usual speculation and rumors leading up to yesterday’s activities, some of which were revealed as true, while most, were dismissed as false. It wasn’t that the keynote sucked, it just was not up to Apple’s lofty standards.

In essence, the problem with yesterday’s presentation was that the world’s coolest company didn’t look like the world’s coolest company. They looked scattered, frustrated, confused, and almost bitter. It left me disappointed from a customer and fanboy standpoint. Here’s why:

Snow Leopard

What I was most excited about for WWDC was the unveiling of Snow Leopard, Apple’s mythical and heralded new OS that would blow Windows 7 out of the water and redefine the user experience with Macs. What a snooozer! Sure, a move to 64 bit for all applications is deserving of praise and a few minor UI tweaks look alright but where were the new features? The new applications? A Quicktime upgrade is all? A final Safari 4 is promising but the beta was so bad I couldn’t even use it. Snow Leopard came across as more of a service pack for Leopard than anything. Considering how many shots Apple still took at Vista yesterday, and then further criticized Windows 7 for being built upon Vista, what was the point of then showing off their ‘new’ OS that is built upon their old one? What was Apple thinking? $29 is fair for an upgrade ($49 family pack) but I can’t help but think this should have been a free upgrade. Ships in September (A month before Windows 7).

New Macbook Pro Family

This was actually a nice surprise from Apple and I think it directly stems from the Microsoft laptop ads knocking Apple’s specs and price points. What we get is upgraded specs for the whole notebook line with decreased pricing. Additionally, the 13″ unibody MacBook now becomes a MacBook Pro joining its older siblings the 15″ and 17″. The white plastic 13″ remains the only MacBook left. Coming from someone who is planning on buying a MacBook this summer, this was great news. The addition of a SD card is great for 95% of Mac users but Apple should have kept the ExpressCard slot available as an option for those who wanted it. All memory now comes standard at 4GB RAM upgradable to 8GB (For another $900) and makes the new price points the most affordable Apple notebooks ever.

iPhone 3.0 Software

We saw most of the features in the beta rollout a few months ago but that doesn’t diminish the quality of the upgrade. Added is the horizontal keyboard across the entire phone (SMS, Email, Notes, etc), Cut and Paste functionality, better Safari performance and usage improvements, ‘Find my Phone’ GPS ability with MobileMe, spotlight search capability (cool), improved stock app, improved calendar app, a voice memo app, MMS finally (Although not immediately, FU AT&T), and tethering ability (Another US delay, suck it AT&T). The upgrade is nice but in all reality these features should have been in the initial iPhone software. Another bummer was no video capture for the 1st gen and 3G iPhones. It wouldn’t have been that hard to implement but Apple wants to sell the new iPhone hardware someway. Free for iPhone users on June 17th and $9.95 for iPod Touch owners.

iPhone 3G(S)

I mean what a stupid name. Apple rolls out their expected new iPhone hardware without many expected features in their attempt to retain the initial AT&T 2-year contracts and fend off pressure from the Pre and Android. The phone is faster, has a compass, has a better camera, can take video, has Nike+ integration, and has voice recognition. I don’t see a need for a compass, the iPhone’s 3.2 camera is still behind most smartphones, I had a Sprint phone in middle school that could take video, and voice recognition is supposed to be a new feature? What an absolute fail from Apple. No front facing video, no improved speaker, no 5MP camera, no matte backing, etc etc. If you’ve never had an iPhone before, I suppose it is the best to get, but those with one don’t have enough incentive to upgrade. The price points for new users are $199 for the 16GB, $299 for the 32GB. Existing AT&T customers will generally pay $200 more but call to make sure depending on your plan. The lone smart move from the iPhone this year was the idea to sell the 8GB iPhone 3G for $99 to further expand market share.

The keynote wasn’t a complete failure. It was a solid showing from Apple but it did not have the luster that we have grown so accustomed to. There was no tablet, no iChat on iPhone, no Steve Jobs, and no “One more thing”. Instead there were multiple failed app demos, an Apple executive dressed in mad scientist gear, the never ending MSFT and Palm catty digs, and no singular awesome moment. I mean, do you really think Steve Jobs would have allowed a presentation with himself to be dressed up in science gear and allowing developers to linger on stage while their app fails?

And another big FAIL – AT&T. I haven’t had any problem with AT&T since getting my iPhone but yesterday was laughable. When Apple finally announced their MMS software they showed the carriers around the world that were ready to support the feature immediately, guess who was missing. When Apple announced tethering for your laptop, guess which carrier was absent from immediate launch? AT&T needs to get their shit together if they want to continue their exclusivity with the iPhone. Not having MMS support in 2009 is disturbing from a tech standpoint and delaying tethering means they’re simply trying to come up with a way to charge us for it. Telecoms are the single biggest farce in American business. They find out ways to rape customers for texting (Which costs them next to nothing), find ways to increase fees for tethering, hoard profits instead of improving network performance, and generally kick their customers in the balls at every opportunity.

I won’t be getting the new iPhone because I’m hoping that Apple considers opening the iPhone to the Verizon network, provided Verizon finally allows their phones to open to external software, because Verizon phones absolutely suck. So when my contract is out this time next summer, I will actually have options as a consumer! What a crazy idea!

Apple didn’t strike out yesterday but they didn’t homer either. They took a 3-1 pitch outside and accepted a walk. In business, you can only accept a walk so many times before the other team starts hitting homers. If it really is true Steve Jobs is returning at the end of the month from his health hiatus, July can’t come soon enough for Apple stakeholders.

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May 29, 2009

The News is Broke

Quick, name a few things our children will never understand.

Analog clocks? Cursive handwriting (or handwriting altogether)? VCR’s? CD’s? DVD’s? Sub 25/M download speeds?

How about newspapers?

I don’t read newspapers. If there is a worthwhile article in a local paper, I may take a glance.

I get my daily up-to-the-milisecond news all day on the internets via Digg, CNN, Reddit, ESPN, Drudge, and HuffPo, etc etc.

When I wake up, usually before getting out of bed, I skim the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal iPhone applications.

I already know everything that will be in the newspapers that day.

We are hearing daily that various newspapers are losing money and going bankrupt (Two more last week), but can we actually envision a world without them? Just because I do not read papers doesn’t mean I want them to fail, here’s why:

In the past ten years, newspapers have been absolutely crushed by a maelstrom of content, none more powerful than the internet and inherently, Craigslist. The best writers and best editors began to flee to the other side of the fence, the internet, thus the quality and morale of every major newspaper in the country decreased.

With a lack of newspaper quality came a lack of journalistic investigation. With the lack of investigation came a reliance on opinion-based punditry and corporate press releases.

Bill Simmons wrote in an article a month ago about how no one noticed Kevin Garnett was hurt saying, “In 1980, Bob Ryan of the Boston Globe would have sniffed out the B.S. signs of this KG story, kept pursuing it, kept writing about it, kept working connections and eventually broken it. True, today’s reporters don’t get the same access Ryan had, but let’s face it: If 1980 Bob Ryan was covering the Celtics right now, ESPN or someone else would lure him away.”

And that’s the bigger problem. Investigative writing for newspapers is dead. All the money left in communications is in opinion.

Peter Abraham, a writer for New York’s Lower Hudson Valley and Yankees blogger, was forced to take a weeklong furlough last week as per his paper’s parent company’s request. Gannett is also the parent company of our local paper, The Democrat and Chronicle, which has also sustained dwindling revenues and exhausting layoffs.

There is a TIME article about 10 papers in danger of bankruptcy within the next year.

So what is the solution?

Media mogul Rupert Murdoch outlined his his vision for digital newspaper delivery yesterday. His idea that news will be all digital is correct. More and more people are using the internet and going all digital is cost effective from a print and paper standpoint and environmentally friendly from the paper saved. All digital news is inevitable.

He also belives people will pay for online news content. There is where I disagree. Even if a paper or news outlet charges users for content viewing, other sites can copy the information, it will be emailed, people will share accounts and passwords, etc. Even the sites that charge for content now can still be found free in other mediums (Like iPhone apps.)

Mark Cuban believes another approach can be utilized saying, “papers should look at anything and everything digital that you can acquire and give away or sell to your subscribers.  It costs you next to nothing to host and allow the downloads, but you are driving traffic, and  immediately offering incremental value that isnt available elsewhere.” Theoretically, with credit card information on file, newspapers could become local Amazon vendors with a bit of creativity and hard work.

Maybe there is no future at all for newspapers. Maybe the folks at 4Chan will be the ones to uncover government conspiracies in the future and not the journalism pros, if there will even be journalism pros.

Maybe the government should bail out the news for American quality of life. Remove the advertisements, ensure story integrity, and make the news a not-for-profity entity. But then again, the socialism folks would never allow it.

And just because internet news is flourishing now, it is not going to last forever. Last quarter saw the first decrease in online advertising spending on record and ad-block use in browsers is growing exponentially. Eventually internet news could go bankrupt too.

The best shot for newspapers is an innovative creation that makes those that desire physical copies of their news willing to continue to pay for it in a digital distribution. Think of a bigger iPhone type tablet screen with newspaper and magazine ‘apps’ that can be bought through iTunes. The paper will update automatically in real time and have multi-touch support for flicking through pages, pinch to zoom, and the ability to save pictures to a drive and email articles. Could it work?

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May 27, 2009

Jumping Ship to Google Chrome

A month ago I recommended through this blog that anyone reading should stop using Microsoft’s Internet Explorer browser if they had not already.

PC’s are equipped with IE by default and most people simply don’t know there are alternatives available. I mentioned several alternatives, one was the recently released Chrome browser from Google.

I was impressed initially with the minimalist UI and the “smart” bar that controls all URL input, bookmarks, and Google searches.

When I got down to using it more often, I was impressed with the speed and stability of the thing.

In fact, I’ve come to use it as my default browser, leaving behind Mozilla’s FireFox.

It is by no means perfect, it has a long way to go, but it is enough of a foundation to use regularly. I find myself using it about 99% of the time with only a need for FireFox for really labor intensive internet use.

The Good

  • The thing is so fast- noticably faster than FireFox and IE.
  • The “smart bar” works like a charm.
  • It is simply the best browser for Java, PHP, or Rails viewing.
  • Isolated tabs mean that each tab open is run on its own. If one page fails, only that tab goes down, not the whole browser.
  • “Sandbox” security. At PWN2OWN this year, Chrome was the lone browser not to be hacked.
  • “Most Visited” Integration

The Bad

  • No support for add-ons or extensions. That means there is no Ad-Block Plus unless you’re tech savvy and know scripts.
  • Not available for Mac yet.
  • The built-in spell checker isn’t even close to FireFox’s. That is not so good when blogging.
  • There is always some concern of privacy and usage information when using Google’s products. I, however, don’t buy it. If you do have tin foil on your head, use the ‘Incognitio Mode’ which doesn’t track history, cookies, passwords, etc when in use.

All in all, anyone coming from Internet Explorer or Safari would notice a big increase in performance. Google’s browser attempt looks great and promises to only get better with third party support. If no Ad-Block is an absolute deal breaker, I feel your pain. Email and I’ll give you instructions on how to utilize ad-block in Chrome.

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May 21, 2009

The Coming Collapse of the GOP Right

Im slippin, Im fallin, I cant get up

"I'm slippin, I'm fallin, I can't get up"

I spent a lot of time last year writing about politics. When Obama won, the whole game changed. Politics in America had irreversibly shifted from the ‘good old days’ and the ‘old boys club’ to the socially aware and politically active.

In January, before Barack was inaugurated, I wrote a blog about the new Republican Party. I wrote about the great divide within the party between the ‘Patriotic religious folk’ and the ‘fiscally conservative corporate type’. In Obama’s first few months that rift has grown and spread like a dry brush fire.

The Republican Party will be irrelevant within four years unless their direction changes.

That can be done in three very easy steps.

  1. Stop listening to past leaders. If Republicans continue to listen to the likes of Dick Cheney and his 9/11 sob stories and Sarah Palin’s hunting trips, they can forget about their party’s sustainability.
  2. Lose the Religious stranglehold. As Americans become more secular, making religion a political talking point is going to do more harm to the party than good.
  3. Adapt to socially changing views. Keep the conservative fiscal ‘old school’ mentality but be open to progressive social change, because it is inevitable anyway.

When I wrote that post, I didn’t know the shitstorm on the party would be so overwhelming, but is certainly has. In just four months, consider what has happened to the Republican Party.

-Rush Limbaugh somehow became the de facto voice of the party. Partly because the Obama administration crafted that by wanting Republicans to be portrayed as the vile AM afterthought and also, maybe more importantly, because no one in the GOP had the balls to stand up to him.

-But someone did have the balls! Newly announced Republican Party leader Michael Steele correctly said Rush Limbaugh was “an entertainer”. He was right after all, Rush makes hundreds of millions of dollars per year (and he is very good at what he does) to conduct an entertainment talk show on the radio. That is his job, he is an entertainer. So Rush takes offense to Mr. Steele for some reason, in fact, he writes a lengthy bitch letter on his website and spends most of his show tearing down his own party’s leader (face palm). And then what happens? The freakin leader of the Republican Party publically apologized, for being correct mind you, to Limbaugh by kissing his big fat ass. The GOP’s leader was catering to a radio talk show host. What a mess.

- Longtime Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter made an announcement that shocked colleagues on both sides of the aisle, Specter said, “he had become increasingly uncomfortable as a moderate in a party dominated by conservatives” and would join the Democrats. The switch gave the Senate dems 60 members, meaning they had a filibuster proof majority on the hill, making Mitch McConnell more insignifcant than Sanjaya.

-So at a time where the party is in full-blown crisis, Rush Limbuagh gets on his extra wide chair and tells Arlen Specter to hit the road, and to take John McCain and his daughter with him. WTF? Seriously, WTF?

First, Rush Limbuagh tells John McCain, the long-time GOP Arizona Senator who was the Party’s forking Presidential nominee six short months ago, to get lost. John McCain represents everything that is still good about the GOP. He is willing to work across the aisle, holds moderate social beliefs, and he is smart and respected. Yes he sold his soul trying to reach the political apex as President by bringing in Sarah Palin, but you can’t blame anyone for trying to advance their career. And John McCain will be one of the first to privately note how dumb Palin really is.

Second, he tells Meghan McCain to leave. Why? He is afraid of her. Meghan, the 24 year old politically savvy conservative who knows how to use Twitter, is becoming a more important force on the right than anyone. She is socially progressive (supports gay marriage), called GOP voice Ann Coulter “Offensive, Insulting, and Confusing”, sees her party losing influence with her generation, embraces the advancement and utilization of technology, and when being told to leave by Limbaugh responded on Twitter that she is “red till she’s dead.” Meghan McCain represents an actual hope for the party’s future and Limbaugh tells her to piss off. What a mess.

- Esteemed conservative pundit Bill Bennett said conservatives need to stop talking about Rush Limbaugh and Sarah Palin because “they are not the future of the party”. Duh! Even though I disagree with his politics, I usually enjoy Bennett’s thoughts on CNN. Bright dude.

- Former Republican Bob Barr says, “The GOP is in very deep trouble”. Barr, who was the Libertarian party’s Presidential nominee, noted the GOP has a “lack of any coherent philosophy, vision or leadership.”

- Republican Presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee said last week that the Republican party could become as “irrelevant as the Whigs.”

- U.S. Supreme Court Justice David Souter resigned his seat. Souter quite clearly held on long enough that Obama could choose his replacement and not George W. Bush (He did get two appointments after all). Obama gets a chance to nominate a young progressive leaning judge who could theoretically serve for decades.

I am by no means a political scientist or expert pundit. I’m a dude who watches the world around me. I see a major shift in how Americans think and act in their daily lives. Maybe that has to do with the economy, maybe it is the new President, or maybe something else. But everything I see changing favors the Democratic Party going forward, so much to the point where I think the GOP could really become defunct.

Maybe the Libertarians will continue their rise, maybe another political force will evolve. Either way, Republicans are tracking to lose more ground in 2010 and even more in 2012. If they have any hope left, someone needs to step up and save them.

TIME wrote a great article on this subject and a good friend of mine Erin also brought up the topic on her blog. I’d advise anyone that wants to read more to take their eyes onward, they’re both much smarter than I.

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May 21, 2009

Just Because…

If you need any more proof that South Park is the single greatest show of all-time, here you go.

Unfortunately Viacom prevents the actual music video from being seen by mainstream audiences on YouTube with copyright claims, so you get the full song without the visual content.

Still, the song is where the brilliance lies. 

Hopefully one day these ‘experts’ will accept the internets and realize open mediums are new entertainment. Anyway, listen to the lyrics and acknowledge South Park as the single greatest force in entertainment today. Sorry J.J., I’m sick of your time travel mindfucks.

I can go on and on about the RIAA and MPAA but no one listens rationally to logical thought. That said, South Park is the greatest show of all-time. I would love any MASH, Seinfeld, or Friends fan to dispute this- please…make my day.

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May 18, 2009

A Global Currency?

So long dollar? Au revoir euro? Hasta luego peso?

In 2009, I am as much a citizen of planet Earth as I am a citizen of the United States.

So with our open international economy, wouldn’t it make sense to use one currency?

Am I crazy? No, I’m not.

In fact, a United Nations panel of economic experts are “pressing for a new global currency reserve scheme to replace the volatile, dollar-based system and for coordinated steps by rich countries to stimulate their economies.”

“A new global reserve system that may be viewed as a greatly expanded SDR (Special Drawing Rights), with regular or cyclically adjusted emissions calibrated to the size of reserve accumulations, could contribute to global stability, economic strength and global equity,” the panel said.

The commission, led by US economist Joseph Stiglitz, a frequent critic of globalization and unbridled free markets, is primarily aimed at finding solutions for developing countries.

“Developing countries are lending the United States trillions dollars at almost zero interest rates when they have huge needs themselves,” Stiglitz noted. “It’s indicative of the nature of the problem. It’s a net transfer, in a sense, to the United States, a form of foreign aid.” (Source)

But the United Nations is just a separate international entity with no policy making responsibility right? Obviously, since the UN told George Bush not to invade Iraq and he did  anyway. But Sarah Palin doesn’t know what the Bush Doctrine is, Palin ‘12, I digress.

But the movement for a single global currency isn’t limited to just the UN. In light of the global economic crisis that started in America, world leaders are trying to restructure the international markets to stabilize future swings, many believe a global currency is a good step.

French President Nicholas Sarkozy, English PM Gordon Brown, and EU honcho Jose Manuel Barroso are talking up an international summit to discuss an “urgent overhaul of the world’s financial architecture”. Sarkozy and the EU leaders will call for “globally coordinated regulation of the financial industry, elimination of tax havens and a compensation system in which traders are not rewarded for dangerous risk-taking,” among other things.

"F#@KING Americans!"

Further, Sarkozy says about currencies, How many should there be? What should the agreement between these great currencies be? Should we organize a discussion?” (Source)

But it is not just the big bad European Union calling on reform possibilities.

China is calling for a new global currency controlled by the International Monetary Fund.The comments, in an essay by the Chinese central bank governor, reflect Beijing’s growing assertiveness in economic affairs. Gov. Zhou Xiaochuan’s essay did not mention the dollar by name but said the crisis showed the dangers of relying on one nation’s currency for international payments. In an unusual step, the essay was published in both Chinese and English, making clear it was meant for an international audience.

“The crisis called again for creative reform of the existing international monetary system towards an international reserve currency,” Zhou wrote. (Source)

Benn Steil writes in an article entitled Goodbye US Dollar, Hello Global Currency, “The right course is not to return to a mythical past of monetary sovereignty, with governments controlling local interest and exchange rates in blissful ignorance of the rest of the world. Governments must let go of the fatal notion that nationhood requires them to make and control the money used in their territory.” (There are a lot of good links in that article that further this conversation worth reading FYI)

Of course this debate will ignite fears of biblical prophecy of the ‘end times’. Revelations 13:15-18 reads, He (the false prophet or antichrist, or Barack for many idiots), so that it could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed. He also forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead, so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name.  This calls for wisdom. If anyone has insight, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is man’s number. His number is 666.” I don’t know how exactly that translates to a world currency fear but whatever.

The global currency proposal also draws more fears that religious concerns.

You can make a fair argument by saying a global currency is at the very core of government’s plan to dominate the world. Control money and you control the destiny of states, you eliminate national sovereignty. A.W. Clausen, president of Bank of America once observed, The control of money and credit strikes at the very heart of national sovereignty.”

Further, Georgetown professor Carroll Quigley notes, the goal of the banking families and their minions consists of “nothing less than to create a world system of financial control in private hands able to dominate the political system of each country and the economy of the world as a whole…controlled in a feudalist fashion by the central banks of the world acting in concert, by secret agreements arrived at in frequent private meetings and conferences.”

That might be a little over the top but it serves as a fair argument for any opponent of a global currency.

Will it ever happen? Who knows, we’ve seen more international change in fifteen years, let alone the past fifteen months, than perhaps any period in history. I would not be against a new currency, I’m open to change and progress, and I don’t worry about money anyway- It is just paper when it comes right down to it.

Any thoughts on the matter? Comment or shoot me an email.

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May 14, 2009

Are You Open Minded?

Think about it.

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May 8, 2009

ManRam The Sham

So it wasn’t just Manny being Manny. It was Manny being Super-Manny.

And I don’t care.

When A-Rod got popped, I wasn’t surprised. Manny? My eyes went to his almost $8M 50-game salary rather than the positive test.

This is an era where we now have to assume just about everyone was taking something to boost their performance and longevity. And I don’t care.

Scott Boras, who oddly represents a lot of guilty players, made a really good point in an interview in this month’s Playboy by saying, “Each era has distinctive features—from equipment and rules to pharmacology, surgical advancements, labor agreements, federal and state laws—that impact performance. The game is always changing. The Hall’s [of Fame] scroll of admission must be drafted with a fluid and broad pen. Only then can it recognize excellence from every era.”

I agree with him. There are lots of different variables from each time. Domestic game to international game. Only white players to all races of players. Pitchers going all game versus the advancement of the bullpen. Huge ballparks to smaller ballparks. Players hitting the bar after the game to players hitting the gym after the game.

It would be really easy for all of us to sit here and label them “cheaters”, we not only allowed this, we wanted this. Baseball was a dead sport. Cancelled season and cancelled world series. When McGwire and Sosa started hitting all of those home runs that summer, we got nostalgic, and we fell back in love. America’s game took full shape. Kids had their slugging heroes like Dad had Maris, and Gramps had Ruth. We overlooked that these guys brains were bulging out of their heads because we didn’t care.

When I read Juiced by Jose Canseco, he talked about how baseball was entertainment. He recalled a game where fans were heckling him and chanting “steroids”, and Canseco proceeded to just start flexing. The crowd laughed and probably told their friends all about it. Entertainment value? You bet.

Are we in an era where the purity is out of sports? I have to think so. Look at the empty Yankee Stadium. No fan can afford tickets and no Dad can bring his kids down to the field pregame to try and get an autograph. Then the kid has to ask the Dad why they don’t sit in the $1,250 dollar per game seats. Pure? Please.

St. Louis fans should just start preparing now…Pujols? Please.

You can look across the entire major league and make fair arguments for everyone. Sheffield, Bonds, Vladdy, Brady Anderson, Bret Boone, Pettitte, Clemens, A-Rod, Gagne, etc etc. 2004 Boston team…Millar, Mueller, Bellhorn, Ortiz, and Manny? I mean you’re just kidding yourself if you think those guys are all clean. 

Sports are no longer pure, maybe they never were, or maybe I’m just old enough now to realize it. Manny, A-Rod, Clemens, and Bonds might be publicly shamed and out of the Hall of Fame, but look at their bank accounts. It was never about the stats for these people. Wake up.

And I really don’t think outlawing PED’s is going to help. Steroids aren’t for brute jocks anymore. They have become so sophisticated that when taken correctly, they can prolong life, halt illness, and make you look better in a swimsuit. Look at Sly Stallone and Suzanne Somers. PED’s are becoming more and more a part of modern medicine and will definitely increase in usage in the upcoming decades as we learn more about our genetic makeup.

So Manny and Boras did the smartest thing they could do, take the suspension and be quiet. Everyone already knew and everyone will accept it in a day or two. The people are still going to come see ManRam in July when the Dodgers are amidst a pennant chase and fans will buy tickets on the road to boo A-Rod. Cash money stacks playa. 

Sports are pure? Please. Pay up bitches.

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May 5, 2009

Be.

All of us have to be something in life. Be a sibling. Be a parent. Be a boss. Be a student.

Often we’re told what to be; Be green. Be cultured. Be nice. Be kind rewind.

Whatever happened to just being?

This is something I have kind of always had feelings on but it can be a bit tricky. Without going too deep into existentialism or the merits of what ‘time’ is, can’t we as humans just exist in the moment?

I talk all the time about the now, not the was or the will. The now is reality. It’s tangible, flexible, and adaptable. We can control our actions and thoughts at any moment of time. There is no need for timetables, deadlines, and benchmarks. We use those things because 1) we’re lazy, and 2) society has created such.

We can do anything we want at anytime. Go back to school. Finish that book. Learn Spanish. But we put stuff off, that itself creates anxiety and resentment, but I’ll ignore that for now. We use time metrics to justify our desires and that is what I am advocating against. You know what I’m talking about.

“I’ll go on a diet tomorrow!”  – “I’ll stop drinking starting New Years!” – “I am going to write a book one day!”

As Anne Frank best said, “How wonderful it is that no one has to wait, but can start right now to gradually change the world.” Why wait if you really want to do something?

So back to my point. Most of the stresses and difficulties in life come from past negative experiences or anxiety about future events. This makes sense because the individual moment is short and quick. Time backwards and forwards is infinite in comparison to the now.

So here’s my thought, if people spent more time focusing on the present moment, they’ll be happier. Here’s what I do to refocus on the now.

  • Close your eyes. Without visual perception, your outlook will ironically become clearer. You become more aware of your surroundings and find a peace within yourself from acceptance of your environment.
  • Listen to your heart beat. This is best done alone but sometimes I listen and feel my pulse and marvel at how amazing the human body is. This easy task humbles anyone into realizing we are here in the moment living.
  • Not to be spiritual but consider zazen. It is a meditation-like zen buddhist practice that means “opening the hand of thought”.
  • Consider a more minimalist lifestyle. If the recession has taught us anything, it is that Americans have lived in such extreme excess for so long it caught up to us. We have so much crap around our lives that doesn’t bring any joy. Smaller is better and decluttering limits sensory overload, which will result in the calming of the mind.

As Owen Wilson’s Hansel character says in Zoolander, “I care desperately about what I do. Do I know what product I’m selling? No. Do I know what I’m doing today? No. But I’m here, and I’m gonna give it my best shot.”

So without being preachy, try to focus on the now more often and work on letting go of the was or the will.

Just “Be”. I think you’ll like the idea.

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May 4, 2009

Continued NBA Playoff Predictions

The second round of the NBA playoffs commence tonight, here are my thoughts on each series.

Boston Celtics vs Orlando Magic

Unfortunately for the reigning NBA champions, the road to a repeat only gets more difficult in Orlando. Coming off one of the greatest playoff series, in any sport, against the upstart Baby Bulls, Boston is going to have to dig really deep if they want to keep their championship hopes alive. Orlando proved they could win without Dwight Howard (And actually looked better running the court) so the series doesn’t hinge on one player. That said, Boston will have to find a way to stop Howard because Chicago lacked a big man of his caliber. Despite Boston having to turnaround so quick, I think they have enough gas in the tank to put up a good fight. Orlando is a good young team and this could be the best series of the remaining four.

Pick? Boston in 7.

Cleveland Cavaliers vs Atlanta Hawks

King James will be named the NBA’s Most Valuable Player this afternoon in front of his teammates as his high school alma mater in Akron this afternoon. The 24 year old is the third youngest MVP in the league and only coming into his own in his sixth NBA season. Cleveland is fresh and playing as a team better than anyone left. I really don’t see anyone in the East that can challenge them.

Pick? Cleveland in 5.

Los Angeles Lakers vs Houston Rockets

I think the Lakers are the best team in the NBA. I think they have too much offense for any team to handle if they’re playing well. If Houston wants to win this series, and I really think they can, they need to do two things very well. Yao Ming needs to get easy buckets and the ball often. If the Lakers are rough with Yao and he struggles to get easy buckets, Houston has no chance. If Yao controls the offense for Houston, they will be in the hunt. Secondly, Houston needs to play Ron Artest and Shane Battier as often as possible. Both are physical and scrappy defenders who can slow and frustrate LA’s potent offense. If Houston can get an opening win tonight it will go a long way for their shot of victory in this series.

Pick? Los Angeles in 6.

Dallas Mavericks vs Denver Nuggets

I love Mark Cuban and I love Dirk’s playoff game, but I really don’t think Dallas is going to be able to overcome Denver for a win in this series. It can be argued Dallas got lucky in round one but that’s too easy, they’re a very good team, but they just don’t look like they have the game left to stay with Denver. Denver isn’t a great team, but they just look fresher and more in sync than Dallas does. Go Mavs, but this is looking like a Nuggets win.

Pick? Denver in 6.

I think a lot of times in playoff sports, the opening rounds always outweigh the finals because teams are fresh and real magic can happen (Think of that Bulls-Celtics series). LAts year’s NBA finals were an exception with the Lakers and Celtics and I think this year’s finals will indeed outweigh the opening rounds. It is rare when it happens but memorable when it does. Cleveland and Los Angeles are on a collision course. I don’t see any other team capable of beating either. I think LA will handle Denver in 5 or 6 in the Western finals and I think Cleveland can beat Orlando or Boston in 4 or 5  games in the Eastern finals.

Lebron vs Kobe. Fans are begging for it. The NBA is begging for it. Advertisers are begging for it. A finesse offensively explosive Lakers team with Kobe, Bynum, Odom, and Gasol versus the LeBrons. A team of improving role players led by the single greatest force in the NBA since Mike. It could be a finals talked about for generations and I think it is going to happen. And when it does, LA in 6. Just too good.

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May 3, 2009

Hulu is the New NOW Medium

This week Disney announced they are the latest to hop onboard the Hulu express with a 30% investment stake along with ABC content like ‘Lost’, ‘Desperate Housewives’,  and ‘Grey’s Anatomy’. Disney will get three seats on the 12-member board, the same as News Corp and NBC Universal.

Disney’s arrival on the scene, after months of negotiations, means three of the four major US broadcasting networks are now directly involved with Hulu: NBC, Fox, and now ABC- only CBS is absent with their stand alone TV.com venture, but if rumors are any indication, it won’t be long before they join Hulu. Hulu Chief Executive Jason Kilar said about CBS,  ”We’d love to have them be a part of Hulu … ultimately it’s their decision.” 

So what does this mean for viewers? 

If Time Warner’s broadband usage cap proposals are any indication, more and more people are choosing internet video as their medium of video delivery. It is convenient, increasingly available, improving in quality, and cheaper (free) than paying for cable or movies. 

Disney’s involvement is obviously huge. They bring popular content and a promise to dedicate ~$25M in advertising to Hulu on its network. ABC’s media player sucks to be quite honest, anyone that had to deal with it will welcome the intuitive user friendly UI that Hulu offers.

But Disney’s foray into the foray also signals a shift in internet video quality and credibility. Google must be uneasy. They spent almost $2B for YouTube, and while the site will always have a purpose for cat vids and drunk girls, it hasn’t turned into the media powerhouse everyone thought it would. Hulu is more attractive for advertisers, has infinitely higher monetizable traffic, and can control its content’s advertisements. YouTube gives too much (I hate saying that) power to its users and while lining up some good content recently, it lacks in revenue per video and revenue per user. And as Hulu continues its rapid growth in the US, it will continue to cut into YouTube.

YouTube still rocks traffic comparisons

YouTube still rocks traffic comparisons

Think of how annoying it is to see those copyright content removed claims on YouTube…happens all the freakin time. Hulu viewing is like watching a movie or television. Video is clear, cleanly streamed, advertisements aren’t invasive (and almost welcomed), and content is neatly organized in an easily accessible manner. YouTube will always be there for ‘How-to videos’ or ‘Eating challenges”, and that is great for the internet, but it is horrible for business.

Consider this point: The more traffic that YouTube gets, the more it loses money. The more traffic that Hulu gets, the more it makes money.

It doesn’t take an MBA to figure out which is the more viable long-term solution. Google might be fine with YouTube as the tool it is. But if they are serious about delivering video content on the internet, they better react quickly.

So Hulu is no longer the ‘future’ of video delivery, it is the now. It is going to change things:

  • how broadband internet charges its users (Usage caps are inevitable as sad as it is)
  • how advertisers decide to tackle rapidly changing market demographics on the internet in a recession
  • how content is monetized (South Park has offered their shows for free on their website for years)
  • how are advertisers going to combat the rapid growth of ad-block in browsers?

Youtube is a massive maelstrom of user generated content. It has been an invaluable tool for the internet’s growth but the YouTube model is dying. Hulu is now the premier professionaly generated video content site. I am sure reveneues aren’t even close to YouTube yet but as traffic climbs, I guarantee those revenues make up a considerable gap in the next year with this Disney deal. CBS will have to join to remain viable so it will get even bigger then. If you haven’t used Hulu yet, try it out, I think you’ll really enjoy it.

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April 29, 2009

The Insanity of the 100 Day Assessment

President Obama has now been the President for 100 days. President Bush was President for almost 3,000 days.

3,000 > 100.

For whatever reason, ‘we’ have made this benchmark a ‘big’ deal in the media and around the water cooler. Assessing the efficiency of a new administration this early on in the process isn’t just difficult, it is down right silly.

Americans love grades and testing like I wrote a few posts back (What is Smart?). We grade the NFL Draft results, beauty pageants, restaurants, hotels, music, yada yada yada. But grading without enough of a sample size will provide deviations too extreme to be considered remotely accurate, so what’s the point of even doing it?

It is like predicting the #1 pick in next year’s NFL Draft (Sam Bradford, QB Oklahoma by the way). Jimmy Carter looked like Lincoln 100 days in and Bill Clinton would have been a lame-duck President if we went by his 100 day checkup. And we know how differently we view them now.

I can’t grade 100 days but I remain confident in the new administration. I am glad there is a push toward transparency, I am glad stem cell restrictions have been lifted, I am glad the government is working actively to alleviate the economic slide, and I am glad there is a new sense of optimism in the way America goes about its international diplomacy.

As our President said 100 days ago, “Let it be said by our children’s children that when we were tested, we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God’s grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.”

So I will give the only grade one can reasonably give at this point- Incomplete. There is a lot of work to do in this “new era of responsibility” but I think Obama will have eight years to lead that effort. But in the meantime, can the 24/7 news cycle please focus on real news and not gimmick Hallmark type grading benchmarks?

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April 27, 2009

This is Where Stereotypes Come From

I love me some 13WHAM, but come on!

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April 23, 2009

2009 NFL Draft of Mockery

***(Reader warning: Sorry little long, might want to print it)***

The 2009 NFL draft takes place this Saturday. Since the NFL is far and away the top sporting league in America and the absence of football news over the past few months leaves fans hanging, the NFL Draft is always a big deal. Big enough of a deal that millions of idiots like me devote time trying to predict what teams are going to take what players. God Bless America.

A couple of notes on the draft as a whole:

  • This draft isn’t as sexy as many past drafts. There isn’t a Barry Sanders or a Peyton Manning or a Reggie Bush in this draft. There are a lot of good players, there are very few, if any, great players.
  • As many as seven teams in the top 10 are trying to trade down. The NFL’s dirty little secret that needs to be addressed in the next CBA will be the issue of insane salaries for top draft picks. Paying unproven commodities the outrageous money these kids command isn’t good business. There is a reason why the Patriots always trade down and the Raiders and Browns trade up. No coincidence.
  • The economy is affecting team’s decisions. I have read across the board that teams aren’t going to take the best player available, they are going to draft by the best value from a player depending on the ability to sign the player. This is going to hurt new contracts and potential holdouts. Count on this being a big story this weekend.
  • I think we could see some really fun trades play out. The NFL has traditionally been a really anti-trade league but that is changing. We saw the Cassel and Cutler blockbusters this offseason, that just rarely happened before in the NFL. I think we might see guys like Brady Quinn, Jason Campbell, Braylon Edwards, or other big names moved around.

Okay here we go, the Detroit Lions are on the clock!

1) Detroit Lions – Matthew Stafford, QB Georgia

Why it makes sense: The Lions insist that they will not draft anyone unless a deal is in place. Stafford and the Lions are currently in negotiations and one will think they will strike a deal sometime tomorrow night. Stafford gives the Lions hope of a new future. A potential franchise QB that could save the team and give the city of Detroit a boost they need. Ton of experience, played against great competition in the SEC, HUGE arm, and a 38 Wonderlic test. He has already told people he’ll be the #1 pick and Detroit needs a sexy pick to appease fans after going 0-16 last year. Stafford is the guy.

Why it doesn’t: When teams rebuild, QB isn’t the best position to start. Only about 30% of 1st round QB’s work out successfully. The safer, and cheaper pick, would be one of the OT’s or LB Aaron Curry. Stafford comes with the probable price tag of $75 million with $40 million guaranteed. That isn’t an easy pill to swallow with a 30% probability of success.

2) St. Louis Rams – Jason Smith, OT Baylor

Why it makes sense: The Rams need a bookend tackle to replace Orlando Pace and Smith fits the bill. The Rams are on the brink of a complete organizational overhaul and LT is the best place to start rebuilding. He can step in and start right away.

Why it doesn’t: The Rams could go with Sanchez to learn under aging QB Marc Bulger or address the defensive side of the ball with LB Aaron Curry. Or they could decide they like OT Eugene Monroe better and go with him. There are lots of needs and the Rams may decide O-Line can be addressed later or through free agency.

3) Kansas City Chiefs – Aaron Curry, LB Wake Forest

Why it makes sense: Curry is widely considered the best pure player in the draft. He will be easy to sign and can anchor Scott Pioli’s new defense.

Why it doesn’t: Non-rush linebackers are very rarely drafted this high. I think I might be alone on this, but if Curry isn’t the pick here, I think he may fall out of the top 7. The media loves him but I’m not sold on his value this high. I think DT BJ Raji might be the pick or Eugene Monroe or maybe they go after Crabtree to give Cassel a new downfield weapon. I think Curry is the safe pick, but I don’t think it is the best pick for this team. Expect Scott Pioli to field trade offers for those teams looking to move up to take Sanchez.

4) Seattle Seahawks – Eugene Monroe, OT Virginia

Why it makes sense: I had a lot of difficulty with this pick. Many people think Seattle will take Sanchez here but I think they are just building trade bait hype to scare teams. I think Seattle knows they have too many other needs besides QB right now and landing a line anchor like Monroe would be too good to pass up.

Why it doesn’t: I fully expect Seattle to field serious offers to try to move out of this place for someone to come up and get Sanchez. Then again, the pick could be Sanchez and I’m just off-base, he could learn under Hasselbeck but I think this team can win without blowing up the whole team to rebuild. Sanchez will be very costly at #4, they don’t need that hassle.

5) Cleveland Browns – Bryan Orakpo, DE/LB Texas

Why it makes sense: Orakpo was called “the best player in the draft” by ESPN’s Michael Smith and has freakish athletic talent. While there are a ton of rumors and questions around the Browns’ offense, the defense needs to be improved before the team can win anything. Orakpo can be a little Demarcus Ware for the Browns.

Why it doesn’t: There are tons of rumors around Cleveland. If they trade Brady Quinn to the Broncos (Like I think is secretly going to happen), then they will probably take Sanchez. If they trade Braylon Edwards, like they want to, I think the pick will probably have to be Crabtree. But if neither of those deals goes down, the Browns should go with Orakpo.

6) Cincinnati Bengals – Andre Smith, OT Alabama

Why it makes sense: The Bengals went after Tank Johnson this offseason so let’s assume they won’t go with Raji. While they lost Housh to Free Agency, WR isn’t the biggest concern, and there are holes everywhere else. So what do you do? Like I always say, if there is a great OT available, take him. Plus his character issues fit well with the Bengals, no?

Why it doesn’t: The player that was once considered the best player in this draft, Smith has been a poster child for dysfunction. Trouble with an agent made him miss the Sugar Bowl. Showed up out of shape at the combine, left early, and fired his agent last week. Red flags everywhere. Cincinnati could go with Crabtree to replace Housh as well. Someone could theoretically try to swoop in here if Sanchez is still available.

7) Oakland Raiders – Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech

Why it makes sense: Oakland would be thrilled if Crabtree falls into their lap. He provides Al Davis with the flashy type of player he loves, gives Jamarcus Russell a viable target, and stimulates Raider nation with a sexy pick. The fan base needs something to root for.

Why it doesn’t: Knowing Jacksonville picks next, teams might make a last ditch effort for Sanchez if he is still around. Oakland might also have other WR’s higher than Crabtree (Maclin or Heyward-Bey). And Crabtree will likely come more expensive than those other WR’s available. And knowing Al Davis, they might end up picking a Venezuelan futbol striker to shore up the kickoff game. Who knows with this team.

8 ) Jacksonville Jaguars – Mark Sanchez, QB USC

Why it makes sense: If Sanchez falls to 8, Jack Del Rio is going to pull the trigger. I don’t think any real football fan believes David Garrard is a franchise QB. I like the guy, but let’s be honest with each other.

Why it doesn’t: Sanchez is going to be very expensive and like I said above, QB’s in the first round are rarely successful. He only had one year at USC (think Akili Smith) and playing at USC is always a red flag for NFL teams. Jacksonville has a lot of holes, so addressing other needs with a Raji or Everette Brown or Aaron Maybin also makes a lot of sense for the Jags.

9) Green Bay Packers – BJ Raji, DT Boston College

Why it makes sense: If Raji falls to 9, he could be one of the steals of the draft. Clearly the best DT in the draft, Green Bay would have a tough time passing on him at this point. There were false rumors of a positive test for weed that sort of hurt him but proved to be nothing. The guy is a stud in the Vince Wilfork mode.

Why it doesn’t: Green Bay might worry about Raji’s character but they shouldn’t. There are other holes. Everette Brown could be the pick, maybe even OT Michael Oher, or a WR for Aaron Rodgers. Green Bay is a well run tight-lipped organization. Tough to predict.

10) San Francisco 49ers – Michael Oher, OT Ole Miss

Why it makes sense: The 49ers are another team with a ton of flaws on both sides of the ball. And like I said above, a team that is in terrible shape should address OT first. Since there are four really good OT’s in this draft, San Francisco takes Oher while he is still there. If they are going to improve, they need protection and solid run blocking.

Why it doesn’t: Oher is rising on many draft boards but he still might be a bit of a reach at number 10. I think San Francisco could go with a WR or a secondary player but there aren’t any with enough value at this 10 spot. The strength of the 49ers is the front 7 on defense, so while there are a ton of great DE/LB prospects still on the board, I think SF goes in a different direction.

11) Buffalo Bills -Aaron Maybin, DE Penn State

Why it makes sense: Since all four of the tackles are gone, Buffalo is forced to pick on the other side of the line. The Bills pass rush was anemic last year. Maybin is a guy who can step right in and start and be a difference maker on defense. This could also allow Buffalo to trade or release Kelsay, Schobel, or Denney to clear cap space. Penn State defenders are notoriously gritty and solid NFL players, Poz and Maybin could be quite a Nittany Lions duo.

Why it doesn’t: If one of the four tackles are still available, I believe Buffalo will take them. The only exception would be if Orakpo is still available where I believe Buffalo would take him in about four seconds. Some are saying Oklahoma TE Brandon Pettigrew here. While I like Pettigrew ALOT, he is just too much of a stretch at #11.

12) Denver Broncos – Tyson Jackson, DE LSU

Why it makes sense: Jackson is shooting up every draft board with his pure athletic build and pass rushing instincts. The Broncos clearly need to upgrade a flaky defense and Jackson is a great fit.

Why it doesn’t: I don’t believe Josh McDaniels is happy with Kyle Orton being his starting QB so we might see a trade for Quinn, Campbell, or a play at Sanchez if possible. Denver could also address their aging secondary with a Malcolm Jenkins or a Vontae Davis.

13) Washington Redskins, Everette Brown DE Florida State

Why it makes sense: Washington loves the flashy picks but Brown is good value here and can help a weak front for the Redskins immediately. He has the flexibility to be an OLB in pass coverage or a great third down pass rusher.

Why it doesn’t: I don’t expect Washington to pick Brown because it just isn’t how they tick. I think we may see a Campbell trade by making a move for Sanchez or something else. Either way, I don’t think the Redskins will stay in this position so Brown being a Redskin is probably not going to happen.

14) New Orleans Saints – Clay Matthews, LB USC

Why it makes sense: The Saints are rumored to be taking a running back but I think it is a smokescreen. Jonathan Vilma didn’t exactly work out last year and the defense needs help. Matthews had an unbelievable pro day at USC and was great at the combine. It may be a bit of a surprise that he goes before the other two USC linebackers but I think he is the safest pick here.

Why it doesn’t: Unless I’m wrong, the Saints may actually go RB with a Moreno or Well but I doubt it. I guess CB remains a possibility with equal value available in Jenkins, Davis, and others. Or they go with one of the other linebackers Maualuga or Cushing.

15) Houston Texans – Malcolm Jenkins, CB Ohio State

Why it makes sense: If Jenkins is available at 15, it would be very difficult to pass on him for a team that struggled in pass coverage last year. Jenkins is a highly decorated college player with loads of experience in a big time conference. The speedster could probably step right in and help Houston limit the big play threat.

Why it doesn’t: Houston may be tempted to go linebacker instead of secondary. There are also running back and wide receiver value at #15 that could help an offense in need of a spark besides Andre Johnson.

16) San Diego Chargers – Jeremy Maclin, WR Missouri

Why it makes sense: The Chargers are pretty solid as a team without any glaring needs. They had a dissapointing season last year but are definitely built to win now. Maclin provides NFL speed as  big play threat for emerging superstar QB Philip Rivers and gives the lackluster WR core a much needed boost.

Why it doesn’t: San Diego could literally draft any position or anyone with this pick and I wouldn’t be surprised. The remaining two USC linebacks will be tempting. I don’t see them taking a RB as they reportedly might after resigning Michael Turner and LT this offseason. There is only so much money that can be tied up with one position.

17) New York Jets – Josh Freeman, QB Kansas State

Why it makes sense: New coach Rex Ryan will be very tempted to land a potential franchise QB with his new team. Freeman is an interesting draft story with people valuing him all over the place. #17 might be considered a bit of a reach but everything out of Jet land is that Kellen Clemens isn’t going to be the long-term solution and Freeman provides a ton of upside.

Why it doesn’t: First round QB’s are always a gamble. The Jets could address WR here or LB or even running back with Thomas Jones holding out. If Freeman is the pick, I would expect heavy boos from the Jets fans in attendance at the draft.

18) Denver Broncos – Brian Cushing, LB USC

Why it makes sense: With Cushing and Jackson the Broncos defense just got a whole lot better. McDaniels comes from the Belicheck mold, he takes character guys with good Wonderlic’s that play with grit and hustle. I’m not sure how well Cushing will transition to the speed of the pro game but the pick makes too much sense not to place him here.

Why it doesn’t: Maualuga remains an option but I don’t think McDaniels wants to deal with the potential headache. They may again think about going with Vontae Davis or Darius Butler but Cushing seems like a great fit here. I guess the option is open to take Wells or Moreno to be a RB but Denver signed a bunch of RB’s this offseason to compete for the job. There are bigger holes on the D side.

19) Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Robert Ayers, DE Tennessee

Why it makes sense: Tampa’s defense absolutely collapsed at the end of last season. Ayers is a guy who is valued as high as #7 in some mocks to out of the first round in others. You can make the argument he is the most prototypical DE in the draft and Tampa will have a tough time ignoring his value at #19.

Why it doesn’t: They have a new coach and a new GM. No one really knows how they operate so anything is a possibility. WR is an option, RB could be hit on, I think Ayers is maybe the best player available so I’ll throw him there.

20) Detroit Lions – William Beatty, OT Connecticut

Why it makes sense: Since they are going to dump about $75 million into Stafford, they had better make sure he stays healthy. Choosing not to go O-Line with the #1 pick makes this pick an easy match. If one of the other four OT’s is around, I expect they’d go with them but Beatty has amazing size and strength and is rising on many draft boards. Dollars to doughnuts Buffalo will take him at #28 if he is still available.

Why it doesn’t: Playing at Connecticut doesn’t bring out the greatest competition. He manhandled much smaller DE’s in college so that is a concern. Detroit shouldn’t really be thinking about another position but the franchise that went 0-16 last year has made a lot of draft day errors over the years so who knows.

21) Philadelphia Eagles – Knowshon Moreno, RB Georgia

Why it makes sense: Philly has been known to be targeting Moreno and will take him in about 15 seconds if he falls into their lap at #21. He is a very gifted runner who can transition into the starting RB spot as Westbrook winds down his fabulous career.

Why it doesn’t: Philly may like Beanie Wells more but probably not. If Moreno is available at #21, he will be the pick. If not, they may look to Vontae Davis, Darius Butler, or Brandon Pettigrew.

22) Minnesota Vikings – Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR Maryland

Why it makes sense: Bey is exactly the speedy type of big play threat that Minnesota needs to stretch the field to make room for Mr. Everything Adrian Peterson.

Why it doesn’t: I really have to think WR is the position here. There are other WR options but I just think Heyward-Bey is the best one available.

23) New England Patriots – Darius Butler, CB Connecticut

Why it makes sense: Bill Bellicheck personally went to the Connecticut Pro Day to see Butler and the hoodie doesn’t go to pro days without intent, especially Connecticut’s pro day. The Patriots have a rapidly aging secondary that struggled at times last year.

Why it doesn’t: New England is always a threat to trade down so don’t dismiss that possibility. Beanie Wells is still available and Jerry Peria would be very tempting here as well. Whatever they do with this pick will probably be right. No one, besides maybe the Colts, gets draft day right as often as the Patriots do.

24) Atlanta Falcons – Jerry Peria, DT Mississippi

Why it makes sense: I thought Atlanta would take TE Brandon Pettigrew with this pick but they traded for Tony Gonzalez about ten minutes ago. So Peria is arguably the best player left and Atlanta doesn’t need to worry about their offense with Matty Ice at the helm, so picking up an anchor in the middle of the defense will go a long way in improving Atlanta’s team.

Why it doesn’t: Maybe Matty Ice wants some more weapons at WR or RB with the talent still available at those positions. Ultimately, the Falcons have more to worry about than weapons right now and Peria could be the steal of the draft at #24.

25) Miami Dolphins -Hakeem Nicks, WR North Carolina

Why it makes sense: This is another pick that I really struggled with. Bill Parcells is a tough nut to crack when it comes to evaluating talent. He usually makes the safe pick after a ton of due diligence (And he asks more questions than anyone in football). So Nicks is the kind of guy Parcells would typically not draft but I think his explosiveness is needed in the ever improving AFC East.

Why it doesn’t: Brandon Pettigrew has to be an option. Maybe a different WR. Maualuga is still out there. Vontae Davis has a ton of talent but is the kind of guy Parcells avoids. Again like I said, Bill Parcells is tough to predict, the Nicks guess is exactly that, no more than a guess.

26) Baltimore Ravens – Ray Maualuga, LB USC

Why it makes sense: Baltimore just won’t be able to bypass Ray after losing Bart Scott and with Ray Lewis aging quickly. Ray’s a flashy linebacker with a ton of upside. I don’t necessarily believe he will fall this far in the draft but this is my assessment of him. He goes for the big play too often, isn’t as fundamentally strong in tackling, and could be a potential headache for an organization.

Why it doesn’t: The Ravens could definitely go WR to help give promising young QB Joe Flacco more help in his development. Beanie Wells or Donald Brown could be an option with the rumors that Willis McGahee is being shopped around and or released.

27) Indianapolis Colts – Chris ‘Beanie’ Wells, RB Ohio State

Why it makes sense: Joseph Addai is coming off a very down year and the Colts just let Dominic Rhodes walk to Buffalo. There aren’t a ton of holes on this team but RB is an area that needs to be addressed.

Why it doesn’t: The Colts may go O-Line or WR to replace Marvin Harrison. Whatever they do, I’m sure they’ll do it right. Bill Polian has to be regarded as one of, if not the, best executives in all of football.

28) Buffalo Bills – Brandon Pettigrew, TE Oklahoma

Why it makes sense: If Pettigrew somehow slides all the way to Buffalo at #28, I will sing and dance through the streets. The guy who they thought about taking at #11 is still there. Atlanta was a team that might have taken him but the addition of Tony Gonzalez signals they’re looking elsewhere. I am really, really high on Pettigrew as he is an excellent blocker with big size and underrated as a pass catching option. Trent Edwards straight gets a chubby if Pettigrew drops this far.

Why it doesn’t: Assuming he is still available, he will undoubtedly be the pick. This of course leaves the OT position still unfilled. If Beatty is still around he will be an option as could Eben Britton from Arizona.

29) New York Giants – Kenny Britt, WR Rutgers

Why it makes sense: Assuming the deal for Braylon Edwards is off the table, and it sounds like it is, the Giants will need to address the WR position after cutting Plaxico Burress. Without Burress the Giants were noticably worse during the end of the season. Britt is my top WR available and thus has to be the pick.

Why it doesn’t: If they do swing the trade for Edwards, this pick will go to Cleveland. Who then will have to think about addressing offensive line with someone like Eben Britton or a WR like Britt or Percy Harvin to replace Braylon “Drops” Edwards.

30) Tennessee Titans – Sean Smith, CB Utah

Why it makes sense: Smith is an extremely physically gifted corner with big size and excellent coverage instincts. Tennessee can only improve by taking him at #30.

Why it doesn’t: There are some quiet concerns for the Titans. QB will need to be addressed, a WR addition would be welcomed, and Eben Britton remains an attractive option for any team at this point.

31) Arizona Cardinals – Ziggy Hood, DT Missouri

Why it makes sense: The Cardinals need to improve their defense if they have any hopes of returning to the Super Bowl. Hood is a great player who is excellent in run defense and has the strength to get his fair share of sacks.

Why it doesn’t: The Cardinals may want to address RB as Donald Brown is still available or corner with Vontae Davis still lingering around.

32) Pittsburgh Steelers – Vontae Davis, CB Illinois

Why it makes sense: If Vontae really slips this far Pittsburgh will be forced to take him. After losing Bryant McFadden, CB is arguably the team’s biggest need. The assumption is that Pittsburgh will take either C’s Max Unger or Alex Mack with this pick but Davis would be a nice gift to a team that hardly needs any gifts.

Why it doesn’t: Davis has potential character issues but Mike “Money” Tomlin would easily extinguish those flames. Expect one of the two centers with this pick if Davis is off the board.

And there you have it! I’m not sure how draft day will play out because that is what makes it fun. Hope I was able to let you know more about some of the prospects available and where your team may be looking come Saturday.

LET’S GO BUFFALO!

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April 22, 2009

So The World is Ending in 2012?

When are humans going to learn that they can’t predict the future? It is barely into 2009 and I am already hearing about December 21, 2012.

In the simplest explanation; It comes from the Mesoamerican Long Count calendar that was most notably used by the Mayan civilization. The Long Count’s starting date was August 11, 3114 BCE in the Gregorian calendar. The Long Count’s starting date is repeated for the first time after 5125 solar years. Therefore the Long Count calendar’s present cycle will end on December 21, 2012.

Some are taking this to be the apocolypse. Some think it just signals a shifting world lifestyle. Some think the Long Count’s calendar isn’t accurate. And some just think nothing at all will happen. Count me as one of them.

Humans are always looking for answers in an uncertain world. We desperately try to cling to anything real, but those kind of tangibles are very rare on Earth. So people convince themselves that the unknown is “real”. It is easier to “know” than to always live with the acceptance of not knowing. We want to be “sure” and we so desperately want answers.

Personally I hate not knowing things either. I get incredibly frustrated. If I don’t know a word or a TV show or a historical event, I immediately look it up on my phone, I don’t garner an expertise on the topic, but at least I know! But I can accept that the world’s biggest mysteries are exactly that, mysteries. We just don’t know. Accept it.

Here’s what we actually know. Humans have a finite amount of time on this planet. Everyone that has lived here as this species has died. Death is unavoidable.

So with that actually tangible reality (humans accept death), we try to attach other tangibles to death. Religion, afterlife, reincarnation, spirits, etc. We want to know what happens when we die – but we simply don’t know. Sure you can have your beliefs and you can believe people who have “come back from the dead” or you can believe people that “can communicate with the other side”, but those are intangibles. Give me data, give me research. Give me something tangible that I can hold onto.

I can’t cling to unknown notions with a ferocious acceptance. It just isn’t how I tick.

So when I hear people talk about the coming Mayan prophecy that the world is going to end, I kind of laugh it off. As I opened with, when are humans going to learn they can’t predict the future?

So just like how the end of the world was going to happen in 2000, and before that in 1999, and 1991, and 1975, an 1666, and in the year 1000, and yada yada yada, we again are dealt with those humans incapable of accepting the unknown. We want answers and rationalize many occurrences as “proof” or “signs”. People don’t like living in the unknown, it bothers them and it does not seem fair. But it is what is is.

But if the end of the Mayan present great cycle does indeed bring on the apocalypse, wouldn’t it be at least a little cool? This might sound a little strange but since I can remember I always thought seeing the end of the world would be awesome.

I think part of the stigma, or the fear for some, of death is not only the unknown of what happens next, but that life goes on without us. Not seeing your family’s smiling faces and missing out on great human achievements in society, those are the things that bother me about death. I want to be a part of human’s greatest moments.

So if the entire world were to end at once, there wouldn’t be life to miss afterwards, and wouldn’t seeing the end of the world be just about the most amazing thing a human could experience?

Anyway, I’m officially taking bets that nothing happens and the world goes on. $20 anyone?

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April 20, 2009

Trippy Bud

A younger Barack Obama calls the US War on Drugs an ‘utter failure’ and advocates decriminalization. Decriminalization is a politically prudent first step for the President.

First ever nationwide Pro-Marijuana TV Ad Campaign is Launched today by NORML.

Marijuana Should Be Legal and Left Alone

Marijuana Advocates Point to Signs of Change

What 420 Really Means

Family Guy: A Bag of Weed

420 Fuels Marijuana Debate

Marijuana Laws are Complete Lunacy

Usain Bolt Smokes Weed

D.L. Hughley Gives His Support

And finally, Bob Marley on herb and its prohibition.

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April 19, 2009

I Won’t Miss Jason Peters One Bit

When it comes right down to it, Jason Peters didn’t want to be a Buffalo Bill.

The franchise that signed the overweight, nonathletic, and undrafted Tight End out of Arkansas in 2004 traded the disgruntled left tackle to the Philadelphia Eagles for this year’s 28th overall pick, a 4th round pick this year, and a conditional pick in next year’s draft (believed to be a 6th rounder).

Let me preface this justification with the acknowledgment that having Jason Peters on the Bills would have made Buffalo a better team this year. He is an extremely athletic player for his position and I do think he has great potential. But I am glad Buffalo made the trade and I am also happy with the compensation.

Here is why:

Despite Buffalo not only signing him as un drafted free agent. Despite showing him the utmost patience in teaching him a new position. Despite rewarding his play with a switch to the coveted left tackle position. Despite giving him a huge 5 year $15 million extension. Despite starting him immediately after an ugly and lengthy holdout last summer.

Jason Peters showed no allegiance or loyalty to the organization that created his livelihood. Without the Buffalo Bills, Jason Peters would be working for UPS right now.

Peters made a scene out of himself with his dumb holdout last year. I wrote that I was proud of new GM Russ Brandon for his defiant stance with a player under contract. So Peters eventually came to the team, one day before the season started, and hurt his team on and off the field. He came into the season out of shape, out of sync, and without the skills that led him to the Pro Bowl the previous year.

Once Buffalo was eliminated from playoff contention, he got ‘injured’ and missed the last two games of the year. He led the league in sacks allowed, was called for a holding penalty every fifteen effin plays, was noticeably worse in run blocking, and gave every indication that he was prepared to holdout again this summer without a new contract (Apparently making almost $4 million per year wasn’t enough for Mr. Peters).

So I love the trade. Not only do we get three picks in the deal, we swing a potential $50 million in cap savings by shipping the most overrated offensive line commodity int he NFL. Philly gave Peters a six year extension worth $60 million with $25 million guaranteed. His contract was up next year and there was no way he would have resigned with Buffalo. So why not just pay him? The Bills simply weren’t going to make Peters the highest paid offensive lineman in football, because he isn’t even close to the best. He is probably only the fifth or sixth best lineman in the AFC East!

So the #11 pick may be an OT (If Andre Smith is still around), Langston Walker played VERY well at LT last year filling in for Peters so he is an option, or the Bills could use later picks to fill the new need. The cap savings is also prudent because in the next few years Buffalo is going to have lock up Marshawn, Trent, Poz, and a handful of other young stars.

Unfortunate but necessary. So long Peters, you were hardly worth any of our time.

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April 17, 2009

Typical /b/

Gov. Paterson Introduces Same Sex Marriage Legislation

It is 2009 and time for everyone to have equal rights in America. If you’re against gay marriage, why? Think it will stop procreation? Make everyone gay? Please stop and use some common sense for a second.

But Dan, us conservatives believe in traditional family. Fine, believe all you want but know this; Meghan McCain, daughter of John McCain and rising Republican star said this week, “Lest we forget, our founding document, the Declaration of Independence, grants the same rights to everyone in this country—’All men are created equal.’ If you think certain rights should not apply to certain people, then you are saying those people are not equal. People may always have a difference of opinion on certain lifestyles, but championing a position that wants to treat people unequally isn’t just un-Republican. At its fundamental core, it’s un-American.” Amen sister.

The times they are a’changin. Here’s hoping this legislation is passed and we can provide ALL of our great citizens the happiness they desire.

The Pirate Bay Official Verdict: Guilty

A wildly popular content sharing hub has been found guilty of copyright and trademark infringement and all four sent to jail and ordered fines. The sad part is that industry’s are continuing to lag behind consumer demand. Physical media is dead. The way Napster upset the music industry, TPB flipped gaming, movies, and software on its face and showed the need for reform in the way consumers receive content.

There will be appeals and the result is expected, but I was hoping for a surprise win for the future of content sharing. But fear not, TPB is still running and since demand of such service is so high, if their head is ever cut off, two more will spout and so on and so on. Eventually Hollywood and the RIAA will realize that digital content isn’t the future, it’s the now.

4chan Manipulates Time Magazine’s Most Influential Person of 2009 Poll

They are more organized than anyone of us could have ever thought.

Really interesting read on how the internet’s most powerful force, and originator of most internet memes, has made their anonymous founder the most influential person of 2009. I don’t know whether to laugh or be disturbed.

Time Warner Pulls Back Plans for Tiered Internet Pricing

Thanks to anyone in the area who wrote Time Warner, the Attorney General, or your local political representative to inform of Time Warner’s internet monopoly in the area. While there could be some promising fair competition (ClearWire now, Verizon FioS one day, maybe even ComCast), as of right now there is no fair competition in the area. Frontier’s DSL is just too slow for the internet in 2009.

Apparently, the new plan is to roll out some sort of meter system that will help customers gauge their internet usage and, in most cases, realize that the bandwidth caps will not really affect them. As far as I can tell, there is no “misunderstanding” here. No matter how you break it down, it is pretty obvious Time Warner customers will be screwed.

And I’m not even going to start on the Tax Day T.E.A. (Taxed Enough Already) Parties that went on across the country. In short, the media is portraying it as Republicans against Barack Obama. For the most part yes, but there were a lot of independents and libertarians out that voted for President Obama. But the way Fox News splooged over the day as patriotic effectively removed any meaningful message from the demonstration. When you can hear people yell, “Kill Obama!” on Hannity’s show and Bob Lonsberry is crying from his sense of patriotism, the propoganda just overwhelms what the protest represents. FAIL.

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April 15, 2009

Some Sports Thoughts

The Yankee season is off and running:

  • CC Sabathia is going to be a workhorse. As long as he stays healthy, he is incapable of not having a great year
  • AJ Burnett has insane command of his fastball right now. I was really skeptical of his signing, but if he keeps pitching this way and remains healthy, he is going to have a monster year.
  • The bullpen, besides Mo obviously, is pathetic. Borderline worst in the American League. And for those that say Joba should be in the pen still, get over it. Nolan Ryan would have been a pretty good setup man too. If we’re going to use the logic that we need him in the pen now and stunt his starter development, then why not send Pettitte to the pen and bring up Hughes for the #4 spot? Because it doesn’t make sense. Cashman needs to add another arm or two, it is that simple.
  • Nick Swisher is playing great ball and seems like a cool dude. Hard to believe we acquired him for Wilson Betemit.
  • Captain GIDP (Jeter) is off to a slow start. I think he has another year or two in him to leadoff and play SS, but depending on his offensive production this year, it is time to have the discussion of when he will move to the OF or swap positions with A-Rod.
  • Brett Gardner is proving why he won the center field position battle this spring. Kid is a freakin spark plug out there.

The Buffalo Bills schedule was released:

  • It looks more difficult than it is
  • Opening in New England on Monday Night has to be an expected loss, but a win could really set the tone for a great season
  • Assume two losses to New England, a loss to Indianapolis, splitting with Miami and the Jets, and a throw in loss to Tennessee and Carolina – The team could be looking at a 9-7 record
  • That said, it wouldn’t surprise me if they went 5-11 or 13-3. This team is just so fickle.
  • A lot of people are complaining that the Toronto game this year is a primetime game (Thursday night on the NFL Network). Chalk me up to one of those who is glad they chose this game. I am not going to go to a Thursday night game. Canada and the US get to see the Buffalo Bills in a primetime spot. And it gives me an excuse to go out that night (I don’t have NFL Network). Win win all around there. Much better than taking a Sunday game I could actually go to.
  • Donte Whitner’s arrest? He was drunk and trying to be a tough guy. I get it. Is it excusable? Yes. I guess it would just have been refreshing to see an athlete, who is also a team captain, not get himself into that kind of situation. Why do people go to clubs again? Seriously? Bunch of coin, glitter dresses, and drunk jerks. I don’t get that whole scene.

Other musings:

  • Greg Paulus worked out for the Green Bay Packers last week and met with Michigan Head Coach Rich Rodriguez about playing football for the Wolverines this season. Since he does have one year of football eligibility available, I would advise him to go to Michigan and see how it goes. If he’s great, he’s an NFL player in next year’s draft. If it blows up, he is only a kid and would probably have a lot of fun playing college football. There is going to be plenty of time to coach basketball or go to graduate school or whatever he wants to do. If he doesn’t go to Michigan, he’ll regret it.
  • That Masters tournament was an awful lot of fun to watch. Having the world’s two best players duel it out hole after hole was really something memorable. While neither Tiger or Phil won, how they scraped their way back into contention after being seven back to start the day is what I’ll remember from the ‘09 Masters.
  • Can anyone tell me how Maurice Jones-Drew got a four-year, $32.8 million contract? I am not even convinced he’s a starting running back, let alone one of the top 3 paid RB’s.
  • Percy Harvin is going to fall out of the first round of the draft. Mark my words. BTW, I’m working on a mock draft for the upcoming NFL draft.
  • I can’t wait for the NBA playoffs. While the West has some really dangerous teams, with Bynum healthy in in Los Angeles, I don’t see anyone beating the Lakers. In the East, Cleveland is just too good at home. They’ll win at home and get theirs on the road. Boston just looks a year too old and Cleveland has too much momentum.
  • LeBron is going to win the MVP Award. This is LeBron’s world and we are all just living in it. We are all witnesses. Yeah, scary.

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