I've been away for a while now, and there are many things on my mind...here are a few thoughts:
1. Florida Gators. Anyone who knows me knows that I can't stand the folks from Gainesville, but one must appreciate and acknowledge greatness when it presents itself. The simple fact is that the athletic department at the University of Florida is the standard bearer now for excellence in athletic performance. What an impressive year. This, of course, will only make it sweeter when my beloved Bulldawgs beat them in October.
2. Summertime and country music. It is getting warmer...and so is my attention to country music. Now, country music isn't my first choice for listening pleasure...but there is just something about warm weather...being outside...the slight sting of the sun on your skin...grilling...and a good country song.
3. The Hotlanta Braves. In keeping with my earlier point about warm weather....baseball is here folks. I'm more enthused this year about this season than I've been in a long while. My Braves won yesterday...proving that the bullpen is revived and revamped....along with our chances for a stellar year. Also, congrats to Testud's Twins. Maybe we'll see them in October...
4. Iran and the British hostages. I struggle to come up with the necessary words here to convey my disgust at how this whole thing is playing out. First, let me say that I can't believe the feckless and effete response that the West, in general, and Britain specifically, has given. I think this shows how truly weak and facile western civilization has become when faced with a visceral and existential threat like the one found in a nihilistic enemy such as modern Islam. Second, why is it that the media refuses to report that one of the reasons Europe has been so silent on the whole affair is that they are so economically tied to Iran that they are willing to turn there heads when a fellow E.U. member is attacked? Finally, let me say that historically....if Persia were to kidnap British naval officers on the high seas...there would not be a naval port in Iran left intact. How far we've come...
5. When a boy meets a girl. I'm hesitant to turn this space into a confessional, so let me just say that, recently, I've begun spending time with one of the fairer sex, and it is amazing how good it feels to make that kind of connection. There's no way to know if anything serious will come of this whole thing...but the feeling of nascent affection is one of promise and expectation.
6. Democrats, protesting, and patriotism. I can't find the article, but I recently read one detailing an anti-war protest out west where they burned a U.S. soldier in effigy. Now, we're always hearing that just because one protests...it doesn't mean that they are unpatriotic...and that dissent is itself a patriotic exercise. Let me say...dissent is not necessarily unpatriotic, but the manner in which one protests can be. Liberals seem incapable of understanding this. Also, let me say that one usually doesn't find this sort of thing emanating from the Right. It is usually a result of a radical Liberal mindset....and is one of the reasons that I have contempt for the modern Democratic party.
7. Fred Thompson. My man is going to run...and look out. There is a tangible connection that he makes with the voting public. There is a sense that, although he's led an incredibly ambitious and dynamic life, he has remained 'common'....that he is unaffected by success. Good luck Fred...we need more people like you in public service.
8. Armenian genocide. I've been reading Norman Rich's book Great Power Diplomacy, 1814-1914., and I highly suggest picking it up. His treatment of the Armenian question from 1892-1898 really intrigues me. Most don't realize how close Britain came to intervening. Imagine how different things would look today if the Brits or the French had intervened during this crisis or the one in Poland during 1863....amazing.
9. French engineering. A french train has broken the speed record...which is impressive. My first thought, though, was....wow, another method to retreat from the Germans.
10. Al Franken and Minnesota. Franken is running for the U.S. Senate seat there, and looks like he might be a formidable candidate. Minnesota....for the sake of all that is holy...please don't do this. Isn't Jesse Ventura enough? We get it....you're a quirky bunch. Let's just leave it at that, shall we?
11. Turkey and the coming Islamist turn. Erdogan has been slowly moving Turkey away from its secular past. This is bad for the region...and stability in general. This article is about the confiscation of objective news media outlets by an Islamic court. Whither, Turkey?
12. Finally, here is a country song that I've been listening to lately. Go outside...fire up the grill...crack one open...and turn it up.
9 comments:
I was wondering when you'd return to the blogosphere. Figures there's a woman (at least partly) to blame; relationships kill blogs.
Ok. Florida and Tennessee won - again. Shocking, I'm sure. Moving on to more prescient musings - The Masters. Herodotus, I'm certain that you have an insightful post in the works. In the mean time, some questions/comments of my own:
1) Given that Tiger is the obvious favorite, is it over on Saturday, or does a challenger lurk through the back nine on Sunday?
2) More likely to win: Mickelson vs. the entire field of European players. (Mickelson 3:1).
3) Is this the year for a young gun to step up (Adam Scott, Paul Casey, Luke Donald, Sergio Garcia)?
4) Excellent lag putting will be even more important this year than in years past. No rain in the forecast this year. Expect to see more putts roll 15 feet by the hole than in the last few Masters, as the greens will be mind-bending, knee-knocking tests of courage and focus.
thoughts:
1. s.reg: yeah...there are a number of reasons for my recent stint in the cyberspace shadows. interviewing for new positions and internet trouble at home don't help. though, i wouldn't say that relationships kill blogs...just that they move them into the realm of tangible application. we are always saying something...the only change comes from the audience and the method of communication.
2. b3: yes...there is a post coming. probably tomorrow...so i'll reserve most thoughts for that space. yet, i will say that i think the europeans have a good chance...but so do the aussies. this said, anytime tiger tees it up...you gotta go through him.
Thoughts:
1. The Gay-tors – Yes, one must admit magnitude of their achievements. This certainly is the first time I can remember a school holding National Championships for the big two revenue sports. To me, the Gaytors are like the cousin that you just cannot stand. Even though you cringe at their sight, you’re still proud of them for their accomplishments when great and motivated to topple them at first chance. Maybe now, the SEC will get some respect from that communist bloc of Midwest writers.
2. Country Music – There’s no such thing as country music anymore.
3. Braves – If the Metropolitans weren’t so stacked, I’d go ahead and predict a division title. However, all we need is an injury to someone like a Delgado or Beltran and they fold like the Sunday paper cause their pitching is suspect at best. What about the Phillies?...Franklin actually named three constants in life: death, taxes, and the Phillies finding a way to play themselves out of contention come September.
4. Hostages – Let’s see Gas prices are high and Iran has taken hostages again, yet we obviously still haven’t learned that diplomacy doesn’t solve these matters.
5. The French express – Maybe they can build another tunnel under the Mediterranean to Morocco and deport the scourge of Islamic youths their too chickens--- to punish for crimes against society.
6. Boy meets Girl – My comments have to be concise as this is a topic I also have posted on recently. Still, this is something that I find occupying my thoughts more and more. I guess spring really has sprung…
7. Thompson – I was surprised to see Dobson so quick to call him out on his profession of faith. To me this was unwise because whether you really believe he’s a Christian or not doesn’t change two facts:
a. He says he is.
b. He could very well wind up with the nomination forcing you to endorse him eventually anyway.
dr. z.-
1. there is country music out there...one just has to be patient and discriminating. george strait's new album is good.
2. i think you are so very right about dobson. this idea of republican kingmaker at court requires one to employ insight, foresight, and discretion...dobson has shown none of these. regardless of the outcome of the thompson candidacy, dobson has put himself in a awkward position here for fall 2008. good point.
3. pitching wins championships. both new york teams are loaded offensively..but will struggle on the mound. i, too, am not ready to crown the braves, but i'm also very skeptical of the mets and phillies. and what about the nats? how can a team be that bad...this early?
Dr. Z & Herodotus,
1) Alas, I feel your pain regarding country music. The Kelly Pickler's of the music industry make it hard to bear sometimes. But if you say country music is no more, than you must say that about music generally. Let me make an assumption: Good music (and good musicians) is corrupted by stardom. The trend seems to be the same throughout the industry. However, groups such as The Wreckers give me solace. Of course they're no Johnny Cash, but neither will there be another Led Zeppelin. There was a time when I wished that groups such as The Wreckers would stay under the radar - as if their obscurity somehow gave them credibility. But I realize that deserving recognition must occasionally reflect the public's ability to perceive something special. Won't you admit that it's annoying that so many people just love Johnny Cash now that "Walk The Line" came out? It bothers me. But I also realize that they made the movie for a reason and the attention his music has received has been a long time coming. My point is, there is music to be appreciated. Perhaps such artists "sell out" down the road. But those with stories to tell that touch our souls will inevitably emerge, and we will appreciate them for their raw, unrefined quality. What's truly sad is that we discard so many talented individuals after they lose that raw quality that we came to love. But that's the nature of music today. There are so few Johnny Cashes... so few who stay true to their music for so long. In the meantime, enjoy those groups emerging from obscurity. That's where the music is.
2) Fred Thompson. Interesting fellow. Received his J.D. from Vanderbilt University, and is currently a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, a Visiting Fellow with the American Enterprise Institute, & the U.S./China Economic & Security Review Commission. The jury is still out - but it's good to see that he's remained involved in foreign policy.
3) As for the Braves, they just beat Philly's best pitcher. The Braves either finish first or get the wild card. As Herodotus said, it's all about the pitching (and defense).
b3:
1. generally speaking, i don't care why one likes an artist's music...as we all have different paths...as long as it is a genuine interest. if someone had never been introduced to cash until that movie...but can't get enough of jackson...well, we are all better for it.
2. i certainly agree with most of what you said regarding thompson...except for the bit about the council of foreign relations meaning anything....dude, anjelina jolie is now a member.
3. mccann is a beast...i love the way that guy plays. also....the masters is here....and a post is coming.
Run, Fred, Run,
I met Fred Thompson several years ago. He and my uncle rubbed elbos. Very large man. I have the unshakeable memory of my hand ceasing to exist as we shook hands. While the jury may be out for some. There are a couple of points I would like to highlight.
1. He is the closest candidate to Reagan. In an era when I ask "WWRD"
2. He is readily recognizeable...Law and Order, Iron Eagle III!
3. Born in Alabama, resident of TN...thus Southern.
4. Seems to take a hardline against international terrorism, and government corruption...e.g. TN Parole Board Bribery, Clinton's Chinese Support Scandal etc.
BTW...MTV and VH1 Destroyed all music...we are left to nostalgia...
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