Why has fear become such a fantastic motivator in our political system? Is this something that has been cultivated? Are we seeing other countries and factions in our rear view mirror and seeing the possibility of losing our dominant position in the world in our lifetimes? If the attack on the World Trade Center had never happened, would we be living with less fear? How is it that policies by one political party are considered greedy or radical or naive or self-serving - who has been appointed judge or arbiter? Are we now a country that sees the glass has half-empty and wondering why others around the world criticize us for not realizing what great resources we do have? Why aren't Americans happy with what they have? Are we looking to blame others when we all participated in a housing bubble that we are all now paying the price for? Do Americans realize that the current pain the housing market is due to decades of poor economic policies that go back to the Carter years with decisions that have been made by both sides of the aisle? Can anyone else see that our abdication of our manufacturing sector left us with a dangerous dependency on the construction/building industry on a national level? And we still have a gigantic dependence on foreign oil and why doesn't any seem to want to talk about the national security issues this brings up? Are we headed for a "lost decade" like Japan had in the '90's? How are we going to lift ourselves by our bootstraps when we haven't really done it as a nation since World War II? When are our leaders going to get serious about creating an environment that will create jobs in this country?
Just a couple of questions on my mind today. I've been reading the book "Flags of Our Fathers". It's the book about the flagraisers at Iwo Jima that Clint Eastwood made into a movie. It's probably influenced my questions a bit.
I'll give some thought to some answers a little later... Thanks for letting me do a mind dump today. Any thoughts?
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Friday, August 6, 2010
Jerry Rice versus Emmit Smith
Ok, I'm a lifelong 49er fan in the nature of full disclosure.
Now you have to give Emmitt his due in that he has the career rushing yards record in the National Football League, but let's be realistic about who the greatest player being inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame tomorrow. For all the records that Rice has, including most touchdowns, in my mind, there is no argument. For all his work ethic, Super Bowl records and shear dominance while catching the ball from two different Hall of Fame quarterbacks (and we won't even get into the difference between a right-handed and left-handed quarterback), these athletic achievements make Jerry Rice cleanly the best player in the 2010 class much less in the history of the league. Also, understand that in order for Emmit to get his numbers, he was extremely dependent on the ability of the Dallas Cowboys to build some of the best offensive lines ever. Remember when Emmitt finished his career with the Cardinals (oh yeah, you forgot that...), he did not have the vaunted line in front of him. And, oh yeah, Mr. Rice played for 20 years compared to 14 for Emmitt. And look at the numbers for the players that have the second all-time numbers compared to Rice. He is by far the most dominant player of his generation and redefined the position of wide receiver.
So, when you are reading or watching the East Coast media machine try to be fair in giving equal time to Rice and Smith, know in your heart of hearts who was the best player on the field, is the best who ever played and will be the best player in the Hall of Fame, period!
Now you have to give Emmitt his due in that he has the career rushing yards record in the National Football League, but let's be realistic about who the greatest player being inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame tomorrow. For all the records that Rice has, including most touchdowns, in my mind, there is no argument. For all his work ethic, Super Bowl records and shear dominance while catching the ball from two different Hall of Fame quarterbacks (and we won't even get into the difference between a right-handed and left-handed quarterback), these athletic achievements make Jerry Rice cleanly the best player in the 2010 class much less in the history of the league. Also, understand that in order for Emmit to get his numbers, he was extremely dependent on the ability of the Dallas Cowboys to build some of the best offensive lines ever. Remember when Emmitt finished his career with the Cardinals (oh yeah, you forgot that...), he did not have the vaunted line in front of him. And, oh yeah, Mr. Rice played for 20 years compared to 14 for Emmitt. And look at the numbers for the players that have the second all-time numbers compared to Rice. He is by far the most dominant player of his generation and redefined the position of wide receiver.
So, when you are reading or watching the East Coast media machine try to be fair in giving equal time to Rice and Smith, know in your heart of hearts who was the best player on the field, is the best who ever played and will be the best player in the Hall of Fame, period!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)