Nicholas Kristof

Another terrific op-ed piece by columnist Nicholas Kristof in today's New York Times. He makes a strong case at the end, arguing against male priviledge and our world's inability to recognize women as equals.

Not to be a spoiler, but Kristof is right on when he says, "If men had uteruses, 'paternity wards' would get resources, ambulances would transport pregnant men to hospitals free of charge, deliveries would be free, and the Group of 8 industrialized nations would make paternal mortality a top priority. One of the most lethal forms of sex discrimination is the systematic inattention to reproductive health care, from family planning to childbirth- so long as those who die are impoverished, voiceless women."

Again, Kristof delivers, always writing for justice.

Allen Iverson is tough.

Please check out this touching clip of NBA star Allen Iverson talking about his life and how he has been depicted. I have not always agreed with everything Iverson has done, but I like him as a person because I believe he is genuine and passionate and concerned about the welfare of others. And I definitely admire the way he has turned his life around from a troubled childhood to become an influential and important basketball star, father, and role model, especially for black youth.

"You trying to say Jesus Christ can't hit a curveball?"

I'm watching "Major League" and trying to decide if it's for the 74th or 75th time. I also can't decide what my favorite part is. There are so many to pick from. Like when Lou Brown pisses on Dorn's contract, then walks away without saying anything. Or when Vaughan asks Jake Taylor, "They got chili dogs over there?" in the fancy restaurant. Or in the opening scene when the Indians executive says, "This guy here is dead!" Hilarious.

I may not have a favorite scene or line, but I definitely have a favorite character, Harry Doyle, followed closely by Eddie Harris. Those two steal every scene they're in, Doyle especially.

"That's all we got, one goddamn hit?" says Doyle.
"You can't say goddamn on the air."
"Don't worry, nobody is listening anyway."

Or this beauty:

"The post-game show is brought to you by..." (Doyle searches through his papers) "Christ, I can't find it. To hell with it."

I've never once watched "Major League" with other people without most people in the room quoting half the lines. It's kind of like "Dumb & Dumber" and "Can't Hardly Wait" in that respect. Three Academy Award winners right there. Throw in "Varsity Blues" and you've got yourself a murderer's row of entertainment. Frankly, I can't imagine a better (or more productive) way to spend a day than watching those four.

That's enough for now. Be back soon.

This Is Important

Americans are at war, but America doesn't seem to care. Let me be clear: I don't mean that other Americans don't care about our current wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and the troops serving there; I mean that America as a society would rather talk about reality TV or what President Obama likes on his hamburger.

Major media outlets focus on these trivial happenings, partly because they're entertaining and partly because they aren't downers. War and death are not entertaining. But it's a downer when we get reports of Americans dying. When we hear or read that Americans continue to die overseas, it's difficult to digest, so it's only mentioned briefly, by stating the soldier's name, rank, and where he or she was from. We should know more and we should want to know more. We should realize the awful realities of war, and understand and honor the sacrifices soldiers and their families make every day.

We should know more about them personally. We should want to know why and how they died, not because we're grotesque or sadistic, but because we're engaged and concerned and contemplative and supportive.

Americans serving in the Armed Forces deserve our respect and admiration. Part of showing respect is staying engaged in the critical issues surrounding the war(s) and how service members and their families and communities at home are affected by them. This is where America, myself included, can and must improve.

Why did I write this without really making a point? An article in today's Washington Post online gives us an honest snapshot of the affects of war. It's the type of article I should read more often.

Sports Writers

For anyone interested in funny and thought provoking sports commentary, I highly recommend two writers: Bill Simmons at ESPN and Dave Zirin at Edge of Sports. Simmons and Zirin both write weekly columns and have books available. Below are links to both.

Bill Simmons

Dave Zirin

Enjoy!

So It Begins...

My first post! And possibly my last. I feel close to death. Instead of going to my softball games tonight, coming home, reading, and doing something productive, I'm laying on my couch, writing to no one (since no one follows my blog), and watching the Major League Baseball All-Star Game. I know, riveting.



Anywho, it's currently tied 3-3 heading to the bottom of the sixth in St. Louis. President Obama threw out the first pitch earlier to St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols, the best baseball player alive and a seemingly good guy. It was a pretty good effort, which means it didn't bounce or go sailing over the catcher's head. Earlier this year I threw out the first pitch at a Canaries game- a perfect strike, of course. It was my first, and last, moment of professional baseball glory. Until I drink too much at an Orioles game in the future, strip down naked, and run onto the field before being tackled violently by some meathead security guard recently retired from the NFL, that is.



Speaking of the mighty Baltimore Orioles, Adam Jones (the long O's All-Star) is in the game!! Woohoo!!! Give 'em hell Jonesy!



Back to my sickness, because I know everyone cares. I'm freakin' exhausted-my head is pounding, my entire body aches, swallowing hurts my throat, and I'm so nauseated it feels like I just finished a Power Hour drinking Guiness. Ugh. Okay enough complaining.



Yes!! Sara Evans is singing "God Bless America" during the seventh inning stretch. Who's Sara Evans? The sexiest country music singer alive. After rocking "God Bless America," Sara gave a cute look into the camera confirming my suspicion that she's into me. I read ya Sara, I read ya.



Alright, enough for now. I've got tons to do, not that I'm doing any of it tonight. But this is the end of my inaugural post. I'm a blogger!! Hold onto your nipples America, this could get wild.

Back tomorrow morning.