Operation of the Century

Much Ado about Tucson

2011-01-11T03:25:00.003-05:00

Six individuals were gunned down this past weekend, and along with a critically wounded Congresswoman, a news story developed that encompassed every media outlet both online and on broadcast television. I am still puzzled as to why this outpouring of reporting has been dedicated to an event that has transpired frequently in America over the years. A simple internet search will yield a deluge of similar shootings in every venue and setting across the nation. Amazingly, all of them combined could not equal the momentous coverage that has been showered on the Tucson shooting. The New York Times web page has cordoned off an entire section of their headline space even to this very moment, all in relating their perceived significance of this tragic but not uncommon shooting spree. I believe the basis for the outlandish focus is undeniably centered on the political ramifications that can be mustered and synthesized regarding the motive for the event. As a photo was released of the suspect, the spirited look on the fellow's facade all but telegraphs what the true reason was behind his act - one of sheer lunacy and madness. There was no political bent in his actions, simply the result of a mind not complete in its stability. Unfortunately the news media must play out every possible manifestation of what COULD be behind the killings, but they will ultimately settle on the very argument I have centered on. It is just a pity we are forced to go along for the ride during their exploitive journey.

The case for U.S. Army Major Nidal Malik Hasan

2009-11-10T00:26:00.001-05:00

In the wake of the tragic loss of life from last week's shooting at the Fort Hood military installation in Texas, there has been a constant stream of conjecture concerning the reasoning behind the alleged suspect's rampage.

It would be an attempt of pure folly to subscribe the antiquated and over-used "he hates America and freedom" line to dispel any other motivation, but in these troubled times of constant strife within the Muslim world, a more precise explanation must be offered.

The mind of Major Hasan has been filled with images of people from both his faith and ethnic background who have faced unimaginable destruction under the guise of liberation, and these events have been incubated by the profession that he, Major Hasan, has intimately been a part of since before the War on Terror began.

One can only imagine the constant second-guessing that Major Hasan dealt with as he struggled to reconcile the direction his life was taking him. On one hand, he was serving his home nation in its most venerable form - the military - all the while never being accepted by his contemporaries, superiors, and subordinates due to the appearance and makeup of his person.

What path shall a man take when he is not appreciated by the very land and body he was born into? I believe the answer was played out in its most brutal form that gloomy afternoon on the base. After all, what’s a dozen or so lives compared to the taking of tens of thousands by the indomitable machine that is the U.S. military.....indomitable up until that few minute stretch when one man, one Arab, and one Muslim, changed the scorecard single handedly.

Perhaps the prism of relativism can convince his persecutors to go gently into their task. Though 233 years of American history tells us that is a fairly unlikely happening.

A great toon for Obama

2009-07-27T00:40:00.006-04:00

Obama in his element

2009-02-21T19:42:00.002-05:00

Our glorious leader perched on his thrown.

Ode to George W Bush

2009-01-19T19:46:00.004-05:00

Tomorrow arrives the day a great many of the populace have craved for since November 2004, the unequivocal end of the current administration's eight year executive reign. The perception of President Bush during his two terms have swung wildly on the approval line chart. He oversaw the most calamitous operation to be carried out on American soil in generations - nee the Operation of the Century as the Iraqi state deemed it in September 2001. In a matter of hours, the Islamic chickens had come home to roost, nourished by previous Presidents' inflaming escapades on the soils of Saudi, Iraq, Libya; the empowering of religious warriors in the quest to combat Soviet aggression; the unabashed devotion to the Israeli state's hold on Muslim land.

What road was Bush to take? The road towards combating Islamic fanaticism had been paved long before his inauguration, and if there was anything the US was still best at among anyone in the world, it was sheer military might. The American street was hell bent on a paralleled response to the bold and brilliant Muslim exercise employed on 9/11/01. This was a chess game after all, and the previous moves had been made in the preceding 22 years. This time, Bush and his planners would chart out the following moves in advance, the other side's response be damned.

We live under a system of representative government. It is we, the people, who choose the candidates to voice our opinions, requests, and demands. It is in that body of representatives that lies the power to use military force. We chose nearly unanimously to engage the Taliban and terrorist threat. Then again we were asked approval for military action against Saddam's Iraq, and even the opposition political party who controlled the US Senate decided to give George Bush his pass to start the 2nd war. There certainly were no cries of disapproval during the October 2002 war deliberations among the governmental bodies (save for the man who will take the oath tomorrow). Iraq was not and is not George Bush's war - lo, it is the American people who own it.

There were two other points of damnation the political left has seared onto Bush's legacy, quite unfairly. One is the inadequate response to Hurricane Katrina. There was no foreseeing the breaching of the levees. The city was given an evacuation order, yet it was the failure of the local and state government that supersedes any fault among the federal body. Secondly, Bush has been cast as a racist. How does it strike those critics when the first black secretary of State, the first female black secretary of state were appointed by Bush 43. His spiritual adviser, the man who officiated his daughter's wedding, is black. Bush has provided more aid to fight AIDS in Africa than any other president.

We must all analyze the George W Bush years and its effect on us not by how others perceive it - the biased media, academics, entertainers, but rather, how has his policies affected YOU...if at all. You'd be surprised by the answer.

The Perfect Season: Ode to the 0-16 Detroit Lions

2008-12-31T01:23:00.004-05:00

The year was 1997. I was in the midst of my last semester of high school during the fall of that year, and the Indianapolis Colts were in the midst of a terrible season. They began their campaign losing 10 straight games. Everyone was predicting they would run the table in reverse. I was caught up in this backward euphoria, only to be disappointed as Indy beat the Packers to get win number 1. From that point on, I began every NFL year keeping track of potential heirs to the winless throne. There were certainly close calls - The 2000 Chargers began 0-11, last seasons Dolphins were a tantalizing 0-13, and most notable the 2001 Detroit Lions were 0-12. In fact, those Lions were the subject of late night punchlines throughout that run, which made 2008 all the more fitting. We can now be assured it was certain that the Lions franchise would be the one to complete the seemingly impossible task of losing EVERY game out of 16 game schedule. Remember, this isn't college ball. Presumably every NFL team can come out victorious against any other - see Giants vs Browns this year. The NFL expanded its schedule to 16 games in 1978 - the year I was born - and it took 30 years in the interim for the Detroit Lions to complete an imperfect season. We'll never remember off the top of our heads who this year's Super Bowl winner will be down the road, but what the Lions accomplished will be set in stone in everyone football fan's mind. It may never happen again this century...well, assuming the Lions get a decent quarterback in 2009.

NFL 5 Guys

2008-12-27T01:02:00.001-05:00

Best political ads for 2008 election

2008-11-10T20:44:00.002-05:00

First, for the magnanimous American hero John S McCain:

And for the winner, Mr Obama"

My favorite"

Dragon Man

2008-10-17T01:05:00.002-04:00

Cheney Waits Until Last Minute Again To Buy Sept. 11 Gifts

2008-09-01T23:47:00.001-04:00

Busy dealing with important paperwork and other vice presidential duties in recent weeks, Dick Cheney was forced to put off until the last minute a cherished annual tradition: gift-shopping for his favorite holiday,...

read more | digg story

Obama-Palin ticket

2008-08-31T00:38:00.004-04:00

Firstly, we here at OotC salute John McCain's choice for his running mate. Sarah Palin exudes a fresh profile for the Bush party, one that can't be so conveniently linked with the current chief. Sarah will surely raise the confidence of the conservative voter who have found their new heroine. So in essence, she's Barack Obama to the GOP, just with less stature being second fiddle. Wouldn't it be fascinating to have the two tickets switch their VP's. That race would give us Obama/Palin against McCain/Biden. Now think about that for a second, the former is made up of two (relatively) young, attractive, vibrant, political unknowns. Obama and Palin both played basketball in their hey days, and have roots in the two far-away non-contiguous states. Conversely, McCain and Joe Biden are carbon copies of seemingly every duo that's held the White House since this country's inception, two senior citizen European-Americans with all the pizazz of a Kinkos.

Now America was or still is in need of unity and change - so what better combination than Obama and Palin. They would bridge all known ideological and political divides, and give every vote something to hang their hat on. Overlooking the inconceivability of all this, its amusing at least to take note of. Its times like these that I wish Obama was a conservative, in which this ticket could have transpired. Nonetheless, great to have Sarah Palin added to the campaign going forward!

The end of General Musharraf

2008-08-18T05:41:00.008-04:00

Oct 12 1999 - Aug 18 2008. So shall read the political tombstone of another Pakistani head of state, one who led the nation as both head of its most powerful and revered military unit, as well as an all too brief civilian role. History is replete with examples of ill-chosen directives given by people in power - the proverbial invade Russia pratfall. In the case of President Musharraf, the most erroneous misstep involved the overreaching move to silence the sitting chief judicial figure in March 2007. This led to a series of boisterous public conventions involving lawyers and politicians across the land, exclaiming an utter betrayal of what they held most dear - an independent judiciary to give some semblance to a democratic state of affairs. From that point on, the General's track was derailed from completing another term as head of state, culminating in having to reconcile with his adversaries who then conspired together to separate Musharraf from his leading role.

He stood nearly nine years in power, longer than what any US president is legally allowed to carry, and to have it end with a resignation amidst national acrimony and economic doldrums was ordained. For, you see, in the annals of the country's history, this day closes yet another rueful chapter in this thing called Pakistan.

Vladimir Putin's clairvoyance

2008-06-07T02:58:00.005-04:00

Osama bin Laden; attacks on New York and Washington; Islamic extremism - Reading an editorial containing the preceding subjects would be nothing out of the ordinary these days, rather par for the course in any discussion on the War on Terror. Now imagine these ideas being bandied about almost two years before September 11, 2001. In fact, they were penned in an op-ed by Russian leader Vladamir Putin, in November of 1999. Most extraordinary, Putin wrote the following cryptic scenario:

"....ordinary New Yorkers or Washingtonians, asleep in their homes. Then, in a flash, hundreds perish in explosions at the Watergate, or at an apartment complex on Manhattan's West Side. Thousands are injured, some horribly disfigured. Panic engulfs a neighborhood, then a nation."

His point of reference was the violence afflicted by Chechen separatists in the on-going conflict on Russian soil. For all the criticism thrown Putin's way by western media, this one editorial of his has validated his analysis on what it takes to combat extremism, a blueprint followed by his American comrade, George Bush, for the last 6 and a half years.

Obama's flag pin

2008-05-29T00:09:00.005-04:00

Since May 14, Barack Obama has universally donned a flag pin on his lapel, an act his two rivals in the race have yet to ascribe to. There has even been an interesting machination in the versions that Obama has worn. Originally, the wavy version with a pole was chosen; this particular one is the most common among politicians and newscasters such as Lou Dobbs, Brit Hume and Jay Leno. On May 19, on a visit to South Dakota's Indian reservation, Obama switched to the Presidential rectangular flag. I applaud his campaign's strategy in employing the latter, which looks better, and more importantly, adorns the lapel of George W Bush, who himself made the switch just before taking his second term in January 2005. This puts Obama on an even viewing pane with the figure he hopes to succeed in less than 8 months from now.

Here are the visuals of Obama and Bush adorning their nation's symbol.

Obama's three seminal primary victories

2008-05-18T23:19:00.007-04:00

Who would have imagined four months ago that the primary season would still be relevant leading up to the warm days of summer; now we're still provided around the clock television coverage on the super networks on every Tuesday or the next. The journey that Senator Obama has travailed deserves an inspection via the paper of record, whose grand headlines dictate the relevance of the day's news. Here below are the historical victories that have certainly clinched the nomination for the tall skinny young man who no one had ever heard of even 4 years ago. (To think, it could have been Mike Ditka of all people that would up stopped this train before it gained steam during those days in 2004.) My best wishes to the great states of Iowa, South Carolina, and North Carolina.

Bill O'Reilly swearing up a storm

2008-05-13T09:22:00.001-04:00

Real Obama girls

2008-04-29T01:45:00.002-04:00

Scenic Southern Suburbs

2008-04-13T03:32:00.004-04:00

Barack Obama campaign photo album

2008-04-11T17:02:00.001-04:00

A dose of Sinatra

2008-04-09T00:27:00.000-04:00

Obama on stem cell research

2008-04-03T14:06:00.000-04:00

Mike Tyson vs James Buster Douglas

2008-03-22T00:41:00.004-04:00

February 11, 1990 Tokyo : Up to this moment in time, Mike Tyson had pulverized his opponents, some in a matter of seconds - his invincibility epitomized by not even once being knocked down in his previous 37 bouts...then, in the 10th round against one more obscure contestant, history unfolded:

The New York Times and General Musharraf

2008-03-15T03:58:00.001-04:00

In light of this past month's universally chastised article regarding the sketchy wrong-doings of Senator John McCain, I've been compelled to construct my personal critique of The New York Times - specifically, its long-held antagonistic compositions on Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf in both its main pages and editorials - expressly its editorials as I shall attest to presently. The Times is arguably the most prominent and thus influential paper of record in the US, yet clearly it belies the notion of being objective most conspicuously with its constant and prevalent denunciation, even carping, of all things Bush. The most feckless illustration of this bias can be summoned by simply perusing the Times' editorials leading up to the invasion of Iraq, such as this one from February 2003 urging the UN to be forceful in disarming Saddam, and another actually touting the case for war. They followed the Bush doctrine when the public at large had starry eyes for a battle with Saddam. Now back to General Musharraf, whom the editorial page at The Times seems to have a bizarre obsession for judging by more than ONE HUNDRED entries spanning from the counter-coup of 1999 through its third writing of the new year this morning. Here is the listing of the postings. Except for the brief period following the Planes Operation of 2001, the editorials are universally vituperative toward this one leader, who they have opined on more than any other in the world save for Bush 43. I've personally written to The Times on multiple occasions questioning why they continually ascribe blame to Musharraf for the sorry state of affairs in a still third world country, who after all is in better economic shape following the corrupt two term regimes of the late Benazir and the now revived Nawaz Sharif, the latter being the designated suitor to ameliorate whatever affliction The Times believes Musharraf has caused these many years. When you study and glance over the many articles excoriating him for his supposed subverting of democracy in a state where militants are not only harbored, but are bred, how can you not conclude that a wretched bias persists. We all know that extremists existed in Pakistan years before 1999, being clandestinely cultivated by the United States during its Cold War engagement. My thinking on this is that Musharraf's ties to George Bush have earned him eternal ostracism in the eyes of The New York Times, for as the saying goes, you are judged by the company you keep, and how dare the president of Pakistan foment favorable ties with the leader of the most powerful nation on the planet. Perhaps he wouldn't have merited 10 editorials if he stayed disengaged until another Clinton had attained the reigns...The Times could finally revel in its political coverage then.

Encounter with John Edwards

2008-02-16T23:10:00.003-05:00

In the midst of the most furious presidential election cycle in recent memory, I find most of my internal thoughts and outward discussions these days revolve around said topic. I spend my daylight hours at the local hospital parking scene - an assignment where ambitious people need not apply; however it does provide an opening into what real problems consist of as the constant parade of patients can attest. Today as I exited the building, I glanced around the corner and noticed a figure who I attribute my initial political interest in - the just-recently former candidate Senator John Edwards. He proved a larger than life image as he stood alone outside against the backdrop of the entrance, in comfortable jeans and blue shirt. I shook his hand and gave standard congratulatory remarks including the painfully obvious "Barack split the progressive vote". He asked me what my name was, and politely agreed to my fawning dissertations of his fate. He even thanked me at the end, smiling graciously the whole time. This was a genuine nobleman performance Mr. Edwards showed me. So it seems that when I selected the senator from North Carolina back in late 2003 as my favorite Presidential candidate, I clearly picked the man who would greet me no different than another of greater ambition, wealth and taste. I salute him for it!

Celebrity donors for Obama

2008-01-25T14:57:00.000-05:00

On the eve of the utmost critical South Carolina primary, I thought it would be illuminating to post a list of well known Americans donating exclusively to the Barack Obama for President campaign, compiled from the excellent site newsmeat.com. The following people have contributed the maximum amount $2300:

Jennifer Aniston
Tyra Banks
Halle Berry
Zach Braff
Richard A Clarke
George Clooney
Harry Connick Jr
Cindy Crawford
Babyface
Michael Eisner
Jamie Foxx
Morgan Freeman
Cuba Gooding Jr
Grant Hill
Bruce Hornsby
Ron Howard
Phil Jackson
Samuel Jackson
Michael Jordan
Cedric Entertainer
Julia Louis-Dreyfus
Seth MacFarlane
Natalie Maines
Stephon Marbury
Branford Marsalis
Judge Mathis
Eddie Murphy
Craig Newmark (Craigslist)
Leonard Nimoy
Ed Norton
Adrian Pasdar
Tyler Perry
Sidney Poitier
Maury Povich
Phylicia Rashad
Paul Reiser
Chris Rock
Brooke Shields
Emmitt Smith
Jada Pinkett Smith
Will Smith
George Soros
Isaiah Washington
Forest Whitaker
Gene Wilder
Oprah Winfrey
Jeffrey Wright
George Zimmer (Mens Wearhouse)

Obama - Bloomberg Independent ticket 2008

2008-01-14T00:27:00.002-05:00

There is increasing sentiment in the media that Senator Barack Obama's many policy proposals veer to the right, especially in comparison to that of his two main Democratic opponents. Added to that is the significant appeal he possesses outside of the Democratic party, which propelled his triumph in Iowa on January 3rd. This falls in line with the speeches Obama has given over the years, most prominently his keynote address at the DNC in July of 2004, in which he excitedly promulgated the insightful notion that "there is not a liberal America or a conservative America, there is the United States of America." Barack Obama truly believes that we can bridge the gap that has polarized the political masses, a rift that has been swollen by our last two administrations, who have provided us seemingly endless scandals in their 4 terms. Obama's main rival in his quest for the nomination is undeniably an heir to the factional governing that's made conciliatory politics an archaic practice. The divide and conquer technique has become full blown in recent days, leading to a bizarre accusation that Obama is the playing a race card in defending attacks based on racial arguments, both implicitly and historically. Unfortunately, these methods have a disturbingly inevitable way of benefiting its proprietor, in this case the Clinton group, which has firm residence in the Democratic party command center. Barring a much needed awakening in the voting public to the underhanded Clinton strategy, it will succeed in taking the nomination. It is then that a new alliance can be built, a formidable entry that can carry itself to the White House in January 2009. Mayor Michael Bloomberg has began canvassing the country for a national run. He has the financial resources to promote his candidacy, but lacks the ground swell that pushes every winner to the finish line. That's where Senator Obama completes the blueprint. America will be strengthened with leadership that will not be concerned about winning the next election, rather one that seeks pragmatic solutions that benefits the majority of the people, those grouped in the center of the political gathering. I heartily endorse an independent ticket of Barack Obama and Michael Bloomberg, and believe this is not only a winning choice, but one that will give us the most sound, appealing administration we've had for a long time.

On Benazir

2007-12-28T13:16:00.001-05:00

I spent this morning perusing newseum.org wonderful newspaper front covers. I expected an exhaustive review of yesterdays ending to the Muslim world's first woman leader, and there they were prominently displayed on over 200 US and world papers. Most portrayed the former PM in a positive, even glorious light - highlighting her portrayal of Pakistan's last hope for stability, democracy, and future development. Sadly as one examines the truths behind these editorial creations, its abundantly evident Benazir was in fact the antithesis of all those traits. I ask myself how truly sad it is for Pakistan to hold this person in such a magnanimous light - someone who is known to have harpooned hundreds of millions of her people's funds to promote her marquis lifestyle. After two failed tenures in the lead of Pakistan politics, she still could not stay away from the hold of power, which led to her inevitable and greatly unavoidable demise. By my count, 160 of her supporters were sacrificed for Benazir's selfishness during the two assassination attempts. So what now...who is left to take the reigns of democracy in Pakistan? Are we still faced with another PM whose resume matches Benazir's in exploitation and perfidy to the country, the resoundingly noxious Nawaz Sharif, the religiously conservative candidate. What a shoddy state of affairs we find ourselves in - not having a single person of acclaim or well-repute to vie for leadership. It seems we must pray for Musharraf to attain acceptance from the masses. If he falls, the world's papers will conclude their titles of him in adversary prose. How neat it comes together then.

The New York Post columnist notates Benazir's true legacy. THE BHUTTO ASSASSINATION: NOT WHAT SHE SEEMED TO BE

The day of commemoration

2007-09-11T15:52:00.000-04:00

Walking through the streets of downtown, I was amazed at the lack of attention Patriot Day merited from the massive throng of people going about their daily rituals. Wasn't it not that long ago everywhere you looked there were remnants of the US Flag dangling from people's vehicles, homes, and clothing? How did we reach this level of apathy after what seemed like a watershed transformation of how we in the US viewed the world. I spoke with a compatriot of mine who, given his still attached Bush sticker on his car, was even unaware of the date, until I mentioned it to him. So it is now six years on that the effects of the "operation of the century" have evaporated, along with the stranglehold the Bush administration enjoyed due to the event. Well I for one will mark this date continuously going forward, as it has led the world down a path of events that, unforeseen back then, have and will shape the direction of our future horizon, daily goings-on notwithstanding apparently.

In defense of Kobe Bean Bryant

2007-06-19T07:45:00.000-04:00

The one and only season I had the league pass, 2000-2001, I had the opportunity to watch the Lakers play on a regular basis. I can attest from watching those games that Bryant was absolutely pivotal in LA's success, not to mention being the most spectacular player I've seen on a game-to-game basis. That was the year I came to respect Bryant's game tremendously. I though Vince Carter was the greatest dunker in the game, but in every game, Bryant matched Carter with amazing dunks. Think about this, that season Bryant was just 22 years old, the same age as James this season. I believe Bryant is vastly under-appreciated by most NBA fans. We are somewhat blinded by what he does or says outside the lines, and coupled with the fact he plays for the hated Purple and Gold, it results in a huge set of detractors. I think he's in his prime playing wise, and would love to see his extraordinary career continue to flourish in an environment where he's able to play in June. Here's hoping whatever team he's on can surround him with the kind of players to give the league another juggernaut, which we sorely need now, all due respect to the champion Spurs.