There are quite a few articles and television programs honoring the assassination anniversary of Martin Luther King, Jr. this weekend. Many speculative articles are coming out asking "what would have happened if he had lived?" The more appropriate question is "what happened because he died?"
First, let me say that I truly believe MLK was a great man. Free of flaws? No, he was human like us all, but I am an admirer. The negative impact of his death on blacks and America in general almost can't be measured. His death opened the door to race-baiting jerks like Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton. It opened the door to preachers like Jeremiah Wright that profess anger, lies, divisiveness, hate and a focus on the past; rather than peace, equality, unity and a focus on the future.
I have to believe that the lack of King's influence these past decades contributed to the decay of black culture and society. Unwed teenage mothers are practically an epidemic in the black community. Black leaders encourage an entitlement system that made blacks slaves again - slaves to government handouts and reverse discrimination, destroying ambition and pride.
Whether King's assassination was the work of one man or a conspiracy, it has had far reaching effects. Blacks lost their spiritual, moral and political captain, and they've been adrift every since, to their detriment and America's.
Friday, April 4, 2008
Friday, February 15, 2008
President Obama - get used to it.
I rarely make predictions, even though I'm more than competent to do so. There's a fairly safe one I can make right now: assuming Obama gets the Democrat nomination he'll be the next president of the USA.
"But H.K.," you ask, "how can someone who has so little experience, few accomplishments, and who clearly doesn't know the first thing about our Constitution become president?" Well, it all starts with McCain, and hinges around him. He is obviously going to be the Republican nominee. Now, if you put Hillary up against him she would make him look statesmanlike and seasoned, and he would make her look like a bitter, socialist shrew.
But, if you put Obama up against him, McCain will look like a withered, angry white guy, and he'll make Obama look like a vibrant, young everyman.
The other factor is the mainstream (i.e. liberal) media. Even though many on the left like McCain for pissing off fellow Republicans, they won't support him. They'll be behind Obama 100%, and they'll do everything in their power to cover up his deficiencies and make his empty populist rhetoric seem substantive.
Is the country ready to elect a black man to the nation's highest post? I think so. Plenty of white people feel we continue to owe the black community...something. I can't imagine what anyone owes them at this point, but plenty of people will feel like they've put the check in the mail by voting for Obama. Done and done.
Plus after eight years of Bush people want "change". What, exactly, do they want to change? They don't fucking know. They hear the media tell them that millions of people don't have healthcare, or that we're torturing people, or that the economy is in the tank. Great, let's elect someone who will give us Canada's healthcare system, which is so great Canadians come down here to get treated. Let's just ask captured terrorists nicely to tell us their plans. Maybe a little ice cream will loosen those tongues? And let's take more money out of the pockets of people that actually earn it, and give it to bums that don't. That will surely help the economy.
Wait, I get it. You're pissed about Iraq? You want to "bring the troops" home. You do realize Obama refuses to pledge he'll immediately start a troop withdrawal if elected?
Anyway, McCain won't stand a snowball's chance in Hell against Obama. The media will make sure you think he is JFK with a tan, and that McCain is old and crazy. I hope to God my prediction is wrong, but I doubt it will be. We'll have at least four years of liberal judge appointees, empty talk about universal health care, a relaxing of our fight against muslim extremists, pillaging evil corporations, etc.
There's a small chance that McCain and Company will do an effective enough job of making Obama look like the ultra-liberal neophyte that he is. They might do an effective enough job of making McCain look like a comfortable grandfather we can trust in. But I doubt it.
President Obama. I don't like the sound of that, but at this point I might as well get used to it.
"But H.K.," you ask, "how can someone who has so little experience, few accomplishments, and who clearly doesn't know the first thing about our Constitution become president?" Well, it all starts with McCain, and hinges around him. He is obviously going to be the Republican nominee. Now, if you put Hillary up against him she would make him look statesmanlike and seasoned, and he would make her look like a bitter, socialist shrew.
But, if you put Obama up against him, McCain will look like a withered, angry white guy, and he'll make Obama look like a vibrant, young everyman.
The other factor is the mainstream (i.e. liberal) media. Even though many on the left like McCain for pissing off fellow Republicans, they won't support him. They'll be behind Obama 100%, and they'll do everything in their power to cover up his deficiencies and make his empty populist rhetoric seem substantive.
Is the country ready to elect a black man to the nation's highest post? I think so. Plenty of white people feel we continue to owe the black community...something. I can't imagine what anyone owes them at this point, but plenty of people will feel like they've put the check in the mail by voting for Obama. Done and done.
Plus after eight years of Bush people want "change". What, exactly, do they want to change? They don't fucking know. They hear the media tell them that millions of people don't have healthcare, or that we're torturing people, or that the economy is in the tank. Great, let's elect someone who will give us Canada's healthcare system, which is so great Canadians come down here to get treated. Let's just ask captured terrorists nicely to tell us their plans. Maybe a little ice cream will loosen those tongues? And let's take more money out of the pockets of people that actually earn it, and give it to bums that don't. That will surely help the economy.
Wait, I get it. You're pissed about Iraq? You want to "bring the troops" home. You do realize Obama refuses to pledge he'll immediately start a troop withdrawal if elected?
Anyway, McCain won't stand a snowball's chance in Hell against Obama. The media will make sure you think he is JFK with a tan, and that McCain is old and crazy. I hope to God my prediction is wrong, but I doubt it will be. We'll have at least four years of liberal judge appointees, empty talk about universal health care, a relaxing of our fight against muslim extremists, pillaging evil corporations, etc.
There's a small chance that McCain and Company will do an effective enough job of making Obama look like the ultra-liberal neophyte that he is. They might do an effective enough job of making McCain look like a comfortable grandfather we can trust in. But I doubt it.
President Obama. I don't like the sound of that, but at this point I might as well get used to it.
Monday, December 24, 2007
Merry Christmas - except in the Holy Land
It's very easy to be a Christian. Christianity is unique among the world's major religions. As a Christian, you do not have to perform any tasks to get into heaven. Jesus loved us so much he died for all our sins, including yours. He took the heat for you so you can get into heaven. All you have to do is acknowledge Jesus as your savior, and you're in. Many people (I'm looking at you, Catholics) have the mistaken belief that you can't get into heaven unless you perform good works or jump through certain hoops. That's simply not the case. Your faith in Christ gets you in. We, as Christians, do good works and try to lead a Christ-like life because that's what he'd like us to do. Contrary to popular belief, it is very unlikely that St. Peter is there at the pearly gates with his book to list off all your sins. Jesus has opened the door for you, if you're willing to walk in.
And so we reach Christmas again. We reflect upon the importance of Jesus's birth in light of what he did for us. It's very easy to gather round the tree, in front of the fireplace, and honor his birthday with gifts to each other in our Western world. But for many Christians, all they have this Christmas is Jesus' message. No, I'm not necessarily talking about the poor and homeless, although they certainly deserve our attention. I'm talking about persecuted Christians throughout the world, particularly in the Middle East. Even today, when we get bombarded with media attacks against Christianity or we see our fellow Christians everywhere we go, there are Christians that are clinging very tightly to the message of "peace on earth".
Muslim persecution of Christians goes largely unnoticed by the mainstream media. As you read this, in the Middle East (where Jesus was born and from where his message spread througout the world) Christians are becoming an endangered species. That seems so hard to fathom here, where there is a church on every corner, and we are almost led to feel guilty about how many of us there are and how our religion is pushed on people when we simply say "merry christmas".
But right now some Christians live in fear because of there beliefs. For a brief moment in 2001 this country felt what it is like to be those Christians, but we've quickly forgotten. I highly encourage you to read this article:
http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=NWEwZGJiMDEyOWU0ZWM0YWNmMThmMmQyOWQyZDM1OGI=
and do more research yourself. Let us not forget our brethern in the Holy Land this Christmas. Let us remember them in our prayers this Christmas Eve and Christmas day. Yes, it is very easy to be a Christian...for us.
And so we reach Christmas again. We reflect upon the importance of Jesus's birth in light of what he did for us. It's very easy to gather round the tree, in front of the fireplace, and honor his birthday with gifts to each other in our Western world. But for many Christians, all they have this Christmas is Jesus' message. No, I'm not necessarily talking about the poor and homeless, although they certainly deserve our attention. I'm talking about persecuted Christians throughout the world, particularly in the Middle East. Even today, when we get bombarded with media attacks against Christianity or we see our fellow Christians everywhere we go, there are Christians that are clinging very tightly to the message of "peace on earth".
Muslim persecution of Christians goes largely unnoticed by the mainstream media. As you read this, in the Middle East (where Jesus was born and from where his message spread througout the world) Christians are becoming an endangered species. That seems so hard to fathom here, where there is a church on every corner, and we are almost led to feel guilty about how many of us there are and how our religion is pushed on people when we simply say "merry christmas".
But right now some Christians live in fear because of there beliefs. For a brief moment in 2001 this country felt what it is like to be those Christians, but we've quickly forgotten. I highly encourage you to read this article:
http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=NWEwZGJiMDEyOWU0ZWM0YWNmMThmMmQyOWQyZDM1OGI=
and do more research yourself. Let us not forget our brethern in the Holy Land this Christmas. Let us remember them in our prayers this Christmas Eve and Christmas day. Yes, it is very easy to be a Christian...for us.
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Soldiers dying equals bad - killing babies equals good
Today on the way home I had a car in front of me with two interesting bumper stickers. One was calling for the troops to come home - specifically "bring them home ALIVE". On the other side of the bumper was a sticker saying Keep Abortion Legal.
I have to assume two things about this hypocrite. One, he probably didn't give a crap about soldiers before they could be used as an anti-Bush slogan. Two, he probably is ok with abortions all the way up to right before a birth would take place. Regardless, he wants all the soldiers to come home alive, but he's ok with mothers killing their unborn children. I bet he's against the dealth penalty, too. But...he has no problem with abortion.
If you're one of those people, please post a comment and explain your thinking to me. Soldiers sacrificing themselves for our freedom - not okay. Crimials convicted of heinous crimes being executed - not okay. Killing an unborn child for reasons as diverse as "I don't want it" to "it could really crimp my lifestyle" - okay?
I have to assume two things about this hypocrite. One, he probably didn't give a crap about soldiers before they could be used as an anti-Bush slogan. Two, he probably is ok with abortions all the way up to right before a birth would take place. Regardless, he wants all the soldiers to come home alive, but he's ok with mothers killing their unborn children. I bet he's against the dealth penalty, too. But...he has no problem with abortion.
If you're one of those people, please post a comment and explain your thinking to me. Soldiers sacrificing themselves for our freedom - not okay. Crimials convicted of heinous crimes being executed - not okay. Killing an unborn child for reasons as diverse as "I don't want it" to "it could really crimp my lifestyle" - okay?
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Falcons follow-up
Ok, I was wrong about the Falcons. They'll be lucky to win five games this year, but it won't be Harrington's fault. He played a fantastic game against Carolina today. The o-line played well, too.
Why did they lose? DeAngelo Hall basically lost the game for us with those unsportsmanlike conduct penalties. Stupid and juvenile. Is he a professional football player? Does he get paid millions to act like a jerk-off? He's so arrogant that he probably doesn't care (or perhaps realize) that he lost this game for the Falcons today. I hope his teammates tear him a new one. His penalties weren't the only ones, but his actions sucked the life out of the Falcons and breathed a new one into the Panthers. He negated what was an otherwise great effort by the whole team. Maybe someone will slip a tack in his shoe while he's in the showers.
Why did they lose? DeAngelo Hall basically lost the game for us with those unsportsmanlike conduct penalties. Stupid and juvenile. Is he a professional football player? Does he get paid millions to act like a jerk-off? He's so arrogant that he probably doesn't care (or perhaps realize) that he lost this game for the Falcons today. I hope his teammates tear him a new one. His penalties weren't the only ones, but his actions sucked the life out of the Falcons and breathed a new one into the Panthers. He negated what was an otherwise great effort by the whole team. Maybe someone will slip a tack in his shoe while he's in the showers.
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Atlanta Falcons - no more Vick, no problem
I’m not an expert on football, so don’t place any wagers based on my say-so. But I have been paying a lot more attention to football the past few years than in the past, and I feel confident discussing it. The first regular season football game for this season is tonight, so all the pundits and sports media outlets have issued their predictions and power rankings. One thing that is almost universal this year is that they are holding the Atlanta Falcons in very low regard. Bottom of the barrel regard, in fact.
Quite frankly, that’s a mistake and I think most of them know it. By predicting failure on the Falcons’ part, though, they can they say “hey, isn’t it great they’re doing better than projected”, or they can simply claim they’ve been lucky or performing beyond they ability.
Well, unlike them, I’m happy to lay it on the line; the Falcons will do all right this season. I predict an 8 – 8 season. That may not sound like much, but compared to the 2 – 14 and 3 – 15 season most people are predicting I’m giving the Falcons a great deal of credit.
And they deserve it. The Falcons have a fantastic coaching staff, far better than Mora and his gang (except for special teams coach Joe DeCamillis – he was good). They have numerous playmakers on both sides of the ball. They offensive and defensive lines are solid. The Falcons lack depth, and they have a lot of rookies, but if they can stay healthy they can succeed this year.
A lot of people are using the Vick fiasco as an excuse to predict a bad season for the Falcons. If you think that they would have been a championship team this year simply if they had him on the team you’re as delusional as the people predicting they dismal failure. The team is better off without him. He wasn’t a leader, on or off the field. His unique skills maybe allow you to salvage one or two games in the win column that you might otherwise loose, and yes, one game can mean the difference between getting to the playoffs or not.
Some might point to the season in which Vick broke his leg in a pre-season game. His back-ups were Doug Johnson and some guy whose name escapes me. If it weren’t for the fact that Doug Johnson sucked ass so hard that season in Vick’s absence I wouldn’t even remember his name. The Falcons tanked without Vick that year because they didn’t have a good back-up.
So, what’s different this year? Joey Harrington. He’s got something to prove, and that is always a positive factor. He’s got a good attitude, and by all accounts he’s ready for a fresh start. Most importantly, he’s better than you think. And really, that’s all he has to be, because you (and you know who you are) think he stinks.
With Vick gone the true playmakers in this offense can shine – Warrick Dunn, Jerious Norwood, Joe Horn, Alge Crumpler, etc. All Harrington has to do is not play badly. If he plays well the Falcons can really kick some ass on offense because of the plan and plays that Coach Petrino has in place, but as long as he doesn’t play badly they can get by. I predict he’ll have a great year, though. This preseason he’s shown poise, accuracy, and an ability to make something happen when plays or protection breaks down. If he’s consistent this season, I’ll take him over Vick any day.
No, I’m sober. Really.
Other folks point to the breakdowns they’ve had in the second half of the past two seasons. You can blame that squarely on former (thankfully) coaches Jim Mora and Greg Knapp. They deserved to get canned for a variety of reasons. The only one I’ll go into here is the fact that they inherited a team with numerous playmakers, and after some first season luck failed to capitalize at all on their skills the next two seasons. If your coach can’t do that, why keep him around? Coach Petrino and his staff have made it a point to craft the offense so that the ball gets to the all the playmakers. And unlike Mora and his staff, Petrino won’t have to figure out a way to make Vick a good throwing quarterback or craft plays that can utitlize him. They can just concentrate on calling good plays.
Are the Falcon’s going to win the Super Bowl? No. Are the Falcons going to make the playoffs? Possibly. I think the Saints will win the NFC South, but the Falcons might make a run at a wildcard spot. Will the Falcons exceed expectations? Definitely.
Here’s how I see it the positives:
Low expectations from pundits equals motivation for team
Great coaching staff in place
Lots of playmakers on both sides of the ball
Good quarterback with something to prove
Solid o-line
Solid d-line
Experienced players and fresh-legged rookies
Here’s how I see the negatives:
All new staff and scheme that might not come together the first year
Very little depth behind the starters
Quarterback has history of failure and his mental toughness is an unknown
Aging players and inexperience rookies
Either way, I predict that if the Falcons stay healthy they’ll at least break even this season, and make a respectable showing. There may even be a few upsets along the way. Cinderella story for 2008? Only a deluded fan will predict that. I’ll take 8 – 8 this year, though.
Note: after the Falcons play they first regular season game this Sunday I’ll follow-up this blog with any alterations to my prediction, and then leave it alone for the rest of the season.
Quite frankly, that’s a mistake and I think most of them know it. By predicting failure on the Falcons’ part, though, they can they say “hey, isn’t it great they’re doing better than projected”, or they can simply claim they’ve been lucky or performing beyond they ability.
Well, unlike them, I’m happy to lay it on the line; the Falcons will do all right this season. I predict an 8 – 8 season. That may not sound like much, but compared to the 2 – 14 and 3 – 15 season most people are predicting I’m giving the Falcons a great deal of credit.
And they deserve it. The Falcons have a fantastic coaching staff, far better than Mora and his gang (except for special teams coach Joe DeCamillis – he was good). They have numerous playmakers on both sides of the ball. They offensive and defensive lines are solid. The Falcons lack depth, and they have a lot of rookies, but if they can stay healthy they can succeed this year.
A lot of people are using the Vick fiasco as an excuse to predict a bad season for the Falcons. If you think that they would have been a championship team this year simply if they had him on the team you’re as delusional as the people predicting they dismal failure. The team is better off without him. He wasn’t a leader, on or off the field. His unique skills maybe allow you to salvage one or two games in the win column that you might otherwise loose, and yes, one game can mean the difference between getting to the playoffs or not.
Some might point to the season in which Vick broke his leg in a pre-season game. His back-ups were Doug Johnson and some guy whose name escapes me. If it weren’t for the fact that Doug Johnson sucked ass so hard that season in Vick’s absence I wouldn’t even remember his name. The Falcons tanked without Vick that year because they didn’t have a good back-up.
So, what’s different this year? Joey Harrington. He’s got something to prove, and that is always a positive factor. He’s got a good attitude, and by all accounts he’s ready for a fresh start. Most importantly, he’s better than you think. And really, that’s all he has to be, because you (and you know who you are) think he stinks.
With Vick gone the true playmakers in this offense can shine – Warrick Dunn, Jerious Norwood, Joe Horn, Alge Crumpler, etc. All Harrington has to do is not play badly. If he plays well the Falcons can really kick some ass on offense because of the plan and plays that Coach Petrino has in place, but as long as he doesn’t play badly they can get by. I predict he’ll have a great year, though. This preseason he’s shown poise, accuracy, and an ability to make something happen when plays or protection breaks down. If he’s consistent this season, I’ll take him over Vick any day.
No, I’m sober. Really.
Other folks point to the breakdowns they’ve had in the second half of the past two seasons. You can blame that squarely on former (thankfully) coaches Jim Mora and Greg Knapp. They deserved to get canned for a variety of reasons. The only one I’ll go into here is the fact that they inherited a team with numerous playmakers, and after some first season luck failed to capitalize at all on their skills the next two seasons. If your coach can’t do that, why keep him around? Coach Petrino and his staff have made it a point to craft the offense so that the ball gets to the all the playmakers. And unlike Mora and his staff, Petrino won’t have to figure out a way to make Vick a good throwing quarterback or craft plays that can utitlize him. They can just concentrate on calling good plays.
Are the Falcon’s going to win the Super Bowl? No. Are the Falcons going to make the playoffs? Possibly. I think the Saints will win the NFC South, but the Falcons might make a run at a wildcard spot. Will the Falcons exceed expectations? Definitely.
Here’s how I see it the positives:
Low expectations from pundits equals motivation for team
Great coaching staff in place
Lots of playmakers on both sides of the ball
Good quarterback with something to prove
Solid o-line
Solid d-line
Experienced players and fresh-legged rookies
Here’s how I see the negatives:
All new staff and scheme that might not come together the first year
Very little depth behind the starters
Quarterback has history of failure and his mental toughness is an unknown
Aging players and inexperience rookies
Either way, I predict that if the Falcons stay healthy they’ll at least break even this season, and make a respectable showing. There may even be a few upsets along the way. Cinderella story for 2008? Only a deluded fan will predict that. I’ll take 8 – 8 this year, though.
Note: after the Falcons play they first regular season game this Sunday I’ll follow-up this blog with any alterations to my prediction, and then leave it alone for the rest of the season.
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