Kamchucka versus Irktusk

For thousands of years, one nation waging war against another has been a means to a higher end. War has been declared for independence, expansion of an empire and competing types of government. War is costly not only in terms of dollars but also in thousands of deaths and casualties. After reading and watching years of war coverage across the globe, I had an epiphany. Why do nations have to wage actual war? Why not wage VIRTUAL war? How do we do this you may ask? Go to your closet and scan the old boardgames you have stored from your youth. Somewhere between Clue and Monopoly you are likely to find the game of Risk. Pull it out and let the global domination begin. Think about it. How much better would war be without spending millions of dollars or losing thousands of lives? Risk allows us to do that. Imagine a modern day Potsdam Conference where Dubya is engaged in a battle with Kim Jong II and the world order is determined by the roll of a die. Pretty suspenseful. Now imagine televising it across the globe. It is the perfect mixture of reality TV and virtual programming. Televised virtual war may finally knock the World Series of Poker off of one of the many cable channels. It certainly involves higher stakes doesn't it? It would also give a new meaning to "all in."

The doctor is out

Who Let the Dogs (and Rats) Out?

Michael Vick is in bad shape. His soon to be former friends have turned on him. The feds have flipped four of Mike's co-defendants in exchange for testimony against their "friend." Mike is the last man standing against a formidable opponent and its all because his "friends" have ratted him out. I am not defending the heinous crimes alleged to have been committed by Mr. Vick. What does bother me is how quickly life long friends have turned federal witness. It is all to protect their "as guilty" behinds. Whatever happened to the "code of omerta?" Omerta or silence was the impenetrable defense against prosecution. The code lasted within La Cosa Nostra for decades and then came the testimony of low-level button man, Joe Valachi in the 1950s. Since then the code of omerta is the exception rather than the rule. The act of ratting on your friends knows no social, political or moral boundaries. Sammy the Bull flipped on John Gotti. Linda Tripped flipped on Monica Lewinsky (and indirectly Bill Clinton) and my friend Chad's cousin flipped on him (that's another story that I may tell later). Loyalty, lifelong friendships and oaths do not stand in the way when a conspirator's behind is backed into a corner. Then it becomes every rat for himself. Another wall has been broken down. I am sad to say that I miss the days when friendship and loyalties meant something. Like Deniro's character in GoodFellas tells young Henry Hill, "Never rat on your friends." We see how that all worked out, huh?

The doctor is out.

Running with the Devil

Yesterday, I caught the end of the Van Halen new conference announcing their semi-reunion tour with Diamond David Lee Roth. Oh boy. Dont get me wrong I have been a Van Halen fan for quite some time. I've seen them live with Diamond Dave on the Diver Down tour and with Sammy on the OU812 tour. I started to lose interest in them around their third lead singer and Eddie's second stint in rehab. Now they just seem to be a parody of themselves. But the great music remains doesnt it? A couple of random thoughts as I watched the news conference:

Eddie Van Halen looks more like the Iron Maiden mascot "Eddie" than he does himself. He also looks like he shrunk about a foot.

David Lee Roth still hasn't stop talking

Van Halen must have a rider in their contract that says they must always have a stout (re: overweight) bass player. Portly Michael Anthony replacement, Wolfgang Van Halen looks like he added all of the weight that mother Valerie Bertinelli lost.

I think the Van Halen brothers still hate David Lee. They tried to present a "we buried the hatchet" attitude...but come on, this guy was thrown out of their band twice..once before he even started recording or touring witht them again!

My final conclusion is that the current incarnation of Van Halen (deja vu?) will implode midway through their tour. I'm going to say in Philadelphia in the middle of playing "Unchained"

The doctor is out

Hello Out There

Testing one, two three...Testing one, two, three...Am I on? Well here is my first (and maybe only) attempt at espousing my views beyond family, friends or the guy sitting next to me at the bar. Basically, I would like to bring topics, opinions and rantings usually reserved for the aformentioned groups to a much larger one. Sarcasm, irreverance, humor, intellect and informed opinion are prerequisites for most (if not all) postings. One day it may be about recent sporting events and the next may be about a review of what's on my Ipod. Another day may be about the repercussions of a world event and the next may be a funny story of my past or handicapping football games. Also, check out the YouTube video bar at the end of the blog column. In any event, I hope it is entertaining enough to gather some attention and feedback.

To almost quote the great Neil Armstrong..This is one small step for man and one giant leap BACKWARD for mankind.