THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR, PART II…
By Anthony | April 30, 2009
Greetings,
After a hotly contested first round of the 2009 National Hockey League playoffs we’re on to round two.
First, some thoughts on my series and game-by-game predictions of the post season’s first 44 games and eight playoff rounds.
Overall, I won six of the opening round matchups, and went 31 and 13 in the individual games (yes, I picked against myself in some situations but not in elimination games).
The Boston, Detroit and Vancouver sweeps were not surprising. These teams outmatched their opponents when it mattered and for St. Louis and Columbus that wasn’t so bad as they are young teams with bright futures, but Montreal has quite a few internal issues.
Three other series were completed in six games, and that was where I suffered my only two defeats.
The Presidents’ Trophy, (emblematic of the best team in the regular season) San Jose Sharks, broke hearts in the Bay Area once again. This time the 8th seeded (not really) Anaheim Ducks took the honors and raised the already large number of observers questioning Joe Thornton’s prime time capabilities.
The barely legal Blackhawks from Chicago proved to be too fast, too tough and just too good for the plodding Calgary Flames, while, in the only one of the three six-gamers I got right, the Pittsburgh Penguins took care of the Philadelphia Flyers.
As for the two series that went the distance, the Carolina Hurricanes stunned the New Jersey Devils in one of the best playoff matchups in recent memory, as after the dust settled from seven grueling games, with one going overtime and one just 0.2 seconds from going sudden death, Eric Staal’s goal was all that separated the two teams statistically.
It just got better as it went on, and the way the ‘Canes won the decisive game 7 – two goals 48 seconds apart in the final 1:20 – totally shocked the rabid Devils fans who were so accustomed to their team coming out on top in those situations.
Big ups to coach Paul Maurice for switching players on the top line after they were ineffective, as the newly formed line of Staal, Ray Whitney and Chad Larose combined for 10 goals and 11 assists.
Finally, the Washington Capitals eventually solved Henrik Lundqvist and the New York Rangers lack of offense caught up with them.
Big ups to coach Bruce Boudreau for quickly relieving Jose Theodore from the net after the game one loss and inserting Simeon Varlamov, who allowed just 7 goals in the six games he played with two shutouts. Not bad for a guy with just five and a half hours of NHL experience entering the playoffs.
As for the Conference Semifinals:
Eastern Conference
(1)Boston vs. (6) Carolina
The Big Bad Bruins will prove to be just too much for the hard working never-say-die Hurricanes.
Boston is a tougher, physically larger version of the New Jersey Devils and even the stellar goaltending of Cam Ward won’t keep them from advancing to the conference finals for the first time since 1992.
Milan Lucic is emerging as one of the game’s top power forwards, as it just seems he’s getting better and better.
The B’s offensive balance – Michael Ryder, Phil Kessler with four goals each - and smothering defense – did not allow a power play goal in the four games against Montreal - will be the deciding factor here. Also, the amount of rest they’ve had in comparison to what the ‘Canes just endured will take a toll as well.
The only chance I give Carolina is if Ward totally outperforms Tim Thomas in net, and they need something from Erik Cole and Rod Brind’Amour – no points in the seven games vs. the Devils.
Bruins in five.
(2)Washington vs. (4) Pittsburgh
I really think the league was hoping this matchup would take place.
Alexander Ovechkin vs. Sidney Crosby.
The league’s two high profile players and their very talented supporting casts will be on display.
If this confrontation was taking place three months ago I would have hands down given the nod to the Caps, but since the Pens relieved Michel Therrien of his coaching duties in mid-February and brought in Dan Bylsma they have won 22 of 31 games.
Crosby and two-time scoring champion Evgeny Malkin found even another level of skill while everyone else raised their game’s as well.
The return of Sergei Gonchar on defense and the additions of Chris Kunitz and Bill Guerin gave Sid the Kid something to work with on his wings.
No better example of how far last year’s Stanley Cup runner-up has improved from their early season doldrums is the way they rallied from a 3-0 deficit in game six at Philadelphia to score five unanswered goals to wrap up the series.
Meanwhile, D.C. barely got by the offensively challenged Rangers and if they bring that same game to this series there will be no comeback.
I’m just not sure if they have enough of their skilled players willing to pay the price to advance.
One very interesting point here is that besides the Ovechkin-Crosby faceoff this series also puts to test the early season claims by Caps’ forward Alexander Semin that Pittsburgh’s number 87 is not as good as advertised.
From my point of view Crosby has proven that he is very good, and perhaps much more important this time of year is that he’s willing to get dirty to win and again I just don’t see it from enough key players on this Washington team, sans Alex Ovechkin.
Penguins in six.
Western Conference
(2) Detroit vs. (8) Anaheim
I have a strong feeling that a lot of those magnificent saves from playoff neophyte Jonas Hiller in the previous round’s upset of the top seeded San Jose Sharks will become goals when on the sticks of the Detroit Red Wings.
Surely, the Ducks are not your typical lowest seeded team to make the postseason and they have loads of experience on defense to perhaps circumvent Detroit’s offense, but who do you matchup Chris Pronger and Scott Niedermayer against? And where do you start?
In the sweep of Columbus, it was Dan Cleary, Jiri Hudler and Valteri Filippula who played key roles in administering the broom to the upstart Blue Jackets and not so much the statistical exploits of the highly skilled Pavel Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterberg, Marian Hossa, etc.
Yes, the return of Francois Beauchemin on their backline will help deal with Detroit’s steady stream of diverse offensive firepower, but is that enough?
Anaheim’s line of Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry and Bobby Ryan will be difficult to handle and I see them contributing to the Ducks two wins.
After that Detroit’s ability to keep the puck will frustrate the penalty-prone Ducks.
Detroit in five.
(3) Vancouver vs. (4) Chicago
This series really intrigues me as you have the young talented ‘Hawks against the young talented Canucks.
For Vancouver, Alex Burrows has done wonders for the Sedin twins, giving Henrik and Daniel speed and grit to go along with their awesome cycling skills.
Also, their defense is healthy and much more mobile than what Calgary presented.
For Chicago, the play of Patrick Sharp, Kris Versteeg and the already highly touted Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane at this level is quite impressive, but for them to advance the play of the grinders – Dustin Byfuglien and Ben Eager – will be key in giving them the room they need.
Roberto Luongo will be the difference here, as he is becoming the game’s best goaltender.
Looking forward to watching the fans at both of these arenas go crazy with excitement, so long as it is clean.
Vancouver in six.
There you have it.
I’m amped up about the next round and believe that the teams that can walk away from all the talking, chippy play and pseudo-machismo will be victorious, enjoy.
PEACE
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THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR…
By Anthony | April 20, 2009
One of the many things I like about President Obama is that he’s always trying to keep things in perspective, with a smile.
Yes, I have my issues with him – that lame appearance on the Tonight Show ranks right up there along with failing to take part in the Durban II Conference, FISA wiretapping, eschewing real change by appointing many to his cabinet that are status quo, escalating war, etc… – but who’s perfect? And besides I believe a lot of his ascendancy is really about symbolism unless the citizens make firm demands.
Anyway, the 44th commander-in-chief recently got chided for participating in something he’s always been fond of – basketball, when Duke University men’s coach Mike Krzyzewski took exception to Mr. Obama’s bracket selections on ESPN days before the start of the NCAA tournament.
I’m really not sure if Coach K was just hating because his school wasn’t picked to win the 64-team competition (hint: arch rival North Carolina was chosen, and interestingly enough won as Duke was eliminated in the quarterfinals losing 77-54 to Villanova), but the three-time winner of March Madness felt that there were other things the president needed to be concerned with; i.e. the economic crisis.
Valid point, but in all seriousness anything he, or the first family, does or are interested in will get too much attention based on who they are and some in media who are fixated on trivia.
Well, in an effort to live vicariously through president Obama and keep things in perspective, while one could certainly point out that there are more important things for me to be concerned with, I am offering my picks for this year’s National Hockey League playoffs, a time of year that I’ve always been fond of.
If any media outlets are interested we can certainly talk.
2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Conference Quarterfinals
Eastern Conference:
Yes, they have actually already started and I will be very true to what I felt coming into the first night of action.
(1) Boston vs. (8) Montreal
This historic original six match-up has been extremely lopsided in favor of the Canadiens – winning 24 of the 31 postseason battles – and you would expect more of the same as Les Habitants celebrate their centennial year as the most successful franchise in the sport.
However, this season Montreal has resembled anything but the model franchise. Players have been investigated for links with the mafia, dissension between players and coaches, celebrated player now turned coach fired by his close friend the general manager, rumors that the team is up for sale and we haven’t even mentioned the struggling product on the ice.
Young net minder Carey Price tried his best Ken Dryden imitation last year and it gave them a game seven win against Boston when the seeds were reversed, but since then he’s been average and there’s a legitimate argument that Jaroslav Halak is playing better now though that’s not saying much.
Meanwhile, the Bruins catapulted to the best team in the Eastern Conference during the regular season with a balanced offense - ten scorers in double figures (led by Phil Kessel’s 36) - and the entire league’s stingiest defense anchored by behemoth six foot nine inch defenseman Zdeno Chara and ultra-competitive goalie Tim Thomas.
Through the first two games in Boston things have played out as expected and I think the Habs would consider it an accomplishment if they can manage one victory.
The smallish Canadiens just don’t have the size to match up to Boston. If the Bruins quickly dispose of them it would say a lot to me about how far they can go based on the potential of the other series being all out wars and going a bit further.
Bruins sweep the bleu, blanc et rouge for the first time since 1991-92.
(2) Washington vs. (7) Rangers
Now this is where things get tricky.
On February 23rd with their hot start a thing of the past and their hold on a playoff spot tenuous at best the Rangers fired coach Tom Renney and replaced him with John Tortorella.
That one move changed the team’s philosophy from passive to aggressive (though Renney should be given credit for raising the franchise from the depths of seven straight playoff absences with three postseason berths of his own) and then weeks later super nemesis Sean Avery was brought back after anger management as well as the additions of Nik Antropov and Derek Morris in trades.
A strong finish in the final week secured a playoff berth and they have not looked back.
Henrik Lundqvist is certainly in the heads of the Caps offensive snipers, especially the league’s best sharp shooter Alexander Ovechkin who is 0-for-19 in the first two games.
The Caps were my original choice and I’m sticking to it, but they have to start taking the puck to the net (Ovechkin included). However, now the series shifts to Madison Square Garden and though the goaltender change after Jose Theodore’s sub par performance in Game 1 did not affect them in the 1-0 Game 2 loss, I do believe that 20-year old Simeon Varlamov will be challenged.
There’s an old adage that in order to win the Stanley Cup you have to be able to play several styles, well hopefully Washington realizes that their perimeter game is not getting it done.
With my patience severely tested I’m going with the Caps in seven as the home ice advantage gets all twisted around in this series, until the deciding game.
(3) New Jersey vs. (6) Carolina
The beauty of writing this while the playoffs have already started is that you get to see how honest I really am.
After three games the Devils lead 2-1 thanks to Travis Zajac’s first goal since March 17th won Game Three five minutes into overtime.
This playoff matchup is becoming a rite of spring, as it is the fourth time the former Hartford Whalers and Kansas City Scouts/Colorado Rockies have met in the postseason.
I think Carolina really hurt their chances by admittedly not being prepared for Game One, losing meekly 4-1.
Meanwhile, the Devils are that close from leading this series 3-0.
They’ve looked ready from the first drop of the puck and the ‘Canes need a game breaker to step up and change the direction of this series.
Eric Staal can be the difference for the Hurricanes, as he and Erik Cole need to develop the chemistry that propelled them to nine straight wins late in the regular season.
It would also give Cam Ward some breathing room as even though he’s lost two games he has played very well.
This choice is shaky, but I feel that Carolina will start to get to Hall of Famer Martin Brodeur as the series continues and find a way.
Carolina in seven.
(4) Pittsburgh vs. (5) Philadelphia
The Battle of Pennsylvania!
This will continue to be a war, but the Flyers slow start in Game One and the amazing skate save by Marc Andre Fleury on Jeff Carter in Game Two in my opinion gave the Penguins too much of a head start.
Philadelphia is in must-win mode coming into Game Four after yesterday’s 6-3 win where they played with the intensity you’d think they would’ve from the beginning.
Of course, Pittsburgh had something to do with the Flyers apparent early lack of playoff intensity and when you add it all up moving forward Pittsburgh gets it done.
Their skill level is slightly greater than Philly’s and I believe that the Pens win the goaltender and defense match-up just as narrowly.
Penguins in six.
Western Conference:
(1) San Jose vs. (8) Anaheim
They say that every team needs to have its heart broken before it has learned how to become a champion.
The question in San Jose is how many times, and are they really built to win sports most difficult championship.
Man, after just two home games they find themselves repeating the all too familiar Sharks postseason story: an early round exit, and this time after they were the best team in the regular season from the first faceoff in October.
Once again Joe Thornton is being challenged to perform when it matters most, and once again he’s disappointing. Perhaps the Bruins knew something when they surprised many by dealing him in November of 2005?
Many felt that the potential for a first round upset was in this matchup, and though I did believe that the 2007 Stanley Cup Champs, Anaheim Ducks, would provide a good test I did not think they would be halfway there after just two games.
Once again, I am an honest man sticking to my original thoughts coming into the series, but it would be nice to see something to really make me feel good about this prediction.
Ducks’ goalie Jonas Hiller has stopped 77 of the first 79 playoff shots he has ever faced!
I’m not sure if he could keep that up, but then again does it matter if no one on the Sharks roster steps up and starts slaying their postseason demons.
Call me crazy, but I think they can.
Patrick Marleau is this teams’ captain and he will lead them and they’ll find a way to get it done, or if coach Todd McClellan is really grasping at straws he can insert 43-year old Claude Lemieux into the lineup.
Seriously though, playing at home with the series lead will be an even greater challenge for the young Hiller, and then things will change.
Sharks in seven.
(2) Detroit vs. (7) Columbus
And so San Jose’s almost predictable spring misfortunes have made it even more obvious that the Detroit Red Wings are good, very, very good.
About halfway through the Game One matchup against Columbus things were looking very competitive as there was no score and both teams were presenting exemplary challenges, but since then the winged wheel has outshot the upstart Blue Jackets, 59-33, outscoring them 8-1 and it hasn’t even been that close.
Talk about puck control! The puck is a yo-yo on the Wings’ sticks and Columbus is chasing it far too much.
Often overlooked in a great team’s success is how hard they work, and the way Detroit works to get the puck back for the few seconds they don’t have it is impressive.
Columbus did have a very good regular season and the fans and the organization should appreciate their first appearance, so perhaps potential Vezina and Calder trophy winner Steve Mason can steal a game between the pipes, but that’s about it.
Hossa, Franzen, Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Lidstrom, Filippula, Hudler are covering quite well for Chris Osgood’s shaky regular season – mind you he’s been the goalie for two cup winners, including last June’s defeat of Pittsburgh and whenever they’ve been challenged this season Detroit has answered the call with a win.
Detroit in five games.
(3) Vancouver vs. (6) St. Louis
Roberto Luongo and the Canucks power play has been the difference in this one.
The former New York Islanders goalie (can you believe that!) has allowed just three goals in three games, including a Game Two shutout, while with the man advantage his team has scored four times (three in the third game) with the Blues giving their fans just that with only one while a man up.
St. Louis has had a very good season and coach Andy Murray has squeezed a lot out of this injury riddled club. In fact, in the series they’ve not looked over matched, except in the two aforementioned areas.
It was really nice to see playoff hockey back in the “Gateway to the West” and I think they’ll get a victory, but Vancouver, one of the hottest teams in the league since February, wraps it up in five.
(4) Chicago vs. (5) Calgary
Speaking of it being nice to see a franchise back in the postseason!
The Chicago Blackhawks have returned from the dark ages and the Calgary Flames better raise their game very quickly.
After two games Chicago has managed to shake off any jitters a young team faces in the playoffs rallying to win both games 3-2.
Center Jonathan Toews has been the best player in the entire playoffs thus far dominating faceoffs and coming up with the big play and goal when needed.
Goalie Nikolai Khabibulin, the elder statesman on the barely legal Blackhawks, has continued his mastery of the Flames (22-5-2 career in the regular season, and he was the Tampa Bay Lightning goalie in 2004 when they won the Cup against the Flames) with timely saves.
I picked Calgary to win, but after watching the first two games a disturbing trend from their late regular season woes continues, that of meager offense and shaky goaltending and defense.
They’re back home for the next two and I really liked captain Jarome Iginla’s unusual comments after the recent loss where he showed some anger, and that’s rare for one of the game’s truly nice guys (hint to equally nice guy Joe Thornton of San Jose).
I think it was what they’ve needed for quite some time, and they’ll play for 60 minutes and get the hang of things.
Flames in seven.
So, just a little late, you have my picks for the first round. I have also been picking the winners (or at least trying to) of each individual game and so far I have won 12 of the 20 games after winning just one of three on Sunday.
Enjoy the best time of the year for a hockey fan!
PEACE
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HARRY KALAS…
By Anthony | April 20, 2009
On Monday, April 13, 2009 the long time play-by-play announcer of the Philadelphia Phillies baseball team and the narrator of numerous NFL Films presentations died in the broadcast booth a few hours before a game.
Harry Kalas was 73 years old, and the cause of death was a heart attack.
For 39 years the Naperville, Illinois native was the voice of the National League baseball club and for 32 years he served in many functions covering the National Football League.
I never met him, but that voice made me feel as though I was right next to him.
Deep, rich and hitting chords like John Coltrane or painting images like Romare Bearden or any other sincere artist.
There was no pretense and shtick with Kalas, just a voice that demanded your attention.
I was first drawn in by his work with the NFL recapping the week’s games at a time when the first chance to see a game you may have missed was on his mid-week show as those days we were without the internet, sports cable networks and sports specific networks.
His pipes were like James Earl Jones, Jack Buck (another deceased renowned baseball announcer) or hockey’s equally great deceased raconteur Dan Kelly, and you could tell that Kalas thoroughly enjoyed what he was doing.
The players he covered for so many years regardless of which school they belonged to – old or new - also admired Kalas. Check out this article from former Phillies centerfielder Doug Glanville: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/15/opinion/15glanville-harrykalas.html
Thanks Harry, for all the calls including “outta here” and “Mickey Morandini”.
PEACE
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MAYOR MIKE’S PLAYLAND…
By Anthony | April 17, 2009
Greetings,
I never knew that major league baseball pitcher Heath Bell was so in tuned with the feelings of some of the every day New York City citizens. You know those who are teetering on the brink of being pushed off the island.
During the much-ballyhooed grand opening of Citi Field – the New York Mets version of keeping up with the Joneses vis-à-vis the latest Yankee Stadium at the expense of the taxpayer – the San Diego Padres reliever hurled a pitch in the direction of mayor Michael Bloomberg.
The offering was intercepted by fencing that is set up behind home plate and gave the billionaire a photo op on many of the media outlets, but there was a great deal of irony in this moment.
You see the 31-year old Bell, a former reliever with the Mets, was obviously amped up given the opportunity to stick it to the team that gave up on his skills and relegated the southern California native to the minors at its ballpark christening.
For two seasons Heath Bell was shuttled back and forth from Norfolk, Virginia – the club’s minor league affiliate – to Flushing, Queens in lieu of giving him a longer stay with the big club.
Much like many of the every day citizens of this metropolis, who are being pushed to the brink of dislocation.
Citi Field, yes that’s right brought to you by Citigroup the same banking conglomerate that received billions in taxpayer bailout money, and the new Yankee Stadium – worth $1.5 billion – are the latest in Michael Bloomberg’s efforts to make New York only available for the ultra-rich or for those New Yorkers forced to perpetrate wealth to just say they were there.
From all the early accounts Yankee stadium leads in the excess and gaudiness that laughs in the face of the current depression the country faces.
These words from Yankees general partner, Hal Steinbrenner, speak volumes when you consider the need to provide a way of further separating the haves from the have nots, by any means necessary.
“We understand that a lot of our fans are struggling. I mean, this is the worst recession in most of our lifetimes, but at the same time, I think baseball has always been an escape for people, you know? And I think what we’re going to provide is an unbelievable experience for thousands and thousands of our fans that, despite the troubles they’re going through right now, might get away for two or three hours, get their minds off things. And we’re going to make that experience, you know, tremendous.”
Some early observations at the new Yankee stadium:
- Two thousand six hundred and twenty five dollars! For the top seat
- The average ticket is $72.97, nearly double what it once was
- Bloomberg’s New York City used more than $400 million in public subsidies to help fund stadium
- Several obstructed view seats, this quote from a New York Times article penned by Joshua Robinson clearly illustrates this:
“This is horrible,” said Keith Bauer, a season-ticket holder since 2004. “For them to build a billion-dollar stadium and have these seats is ridiculous. You have to move to whole other sections before you can even see right field. If my seats were here, I would not be coming all the way from Albany for this.” From Section 239, Bauer missed the first home run at the Yankees’ new park when Robinson Cano’s shot looped into the right-field bleachers in the second inning.
Citi Field, though slightly less expensive in its construction, is not without its garish excesses and yes several seats that are obstructed.
By the way, Bell got a new baseball after the errant pitch that Mayor Bloomberg grabbed and then went on to save all of the two San Diego wins over the Mets in the three game set.
Perhaps we should all start fighting back like Bell and not feigning opulence.
PEACE
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BERNIE’S WALK…
By Anthony | March 19, 2009
Greetings,
I’ll keep this brief with more to come later.
Okay, now that Bernie Madoff has done the perp walk who is next?
Can we start with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for their incompetence and complete failure to enforce federal security laws?
By now we should be at least somewhat aware of who Harry Markopolos is and what he tried to tell the SEC (REPEATEDLY) about the scam that some ten years after his first attempt robbed thousands of billions.
The SEC’s inability (or more like it recalcitrance) to heed his numerous red flags are deplorable. The 52-year old Erie, Pennsylvania native was playing the role of the heroic pilot Chesley Sullenberger III, who calmly and adroitly saved a sure disaster when US Airways flight 1549 headed for the Hudson River - you know a patriot. Yet Markopolos, the former securities industry executive, continually ran into silence and why is that?
This trotting out of one face (the equivalent of a sideshow) to appease the fed up and angry masses insults our intelligence.
I find it hard to imagine that Made-off worked alone.
PEACE
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DISAPPOINTING…
By Anthony | March 12, 2009
As President Barack Obama navigates through the positive history of just mentioning his name, and conversely one of the more difficult periods in this nation’s history it is important to still challenge his apparent contradictions.
We all have them and hopefully there are those who love us, or just like being complete pains in the buttocks, that constantly remind us when we are inconsistent in our actions.
If accepted, and given, in good will these unwelcome, but legitimate, critiques force us to be our best. In fact, they’re much like good natured sibling rivalries or in sports where there’s an opponent that compels you to raise your game in order to win – Earvin “Magic” Johnson vs. Larry Bird quickly comes to mind - or more to the point here they play the part of the many human rights supporters who’ve demanded fairness and justice.
With that said it was disappointing to hear the Obama administration announce that it would not be attending the Durban Review Conference next month in Geneva, Switzerland.
This gathering, open to all nations, is designed to evaluate the progress of the initial meeting eight years ago in South Africa to confront racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.
The primary reason for the boycott of the Durban II Conference is a perceived bombarding and attacking of Israel in the structure and tone of the entire proceedings. You may recall that back in August of 2001 then Secretary of State Colin Powell left the meeting after these same sentiments.
Now certainly no one likes to be invited to a meeting where they are the brunt of the criticism, but there are times when any kind of dialogue is necessary and once you cut through the rhetoric some substantial gains can be made.
For all we know the first real opportunity on a global stage to seek redress for years of alleged racism, racial intolerance, etc… (I say alleged only for purposes of advancing the discussion) for many of the supporting nations was at both of these sessions, and to summarily decide not to attend because you didn’t like the tone continues the problem and forces the accuser back to their hardened stance right along with the hands-in-ear posture of Israel, the United States, Canada, Italy and several other countries that will fall in line.
Needless to say Obama’s refusal to attend flies in the face of everything he stood for during the campaign when he spoke of the need for dialogue and eloquently stated that the overall gains are minuscule when both sides clutch to their own inherit beliefs and refuse to honor the others.
Is not attending this conference similar to that?
And now we’re going to talk to “some” Taliban?
What’s even more troubling is the United States’ seemingly overwhelming lockstep agreement with all things Israel.
You name the president and his position vis-à-vis Israel is usually always in the affirmative. It’s almost as if it’s a prerequisite for attaining high office. You would think that Israel (slightly larger than New Jersey and thousands of miles away from U.S. borders) was Canada or Mexico in terms proximity and national security.
This is not intended to belittle anyone’s suffering only to nudge the world closer to understanding, fairness, justice and dialogue. As a result that adds to the dismay to see Mr. Obama – the man who won so many over with his courageous and compassionate reasoning - fall for the status quo.
It must be pointed out that he has stated that if the tone changes they will welcome talks on a smaller scale, but is it really fair to dictate these terms while not attending?
Yet, that even fails to even honor the other racial incidents in Africa, Europe, Asia and the U.S. that this conference apparently hopes to discuss, so to not see a face representing the 44th president’s administration is indeed disappointing.
PEACE
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COWARDS? YES…
By Anthony | March 5, 2009
Greetings,
Attorney General Eric Holder laid down the gauntlet (as best he could) on February 18th – these opportunities, much like then presidential candidate Barack Obama’s More Perfect Union speech, may soon serve as lost ones – during his remarks at the Department of Justice African American History Month program.
Sadly, but still very predictably, many focused on one word and failed to take the entire challenge.
Perhaps against my better judgment, my opening remarks or just consider it yet another opportunity for meaningful dialogue I will join those who were stuck on stupid with the much analyzed coward comment.
However, I will attempt to expand the conversation a bit by looking inward and with a bit more depth.
I have been a coward in matters related to race.
Yes, that’s right, too many times I have avoided dialogue/confrontation in lieu of some other stuff coming up that didn’t have anything to do with the original cause of my consternation.
Moreover, there have also been times when I’ve felt that the opportunity to have a meaningful substantive dialogue was cloaked in issues (both mine and theirs) that only served to remind me that he/she felt as though they were in a position of power over me, you know arrogance.
From my perspective some in matters of race are quick to remind you that they think you need them, or that their way is better than yours and tend to look down upon anything different from their world.
This ongoing struggle for simple human being honoring that, for the purposes of this discussion, Black/African people encounter can cause all sorts of angst and in some cases damage that will be reflected in seemingly unrelated but still quite self-destructive ways.
As with everything there is no absolute and I will loudly proclaim stupidity, guilt or how about not being so harsh and choose cowardice on some occasions when I have decided to rely on no darn good shenanigans when dealing with some who are not of my race.
Then, poor communication, or lack thereof, on my part created scenarios that were not intended, and deservedly triggered the worst fears from my white brothers and sisters.
So, clearly there is a fine line and an obvious need for dialogue.
Overriding proof of this is just what is going on in the world right now, but oh so sadly far too many want to continue the game that serves their purposes, and when you really get down to it they rely on the stereotypes, myths and fears that create barriers.
Now, if this much needed dialogue is to be helpful and instructive no one should be made to feel that when someone expresses to them what they feel is insensitivity that they are not calling on the best of their humanity to change or at least consider the actions.
Conversely, and perhaps much more importantly, it is vital that when calling out someone it is done with respect, honor and in a way that says to that person they have the capacity to do better. Much in the way that Cornel West does in many of his critiques.
No one is above reproach, and if the problem persists you adjust your strategy as you go along with the intended goal always being redress and opening dialogue.
The all too expected response has been to get into the proverbial pissing contest where nothing is gained while the all too familiar names remind you of your dysfunction, but failing to address theirs.
For example, and once again predictably, some took umbrage to Reverend Joseph Lowry’s color analogy when he gave his remarks at President Obama’s inauguration – you know black stay back, yellow mellow, etc… - but it’s true on many levels.
Earlier I spoke of the mental gymnastics many of color go through when dealing with racial issues/validation as oppose to just constantly fighting the injustices, especially in this now alleged post-racial america. This dichotomy is exactly what Reverend Lowry referenced. In fact, it was also relevant to legendary blues singer Big Bill Broonzy that he wrote a song about it in 1951.
Ironically, on the same date of Mr. Holder’s speech there was further proof when a piece of trash tabloid ran a disgusting cartoon.
There are times when these things hit you right in the gut just when you’re ready to raise the American flag in complete pride in the hopes that all those things that happened in the past were lessons learned.
I am of the firm belief that none of this will change until the accomplishments and histories of all people are taught in every school system in this country starting in elementary school, and not from the colonizers perspective where movies like Mississippi Burning make you think that if it wasn’t for them…
Just recently I stumbled across this website that claims to be progressive and not believe the mainstream point of view on a lot of issues like the true origins of 9-11, illuminati, new world order, etc… and someone raised the question as to why there isn’t equal discussion about African History and civilization.
Well, the amount of negative remarks to this post was startling and troubling from a group that believes everything is a conspiracy, and don’t get me wrong everything should be viewed cynically but why not what we’re told in the mainstream about the true origins of man in relation to Africa?
I’ll leave you with his.
A few years back I went out to do a Black History Month promo and we went to a professional basketball team’s facility to shoot some of them talking about its importance.
These things are well scripted and arranged by the public relations department as they picked a few of their Black players to oblige.
To my surprise one player said that he wasn’t going to do it because he felt that every day is Black History day!
Well, well in the name of John Carlos and Tommie Smith!
Additionally, someone else suggested that instead of having the typical Black athlete or personality laud the accomplishments of his race have someone from another race do it, and so on.
Now that would take courage.
PEACE
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PE TOLD US YEARS AGO…
By Anthony | February 20, 2009
Greetings,
With complete respect to my favorite hip hop group, Public Enemy, I present to you a timeless and priceless work of theirs. This one ranks right up there with Can’t Truss It, Shut Em Down and various others.
This work is quite relevant in light of the recent news and should continue to serve as a reminder that some things just aint worth buying.
Oh how I long for the days of Chuck D, Professor Griff, the S1W’s and even Flavor Flav before he completely lost his mind, got with Brigitte Nielsen and VH-1’s insistence on forcing him down our throat – yet another media problem that continues.
In fact, to avoid glorifying some of Flav’s “act” back then I will just post the necessary lyrics here.
Public Enemy’s A Letter to the New York Post Lyrics, From Apocalypse 91:
Chuck D yeah, you tell em Flav we got to let ‘em know Here’s a letter to the New York Post The worst piece of paper on the east coast Matter of fact the whole state’s forty cents in New York City fifty cents elsewhere It makes no goddamn sense at all America’s oldest continuously published daily piece of bullshitIt always seem they make our neighborhood look bad Here’s a letter to the New York Post Ain’t worth the paper it’s printed on Founded in 1801 by Alexander HamiltonThat is 190 years of continuous fucked up news
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February 11th…
By Anthony | February 11, 2009
Greetings,
One year ago today I made a decision.
After nearly 20 years of working at one place I decided to leave and pursue other goals.
Trust me, it wasn’t as easy as writing those last two lines – even if all 25 words and one number were worked on quite laboriously, which says a lot about how I go about making decisions.
365 days ago I was overcoming a cold and the final days of a self imposed five-week “vacation” to finally decide once and for all whether I could really walk away from a place and an environment I had known for parts of three decades.
In all honesty my work had been done there.
As with anything else there were many great moments and some I wish I could’ve changed my reaction to, but the most important thing I wanted to do was walk away from there without any conflict, and I did.
New management had come in and as I said many times to a few colleagues and to myself it would not be surprising to see them bring in their own people.
Well, it happened and as time went on the writing was clearly on the wall.
The key to all of this for me was that I took my life and my future in my own hands and made a decision based on my interests as oppose to riding out something that my gut was telling me had long ended.
Certainly the drastically deteriorating economy was something that I could not have predicted, but I certainly knew what the outcome would be had I stayed.
Since then this website has been a little bit of what I’ve been up to along with improving my final cut pro editing skills with various other challenging and rewarding projects that have discussed or shown here.
Interestingly enough the last ten days or so have been like walking on eggshells as I, perhaps sadistically, replay some of what I was going through a year ago sans the cold.
On February 7, 2008 I came to grips with the decision. On the ninth I got my haircut – a personal mental sign of change. On the tenth I told friends and family, and so on.
Ironically, a few weeks back I heard from a former colleague who told me that things were looking a little bleak. I could not gloat openly but it was a sense of validation and understanding that my decision was appropriate for me.
What is also far more important, if not reassuring, are some of the experiences I’ve had in the interim.
However, I’m sure I am not alone in hoping my financial bailout or stimulus package arrives pretty soon.
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CHEGUI…
By Anthony | January 29, 2009
Greetings,
Amidst the euphoria and myriad of emotional celebrations some 400 years in the making last week there was another moment stopping event – albeit sad.
On January 19, 2009 Jose “Chegui” Torres left us.
For those not aware Mr. Torres was a true renaissance man.
As a boxer he became the first Latin American to win the Light Heavyweight title in 1965 with a momentously honorable victory over the then champion Willie Paestrano.
The way in which the Ponce, Puerto Rico native captured the title was indeed impressive – a ninth round knockout – but the manner in which he handled that night at the second Madison Square Garden was more powerful than any punch he ever threw.
Back then Latin boxers, or any pugilists of color not from the states, weren’t known to make such demands on the venues or of the managers for the cards they fought on, however on March 30,1965 Jose Torres demanded that his native Puerto Rican national anthem La Borinquena be played before the title bout.
In fact, it had reached a point where there was a possibility that the fight may not go on as the large contingent of Puerto Rican, and various other Latin followers, were all set to raise hell if those in control did not acquiesce to their simple request.
Common sense and simple human respect won that evening, as there was a large roar when the first words of the anthem were heard, and then an even louder call that registered into El Barrio and countless other Latin communities throughout the world for what took place inside the Garden.
Now if that were the only thing Jose Torres would be remembered for that would certainly be laudable, but Chegui’s impact did not stop there.
This is a man who seamlessly walked away from a Hall of Fame boxing career to become a writer – he authored books on Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson, as well as a columnist for the largest and oldest Spanish-language daily newspaper El Diario in New York City where his columns ranged from politics and art/culture.
Torres was a close friend to Robert F. Kennedy and Mario Cuomo as well as noted writers Pete Hamill and the late Norman Mailer.
Yet even amongst these accomplished individuals Chegui never forgot about his people and his relation to them.
He became a friend and ardent supporter of the Young Lords Party that fought for fairness and justice in the city’s Latin areas.
Long after his boxing skills were just a memory the youth of his spirit continued to resonate loudly in opposition to the United States Navy’s military exercises on the island of Vieques. He was arrested for disorderly conduct at the United Nations to bring attention to these bombing practices that were destroying the land mass and killing its inhabitants.
As a young kid he struggled, as many have, with the lack of images of people who looked liked him that were in powerful positions and wondered why – an irony not lost by me in the timing of his death and the historic inauguration one day later.
On a much more personal note I had the pleasure of spending some time with Chegui about five years ago while working on a documentary about him.
It was a pleasure to hang with him and just see how easy going, at peace with himself and funny he could be. I still remember the sound of the coqui (a small frog common to Puerto Rico) he had on his answering service.
His wife Ramona epitomized the perfect partner who he clearly loved, respected and was lifelong friends with.
I enjoyed the time with Jose so much that after we finished the project the crew that I worked with along with Chegui and a few others had a big lunch together to just let him know how much we all cherished the time. This was something I had never done before with a subject, but felt compelled to do so.
It’s funny as I got to know Jose I realized that there are many other people from all walks of life who feel like I do about him.
I’m appreciative that I got to know Chegui, and thank him for the honor in which he lived.
NOTE – Please go to the videos tab to view clips from Jose Torres documentary.
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