On May 27th President Obama released his National Security Strategy, something he has to send to Congress as an incoming President. In it you will see more of a pragmatic approach to Foreign Relations. I for one have been very tough on the President and his slow movement on a number of issues (i.e. Iraqi withdrawal, Pakistani support, Afghan war, Settlement issue in Israel), but this document is very telling.
The President is not gung-ho like our ex-cowboy President Mr. Bush. His middle of the road approach is the only way the US can renew its status as the true leader of the world. Separating ourselves and taking vengeful actions against a people was not the correct course of action as taken by the Bush administration.
As we move into the 2nd half of President Obama's term this strategy and implementation of it will be key in ensuring progress towards peace is made in not only the Middle East, but also the rest of the world. The Korea's are embarking on what could be a very nasty war, and its our time to show the world we can make peace. The Obama administration has much on their plate, but some steps must be completed on the international stage for re-election to be taken seriously by the American public
President Obama has two years to repair our image, our economy, and get re-elected. Under his leadership we're starting to see the benefits of pragmatism, neutrality, and consciousness. Keep moving down the middle President Obama and you'll get to the end of the path in straight line.
Great Article on National Security Strategy:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/27/AR2010052701044.html
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Kobe vs. LeBron
For months now I've been arguing with my boss telling him this is a watered down league with great individual athletes and no real great players. Yes, there's plenty of guys that can put up some GREAT stats during the regular season, but there's right now only 3 or 4 Killers. Guys that will take your heart out, stare at it, chew it, and spit it in your face. Kobe, D-Wade, Pierce, and maybe Duncan. The rest could tear your heart out or could not depends on the night.
The main difference between pretty much everyone else is that when it comes down to leading a team and being the murderer, or consistently losing in the 2nd round of the playoffs is that sense of knowing your ganna make that shot. All the other "great" players (i.e. LeBron, Melo, Roy, Bosh, Johnson, Howard etc...) don't have it. Yet.
That brings me to my point. The difference between Kobe and LeBron is right now Kobe know he's the best player in the league, where as LeBron thinks he's the best player in the league. LeBron is always out on the court thinking about his next step, while Kobe is feeling it out as it comes to him. Kobe knows he can kill at anytime, while LeBron waits to make his own being larger. LeBron watch Kobe he's out to take your heart from start to end, offense to defense. I hate Kobe Bryant, but he's the hardest working player in the league, and LeBron take note he gets to dance at parades not before regular season games.
The main difference between pretty much everyone else is that when it comes down to leading a team and being the murderer, or consistently losing in the 2nd round of the playoffs is that sense of knowing your ganna make that shot. All the other "great" players (i.e. LeBron, Melo, Roy, Bosh, Johnson, Howard etc...) don't have it. Yet.
That brings me to my point. The difference between Kobe and LeBron is right now Kobe know he's the best player in the league, where as LeBron thinks he's the best player in the league. LeBron is always out on the court thinking about his next step, while Kobe is feeling it out as it comes to him. Kobe knows he can kill at anytime, while LeBron waits to make his own being larger. LeBron watch Kobe he's out to take your heart from start to end, offense to defense. I hate Kobe Bryant, but he's the hardest working player in the league, and LeBron take note he gets to dance at parades not before regular season games.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Too Good To Be True
Today was an amazing day for the San Francsisco 49ers and their newly formed front office staff. They've had an amazing off-season on paper, picked up two O-Lineman in the draft, a young outside pass rusher to help the committee, a real prospect at QB (Brown from WVU) and a punt returner / 3rd WR.
But today the stamp for the 2010 season was made, they signed Patrick Willis, who is by far the best player and also the leader of the 49ers. Not only did they sign him BEFORE his prime, they locked him through his prime. The best years for Middle LB typically occur during his late 20s (2016 takes him into 30).
I've been dreading having the Willis contract situation come up because frankly I thought he was going to be the highest paid defensive player in the league...thank the lord was I wrong, its more proof that Willis is now the face of the franchise he took what looks like less money because he wanted to win with the 49ers.
Bravo to the 49ers front office for on paper having one of the best off-seasons in recent memory (actually in the last decade plus), now let's see if the players and coaches can produce what should be a huge move in the right direction this season. Somehow its all too good to be true, please I hope I'm wrong again...
But today the stamp for the 2010 season was made, they signed Patrick Willis, who is by far the best player and also the leader of the 49ers. Not only did they sign him BEFORE his prime, they locked him through his prime. The best years for Middle LB typically occur during his late 20s (2016 takes him into 30).
I've been dreading having the Willis contract situation come up because frankly I thought he was going to be the highest paid defensive player in the league...thank the lord was I wrong, its more proof that Willis is now the face of the franchise he took what looks like less money because he wanted to win with the 49ers.
Bravo to the 49ers front office for on paper having one of the best off-seasons in recent memory (actually in the last decade plus), now let's see if the players and coaches can produce what should be a huge move in the right direction this season. Somehow its all too good to be true, please I hope I'm wrong again...
Monday, April 26, 2010
Goldsach Bags
I've always looked at Goldman Sachs as a standard barrier for investment banks, they always set the trend in the market, always attract the best and brightest, and make a gang load of money doing what they do. Now there's a lot of scrutiny on what they did right before, during, and after the mortgage crisis / recession.
A few thoughts on this...how can they be penalized for playing within the rules, rules setup by the same politicians that are now investigating them for being "shady"...its tough to blame Goldman Sachs for doing what they did logically how can they best represent their clients while taking a huge loss of profit, thus lowering their stock price. How can we ask a bank to have clients who they represent and at the same time allow individuals to own equity in their corporation??? Really who's best interest are they supposed to have the clients that help fund their bank or the investors that help pay their checks...
Morally what Goldman did was frankly despicable, but from a business perspective they bet against earlier mistakes (toxic debt they accumulated), increased EPS (earning per share), and got paid with fatty bonuses! They did exactly what any well run corporation would do, made money for their investors and cut their losses before they got too deep. How can we ask them to do any different?
I hope they don't get penalized and I hope the politicians in DC realize our system needs an overhaul...right now it just looks like DC is covering their own tracks in the court of public opinion by making somebody besides themselves the scapegoat. I'm sure we'll see more of this as we approach November (Mid-Term election)...god I love to hate politics.
A few thoughts on this...how can they be penalized for playing within the rules, rules setup by the same politicians that are now investigating them for being "shady"...its tough to blame Goldman Sachs for doing what they did logically how can they best represent their clients while taking a huge loss of profit, thus lowering their stock price. How can we ask a bank to have clients who they represent and at the same time allow individuals to own equity in their corporation??? Really who's best interest are they supposed to have the clients that help fund their bank or the investors that help pay their checks...
Morally what Goldman did was frankly despicable, but from a business perspective they bet against earlier mistakes (toxic debt they accumulated), increased EPS (earning per share), and got paid with fatty bonuses! They did exactly what any well run corporation would do, made money for their investors and cut their losses before they got too deep. How can we ask them to do any different?
I hope they don't get penalized and I hope the politicians in DC realize our system needs an overhaul...right now it just looks like DC is covering their own tracks in the court of public opinion by making somebody besides themselves the scapegoat. I'm sure we'll see more of this as we approach November (Mid-Term election)...god I love to hate politics.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Will the Real Obama Policy Please Stand Up
Over the past few months there's been so much done to fix the problems at home we haven't really seen the Obama administration do what they promised. Clean up America's image with the rest of the world. Considering we have a "dream team" of foreign policy experts scattered amongst the Obama cabinet (ex. VP Biden, Sec. of State Clinton, Cheif of Staff Emanuel) we haven't seen them do much or frankly say much (unless you count Biden cursing every time he gets a chance...one other thought amazing how you go from such a power VP to such a wimp).
Iraq is a mess, Afghanistan is a mess, Pakistan is a mess, oh and the Israeli's have completely slapped Clinton and Biden in the face every time they speak up against the new settlements proposed in the middle of Jerusalem (which by the way will either give them all the good land in Jerusalem or lead to nothing but more control for the Israeli's). I've been reading some articles on how important peace in Israel is and more importantly the renewed focus on establishing a Palestinian state...yet no movement. The Israeli's don't care what the US says and are putting settlements into play so they can as usual dictate the peace process (if you consider talking about it in the media a peace process).
President Obama has a lot on his plate, yes, but frankly so does every President that's why you surround yourself with strong tough minded experienced politicians that will help lay the groundwork for your policy. Yes its been a short time, yes the economy is in the tanks, etc etc...however we over the past 10 years have screwed so many things up we need to start repairing them. If we correct one simple problem (a two fair state solution in Israel) this will help calm down much of the tension around the Muslim world.
Now that the economy is rebounding its time for the Obama administration to step up and push their foreign policy. Step 1 let the Israel's know that the Jewish lobby in the US won't dictate US Foreign Policy but the best interest of the United States will and right now an apartheid free Palestinian state is the solution. President Obama stop giving us speeches and start giving us results.
Iraq is a mess, Afghanistan is a mess, Pakistan is a mess, oh and the Israeli's have completely slapped Clinton and Biden in the face every time they speak up against the new settlements proposed in the middle of Jerusalem (which by the way will either give them all the good land in Jerusalem or lead to nothing but more control for the Israeli's). I've been reading some articles on how important peace in Israel is and more importantly the renewed focus on establishing a Palestinian state...yet no movement. The Israeli's don't care what the US says and are putting settlements into play so they can as usual dictate the peace process (if you consider talking about it in the media a peace process).
President Obama has a lot on his plate, yes, but frankly so does every President that's why you surround yourself with strong tough minded experienced politicians that will help lay the groundwork for your policy. Yes its been a short time, yes the economy is in the tanks, etc etc...however we over the past 10 years have screwed so many things up we need to start repairing them. If we correct one simple problem (a two fair state solution in Israel) this will help calm down much of the tension around the Muslim world.
Now that the economy is rebounding its time for the Obama administration to step up and push their foreign policy. Step 1 let the Israel's know that the Jewish lobby in the US won't dictate US Foreign Policy but the best interest of the United States will and right now an apartheid free Palestinian state is the solution. President Obama stop giving us speeches and start giving us results.
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