The RB-Factor

If the New Orleans Saints are going to the win the Super Bowl tonight, they will need to feature Reggie Bush quite eminently.  His game-breaking skills, speed, and knack for the endzone will be critical if they want to pull off the upset.  The Saints can put up plenty of points but if they want to win, they need a special performance from Reggie.  It gets down to how many touches he gets.  Quite often, not enough.  Relying on Pierre Thomas and Mike Bell is not bringing home a Lombardi Trophy vs the Indianapolis Colts.  The more touches he gets, the more likey they are to win.  This is what I think it will take today:

Touches                        % Chance to win
    <5                                           0
    5-10                                       25
    10-15                                     33
    >15                                        50

Put it this way, if the Saints win there is a very high likelihood that Bush will be the MVP.  The prediction here is still with Peyton Manning and his troops:  Colts 37, Saints 31

Dancing With the Stars

It's been a hit or miss Super Bowl week in Miami for Dancing With the Stars contestants/ex-NFL superstars.

Michael Irvin - civil charges filed for prior incident of sexual assault, to which Irvin is countersuing.  ESPN Radio summarily dumped him from his show.  When similar charges were filed previously against Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, ESPN chose not to report it because they are "among the most serious and damaging charges you can make".  What's up with the double standard?

Jerry Rice - selected for the NFL Hall of Fame Class of 2010.  NFL's all-time leading receiver.

Warren Sapp - arrested for domestic battery at the Shore Club hotel in South Beach.  He's been blacked out for television coverage on the NFL Network for the Super Bowl.

Emmitt Smith - selected for the NFL Hall of Fame Class of 2010.  NFL's all-time leading rusher.

It's been really great or really horrible.  But as always it's eventful, Miami-style.

iPhone 4.0

Rumors about a new iPhone are swirling, with an anticipated launch date in June or July 2010.  Apple recently dropped word on the iPad, but what the people on the street are really clamoring for is the next generation iPhone.  Here is our wishlist:

1. Multi-tasking - There is no reason for this not to exist in 2010.  This is a must have and a lock.
2. Verizon - AT&T isn't as bad as the press it gets, but simply put Verizon has a much larger broadband network.  Apple, give the public a choice.
3. 4G - No point in not dreaming.  This is a wishlist after all.  It would catapult iPhone into the next stratosphere.
4. Improved battery life - We know, it's the display not the processor.  But it should be able to handle a day's worth of aggressive usage without having to worry about a dead battery when you are out at night.
5. OLED screen - It only makes sense.  Bring it.
6. Upgraded camera - Increase the megapixels and get a flash.  For real.
7. Rubberized back option - Better grippage never hurts. 
8. Google navigation - There must be a deal that can be brokered between Mountain View and Cupertino.  After seeing this on the Droid, it is a "must have."  Pay the dollars and make it happen.
9. Flash support - OK just tossed this in there but we don't expect this to happen at all given Jobs's disdain for the folks at Adobe.  Didn't he say they were lazy?
10. Video conferencing - Do you really want to go there?

Give me a few of these and I'll be dumping my Crackberry this summer.

Most Dangerous Cities in the World

5. Cape Town, South Africa (62 homicides/100,000 residents)

Almost 20% are unemployed in this beautiful coastal city of 3.5 million people.  Despite the high murder rate, it remains the top international tourist destination in South Africa.  It's the city to visit for the FIFA World Cup 2010, hosting 6 1st round matches, 1 2nd round match, 1 quarterfinal, and one 1 semifinal.  Goal, goal, goal.  

4. New Orleans, United States (95 homicides/100,000 residents)

If Hurricane Katrina didn't kill you, maybe a bullet will.  Watch your back when you stroll down the French Quarter.  Drew Brees and Reggie Bush may either decrease or increase this number of the 1.17 million citizens based upon their performance this Sunday in Miami.  No pressure there.

3. Caracas, Venezuela (130 homicides, 100,000 residents) 

Poverty, police abuse, and militias are rampant in metro Caracas which has 4.95 million residents.  This shouldn't dissuade you however, from visiting the home of Simon Bolivar, and former MLB slugger Andres Galarraga.  Good times.   

2. Ciudad Juarez (130 homicides/100,000 residents)
Kidnapping, drug cartels and murder (see also, Caracas) are all within reach by simply crossing the river south from El Paso.  It's the most fun you will ever have for a taco run.  Do it.
[Estimated population 1.5 million]

1. Mogadishu, Somalia (No available data)
Indisputably, the most dangerous city in the world. Nobody really knows how many people exactly live there, but it is estimated at 2.86 million. If you decide to go there, then you might want to consider these tips.  It's the destination of choice for the true adventure traveler.  Despite a lack of central government and overriding anarchy, Mogadishu is home to some of the better universities in Africa.  Semester abroad?

[Rankings from opentravel.com]

Too Much for Saudi

Pakistani diplomat, Akbar Zib has been rejected by Saudi officials as Ambassador to Saudi Arabia.  The reason?  His name translates to "Biggest Dick" in Arabic.  The Salem-News of Oregon reports:

"Akbar Zib is no newcomer to politics, in fact you could say he's a pretty big deal. This long-ranging high level diplomat has worked with some of the largest members of world governments, players charged with negotiating the outcome of the world's current events."


The Pakistanis must have seen this one coming, as he has been previously rejected to similar posts in Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates.  It remains unclear if the Saudis were offended by the term or if he made them feel insecure.  Rumors in Pakistan of his imminent appointment as Ambassador to India are unconfirmed.

An Orthopedic Success Story

This man has two hip replacements.  And he can get down better than you.  His pelvis x-ray probably looks a little something like this:

And he moves like this:

White Picket Fences

Corporate thievery is at an all-time high in the United States. In 2009, AIG was awarded up to and probably well over $170 billion in federal bailout (ie taxpayer) money. Quite quickly, $165 million was earmarked for executive bonuses--a nice little pat on the back for the thugs that drove that company into bankruptcy. Sadly, AIG was but one of hundreds of companies that were rewarded for failure. Who said cheaters never propser?

Rims, etc.

Chris Rock breaks down the difference between being wealthy and rich:

Tribute to Howard Zinn

Legacy of Terror

It's been over a year since Obama has been in office. Accomplishments:

Continued occupation of Iraq?

Check.

Expansion of war in Afghanistan?

Check.

Ramping up drone attacks since the Bush Era?

Check.

Continued policy of rendition?

Check.

Failing to close Guantanamo?

Check.

Quoting the late, great Howard Zinn: “I think people are dazzled by Obama’s rhetoric, and that people ought to begin to understand that Obama is going to be a mediocre president — which means, in our time, a dangerous president — unless there is some national movement to push him in a better direction.”

Usain Bolt 9.58

BERLIN - Usain Bolt, of Jamaica, smashes his own world record in the 100M. Simply the best.

HD Video

[Please click above link. Embedding of video has been disabled by Youtube]

Dahlback Spins the Pyramid

John Dahlback - Pyramid

True Knowledge

"The knowledge of anything, since all things have causes, is not acquired or complete unless it is known by its causes. "

--Ibn Sīnā

Infuse Your iPod

Barry Jay - Infused

Drone Count: Midsummer Edition 2009

Drone attacks continue to escalate in number and severity since our last report under the auspices of Barack Hussein Obama. Here are the documented incidents of blood spill in Pakistan via unmanned US aircraft:

Apr 1 2009 - US drone attack kills at least 12 and wounds many more in the Orakzai Agency. The huge blast caused panic among local residents and was the first in this particular region.

Apr 4 2009 -Air strike kills 13 in North Waziristan, prior to the arrival of US Special Envoy Richard Holbrooke to Pakistan. The attack took place in Data Khel in Miranshah.

Apr 8 2009 - Predator drones fire 2 missiles and kill 4 in Gangi Khel area, near Wana. A vehicle was struck.

Apr 19 2009 - At least 8 people killed in Gangi Khel by a US missile strike. Drones hovering in the air "unleashed fears" of local residents upon sighting them. Sources indicate that all were civilians, primarily women and children.

Apr 29 2009 - Drones kill at least 10 and wound 4 in South Waziristan. .

May 9 2009 - Likely 25 killed in Sararogha via 4 missiles from aerial drones.

May 12 2009 - In the village of Sara Khwara, 8 are killed. It is the second such attack in the region over the past 3 days.

May 16 2009 - In Khaisur village of the Mirali subdivision of North Waziristan, 40 people are killed. Reports of a destroyed school as well.

Jun 14 2009 - Predator drone attack on a vehicle near the Ladha region in South Waziristan kills 5.

Jun 18 2009 - Remotely piloted aircraft fired four missiles into a compound in the village of Raghzai, near Wana, the capital of South Waziristan. 13 were killed. Initially a missile killed only 1 person, but subsequently rescue workers were massacred by assault from the skies.

Jun 23 2009 - First attack on the day by Predator drone in South Waziristan kills 17.

Jun 23 2009 - After killing 17 earlier in the day, drones attacked a funeral procession taking the death toll over 80 for the day. The controversial tactic of attacking rescue workers and funeral prayers continues and casualties continue to mount. The 2 separate attacks took place in South Waziristan.

Jul 3 2009 - In the Kokatkhel village of Sarokai area, several were injured and 13 deceased by drone attack. Another missile was fired in the Mantoi area, although there were no casualties reported in that area.

Jul 4 2009 - Obama enjoys a barbecue at the White House.

Jul 7 2009 - Predator drones kill 17 in the Zangra village of the Ladha region.

Jul 8 2009 - A swarm of Predators fired at least six missiles in Karwan Manza early in the morning. Eight were killed during the airstrike, according to reports.

Jul 8 2009 - A vehicle convoy was attacked in South Waziristan killing 40, taking the death toll for the day up to 50. The attack was on the main road between Ladha and Sararogha. The number of casualties up to the time of publication continues to mount.

The 17 attacks in this update have resulted in 306 deaths. Please note that these numbers are likely underestimated given the methodology of reporting in the region. Since the beginning of the Obama Administration this gives a grand total of:

1) At least 25 Predator drone attacks

2) At least 440 people killed--numerous civilians, women and children inclusive

3) At least 1 White House barbecue

Jeremy Scahill Speaks the Truth

Jeremy Scahill is an American journalist and author of the international best-seller Blackwater: The Rise of the World's Most Powerful Mercenary Army. Needless to say, he is one of the few in the American media who knows the truth and is not afraid to speak it. You probably won't see him on mainstream TV, but here he is--telling it like it is, on Real Time With Bill Maher.

The Difference Between Sharpton and Obama

Al Sharpton delivered an excellent speech at Michael Jackson's Memorial today at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA. Reinforcing the concept of innocent until proven guilty, he had this to say to MJ's children: "There was nothing strange about your daddy. It was strange what your daddy had to deal with, but he dealt with it."

"It was that comfort level that kids from Japan and Ghana and France and Iowa and Pennsylvania got comfortable enough with each other so later it wasn't strange to us to watch Oprah on television,” the reverend continued. “Those young kids grew up from being teenage comfortable fans of Michael to being 40 years old and being comfortable to vote for a person of color to be the president of the United States of America.”

Jackson did indeed help break down the barriers for the election of an Obama. Here's what the good President had to say after acknowledging the influence of the King of Pop: "You know, his extraordinary talent and his music was matched with a big dose of tragedy and difficulty in his private life and I don't think we can ignore that." On the day people worldwide were eulogizing Michael Jackson, Obama had to play politician and didn't fail to take a [unsubstantiated] jab. It was undoubtedly a game of political posturing. Stay classy, Barack Obama.

Love him or hate him, Al Sharpton is a true civil rights leader and believes in some semblance of justice for the oppressed and maligned. Barack Obama, is simply a pure politician who doesn't stand for much. And herein, lies the difference.

The Moonwalk

Jermaine Jackson on the Today Show

7/2/09 - From the Neverland Ranch in Los Olivos, CA

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

US Muslim Leaders Ready to Claim Jackson As One of Their Own

The rumors swirling around Michael Jackson's funerals continue. The latest news has a public ceremony in Neverland on Friday, followed by a likely private burial ceremony on Sunday--the site to be determined. The religion of Jackson at his death remains in question, although there are some indications that he may receive a Muslim funeral.

Eminent Muslim leaders are eager to welcome the King of Pop among their ranks. Here are some statements from well-known American Muslim leaders.

Shaykh Hamza Yusuf of the Zaytuna Institute:

"Given Michael’s reported conversion to Islam last year, Muslims count him as one of our own, and we pray that he can finally find the peace he never found in this world and that he is in a place, God willing, of mercy, forgiveness, and solace." [Full statement]

Siraj Wahhaj of of the Muslim Alliance in North America:

[Regarding the funeral services of Michael Jackson]

“Even if I stand in the back, I want to be there”. [Link]

Imam Johari Abdul Malik of Dar Al Hijrah Islamic Center:

"I pray that Allah will have mercy on his soul and grant the family some privacy as they make the plans for a Muslim funeral...I pray that Muslims will respond to this loss our brother in every loving way possible." [Full statement]

Imam Zaid Shakir of the Zaytuna Institute:

"Now Michael is gone. Hopefully, he had found peace in Islam. Hopefully, the tears he cried in the privacy of his oftentimes lonely world, tears described by Smokey Robinson as those of a clown, shed when no one’s around, had dried." [Full statement]

.

Shaykh Yasir Qadhi, prolific author and Islamic teacher at Yale University:

"I gave a khutbah at a masjid yesterday, the second half of which was dedicated to the passing away of Michael Jackson." [Full statement]