Two-State Solution On The Horizon?

Could this mark the beginning of the road towards the two-state solution? To be fair, I’m probably getting ahead of myself, and knowing just how tense relations are, it is not the sort of problem that’s going to resolve itself overnight, nor did I mean to suggest that. However, any discourse between the two parties is to be encouraged, and certainly makes a welcome change from the use of force. If the long-standing conflict is to ever be resolved, it will be with words, not bullets.

Five Years To Greatest Farce on Earth

The countdown is on. This time in five years London will host the worst Olympics in history. You don’t believe me? Well just think, Gordon Brown (or Gordo as one friend likes to refer to him. Not affectionately, I might add), Ken Livingston and of course Lord Coe. Don’t you think they make a mighty fine modern version of the Three Stooges? Just in case I get accused of bias, although two of those names are Labour, one is Conservative. And all three are idiots.

Submission Sunday – The Culture Of More

Submission Sunday is back! Yes, someone actually wanted to submit something. Strange, I know. Anyway, this week’s submission comes from the artist (not) formerly known as Pribek, singer, songwriter, guitarist, blogger extraordinaire, oh, and he’s the real Superman. Ok ok, I lied about the last bit, but the rest is true, honest! If you like what you see (and I’m sure you will) check him out at http://pribek.net/.

The Culture Of More

The three major sports leagues (the N.F.L., Major League Baseball, and the N.B.A.) are flush with controversy.

Michael Vick’s alleged involvement in the world of dog-fighting, Barry Bonds chasing Hank Aaron’s home run record amid even more allegations of steroid use, and N.B.A. referee Tim Donaghy’s point shaving scandal are all signs of the times. They are part of the culture of wanting more.

Obviously, I can only speculate on any of these individuals’ motives. However, it is clear that they wanted something more out of life, be it excitement, respect, recognition, or money, than what they had.

Why would Michael Vick, 26-year-old who has made millions as a player and from endorsements, immerse himself in a seedy, underground, barbaric environment fueled by high stakes gambling? What is so lacking in his life?

Why would Barry Bonds, who was already on track to be a first ballot hall of famer, even consider tarnishing his legacy?

For some reason they wanted more. Wanting more is nothing more than greed. Greed can be the most powerful emotion.

If you want to manipulate somebody, appeal to their greed. Bonds and Vick are examples of how greed, wanting more, is not always about money. Both have surrounded themselves with parasites who have manipulated them on some level by appealing to that greed. They have been manipulated but, at the end of the day, they are victims of only themselves.

Tim Donaghy is breathing different air than those two. Even though he was making close to $300,000 a year for, what amounts to a part time job, he was after the money. Reportedly, he had large gambling debts. It is also being reported that he was involved in the fixing of N.B.A. games and that these activities were tied to mobsters.

David Stern, the commissioner of the N.B.A. has said that this is an “isolated” case and called Donaghy a “rogue”. The media is covering the Donaghy case extensively but, I think, playing down the implications.

Which X-Man Are You?

Don’t deny it, you’ve always wondered, haven’t you? Now you can find out.

Wolverine Congratulations! You scored 92!

Yikes!! You’re the bad-ass Canadian, who carries the I-don’t-give-a-damn attitude and is never seen outside a fight. Fighting and smashing is your life but however you are a very honourable person.And you’re probably very sexy, too. You delight in annoying the hell out of jockstraps like Cyclops and stealing girlfriends. Maybe you should tone down the fighting and smashing bit, though. Not everyone’s out to get you.

This test tracked 1 variable. How the score compared to the other people’s:

Higher than 95% on xmenpoints

Link: The Which X-man are YOU Test written by hippies_rule on Ok Cupid

Lucky India

First they escape with a very fortunate draw in the first test a match they would easily have lost, had the umpires remained consistent. The light they offered on the final day was no worse than the light that England batted in during the final session of the first day, a session that crucially saw England’s captain fall to RP Singh when looking set for a hundred, and Collingwood dismissed by Kumble for his first ever duck in Test cricket. It possibly changed the match.

And then, not only do they win the toss on favourable conditions, but they got at least two poor decisions in their favour. Firstly Pietersen was adjudged LBW to a ball that hit him on the knee roll. On most batsmen the knee roll is already debatable (although it was the back foot…), on a man of Pietersen’s height, it’s simply not out. Hawk-Eye suggested it might have made the tiniest contact with the bails on the way through, but if it is that close with technology, the umpire cannot possibly be certain in real-time, and benefit of the doubt should go the batsmen. I have to say, the standard of the umpiring has been woeful in this series, stark contrast to the Windies series where it was excellent.

As if to prove this point, for the second time in three innings Alistair Cook was unlucky to be LBW to Ganguly when the ball looked to be missing the stumps, although I have to give credit to the Indian batsman (dare I say all-rounder?) who bowled quite superbly. To be fair, the entire Indian outfit did bowl pretty well, Zaheer Kahn in particular, who was much improved on his abysmal Lords performance. Could be an interesting four days in prospect.