continuation of the previous post

I have had a day to sit and think about the story about Cuba not being able to play in the WBC and I have come to the conclusion that countries which are schedueled to participate in this tounament should boycot until Cuba is allowed to play. Last night on Pardon the Interuption (ESPN, 5:30et/4:30ct PM) Tony Kornheiser and Mike Wilbon (the hosts) pointed out that in 1996, when the olympics were held in Atlanta, the Cuban olympic baseball team won the gold medal. Now, Tony and Mike did not come right out and say it, but they eluded to the fact that maybe the decision by the US to ban Cuba is not politically motivated, but is motivated sportswise (I guess you could say) in that the US does not want Cuba to play because they could win the WBC. It was an interesting thought, but I still stand by the fact that Bush and his cronies don't want a baseball team from a communist country to participate in the WBC.

If anything, the US should encourage the Cuban team to play. Why? Because it could lead to defections to the United States and could improve the players in the MLB. A bonus for the United States showing the people of Cuba what a "great" country this is and this could lead to a great talent pool for major league baseball, which is something that I think MLB needs. Because of the number of teams in the league, the teams are not as talented because the more talented players are spread out throughout the league. If we had players from Cuba and other countries come to the United Sates and stay and join a major league could improve the game immensly.

Let em play....

Alright, so coming up here pretty soon (okay, in March) there is going to be a baseball competition between the United States and a bunch of other countries like Venezuela, Mexico, Japan, China, Puerto Rico, Canada, etc. called the World Baseball Classic. Something new and cool. Basically, think of it as the World Cup, but on a baseball field. Sounds like a good thing for everyone who loves baseball, you can see how good other country's players are. If I were a betting man, I would put money on Venezuela.

However, there is a slight problem. The United States, who is hosting the event, has banned the Cuban team from participating. Why? Because they are a communist country. Oh dear, maybe it's just me, but I thought the Cold War ended close to twenty years ago. This is a game of baseball, not a political rally where Fidel Castro would show up and try to convince other countries to join Cuba and North Korea and convince them that communism works. The world has realized that this political idea does not work, so what is the problem? Some people point to the embargo that the United States has on Cuba. If we can't buy their cigars, why should we allow their players to come onto American soil to play the game that they love? Cuban players are already in the MLB so what is the problem? The United States is not held in high regards in the worlds eyes (in case you didn't notice) and to ban baseball players from playing a game that they love, grew up playing and loving, just because they come from Cuba is just plain stupid. The government can play world policemen all they want when it comes to terrorism and shit like that, but to ban a country from playing baseball (once again, it is called the WORLD baseball classic) is moronic. Hang your head in shame American government, hang your head in shame.

definitly real snow now!

Yes, yes there is snow on the ground now. And not just (oh, Hey You by Pink Floyd just came on the radio) a few skiffs like before. There is actually about 2 inches on the ground. Two inches! Very, very exciting. It finally feels like December down here. I can't stand it...I don't know what to do. A great story:
So Andrea and I went to Bennigans for dinner last night around 6:30. It was snowing just a little bit, nothing to severe, like I said a couple of inches on the ground. At any rate, as we are leaving, we see that they posted a sign on the front door stating: Due to bad weather, we are closing at 8:00 tonight. Sorry for any inconvience. HA!!! We got a huge kick out of that because they aren't use to getting weather like this this early into winter. You know, back in the day when I was in high school, we'd get two inches of snow and what would happen? Jack shit. People down here are weak.
Another great story:
A woman that Andrea works with by the name of Chris asked her yesterday if she (Andrea) got this kind of bad weather where she use to live. Andrea's response: What bad weather?
I just love being down here for the shock factor people have about what little snow we now do have. On a sadder note, it might not be here by the start of next week. :o( It is suppose to be in the 40s and rainy this weekend. Too bad, so sad.


A sight I will forever miss no matter where I live. Sunset on Brevort Lake in Moran, MI. A great place where great times have been had by many in the past and will surely be had in the future.

SNOW!

I woke up this morning and looked out the window, and what do I see? Green grass, a whole lot of green grass, but with snow! Okay, so by snow I mean barely enough to make a snowball, using all that fell over night! But still, you are missing the point, this is the first snow fall of the year in Wichita, which is really depressing because when I talked to my family, they got hit with a snow storm in the Soo, which is one thing that I really miss. Its damn near December and you can still see the grass down here. Three hours north of here runs I-70 running east-west into Colorado and a part of that interstate was closed last night because of snow, why couldnt that happen here? Stupid warm weather....grrr.
A month from now it won't matter because I'll be home in Michigan where there will be foot upon foot of snow and I'll be thrilled.

the day before Thanksgiving

This year is the first year that I will not be spending Thanksgiving with my family. At first thought, one might say, oh that's too bad, or oh I'm sorry, etc. etc. However, I would like to take a quick moment to tell you all it sucks to be all of you that are spending time with your families. You have to get dressed, I can stay in my pajamas if I want, you all get turkey, I get steak (yeah, STEAK!), You have to travel, I have to travel to my couch and watch the Lions play Atlanta (which is great because I haven't been able to watch much Lions football this year, please refrain from any comments, I will always be a Detroit sports fan (Lions, Tigers, Wings, and Pistons) even down here in Kansas).
That is all, and don't forget to thank your local Native American for saving the white man from starving that first year (What a mistake that was. :o)) Enjoy your time with your families and eating your turkey...I'll be on the couch with my steak.