Statists vs. Michael Vick

Listening to this nitwit Monte on ESPN Sports Radio fills me with disgust. His program today is devoted to sanctimonious moralizing about the evil that Vick did and how he is not sufficiently contrite to warrant admission back in the NFL. Apparently, Monte feels that an additional one year NFL suspension, on top of the 2 year suspension Vick has already endured during trial and incarceration, might just be enough to satisfy his bloodlust. Why is this issue so important to Monte and many of his sychophant callers? If Vick has paid his price legally, should he not be allowed to resume a career? To Monte and his illogical band of followers, Vick's apologies appear 'insincere' so they want NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to throw the book at him for the crime of 'insufficient groveling'. Who are these moralizers who would deny a man a right to resume his craft after he has paid his debt to society? I understand that the NFL wants to maintain a high standard of personal conduct. Nothing wrong with that - but as long as Goodell is satisfied with the way Vick has conducted himself in personal meetings before, during and after his incarceration - then why isn't that good enough for the busybodies who are still angry at Vick for being a 'bad' guy? I'm certainly not apologizing for Vick or his actions, but he's already paid a great price in loss of income, loss of freedom and loss of status and respect. That's good enough for me. Now go play some football Michael Vick.

Words unsaid about Steve McNair

Amid all the praise of Steve McNair after his tragic death it is easy to lose sight of certain realities about his life. He is described as a a great warrior for his exploits on the football field, and undoubtedly there is some truth to that. He certainly could 'take a hit' and come back for more with the best of them. However - like many athletes possessing of great natural gifts he squandered his opportunities to take full advantage of those gifts. His natural talent took him far, but his personal failings prevented him from reaching his full potential. It isn't just that he was tempted, as so many athletes with great wealth and status are, to seek companionship from a myriad of beautiful young women. It is the preoccupation with the night life, drink and drugs that accompanied everything else that brought him down. Truth be known, McNair clearly succumbed to the deleterious effects of money after he signed his last big contract with the Ravens in 2006 (12 mil guaranteed). Oh sure - he had something to prove to the Titans in 2006 after they let him go. He had a reasonably decent year in helping guide the Ravens to the playoffs. However - his arm was essentially shot then - at age 33 - an awfully young age to have a shot arm. His true colors showed through in 2007 when he reported to camp overweight and out of shape. It didn't help matters that he was arrested for drunk driving during the offseason. I believe it was obvious to most observers that McNair didn't put in the time necessary to be football ready for the season. The results were predicatable. Poor performance and injury dogged him throughout the year - his last as a professional athlete. But at least he did get that last 12 million. McNair didn't give his best in that last contract, and in light of the events that followed, his personal demons helped to derail what could have been a Hall of Fame career. Sure - he did some notably excellent things as a player. But it could have, and should have, been so much more. Bottom line is, McNair was lackadaisacal, especially near the end of his career. His personal demons overtook his competitive desires on the football field. For that, he should be justly criticized.

The road

It's hard to describe the myriad of feelings that envelop me during a good bike ride on the country roads near my home. The healthful benefits of pedaling the rolling hills, the soft wind on my face and the sun that splashes over me provide a feeling of peace, tranquility of thought and offer a wonderful escape from the stresses of everyday life. My senses come alive, and it is during these times that I am most spiritual. It is a shame that many of us have become so locked in our insular world that we neglect the most important things. We go from the air conditioned comfort of our SUV's to perform the desk jockey work in our ergonomically designed chairs in the air conditioned comfort of our offices underneath the hideous flourescent lights. We come home to cut the grass of our quarter acre lot on a riding mower because that's so much more comfortable than actually walking. Then we retreat inside to our lazy chair where the lobotomy box (borrowing that term from one of my favorite writers - Fred Reed) can keep us company for the rest of the evening.
The moral, intellectual and spiritual vacuity that has overwhelmed so much of our world will serve as a platform for commentary on this blog. I'll also comment on life issues and sprinkle in healthy dose of sports as well. The title of the blog - '30 speeds of freedom' refers to one of my main loves - bike riding. My bike has 30 speeds, and when I'm on it, I feel free. I'm an ardent libertarian conservative and I believe bike riding is a metaphor for my political philosophy which is: freedom trumps everything else. That one word - freedom - resonates within all of us - and is THE bridge that can overcome the left/right political divide. When we get past the superficial labels we should see that freedom is our bond. Let it ring.