Thursday, October 05, 2006

...and new Undisputed Featherweight Champion!

About, two months ago I was diagnosed with cancer. Now, two months, one surgery, numerous chemotherapy and radiation treatments later, I have achieved my ideal weight of 122 lbs. I can go to the boxing world, and challenge Marco Antonio Barrera at 126 lbs. for the world featherweight title. I’ve always known I can beat Barrera, it was only a matter of making weight. Now I have achieved my goal, thanks to a lack of appetite and pain while eating. With my superior height advantage and longer reach, Barrera will find it difficult, nigh on impossible, to get inside and throw his trademark left hook. Any boxing analyst can see that this is a complete mismatch. I figure, after feeding Barrera a steady diet of jabs, I can begin to talk smack, you know, get in his head. That’s when I expect him to take desperate gambles, swinging wildly. That’s when I plan to put him away. I can’t say what exact punch combination it will be, perhaps a left jab followed by a vicious right uppercut, but it will be deadly. Adios muchachos.

Some may argue that Barrera, being a seasoned professional, with over 60 professional bouts and victories over numerous world champions, would be the favorite over myself, who has never had a professional bout or a serious sandlot fight after school in first through twelfth grades. They are, of course, overlooking the total lack of preparation this gives Barrera for my completely unorthodox style. Naturally, since I usually weigh more, I will have a large strength advantage. It is only a matter of time now before I am the undisputed 9 stone, 126 pound, featherweight champion of the world. Mark it down as a given.

Wednesday, October 04, 2006

Daniel Ellsberg calls for leaking of Information

Daniel Ellsberg has a disturbing article in this month’s Harper’s. He is the man that leaked the Pentagon Papers in 1971. In the article, he claims partial responsibility for the war in Vietnam and the deaths of the 50,000 soldiers that would come with the escalation in the war. He knew, and had possesion of documents in 1964, that indicated that the Johnson administration was lying about its plans to expand the war in Vietnam. In fact, it had every intention of expanding the war, and said publicly that it did not. Additionally, as is well known now, the Gulf of Tonkin incident was a fabrication. Also something Ellsburg was aware of, but unable to tell the American public because such information was classified.

Now, he says based on contacts in the State and Defense departments, that the Bush administration is making operational plans for air strikes and tactical nuclear strikes against Iran. He says that just as he failed in his moral duty in 1964, that conscientious members of the current administration must come forward and make the American public aware of these plans.

Fat chance. When Ellsberg leaked the Pentagon Papers he was charged with 115 felony counts, largely for leaking classified information. I doubt there’s anyone who is going to destroy their professional career, even for the greater good. Time will now tell if Ellsburg’s warnings are legitimate.