Red Pill or Blue Pill?

These days it's hard to tell what is really going on with the War in Afghanistan. One day you hear the violence is decreasing, there are negotiation talks with the Taliban, and more and more of the country's 34 provinces are transitioning control from NATO over to Afghan military forces. Then the next day you find out there was an assassination of a peace negotiator. So are relations in the country improving at all or just continuing on the same rotten path? 

The methodology of working-out deals with terrorists (in this case the Taliban) has never been a completely dependable plan to maintain trust and peace. There are some former members of the terrorist group who have left behind the lifestyle, and there are other members who stay active, but pretend to be a regular citizen and cause havoc since they are accepted as being trustworthy. A prime example is the weekly killing of NATO soldiers in Afghanistan by "supposed" Afghan military personnel. 

Earlier this week, former Taliban government member Moulavi Arsala Rahmani, was killed by a silenced single shot in a precise attack that mirrored a secret agent movie scene. Currently, the Taliban is not claiming responsibility for the attack that killed Rahmani, though they are suspected. Just last year the head person (Burhannudin Rabbani) of the Peace Council, established by the Afghanistan Government system was also violently killed coincidentally. 

As the Afghanistan military and police assume more and more control over their country day-to-day, the violence goes up a notch leaving NATO forces, Afghans, and Government officials dead. The chaos in Afghanistan has a negative impact on everyone in the country right now whether they are Afghan citizens or NATO soldiers. Even though much of the country is corrupt, many of the people living there do not condone the violence and want to live normal lives which is difficult when you don't know what the next day will bring. 

It's hard to tell if anything can truly be done to minimize the violence in Afghanistan because it existed before the U.S. and NATO entered and it continues on while they are there. Fighting violence with violence doesn't change people or the way they think. Although, terrorist can't be allowed to do whatever, whenever they want. Those people (Taliban & other terrorists) have to decide for themselves what they want out of life, violence or peace. 

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How Bout Dem Saints!

Just two years ago in February 2010, the New Orleans Saints became the NFL's best-in-class thoroughbred as a resilient franchise overcoming crisis, and winning a Superbowl in a previously ravaged city. The team seemed like they could do no wrong, they were model citizens and it appeared everybody loved them. Unfortunately, those days are long gone.  

That Was Then, And This Is Now 

The Saints' organization looks just as scummy as some of the city's projects before Hurricane Katrina flushed them out. A bounty program scandal shocked fans and the media nationwide, as everyone learned the team gave rewards and incentives for seriously injuring opposing team's players or knocking them out of games. An investigation by the NFL found the Saints had this program in place from 2009-2011. The main culprit who spearheaded the bounty system was usual suspect Defensive Coordinator Greg Williams. Former coaches and players have said coach Williams was responsible for running similar systems with other NFL teams as far back as 1997. 

Punishment from the NFL for this bounty program came down fierce suspending three coaches, four players (current & former), and the general manager. Player suspensions ranged from three games to the entire 2012-2013 season. The general manager and assistant coach Vitt were suspended for six games. Head Coach Sean Payton was suspended without pay for the entire upcoming season. And even though coach Williams left for the St. Louis Rams he was immediately suspended indefinitely. The New Orleans Saints also had second round picks for the 2012 & 2013 NFL Drafts snatched away, to go along with a half million dollar fine. 

Now the standalone positive the franchise has is their Superbowl MVP Quarterback Drew Brees. He's brought the team to respectability by winning the Superbowl and breaking records as an elite NFL Quarterback. The quarterback has been bravely standing up for the Saints during the whole scandal and continuously being a strong team leader on and off the field. However, his positive outlook is beginning to subtract very quickly because the team isn't showing him that same love. Brees was a free agent and has been in unsuccessful contract talks with the Saints since late in the 2011-2012 season. 

Currently the Saints don't want to give him a top dollar long-term contract extension that the likes of Tom Brady and Peyton Manning have received. Although, the Saints have been kind enough to give Drew Brees an annoying franchise tag, instead of a long-term contract of elite value that he deserves. It's hard to know or not if the Saints owner is completely oblivious to the operations of his team, or if he is part of the problem. 

Conclusion

The New Orleans Saints management needs an executive makeover and they need to show some dignity. Without Brees this franchise is going back to the days when Aaron Brooks was the quarterback (irrelevant). It's likely Drew will have a contract sooner than later that pays what he's worth, but if not, this contract issue along with the bounty scandal will continue to show an image that many people already felt about the Saints before their recent success; they are just a low-life NFL franchise that wallows in mediocrity and just so happen to reside in New Orleans. Who Dat!

I Wanna Be Like Mike!

It seems like only several years ago when Michael Jordan was The NBA. He made the league fun to watch as he dominated everybody like it was easy. MJ was constantly in the media seen on commercials & film, at VIP events, charity events, casinos and other mature atmospheres suitable enough for Air Jordan.

Michael Jordan is also forever loved by fans who still continue to purchase his shoes like clockwork in 2012, even though his last NBA game was in April 2003. Many of these same fans have died violently over Jordan's shoes. Beyond shoes the Jordan Brand sells apparel and sponsors uniforms for some schools and universities. Everywhere you go people recognize him for his greatness and the brand he pioneered.

What's Michael Jordan up to these days?

As of now he's being talked about like a dog as the owner of what is considered to be the worst team in NBA History. The Charlotte Bobcats finished this season at 7-59 in a short 66 game season, where they lost their last 23 games in a row. The team ranked in the bottom or very bottom of every major team statistical category. There are probably players on the team and other people in Charlotte that will be depressed or pissed off if they don't get the #1 pick in the NBA Draft on June 28th, 2012.

Within the next few days it's expected that MJ will interview Patrick Ewing for the vacant head coaching position. Yes, the same Patrick Ewing he skied over and dunked on with major disrespect in the 1991 NBA Playoffs. And yes, the same Patrick Ewing who made a cameo in the Wayans Brother film "Senseless;" where he was referred to as a Haitian Sasquash.  

Since Michael Jordan took over management and the title as majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats, they have looked like an All-Star D-League team playing in the NBA.  A lot is riding on this off-season for the franchise to step out of mediocrity. MJ is already feeling some heat for the lousy team and more is likely on the way if things don't turn around soon. 

The Overall Outlook for MJ

• Owns an NBA Franchise, even though they are crummy. 

• Net Worth Estimated over $500 million

• Engaged to be married to Cuban-American model Yvette Prieto. 

• Earns in excess of $40 million per year alone from endorsements, and millions more from footwear and apparel. 

• Listed his home in Chicago for sale recently at a price of $29 million. Not bad huh?

• Has a new-built 28,000+ square foot home in Jupiter, FL.

Though the Charlotte Bobcats are terrible and might even continue on that way for a few years, Michael Jordan will still be Michael Jordan. He's extremely wealthy and his phenomenal NBA playing career, off the court success, and popularity will maintain him as being untouchable in this lifetime. Even when he does wrong it doesn't matter because, who cares its Michael Jordan!

I wish I could be like Mike...

It's Check-out Time, Almost

This was the underlying message President Obama gave in Afghanistan earlier in the week as he spoke to U.S. Soldiers, the people of Afghanistan, NATO, and the rest of the world. He's fully aware and understands the U.S. Military should not be there any longer, but there are still milestones to be met before exiting the premises. Although, 2014 will be a final deadline for major U.S. Military involvement.

Numerous problems in Afghanistan existed prior to the War in Afghanistan, which are continuing along with new problems that must now be addressed. Unrelenting violence by almost anyone with a gun or bomb is not the only major issue. Education in Afghanistan remains a dire problem for the people living there.

There is an enormous effort right now from NATO, the U.S., and Film Annex to establish, restore, and improve education in Afghanistan. Building schools in Afghanistan is a top priority because of the poor educational system, which still makes it hard for females to attend school. So, besides the barbaric attacks and bombings to worry about, literacy is a primary concern being addressed.

Upon America leaving Afghanistan, there's still going to be troops there for "support" and assistance in specific areas. However, the troop level will only be a fraction of the 90,000 or so there right now. The Afghanistan Government System has a responsibility to itself & citizens, and NATO to successfully handle order in its country by 2014 and after.

The new agreement signed by Presidents Obama and Karzai is a revised contract for a long-term friendship from here on out. It basically says the U.S. is leaving, but not really; continuous assistance and guidance will be provided as long as the Afghan people want and need it.

Let's see how long this extended stay will be before its check-out time.

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