Lest We Forget

Even if you didn't think of it yourself, it will be pretty hard not to see something today that will remind you of what happened 6 years ago today, on September 11th, 2001.

There will be lots of different prognostications about the event and what has happened since. A read worthy of your time can be found on Dave Markowitz's "Blog O'Stuff".

My own thoughts are in a different direction. I have heard that back in the days of The American Revolution, somewhere between 15% - 30% of the colonialists were pro-revolution, a similar number favored staying British, and the rest were in the middle. Probably much like folks today, there were more concerned with making a living, keeping their kids out of trouble and just wanting a peaceful life.

Many today tell me that only a small percentage of Islamic believers are the radicals we might catigorize as "Islamofacists." That most followers of Islam are just like us, they seek peace, want to work at getting ahead and want a better life. That may be true, I don't know.

What troubles me is this. If a minority of the "Americans" living in the colonial area that became the original 13 States could start a revolution that birthed a country, what could a minority of Islamofacists do on a worldwide scale, if they are not fought against, and fought with the goal of winning?

Think on it.

And They're Off

The Oakland Raiders, sometimes known as the Chokeland Faders, jumped out to the lead in the race for the #1 draft pick in the 2008 NFL Draft. After tonight, they will be tied for first with 15 other teams reaching for that prize. The only problem is, they still haven't signed the #1 pick from the 2007 NFL Draft.

I'm not sure this is all the Raiders fault. Jamarcus Russell, the QB from LSU whom Oakland selected #1 overall is seeking around $31,000,000.00 (per published news reports) in GUARANTEED money in his first pro contract. That's right, THIRTY ONE MILLION DOLLARS. The Raiders want guarantees he's worth it.

You can't fault either one under the current system. Jamarcus wants all he can get, Oakland wants to get what they pay for. The end result is the longest holdout since Bo Jackson, back in the day when he didn't want to play football for Tampa Bay and so refused to sign and played baseball instead. Until the following year when the Raiders drafted him in the 4th round and he became the first modern 2 sport player.

So what is there to do? I think the time has come for the NFL to adopt a rookie salary scale. Let's face it, draft picks are paid for the promise they show, not for any performance on the NFL paying fields. So my plan would incorporate both paying for promise in the form of a bonus based upon draft pick number, and performance based upon how much they play. First off all, the draft pick bonus would be paid by the NFL, and would not count against a tam's salary cap number. These bonuses would be guaranteed. After that, the salary for the first 4 years would be set and equal for all players. These would not be guaranteed and would count against a team's salary cap. Lastly, a bonus structure based upon playing time would be implemented. Since this would not be paid until after the season is complete, a tream with room under the cap could elect to take it in the current year, or defer it to the following year. A system such as this would end holdouts, end wasting millions on players who do not live up to their potential (Hello Ryan Leaf) and free up teams to spend their salary cap money on players who have proven themselves.

That's just my 2 cents.

Ya Think?

The Government Accountability Office says the Department of Homeland Security is failing in it's mission to protect "The Homeland." Whoda thunk it?

Read about it here

Are you ready?

It's hard to believe, but Football Season has arrived! The Indianapolis Colts and the New Orleans Saints kick off the 2007 NFL Season in about an hour. I know where I'll be, how about you?