Save_us.222

OK, I wanted to hold off on videos for a while, however, I'm making an exception. This one - do I even need to say it is courtesy of YouTube - is being aired on all of W.W.E.'s programs. Most likely, it is hyping the return of Chris"Y2J"Jericho to the promotion. I have read, though, that it could be giving some clues in reference to the debut of the "new" Hart Foundation. The "new" Foundation is a variation of relatives and in-laws related to the "original" group, that included Bret Hart and Jim Neidhart. Anyway, the video is pretty weird!

Apparently, when it is paused in certain spots there are little tidbits that supposedly reference either Jericho or the Hart Foundation. I also saw the word "Skittles" in a couple of spots, who are a big sponsor of the W.W.E. If I had to guess, the video has to do with Jericho, simply because he is rumored to have inked a seven-figure deal with the W.W.E. I've read that wrestling fans for the last few months have been holding up signs or chanting "Save Us Jericho" at the various arenas that the W.W.E. visits. Jericho, is a big star and has a book coming out soon, many believe he is what wrestling needs right now to right the ship.

By the way, Jericho was born on Long Island and is the son of former New York Ranger, Ted Irvine. Even if you are not a wrestling fan, watch this video!

Nationwide Steroid Bust; W.W.E. Impact? Randy Orton Suicide Attempt in 2006?

According to Google news and various other news outlets, the Drug Enforcement Administration announced today that 124 people were arrested nationwide as part of "Operation Raw Deal." Those nabbed were allegedly involved in an international steroid ring. Nineteen more people will be cuffed according to the report. Arrests were made in California, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Rhode Island, Missouri and Connecticut.

I can only imagine what the implications of all this will be on pro sports and pro wrestling. The W.W.E. is still reeling from the 11 athletes that were connected to Signature Pharmacy in Tampa, Florida. As soon as Vince McMahon was given the list of names by the Feds earlier this month, those 10 were suspended for being connected with getting steroids, painkillers, etc. from the Tampa pharmacy. Many of those wrestlers were involved in major angles and held championships, which I mentioned the other day. King Booker was suspended 60 days because the Signature bust was his second offense, however, he decided to quit the W.W.E. instead of sitting out.

I said there were 10 that got suspended of the 11 names. No, that was not a typo, Randy Orton for some reason was not punished. Perhaps, because he is currently involved in a major story with W.W.E. Champ John Cena. Orton should have been suspended for 60 days, like King Booker, because this was his second offense in violation of the W.W.E.'s Wellness Policy. Apparently, Orton was in fact suspended in 2006. The Feds' report on Signature Pharmacy stated that Orton received a shipment of H.G.H. from the pharmacy as late as February 2007. So I'm not sure how the suspension in '06 relieves Orton of an offense that occurred this year. It certainly calls into question the legitimacy of the W.W.E.'s Wellness Program and gives the tabloids plenty of fodder, but more importantly will raise eyebrows in Congress who are set to call Vince McMahon and others to Washington, D.C.

Orton is a big star, but I can't imagine this going over well with the other W.W.E. superstars, especially those who were punished.

There is also a report by author Irv Muchnick (not to be confused with blowhard Phil Mushnick) that Randy Orton attempted suicide in 2006. Click here to read more.

Things just keep getting stranger in sports/sports entertainment. I'm very curious to see what comes out of this latest bust. I have a feeling it's going to get very ugly!

Blog Talk Radio

Tommy Dee and I discussed everything from pillar to post in the world of sports last night. Click here to listen to the show. Please don't forget to tune in every Sunday night at 7, at which time you can join the conversation at 646-478-5554.

The Circus Comes to the East Side

Yeah, usually the circus visits Madison Square Garden, but this week they will be on location at First Avenue and 46th Street, a.k.a. the United Nations. Not only does New York City have to deal with the added gridlock that comes from all these "good folks" getting together at the U.N., but for added enjoyment we'll get to listen to Venezuela's Hugo"Mr.Citgo"Chavez blast the United States for one thing or another, and Iran's Mahmoud Ahmadinejad deny the Holocaust and his country's obvious role in aiding the insurgency in Iraq.

Welcome to United Nations' week! This week is about grandstanding and do nothingness. Darfur? Innocent folks being slaughtered by Islamic militias? Oh yeah, that's a little fact that people always conveniently brush aside. If you want to talk about ineptitude, let's examine the fact that a genocide has been going on for several years while the U.N. has done zilch but pander to the Sudanese government. They'll also be grandstanding about global warming and I'm sure somehow President Bush we'll get blamed for that. Hey, while they're at it, Bush will probably get blamed for the whole I Spy episode featuring Bill"Don't Call Me Tricky Dick"Belichick and the New England Patriots.

Let's top things off with Ahmadinejad going to speak at Columbia University, where he will be taking questions. Right. Anyone, who watched Mike Wallace interview this lunatic knows that he'll ramble, but answer questions he will not. The United Nations is completely inept, no question, but for this creep to be a guest at an American educational institution is outrageous. The whole thing should insult every American. Iran, bears the responsibility for killing and injuring many U.S. troops and Ahmadinejad regularly delivers speeches threatening to "wipe Israel off the map." Columbia University apparently has no shame, even going so far as to make the ludicrous statement that they would have invited Adolph Hitler to their school.

I hope that the students at Columbia unanimously voice their displeasure with this tyrant being a guest at their University, you know, the one that doesn't allow R.O.T.C. on campus. I won't hold my breath, though. I'm curious to see if any of the politicians will speak out against Columbia's decision. Chris Dodd? Doubtful. Barack Obama? Possibly. Hillary Clinton? I've heard she actually did, before she didn't. Oh wait, let's not bring Mr. Kerry into this, last I saw he was watching some punk get zapped with a taser.

I'm not sure why America gives so much face time to degenerates, it's really quite sad. Indeed, this week the art of pie throwing will get taken to a whole different stratosphere.

Hey kids, the circus is in town!

A Couple of Quickies

There's plenty going on right now in the world of sports, unfortunately, there's a great deal of it that is bad. I'm not sure O.J. Simpson is necessarily a "sports story" anymore, but it's still pretty pathetic from many different angles.

Today, I've got a few thoughts on the New York Rangers who just started training camp. There are pretty high expectations for the Blueshirts and Head Coach Tom Renney with the huge additions of Scott Gomez and Chris Drury. New York won against the Devs last night and play Philly this evening in pre-season action. Gomez and Jaromir Jagr reportedly have great chemistry together on the ice, so now the question is who will flank the two? Currently, Renney is rotating Marcel Hossa, Nigel Dawes, and Sean Avery in and out of the left wing position. The thinking is that each player brings a different element to the game. Hossa is strong along the boards, Dawes can score (although he hasn't done it in the NHL, yet) and Avery supposedly has good hockey sense. Huh? Rangers' fans have to be careful with Avery. As far as Hossa goes, he can turn invisible quite often. The guy who I'd like to see play with Gomez and Jagr is one Ryan Callahan. I'm willing to bet that by January he's moved up to the top line. Callahan, 23, has a ton of speed, goes to the net, has a great shot, shoots often, can fight, and plays with grit. I'm not sure what else you could want from a guy. He may not start the year on the first or second line, but he'll be there before long.

So is football already over in N.Y.?

The guys on WFAN are pretty quite these days in regards to the Bronx Bombers, eh?

Elsewhere, the W.W.E. and their Chairman Vince McMahon are sending out letters to former W.W.E.(F) stars encouraging them or any wrestlers that worked for McMahon to go get help for drugs or alcohol. In fact, the letter states that the W.W.E. will pay the bill. Wow! That's progress! Of course, you'll never hear any of the tabloid writers or Nancy Grace talk about this. The W.W.E. suspended 11 guys as a result of the Signature Pharmacy bust, which oh by the way included taking some guys out who held championships and were involved in major story lines. Is the W.W.E. perfect in dealing with steroids, drugs, and the like? Of course, not. But I see them taking major steps toward correcting a deadly problem.

Stay Onsides!

Substitute - The Video

I said no more videos for a while, but I'm making an exception here. For those of you that have never heard "Substitute," I decided to post it below courtesy of YouTube, of course.

"Mona Lisas"

OK, final video for a while. I know many people diss Elton John for his personal life, but he is someone I would really like to see in concert. These are two very moving pieces from Sir Elton.

Elton and The Piano Man

Although the MSG Network did not rebroadcast the "Concert For NYC" this past Tuesday night, they did air a behind-the-scenes look at the event that occurred six years ago. It was pretty amazing to see all the various celebrities and firemen interacting with one another backstage. This video is of Elton John performing "Your Song" with his frequent on-stage tag team partner, Billy Joel.

Montgomery Delaney At The Crier

Here's another good song by Montgomery Delaney called "Spinal Girl," which he is shown performing at the legendary Towne Crier Cafe in Pawling, N.Y. The video comes your way courtesy of YouTube. Incidentally, Delaney will be opening for Jill Sobule next Friday night at the very same Towne Crier Cafe. Click on their link for details.

Ireeeeeene!!!

I love this video! What an awesome cover of "Voodoo Child" done by the late Stevie Ray Vaughan (October 3, 1954-August 27, 1990).

Thou Shall Promote Thyself!

We make the gentle transition from marking the sad anniversary of September 11, 2001, to some current happenings in my life. My "Four Great Men" article was featured yesterday on Helium, as some of you may know. Thanks to you if you went and visited. I also was informed last week, that my poem "I Can't Reach You" is going to be published by the good folks over at poetry.com, in a collection of poems slated to be released this fall entitled, Immortal Verses.

I am very excited, as it is always nice to be recognized.

In addition, Rob Adams and I will be calling some high school football this weekend on WGCH. You can listen on their website Friday night at 7 for the Greenwich High School game and Saturday at 1:30 p.m for Brunswick Bruins' football.

Also, come on over to Blog Talk Radio Sunday night at 7, where Tommy Dee and I will spend some time with The Journal News' Sam Weinman.

I don't like to promote thyself, but if I don't, who will?

Remember

As we all know, today is the sixth anniversary of the terrorist attacks on America. I've read several articles over the last few days about the feelings of Americans in regards to "9/11." From what I gather there are those people who no longer find the need to remember what occurred and that it is "yesterday's news." Of course, no American should wallow in the horrific events of that day, however, it's a bit absurd for someone to suggest that it is "just another day." Today, I choose to ignore those who continue to fault America for those attacks or that try to perpetuate conspiracy theories which have been disproved over and over again. I also will pay no attention to certain politicians who have tried to make a career out of what happened on 9/11. Uh, last I checked I saw firemen, police officers, and rescue workers running into burning buildings. Today, I choose to think of and remember those that truly embody America's spirit. That's why I have reposted what I wrote a year ago, which is entitled, "Four Great Men," because my feelings remain the same.

Those that frequent this blog also know my love of The Who, so I'm posting four videos of the band performing as part of the Concert For NYC, which was held at Madison Square Garden on October 20, 2001 and organized by Paul McCartney. The Madison Square Garden Network will be rebroadcasting the concert tonight on MSG at 8 p.m. It's really a tremendous concert and was voted as the third greatest moment in Madison Square Garden history. There were so many great acts that performed, I just can't imagine how difficult it was to put something like that together. Anyway, I couldn't decide which video I wanted to post so I went with all four of them below: "Who Are You;" the incredibly emotional "Behind Blue Eyes;" "Baba O'Riley,"which features a great harmonica solo by Roger Daltrey; and "Won't Get Fooled Again," which is a plea to us all that I hope is taken to heart.

So much has happened since that fateful day six years ago - both as a country and I'm sure in all of our lives - however, one thing has not, and will not change, and that is the greatness of America. Freedom means a great deal to most Americans; there are thousands who have died fighting for our privileged liberties since September 11, 2001. We should take this day to honor and remember those who died six years ago, and all of those who have been seriously injured or killed in the ongoing battle against Islamic extremism.









"Four Great Men"
When reflecting back upon that horrible day of September 11, 2001, the worst in American history, there are many things that stand out in my mind. The face of radical Islam left unchecked for so long. A face that had manifested itself as Robert F. Kennedy assassinator Sirhan Sirhan, or the fiery anti-American Ayatollah Khomeini, or the covered faces of those terrorists that killed the 11 Israeli Olympians in Munich, and finally the face of Usama bin Laden and his brand of fanatical terrorists. For years the threat of militant Islam had been ignored until it came to the island of Manhattan.

What I believe makes America great is the people. Yes, there were some politicians who performed admirably in the wake of the attacks, and of course there were those politicians who did what they do best, and just performed. But facing such devastation and unprecedented horror there were those incredibly brave souls who looked into the gates of hell and walked in without a flinch. The everyday guy going to work in the concrete jungle trying to make a buck. As well as, a man who warned the world of the threat of extremists, but was ostracized by the "good guys".

There are four men who I want to remember. These four were tragically killed on that dreadful day, yet their memory will live on.

Captain Timothy Stackpole. As a long-time listener and sometimes first-time caller to WFAN, I remember hearing the distinct, heavily New York accented voice of Stackpole doing a commercial in which he talks about how much The Burn Center at New York-Presbyterian Hospital had helped him to recover. In 1998, the Brooklyn native was fighting a fire in a city-owned building when the floor collapsed causing him and two other firemen to fall ten feet into a fierce blaze. More than 30% of Stackpole's body was burned on a night that three other firefighters had died. Stackpole and the other two firefighters were well-compensated because NYC was found to be negligent in taking care of the building's structural flaws. Stackpole spent two months in the hospital and then worked out vigorously to come back to do what he loved.

I remember picking up the New York Post and seeing a picture of Mayor Rudy Giuliani standing next to Stackpole's wife and five children at his funeral services. The picture is heartbreaking but the memory of this brave man is inspiring. I wish I had known him. But when I used to hear that commercial, it was so uplifting and inspiring you kind of felt as though you did know him and you rooted hard for him. Stackpole, 42, by all accounts was a regular guy doing what he loved. Stackpole had the heart of a lion and unparalleled bravery. I am not ashamed to admit he is a hero of mine.

Fire Marshall Ronnie Bucca. On September 16, 1986, Westchester County resident and New York City Firefighter Ronnie Bucca broke his back as a result of falling five stories during a rescue attempt at a burning West Side tenement. He was not expected to live, yet one year later he returned to Rescue One.

Bucca, an ex-Green Beret paratrooper was preparing for an Army reserve course in Virginia. He would be leaving September 15, 2001. On September 11 the Fire Marshall would actually make it up to the 78th floor of the South Tower where United Airlines Flight 175 had cut a gaping hole into the building. Bucca found a standpipe and began fighting the inferno along with fellow fireman Orio Palmer. Amazingly Bucca took off his flame-retardant turncoat and used it to cover some crash victims huddled in a corner.

Ronnie Bucca had also worked as a US Army Reserve Warrant Officer in the 3413th Military Intelligence Detachment. Bucca, a bit of a whistle blower, was snubbed by the FBI when he reported the shady dealings of an Egyptian accountant in the FDNY, who among other things had stolen some floor plans of the WTC and was part of terrorist Sheik Abdel Rahman's inner circle.

Bucca had investigated the 1993 WTC attack and had studied the threat of Islamic terrorism with great vigor. He warned for years that New York City was still not safe and that "they" would come back again. According to author Peter Lance, Bucca believed that the Islamic militants were willing to wait one thousand years for revenge and that the time was nearly up. He was quoted as telling a friend that these radical Islamists sought revenge for the Crusaders' burning of the Muslim's castles in the eleventh century.

Ironically, their is a saying in the homeland of Ramzi Yousef who orchestrated the '93 attacks referencing this concept: "If it takes me ten centuries to kill my enemy, I will wait a thousand years for revenge."

In total Bucca spent 23 years with the FDNY and 29 years in the military. A true American hero.

John O'Neill. An FBI counterterrorism expert who left the bureau after being maligned for his "obsession" with Usama bin Laden. O'Neill, 49, investigated the bombings of the U.S. Embassies in Africa and the USS Cole. It was during the Cole investigation, in particular, that he was so harshly chastised. I take it that O'Neill wanted to dig further into the investigation as opposed to taking at face value what the Yemeni government was offering, which he felt was worth nothing. He clashed with U.S. Ambassador Barbara Bodine who had O'Neill taken off the investigation. Many people felt that if the investigation had gone further it would have led right to the 9/11 hijackers.

O'Neill spent 25 years working for the FBI. He was last seen rushing back into the South Tower to try and save people.

Joe Riverso. Mostly, though, I remember "Big Joe." A 34-year-old guy who worked as a bond trader for Cantor Fitzgerald. Joe was an assistant football coach at Archbishop Stepinac High School, but was most well-known as a bartender at the Sports Page in White Plains. Joe was one of those guys who probably didn't have much use for sleep, with such a busy schedule I don't know how he found time. Joe was a regular guy who every day rode multiple trains to get to the WTC and then up to the 104th floor of the South Tower. He was doing what you and I do every single day which is he was going to work.

Many people I know, myself included, only went to the Sports Page on nights that Joe was working. His personality was that endearing. He always greeted you with a smile and a firm handshake. The only time I ever heard Joe complain was when he would discuss his golf game.

A fond memory I have of him took place in 1995. It was a late July day with very threatening storm clouds up above. He and I were both working at Ridgeway Country Club and decided to take advantage of the fact that all the golf pros were away that day playing in a pro-am and all the members were scared away by the ominous clouds. Well, it never rained a drop and nobody else played that day. Except me and Joe. Both of us were quick players and were able to get in 54 holes of golf. Yep, 54 holes! A record for me that I don't think I will break in my lifetime. A memorable day with a great guy. Truly the good old days!

I feel it is important that we remember those who were lost on September 11, 2001, and move forward as a nation. The world saw something which hopefully will never take place again. If America remembers and honors those who died in the 9/11 attacks such as Stackpole, Bucca, O'Neill, and Riverso, we will be more vigilant in preventing a future attack.

When John F. Kennedy was assassinated many critics did not think America would move on. But she did. Stronger than ever. I believe America is stronger today than it was five years ago. Call it sappy, but I do believe America is a "shining city on a hill." A leader to the rest of the world and a country looked to in times of crisis.

The USA has moved forward, while simultaneously, honoring those who perished in the attacks of September 11. Once again the critics have been proven wrong.

May God Bless America!

"I'm One" The Who and Eddie Vedder

I don't have much to post about tonight, so I figured I would add a video. The Who were joined by Eddie Vedder for this performance of "I'm One" at London's Royal Albert Hall in 2000.

"Suspicious Minds" Elvis Presley

This is one of my all-time favorite songs combined with my favorite movie, Black Hawk Down. They played this song, "Suspicious Minds" in the film before the guys from the U.S. Army Rangers and Delta Force went back out to save their fallen brethren in the extremely unfriendly city of Mogadishu. If you haven't seen the movie, please rent it. Even better, read the book by Mark Bowden.

Speaking of a favorite book of mine being turned into a movie; Charlie Wilson's War, comes to the big screen on December 25, a.k.a. Christmas night. The book was really, really good and explains the origins of al-Qaeda and details the unintended consequences of warfare. But mainly illustrates the life of a wild Texas Congressman, Charlie Wilson, who gets President Reagan to support the insurgency in Afghanistan against the Soviets. The Russians experienced "Vietnam" in the unforgiving, mountainous terrain known as Afghanistan. This mighty army was bogged down for eight years and the experience is often referenced by one of the men who fought against the Soviets, Usama bin Laden himself. In fact, UBL is often shown on tape with a Kalashnikov rifle by his side which he allegedly took off a Russian soldier, whom he purportedly killed.

Anyway, I think there are three books that every American should read right now: Black Hawk Down, Charlie Wilson's War by George Crile, and From Beirut to Jerusalem by Tom Friedman. You can even throw in, Guests of the Ayatollah by Mark Bowden. But the aforementioned three, are must reads. Alas, though, that is just my opinion. How about perusing one? Please? Pretty please?

Anyway, I remember when I was reading Charlie Wilson's War and thinking that they should turn it into a movie. However, there is quite a bit going on in the book so it may be difficult to transfer onto the big screen. Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts star, which hopefully means it will be good. Moving right along...

The one thing that I am not happy about in our country is the growth of private military companies such as Blackwater. The U.S. troops are more than capable and we don't need shadowy contract groups enforcing foreign policy.

Chilling: The Pentagon is very concerned with the growing insurgency inside the United States, according to a report declassified in June. Couple this with the fact that Halliburton has been contracted to build a Gitmo-like jail inside the U.S. that can hold up to 400,000 people. I'm not one that jumps up and down about Haliburton, because Bill Clinton used them just as much while he was in the Oval Office as G.W. Bush. But I find it very disconcerting that there is a growing insurgency in the U.S. Does anyone care or are we more worried about perverts in the bathroom? Hey, I'm glad Larry Craig is resigning, but can we move on to what's important. Please? Pretty please?

Such as, helping out the folks in New Orleans who have not recovered now two years after Katrina.

Best wishes to White House Press Secretary Tony Snow, who will be stepping down from his post on September 12. Snow, continues to battle cancer and always seems extraordinarily positive about his plight.

Finally, have a Happy Labor Day and drive safely...By the way, I just love this video. In my next life I'm coming back as an Army Ranger!

Britney vs. Jennifer

Well, it's not "March Matchups" but we've got a good one for you, nonetheless. Britney Spears vs. Jennifer Lopez. This one is too easy for me, JLo wins by an easy knockout! In fact, I think she KOs Fergie, Alanis, Paris, etc. Good song, also: The Game featuring 50 Cent, "Hate it or Love it."