Some MLK quotes.....

All men are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality.

Martin Luther King Jr.

Faith is taking the first step, even when you don't see the whole staircase.

Martin Luther King Jr.

Hatred paralyzes life; love releases it. Hatred confuses life; love harmonizes it. Hatred darkens life; love illuminates it.

Martin Luther King Jr.

Human salvation lies in the hands of the creatively maladjusted.

Martin Luther King Jr.

I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. That is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant.

Martin Luther King Jr.

I submit that an individual who breaks a law that conscience tells him is unjust, and who willingly accepts the penalty of imprisonment in order to arouse the conscience of the community over its injustice, is in reality expressing the highest respect for the law.

Martin Luther King Jr.

- More quotations on: [Laws]

In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.

Martin Luther King Jr.

- More quotations on: [Silence]

It may be true that the law cannot make a man love me, but it can stop him from lynching me, and I think that's pretty important.

Martin Luther King Jr.

Let no man pull you low enough to hate him.

Martin Luther King Jr.

Like an unchecked cancer, hate corrodes the personality and eats away its vital unity. Hate destroys a man's sense of values and his objectivity. It causes him to describe the beautiful as ugly and the ugly as beautiful, and to confuse the true with the false and the false with the true.

Martin Luther King Jr.

Man must evolve for all human conflict a method which rejects revenge, aggression and retaliation. The foundation of such a method is love.

Martin Luther King Jr.

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.

Martin Luther King Jr.

- More quotations on: [Silence]

Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars... Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.

Martin Luther King Jr.

Segregation is the adultery of an illicit intercourse between injustice and immorality.

Martin Luther King Jr.

Ten thousand fools proclaim themselves into obscurity, while one wise man forgets himself into immortality.

Martin Luther King Jr.

- More quotations on: [Immortality]

We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.

Martin Luther King Jr.

When you are right you cannot be too radical; when you are wrong, you cannot be too conservative.

Martin Luther King Jr.

- More quotations on: [Conservatives] [Liberals]

The hope of a secure and livable world lies with disciplined nonconformists who are dedicated to justice, peace and brotherhood.

Martin Luther King Jr., "Strength to Love"

All progress is precarious, and the solution of one problem brings us face to face with another problem.

Martin Luther King Jr., 'Strength to Love,' 1963

The good neighbor looks beyond the external accidents and discerns those inner qualities that make all men human and, therefore, brothers.

Martin Luther King Jr., 'Strength to Love,' 1963

Nonviolence is the answer to the crucial political and moral questions of our time; the need for mankind to overcome oppression and violence without resorting to oppression and violence. Mankind must evolve for all human conflict a method which rejects revenge, aggression, and retaliation. The foundation of such a method is love.

Martin Luther King Jr., December 11, 1964

Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.

Martin Luther King Jr., Letter from Birmingham Jail, April 16, 1963

- More quotations on: [Justice]

The church was not merely a thermometer that recorded the ideas and principles of popular opinion; it was a thermostat that transformed the mores of society.

Martin Luther King Jr., Letter from Birmingham Jail, April 1963

Now, I say to you today my friends, even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream. I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: - 'We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.'

Martin Luther King Jr., Speech at Civil Rights March on Washington, August 28, 1963

- More quotations on: [Dreams]

I submit to you that if a man hasn't discovered something he will die for, he isn't fit to live.

Martin Luther King Jr., Speech in Detroit, June 23, 1963

...And I've looked over, and I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you, but I want you to know tonight that we as a people will get to the promised land. So I'm happy tonight. I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man.

Martin Luther King Jr., Speech in Memphis, April 3, 1968, the day before King was assassinated

Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.

Martin Luther King Jr., Strength to Love, 1963

- More quotations on: [Stupidity] [Ignorance]

Our scientific power has outrun our spiritual power. We have guided missiles and misguided men.

Martin Luther King Jr., Strength to Love, 1963

- More quotations on: [Science]

The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.

Martin Luther King Jr., Strength to Love, 1963

the top-10 most sold NBA jerseys in China

Here’s a list of the top-10 most sold NBA jerseys in China just before the Olympics:

1. Kobe Bryant 

2. Kevin Garnett 

3. Tracy McGrady 

4. Paul Pierce 

5. Allen Iverson 

6. Gilbert Arenas 

7. LeBron James 

8. Dwayne Wade 

9. Dwight Howard 

10. Yao Ming

America:

TOP 15 PLAYER JERSEY SALES LIST:
1. Kobe Bryant – Los Angeles Lakers
2. Dwyane Wade – Miami Heat
3. LeBron James – Cleveland Cavaliers 
4. Allen Iverson – Denver Nuggets 
5. Carmelo Anthony – Denver Nuggets 
6. Steve Nash – Phoenix Suns 
7. Vince Carter – New Jersey Nets 
8. Gilbert Arenas – Washington Wizards 
9. Shaquille O’Neal – Miami Heat 
10. Stephon Marbury – New York Knicks 
11. Dirk Nowitzki – Dallas Mavericks
12. Tracy McGrady – Houston Rockets
13. Paul Pierce – Boston Celtics
14. Chris Paul – New Orleans/OK City Hornets
15. Tim Duncan – San Antonio Spurs

Just thought the differences in ordering was interesting. Tracy McGrady is still popular somewhere. And Yao is still top 10 in Asia after everyone has bought one or two of his jerseys already.

Off-the-court superstars

Forgive me for my lack of journalistic integrity--and effort--in submitting this post. I am not, in actuality, posting to offer information, but instead to ask a simple question.

How important are trainers to NBA teams?

I just read an article about the resurgence of The Diesel (SLAM Online http://slamonline.com/online/nba/2009/01/shaqs-revival/) in which Steve Kerr confessed that his biggest Ace in hand that made him gamble on the Shaq deal was the quality of the training staff for the Phoenix Suns. He had reason to believe that they were talented and knowledgable enough to restore Shaq to become a decent contributor.

As the article shows, though, Steve Kerr was wrong, but only by degree. They were SO capable that Shaq has ballooned to average 21 and 10 in his last month of basketball. They are also the same trainers that restored Amare Stoudemire's microfractured knee, who have made Grant Hill look like he's back in his twenties, and have kept Steve Nash on the court the past 3 seasons, bad back and all.

Some guys are just going to have injuries, and there are many teams who don't have anything to offer to adequately heal the wounds of some of their players. But the Suns staff has definitely proven that they are among the best in the business at restoring health to players who sometimes haven't experienced health in a long time.

Thinking about this, my mind immediately jumped to the other side of the spectrum and wondered...is it unfair to be as critical of some teams as we are complimentary of the Suns? Case-in-point: the Orlandooooo Magic! How many players can you name off the top of YOUR head with ties to Orlando who had derailing injuries that led to declines in their careers? And note, I'm not even saying the injuries happened in Orlando, just that the player has ties. I can think of three in particular:

1. Tracy McGrady - back problems started there, worsened in Houston
2. Grant Hill - ankle injury kept him bench-ridden for much of three seasons
3. Penny Hardaway - went from great to gone in less than 5 seasons after injuries hit

Now in complete fairness, the same staff was able to keep Darrell Armstrong's frail bones on the court, which is a feat. Also, the current Magic staff has kept Dwight Howard on the court for nearly every game of his career, which is incomprehensible for a seven-footer.

Still, in that era...either their injuries were progressed beyond the help of their current medicine, or there was some mishandling (which there definitely was in the case of Grant Hill).

So that's my question--is it reading too much into things to say that trainers are this valuable? Clearly the Suns staff is doing a phenomenal job, but is it too much to assume that all trainers are having that much of an impact on their teams, for good or for bad? I'm gonna look into it further...maybe do some actual research on the thing. While some guys are built like tanks and avoid injury with sheer will (LeBron), and other guys have high thresholds for pain (maybe Paul Pierce, unless you're a Lakers fan), it would seem like a great training staff can be the difference between a physically-prepared, 58-win team and a physically-drained, 52-win team at the end of the season.

The true meaning of CLUTCH. Michael Jordan who?

For sport fans, clutch stands for coming through in the final seconds of the game or when your teammates need you most. Players are revered, and make the Hall of Fame for being clutch. I think we need a whole new definition. Below are some plays that we in the sports world feel are "clutch."

Of course:

And who can forget:

Or:

All these events had 3 things in common:

1. Incredible Pressure to perform.

2. A small amount of time in which to get the job done.

3. And the consequence that not performing means not collecting a great prize.

I submit for your approval, one of the greatest clutch performances I have ever seen. The "player's" name is Chesley B. Sullenburger III. He is a pilot for US Airways and did he come through! This week he piloted a crippled Commercial Jetliner into a relatively graceful crashlanding on the surface of the Hudson River. The Surface. The landing was so mechanically unstressful for the plane that it FLOATED for several minutes while ALL 155 passengers were safely removed. Unbelieveable. No championship trophy, Gold Medal, or endorsements on the line, just the lives of 155 people and the effect their death would have on their loved ones. No pressure there. According to information I have read, he is a former  fighter pilot who runs a safety consulting firm in addition to flying commercial aircraft. There might not have been a better person for this crisis, and my hats are off to him, as well as the flight crew for helping get everyone off the plane safely. 

Update: Barack Obama now has choices for a cell phone.

From Engadget.com

NSA-approved smartphones leaves Obama with some ugly choices

by Ross Miller, posted Jan 13th 2009 at 6:33PM

Next week's US presidential inauguration of Barack Obama will have one sour note for the Illinois senator. Sure, he's gonna be the leader of the free world, but the notorious BlackBerry addict will have to give up his smartphone -- and frankly, if given the choice, we'd probably choose cellphone over country. There is hope, however, as CNET outlines two Windows Mobile devices that met the NSA's seal of approval for governmental use back in 2007: General Dynamics' Sectera Edge and L-3 Communications'Guardian. Unfortunately, both options look about as dated as the Treo 650, with exceptionally large antennas to boot. Hey NSA, any chance we can get something a bit sexier on the approval list?

Steven: So it now comes to light that since 2007 the NSA has approved thse 2 devices for government use. I would assume they have secure link ups for transmittance of data and several other protocols which separate it from the normal stuff we can buy. These devices all run on  the US government's Secret Internet Protocol Router Network (SIPRNet) and Non-classified Internet Protocol Router Network (NIPRNet), so I suppose President Obama is going to LOVE being around Wi-Fi hotspots and Starbucks. My question I suppose is this: what are the new devices available that we haven't seen? And to reader Matthew, you were probably correct about the assumption that a big obstacle to the President keeping his Blackberry was the fact that it is supported and made by RIM, a Canadian company, Both of the companies which made the devices above are STRICTLY USA defense contractors completely based here in the States.

Have you ever seen such statistical FOOLISHNESS in your life?! Look at the game leaders for Cleveland....

TOP PERFORMERS
CLEVELAND		MEMPHIS
	L. James Points: 30 Reb: 11 Ast: 10 Stl: 3 Blk: 1		K. Lowry Points: 25 Reb: 3 Ast: 7 Stl: 1 Blk: 0

GAME LEADERS
	CLEVELAND	MEMPHIS
Points	L. James 30	K. Lowry 25
Rebounds	L. James 11	M. Gasol 11
Assists	L. James 10	K. Lowry 7
Steals	L. James 3	R. Gay 2
Blocks	L. James 1	H. Warrick 1
· Team stats: Cleveland | Memphis

No credible threats to the Super Bowl....what's the deal with this venue?

According to an article from ESPN, The FBI is stating that their are no credible threats to SuperBowl XLIII, although there are plenty of credible concerns about effectively securing the venue. According to the article, A joint FBI and Homeland Security intelligence assessment cautions that Raymond James Stadium, the site of Super Bowl XLIII, does not have the typical security features of permanently secure buildings and arenas.

This sounds BAD. For a number of reasons. I guess the most important reason this sounds bad is that the FBI, press, and Security allowed a story like this to get out to the public, through the worldwide leader in sports, no less. Why don't they make a giant billboard for the terrorist saying, "Hit here!" It's normally not the smartest decision to publicize that you don't feel great about the venue not having "The typical security features of permanently secure building and arenas." I find that statement a bit interesting. Does that mean it lacks a centralized security command area? Scanners and Metal Detectors? The ability to quickly secure and lockdown the building in an emergency? It would seem that if it doesn't have the typical security features, it will need them in a hurry in order to host one of the biggest sporting events in the World. Especially at a time when America unfortunately is  disliked (even hated) throughout portions of the world. Even more terrifying, though, is the article's closing statement: Officials are also concerned that terrorists or criminals could impersonate government or military officials because some Florida law enforcement badges and uniforms were stolen in 2008.

What?! Excuse me?? You are saying publicly that it would be rather easy for a complete stranger or terrorist, if those uniforms got into the wrong hands, to waltz into the stadium and be granted access?? Homeland Security must be absolutely out of their minds. At the very least they need to completely change the uniform scheme for the SuperBowl staff and Security, and red flag the stolen uniforms style so that if someone shows up wearing it, they are placed under increased scrutiny. This is completely unacceptable and mind boggling to me. Have we learned NOTHING since 9/11? They (terrorist) wanted to fly planes into towers, they took flying lessons. They want to infiltrate the SuperBowl, they get actual authentic badges and uniforms. Follow my logic. It's not rocket science. I certainly hope that Homeland Security and the FBI get there act together to protect the NFL's "Crown Jewel" of stadiums, and the thousands of people who will be there to cheer their team.I can't imagine how devastating it would be for a Terrorist attack on an event we as a country hold so dear.

Just for clarification: How the NBA chooses which games to blackout...

From Direct TV:
Blackout Rules for NBA Games

Blackout restrictions apply to all NBA games that are offered on NBA LEAGUE PASS. Such blackout restrictions are designed to protect the television rightsholders in the competing teams' respective home markets. Blackouts are not based on arena sellouts.

Local Broadcasts
If a local over-the-air network has the rights to broadcast an NBA game in its local area, customers in that area will be unable to receive that game via their satellite service. However, they may be able to see the game via their local channels.

Example of How Blackouts Work
The Lakers are playing the Rockets and both teams are broadcasting the game locally — KCAL-9 in the Los Angeles area and FSN SOUTHWEST in the Houston area. NBA LEAGUE PASS subscribers living in the Los Angeles area will be blacked out within the Lakers' over-the-air territory. To see the game, they must be able to receive KCAL. Subscribers living outside of the KCAL coverage area will receive the game via NBA LEAGUE PASS unless they live in the Houston area. Subscribers in the Houston area will be blacked out of the game in NBA LEAGUE PASS, but subscribers can view the game on their over-the-air television station or their local regional sports network (RSN) — included with CHOICE programming and Local Channels.

I'm not so sure it completely works like this though.

For instance, how does it work in a city with no NBA team? My parents live in Huntsville, AL where my Dad is a die-hard New York Knicks fan. However, occassionally he is unable to get a Knicks game on League Pass with little to no explanation outside of the black screen saying "This game is not available in your area." Considering there is NO NBA team within 35 miles, I fail to see how anyone living in an area such as Huntsville (or any other relatively remote city) should not be able to see ANY game going on in the US? In the case of the Knicks, I hypothesize that it has to do with the MSG network's discretion.It's already public knowledge the NBA doesn't black out games due to attendance (unlike the NFL), so why wouldn't a customer in an area with no NBA team affiliation be able to see any NBA game being offered by League Pass? Confusing. It also gets confusing/irritating for me, living in College Station, TX. League Pass here restricts me from seeing any Rockets games. Understood, because my area still falls under the Houston local broadcast control so I can (or should) be able to see it on FSN Southwest. When the Dallas Mavericks play, for some reason, I am not able to get those games on LP due to blackout restrictions as well. I am still not even sure how FSN Southwest works as far as Houston Rockets game broadcasts vs. Dallas Mavericks Broadcast. Is there a separate FSN Southwest channel in Dallas that carries the Mavericks like they do in Houston (Clifton?).What are the exact rules for blackouts? I've read online that NBA fans are furious in Austin because all San Antonio Spurs games are blacked out for them. The weird thing is that the local area Spurs broadcasts are not available in any way in Austin, so most residents would have no other way to follow the Spurs unless they had League Pass. As great as League Pass is, I would love for them to have a uniform set of rules they followed which would allow those not in a NBA team affiliated area to see EVERY game available.

The NBA's best kept secret: Danny Granger has the skills of a SUPERSTAR.

Danny Granger   #33   Forward - Guard
E-mail photo|Buy photos		2008-09 Statistics PPG 26.4 RPG 5.10 APG 3.4 EFF + 23.21 Born: Apr 20, 1983 Height: 6-8 /  2,03 Weight: 228  lbs. / 103,4  kg. College: New Mexico Years Pro: 3

This guy is a MONSTER. Why on earth aren't we hearing more about him in the National Press. Perhaps its because the Pacers aren't the Lakers or Celtics. I dare you to put forward another forward in the league outside of Duncan, Garnett, or Lebron that is having the year statistically that this man is having. I've had the chance to catch a few games from him and he is the real deal. Not much he can't do on the floor, yet somehow makes it look so unorthodox. Not natural movements at all. Yet you look up and he has 39 points with a minute left in the game, with 8 or 10 rebounds to go along with it. Amazing stuff.

Edit: His Stat line from last night's game against the Warriors:

42 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks and 2 turnovers in 41 minutes. He also went 14-of-14 from the free throw line.

By the Way, I am officially re-naming him to Danny Danger.

Are the Portland Trailblazers Crazy??

From the NBA CBA:

Section 1. No Collusion.
Subject to Section 2 below, no NBA Team, its employees or agents, will enter into any contracts, combinations or conspiracies, express or implied, with the NBA or any other NBA Team, their employees or agents: (a) to negotiate or not to negotiate with any Veteran or Rookie; (b) to submit or not to submit an Offer Sheet to any Restricted Free Agent; (c) to offer or not to offer a Player Contract to any Free Agent; (d) to exercise or not to exercise a Right of First Refusal; or (e) concerning the terms or conditions of employment offered to any Veteran or Rookie.

Top 

And here is the email the Blazers sent out to the other NBA Teams:

“Team Presidents and General Managers,”

“The Portland Trail Blazers are aware that certain teams may be contemplating signing Darius Miles to a contract for the purpose of adversely impacting the Portland Trail Blazers Salary Cap and tax positions. Such conduct from a team would violate its fiduciary duty as an NBA joint venturer. In addition, persons or entities involved in such conduct may be individually liable to the Portland Trail Blazers for tortuously interfering with the Portland Trail Blazers’ contract rights and perspective economic opportunities.

“Please be aware that if a team engages in such conduct, the Portland Trail Blazers will take all necessary steps to safeguard its rights, including, without limitation, litigation.”

It's pretty clear to me that in essense, the Trailblazers are threatening to sue any team which signs D. Miles if they believe the team is doing it just to hurt their "tax positions." Ludicrous. The intent of any player signing should not be determined by a team who has the most to lose from it, and threatening to sue a team if they give a free agent work is definitely against the CBA. In essence, they are placing a fiscal obstacle on the signing of a veteran. Has to be illegal. The power to prevent a free agent signing should never reside with a competing team. I mean, from the looks of it, they may sue a rival team in their own conference (Lakers) for doing it compared with not suing the Magic or Heat, it's their discretion. You can't impose your will to determine who will sign who.

Now for this "Fiduciary Duty" claim.

The fiduciary duty is a legal relationship of confidence or trust between two or more parties, most commonly a fiduciary or trustee and a principal or beneficiary. One party, for example a corporate trust company or the trust department of a bank, holds a fiduciary relation or acts in a fiduciary capacity to another, such as one whose funds are entrusted to it for investment. In a fiduciary relation one person justifiably reposes confidence, good faith, reliance and trust in another whose aid, advice or protection is sought in some matter.

I have not found this described anywhere in the CBA at the time of writing this post. 

Clifton:

Here’s my thought on the whole matter…I think that the Blazers, entering January, had a right to say “Look, it’s obvious at this point that nobody wants the guy, and anyone who picks him up should at least be under suspicion of doing it for the sole purpose of screwing up our salary cap the next two years.” I think that if that statement is made to the media, it’s totally fair. Where I think they went wrong is in the aggressiveness and tone with which they spoke directly to NBA teams about Miles, almost disregarding the fact that he is a person, and that he probably deserves the benefit of the doubt that he really wants to play, whether or not a team picks him up for that reason. It’s a tough situation for both sides, except now, instead of looking at possibly getting screwed over, the Blazers just went ahead and screwed themselves outright…sucks.

Obama's Blackberry woes....and how to fix them.

I'm not sure if you all have heard, but President Elect Barack Obama is a Blackberry junkie. He carries it with him all the time and loves it. I know many people with blackberries and they all say the same thing: the phones are addictive. You are able to always be in touch, send and receive emails, and communicate with friends and family. However I just read here that the Secret Service is saying he will have to give up his Blackberry the first day he enters office. I know from previous articles that it is a newer model (possibly a blackberry 8700c) from the pictures and that his Cell Phone Carrier is Verizon. If I had to make a guess, I would think there are several security reasons the Secret Service is making him get rid of it. Firstly, all cell phones when actively connected to a cellular network, can be located through triangulation of the towers they are using, or the gps chip built into the phone (all phones since 2003 are required to have some form of gps built in for new 911 emergency standards nationwide.) Having the POTUS carry a hackable location device probably doesn't make the Service's protection job any easier. Secondly, the blackberry's files and information are available to just about any Verizon Customer Service representative that can access customer files by phone number. Obama's other phone, a flip from Verizon, was already illegally accessed by curious Verizon Employees late last year. While those workers were fired, who is to say that someone else wouldn't be able to do the same thing? 

Obama has already gone on record as saying that "They would have to pry it from my hands" so it is apparent he is not fond of the notion of giving it up, and, I can't say I blame him. Talking to Michelle or text messaging with the girls would be a luxury for one of the busiest men on the planet, and having that taken away from you probably would personally upset me if I was him. It also seems counterintuitive that the most technologically advanced president we have ever had wouldn't have some way of connecting to the internet and keeping up to date on things while he is on the go from a PDA of some sort. This does have precedent, though. The Secret Service didn't even allow President's Clinton or Bush (W.) to use E-mail. Can you imagine? Someone with such an important job not having an email account to use for business or pleasure? I have problems believing that our intelligence community couldn't put together a secure email account for our President to use. 

Which brings me to my solution. Let the President carry a modified Blackberry. It would not be in his name or have any connections to his job; it would also be outwardly unbranded of any company affiliation. It would be carried and cloned if necessary to a few other models which would be scattered in other locations to avoid pinpointing his location (acting as decoys). The Blackberry would also run a modified software (from the NSA) which would at the very least encrypt outgoing text messages and emails using 512 bit protocols. Voice would be iffy because it would probably still use a national network. If one could help it, let it be GSM so that the SIM could be removed when necessary for security issues. With my solution, eager employees of the Cell Phone carriers wouldn't be tempted to break Federal Law, terrorist who would love to ambush him would not be able to see where his call signal really is emanating from, and, just for good measure, make it against the law for the National Broadcast companies to video or photograph him while on the phone, similar to the current law in place banning them on taping him take off in Marine One (not able to substantiate that claim). Also, RIM would have their hands free of the whole situation, only delivering the base model phone to the Secret Service before it is stripped apart and rebuilt, much like how Cadillac delivers the new model to them to be custom built into the Presidential Limo.