Colts 2-0

How about them Colts?! Another game, another win and lots of points! Yesterday the Colts ran their season record to 2-0 for the first time in years with an entertaining 42-26 victory over the Bills at the Dome. The fact that the Bills and the Jets, who were the Colts victim in week one are not very good teams really doesn't matter when you tack up 45 and 42 points against them.

Yesterday, the Colts, after a couple of early bobbles, played nearly perfect on the offensive side of the ball. Defensively there is still work to do, but the defense did only give up one touchdown and two field goals until a late game Hail Mary touchdown. They may not be world-beaters yet, but they seem to be improved.

As we watched the game unfold, I told my friends that there should be no Jim Mora or Tom Moore bashing after this one. The Colts mixed it up on first down and ran the no huddle exclusively. They never punted and at one point, had scored touchdowns on six consecutive drives. Peyton Manning, who somehow keeps finding ways to get better, was brilliant. He passed for more than 400 yards, threw 4 touchdown passes and even ran for a touchdown. He hit all of his receivers and, with the exception of the early interception, played what was probably the best game of his career. The Edge was simply the Edge! He rested the 100-yard mark for the 5th time in a row and once the Bills were beaten down in the second half he delivered some of his most punishing running. Jerome Pathon had another big day and seems to have a firm grip on the second wideout position. Marvin Harrison caught 3 touchdowns as the Bills, for some reason went at him one on one.

Overall the Colts looked great! Next up is New England and we all know how bad things have gone for us up in Foxboro over the years. The Colts will be big favorites going into the game against what is probably the worst team in the division. But that fact has never really mattered. We still seem to struggle against the Pats. However, this year it looks like we simply have too much firepower for the Patriots. So if you're heading out to the race next Sunday at the Speedway, take a radio and tune into the game on Q95 and root the horseshoes on to victory! Following that we get a week off then the season starts to get really tough as the Raiders come to town. And no, I will not be rooting for the Raiders just like I was not rooting for the Raiders last year, even if I was accused of it!

9-11 Part 6

For nearly the past two weeks, America has stood united in it's grief and pain over the September 11th terrorist attacks in New York and Washington DC. For two weeks we have given supplies, blood, money and time to assist not only the victims of the attacks, but also those who have the task of sifting through the rubble of two 110 story buildings. Anyone here in Indianapolis who has seen the rubble pile left over from the implosion of Market Square Arena knows how big of a pile that was. And that was one 11-story structure mainly filled with empty space.

For two weeks, everyone in the world it seems has denounced the attacks and called for an end to terrorism worldwide. But at that point seems to be where we start to see divisions in the union.

The US has commenced sending warplanes and ships to locations near Afghanistan and it seems that some military action is forthcoming. Or is it? Personally, I do not feel a war from the air or missiles fires from ships against a largely American hating, yet innocent population will achieve anything other than more terrorist attacks here and abroad. Why? Simply because dropping bombs and firing missiles are not going to achieve the desired goal. In this case, the end of terrorism, or at least that's what the President says and frankly I believe him. To be successful in the fight against terrorism we must tighten our security systems here and wherever Americans are in the world. Then we must, through intelligence gathering and covert operations systematically start to catch those responsible for the terrorism and bring them to justice. It can be done and we have to do it. Killing innocent Afghani people will not endear the US to any other country in the world and it damn sure will not unite Americans. W has shown great patience in my view up to this point. Perhaps he felt that moving the military into position to strike at Afghanistan would persuade them to produce Osama bin Laden. It didn't work. I think we all need to pray for the President as he faces what is probably the biggest decision a President has had to make since Vietnam. We didn't win that war and many brave and heroic men who fought in that war came home pariahs. We have been a country very divided since that time. Haste in this crucial hour will destroy the unity the country has built the last couple of weeks. A unity we may never again see.

9-11 Part 5

By now you no doubt have received countless emails pertaining to last weeks terrorist attacks. Some are nothing more than a bunch of hooey perpetrated by someone who had too much time on their hands and put out faux Nostradamus predictions of the events. Some are allegedly from Islamic persons living in Afghanistan denouncing the Taliban and Osama bin Laden. While still others are from Americans predicting doom and gloom for the terrorists and Afghanistan. Email is a wonderful thing and a very useful tool of both work and pleasure. But let's not too carried away with messages and articles and what they are saying. I know in this time of grief and suffering it is easy to gravitate to anything positive about America and negative about our enemies, especially foreign.

Let's set some things straight though. First of all the Nostradamus email which seems to have died out over the past couple of days was a complete hoax as the man was dead more than 20 years before he “wrote” his prediction of the attacks. With so many pointing this fact out is probably why that particular email stopped making the rounds. Next is one I received today which was allegedly by a man living in Afghanistan. He pointed out that the Taliban was not the legal government and went on to compare them to the Nazi's. Regardless of who wrote that particular piece, they are correct in certain aspects. First, with the exception of Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates, no other country currently recognizes the Taliban as the rightful government of Afghanistan. However, when they took power in 1998 it was after 20 years of war, both civil and against the Soviet Union. Gangs and warlords ran Afghanistan, and crime and corruption were the rule. The Taliban restored an order to the country and at the urging of the rest of the world and according to their Islamic tenets, completely eliminated the cultivation of the poppy plant and the production and sale of opium. Upon doing this, they honestly thought they would become the recognized government of Afghanistan. After all, what criminal activity has America been engaged in a war against the past several decades? Drugs. So for this man to claim the Taliban are Nazi's seems more like an American posing as an Afghan. Don't get me wrong. Having the power that the Taliban have in Afghanistan can have devastatingly corrupt ramifications. But if we are to believe them at their word, they are simply trying to create the world's purest Islamic state. As for bin Laden, why in the world would they give him to the US? We know they don't like the US and want us out of the Middle East. If we aren't going to leave, they simply will not turn him over.

Finally there is the article written by a columnist here in America. He talks of waking the sleeping giant and that America will have the stomach to lose many more lives to rid this country of terrorism. He waxes patriotically of winning a war and bringing our way of life to the world. For the love of God I hope he is right. But as I have stated on previously, I'm not sure we do. There is a lot of singing and flag-waving going on right now that is both positive and therapeutic. But there are also beatings of Middle Eastern and other foreign born or looking people going on. This lack of tolerance is nothing more than fascism and xenophobia and is enough to make me sick. These terrorist attacks were perpetrated by a complex network of people of which Americans had to be involved.

So read your emails and enjoy them and hopefully they will bring some sort of comfort to you. But please take them with a grain of salt as a real war is probably coming and the strong words from columnists, people of Islamic faith and other assorted but cases may soon be sad memories of a week when as a country we did rally together. Tomorrow, the conspiracy theories regarding bin Laden's stock portfolio and the US government perpetrating these heinous acts because W was spoiling for a fight.

9-11 Part 4

The call has been made and it appears that America stands on the brink of war. The target-Afghanistan in general and Osama bin Laden in particular. Is it he right thing to do? That remains to be seen. The Taliban and bin Laden have maintained bin Laden's innocence of last Tuesday's attacks on New York and Washington DC. AS I had wrote in a previous piece, these people are usually quick to assume responsibility for their actions. As for bin Laden, however, his modus operendi is to declare himself not responsible, but pleased with the actions of others. It looks as though the far-reaching tentacles of his followers may never be completely severed. Therein lies what has the potential for this to be a true test of just how far America is willing to go to eradicate terrorism from our planet.Any retaliatory strike we have against Afghanistan for last weeks attacks will be met with counterattacks promises the Taliban. It is urging its people to steal themselves for a Holy War against the US. Let's face it, that means more terrorist attacks on more American people in more parts of the world. Are the American people willing to see more images similar to those we have witnessed ad nauseum this week? Are the Islam Fundamentalists correct in their assessments that the Americans don't have the stomach for bloodshed and therefore will give in to the wishes of the Islamic people and leave the Middle East? I personally don't feel we are prepared to fight a war with an enemy who doesn't have borders and who seems willing to attack in non-conventional ways and on our own soil. I don't think Americans can tolerate more scenes like this past week.

Unfortunately, I believe that will be what happens if we go to war with Afghanistan in the name of getting Osama bin Laden. America, get ready, life as we know it is going to change. And it's not going to be for the better right away. If we are willing to do what it takes to rid the world of terrorism it will cost lives like we haven't seen before. The Islamic fundamentalists and bin Laden have said they do not distinguish between American military and civilians. To them we are all evil and are all targets. Sacrifices will have to be made. The question before this country is just how much are we willing to sacrifice. Things are going to get worse before they get better.

9-11 Part 3

A moment of silence was just observed by the company I work for. Everyone gathered outside at the flagpole as a new flag was unfurled, raised and then lowered to half-mast as we held hands and reflected on the events that shocked America Tuesday. As I looked at my co-workers there were many with tears in their eyes. Sorrow and mourning are natural and healthy in a situation like this. Personally have not been able to shed any tears over what happened. Yes, I am appalled at the terrorist's attacks, which may change life in America forever. I am hopeful that those responsible are captured and held responsible for their actions. And I feel great sorrow for the innocent victims and especially their friends and families who will have to live with their losses. Maybe it's just that a tragedy like this seemed inevitable to me. After Oklahoma City it was evident of just how easy it was to commit terrorist acts against the American people right here in America! That is not said to diminish in any way the magnitude of Tuesday's events. Simply to point out that we are vulnerable to this type of terrorism. Every day we take for granted so many things in our lives. Getting on an airplane, going to work, going to the bar, going to parties, going to school and having plenty to eat and drink. It's the way of America. Thousands stream into our borders every year simply to escape persecution, dictatorship or natural shortfalls in their homelands.

Things are about to change and as much outcry as there has been this week over the attacks in New York and Washington, there will be even more when the memory has faded and the inconveniences that we all seem to want in the aftermath become intrusive on our daily lives. Suspicion will have a definite effect on America. Instead of being at the airport an hour before your flight it will now take 2 hours. I remember when it was 20 minutes! The threat of being detained is probably going to become more real.

Right now, America is lauding the impending measures to increased safety and security. But how much time will pass before the security achieved becomes a bother? And if it does become a bother, when will standards be relaxed? What will the cost be for letting our guard down again? A change is coming America. It probably will not be for the betterment of the quality of life we now enjoy. Will it increase safety and security? Almost without a doubt it will, but at what costs and how long are we willing to pay those costs? America has changed this week, and for that I do shed tears.

9-11 Part 2

Tomorrow morning a new day will dawn. It will be a dawn unlike any of us in America have ever experienced. I feeling of despair and apprehension will arise with us. Today, the fears expressed by many for the past several years were realized as terrorists struck at the heart of the US government and economy when the Pentagon and World Trade Centers were attacked in separate, but similar incident just minutes apart from each other. It is clear that these attacks and another involving a downed airliner in Pennsylvania were the calculated attacks of some terrorist group.
What is not clear is who is responsible for the attacks. Most American's have been quick to condemn Osama bin Laden or the Taliban that rules nearly all of Afghanistan. Reports of Palestinians dancing in the streets of Gaza and Iraqis celebrating and claiming the attacks were the wages of America's foreign policy make these groups seem guilty. And make no mistake. Any or all of these groups have the financial wherewithal to make such an attack take place. These attacks were very well thought out and carried out with precision. But let us not, in the heat of the moment dismiss all other possibilities. The last terrorist attack on American soil was perpetrated by Timothy McVeigh. That atrocity was done by an American or group of Americans who had serious philosophical issues with the government of the US.

Obviously, today's attacks were much better planned than a truck full of explosives. But the result, despite the magnitude of casualties, was the same. A disruption of the business of America.
Tonight, shopping malls are closed, school functions cancelled and even baseball games postponed. We await word on whether or not there will even be football this weekend. But are these cancellations and postponements done out of respect for the victims and families of today's tragedy? Or are they done for a fear of safety? Either way, the terrorists, whoever they may be have succeeded in one way. Disrupting our lives.

It is incumbent upon the US intelligence community to find the masterminds of these attacks and punish them accordingly. Anything less will not be tolerated by the American people. But I would urge the citizens and government of this country to be sure the responsible agents for these crimes are caught and not to take action merely to appease a nation who will demand retribution.

Tonight, I had class on the IUPUI campus. Noticeably absent were the many foreign students who are usually on campus. Perhaps one or some of them come from a country who is harboring the responsible party. Or perhaps, the students who showed up are from a country that is.

9-11 Part 1

This morning, apparent terrorist attacks occurred in New York City, Washington and Pittsburgh. Hundreds if not thousands will have lost their lives and thousands more will have been injured in the attacks. The first attacks occurred just minutes apart from each other as allegedly hijacked commercial airliners collided with both towers of the World Trade Center in New York. Minutes later another commercial airliner was crashed into the Pentagon in Washington. Then, about an hour later there was a report of yet another commercial airliner crashing in a suburban Pittsburgh area. At this point, Osama Bin Laden, the mastermind behind such terrorist attacks as those at US installations in Italy and Nigeria has claimed he is not responsible. In fact a group with “Palestinian” in it's name has claimed responsibility. Conflicting reports and confusion have ruled the morning.

That's the news, but what does it mean? America is the most powerful country in the world. It's just that simple. But with that power comes responsibility and ultimately the consequences that power brings. Our people have been the victims of foreign terrorists for years, both on foreign soil and here at home. Why?

That is a question that seemingly, if answered, could lead to an end of the terrorism or a better understanding of when attacks will occur. But the answers are many and complex.

First of all, we are a nation who is viewed as being very immoral. Our religious freedoms allow us to worship which religion we choose or to choose no religion at all. In many countries around the world, the state is run by religion and there are no choices. Governments of very fundamentalist religious factions run many of these countries. To them, the worship and service of their supreme being is far more honorable than life itself. And their disdain of the “west” leads them to terrorist acts. If that sounds like a contradiction of faith, it is. And it seems that the more we point that out, the more it pushes the fundamentalists into these actions. In the case of the Taliban, sharp contrasts between their beliefs and those of the west bring anger and hostility. When that anger and hostility is funded by billionaires such as Bin Laden, then terrorist acts of enormous magnitude can occur.

Second, despite the economic reports we hear on a daily basis, the US is a very prosperous nation. Our land is blessed with vast amounts of natural resources, fertile land and a climate that is ideal for growing nearly any crop needed. Not every country is blessed in these ways. Of course the Middle East has the huge oil reserves, but the land is arid and not suited to crop cultivation. Much of Europe is mountainous and what is not, is crowded with people. Southern Asia and Africa suffer from droughts of enormous and deadly proportions. Through trade and loans, the US has given these countries loans and food for years with little hope of ever recouping any of the money. So the US has entered into agreements such as NAFTA and the World Trade Organization which bring globalization into reach. Globalization can lower tariffs and bring products that we don't have to us for lower prices. These lower prices lead, however, to low wages in other countries and the cycle of the “haves” and the “have nots” continues. As witnessed by the riots that accompany any WTO conference, globalization of the economy is not necessarily desired.

Finally, of course there is simple jealousy of the US for the already mentioned reasons. And let me make the point here that while the death toll from today's actions will be greater than the Oklahoma City bombing, it is, to me, a less heinous crime since that was an act brought about by an American who thought himself to be a “patriot”. Today's act's are clearly un-American, paid for and perpetrated by foreign agents. Surely, if everything the reports are saying about hijacking is true, then there are Americans that had to be involved and those people are far worse than the foreign states or individuals who financed or perpetrated these acts.

So what happens now? If the Palestinians are responsible what are they trying to accomplish? Do they honestly think these acts will cause us to persuade Israel to move off the West Bank and give them a country? What happened today will have the opposite effect. American reaction should be swift and severe and the dream of legitimate, law abiding Palestinians of a homeland should be wiped from their thoughts. If the Taliban or Osama Bin Laden are responsible, then the US should demand his extradition. Once. Then if the same lack of cooperation persists, we use the military to go get him. Acts such as these bring Americans close. What other countries think of us will be of little concern for quite some time. Does this mean we should be kicking out all of the foreigners from the US. Absolutely not. Most are hard working, law abiding citizens. But as happened back in 1990 when the Gulf War brought America together, many foreign born Americans will suffer. That may not be right, but when events such as today's occur, it is to be expected.