Protestors and Looters: I'm putting you on notice

I swore to myself that I would try and play it as neutral as I could on here; that I wouldn't blatantly reveal my political and philosophical leanings to you, the valued reader. This could be an issue tonight. There have been some wild events going on with our quirky, smelly neighbors about 6 hours east and I just happen to have some opinions about them.

To the rioters: Shut up and go home. Take off your nasty hipster sweatshirts, get back on the Xbox controller, and chill out (read that as if I was yelling, all caps doesn't appeal to the naked eye). I have no idea what kind of person Mr. Mark Duggan was, and I doubt 95% of you (you the reader as well as you the weirdo ruffian across the pond) even care. This has been an incident that has 'almost' happened on numerous occasions within England; as times get tough people get ornery.

I get that you're upset, and I understand that you're scared. I've been young, unemployed, and to an extent lacking direction in my life, and its certainly horrifying. But here's a little secret I'd like to instill upon you, Johnny Redcoat: quit complaining and make yourself marketable. It's not like there aren't jobs out there. According to an article that I am going to cite heavily, there are currently over 2,000 entry level jobs available in London. I understand that isn't the California gold rush (in fact it's probably a list of much better jobs) but the opportunity is there is you show any desire to not be a waste of space.

(Read that whole article. I have no idea if the Daily Mail is a reputable source, but I've seen some of the garbage people post on facebook and twitter so you can't hold this against me.)

Where does one get off burning down local businesses? I wouldn't agree with it, but if this was something aimed at "multinationals" or "big business" or whatever then at least it would make sense ideologically. But seriously, burning down a 150 year old family run furniture store? You all suck.

And by the way, while it isn't Brentwood, the neighborhoods of Tottenham, Croydon and Hackney are not exactly the Coney Island housing projects or slums of Mumbai. Get over yourselves. I don't think anything is necessarily "to blame" (and I try my best to ward off the 'blameitis' that all Americans are born with) but one has to wonder how long the dead weight of England has been strung along. Again, this is a bunch of disenfranchised adolescents with no direction or respect for the world order. When you allow these people to receive handouts, it just sort of masks an underlying problem. Most of these kids, much like a lot of kids you and I went to school with (AND LET ME JUST SAY THAT THIS IS NOT A RACIAL ISSUE, TAKE A LOOK AT THE PHOTOS AND YOU WILL SEE THAT PRETTY CLEARLY) were probably lost in about 5th grade, and that's really all she wrote as far as having an easy go of it in life.

Unfortunately, just like what we are facing, the United Kingdom can't afford to keep these people on it's tab any more. The poor always deserve chances, and it needs to be instilled in those who aren't as fortunate from the get go that you have a chance to make something of this thing. I don't think there is any easy way to solve this problem, but giving people a handout and just enough so that they don't have to take any initiative sets a dangerous precedent.

This is the same deal in Tel Aviv; I don't know what people expect. Dear morons, what do you think happens when a neighborhood becomes desirable? Prices go up, the value of land multiplies, and landowners can get more bang for their buck. Can you blame them? (The answer is no btw.) Just because you want to live somewhere doesn't mean you can. I would love to post up on Camelback Mountain or on a pretty lot in Newport Beach, but guess what, I'm (not for long if you tell your buddies to read my posts) not of the means to do so, so I can't. I'm really sorry, but that's the way it works. And for the record, I love the 51st state, and I would vote for Netanyahu in 2012 if I could. Israel is legit.

What I have been trying to hammer towards, and I will now just say directly, is that you can't just grab things you want and have them because your mad. We aren't owed anything. This life is about earning things, and busting your butt to do the best you can. Stop dressing like a bad Tilly's mannequin and buy yourself an interview suit. I was once skeptical, but I'm sure the local Joseph A. Bank is having a 4 for 1 one time sale. (And once you put that first suit on, you'll never be the same.) If you aren't willing to give 100% to maximize the potential you have, then I don't care for you at all, and I hope the Scotland Yard has a field day with you.


There was a soccer game tonight. It will be interesting to see the USA roster sort itself out, but man Klinsmann is a breath of fresh air. As long as he keeps dialing in these young ambitious dudes I feel very good about the direction of what has secretly become one of my favorite sports to follow.

College football is coming soon. I know I linked it, but take a look at this video my boy Jay-Bama and enjoy.

Goodnight.

What a Week! Looking at the Lockout

It has been kind of a crazy week, hasn't it.

I was going to write up a long soliloquy about how great college football was, and how I really wouldn't miss the NFL that much if it canceled the season. How, in fact, it would have been a great thing for the NCAA after a pretty rough offseason. How the fact is, there are a ton of football fans who have never gotten into the manna from heaven that is BCS, big time college football. How a season without the NFL would wake a lot of people up (and keep Berman and Jaws in a soundproof room aka not on my television blurting NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE as loud as they can), who maybe didn't go to a big college, or attended Arizona State, or live in a major market, to what is in my opinion a damn good product, without all of the hyperbole and production that gets in the way of pro football. (If your scoring at home, and you know who you are, that is essentially a summary of what I had planned)

Something beautiful happened instead.


The lockout ended, and with the lockout ending a very accelerated yet abbreviated free agency period began. Honestly, this is how the NFL should do it. Deprive us of any real news for months, and then throw all these wild transactions at us in a matter of days. Fellas, (and by fellas I mean men and women) this is awesome. I can't get enough of this.

As a football fan in general, I have always taken at least some interest in watching athletes progress through the system. It's kind of a sidebar activity during games, remembering local kids when they appear on TV at various colleges, and then the next step, when they are either drafted or picked up as rookie free agents by pro clubs. When the lists started forming this week, I was overjoyed. I am a big fan of the underdog getting a shot, and nowhere in pro sports is this opportunity greater than it is for the undrafted free agent. Take a look at Arizona's own Nic Grigsby, an overachiever who played through a lot of pain in college (that he probably shouldn't have) and probably sacrificed a fair amount of draft stock in the process. Now he has a chance to not only make a roster, but possibly get himself carries in Miami.

(BTW congrats to a former teammate. Big Will Yeatman was a member of the famed 2004 Rancho Bernardo Broncos, who helped me pave the way to our school's first every undefeated conference championship {#holdtherope}. I know college didn't quite go the way you planned, but your a beast and you get to learn from the best in New England. The Pats don't look half bad, either. Also this run on wouldn't be complete without a congrats to Minneapolis' own David Gilreath, a kid who made it out of Armstrong High alive, and who made a lot of athletes from Cal Poly to Ohio State look foolish chasing him the past 4 seasons. You guys have awesome opportunities, work hard and enjoy the ride.)

Aside from dozens of names you are vaguely familiar with, how about all of these trades and signings happening in the last 72 hours? Based on the powers of Real Talk, twitter, and facebook, it appears that football fans are riding an all-time high of excitement. Heres my take: The NFL accidentally gave itself the best shot in the arm a professional league could hope for. Football fans everywhere, fresh off an amazing NBA playoffs, and facing a neverending baseball season with no fantasy drafts, tailgates, or sundays on the couch with wings to look forward to suddenly have the Batman signal staring at them at the end of the tunnel. The country is rarin' to go, and I think in August 2011 this country has an unprecedented amount of football optimism heading into the fall.

It's a real shame Hideki Irabu had to go. Honestly, I hate suicide. I hate the concept, and the hurt it causes so many people disgusts me. I can't imagine the pain that Hideki was going through, and like all suicides I wish he could have gotten the help he needed to face his demons before it was too late. We only get one of these, folks. If your sad, and in a ton of pain, please find an outlet. Whether its exercise, or confiding in a friend, or hell it could be eating contests, but please do not bottle it up. There is something and more importantly, some people out there to help you get through it. (Sorry for turning into an after school special quick, but sometimes the nasty side of life needs addressing too.)

(And for the record, I really wanted to link the Seinfeld clip, but this isn't my last blog ever so don't worry it's coming. Just struck me as possibly poor taste.)


One last thing, props to my buddy Alex for a great landing today. Scary stuff. You're a hell of an instinctive pilot buddy. Kudos indeed.

Stay tuned, I am working on some big things, including possibly a new and improved website! As always, If you have any suggestions or topics that you would like my .2 on don't hesitate to drop a line.


Hartman OUT

Dear Alex Morgan

So we lost today, that kind of sucks. Here is the kind of guy I am. I not only believe in, but really I live by, the idea of American Exceptionalism. It's just a fact, this country is better than yours and there isn't any room to debate this with me. In fact, if you disagree with me, Hugo Chavez has a clown shoes blog of his own, which I will not be linking. Just go ahead and click the red X button any time.


Regardless of the sport, or event, or subject, I want America to come out on top, and I am going to be pretty disappointed when we don't achieve victory. Look, hats off to Japan, they were great on the ball and played an honest, wide open style. By no means am I a sore loser; I have to imagine that this doesn't sting as much as losing to 11 Eurosnobs would. Lets focus on the positives.

By positives I am referring to Ms. America, or as you know her, Alex Morgan. I don't even care that she is a Cal Golden Lady Bear. (Is that what the female sports teams are called in Berkeley? Am I making a jump that it's similar to UConn's Lady Huskies?) Heck, I don't even care that she had a goal and an assist against the land of the rising sun.

(Editors Note: This is written based on the assumption that #13 in your roster but #1 in our hearts is in fact a loyal reader.)


Here is the deal Alex,


You know, if you're into it, and I'm just throwin it out there, and if your not into it send it right on back, but I would be willing to take you out to a nice, moderately priced dinner. You could even pick the movie as long as its "Horrible Bosses" and not that awful looking Zookeeper Movie. Well, who am I kidding; we can watch "Pearl Harbor" followed by "Caddyshack 2" if that is what you're in to. And hey, if you play your cards right, I might even call you back to watch me play FIFA try a lunch date or something, who knows. I'm just saying, if you're in the valley, I'm available at the moment.




Oh, and good game today boo.

Juron Criner situation

I have no idea what is going on with Arizona's star player, but it would not be the worst thing in the world if you prayed for him. If your an atheist, send some "vibes" his way. Regardless of what you're into, just hope for the best for one of the more quality people in college sports.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WSAMN_k5gM

USA-Mexico:Gameday

Let me again remind you that if you're not into soccer, which by the way is what the English called it until the 80s, I'll have something for you later. As happy as I am that my boy Derrick is a Timberwolf and that the Twins are playing so well, these are the dog days and the Gold Cup is really the only sporting event piquing my interest. Here are some thoughts.

How about Jermaine Jones. What a pickup. His fiery personality really meshes with this team. It is very obvious that Jones plays at his best when his back is against the wall. His passes have been good, hes been making runs everywhere, and the center of the field has, for the most part, been off limits to opposition in this tournament. A key point to watch tonight: Jermaine completely shut down Mexico's star, Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez, in the English Premier League this past season. Look for at least some man marking, and ball denial, and hope to god that nobody tries the offsides trap.

It was great seeing Freddy Adu contributing. I don't envy anything about his life. Having the weight of an entire sport on your shoulders at 14, signing an ill-advised contract with a team that hasn't shown a ton of interest in developing his strength, and hitting rock bottom for the last 6 months of 2010, being a 20-something winger without a job. I don't expect him to turn into Ryan Giggs, however he has the best touch on the team. Maybe he won't meet those impossible expectations, but being a key supersub for the 2014 cycle seems reasonable.

Folks, the El Tri is simply playing at another level right now. The manager, whose name frankly doesn't matter (and I am not looking it up) seems to make the perfect adjustments and substitutions throughout the game. Giovanni dos Santos, the half-Brazilian wunderkind, is incredibly dangerous on the flanks and he has looked oh-so close to turning this tournament open every game. I just have a sinking feeling that his slashing runs will cause a backline that isn't the quickest in the world a lot of trouble.

Here is how I see this game going down: The USA midfield is clicking, providing steel and completely dictating the flow of the game. The issue is that final third. The Yanks just don't have enough patience or creativity to take or make enough good chances at goal. I see the Mexican side hanging around, threatening every 15 minutes or so, and taking the lead just before the half. Coach Bradley will bring on subs, hopefully not Chris Wondolowski (better known as 'random MLS striker we will never hear from again') and the US will steal a goal, likely from Juan Agudelo or Clint Dempsey, two guys with enough heart to keep the states in the match. Towards injury time I think Mexico's speed and touch will take over, and I think this is the end of the line for us. I see Chicharito scoring a goal that looks just enough borderline that I will yell at the TV, and Giovanni adding another one moments later when the game has completely opened up.

3-1, but closer than the score.


Here is a video that I really enjoy. I think Jermaine is an awesome player, he seems like a pretty cool dude, and anyone who likes Pizza Hut is a friend of mine.

And you wonder why I watch???

One year ago today...time flies...this is what it's all about.

Team USA: Thats right its time for a soccer blog

Its pretty well established that I am something of a soccer nerd. There's a pretty good chance you've steered me away from a conversation about England finding the right compliment to Wayne Rooney, or who should play for what country internationally; heck you may have even heard me name drop some prospects in the U.S. system who I am (probably correctly) tipping as stars of tomorrow.

It's not a boring sport.

The United States announced their Gold Cup roster today. The Gold Cup is a tournament for the right to be called champion of North America. This tournament generally comes down to holding off scrappy central American clubs and proving to the El Tri (that's Mexico) that elbows and bad hair don''t win championships. While it isn't the World Cup, this tournament serves as a great measuring stick for learning where the 'Yanks are at.

The roster includes several shocking additions, and at least one glaring omission that has me going into doomsday mode. I will break it down position by position to let you know the deal.

Keeper: No real surprises here. Tim Howard is probably still the most consistent American player in the world, and leads a solid, scrappy English club called Everton during the season. Howard minds the net, Marcus Hahnemann backs him up. Know more in my neck of the woods for a mediocre flavor saver, big Marcus also starts in England. While he isn't going to be a big part of the future, it's hard to leave a guy with this much savvy off the roster. Rounding out the unit is Nick Rimando, a solid MLS veteran who can play in a pinch.

Defense: Lots of familiar faces here. My dude Gooch Onyewu returns, after a solid season in Belgium. He's not a popular guy in Mexico and should knock some of their goons around. Eric Lichaj, Carlos Bocanegra and Jonathan Spector provide the versatility coach Bradley loves. Old reliable Steve Cherundolo returns for what could be the final stages of a solid international career. Clarence Goodson is another big guy who provides an upgrade over the scrappy Jay Demerit, who has probably run his course. And then there is the inexplicable inclusion of Jonathan Bornstein. Guy is TURRABLE. Whether its advancing too far forward, mediocre crosses, a horrible first touch, constantly being out of position, or untimely cards, I guess you can say he "does it all". I'd rather have a revolving door of people from the Sam's Army getting run than this clown.



What bugs me about this position is the lack of Timmy Chandler. For one thing, according to my own doctrine, he should be playing for Germany. As he isn't officially cap-tied to the states, there is still a chance that the Nuremburg winger could ply his trade for die Mannshaft. (I can't make fun of the German national team's choice of name enough. Maybe it means something in German, but I speak, and more importantly tell jokes, in English) Plus Timmy is a big time talent, I think he has a chance to be team USA's cornerstone on defense for the next 10 years. Why waste time with a retread like Bornstein?


Midfield: Strongest part of the team. Landon Donovan. You know his name, dude is everywhere, without a doubt the best outfield American player on a counterrattack, and maybe our finest offensive weapon ever. Texas boy Clint Dempsey will probably start on the other wing, although neither of these guys really has a position. Landon and Deuce cover a lot of ground on defense, and make runs from all over the field. Both of these guys love making diagonal runs and setting up real chances. Look for Dempsey up top by the end of the game. There's a steaming pile of mediocrity in Robbie Rogers, Sacha Klestjan, and the awful selection of Freddy Adu. You've probably heard of Freddy Adu, and you probably thought Mo Edu was him last summer. Young Freddy has partied himself into the doghouse, bouncing from team to team and failing to endear himself to a single manager. The 21 year old has been tearing up a minor league in Turkey, and still has a lot of 'magic' that the rest of this roster doesn't have. I still don't see it, and I'd rather he develop in peace and return to the Nats as a finished product. German import Jermaine Jones, whose father was a G.I., as well as Michael Bradley start in the center. Two solid players, Jones is an end to end stud and Bradley is equally dangerous on his game. Edu provides depth, and some versatility, as he has some experience on the backline as well.

(By the way, between Jones, Chandler, Fabian Hurzeler, Jerome Kieswetter, Shawne Parker, and Fredo Morales, lets keep up the work in Germany. With the rules being the way they are, and the German's having probably the deepest talent pool this side of Brazil {The Turks start 9 German natives and a Brit, Ghana and Cameroon start multiple Germans, and the Swiss and Austrians wouldn't even compete without getting a fair share.} we may as well reap the benefits!) All of those names, btw are German nationals with either a father who is American or prospects who happened to be born on our turf and moved across the water. It's a game of absolutes and I will take what I can get while our product continues to improve.

Forwards: Jozy Altidore is a mainstay here, despite slumming it in Turkey, where he is currently on loan from Spanish side Villareal. I'm sure the brass of the Yellow Submarine (remember what I said about team names) are thrilled that they are spending 2.2 mil a season so Jozy can play for other teams. He seems to turn it up for the states, is 21 years old, 6'2 210, and the kind of athlete only America can produce. (BTW how much better are American games with British announcers?) So I am optimistic. Juan Agudelo is the next big thing, a teenager learning from French legend and BAMF Thierry Henry for the New York Red Bulls. Kid has played 3 games for team USA and has notched two goals and drawn a penalty. Juan moved to the 'States from one of my favorite countries, Columbia (shout out to Uribe) as an 8 year old, and brings the flair and aforementioned magic to the game. My only hope is he doesn't follow Freddy and Jozy on the first plane to Europe. Stay here, score goals. The MLS is a better league than people realize and rotting on the bench on a crappy bankrupt team in Portugal or England won't make you better. Rounding out the forward pool is Chris "Wondo" Wondolowski. I'm not even going to get into talking about Wondo, but I know my college buddies are snickering (and to a certain reader it's nothing personal but these are the things that make me laugh). With young guns like Minneapolis' own Teal Bunbury, as well as the continued return to form of Robbie Findley and Charlie Davies rise from the ashes, I feel very good about America taking the worlds sport over.


Overall, a solid bunch with a few warts. As long as Bornstein doesn't ____ ___ ___ (rhymes with hit the lead) against Chicharito I think we can come out of this ok.


(How annoying are youtube ads? Goodnight.