A DARK TUESDAY

A few quick thoughts on a somewhat downbeat Tuesday night...

--This blog is dedicated to the memory of Jason Coffee, a classmate from Northwestern who passed away in the last day. I can say of him that he was more of an acquaintance than a friend, but such an admission does not diminish the impact he had on those who were lucky enough to know him. He was, both physically and in personality, larger than life. He will be missed.

--If you haven't been paying attention to the Israeli strikes against Hamas targets (and innocent women and children) in the Gaza Strip or the 5.2 "earthquake" deep underground in Iran, it may be time to start. Iran has nukes, whether they admit it or not and they would like nothing better than to use them to destroy Israel. Israel knows this and while they are trying to crush terrorism cells and weapons smuggling operations in the Strip, they at all times have one eye on Iran and will not hesitate to try and take out their nuclear facilities yet again. Just when you thought the Middle East was simmering, a single spark presages a firestorm.

--I can't believe the Broncos fired Mike Shanahan. However, I can't honestly say that its a bad move. I guess time will tell. My humble suggestion is to pair a bright, young draft expert to run the front office with an experienced, hungry coach like Dennis Green. If Denver wants to avoid a retread (and get tougher on defense and special teams), then any of the following three coordinators are ready and able: Giants d-coordinator Steve Spagnoulo, Minnesota Viking defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier or Tennessee defensive coordinator and assistant head coach Jim Schwartz.

--I'll pass on the full review of Gus Van Sant's new film MILK, but I will say that it is very good at times nearly great and Sean Penn should win another Oscar for his portrayal of the charismatic and tragically assassinated Harvey Milk, the gay activist who in 1977 became the first openly gay person elected to public office in the United States. The supporting cast is very good (especially James Franco as Milk's first long time lover with whom he moved to San Francisco) and if the film sometimes seems a little distant from it's protagonist early on, it makes up for it by packing a wallop at the end. I give the film an "A" and recommend it for anyone looking for an intelligent, complex and moving film experience this holiday season.

And away we go, anon and Amen.

Peace...