Yo Adrian, Tear Down this Wall!

History often repeats itself, but the sequels are rarely as good.  Sen. Obama is a great orator, but his speech in Berlin last week was the Rocky V of Berlin speeches. 

The first Rocky was the best of the bunch and ended in a stalemate between Rocky and Apollo.  President Kennedy’s speech was like the original Rocky, strong and aggressive.  Ultimately, the Cuban Missile Crisis – Kennedy’s biggest brawl with the Russians- ended in a stalemate.  A stalemate that may have saved the world.

 

Rocky II and III bare no resemblance to any presidential speeches I know of (unless LBJ, Nixon, Ford or Carter spoke in Berlin?) but Reagan’s speech resembled the knockout punch Rocky delivered to Ivan Drago.  “Mr. Gorbachav, tear down this wall.”  A short sentence that rocked history like an uppercut. In a way Hollywood helped the movie star President end the cold war.  The Soviets were beat up so often in American cinema that Reagan merely had to drop in and finish Stalone’s dirty work.  The Cold War was, after all, a war of ideas.  

Obama’s speech pales in comparison.  First off, he is not the president yet, despite what his supporters think.  In addition to that, Obama spoke to them as: “a citizen or the world”.  Kennedy and Reagan lived in the world too, but they were first and foremost Americans, patriots and cold warriors. 

Obama’s ability to relate to the world is an asset.  Perhaps he would make a good Secretary of State.  I fear that he would be a poor president because he is overly sensitive to the way the world perceives the United States.  A President that sees himself as a Citizen of the World first and patriot second will disappoint voters the way Tommy Gun let Rocky down in Rocky five. 

Sylvester Stallone made Rocky Balboa two years ago.  The storyline jumps from Rocky IV to the new movie.  Five never happened.  History does not give do overs, cinema does.  Rocky Balboa also showed an older Rocky Balboa who could still fight.  Perhaps there is something to be said for scrappy old fighters.  Vote for McCain in 2008.

Another Angry Jim Rice Rant

Former Red Sox slugger Jim Rice was snubbed by the Hall of Fame yet again.  This is proof positive that you do not have to be smart to be a sports writer.  These dopes go on ESPN and act upset over the way steriods have tarnished the sport and then fail to vote for Rice, someone who was clean.

Rice suffers because he played before the “juice” era and as a result his stats suffer in relation to some of his comically muscular successors.  Rice played the game with dignity and belongs amongst the greats in Cooperstown. 

Pete Rose should be in the Hall of Fame as well.  Charlie Hustle is no angel but is probably a better person than some people currently enshrined.  Ty Cobb, who once beat up a crippled fan,  comes to mind.