Again, not a huge football fan but this makes no sense.

The Chicago Bears had a crap season this past year and it is the 3rd year (if I remember correctly) that the teams hasn’t made the playoffs. With that in mind, why is it the team is bringing back the underwhelming head coach Lovie Smith?

A 2PM news conference will be held today to announce his return for a 7th season… sad.

From the “didn’t see that coming” file

News reports show that freed Guantanamo detainees head to Yemen to rejoin Al Qaeda.

Hmm. Really?

Makes you wonder if this is a chicken or the egg situation.

Google to announce the ‘Nexus One’ – their own mobile phone

The smartphone market is starting to get out of control.

First it was Palm (so may years back), then Blackberry, then Apple, then T-Mobile with Google…and now Google.

I switched from the iPhone to the HTC MyTouch with Google simply because I grew tired of Apple’s crap attitude and planned obsolescence approach to their phone, and enjoy the MyTouch, but what is Google really trying to accomplish with this move?

The phone is rumored to be developed by HTC (like the MyTouch) and will run Android (like the MyTouch) and is expected to cost around $500 (like the MyTouch). See a theme here? What superior functionality will the Nexus One offer that the MyTouch does not have?

Really, why not simply get a MyTouch?

Aside from an additional revenue stream what is the long term strategy of Google here? How does this provide a positive for the consumer? To me it would make sense to stick with providing an underlying OS (Andriod) and let phone developers integrate Google into their products.

Bankruptcy Filings up by a third in the US.

Not much more to say than “Ouch” to this news.

Jerry Levin, former Time Warner CEO, said the follow on Monday…

From the Financial Times:

“I presided over the worst deal of the century, apparently, and I guess it’s time for those who are involved in companies to stand up and say: you know what, I’m solely responsible for it,” said Mr Levin. “I was in charge. I’m really very sorry about the pain and the suffering and loss that was caused. I take responsibility.”

I respect that fact that the man is standing up for his actions, bravo. It makes me wonder, however, if saying sorry for overseeing such poor business decision opens him up to legal issues. Will shareholders who lost large amounts of money start suing now that he has personally taken responsibility?

The Flu, Swine Flu and the Ukraine

During a normal flu season roughly 5% to 20% of the U.S. population will get the flu (all strains covered). If one take the “worst case” numbers 20% will translate to about 68M people.  When the CDC states that about 22M people in the U.S. have had the swine from April of 09 to October of 09 that may seem like big number but, really, it is in line what what the CDC expects in a normal flu season anyway…  And that is what I love about stats.

People like to use numbers to prove points/win arguments because the majority of the listening audience does not question the data.  Sorry to say it but there is a serious lack of critical thinking which lead does not lead to “Well, how is this different than any year?”

I’ve said it a number of times, and unless I see a set a drastic events, I will continue to say the Swine Flu is nowhere as bad as the media is making it out to be.

Another example of this may be the reaction in the Ukraine.

In a sudden fury of activity the Ukrainian government began voicing concern about national security, closing down schools nation wide, and quarantining hospitals because of a sudden rise in swine flu.  According to Ukrainian government stats, 1,192,481 people have the swine flu within the country of roughly 46 million people.

Put in another way – roughly 4.1% of their population. While I do not have average number of flu cases within the Ukraine 4% seems rather low all things considered.

Initially the outbreak was called an “unknown disease” but has since been identified as the swine flu.  Sure, facing something that has never been identified could explain the concern about national security and establishing quarantines… but, again, 4% seems rather low.

Is gold running out?

The supply of gold on the Earth is finite.  No new supplies will be created.  So, it is interesting to hear the CEO of Barrick Gold – the largest gold mining company – say the company is stopping their hedging practice.

Quick reminder: Hedging is used by companies to protect themselves from price volatility, usually buying/selling contracts of goods at a set price.

Example: I think the price of oil is going to rise in the future so I buy oil options for 4 years out at the current price ($77).  Let’s say the price of oil doubles ($144) I will only have to pay my option price ($77).  Alternatively, if the price drops over that time period I will have lost the difference between what I paid and the price at the time the option expires.

So what would cause Barrick to stop the practice of selling hedges?  There is only one answer that would fit under the current market conditions, they believe they only direction the price of gold is heading is upward.

Chicago Bears…

Yea, they suck.  Just needed to get that out there.  Sure the defense is playing as if they are a different team from last Sunday, now Jay Cutler is sucking ass and sucking hard.

Really guys, what’s up?

The Alavi Foundation

I was very surprised to see in the news that the U.S. is trying to confiscate the holdings of the Alavi Foundation.  First off, I’ve never head of the Alavi Foundation, but the U.S. claims this group is a front for the Iranian Government. Second, I’m surprised because – to the best of my knowledge – there wasn’t much, if any, word the group showing up in the press previous to this event.

Making the assumption the Alavi Foundation is a front for the Iranian Government, why is action being take at this time?  What is the cause/motivation for action? Is this a warning to the Iranian government because of their actions with regards to the nuke program?

Time to start putting the pieces together…

Lou Dobbs leaves CNN

In what came as a surprise for a number of people, Lou Dobbs is leaving CNN.  Except for a short period of time spent at space.com Dobbs was with the network since it was founded. Weird, no?

Anyone have a guess as to why he is leaving.  I’m sure there are odds in Vegas on this, but I’m going with Lou Dobbs may be considering a run for some political position.

Yes, call me nuts, but look at what he said in his speech:

And as for the important work of restoring inspiration to our great free society and our market economy, I will strive as well to be a leader in that national conversation

If that doesn’t sound like someone who is about to make a run, I don’t know what does.  I mean, for crying out loud, he had a huge picture of the American flag behind him! Yes, time will tell, but as I am a betting man this is where I would put my money.

For November 8th the weather here in the Chicago area is surprisingly nice, if not down right spring like.  Today is the 2nd day in a row where we are getting mid-sixties and sunny.  Very nice.

Today would be a great day for a football game but, yet again, the Chicago Bears are sucking and sucking hard.  The score is 31 to 7 and the 3rd quarter just started. This almost has a Cincinnati feel to it as the Chicago defense is simply taking a beating

In the first half alone the Cardinals managed to score three touchdowns on a total of 320 yards.  Kurt Warner is looking outstanding and the Cardinals running game, which was the worst in the league coming into this game, has racked up 149 rushing yards thus far.

It’s sad. Ah well… On to other things.

I’m starting to think that little, random, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean pita restaurants are the secret  to outstanding meals.  Really.  The unassuming places, usually found in strip malls, are really satisfying.

While “branching out” today (creature of habit) I ended up at a place called Gourmet Pita & Pizza.  The hummus hit the spot and the beef shawarma had a succulence that I wouldn’t expect from a small, rather unknown, place.  Very enjoyable.

Let’s talk about Fort Hood for a second.

I’m going to say what very few are willing to say – Fort Hood was an act of terrorism, the first act of documented terrorism on U.S. soil since 9/11.

On the day of the attack President Obama said the following:

“We don’t know all the answers yet and I would caution against jumping to conclusions until we have all the facts,”

And he is right, no one should jump to conclusions; however, once the facts are out President Obama doesn’t still does not want to vocalize the reality of the situation – Major Nidal Malik Hasan, the shooter, jumped up and yelled “Alah Hu Akhbar” before he opened fire.

Just because he wasn’t attached to a specific group doesn’t mean his actions were not terrorism. The fact that this man expressed a fanatic dedication to Islam is the differentiator here. He planned his actions, and did so in the name of religion.  Such actions should not be confused with a man that simply “snapped”.

How President Obama reacted to this situation is very important as I think it shows how he will react when other terrorist attacks take place – a wait and see, let us not offend someone, mentality.

On that happy thought, I’m going to go finish watching the Bears get their ass kicked by the Cardinals.

WOW!

The stress level has been up significantly for the last 48 hours or so. Mainly due to work demands. If I could summarize the level of activity and the emotion tied to it I would use the classic quote from Dr. Egon Spengler (Ghostbuster)

Try to imagine all life as you know it stopping instantaneously and every molecule in your body exploding at the speed of light.

On the positive side I’ve been managing it quite well – or I feel that I have been. Who knows, I may be off, but still.

Chicago Bears…

Roughly a week ago I stated my thoughts on the massive loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, and let’s face it, it was a blowout. The victory of the Cleveland Browns was UGLY. Sure, it was a win… against the Browns… but the level of play just goes to show how poor the team is right now.

One problem seen was how vulnerable Jay Cutler is. Being sacked 4 times in a game is going to really take a toll and goes to highlights weaknesses of the offensive line. You can best your bottom dollar other teams are paying attention to this.

Offensively the Bears could not convert. They only managed 2 touchdowns in 7 trips to the red zone. Going up against teams like Minnesota or Philadelphia will not be pleasant if this continues to be the track record.

From a defense perspective the team played well. While far from stellar, the efforts of the defensive squad should provide a confidence boost after the Bengals massacre.

Ford…

Did you see that Ford posted a $1 billion profit for the 3rd quarter?

Impressive.

While I would be willing to guess a portion of the results are due to the Cash for Clunkers it is a very positive sign in the face of GM and Chrysler.

Let’s not flick off a judge…

A bit of advice for someone who is going infront of a judge – don’t flick him or her off.

Kane Kellett, 24, landed in jail for six months after he raised his right hand, middle finger extended, before Judge G. Martin Zopp in McHenry County Court

Yea, good call on that one.

I enjoy a good game, and I would even go as far as to say I’m emotionally interested in when the Chicago Bears play. The reality I face; however, is that I am not a fan of football.

Really, I’m not.

I have no understanding of the different routes and plays the teams execute, I have no desire to sit next to Lake Michigan, in the middle of the winter, with the wind constantly blowing through my countless layers of protection only to find out that my testicles need to be treated for frost bite, but more importantly, I have no big desire to see any enjoyment in the whole rivalry aspect of the game.

To recap, I enjoy a game but and not a huge fan(atic).

Ok, that said and out of the way… what the hell happened to the Chicago Bears this past week?  Has the defensive line fallen so far since the super bowl?   Even with a franchise play on the team (Hello Cutler!)  the offensive cannot get things into gear, and the idea that the Chicago Bears will have a power running back is laughable at best.

My big fear about brining Jay Cutler into the mix was having Ron Turner keep the same mentality he did in the past.  Have a quarterback that can manage a game and run when the risk to pass was too high.  Yea, well, it seems like he had taken a play out of his old play book.  Really.

Turner, you have one of the best QBs in the league on your team – write the playbook to him.  If he is the captain, make him be the captain.  Don’t stick with short route passes and hope your power back will get you the rest of the way.

Pick –Ron Turner – Pick what you want your offense to be.  A solid, talent backed, passing game or a “hit or miss” running back being lead by a trouble line.

The defense has their share of the blame, too.  Don’t get me wrong, I did not forget about their c movie performance.

Up front, I will admit the defensive team has suffered a lot over the last two seasons. The biggest problem facing the defense squad is, well, Lovie Smith.  It’s clear that his ability to act as the Defensive Coordinator is the ultimate death wish for the season.

Let’s face it – the last two performances from the Chicago Bears have been less than post-season quality.  Sunday was a travesty and the year is only going to become harder.

Lovie and Ron need to get their act in gear, and soon, before the season sails.