Brazil 3-2 USA: And the future

Yesterday was a great day. When Clint Dempsey put in the first goal I was jumping and screaming, though I had to see the replay to believe it. When Landon drove home the second just past Julio Cesar's leaping form I was laughing with joy and pounding the countertop.

And then reality set in. Or at least Bob Bradley's reality. 40 seconds after the restart Luis Fabiano secured the Golden Boot by nutmegging Jonathon Spector and Brazil had their stride back.

When Sasha Kleschjen was subbed in I knew in the back of my mind we were done. This is how we really missed Michael Bradley: Bennie Feilhaber did a decent job in his place but we were left without a quality sub. Bradley the Gaffer could have done a better job in the locker room at the half because letting in three second half goals after pitching first half shutouts once is on the players but twice is on the boss.

My big hope is that with this tournament and a good showing next Summer, at least last eight and preferably last four, will change the minds of the next Rossi or Subotic. Think where the US would be with those two youngsters in the squad!

Now I know we have players born in other countries playing for us, and may soon have another in Jermaine Jones, but the difference is that, for example, Freddie Adu came to the US with his parents as a small child while Rossi was not only born here but lived in the US through high school (give or take). He plays for Italy based on his father's birth certificate.

In any case I'm not saying players should be prevented from choosing to play elsewhere, rather that US Soccer should be their choice.

I also think the attitude question is subject to generational change. A generation ago we didn't even think to qualify for the World Cup, nor did we have a serious professional league. This generation expects to qualify, and regularly win our regional tournaments, and MLS is seen as a place to start before hopping to a European club.

Next generation, the kids who are 8-12 now, will expect to win. Against anyone.

posted at 8:54 AM

USA 2-0 Spain

For those of you who somehow managed to avoid seeing this result, how did you do it? LOL.

For me beating the world numero uno, 15 straight wins, 35 straight undefeated La Furia Roja is one of the greatest results in USA team history. Right up there with beating Mexico in the 2002 World Cup round of 16 and the wins over Brazil and Portugal.

Spain completely dominated possession, shots on goal and the US even finished a player down. Tim Howard, the back four and midfield were outstanding in defense, I'm hardpressed to pick between Howard, Oguchi Onyewu and Jay Demerit for Man of the Match. Landon Donovan was everywhere today, playing at the outstanding level he showed before his disastrous spell at Bayern Leverkusen and MLS return with the Galaxy.

Livingston's own Jozy Altidore had the first goal, matching strength against Joan Capdevilla and winning. Landon and Dempsey combined for the second, nice close in work inside Spain's six yard box. Both times $150 million-rated keeper Iker Casillas could do no more than get fingertips to the ball.

USA also suffered again at the hands of referee Jorge Lariondo. This clown was horrendous at the 2006 World Cup, sending off two Americans in our game against Italy. He was below average but not terrible until inexplicably pulling a red card out against Michael Bradley in the 87th minute. FIFA must, I mean MUST, revoke his international license.

We may lose big to Brazil again on Sunday--but no one can fairly say the USA hasn't earned their place in the final.

posted at 1:55 PM

Safeway: Customer Service, Marketing Fail

[Note: I sent this email to Safeway over a week ago and have not received so much as an automated response.]

I am very unhappy about the false promise made by Safeway regarding accumulation of 10 cent per gallon discounts. I live in Mountain View, CA, and shop at the store on Shoreline Blvd. Given that I've accumulated 6 or 7 and the discount expires next 10 days I tried to use it yesterday only to find out that I cannot, at least not in any reasonable way. $0.60 * 14 gallons to fill up is $8.40 (or $9.80 for 7), a meaningful amount in these days of rising gas prices.

I looked very carefully at the related pages on Safeway.com and find nothing that says the reward can only be redeemed at Safeways which sell gas, just "participating locations." But nowhere are participating locations listed and the closest such Safeway is in Pleasonton, over 40 minutes drive from here! Past similar programs have been redeemable at the Arco next to the Safeway at which I shop.

Indeed the PowerPump Locator page lists three locations in Mountain View (when I enter zip code 94043). But instead of being places where one may redeem the reward these are the three stores you have in town and this distinction is not mentioned at all.

To me this is similar to false advertising since Safeway is creating the same false expectation that I'm getting a deal by shopping at the store. Either the company should arrange for location redemption locations or stop making the claim on every receipt I get.

posted at 12:01 PM

Guiseppi Rossi and being American

Ives Galarcep had a good post today, Hating Giuseppe Rossi, that made me think a bit about this American-born emerging soccer star who scored twice against the US team yesterday at the Confederations Cup. Rossi was born and raised in New Jersey but due to FIFA regulations is allowed to play for Italy since both his parents were born there.

On the one hand I'm sad that a player of his quality, who could easily be part of a new generation that might have lifted our national team quality to where we'd be serious challengers for World Cups, decided to play for a nation that is the reigning World Cup holder and has no shortage of top flight players. Neven Subotic, a defender, seems to fall into this bucket as well.

Soccer fans from other countries criticize our team and say we'll never really measure up, but if our potential world class stars play for Italy or Serbia how can we?

I have no issue with Americans playing club ball in Europe or Mexico. Heck, this only makes them better when they line up in red, white and blue. And honestly, MLS is years away from the financial state that will allow them to be competitive with those clubs. Having Dempsey, Gooch, Altidore and so forth playing MLS ball doesn't seem likely to put all that many more fannies in seats for now.

The other issue I have with Rossi's choice is tied in with how I feel about California ballots and other printed literature coming in English, Spanish, Vietnamese and other languages and having to listen to business phone lines tell me to press 1 for English or 2 for Spanish over and over.

I have no problem with legal immigration in America, in fact I think our country has benefitted enormously from it. But if someone comes here because the opportunity is so much better than where he or she was born and especially if that opportunity becomes reality, than these people should be Americans.

Not just legally but culturally. Celebrate your heritage--I am after all president of the Jewish High Tech Community--but learn English, be part of the whole community and not just your local ex-country's and when it comes to sports root for the frakking US team. If your family is from Italy and the Italian team is playing Brazil root for Italy but if its Italy v. US, root for the USA.

And if your kid starts showing serious soccer skills, raise him to believe that his highest (sports) destiny is to wear our colors! Not the colors of the country that you left behind for a better life.

posted at 4:23 PM

A Wave Idea for Dev Teams

Google Wave has really caught my attention the last few days. Vidar Hokstad's post Google Wave as Infrastructure was very insightful and inspiring.

Here is a thought of mine of a way to use Wave in software development, as a sophisticated project center. A dynamic gathering place of practical types of content. Something people suggested wikis might be good for when wikis first started appearing.

My illustration below is not intended to be exhaustive but just a thought piece since, of course, it would require many types of applications to get Wave-enabled. That will take time and software execs with belief.

posted at 6:40 PM

Boycott Steven Cohen

[This is the letter I sent Fox Soccer Channel today in support of the Boycott Steven Cohen campaign]

To whom it may concern,

Steve Cohen has, and not for the first time, told lies about the deaths the 96 fans at Hillsborough, claiming that Liverpool fans were responsible for killing their own, amongst other lies. Is this the type of person you want representing your company? Steve Cohen has done this before, apologising when the outrage grew too large only to continue with his comments a short time later. Clearly, he will not stop, so our objective is to see him being put off air permanently.

Fox Football Phone-in used to be enjoyable and good for a laugh but now I cannot watch it at all. If there were another way for me to watch English football than FSC you can be sure I would.

I urge you to reconsider your use of Cohen.

I will be posting this message to my blog and elsewhere until your support for Steve Cohen and his lies ends.

Thank you,
Bill Lazar
http://billsaysthis.com

posted at 9:10 AM

NCIS: Los Angeles and other Fall TV pronouncements

So the wizards at CBS have done it again. This is the network with the oldest demographic and having just turned 48 I shouldn't be surprised that more of its shows are getting on my list. NCIS, for instance, who can resist Mark Harmon as a hardcase?

I saw the two episode backdoor pilot they ran a few weeks ago featuring LL Cool J and Chris O'Donnell and wasn't shocked to see "NCIS Spinoff" listed on the likely CBS Fall schedule. Sure enough this got a pick up but with what name? NCIS: Los Angeles! I know older folks prefer simplicity and the naming pattern seems to have done the network well with CSI: Wherever but still?!?! On the good side, I suppose this means we won't be getting a CSI: LA.

The team is part of NCIS's Office of Special Projects which, unlike Harmon's team, does mainly undercover investigations plus they have much newer tech toys. I was hoping the series would be called OSP but what can you do?

Don't forget, NCIS is itself a spinoff from the late, unlamented JAG. Acronyms must be another simplification us old coots prefer.

Other CBS

The producers at Without a Trace must have realized the jig was up. Props to them for getting Danny and Elena married, resolving the Jack/Samantha/Brian triangle well and not leaving anyone hanging off a cliff.

Numb3rs was allegedly on the bubble but will be back and no surprise so will The Mentalist, though moved to Thursdays at 10. If you haven't been watching this one, give it a look as its one of the most 'fun' police dramas in a long time.

Elsewhere

[Note: The Futon Critic has all the gory details, which you may want to start with at this Fall '09 schedule chart.]

NBC did pick up Chuck, hurray! Only 13 episodes and it will timeshare Mondays at 8 with Heroes, meaning the latter will not get an increase of the announced 19 episode order and Mr. Bartowski won't be returning until March. Earl won't get to finish his list of amends as the never quite funny enough My Name is Earl is done.

While I have been a loyal Law & Order viewer the entire 19 year year I think the show has more than run its course and would have much preferred to see Life renewed and paired with Southland.

Fox did renew Lie to Me and Fringe, very nice thank you, but unfortunately chose Dollhouse over Sarah Connor Chronicles. While the former has pretty much everything you would think I like--Joss Whedon, Eliza Dushku, semi-science fiction plus action plot--I watched the first couple of episodes and snored.

Lie to Me was generally compared to Mentalist for the similarity of the lead characters but over the course of their first seasons showed themselves to be very different in practice.

Tuesdays will be strange for those of us who generally dislike reality fare, as ABC, NBC and Fox will all be showing 'unscripted' series in the 8-10 block. Fortunately CBS will have the NCIS/NCIS: LA pair during that time.

posted at 10:43 AM

Happy 6th!

Six years ago tonight TS1 and I stood up in front of family and friends to pledge our love and lives together. Simply put, I've never made a better decision: no woman is a better match for me and she gives me hope that the future will be ever better.

For all of you still searching for a partner in life I wish only that you find someone as wonderful as Viv!

posted at 11:40 AM

Wither the Republicans?

Two interesting GOP things today:

Arlen Spector will run for reelection as a Democrat: The senior senator from Pennsylvania recognized he has drifted too far to the center to win a sixth term as a Republican. Once Al Franken is freed of Norm Coleman's death rattles this will give the Dems a filibuster-proof majority.
Cheney for President: A NYT OpEd column by Ross Douthat that jumps off from the idea that Dick Cheney ought, by his own lights, have been the Republican nominee against Obama. Not that Cheney ever said this nor is Douthat suggesting a different election outcome.

My opinion of the Republican party is no secret: I think they are, on the whole, sleazier and more hypocritical than Democratic politicians. To use less directly derogatory terms, GOP positions are based more on emotion than logic and are far less logically consistent; further they are far less open to true intellectual debate. How many officeholding Dems during the Bush years said, as Gov. Rick Perry (R-TX) recently did, that his or her state should secede from the Union?

This latter incident is one example of how Republicans are showing their true colors. My way or the highway. Cheney has been giving interviews--after President Obama changed government policy on the use of torture and released the Bush DOJ memos giving legal cover for it--claiming that America is now less safe.

"I think that's a great success story," he said to Politico.com of using torture as an intelligence gathering tool. The problem is that any actual intelligence or results from them is classified and so impossible for Americans to judge. Given how badly Cheney and Bush lied about similar things, like Saddam Hussein possessing weapons of mass destruction, I can't just take his word for it.

As for Sen. Spector I'm happy to have his vote in the Democratic column as long as it doesn't come at too high a price. Frankly I think he's switched to save his political bacon since Pat Toomey seemed likely to whip him in the Republican primary.

Spector is already 79 years old with health problems; given a surging Democratic majority in the state, I'd rather see him switch now but retire when his term ends at the end of 2010 and put his weight behind a younger, real Dem candidate. Yes he's long been a friend to Labor and voted for Obama's stimulus package, which are causing him trouble with hardcore PA Republicans, but his foreign policy and finance positions are problematic.

Both these things, Cheney and Spector, illustrate the GOP move away from their so-called Big Tent policy and back towards the Goldwater/Nixon era Jesus and guns first, last and always litmus tests.

posted at 10:44 AM

Endings

Chuck really has to come back next season. NBC Universal, please renew the show because I have to see what its like now that Bartowski will be able to hold his own in a fight!

This was hopefully a season finale and not a series finale but, if it was, then I think the writers did good. This year has seen the end, or possible end, of several shows I watch and the writers impressed me with quality finales. In this regard, compared to past seasons this has to be one of the best--though for the most part I'd have rather had more episodes.

Battlestar Galactica, The Wire, The Shield, The Sarah Connor Chronicles, Life, MI-5, these are the ones I'm thinking about. The L Word was close but not quite at the same level; they did at least finally get back to the whole Jenny's murder thing in the last episode. Life and Sarah Connor, at least as of this writing, are only on the bubble and not cancelled, though the latter seems sure to go.

There was plenty of criticism of the way Ron Moore brought the four year flight to an end. Almost everyone loved the first hour but the second not so much. I felt it was great that all the main character arcs and nearly all the questions were answered. I specifically wanted to know what the Six that only Baltar and the Baltar only Six could see were, and we got that answer. My main quibble was that the very last bit, with the two angels walking down a Manhattan street, was a ham-handed method of getting a point across.

The Wire, as I wrote a few months ago, gave us a "final season of an awesome show [of] 10 episodes that layered on the death of the American big city newspaper to a stack of stories that were already deeper than the aggregate total of the 500+ episodes of the three editions of CSI" and I like the CSIs. This was, quite possibly, the finest show produced by American television.

The Shield was another great one, very bleak (as were BSG and The Wire), but like them it ended and did so honestly within the framework created over its run. The sight of Vic Mackie forced to sit quietly at a cubicle desk for years to come was a terrific way to punish and reward the atrocious behavior we'd seen.

The Sarah Connor Chronicles finished at a point that let the creatives go forward if the show is renewed--try figuring out how they were going to explain John Connor's trip forward and how and/or why he would come back to the present--or if not gave viewers a sense of one major part of his life coming to a close.

Let's just hope the NBC execs have the good judgment to bring back Chuck and Life.

posted at 8:03 AM

Using Compass with Blueprint in Rails

For a new programming project I decided to see what the whole CSS framework and grid design craze is about for myself, and to refresh my Ruby on Rails programming skills.

A little research turned up Chris Eppstein's Compass gem. This is a very nice meta-framework, which can be used with Rails, Merb, Sinatra or other Ruby frameworks as well as pure Ruby, that combines Hampton Caitlin's SASS gem with any of several CSS frameworks, including (at this writing) Blueprint, Yahoo! UI Grids and 960 Grid System. Blueprint seemed sufficient for my needs and the easiest choice so I went with it.

Author's note: I tried publishing this with Blogger as a regular post but it just wasn't working, so its available as a standalone page.

posted at 11:33 AM