Is a change in the air?

This past Monday modern democracy met Mike D and the results were unanimous. As the pollsters lined the anxious street alongside Amos’ Southend, the temperature began to dip, the sun slowly receded and that ‘change in the air’ that everyone has been talking so much about, it blew brisk.

The event began a week or so prior with an early announcement email. Beastie Boys are headlining a Rock the Vote type tour and Charlotte is on the list of important destinations. The motive behind the tour is to bring politically charged, forward ideal enlisting and thought provoking artists together to entertain as well as remind the youth of the importance to uphold their amazing right to vote! Word was out in the music community a month or so ago that the Beastie Boys were to take their voice to the people and that all were invited to join. In supporting the true ideals of the American Democracy way of life, the B-Boys held no prejudice to who was hoping on the tour bus. The acts range from Jack Johnson and Sheryl Crow to Santogold and Tenacious D. There was one major stipulation: The cause is to raise awareness, enlist non-registered voters and encourage us to all take part in this historic race for the Oval Office. That being said, Rage Against the Machine and the likes of Steve Earle did not make the cut.

THE CHARLOTTE GET DOWN

Tucked inside the warmth of the neighborhood Tavern on the Tracks, my show going partner and financial backer to LTME (he spotted me on dinner and drinks), Phil T, and myself put the worries of the day aside and warmed our thoughts with the foam of a Newcastle and the chatter of the show to come. Throughout the day there unfolded much speculation of the show; will Tenacious D make a surprise appearance? He already did a gig at UNCC this very afternoon, surely he’ll make a stop! Phil T had been shooting me emails as the day progressed: 4 private tour buses all out front. Lots of security running around in yellow shirts not looking particularly fit I might add. It seems Phil T was stalking the grounds in preparation.

As the conversation grew I leaned over to my neighbor and drew him into the fold of our talks. He fast informed us that this was to be his 5th, no scratch that, 4th Beastie Boy show, and yes he could not be any more amped for the performance to get underway. Jordan, our new found friend, was riding solo after his buddy found himself stranded a mere 20min this side of Boone. A fate none of us wished to meet on the brink such an important evening. There was intermingling of the word of the day as we brushed up on the NCAA football weekend that had been and the UGA-FLORIDA GAME this coming Saturday. I recapped my thoughts on the Panthers game and we mumbled about our failure to secure a ticket to Hampton, fucking ticketmaster. But fear not, the true topic of the hour did soon come when he made the off the cuff remark: Seems funny to me that they are doing this show seeing as everyone there is already going to be voting the same way. That way of course being the Obama way. Now I don’t want to get into semantics here, but Phil and myself may or may not be voting that way, so Jordan, perhaps things aren’t always what they seem. You get a whiff of that change yet?

We soon wrapped the talks up, everyone provided their closing remarks, our moderator delegated her charges, I seceded to Phil T and as the incumbent I gladly accepted the challengers show of good faith via the daily special “Brass Monkey” shots.

CAN YOU HIP HOP A VOTE AS WELL?

For most of the tour the Boys have been and will hit up major venues, large arenas and well known coliseums. They are checking in at the largest city in every swing state. North Carolina in the age of 2008 now sees itself as an important swing state and Charlotte, in the shadows of the recent banking fiasco, is now a major point of influence for the upcoming election. There does remain one more variable for the area: not a whole heck of a lot of music venues, especially one that can cater to a show of this nature. Turns out Amos’ fit the bill (same location as the infamous Camel Cigarette Flaming Lips show).

Up first, Santogold. I dig Santogold. As noted at the mid break of the year, her debut album has won me over. Sure it’s running on practically the same platform as M.I.A., but she might appeal to a slightly smaller constituency. For her sake, I feel bad that the press has not spread the good word as it should. I believe she should take up as many grassroots stumpers as possible, guess I need to go door to door.

Santogold made her way through the main tracks from her album and did so with a very politically friendly smile. Despite not being known to most, she won the hearts of many over and by the time her set came to close folks were cheering for more. The set was predictable and so well rehearsed it almost seemed fake. She has a great voice, but much of what was delivered had digital track backing from the DJ. This made the backing vocals a little too prominent, like Santogold was lip synching, which she was not…I READ HER LIPS! The two dancers to either side of her strutted the odd movement and swagger of some top notch B-girls with island flavoring. She drew enough praise as to have another LTME fan overhear one of the venues’ patrons tell the assistant in the bathroom that “she’s pretty hot for a black chick, you into her?” Not in the spirit of the moment at all to say the least…jerk.

CAN YOU SOFT ROCK A VOTE?

If you use Sheryl Crow, the answer is: nope.

YOU CAN ALWAYS ROCK A VOTE!

And, if you so choose, you can Three MC and one DJ the shit out of a vote as well!
When we first stood out in the brisk breeze of the air of change, we being Phil T, Hash and myself, we enjoyed an up close greeting from Mike D and MCA. I gotta say kids, they aren’t as young as they were when I wore their shirts to school and blared their CD’s in my room, but I dare say they are even cooler now than they have ever been.

That sense of coolness certainly translates to the live show as well. Just sick. Not much to describe as the Beastie’s opted to leave the instruments on the bus and focused on the rhyme routine. What I can say is that the energy was perfect. They flow across the stage bouncing off one another physically and lyrically. The spontaneity was brilliant. Altering lyrics, changing timing, throwing the verses over new back beats, they make a song that you’ve heard the same way since 6th grade sound fresh and relevant…that ain’t easy seeing as hip-hop songs age faster than any other genre.

There is a feeling of mutual respect and appreciation as well as a rare comradeary amongst the Boys that transcends into the vibe of the sound and performance. I had seen the Beastie Boys only once before at the Gwinnet Civic Arena. I was far away then but flipped out over the stage show, costumes, lighting etc. Here I saw what true fans yearn for from their favorite acts: the crowning achievement of having being one of the most important and influential artists of all time, having toured the world over and over, charted all their albums and won all the big awards, now giving back to the fans in the confines of an intimate setting. To be as corny as possible, it was indeed a special evening and I can’t believe I was there (well I guess I can, because there ain’t no way the Beastie Boys were gonna come to town and I was not gonna be there rockin out!)

The show was around 13 songs, covered the catalog and closed with No Sleep Til Brooklyn, So Watcha' Want and Intergalactic. It don’t get no better than that folks.

Maybe there is a change coming, or maybe sometimes it is best to find the tried and proven in a new light. However you see it, the moment is real, take part.

I voted about an hour ago and it felt great.

Overall Rating:

Puttin' All Kinds of Shame in the Game You Got!

BEASTIE BOYS!!!!

SANTOGOLD!!

SHERYL CROW?

Mos Def opens his mind and these words flow out

Life in Marvelous Times - Mos Definitely

Have a good wknd and GO DAWGS!!!

What the Fuck happened to the Story about Michael Jackson and Prince??!!

This is some bullshit if you ask me! And I am asking me! So self; What the Fuck happened? You were on a roll, had folks writing in, reading the blog and then blaaaaaaah. Nada. Weak sauce LTME, weak, weak sauce.

Well there have been some distractions as of late. Namely a need to focus on other areas of my life, why my Bulldogs aren’t the team they are supposed to be etc. None of it really worthy of the complete collapse this amazing blog suffered of late. A true disrespect to both of my readers and most importantly I’ve been without my ‘self loathing excuse’ to write about my opinion on things to myself, my biggest critic. It’s a bit of an incestuous thing going on here at LTME, but I am still in love with LTME and LTME is willing to take me back.

So without further ado, I’ll give you the finish to the MJ vs. Prince story next week.

I’m messing with you (use: Will Ferrell from Old School voice)

The Man in the Purple don’t need to look at the Man in the mirror.

Prince is the greatest Pop star of all times. But he is not the King of POP.

-You’re losing me LTME, please do explain.

Well, it goes like this, according to me, written by me, for me. (Me doesn’t always abide by proper grammar.)

Prince is the spawn of a different source. He was raised to a different beat and that beat is funky as all get out. Prince is a true instrumentalist. He can sing, he can wail and I do mean wail on the electric guitar. He can make his way around a piano and understands the bass better than most hip-hop producers. When push comes to shove, well yeah, the man can dance as well.
Well a lot of folks fall into that realm, why is he so important?

Because Prince can turn himself on and off. He can force himself back into your lives and restate why he is so powerful. Just when you forget about Prince he shows up at your house with a purple cream pie and SMACK, you remember why you love that crazy SOB.

Prince made a movie about himself, starring himself an entire era before that was acceptable. He released one of the most successful soundtracks ever to go along with that film. He was Purple Rain and the hits came rolling in and Prince became the dominant sound of dance/pop music. Then he pulled away.

He picked up his guitar and starting writing some of the most sexually charged music ever produced and released on a major label. It wasn’t a fresh start for Prince, quite the opposite. Prince became IT, felt comfortable with how he went about doing that and realize he could do it again when he was ready.

Prince is the most consistent pop artist of all time. When I say consistent in reference to Prince, I don’t mean he does the same thing over and over again, I mean that he finds a way to stay in the public consciousness and does so at his own will.

Prince has a slew of successful albums. He also has some of the most recognizable pop songs of all time (Raspberry Beret, Little Red Corvette, When Does Cry etc.). He has reinvented himself, successfully mind you numerous times. He was a symbol. A freakin symbol. Who pulls that off? He is the backbone to the Jack Nicholson character in Batman (1989), even had hits songs from that film. He has his own club in Vegas. He released the most successful pop album launches of all time in England? What? How? He gave a free copy of his album to every person that bought his album. He didn’t make the charts for this stunt as it violates the ratings system guidelines, so what does he do? He rams through a 7 night run in London, selling out every night! Can’t think of many folks that could play the same venue, seven nights in a row and sell out every night. The man has staying power. When was the last time you heard a Michael Jackson song on the radio? When was the last time you heard about Michael Jackson? Prince, well he headlined one of the biggest music festivals in the world this year and forced record sales for tix (Coachella) and you might remember he played the Super Bowl in ’07.

Prince is truly the more balanced, complete artist, he is a league of the likes of Bowie and Talking Heads, Police etc. Jackson is in the league with Madonna.

But, does that mean Prince is the KING of pop? No.

The King has a different grasp. Did Elvis shred the guitar and headline festivals, make controversial albums? No, but he is the King of Rock. Why? Because he and Jackson went beyond music. They became something bigger than they could even understand. They became a reason. They became part of our culture, our history, our lives.

Jackson, as one reader put it, made people loose control. Legions of fans around the world would trample one another for a look at him. A child in war torn sub Sahara Africa knows of Michael Jackson and likely not Prince.

Prince, to me and LTME, is the better, more important artist. Jackson, will always reign as KING however.

So what does that make Prince in the rankings of pop?

Just that.

In memory of a friend

Benjamin Hawkins, will be memorialized today (10-10-2008) at 4:00 by namesake of a study room in the Student Learning Center (University of Georgia) on the 4th floor. Benjamin was killed one week after graduation in a tragic accident. Benjamin was a great person, student (Gridiron, SAE and graduated with a BBA with a 3.95 average, summa cum laude) and friend. He is missed.

Help support an organization that serves to help keep Benjamin in our minds as well as prevent such an event to occur again, ZINGO

SIC VOS NON VOBIS

He's Got the Whole World in his Hand

Trick is, that hand’s got a sequined white glove drawn tight, with the index finger pointed to the sky. Now it may be an overzealous statement to wear a single glove and use it to define your prowess, but when you are the Greatest Pop Phenomenon to ever walk the earth, well, if the glove fits…

Born into a family with musical aspirations far exceeding the realm of possibility, Michael came of age under the searing spotlight, never imagining a world where he would not be the Greatest. It’s his naïve expectations of a predestined path that allowed him to never once question his own abilities and thus become a sensation unlike the world has ever known. It’s this same school of thought that has also forced him to become a recluse, a social outcast and a man of questionable character.

Regardless of the accusations, the pet monkeys, McCaulay Culkin and the amusement parks, there is without question one resounding fact about Michael Jackson: He is the King of Pop.

The Moon Walk, Billie Jean, Dancing Zombies, The Greatest Selling Album of All Time, 2 Time Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, Black or White?, 13 #1 Singles, the hat, the jacket and the glove. Everything Michael does makes him more of an iconoclastic media star. He defines an era of music, culture and expression. He overcame adversity, troubled family issues, the pressures of being on top and he did it all in his own style.

It would difficult to find a human over the age of 13 that has not at least heard of Michael Jackson in some way shape or form or at least be once removed from someone who has. That is the kind of name power given to Dictators, Leaders, Religious figureheads and the rarest of artists. But that’s just it, Michael is among the rarest of all artists.

But is he the greatest?

The boy can dance, the boy can sing. He’s got a look, he’s got a way. But he also has competition.

The man in the Purple Suit…

TV on the Radio, on TV!

LNWDL* hosted TVOTR** as part of HDLS*** a concept LTME**** is digging*****. The performance is pretty damn awesome and the album is stellar to say the least. Best part, Dave is just as confused with the title as the rest of us, in that regard, it works so well.



Dancin' Choose - TV on the Radio




*Late Night with David Letterman
**TV on the Radio
***Hello Deli Live Series
****Listen to My Eyes
*****A sentence with far too many *'s involved

The Battle Begins, who will be King?

OR...

This is our concern dude,

Well the votes appear to be in and there is an obvious winner...or is there? The numbers show MJ to be the clear-cut favorite, but that has always been the case. Does being the most popular and selling more make him the better artist? It comes down to the interpretation of King and Pop Music.

The debate begins.

Here is a collection of a few insights provided by LTME readers (thanks to all who visited and voted, not like this is for anything other than my own personal satisfaction, so thanks for making me feel more satisfied).

MJ. The average person can name more MJ songs than Prince songs. Pop = Popular. I think at his peak, MJ's global appeal far exceeded Prince's. -AD

there is no question... MJ - JW

Both are Queens! - WQ (my favorite response)

MJ no question. When Prince comes out on stage (which he still does) people freak out. But when MJ comes out on stage... - reader Phil T

I voted. McCain/Biden. - Schant

and the discussion that will lead to my retort...

This is a serious question, and I regret that I will not be able tofully commit myself to answering it, but to give a quick opinion onthe matter I would have to say that Michael Jackson is the real Kingof Pop. My primary reason for this is that there is a great deal ofPrince's music that does not constitute "pop." That is, if you take"pop" for its literal meaning, which is "popular," as in popularculture, or more generally, what is popular at the moment, I wouldhave to say that a lot of Prince's work does not fall into thiscategory. His work was much more experimental than Jackson's, whichin my opinion, ultimately makes the quality of his work better, or atleast more influential or inspiring, but I do not think that thispermits him to hold the title King of Pop. Michael Jackson is theKing of Pop solely for the fact that at the time of its release, andto this day, his music has always been universally popular. This is my opinion. I look forward to reading your semi-drunken ramblings about this subject.
Also, I spent more time and energy in drafting this email than I haveon all the emails I have written to my parents combined since I havebeen in Iraq. Take care. - reader Pickle

Thanks again for taking part in this historic exercise. Stop back for my take soon.

So So Handsome, Somewhat Shaky

New Tunes from Handsome Furs:

Legal Tender and They Will Be Done

http://radiok.cce.umn.edu/multimedia/audio/handsomefurs/

Sounds more hard driven, focused more on guitar, less storytelling in the singing and void of the filler sounds...this all of course pre-production of a studio album however...of course.

--The Shaky Hands are also back and the new album has won me over, great evolution for this band. More to come on that.

--The votes and comments have been coming in strong and the clear fan favorite is MJ, I'll explain and provide a rebuttal this week.

--GO DAWGS!!! AJ GREEN is a beast! Pumped for the blackout vs. BAMA!!!

The Albums that let these ears see; Chp. 6

The Live Album, a look at the two that set the stage

Hampton Comes Alive - Phish

In all accurate measures, my first truly experienced live album is Hot August Night by none other than Neil Diamond, and there are countless others that I have heard bits and pieces from over the years and I owned and listened to many great ones all the same. There are two that changed the way that I listened to live albums however.

One comes from the legendary jam band with a penchant for breathtaking live shows that infused the jazz improve and funky rhythms that allows every rendition to vary as well as allows the listener to never grow tired during the set for the anticipation of what may unfold. This comes by way of Hampton Comes Alive, Phish. I’d say roughly 80% of the Phish I have listened to has come via live recordings and there as endless collections of bootlegs as well as official releases, but this was a packaged Live recording and marketed as such. It’s difficult to define the ‘best’ when it comes to live music as everyone has a different opinion and often a connection to a certain show or period of a band. This marks the band at my personal favorite.

I almost wrote that I have “moved on from Phish,” but that would negate my entire reason for entry in this study. It’s true that I indulged in a strong study of this band in college. I was intrigued by their endless energy, the ceaseless renditions of their standards, the rarities, the classic moments captured deep within a jam that only those willing to give themselves would ever discover. I become more a fan of the way this band forced me to listen to their music than I ever did a fan of the actual band.

That says a lot. To spend so much devoted energy with a band with the sole purpose of seeing just how intricately involved I could become now shows me that they are among the strongest of influences in my musical world, and I really don’t think they are all that great.

But what does stand out to me was that I could listen to a bootleg from some show in New Hampshire in ’89 and catch a early version of a song played mostly on piano, that would sound robust and guitar driven on ’93 recordings and then would receive the full brass support on the ’95 tour and then be stripped down to a crisp, tight cut by ’97.

I respect the shit out of this band and I thank them for being so overtly cliché amongst the college crowd as it forced me to tune my ears to something unexpected. Oddly enough, had it not been for Phish I likely would have never liked The Velvet underground, Bowie, MMJ, Spoon etc. the way I do now. It’s a gateway drug.

THE GREATEST LIVE ALBUM LTME HAS EVER OWNED

Stop Making Sense - Talking Heads

To be as steeped in the essential post-punk new wave of my generation as I was it never truly hit me just how much of a fan of Talking Heads I was until I heard this album.

I grew up on the sounds of post punk and pop radio and I never really knew that what I loved about them was contained in one band. I have always loved the talking Heads songs that play on the radio; they are irresistible, as far I as I am concerned the Heads are in the league of Elvis and Bob Marley, everyone knows it and everyone agrees that it just sounds good. But a chance encounter with the album Stop Making Sense my senior year of HS and then a reaffirmation my sophomore year of college set Talking Heads atop my list of bands I want to see live (luckily I would have the good fortune of catching David Byrne at the Georgia Theatre before graduating, it remains a highlight of my Athens nights and one of the finest lives shows I have ever been a part of).

SMS is almost too good of an album. It was recorded as part of Director Jonathan Hemme’s film on the band over a three night stand on the Speaking in Tongues tour of ’83. What unfolds is well documented and has been viewed multiple times by any serious music fan as well as numerous fans of having a good time, dancing and great tunes.

It’s the evolution of the show/album that allows it to stand apart from all other live albums. Bare and essential from the opening with only Byrne, acoustic guitar and a backing beat track the show and the sounds grows until they are bulging at the seams by the time the curtain drops.

The entire Heads back soon takes the stage and is joined piece by piece by female backing vocals, more percussion and Bernie Worrell on keys. It’s an unreal stage performance by all involved. The way in which the show develops and grows serves as a metaphor not only for the evolution of the band but for performing arts as a whole as well as modern culture and expression…this is Byrne we are dealing with so the metaphors are always heavy.

I have no idea how many times I have heard the Heads standards, nor can I count the number of spins this album has taken for me (I’ve owned three DVD’s, purchased the album twice and currently have one burnt copy in my house and one in my car, so yeah I am obsessed). I don’t listen to it like I once did, that happens with everything, but when I do myself that favor every now and then I am always reminded of what the perfect live album is and how most every other live album cowers in its presence, save maybe Kicking Television.

The perfect collection of songs, the performance of a lifetime and the encapsulating aura of one of rock-pop music’s most acclaimed and important artists; it doesn’t get much better than that.

There's an Underdog in us All

In my adolescence it defined a rivalry unlike any other known in the south. Whence the pillows were strewed across the room and the comforter piled in a heap by the door, the field was ready for battle. The titans who took this field did so in the name of honor, pride and dignity. Two storied programs with everything to gain and everything to lose. It was a place of reckoning. A majestic 76 x 80 inches of grit and grovel, where only men entered and legends departed. There were endless disputed calls, issues of home field advantage, bloody noses and the occasional feud that rendered the game incapable of completion, leaving the legions of fans to wonder; what if?

For all intensive purposes, it’s really nothing more than a king size bed. But the battles that unfolded atop the box springs are deeply rooted in the Pue brother lore. It was that which defined us. It was Bed Football, the most sacred of all games.

There are two topics which are but whispered by outsiders when it comes to the brotherhood of the Pue’s. The first is the widely known saga of Tecmo Super Bowl, a game that swallowed days of our lives and dictated a coming of age. Years of abuse and ridicule eventually gave way to a rising of a new power as Roger Craig, Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, Brent Jones and Tom Rathman paved a way for a new Pue to hold the crown, ending the war once and for all. It should be noted that after 3 consecutive losses and a thumping of my cousin, the Pue males have never played the game against or in the presence of one another; it is to this day barely even spoken of. It of course being the way I devastated the fragile worlds they knew with my two favorite words “TOUCHDOWN” and “SACK.”

The other topic, far less known is Bed Football, a time honored tradition unlike any other. There were countless games, but the Annual Christmas Bed Football game was something that was marked on the calendars weeks ahead of schedule. The training and preparation were rigorous but so very necessary. Every year the lights would dim low, the doors would be locked and the reputation of the “Greatest Bed Football Player in the World” went on the line.
It was here that I learned the might of one of the singular most important notions of the game of life, sport and otherwise: The Underdog truly does have a shot at winning, and often does just that.

Insurmountable odds? Perhaps the single greatest piece of motivation ever uttered. The very backbone of this great nation rests upon this notion.

This past weekend two teams dear to my heart did all they could to defend their honor, pride and dignity. This past weekend two teams laid it all on the line, one the underdog the other the reason for the underdog.

Tecmo Super Bowl 8; University of Georgia vs. Univeristy of South Carolina in Columbia.

The dogs were shaky at best, but as Richt put it we still received the grade of “W” on this effort and for now, that’s enough.

There is just something about the Gamecocks that the Dawgs just can’t seem to handle. Every year this game grows with intensity, I’d dare say it has become one of the premiere rivalries in the SEC, and there lies the problem. UGA is proud to admit this. This pride blinds us and allows for the role of underdog to be slapped on the Cocks every year, something that serves far more to motivate than hinder.

There is the unthinkable reality that UGA must face every season, what if we lose to USC? The SEC conference play opener for the dawgs serves to be the first stumbling block every year. Win or lose, we are never the same team afterwards. This year proved once again that you can never underestimate the runt of the East, they’ll hang around to the end and do all within their might to take hold of that age old adage; Every (under)dog has his day.

The Dawgs advance and move on to a shaken Arizona St. team that fell to the bite of the underdog via the Runnin’ Rebels of UNLV. We’ll have to wait and see what unfolds, as neither team is the same. I’d like to think the Dawgs open up and finally become the cohesive unit we’ll need to be for the stretch through the SEC.

Bed Football, It’s Christmas in September.

I don’t even know what to say about my Panthers, just plain awesome. Sure they have flaws aplenty and they will have certain ups and downs as the season moves on (we’ll still lose at least one game to the Dirty Birds), but damn, what a way to start the season!

Maybe Fox knew something I didn’t when he agreed to bench our star player against two of the biggest baddest teams in the NFC, not likely, but it’s still great to take part in the swelling of expectations that surround the Panthers.

Just when all seemed gloomed and doomed we had what we missed all of last season, we had a spark, a spark from a familiar yet somewhat forgotten catalyst. When Jake get pissed he gets fired up and when he gets fired up we win big games.

You wanna knock Delhomme’s helmet off? Be my guest, we’ll catch you at the post game wrap up show with that dumbfounded look upon your face.

The Cats roll to Minn to face the 0-2 Vikings, which proves to be a major test for this team on the rise. This is the NFL, rarely do teams drop 3 games in a row. Vikings are looking for answers and they hope to find it at home. Panthers love playing and winning on the road. We’ve got the advantage of our ‘star player’ returning, but the difficulty of living up to the hype of the expectant winner.I’m not convinced that the Panthers aren’t still the underdogs, but I do know this one will be a fight to the finish. Here’s to hoping the Panthers produce those two very special phrases early and often; “TOUCHDOWN” and “SACK.”

Birdmonster is back, here's proof

New single from Birdmonster's second album From the Mountain to the Sea


Iditarod



I haven't actually heard the album yet, just thought this single was worthy of a post.

Making Poor Decisions

I am what many may consider a bit of an ‘overthinker’ at times. For as long as I can recall I have always held firm to my beliefs, my thoughts, my way. I can’t say this has always been the best option, but I can say that it is a rare occasion that I jeopardize who I am to myself and to my friends. Instinct and action without recourse or doing without accountability are on opposite shoulders of my head. Fighting an urge to do what I know to be better has dictated much of my life. Again, I can’t say it’s always been for the best. Often I wonder what my life would be like if I let things rip a little more. Most of my adolescent years and into the majority of my college experience I entered into leadership roles. I can’t begin to explain how much these experiences have taught me about myself, they are among the most defining elements of my life. More so than just testing my mettle, I gained amazing insight towards working with others and learning about one another’s word, trust, morals and friendship. Needing so count on others and having them count on you speaks volumes of one’s character.

That being said I do have an angle that I take in life to cut the tension. I try to maintain a positive outlook, an aggressive action mentality and regardless of the situation, I aim to keep a sense of humor.

The obvious flaw in this is of course, my sense of humor.

It’s dry, low-high brow, curt, self reflective, complicated, heavy on references and often massively misunderstood. There are those that get my sense of humor. These are the people that truly know me the best. Essentially these are the handful of people to even bother to read this here blog.

My oft repeated offensive is to thrust my sense of humor on others or perhaps a better way to put it, force others into a situation that is construed from self inflicted awkwardness. In other words, I screw up often and have a hard time explaining it to others. Good thing that doesn’t apply to anything else.

I’m Ok with that. I’m more than OK with that. It’s what make me, for better or worse, me. I forgive and forget easily in these terms.
Where I draw a line.

I have minimal tolerance for blatant malicious acts. Lying, stealing, harming or threatening the well being of others mentally or physically. I do as much as I can to avoid this. Which is why I take it so deeply and seriously when I encounter it and even more so when it is inflicted on me.
What I have come to discuss is a matter that directly and indirectly effects my well being; mentally and physically.

The Punch and the Penalty.

The preseason sucker punch Steve Smith laid has repercussions reaching further than Ken Lucas’ jaw line. They test the structural integrity of sport and the league.
For starters, for a leader and well respected athlete and role model like Smith to punch anyone is inexcusable. To punch a teammate, unreal. We all know the stigma that revolves around professional athletes, no need to harp on any of that other than to say, for what he does and what he gets, he knows better.

Here is where things get tricky.

The NFL did not sanction Smith, the Carolina Panthers did. Sounds like the right thing to do doesn’t it. Professional athlete blatantly violates team rules, brings shame to his namesake and that of the team and the league. He must pay a price.

At the same time, he works in an industry of raw aggression that spills over to entertainment. He’s a hothead, but he’s also one of the better athletes in the league and an essential ingredient to the success of the Panthers.

So who’s really being punished by the two game suspension?

Smith? Sure he misses being on the field, misses the money he would be earning and misses out on the pure sport of competitive professional football. But is this making him a better person? Is the suspension going to make him a better athlete?

The Panthers surprised most everyone by starting the season in San Diego against the highly touted Chargers. They showed their mettle and found a way to overcome adversity to win the game. This Sunday they take the field at home against Conference foe the Chicago Bears, again without Smith. This stands to be a massive game in terms of the Conference picture and may hold major bearing come playoff time. Does it make sense to take the field without Smith? Isn’t the objective of professional sports to win and entertain? Are we, as fan not being robbed of this? Are Smith’s teammates not being further subjected to punishment for the foolish act of one player? Why Smith couldn’t be forced to speak in schools, do massive amounts of community service and give large donations to charities is a mystery to me. That would help so many.

Having Smith on the sidelines helps no one, and hurts many. No lesson is learned. No battle has been won.

Smith let his teammates, his fans, his family and the league down when he acted out.
Now the Panthers are letting their players and most importantly the fans down by not putting themselves in the best possible position to win this game.

Where does that line get drawn?What are your thoughts?