This has been my favourite blog of this campaign year. It has had unparelleled ntelligent polling and commentary on the current political situation in the US.  The guy behind the blog is Nate Silver of baseballprospectus.com fame.  

Silver, 30, is already celebrated among ball fans for inventing something called PECOTA. Developed while the University of Chicago econ alum slogged through a post-collegiate consulting gig—”I’m used to not sleeping,” he tells NEWSWEEK—PECOTA is now recognized as the most accurate system for forecasting how athletes and teams will perform in the future (down to the number of singles). In 2007, Silver’s algorithm enraged at least half of Chicago when it said the White Sox—2005 champs—would post a 72–90 record. Turned out PECOTA was exactly right. For laypeople, the leap from the national pastime to national politics might seem like a stretch. But not for Silver (who posted his first political item on Daily Kos in October). “Baseball and politics are data-driven,” he’s written. “But a lot of the time, that data might be used badly. In baseball, that may mean looking at a statistic like batting average when things like on-base percentage and slugging percentage are far more correlated with winning ballgames. In politics, that might mean cherry-picking a certain polling result.” In other words, different sport—same skill set.

I only wish I were as smart as Mr. Silver.

This entry about Palin (not written by Silver) is one that I hope a lot of Dems are paying attention to.  If there was ever a time that the Dems were going to pay attention to Jesus’s mandate to turn the other cheek and take the high road, that time is now.  As Ghandi famously said, “An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.”  If Palin and the Repubs continue to go negative and angry, the American people are going to get tired of it fairly quickly.

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I found the following quotes from some of the squad members in an AP article:

The photo, which has been running as a newspaper spread in Spain since Friday, shows all 15 players making the gesture on a basketball court adorned with a Chinese dragon. The photo was part of a publicity campaign for team sponsor Seur, a Spanish courier company, and is being used only in Spain.

“It was something like supposed to be funny or something but never offensive in any way,” said Spain center Pau Gasol, who also plays for the Los Angeles Lakers. “I’m sorry if anybody thought or took it the wrong way and thought that it was offensive.”

Point guard Jose Manuel Calderon said the team was responding to a request from the photographer.

“We felt it was something appropriate, and that it would be interpreted as an affectionate gesture,” Calderon, who plays for NBA’s Toronto Raptors, wrote on his ElMundo.es blog. “Without a doubt, some … press didn’t see it that way.”

A couple things I would like to point out:

1. As the article mentions above, the advert was meant for print in Spain. I have not read anywhere in any newspaper in Spain that people in country have found this advertisement offensive. This might sound ridiculous to those of you living outside of Spain, but in the spanish context there really is nothing offensive about the photo. The “slit-eyed gesture” is not, to my knowledge, a racial slur here. Different things are offensive in different countries and we would all do well to inform ourselves and respect the cultures of other people. In my opinion, the international media has failed in understanding the Spanish context when reporting on this subject. I have yet to find an article in English that managed to place the picture in its original context with its original copy, let alone a reporter who managed to truly investigate race in Spain. I don’t see how that is responsible on their part. However, I do think that the company sponsoring the advert and the Spanish Basketball Federation (Federación Española de Baloncesto, FEB) should have been a bit more wise when managing their image in a global village. Which leads to my next observation…

2. What comes across in the quotes from the Spanish players above isn’t racism, but ingenuity. I think that ingenuity abounds in Spain. On the subject of race, cultural awareness and many other things. Who on earth in the twenty-first century thinks that just because something is only meant for print in Spain it won’t find it’s way on to the internet and be available all over the world before the end of the business day? What PR person didn’t think to check into whether or not this would cause an international stir? Believe me, this sort of lack of forward thinking is endemic throughout society over here.

I honestly think it was an ingenuous, silly advert that should not have been made. However, I also believe that no racial prejudice was meant or shown. The international press has blown this out of all proportion an made it into something it isn’t. Between Russia eating Georgia with their afternoon tea and Michael Phelps doing the same with the field in any swimming event, isn’t there enough news to keep us all busy without wasting time on ridiculous stories like this? (Mr. Araton needs to get out a lil’ more often and see that his own culture isn’t the only one setting the standard in the world for what is racist and what isn’t.)

p.d.- Just saw this today on the CNN website:

He pointed to a Wednesday article in El Pais, a Spanish newspaper, that quoted a Chinese Embassy spokesman in Spain as saying “we don’t interpret this gesture as offensive” or racist.

“Ultimately there is a very good relationship between the Chinese and Spanish governments and there is no kind of conflict at all between the two peoples,” El Pais quoted the spokesman as saying.

It begs the question: Has anyone ever bothered to ask the Chinese if the whole gesture is even offensive?

p.d.d.- Jon Stewart had a pretty funny (and insightful) segment on the Daily Show today about this whole mess. Remember what Jesus said about the whole plank in your own eye/splinter in your neighbor’s eye thing? Might wanna check that out America! He didn’t go into English history with racial slurs, but the ground there is fertile too. I only have to say two words: Prince Philip. Of course, when royalty shows an openly racist attitude, it isn’t a slur. It’s a ‘gaffe’.

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I got up early on Saturday morning to see the men’s cycling road race.  The race came down to the last second and a Spaniard pipped in on the final sprint and won by a head. Very exciting. I could actually hear neighbors cheering along with me as Samuel Sánchez crossed the finish line.  I think you miss those sorts of manifestations of community when you live in a more rural society (like the United States).  When was the last time you heard your neighbor cheering on your country in the Olympics?

At the moment, I’m watching the US Men’s Basketball team again.  Two questions:

1. When, between 1992 and the present, did NBA stars lose the ability to do two basic things: make a jumpshot and use a bounce pass instead of a lob?

2. What are those half sleeve things some of them wear on their arms?  I can’t help but think they look like something a teeny bopper girl’s group would wear.  Can you imagine Magic and Larry wearing those?  Or even MJ? 

I am guessing that Joel will be best positioned to answer both these questions…

One sport that really needs some digital help is fencing.  If they could put some sort of digital effect on point of the foil, the spectator would be able to follow what is going on.  As it is the foils are black or near black and fencing arenas are generally not very well lit.  I’m thinking something like what network TV used to do with the puck in hockey.  Then fencing would look more like Jedi knights fighting with light-sabres.

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In 1996, I was in Portugal without a TV and working with several charities full-time as part of an international short-term team.  The year 2000 found me in Madrid and recently married.  Because the Olympics were in Australia, all the really good events were in the morning.  I was working with YWAM then and they always kept me busy in the morning.  In the summer of 2004 found Heather and I in Ibiza working with 24-7.  We were living in the guest quarters of a house that had no TV.  We spent most days with short-term teams engaged in various activities.  And when you are in Ibiza for the summer, it really is a sin to sit inside and watch TV all day.

All that to say that this is probably the first summer in 16 years that I find myself anticipating the Olympics with an emotion verging on excitement.  

I’m looking forward to seeing USA vs. Spain in men’s basketball.  American basketballing pride was severely wounded in Greece when they were only able to take the bronze medal.  Then NBA stars had a terrible time in the World Basketball Championships where Spain took home the winner’s trophy.  I caught bits of the USA vs. Australia friendly match and it does look like the USA squad is much improved.  They have never lacked talent, that much is obvious.  What they have this time that I don’t think they have had since 1992 (the first year NBA stars were allowed to compete, head over to youtube and search for “Dream Team 1992“.  They were so far above any other nation’s team, it was almost sad.) is two things: motivation and an attention to the basics.  The US men looked ready to compete today.  Although Australia only finished 11 points behind the US, they were never really in the game.  Anytime the aussies got within 10 points, LeBron James came off the bench, did his game dominating “thang” for about 5 minutes and then went back and sat down.  If LeBron is angry and ready to win, then the rest of the squad will be too.  They out-rebounded the aussies and also had a better shooting percentage from the field.  Those are two things that Team USA haven’t done in international competition of late.

 

Los hermanos Gasol

Having said all that, the NBA All-Star team had better be ready for a fight.  Team Spain (or el ÑBA as they call them here) are a pretty serious threat to take them out in the semifinal round (August 22) of the men’s basketball bracket.  The Gasol brothers (pictured left) are from Barcelona, but from looking at them you’d think they were good ol’ boys from the Appalachian mountains.  Marc and Pau are big, they are strong and they don’t play nice. Team USA had better be ready to fight it out in the paint against these two if they want to get the rebounds they will need to be able to win.  Many of the spanish squad have played or are currently playing in the NBA.  They have talent and experience.  And did I mention that they are world champions?  These guys are no push-overs and are probably the biggest challenge to Team USA getting the gold in three weeks.  I don’t know who I’ll be pulling for on August 22nd.

One of the funniest changes of perspective has to do with the Medal Count.  As an American, I’m curious to see if the US can hold off China at the top of the Medal Count.  But as a long-time resident of Spain, I’m excited to see if Spain can get more than the 14 medals they got in Athens.  Whereas I couldn’t tell you who won even 5 of the USA gold medals in the last Olympics, each Spanish medal is front page news here.  I can name all the gold and silver medal winners for Spain four years ago.  Each one of them are national heroes, instantly known throughout the country.

I do have to say that I am a bit disappointed that China’s failings in the area of human rights has not been more in the news.  It seems like the big elephant in the room that no one is talking about.  I hope history doesn’t look back on these games in a similar way to how we look back on Berlin 1936.  And it isn’t just the Tibetan fight for freedom.  What about the 60 to 80 million Christians in China who suffer near daily oppression and are unable to practice their religion freely and openly? I appreciate all the changes that it seems the Chinese government has made to be able to put their new, modern country on display before the world.  But there is something in me that demands some true reformation of government at the most basic level.  I apologise if a few new European-designed buildings in Beijing don’t impress me much.  Here is a question: When was the last time the Olympics were awarded to a totalitarian regime?  Let’s see if anyone can remember…

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Aquí empieza mi andadura en el mundo de los blogs hispano-parlantes.  Perdona las faltas de ortografía y gramática.  No tengo tiempo ni paciencia para ponerme a corregir todo.  Así que, ¡Aguantaros!

El viernes pasado decidimos volver a un restaurante que no habíamos pisado en mas de un año.  Yo tenía ganas de una buena ensalada (bonita y barata también si fuera posible) y sabía que a los que me acompañaban les gustaba el sitio que tenía en mente.

(A brief aside for those that don’t speak spanish – I’m starting to write a bit in castellano now and then.  I doubt that any of it will be pertinent to your interests or that it will fit your context.  Just know that I’m not talking about you.  I promise that if I enter any topics having to do with an english speaking nation and its culture, I’ll be sure to write in my native language.)

Nos dirijimos a la calle Trajano, una de las que une la Alameda de Hercules con la Campana sevillana.  Habíamos descubierto Il Forno hace ya muchos años, creo que justo cuando abrió puertas.  Siempre nos había encantado sus pizzas, la elección de entre muchos platos internacionales que no proporcionó su menu y, por supuesto, sus ensaladas.

Una en concreto siempre me había encantado: la “Ensalada de la Casa”.  Varios tipos de lechuga, tomate, un poquito de cebolla, grandes pedazos de atún y un delicioso queso feta con cilantro fresco esparcido encima.  Y su aliño de aútentico aceite de oliva y reducción de vinagre balsámico la daba un toque perfecto.  Se nota que la tenía ilusión, ¿No?

Cuando entramos por la puerta del restaurante, yo sabía que no todo marchaba bien.  El camarero miró el carrito de bebé y hizo una cara cuya significado era inconfundible.  Y eso que era el único camarero para un local de más de 200 metros.  Nos quería meter entre toda la muchedumbre, todos fumando por supuesto.  Le tuve que convencer para que nos dejara sentarnos en la parte delantera del restaurante donde apenas había gente y, a mi juicio, donde nuestro carrito molestaría menos. Al final el tío asentió, pero no sin dejar patente que nuestra presencia no era grata.

Acto seguido nos trae la carta.  Olvidaré todo el trato brusco si me puedo hacer con una de esas ensaladas.  Yo busco las ensaladas y se me para el corazón: ¡No hay ensalada de la casa!  Bueno, no pasa nada.  En realidad SI pasa algo porque las demás ensaladas no son atractivas para nada y allí estaba yo con unas ganas locas de comerme una.  Al final, me decanté por probar una ensalada césar.  Heather pidió una pizza y nuestra amiga Helen una pasta de mariscos.

Yo caracterizaría la ensalada césar que me llegó como cuatro hojas de lechuga iceberg (blech!) con una jarra de mayonesa echada encima.  En muchos establecimientos españoles yo diría que le ponen demasiado mayonesa a todo lo que se mueve en la cocina.  Pero nunca había visto yo cosa parecida.  ¡No recuerdo la última vez que tuve que montar una expedición excavatoria para buscar las verduras en mi ensalada!  Puse buena cara y ententé disfrutar de mi ensalada.  Pero no pude.  Prueba allí donde estes, a ver si puedes.  Abrete una lata de mayonesa y empieza a comerte la mayonesa con un tenedor.  ¿Que grato, no?  Y todo eso cuando todos los precios en toda la carta habían subido un 40% desde nuestra penúltima visita.

La pizza de Heather estaba mas cara y mas chica que la última vez también.  La pasta de mariscos tenía cuatro gambas, no más.  El camarero no trajó mi niña un plato aparte porque ella no había pedido nada.  Mientras estabamos allí otra familia no aguantó las idioteces del negocio y se fueron sin más.

Pienso que a lo mejor teníamos que haber hecho lo mismo.  Descansa en paz Il Forno.  Para mi, has muerto.

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Either way, this is bad news on two fronts: 1. CBS left McCain’s true response on the cutting floor when this sort of thing is clearly news-worthy. 2. McCain is running on a platform that purports him to be integrous and able to lead the U.S. on the world stage.  His response shows the contrary on one or both counts.  And this isn’t the first time he’s done this.

From where I sit, the Republicans are offering us more of the same.

And all this after I said I wasn’t going to talk politics.

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I do, however, find “when Obama wins” very funny.

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Here is a picture of words I have used on my blog, generated by wordle.net.

Actually. Just. Pretty. Freaking. Brilliant.  But only if “Brilliant”’s secret meaning is actually “Embarrassing”.

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I snapped this pic while we were in the waiting room at the doctor’s office.  I don’t think that Robert is actually smiling because he is happy.  I am pretty sure it is a reflex to external stimuli that has no emotional value at all.  This, of course, does not change the fact that he is very cute when he does so or that it feels good to see your infant son smile.

My newfound talent is that I have about three top secret things that I can do to make him smile at pretty much any time.  Maybe a video post needs to happen in which I divulge my secrets? Hmmmm…

The doctor’s visit wasn’t for Robert, it was for Sophia.  Nothing to be alarmed about.

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Quantum mechanics is the girl you meet at the poetry reading. Everyone thinks she’s really interesting and people you don’t know are obsessed about her. You go out. It turns out that she’s pretty complicated and has some issues. Later, after you’ve broken up, you wonder if her aura of mystery is actually just confusion.

Funny, my entire romantic life just clicked into focus.  Who would have thought that Physics would help me understand women?

via kottke.org/McSweeney’s

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