Skip to main content

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 2/14/21


 
3 Up

1. Law Enforcement at the Capitol - The footage we saw during the impeachment hearings, especially that of the newly never-before-seen footage, was tough to watch. At the same time, it provided even more appreciation for the efforts taken by the law enforcement presence during the riots, as well as lengths of their injuries and mental challenges since January 6th. 

Some of the footage of Eugene Goodman was downright heroic and pivotal to what could have escalated to another level of tragedy. The video of him running by Senator Mitt Romney is one that continues to prove that. 

2. JJ Watt - I don't know what is going on in Houston - it seems all of their household sports names are leaving town. Add JJ Watt to the list who released a video via Twitter this week explaining to the world his request for a release from the Texans, and of course, his appreciation for the city of Houston. Watt is a class act, and the kind of athlete you want in a franchise representative. 

3. NASCAR Daytona Diversity - The Daytona 500 was this week. Michael McDowell won this year's race in a fiery final lap. However, getting the "up" is the debut of 23XI Racing, owned by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin. Jordan becomes the first black owner of a NASCAR team, and we also saw Bubba Wallace become the first black driver to lead a lap at the race. It's a small step (and shocking considering the firsts happening in 2021), but diversity only helps the sport move forward. 

3 Down

1. Cuomo Numbers - A huge egregious act by Cuomo and his administration. A recent New York Times article reports that Cuomo's administration downplayed the amount of COVID numbers (and deaths) during the beginning of the pandemic. Cuomo's office responded with the defense of being in fear of Trump's administration, which is rather ridiculous for a leader who claimed to "not be playing politics" on the issue. Not to mention, the writing and cashing in of a book. 

Again, not good. At all. 

2. Myanmar Protests - Protests continue in Myanmar as the world watches their military attempt a coup by removing elected leaders. The situation continues to be fragile to the state of democracy for the country and provides unrest through the region. The people of Myanmar have undergone internet blackouts, curfews, and other measures to control the people from rising up against the coup. It remains an interesting story, especially considering the few parallels to what we've experienced in America. 

3. Impeachment Acquittal - It's tough to maintain faith in our government leaders when "politics" and positional power is more important than accountability for what happened at the Capitol. Unfortunately, it's not surprising. 

Recently Read

Would You Rather: Questions 121-130

This edition of "Would You Rather" is credited to the NBA Would You Rather NBA Account on Instagram ( See Here ). Adding to the fun, this edition (and possibly future ones) are all NBA basketball questions.  121. Who would you rather have on your favorite NBA team - Giannis Antetokounpo or James Harden?  Seeing how I'm a lifelong suffering Knicks fan, the thought of any of these guys in blue and orange is hard to believe. With that said, I'm taking the Greek Freak for this reason - I enjoy watching him play a bit more. Nothing against Harden who is amazing as well, but at times, the ball sticks and that isn't always fun. Plus, I feel like we haven't yet seen a finished Giannis. 122. Would you rather have Giannis Antetokounpo with no driving ability or James Harden with no Three-Point shooting ability?  This is definitely a weird and unique one, but I'll take Harden. Giannis without his strength doesn't offer much. However, if Harden's d...

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 9/13/26

The Sunday Sundown Rundown (formerly in the format of "3 Up and 3 Down") is where I share thoughts on three topics that piqued my interest, along with my favorite photo from the week. 25th Anniversary of 9/11 It is sort of hard to imagine that it has been twenty-five years since that awful day. It's been fifteen years since I've shared my experience as a High Schooler in Brooklyn, NY , and everything that came with that day (and the many to follow afterwards).  The world changed, and to this day, it still feels hard to grasp what happened (and what transpired with the health of so many afterwards). The lives lost, and the damage done. My son learned about 9/11, and his questions around it ignite some of that struggle with thought around it.  Daddy, how did they get the planes?  Did the building just, like, fall over?  On this 25th anniversary, it is even more concerning to see how the day is also politicized and sometimes weaponized in culture wars. I remember Americ...

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 9/6/26

The Sunday Sundown Rundown (formerly in the format of "3 Up and 3 Down") is where I share thoughts on three topics that piqued my interest, along with my favorite photo from the week. Chandika Shrestha I found so much of this story this week to be fascinating. Chandika Shrestha, a 64-year-old woman, was found alive - ALIVE! - after ten days below a collapsed house among the Nepal flood wreckage. The human spirit element and the sheer will to survive, combined with what can only be divine intervention. So much there to the spirit of life and an unexplainable reasoning.  Western Michigan vs. Michigan Ending Look, I'm as casual as they come when it comes to the college football space, culture, and fandom.  Nonetheless, somehow, I found myself (with my wife - who has about 3,485 things she would rather do before watching football) watching the final five minutes of this game on Saturday night. Little did we realize what we would witness.  I have no dog in the fight. But I fe...