Skip to main content

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 9/26/21

3 Up

1. Mia Mottley - The Prime Minister of Barbados delivered a genuine speech at the United Nations General Assembly that brought some realness and groundedness for our political leaders around the globe and their approach to COVID. A must-watch if you haven't seen it. Also, Mottley recently lead the island of Barbados in denouncing Queen Elizabeth as head of State and vowing to lead the country into a new era. Big moves, quality leadership. 

2. Lewis Hamilton - Hamilton not only continues to dominate Formula-1 racing, but he now has made history as the only Formula-1 driver with 100 victories. The dude doesn't get enough love.

3. AEW Wrestling - Give it up to the hottest pro wrestling company on the planet, AEW. The company packed 20,000 people into Arthur Ashe stadium in New York City (historically a WWE region) and delivered two excellent television shows. AEW continues to revive an industry lulled by the WWE's creative complacency. 

3 Down

1. Haitian Immigration - An utterly complicated situation that has rendered very little leadership from the White House. In fact, Biden and Company have handled this atrociously. Nonetheless, the continued demise that is the country of Haiti - considering their history as a once Western Hemisphere power - is the kind of history worth researching, teaching, and knowing. My heart just goes out to so many seeking a better life. 

2. U.S. Gun Violence - 2021 is on pace to be the deadliest year in U.S. history in regard to gun violence. There are so many factors to unpack from this - easier gun ownership, rise in teen suicide, mass shootings, and more. We saw some of that on display this week with yet another mass shooting in Tennessee. What's wrong with us?  

3. Josh Mandel - Imagine telling the children of Dr. King that they don't understand their father's principles. There's not much to say about Mandel, a Republican Senate candidate from Ohio. The dude has no clue. It's amazing how so many love to stretch Dr. King for their political gain - yet, most, have little understanding of what he really stood for. Clown show - but that's American politics. Sensationalism over integrity. 

Cover Photo

Migrants wait to be processed near the Del Rio International Bridge in Del Rio, Texas, on Sunday, September 19.

Adress Latif/Reuters

Recently Read

Quick Ponder: Future Self

We always think,  what would we say  to our  younger self? However,  what would  our younger self say  if they met us, today?

Knicks Trauma - Ugh Not Again

Well, that was a kick in the stomach.  Coming off a week where the word "catharsis" was used as the description for the euphoria and release of joy from two and a half decades of suffering, Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Indiana Pacers brought about another word - trauma.  Watching the Knicks collapse was the kind of moments that come with these deep runs and moments. NBA Playoff basketball will do that. Yet, this loss - this one - feels about as bad as the 2004 ALCS when the Yankees collapsed in the series to the Boston Red Sox.  That one carries some serious trauma. Luckily, the series isn't over.  Some other quick thoughts from this awful, awful night, New York Knicks Basketball.  - Not to conjure up hyperbole, or even contribute to "hot take" sports reaction culture - but this might have been the worst loss in Knicks franchise history. I cannot think of another in my lifetime, or historically.  - Tyrese Haliburton's "choke"...

Knicks Back in ECF Causing Catharsis

I've certainly shared my emotions and thoughts regarding the New York Knicks on this site over the years. There have been plenty of those to sort through - most of them are rants. Tonight, the New York Knicks ultimately destroyed the Boston Celtics in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals, 119-81. I sat on my couch, afraid to allow myself to feel joy until that final buzzer. As a Knicks fan, I've been through too much to allow myself to do anything else, to make any assumption, until it was final. Until it was confirmed. Until something couldn't fall through...the way we're used to.  Once it was final, it was unreal.  The New York Knicks are in the Eastern Conference Finals. For the first time since 2000.  I was 15 years old the last time that happened. And that was a run with a squad that I consider (still) to be my favorite Knicks team of all-time.  I sat on my couch with all sorts of feelings. My wife was likely trying to understand the moment. My son, exci...