Men's Olympic Basketball - Shocker

American Arrogance

The United States has dominated men's olympic basketball since the start. 

Granted the Soviet Union beat the US in a freak win in 1972 and that they didn't compete in the 1980 Moscow games, they have always touted that they were the best in the world. And they were.

And the third place finish in Seoul Korea 1988 happened. The resulting shame was unbearable, the best of the best vowed to send only their very best players and so they did in 1992.

Dream Team

The Dream Team of Michael, Magic, Bird, Barkley, Malone, Stockton, Ewing, Robinson, Drexler, Pippen and the rest of the team needed to prove to the world that the US is still home of the greatest basketball players and that the NBA is still the best league on the planet.

And every four years since, they sought to send their very best.

But of course they became complacent and arrogant again. And so have another big loss again in 2004 in Greece. 

Redeem Team

The result was the Redeem Team of 2008 -- a team composed of Kobe, LeBron, Wade, Kidd, Carmelo, Dwight, Paul, Bosh, Deron Williams and others.

Of course, they achieved what was expected of them, like the original Dream Team but again after several years of basketball dominance, complacency and arrogance are to be their worst enemies again.

2021 Tokyo

After France beat the Americans in the Basketball World Cup in 2019, France once again beat them in the first official game of the 2020 Olympics (being played in 2021) -- the first official Team USA lost since 2004.

I dare say, this could be the start of a second Redeem Team in the making. Americans just haven't learned their lesson. Or American basketball players of today just do not care to show the world that they are the best anymore or worse if they are not even the best in the sport that they originated and love anymore.

(American football is not an Olympic sport, USA Men's soccer team didn't make the cut. Baseball is a relatively new Olympic sport and the  US Men's baseball team have not even won an Olympic gold medal in baseball yet.)

   

Opinion: 2020 (2021) Tokyo Olympics

The Summer Olympic Games that was supposed to take place last year finally opened today (Friday, July 23rd 2021).

The tradition continues as the world once again comes together to find out and honor who is:

Citius. Altius. Fortius.

Faster. Higher. Stronger.

We have Japan to thank for not giving up, despite every drama, every obstacle and every criticism they have to face, conquer and push through.

Japan

Thanks to them the dreams of thousands of athletes, trainers, coaches and everyone competing in the Olympics are being fulfilled. And thanks to the Japanese people, the hopes of billions of other people all over the world who are supporting and rooting for their friends, family and fellow citizens are being realized.

Together

This year, the Olympics is pushing for peace and solidarity, to help make the world a better place through sports as they once again light the fire of the Olympic cauldron (incidentally lighted by Naomi Osaka who embodies so many of us who are battling mental health issues).

1,824 drones forming the globe spinning and hanging above the Opening Ceremonies

Respect

There were no crowds in the stands as the athletes wearing face masks march for the opening of the games.

All of them looking proud and joyous.

But some athletes will be taking the opportunity and this stage as a flatform for their protests as we have already seen in the preliminary games, as well as way back during the Olympic trials.

We cannot prevent any of these, it is everyone's right to do so. Yet what is hard to swallow is while these individuals are indeed protesting something real and something really important in their home countries (particularly the USA), many of these athletes and millions of the people they represent are in far worse situations and cannot ever think of doing any of these protest actions without getting kicked out of their national teams or worse, their communities and their countries. Let us be sensitive that as some complain about having no shoes to wear, let us be a little mindful that we are with and among other people who have no feet or legs.

Closer shot of the drones

Conscious

If we give most athletes in these games a chance to trade places with these American athletes, they will in a heart beat. We have already heard of that one athlete who went missing in Tokyo ahead of the games. He presumably left a note saying his life in his home country was too difficult and he wanted to stay and work in Japan. Not every country and not every city has the benefit of hosting these games, only the ones who can afford them. This is a good time to think about how fortunate we are, if we live in countries able to host these games. 

Emotional

The Summer Olympics return to Tokyo for a second time and it has truly been an emotional return. The games would have easily been cancelled, but something like this, which has been taking place for thousands of years, which only happens once every four years, as we mentioned only to a select few cities and which takes an awful lot to put together is just too big an opportunity and a blessing not to push through.

Only Chance

For some, these would be their first and only chance to be an Olympian and to proudly represent their nation, for a few who have already been, these could be their last chance. For several countries this could be their chance to win a gold medal and for a few, this could be their chance to win their nation's first medal, ever.

For many this is their only respite away from their homelands still embroiled in war and pestilence.

So much is at stake. So many dreams waiting to be realized. A few athletes got infected with Covid-19 but fought back and are now representing their individual nations. So let us put aside our personal agenda and look at the big picture. Not everything revolves around us (or the US).

These games should be about the indomitable spirit, the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. Let us all go all out and strive to be the fastest, the highest, the strongest, the best, together.

Let the Games begin!

(In 2028, the Summer Games will return to SoCal)

Live Interview Caught Nurse Fainting Minutes After Receiving Covid-19 Vaccine

 

So while major news networks have not covered this developing story of a Tennessee nurse who fainted just a mere 17 minutes after taking the newly FDA approved vaccine, there are smaller news agencies who have not censored this event.

Here is a video of it happening:

Now if you try to google or siri this, what you might catch would be multiple sites explaining the reason she fainted. And a video of the same nurse being interviewed and now saying why she fainted.

Unlucky

There were several other people who were vaccinated at that location and they just happen to choose to interview the one person who may or may not had an unforeseen reaction to it (or something they do not want people to see*).

Imagine if we were vaccinating large scale and this happened to someone who would typically be in their car and driving away.

Side Effects

There has been slight to moderate side effects as already reported by the media from the new vaccines. And these are not uncommon for any new drug.

Right now at least two new vaccines have already been FDA approved, with one already being administered to the first batch of targeted recipients, such as these frontline health workers.

Testings

Now there is a reason why we need long and thorough clinical trials. What we are seeing and being told are just the immediate reactions, so no one is even touching on any possible long term repercussions.

We hope rushing to approve these new vaccines will not come back to haunt us all.

*We heard the current protocol for those who took the vaccine is to wait 15 minutes after the jab before they can leave the area, so all those getting the new vaccines are essentially still in clinical trials (observing, recording and analyzing sny side effect period). 

Makes sense because the short testing period will not and cannot ensure safety just as yet for all. We are testung these vaccines with this targeted group of recipients. Something which main stream media will not touch or report on.

This is probably why they started the interview 15 minutes after the nurse was vaccinated.

LA Airports, Trains and Subway Stations Are On High Alert

3 suspects of Brussels Airport Bombing

Another Terror Attack

After the Brussels terrorist twin bombings today, Los Angeles as well as other major cities across the United States have placed military and police personnel at their major airports, train and subway stations.

The United States is in the middle of a hotly contested presidential primary elections, where voters across the country are trying to select their party's official candidate for president.

The incumbent U.S. President, is currently on a historic state visit to Cuba and the bombings at Brussels couldn't have happened at the worst possible time.

Christians are celebrating their Holy Week, while Jews are celebrating Purim.

ISIS / ISIL

ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) have already claimed responsibility for the Brussels shootings and bombings and there seems to be no clear end or solution yet for these types of barbaric and coward terrorist attacks targeting innocent civilian lives. The toll for this attack, as of this writing is over 30 dead and over 200 injured.

Across the world, there is also obviously elevated security measures at major airports and public transports as more and more nations are issuing official statements of condemnation for this recent terrorist attack.


Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons, lemonde.fr

May: National Bike Month

Do You Want to Ride Your Bicycle to Work or to School?

Urban Cycling Vienna, Austria, Wikimedia Commons, Gengiskanhg

For whatever reason, if you have ever thought about riding your bike to work or any where else then today is as good as any to start on it.

And regardless of where you need to go, May is definitely the best month to start riding your bike.

Now if you're really looking for a good enough reason, then there could be no better time than this time of the year (Spring and Summer).

Of course, aside from the obvious favorable weather, there could be considerably less traffic, particularly because most schools would be out for the summer and some people would be out of town.

But besides that, it is the perfect time to commune with nature and go green!

Biking at the Venice Beach Bike path, Wikemedia Commons, SameerKhan

Spring and Summer

There is something about springtime that speaks of recharging, rejuvenation, renewal and rebirth.

So whether you wish to:

• finally start to learn how to ride a bicycle, 
• or you want to look and feel cool and free on the road, 
• or get back into an exhilarating aerobic routine, 
• reduce your carbon footprint, 
• save some money,

or better yet, all of the above, then you may want to start some serious cycling during the month of May and make it a habit!

And in case you didn't get the memo, the Month of May is National Bike Month.

History of National Bike Month

Since 1956, May has been recognized as National Bike Month.

Source: WintersBikes.Org

The third week of May is designated as Bike to Work Week.

And the third Friday of May is Bike to Work Day (dates may vary from city to city).

Source: BikeLeague.org

Bike to School Day is normally the first Wednesday of May. 

5 Practical Reasons To Start Riding Your Bike

1. Because times are tough and hard on all of us,
2. Gas and all other prices are steadily climbing,
3. Everyone needs to get in and stay in shape (both physically and mentally),
4. Because people always say that one never really forgets how to ride a bike, then you can test that theory, and
5. You can jump start your spring cleaning as you can finally take out those dusty old bikes from the garage, out of storage or anywhere you have kept them out of sight.

I know, if you haven't ridden a bike in a long time, you'd have all the excuses not to start now or ever again.

But if you are merely feeling a little bashful about it, remember there is no other time that one gets a real excuse to not only ride their bike but even to actually come to work riding on one.

National Bike Activities

If you want to step it up another notch, you can even become a local advocate for riding bicycles in your own community. The League of American Bicyclists actually has a step-by-step guide on how to do it. Check it out here: Bike Month Programs

So if you are unsure if there are actual scheduled events taking place in your area, visit the league's website to find out.

If there are none, then check to see how you can organize one and conveniently add your event to their list online. Simply apply to be a member of the league right from their website and add your bike event.



In Other Related News:

May is also National Physical Fitness Sports Month

Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month

and

National Photograph Month, among others.

April: National Theft and Burglary Prevention Month

Don't Help Someone Target You!

McGruff: Wikimedia Fair Use

April is “Theft and Burglary Prevention Month”.  Statistically, theft and burglary are the most common types of crime and they happen all too frequently. However, most of these threats can be avoided with a little common sense and proactive safeguards.

Having worked for both the Los Angeles Police and the LA Sheriff's Departments, I know that crimes against property happen all around us. And when I say crimes against property, I mean crimes such as scams, burglaries, thefts, including identity theft and purse, cellphone or jewelry snatchings and robberies.

Victim-Assisted Crimes

I know, we normally tell ourselves that we can never be victims of these crude criminal acts. But most if not all of those who have been, had thought so themselves, until they were actually victimized. And many of them realize after-the-fact that they were targeted due to their own carelessness or recklessness. And so please read crime-prevention tips and save yourselves the agony of being the next victim of crimes which can be avoided.

Crimes of Opportunity

First off, while there may be hardcore criminals out there who could target you whatever precautions you might have taken, there are far more petty crimes that are due to what we could call mental lapses, unfortunate occasions or chance opportunities.

Eliminating or minimizing these would help you avoid becoming a victim of these preventable crimes.

5 Tips to Avoid Being a Victim of a Preventable Crime

1. Lock your doors and windows. This goes for your house, business, car, locker, bag and most anything you own. Also safeguard your keys. Just yesterday, I saw someone driving on the road with the key still on the keyhole and the key chain (which is full of keys) dangling from the trunk of their car. I had to pull alongside and yell at the driver about that mindless act.

2. Stow away valuables from casual eyes. Someone walking past your house or parked car especially if you left a window pulled-down or a door unlocked with your Oakley, iPhone, PSP, purse, wallet or cash in plain sight can be a temptation too much to bear. Keep in mind that unattended small items, even pets within your front yard are easy targets.

3. Do not leave your mail out in the open for extended periods. As I've said, this not only creates opportunities but temptations. And can be a potential source of identity theft, especially if your mail contains bank and other personal and financial information or actual credit cards and checks.

4. Do not stay or park in an isolated or (potentially) unlit area. Think ahead especially if you are going to be returning to your car after dark or if you are going to return by yourself. Be mindful not just of your safe entrance but also of a secure exit.

5. When in Rome, do as the Romans do. What this means is act as if you are well familiar with your surroundings. Act and dress as everyone else does. Doing so, wouldn't let you be singled out as a potential victim.

On a final note carry mace, a whistle or a flashlight at night. Or keep handy other self-defense devices or learn self-protection tactics.

Here's a few more tips. Try not to be too trusting of sweet-talking strangers or leave your purse or wallet on shopping carts, on top of your vehicle, at public rest-room or store counter-tops. Don't leave your tablet or smartphone on an unattended coffee-shop table. Remember times are hard, some people might be desperate enough to swipe those even if they didn't mean to. And please passcode protect your gadgets, learn how to track them before you lose them and safeguard all your passwords and personal data.

Stay safe.

In Other Related News:

April is also National Child Abuse Prevention Month

July is National Vehicle Theft Protection Month

December is National Identity Theft Prevention and Awareness Month

9/11: We Saw the Face of Terror and We Still Flew Towards It

Yahoo! asked Americans how September 11 changed them. Below is an account from a reader.

9-11 North face South Tower after plane strike

Sept. 11 is forever seared in my mind's memory bank. I normally forget most things now, being middle-aged, but unbelievable video footage of the planes crashing, the heroics of first responders and ordinary citizens alike, people jumping to their deaths and the utter chaos which followed are still running inside my mind over 10 years later.

[Your story: How has September 11 changed you?]

At that time, I wasn't living in the United States but was finishing up my INS papers as my family and I planned to permanently move to the U.S., a decision we hoped we wouldn't later on regret.

Watching the news of that fateful day gave me and my wife nightmares as we weren't sure if we would want to raise our kids in the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave. For months, the U.S. Embassy in our country didn't process U.S. visas, and it didn't help that we had terror groups based in our part of the globe. To them, we were all suspect.

And so we weren't even sure if we could even move, whatever decision we came up with. But a year later, we got our visas and we were on our way, flying aboard a 747.

Today, we still aren't sure if we made the right choice. But nevertheless, we were glad we did. And even though we were held by immigration officers at LAX for hours, we were actually the last people to be let through. Well, there was this other Asian man who was wearing a face mask and he was probably quarantined because of some foreign virus. The airport was dark, it was late, we were scared, upset, tired and hungry, but we said this is the price we have to pay for everyone to be safe.

We have lived in the States close to 10 years, and our child was born and goes to school here. We are law abiding citizens, we pay our taxes and we are happy to contribute to the economy and the well-being of our adopted country. We are proud Americans, or shall I say, American Citizens. Although our child is American born, he is still Asian-American. And we will forever remember 9/11 and how it could be the key to whatever happens to our family's future.

In the final analysis, I can say that Sept. 11 was one of the reasons I wanted to go into law enforcement, but then again, my wife vehemently objected. Nevertheless, we compromised and I took a civilian position instead. I have worked in the county jail and also in the local police station and I have participated in neighborhood watches and volunteer work. And if I may say so, subconsciously, all these were brought about by our desire to help protect our new home country -- the land where we have chosen to bring up our child and hopefully his children and his children's children, something that my grandfather wasn't sure of when he first arrived at this very soil 100 years ago. He went back and raised a family in Asia.

Originally published at Yahoo! US News back in September 11, 2011.

Olympics Profile: Japan Back for More in 2012

Tower Bridge Olympic Lighting, London - July 2012

Japan is in the world's third top economy. And, arguably, it got there in record time, following utter destruction at the end of the Second World War.

In fact, only 20 years after the war it showed the world how far it had come by hosting the 1964 Summer Olympics. And not content with that, Japan hosted two more Olympic Games, the Winter Olympics of 1972 and 1998. All in just a span of 50 years after WWII.

Japan has not only proven itself an economic giant, it also displays its prowess in these Games--all of which are fruits of its resilience, technological skills and strong work ethics.

Here is a short profile of Japan and its Olympic tradition and history:

Country name: Japan

Region: Northeast Asia

Population: 127,368,088 (July 2011 estimate - 10th in the world)

Land Area: 377,915 sq km (slightly smaller than California)

Best Summer Olympics Medal Haul: 37 medals (Athens, 2004)

Best Winter Olympics Medal Haul: 10 medals (Nagano, 1998)

Notable Sports: Judo, gymnastics, wrestling, swimming, synchronized swimming, athletics, volleyball

Notable Olympians:

Tadahiro Nomura is only one among Japan's world famous judo athletes. In the Olympics, he is the only judoka to have won three gold medals in a row (Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000, Athens 2004).

Sawao Kato is the most productive Japanese Olympic gymnast of all time. He led the Japanese team to three team gold medals. In three Olympics (1968, 1972 and 1976), he has compiled a total of 12 medals (8 golds, 3 silvers, 1 bronze). Currently, he is one of roughly 10 athletes to have won eight or more Olympic gold medals.

Kosuke Kitajima is one of Japan's best known swimmers. He has won four Olympic gold medals in two Olympics. He struck Olympic gold for the men's 100m and 20m breaststroke twice in a row at Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008.

Other Olympic facts: The Japanese Olympic Committee was founded in 1911 and Japan participated for the first time at the Games of the V Olympiad in Stockholm 1912, and the Winter Olympic Games in St. Moritz in 1928.

Before hosting the Summer Olympics of 1964, Tokyo won the bid to host the games back in 1940. But because of WWII, the 1940 Games came to be known as the "Tokyo Olympics that never were."

Japan is one of only two nations to have won team Olympic gold in men`s gymnastics five times -- Japan winning it straight from 1960 to 1976 and the former Soviet Union winning in 1952, 1956, 1980, 1988 and 1992. Japan is also dominant in men's wrestling and has won medals in this discipline in every Olympics since 1952 (excluding the 1980 boycotted games).

Current 2012 Olympians: Seven Japanese Olympic athlete profiles

Notable Olympians in the 2012 London Olympics:

Hiroshi Hoketsu: An equestrian who first competed in show jumping in the 1964 Summer Games. In London 2012, Hiroshi will be the Games' oldest competitor. He was also the oldest athlete in Beijing, where he competed in 2008. At the London Games, he will be 71 years old. Hoketsu earned his spot by topping in the International Equestrian Federation's Asia-Oceania individual dressage rankings.

Japan's World Cup-winning Women's Soccer Team. So, even though the reason these ladies are in the news as of late is that they flew into London economy class, while their Japanese male counterparts came in business class, this shouldn't be all that we should be talking about these lady athletes.

What we ought to remember is how these ladies flew under the radar, surprising many top teams and upsetting everyone else in the 2011 Soccer World Cup. These London Games is their chance to show the world that they weren't a fluke and the perfect venue for Hope Solo, Abby Wambach, Alex Morgan and the rest of the members of the 2008 Olympic gold-medal U.S. Women's Soccer Team to redeem themselves.

Writer has been following the Summer Olympics since the 1970s. He has trained in the same gym alongside Olympic athletes in the Korean sport of taekwondo when it first became an Olympic demonstration and finally as an official sport in the late 80s into the 1990s.

Originally published at Yahoo! US Sports in fulfillment of Yahoo! Contributor Network Olympic 2012 Country Profile Assignment.

Photo Credit: David Iliff,  Wikipedia Commons

Summer Olympics: Australia Ready for the Games

2012 Olympic field hockey team Australia

Australia isn't called the Land Down Under for nothing. In fact, because it's way down there, most countries have nothing in common with the people living there. For years it has been cut off from the rest of the world and the seasons are completely reversed from that of countries in most of the known world. Australia a totally different plant and animal life, with the people living densely in the coastal areas.

Having been no stranger to water, Australians have always made a splash in the Summer Olympic Games since they joined the first modern games in Athens. Australia has hosted the Summer Games twice, the last one in Sydney in 2000, placing fourth place overall. They also placed fourth four years later in Athens.

And although Australia placed sixth in Beijing, 2008, it is still a team to watch in London.

Country name: Australia

Population: 22,015,576 (July 2011 estimate)

Median Age: 37.7 years

Literacy: 99 percent

Land Area: 7,741,220 sq km (world's smallest continent, sixth largest country)

Best Summer Olympics Medal Haul:

58 medals Sydney 2000 (16 gold, 25 silver, 17 bronze)

Notable Sports:

Swimming, rowing, cycling, sailing, athletics

Other Notable Facts:

Although Australia is a big place, its territories are largely unpopulated. In fact, even if it is almost as big as the entire U.S. Mainland, the whole Australian population is only 22 million. This isn't a big number, considering that this is already about half the people of what most major cities have in many of the major countries around the world.

Anyway, the comparatively smaller number of Australians has resulted in more funding for their athletes and them having one of the highest Olympic medal per person ratios in the world (about one for every 50,000).

Australia remains to be a powerhouse swimming nation, and you can add other water events, such sailing, cycling and canoeing. On land, Australia is great in cycling, equestrian and track.

Notable Olympians: There are many great Australian Olympian,s but very few are well-known all over the world.

Among the few are:

Beth Cuthbert - Competed in the 100, 200 and 400 meters. She struck gold four times in Melbourne 1956 and Tokyo 1964.

Dawn Fraser - One of only two swimmers to win the same Olympic event three times. She won the 100m freestyle gold in three consecutive Olympic games (1956, 1960 and 1964). She also won a fourth gold with the 1956 4x100m freestyle team and won four silver medals total.

Cathy Freeman - A six-time gold medalist in the Commonwealth and World Championship Games is a specialist in the 400 meters. She won the silver in Atlanta 1996 and then finally the gold at Sydney 2000. Cathy is the first female Australian Aboriginal to represent and win a medal for her country.

Ian Thorpe - At the age of 14, she was the youngest male ever to represent Australia in an international competition. Ian isn't called the thorpedo for nothing. His Olympic swimming tally is nine medals, five golds in Sydney and Athens for the 200 and 400m freestyle and the 4x100 and 4x200m freestyle. Sadly, Ian failed to qualify for the London Games.

Among the Notable Olympians in London are:

Sally Pearon (hurdles) - Silver medalist in Beijing 2008

Steve Hooker (pole vault) - Gold medalist in Beijing

Kookaburras and the Hockeyroos (men's and women's hockey teams) - Gold medalists in 2000 Sydney and 2004 Athens

Complete Profile List: 2012 Australian Olympic Team Athletes

Writer has enjoyed closely watching the Summer Olympics since the 1984 Games. He lives in the Los Angeles area but has lots of family and friends in Australia.

Originally published at Yahoo! US Sports in fulfillment of Yahoo! Contributor Network Olympic 2012 Country Profile Assignment.

Photo Credit: Delusion23,  Wikipedia Commons