back on track, 2006 in sight

Amigos,
estamos aqui. the end of the year 2005. Wow. From my perspective it's been probably a little bit of everything. As you know, sometimes I'll just rant or go off on a tangent, so it might happen, what thinking for this entry is to let you know the sports, entertainment and media happenings that impacted me the most.

I'll begin with sports and say actually, that my level of interest in sports fluctuates. Maybe this is true for everyone.
I was into the Mets this Summer. They were interesting and were involved in the race - sometimes baseball pisses me off, just like this country, but sometimes it's ok. I hit some day games, which i really like. I was into the game. Hit a day in Philly to check out that new park, for a day trip. that was nice.

Hit a couple of NFL this year in Denver, checked out the new Mile High, giants hit a couple of times - great stadium there. But, as I've mentioned before, maybe it's just me, the NFL experience is not as sharp as I've experience before.

I don't do fantasy, so does that mean I should have no interest in watching the game?

Rant/off tangent:
I caught most of the documentary on Frontline yesterday called The Persuaders, about Market research, adv, and pr. perfectly appropriate for what i do.

I'm a marketer, sure. I think i'm a pretty savvy consumer personally, but that's because of my background and current situation.
I do look around at American consumers, and think wow. My brothers lives in the dizzle, and he's building a convenience store empire, like Abe Froman - sausage king of Chicago. He always used to say - ma and pa are easy to sell to. As we look across America and see figures like each American averages $8000 in personal debt on credit cards - you can see what he means.
Americans have been trained to spend without regard. Our government was the first example of not keeping a balanced budget. We corrected ourselves after 15 years probably, and now heading towards even more severe national debt and personal debt.

I don't have any money, so there's nothing for me to spend. I've just curbed my desires. which is hard, but it seems like that's a foreign concept for americans. and you know what we're losing lives because of this. Americans need to WAKE UP. I believe soldiers are losing their lives so we can be better consumers. I'm not an economist, but I think i need help understanding this. I'd like the administration to tell me what's happening - something they still haven't done - STILL.
I met a Naval ensign at the bar last week. seemed like a good guy, and i was very honest with him in saying i completely support him personally, and his buddies, they're not the ones pushing any buttons - unfortunately they're just tools.
but do they realize their mission to stabilize the region means we need low energy prices. We need a better energy policy than losing lives for cheaper prices. This is the biggest issue facing our democracy - Americans need to realize their desire for low gas prices and low taxes is based on soldiers lives. think about that and then realize - maybe that's what americans are fighting for if you go back to the revolution in the first place.

Wow, completely sidetracked. I hope i don't get in trouble. I want Americans to realize that consumerism has a price. We've got men dying while we're shopping. WW2 was not like this. If we're in a war, we need to behave as such and have a national consciousness. I don't see that. I think Oprah needs to tell her audience what's up - but then will that affect her ratings? her products? her magazine, her advertisers? What's up with Oprah - does she care? really? she has tremendous leverage. and she has a bunch of money. i now she does good causes, but we as a nation - I'm kind of worried. we're getting our ass kicked. in trade, in education.

Let's take a minute to reflect on what's important.
Thanks,
Have a great 2006.