The U.S. vs John Lennon

I was six years old when John Lennon was tragically killed outside of his apartment in New York City. I don't remember it and it was years before I knew who John Lennon was.

The tumultuous time of the late 60's to the early 80's is one of my favorite times in history and it is one that I don't know much of and I am eager to learn. I am highly interested in the civil rights movement and I am in awe for those that gave their lives in these significant strides in history. So many interesting things happened in our world during this time that changed the course of history both for the good and for the bad. Watergate, the Vietnam War and Martin Luthor King are just a few of the dramatic things that happened. 

I only knew of John Lennon from his time with the Beatles. My sister listened to a lot of the Beatles and turned me on to their music. I knew of John Lennon the musician but I had no idea that the man was much, much more than just an influential artist.

My dad is a big fan of John Lennon and we were talking at work one day and found that there was a movie recently made about John Lennon and how the United States government was so against him. This fantastic documentary details his time of when he transformed from just an artist with the Beatles but into a larger figure; a spokesman for peace.



I highly recommend watching this documentary. Whether you love John or hate him; this will make you respect him.

I had no clue how powerful John was. I had absolutely no clue how influential he was until I watched this. I always had this underlining feeling that he was much more than just one of the Fab Four. I had one experience in high school that brought this to forefront. My senior year, for the Sr. Prom we wanted the John Lennon song Imagine to be the theme song. And most of the administration was dead against this. They didn't think that was an appropriate song for it and from what I remember it took a lot of convincing to finally get our way. I didn't know this song at all but I quickly became a fan of it. Again I had no idea that this was controversial, I thought it was a beautiful song. Our administration thought it was a rebellious song and that it is anti-Christ and anti-establishment. How clueless they are. This song is not about that at all. Sadly, human nature can ruin families, it can ruin religion, it can ruin any social event. In his eyes it can ruin everything.  Wouldn't it be nice if we can all live together in peace, with no borders, no classes, essentially with no hate.

I wish I was alive during this time to truly appreciate what he stood for. But at least I can learn from history so I am not doomed to repeat it.

Never Say Never Again!

Day 172

Tomorrow will mark the end of the longest part of the off-season for the NFL. Tomorrow night is the NFL Draft and soon after training camp starts and before you know it, the NFL Preseason is here and suddenly it is the start of a new season.

Luckily for me the off-season has been pretty exciting being a New York Jets fan. We have had some pretty big trades and signings and the Jets will be part of HBO's Hard Knocks series. The NFL also released the schedule last night and the Jets have the most Prime Time games. I know I say it every year but THIS COULD BE THE YEAR!

But then the Jets announced something that I thought I never would hear. Much bigger than Brett Favre signing with the team which was HUGE for me since I am a big Brett fan. Anything is possible in the world of the NFL but I still couldn't believe the Jets headline of yesterday.

It made me throw up a little in my mouth. Actually it made me throw up a lot in my mouth.

JASON TAYLOR HAS SIGNED TO PLAY WITH THE NEW YORK JETS.

THIS GUY?

I respect Taylor's abilities but I cannot stand him. I hate Jason Taylor, he is one the few players that I can say that I absolutely cannot stand. Not only did he play for our most hated rivals, the Miami Dolphins but he has also said things about my team that makes me want to wish nothing but harm on him. This is the guy that said "Jets fans take the 'c-l' out of class."  He has also said "A bunch of them chanting their dumb-ass chant and all that other stuff, being the ignorant fans they are."  I do feel like I still have the last laugh because of the Monday Night Miracle where he was talking so much trash and then cried like a baby when his team lost.

And now he is a New York Jet.

I don't know whether to boo him or not.

All I can is Never Say Never Again! Anything can happen in the NFL.

On a side note, I will boo Ben Roethlisberger. He is LUCKY that the NFL only suspended him for 6 games. He is LUCKY that there was not enough physical evidence that they could not convict him. I used to have respect for him and appreciated his talent but now he is tainted and it will take a lot of work for him to build that respect back. I do applaud the NFL for suspending him.