Food for Thought: Soccer, Drugs, and Society

Last night, I saw "30 for 30: The Tale of Two Escobars" and it may have been the most intriguing and captivating program I've seen in a long time. It was deep and had many layers to it. In light of the World Cup being the biggest topic in the world right now, I figured I needed to share with the world. That message is how a beloved drug lord and his love for soccer held a country together and how his demise and that of the soccer team allowed the country to fall into all out anarchy. Pablo Escobar (pictured), one of the baddest men to ever walk the Earth, became a Robin Hood figure and champion to the poor in his country. Unlike American druglords who give back to the community, he was not killing his own people as most of his business took place in the US and abroad; he controlled 80% of the world's drug trade at one point. Despite him being a druglord named the 7th richest man in the world by Forbes (valued over $25 billion), he built up low-income housing, hospitals, schools, churches, and most applicably, a world class soccer facility and team. Soccer was his love and he built their team into the 4th-ranked in the world, the South American champion (yeah, they beat powerhouses Brazil and Argentina by a combined 8-0) and a World Cup qualifier for the first time in a generation; the hopes of the country rode on the shoulders of Pablo's national soccer team and their also beloved captain Andres Escobar (pictured below, no relation). Pablo became above the law, he got extradition illegalized, got elected to public office, and more until regular enforcement couldn't do anything. After the national team qualified and started preparing for the 1994 World Cup in the USA, Pablo's enemies took matters into their own hands. They formed the PEPEs (translated to "People Prosecuted by Pablo Escobar"), basically when Pablo was on the run his opposing cartel went to everyone who worked for him and said "We want Pablo dead. Either join in and work for us, or die." After they blew up a few target buildings and started a few small riots, people started laying down instead of fighting the PEPEs. They decided they were gonna terrorize the whole country until they got him. Well, the Columbian National Police, in the pocket of the PEPEs, finally found and killed Pablo when some of his closest allies turned against him. However, the society fell into a state of pure anarchy, widespread violence everywhere. Without the Big Boss, everybody wanted to be their own boss and they didn't have rules like he did. Pablo at his height had so much pull that anyone who wanted to do something illegal had to ask his permission or pay the consequences, he strictly forbid kidnapping or killing of people who weren't involved in the criminal underworld. With him gone, random people were being killed and kidnapped all over the place, including the families and friends of the National soccer team. So this society, which had so much hope riding on the soccer team sabotaged their tournament as their minds were on everything back home and nowhere near soccer. One of the tournament favorites, they lost 2 games and didn't make it out of the first round. Andres Escobar, one of the best and most respected players, had an own goal again the US in rout to a loss. Upon returning to Colombia, Andres was heckled by PEPE underlings about the own goal in a bar and eventually murdered in the parking lot after the verbal dispute continued. The overall state of the violence in society and its effect on the players' families coupled the murder of Andres effectively tore the soccer team apart. Players vowed to only play over in Europe, others quit the sport entirely. Colombia deteriorated in every aspect afterwards and was in shambles for the next few years. As much blame as Pablo gets for Colombia's violent culture of this time period, his wrath was calculated and involved only those involved in the underworld. With him gone and the soccer team losing, it spread to everyone. There were over 7000 murders in one year (compare that with Chicago's one year high of 943 in 1992, highest in the US in decades), many were regular citizens and over 600 were cops. How telling is it that Pablo's firm criminal order, his overwhelming generosity to the poor, and the success of the National Team he built kept his community together at the time where it was a potential powder keg? And by taking Pablo out, they sabotaged Andres's soccer team and threw the country into a tail spin. Food for Thought...

Dear US, please NEVER legalize marijuana

During my recent trip back to Atlanta, I spent a lot of time around college mates of mine, mostly fellow athletes, who smoke weed (AKA midget) multiple times a day (breakfast, lunch and dinner) now that they're out of school. The most excited I've ever seen one of my friends is when he found out the club had a patio where he could 'barbeque.' I can now say most definitively that I hope the US never legalizes weed. Don't get my wrong, weed is not killing people (noone overdoses or gets cancer from weed) and everyday weed smoking isn't really a big deal in a legal sense anymore. But, I'm truly afraid of how unproductive and unintelligent our society may become if everyone is allowed to 'bake' whenever and wherever they feel like it. The argument for weed is that it would provide a tremendous financial boost if managed correctly and the government could regulate it and eliminate deaths caused by lacing and dipping the marijuana. Police could spend money focused on other the other corrupt shit that they do (Oops, did I say that out loud?). Also, I've heard people say smoking makes them very alert and can help them focus deeply on a particular task at hand. However, high people tend to get immensely paranoid and jumpy. Their logical conversation and reasoning turns to shit. Their depth perception while driving is about as good as Mr. Magoo's. Noone would eat full meals anymore, people would just alternate snacking, smoking, and napping all day every day. People have enough complaints about the workforce and how slack some workers are, imagine what that's gonna turn into. What if ur 911 operators were allowed to come to work right after smoking an ounce, u think that conversation is gonna be coherent? It'll go like this "Send help, I've been shot." Operator: "Really...damn...that shit sounds painful. I got a friend who got shot and...", your help ain't gonna make it anytime soon. I'd hate to think about high cooks and waiters in restaurants. People with stressful jobs either spazzing out or going "fuck it" and not caring. IRS accountants fucking up tax numbers. The list goes on and they're all bad. Every sidewalk, apartment complex, swimming pool area, public outdoor area, and unregulated indoor public area will smell like weed 24/7. Febreze can't always get that out. So legislative bodies of America, please hear my plea. Nowadays getting weed and smoking weed are easy enough, so there is no need to turn everyone's "secret pleasure" into the legalized past time and reason for the demise of social intelligence and efficiency in our country. As hilarious as weed commercials could possibly be, I'll pass. We can do without the paperwork, they'd probably just use it to roll up in the Capital anyway. Am I ant-weed, not necessarily. But say what u want, I've Been Called Worse...

Broadening My Horizons

It's now official. This fall I will be doing an internship in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for up to a year. I feel that learning to function on your own while stepping out of your comfort zone ur own person. It's too easy to stay within your comfort zone (your parents' house, your hometown, somewhere you're surrounded by poeple you know, etc.) is essential to growing up and becoming your own man. All I needed was an opportunity. AIESEC, an exchange and internship program and the biggest student run organization in the world, has given me that opportunity. I originally wanted to go to either Europe or South America. Malaysia came out of left field, but upon doing research on the place, I think it will be a great experience. I'll be working within my degree field, working with people from different regions of the world and learning another culture. Not to mention they sell EVERYTHING crazy cheap (I've been asked to bring back high grade weave for a friend) and its near to Japan, China, Singapore, and Australia for visits. Hopefully the humidity and monsoon season aren't too much to handle. Life's an adventure and a story, I hope this is a wonderful upcoming chapter of mine...

P.S. Don't worry tho, I've Been Called Worse will continue from overseas. My mission will remain to entertain or enlighten no matter what continent, time zone, hemisphere, or even planet I should be blogging from

The World Cup

Masterful, simply masterful. I can't think of a better way to promote the 2010 FIFA World Cup. This is one of the few International soccer events that truly captivated millions in America even though they know very little about the teams (including the USA) that are competing this year. The event holds even more prestige this year due to the rich history (good and bad) and how sports helped to ease race relations in that country decades ago. Gotta love it. I tip my hat to you Nike...

Are They Serious: Outta Control Call of Duty Commercial

The TV version is about the funniest commercial I'd seen in a while. This is the extended and even wilder version with a different old man. I kinda felt dirty even laughin at the sexual innuendo of this one cuz he goes over the top a couple of times. "Some people do it for too long and their hands cramp up." LOL had I been a young child or elderly person, I may have lost control and pissed myself laughing. Reminds me of that dirty old man from the movie "Road Trip" that was knockin over his wife's figurines with his ragin Viagara boner. Thoroughly outta control. Am I sick? It's possible, but I've Been Called Worse. U still can't deny the hilarity...

Do Better: Rihanna, A Rare Miss

I didn't think I'd ever have to call this person out for a violation; or at least not until well in the future for getting older and chunky but still trying to wear her sexy outfits or something of that nature. Unfortunately, the first Rihanna Do Better segment has arrived. She's always been someone who pushed the envelope as far as fashion and accessories. She had made it into the category with Erykah Badu where I would endorse pretty much anything she does despite how far from the norm. But this, the bowl cut, I can not give the stamp of approval too. She looks like Tugg Speedman's "Simple Jack" character from "Tropic Thunder." And Simple Jack was not just retarded, but a full retard; noone to be mimicked by any standards. So that's not a compliment. I don't even mind it being Kool Aid red, cuz she's fine and fiesty enough to work that. But the bald, taperless, homemade scissor looking bowl cut isn't quite acceptable. Despite her career declining significantly since the domestic violence incident, her fashion game has usually still been completely on point to compliment the fact that she's fine (absolutely certified banger despite the big forehead and big feet) and has swag. It's a dark day for me having to call her out. But luckily she changes up often so I have confidence that the situation will soon be rectified and back to normal which I look forward to. Rihanna, u're a unique island beauty and trend setter, u're capable of much more. Do Better. I know, I sound crazy criticizing Rihanna while I still hold her in just high regard. But whatever, as u know, I've Been Called Worse...

The Motor City 2010

For the first time as an adult, I spent some time In Detroit (albeit not for a reason that I'd like to have been there, I made the best of it though) and came away with some interesting opinions about the once great city and its inhabitants. I have a laundry list of observations about the city:

• It saddens me that the city, once among the manufacturing and production powerhouses in the world, so downtrodden. There are stretches of city blocks where 60-70% of business are out of business. Restaurants, specialty shops, used car dealerships, everything
• The city has lost almost half of its population due to the lost of large chunks of its largest industry which is automobile manufacturing. I'd venture out and say that no city depends as heavily on one industry as Detroit relies on the American automobile industry.
• My 45-year old second cousin, who was raised in inner city Detroit, moved to the distant suburbs and refuses to go back into the inner city citing the violence and hopelessness; he even called it the "Wild Wild West." He spoke about the 1976 building of the Renaissance Building, the most distinctive building in the Detroit skyline. While renaissance means rebirth or change, he said he hasn't seen an ounce of change in the city and has finally lost hope. This is saddening to hear from a native.
  
• However, despite all the turmoil the industry has been under, I was delighted to see the art of production at the Ford Rouge River plant (where every F-150 is built). Watching the assembly line work in a fluid, rhythmical way was almost therapeutic and gave me renewed respect for Ford and their attempts to change things to make their products competitive again. I almost wanna buy an F-150, but gas is still not cheap enough for that. They've also incorporated green aspects into the structure such as the "living roof," special vegetation used for rejuvenation of a former junkyard, and solar energy use where appropriate.
• I gained a new respect for Henry Ford. Although he neither invented the automobile or the assembly line, he forged the two into a modern marvel of production and industry. He had a huge had in building Detroit itself. The city's hospitals and casino would not be what they are without his influence. Also, his influence created the residential sectors of Dearborn and Inkster so his workers would be able to live closer to their jobs.
• For the short Do Better advice for Detroit, I have to single out the 25 and over crowd which is not acting its age. My cousin, an attractive, hard-working, and ambitious 37 year old woman, told me she hasn't been able to get serious with anyone in her lifetime in Detroit because she can't find someone her age who has charm, goals, and education to be compatible with her. I didn't understand and then I went out to a club and bar at a casino and I see why now. I've never seen so many 25-35 year old men wearing beaters as actual shirts. As if they stood in the mirror and said to themselves "I'm feeling myself so much that I refuse to even put a shirt on." And to counter that, many also refused to take their do-rags off to come in public; they were it to make the hair look nice and then don't wanna show it off? Coonery. Hell, my 22-year old cousin that took me to the casino said that my outfit - a short sleeve Polo button-up, jeans, and Pumas - was much more dressy that the usual attire even at 21 and older spots; sad enough on its own. And this one 30-somethin guy in a 5XL Obama shirt was sufficiently embarrassing himself on the dance floor for about 25 minutes straight. I was ashamed for the ladies of Detroit. Do Better...

The economic downturn and collapse of the America auto industry has been as detrimental to Detroit as Hurricane Katrina has been to New Orleans. The economic recovery necessary in Motown seems to be as large as the rebuilding effort needed to resurrect the the Crescent City. I hope that the city can rise above all the turmoil and reinvent itself; it needs to truly harness some of that rebirth the Renaissance building was supposed to represent almost 35 years ago. Not to mention, the grown ups need to act like grown up too. Motown, you're capable of so much more, act like it. Do Better...