From Triumph to Tragedy

It's hard to imagine what the people of London have gone through in the last 24 hours. Just yesterday, they celebrated their winning of the 2012 Summer Olympics, their first Olympic Games since 1948. We celebrated with them because we got to bash the French once again, specifically President Jacques Chirac for the STUPID comments he made about the British.

But today, that mood changed as 4 explosions, 3 in the London subway, the other on a double-decker bus, rocked London rushhour, killing 40 and injuring 300. Today reminded us why we are fighting terrorism. Yes, it's not going to be easy, and there may never be a finality to the battle, but we have to keep fighting terror. Even though you may not agree, I feel we have the right man for the job leading the fight. He's not the brightest guy, but he's tough and full of resolve, willing to battle, unlike his predecessor who would launch a cruise missile and run. So keep the people of London in your prayers tonight if you will.

Meanwhile, it was a dramatic day of racing in the Tour de France. Stage 6 took the riders from Troyes to Nancy, a ride of 124 miles. The weather continued to play a role as it rained once again, making the roads very treacherous. Four riders got away, trying to take advantage of the rolling terrain, which favors long breakaways. The breakaway led by as much as 5 minutes before the sprinters' teams looked to bring the race back together by picking up the pace. The breakaway still had a 90 sec. lead when they began the last hill climb of the day with less than 12 miles left. There, Christophe Mengin, a member of the breakaway, attacked, looking for the victory on his home soil. Behind, helped by another tailwind, the main field charged up the last climb, causing the field to split. The big men of the Tour: Armstrong, Ullrich, Vinokourov, Leipheimer, Basso, etc., all came to the front to avoid being left behind. Mengin desperately tried to hold off the field in the last 9 miles, but the field closed in, absolutely flying behind. Then, Vinokourov attacked with Mengin in sight, going for the victory and some time on Armstrong.

Then, in the final right-hand turn, a sharp 90-degree turn, Mengin lost his back wheel on the slick white crosswalk paint and crashed into the barriers. Vinokourov and Lorenzo Bernucci, who followed Vino, went around, staying upright. Right behind came the main field and the sprinters, and they too crashed into the barriers. The big names did not go down, but the sprinters were out of it, and it was Bernucci winning the Stage. When there is a crash like that in the last kilometer, everyone gets the same time, unless you attacked earlier. Vinokourov, because he finished 2nd and had attacked before the crash, picked up 12 seconds for finishing 2nd in addition to his 7 second margin over the main field, which puts him in 3rd, 1:02 behind Lance. Just another day in the Tour de France.

What else can we talk about:

• Michelle Wie opened with a 1-under 70 in the first round of the PGA Tour John Deere Classic. She is 7 off the lead, tied for 73rd. The low 70 plus ties make the cut. Last year the cut was 2-under, so Wie needs to shoot at least another 70 to have a chance of making the weekend.
• I was unconscious out at Hueston Woods today. Playing from the blues (6700 yards), I was Even par through 6 after making a birdie at 6. I ended up shooting 39 on the front, then coming home with 40 on the back, including another birdie at 17 to ensure my breaking of 80. I'm still in shock, namely because my previous best at the course was 86, with my best 9 being 42. I hit 7 fairways, 7 greens, and had 30 putts, pretty good stats for me. And some of those missed fairways and greens were close misses, so they could've been better. I'm pleased my best round of the year could come at such a tough course.
• Going back to the Olympics, here's my recommendation for where the 2016 Games should be: Indianapolis. At first, you may ask, why not New York?
  
• Indianapolis has hosted the Pan American Games, a smaller version of the Olympics.
  
• They wouldn't have to build many new facilities. For example: Basketball-RCA Dome, Conseco Fieldhouse, Gymnastics-RCA Dome, Baseball-Victory Field, Soccer-a new Olympic Stadium, Lafayette, Chicago, Cincinnati, South Bend (imagine Olympic Soccer in Notre Dame Stadium?), Tennis-Indy tennis center, Swimming, IUPUI aquatic center, Cycling-Indy Velodrome, the Indy Convention Center could host the smaller events.
• Minimal construction of additional highways. Indianapolis is one of the easiest cities to drive through. Plus, it's airport can handle the amount of traffic that would be necessary for an Olympic Games
• Can television get any worse???? The other night, I had to choose between I Want to be a Hilton, Real World: Austin, and Beauty and the Geek among other shows. I'm gravely disappointed I missed the season finale of the Real Gilligan's Island. Who comes up with some of these shows???

That's all I've got, talk to y'all tomorrow (unless I'm out til 3AM dancing again hehe)