The title of my latest blog is most definitely a play on the Monday Morning Quarterback column from NFL writer, Peter King, on SI(sports illustrated).com. In his weekly column, King offers his readers unrivaled access and perspective on the world of professional football, as well as a few commentaries on the world in general, from his weekly ‘Aggravating/Enjoyable Travel Note’ to his ‘Ten Things I Think I Think.’ Check it out if you are an NFL fan, and enjoy unoffensive writing. And if you happen to read King’s column, I highly suggest you then read the great Drew Magary mercilessly eviscerate every fucking word of it, here at his NFL site, ‘Kissing Suzy Kolber’ http://kissingsuzykolber.uproxx.com/.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/writers/peter_king/archive/
Of course, the expression known as “Monday-morning quarterbacking” refers to the act of second guessing – the clarity of hindsight. The Monday Morning Quarterback, in theory, would have won on Sunday, were he armed with the knowledge and experience gleaned from a weekends worth of games. The Monday Morning QB embodies, in it’s classic sports metaphor, one of the most universal of all human psychological experiences: “If I had only known then, what I know now…”
As Americans, we all have a little MMQB in us. Our individualistic culture has conditioned us to voice our opinions (even if we don’t know what the fuck we’re talking about). In America we say, “The squeaky wheel gets the grease;” while in more collectivist cultures, they are fonder of saying, “The nail that sticks up gets hammered down.” For better or worse, we have a lot to say about a lot of things. The biggest problem, however, is that we are often misinformed, or that we are informed too late. After all, today’s papers are covering yesterday’s news.
But there is one thing about the proverbial MMQB not taken into account: Monday Night Football. That’s right; because every once in awhile we all will have to play a game in prime time, under the bright lights. It is that rare opportunity in life where we can actually see into the future. For if we learn enough from our mistakes and the mistakes of others, if we examine history with a critical lens, if we actively seek the truth rather than having it fed to us, than our hindsight can become foresight. That’s what this blog is all about, preparation for that Monday Night game. Here you will find the news, or to be more accurate, the stories people are talking about, dissected and critically examined. While most of what you read here are my opinions and perspective, I will regularly include sources of information not readily available to so many people today working longer and harder for less and less.
In the world of columnists, and football analogies, if Peter King is the quarterback, then I am surely a
punter…in every sense of the word. We are all about field position here at the Monday Morning Punter. Sometimes I get the feeling that America is facing a 4th and long situation, and too many people are going for it even though we are only in the first half. No one likes to punt; but punting is essential to long term strategy and success (unless Devin Hester is fielding it. I couldn’t resist – you will all learn soon enough that I am a rabid Chicago Bears fan.)
And while a lot of what you will read here covers politics and some heavy issues, there will also be ample coverage devoted to sex, drugs, Rock & Roll, and all the other aspects of Americana that makes this country so wonderfully fascinating. Besides the sporting definition of punter, many British people will tell you that the term punter has an entirely different connotation. Punter is slang terminology that describes a variety of men. The first, and perhaps most applicable, definition of a Punter is that of a consumer – which was most likely derived from the earlier definitions of Punters as gamblers and patrons of prostitutes. Other definitions of the Punter are someone who is misinformed, a sucker, a poser, or a party animal. Also, Punter is slang for the swinging dick itself. If we, as American men, are anything at all, we are Punters.
I hope to publish at least one piece a week here; and I hope to get articles and opinions from many of you, my extremely intelligent and insightful friends and family, as well as any new friends who may stumble onto the playing field. But most of all, I hope you enjoy what you read (even though some of it might terrify), and that this blog can help you get ready for the big game on Monday night.
Let’s pin ’em down inside the 5 yard line.
the Monday Morning Punter... 