No Ordinary Night in Egypt

            Today there is peace in Egypt. As for tomorrow and days long after, who knows. Troubled times will return again to the land of the Sphinx and pharaohs, and it won’t be long before their neighbors in Israel grow too fearful of the Muslim Brothers and do something brash. But for today, Egypt can breathe easy and dream fondly of democratic days to come. Mubarak is gone now, and at least for today things are better.

            The Egypt Problem will not solve itself. While 30 years of autocratic rule came to an end today, a harsh transition lies ahead. Hope and optimism can only carry the people of Egypt so far. The military is still in control, and a power shift will not come easy. Promises of democracy are all well and good, but it can’t happen overnight. And when a new government finally forms to control this nation of 80 million people, there will still be unrest. The Muslim Brothers will most likely take over, but even that won’t satisfy everyone. Blood will inevitably be spilled, and an all out war with Israel seems inevitable.

            No doubt about it, the nightmare in the Middle East is not yet over. Mubarak has retired and Saddam’s been buried, but what comes next? Peace for the Middle East will not come easy, and will cost more than anyone is willing to pay. Many will regret what has happened and feel nostalgia for the past days when freedoms were few, but everything was easy and controlled. But years from now, when the dust has settled and the air is clear, no one will regret it. Freedom doesn’t come easy, nor should it. Eventually it all makes sense.  

            So for now, good riddance to Hosni Mubarak. And at least for tonight, Egypt is in peace. 

Welcome to the Super Bowl

            Sometimes, even the losers win.

            At least that’s how it seems today, with Super Bowl XLV just a few hours away. I was wrong about every one of my predictions this year. I was positive the Patriots and Eagles would make it to the Promised Land, and that the boys in blue would prevail. Obviously, I was very wrong. I was wrong every step of the way. But that’s not the point I’m here to make.

            Regardless of who wins the Lombardi Trophy, today wasn’t a total waste. Tom Brady became the first player to be unanimously voted the league MVP. He came close in 2007, when he got 49 out of 50 votes (Grandfather Favre got one vote back then). But today, he got all 50. He is the only Patriot to ever win the award, and probably the only one to ever deserve it. He is a model of success for all quarterbacks. And when the day comes that Brady retires from professional football, he will take his place in the Hall of Fame among the greatest to ever play the game.

            Another quarterback who came up big today is Michael Vick. He was voted the Comeback Player of the Year by a huge margin. Since the award has been given, no player has ever returned from jail to win it. He is the new face of the Philadelphia Franchise, a savior to a team once doomed for mediocrity. One of these seasons he’ll lift them up to where they need to be. Not bad for a man who was once the most hated figure in sports.

            As for the Super Bowl itself? I could care less. The teams that are in Dallas today earned it, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it. I’m casting my vote for a Packers surprise. Hopefully Big Ben gets the shit kicked out of him all day long. An even bigger wish is that Aaron Rodgers can quiet his nerves before kickoff, or else he’ll be useless. I’m not banking on the Packers, but it’s what I’d like to see. Besides, as long as Eli Manning and Mark Sanchez don’t make it, I’m pretty happy.

            Congratulations to Tom Brady and Michael Vick. Because of them, even Super Bowl Sunday has been a good day for football.