The Harder They Fall.

[H2O Man]

There have been a number of interesting reactions to Barack Obama’s trip. This morning, I thought it would be worth taking a closer look at two of these, both of which are from our opponents in the struggle to rebuild the foundation of our Constitutional democracy. Let’s take a look at the reactions of the corporate media, and then the McCain campaign.

Years ago, Minister Malcolm X warned people that if they trusted the media, they would end up carrying open umbrellas on a sunny day, and getting soaked when it rains. The same thing holds true today. When Senator Obama spoke to a crowd of 200,000-plus in Germany, many of the "journalists" on the network and cable news attempted to plant the seeds of doubt in the public’s mind: his popularity became a "weakness."

If one talking head said this type of thing, one could attribute it to ignorance. When so many from each channel parrot the same nonsense, it is obviously an organized, coordinated effort. And the only possible explanation is that the corporate media has a goal: they want you to carry an umbrella on the sunny days of the 2008 campaign, and get soaked on election day.

Next, we see John McCain and his campaign attacking Barack Obama. The nature of his attacks is unquestionably ugly. But this is not a surprise: Senator McCain is an ugly candidate, who must appeal to the ugly side of the public if he is to compete in the ’08 contest. The only issue at this time is how should Barack Obama, his campaign, and you and I respond?

Many intelligent and sincere members of DU have advocated that Obama respond in kind to the McCain attacks. I understand that thinking, and certainly recognize that there are some circumstances that call for – and indeed, demand – such a response. And I am under the impression that both Obama and his campaign hold the same belief. However, I am not convinced that this is that time. While I know others are as entitled to their opinion as I am to mine, I would like to take a minute to explain my position.

As always, I am convinced that all of life imitates the sport of boxing. And as I’ve noted before, Barack Obama is what is known as a "counter-puncher." As such, he tends to fight at a different pace than most boxers do, and in a manner that is other than what most at ringside look for. The goal of a counter-puncher is to get the opponent to throw punches at them. The counter-puncher is patient: he realizes he has a long fight ahead of him, and so when the opponent begins to open up and throw punches, he does not feel the need to engage in the same manner. He concentrates on two things: first, keeping his balance; and second, measuring his foe.

When the time comes that the foe begins to throw harder shots, taking himself off balance, the counter-puncher will punish him with crisp, hard shots. He isn’t looking to knock his opponent out with a single punch, or any one combination. He is patient, and has faith in the effects of his accumulated shots to his off-balance foe.

This is Obama’s style. During the primary, when many supporters wanted him to unleash a furious attack on his opponent, I noted that he was a counter-puncher, and was doing exactly what he needed to do to win. Against John McCain, he is again doing exactly what he needs to do at this point. McCain is becoming off-balance, and his campaign is going to pay a price.

Being a fight fan, I appreciate all styles of fighting. Thus, while I am confident enough in Obama’s style, I also enjoy some of the more aggressive punchers out there. Thus, I am contributing to a couple groups that are throwing some powerful commercials at the McCain campaign. The first is MoveOn. Org’s Political Action, which is going to run some good commercials. Many DUers support MoveOn. A few do not, because MoveOn endorsed the candidate who won the democratic primary.

Another group worthy of our support is VoteVets.org, which is already running an outstanding commercial that hits the McCain campaign clean and hard. It is to the democratic party’s advantage to support this group.

We are all responsible for what we do to support the democratic effort this year. We have many, many options, including supporting MoveOn and VoteVets. We can donate to Obama, as well as the democrats running for seats in the House and Senate. And we can write letters to the editor of the newspapers in our area; these are the most-read section of any newspaper during elections.

Barack Obama has said before that somewhere along the way, one of the wheels came off McCain’s "straight-talk express." Let’s work together to knock the rest of the wheels off it.

Thank you for reading this.
H2O Man

[nc4bo]

1. Kudos to you H20 Man - I'd like to save this and even pass it around if it's ok?

Big Recommend!!!

[H2O Man]

2. Thank you.

I would be honored if you do pass it around.

[babylonsister]

3. You are advocating patience; that is so hard to have when

your/my guy is down. You're trusting he knows what he is doing; I guess I have to also, but I really need to see someone being defensive. Sigh. I know, this too shall pass, but could it hurry up already?
:D

[H2O Man]

7. Interesting.

We've heard the saying that generals too often are fighting the last war. And, the truth is the the conflict we are confronted with today is a result of all of the previous "wars" that have made up the history of the American experience. Barack Obama is surely a student of history: we know this from a variety of things, including his time spent teaching the Constitution; from Ted Sorensen's comparing him to JFK and Ethal Kennedy comparing him to RFK; and his ability to communicate many of the things that generals like Malcolm and Martin spoke of in the 1960s.

In boxing, defense is a necessary skill. However, sometimes the best defense is a heck of a good offense. And that is what we need now -- Obama, the party, congressional candidates, and the grass roots. Obama's offense is a type that many democrats are not familiar with, and thus some mistake it for the weaknesses of the past. It's not, and I would not say that if it were not true.

What is important today is that you and I focus our grass roots efforts at the offense/defense that is most important. We must coordinate our efforts at the local level, with those at the state and national level. This causes some frustration, because we want results -- now! Yet we must remind ourselves that he who bemoans the lack of opportunity tends to overlook the fact that small doors often open into large rooms. Our arrival as a political/social force depends upon what we do today. It's the tiny ripples that RFK noted combine to make the large waves that can break down those walls of oppression.

Be patient. Be strong. And be active.

[Frisbee]

57. I know what you're saying Babylonsister...

but if I may continue H2O's boxing analogy, I think the Obama camp is pacing themselves right now, maybe even doing a bit of rope-a-dope, letting McInsane and company wear themselves down and throw their best shots. I think in the later rounds (which I agree, I'd like to see pretty soon, September might be good timing) they will hit McInsane with a flurry of punches, maybe no one being a knockout by itself (in the publics eye, in ours, I expect most all of them will be knockouts), but they'll have McInsane and team reeling, on their heels, and desperately trying to catch their balance. They have more than enough ammo to keep coming at them then, right up until the GE, and hopefully the McInsane campaign will never be able to regain it's footing. However, as in any prizefight, I'd sure love to see that knockout! I think too, that in a debate might be a time when Obama can really just pound away of the senile senator, possibly correcting his lie after mistake until the doddering fool finally just snaps right on national prime-time TV. I might actually laugh hard enough to wet myself if that happened! (note to self, clean undies before any debates)

[formercia]

4. Great analysis

Having come up through the Chicago political machine, Obama has been dealing with a crowd that likes to knock heads. He had to be a cool cucumber to survive that arena.

[H2O Man]

10. Right.

"Bullfight critics ranked in rows
Crowd the enormous Plaza full;
But only one is there who knows,
And he's the man who fights the bull."

This poem by Domingo Ortega was one of JFK's favorites.

[formercia]

18. McCain is cut from the same cloth as the Daly Gang

Political affiliation means little among that mindset. Obama must feel right at home dealing with his minions.

Kiss the rings
Say the right things
Keep your eye on the prize

[H2O Man]

22. Good call.

McCain has shown a willingness to humiliate himself, in order to try to promote himself. He is hoping the republican machine will get him elected.

Not this time.

[Kaylee]

5. I whole-heartedly trust Obama and think

he is making the right decisions. However, I am tired of watching him fight this on his own. I would love to see more of the democratic leadership and surrogates come out in his defense.

[H2O Man]

12. It is an important time

in which democrats -- from the grass roots to Washington, DC -- should be making statements and taking actions to further Obama's campaign, and to expose the McCain campaign for what it is. Each one of us will make a decision today: we will either make some contribution to the campaign, or we will "put it off for another day."

Today, of course, is the day to take some action, no matter how large or small. Every day is "the day." It is the accumulated effort -- our action or inaction -- that will decide the outcome of the November election.

[islandmkl]

6. October 30, 1974:

On this day in 1974 in Kinshasa, Zaire, 32 year old Muhammad Ali knocked out 25 year old George Foreman and regained the World Heavyweight Title. "The Rumble in the Jungle was a fight that made the whole country more conscious," Ali wrote at the time. "The fight was about racial problems, Vietnam. All of that." Above all the fight was a demonstration of Ali's inventiveness in the ring. After dazing Foreman with his trademark quickness in the first rounds, Ali fell back against the ropes, and waved Foreman to come get him. Protecting his head, Ali let Foreman pound away at his ribs and his gut. "At about the seventh round, I had him beaten, I knew I had him," Foreman recounted after the fight. "He fell on my side and whispered, ‘Is that all you got George?’ I knew something strange was happening in my life especially because that was all I had." In the eight round Ali came off the ropes and unleashed a fury of punches against his exhausted opponent. The dope went down. "I did it," Ali boasted after the fight. "I told you he was nothing but did you listen? I told you I was going to jab him in the corners, I told you I was going to take all his shots. I told you he had no skill. I told you he didn't like to be punched."

Obama is 'rope-a-dope-ing' m.c.johnny...just like he did everybody in the primaries...

patience under fire is a strength few possess...

gotta love Ali...gotta love Obama

[H2O Man]

13. The Rumble in the Jungle

filled my wallet to an overflow capacity!

[Me.]

8. Good Read

As you know I am one of those concerned about push back. One of the things I feel is, where he has surrogates out there, they have to be strong and effective, otherwise, what is the point. And with the exception of Craig yesterday, the surrogates, especially Gibbs, needed to be more incisive. There are 2 types of ads which can help, one which calls McSame's record of voting, the old don't do as I dp routine, and the type that Move-On has out now, called Hope.

[H2O Man]

14. Yes.

I thought that your OP/thread on this topic was very interesting. After I commented on I, I noted that 50% of the responses to what I wrote seemed like efforts to distract from what I said, and to start arguments about a past election. Rather than participate in an effort that could only distract from a valuable thread, I decided to post this OP, in an effort to keep things on track.

In a sense, these next few weeks are expected to be a "lull time" in the campaign contest. The media tells us that the public is actually more interested in the Olympics, and that some polls indicate McCain is even with Obama. We must resist their attempts to lull and/or discourage us. Things are going good. If we all invest more time, energy, and money in these next few weeks, things will continue to get better for us, and worse for the republicans.

[Coexist]

9. You are right - VoteVets is deserving of my money

so I'll send some over - I love their latest ad.

[H2O Man]

15. It is a

very powerful ad. It needs a lot more air-time.

[Bake]

11. Another boxing analogy ... Ali's famous rope-a-dope!

Ali could come off the ropes and put a man on the canvas in the blink of an eye! Obama the counterpuncher may have some of Ali in him. I hope so.

Bake

[H2O Man]

16. Ali's tactics versus

Big George included counter-punching. But it was a unique contest. McCain is not a political George Foreman. He is more like a number of lesser opponents the Champ beat throughout his career.

[Bake]

19. Oscar Bonavena, maybe!

Although Oscar wasn't a half-bad fighter!

Bake

[H2O Man]

20. Oscar decked Joe

Frazier twice in one round in their first fight. He was a tough guy, who fought the best of his day.

[Beacool]

51. Ahhh, Ringo Bonavena......

Great fighter!!

Pity that he was murdered in '76.

[awoke_in_2003]

56. "Ali could come off the ropes and...

put a man on the canvas in the blink of an eye!"
But in the case of Foreman, I would have to disagree. He had to make George beat himself. Once he wore him out, and took that power punch George had out of the equation, then he was able to do his magic.

[Bake]

75. Foreman was (and probably still is) one baaaaaaaad mutha!

Punch like a jackhammer, and could take a punch like a brick wall. Even the Greatest had to chop that tree down a little at a time!

Bake

[awoke_in_2003]

84. Just another case of the boxer beating the puncher. nt

[me b zola]

17. K&R

:thumbsup:

[H2O Man]

21. Thank you! n/t

[newmajority]

23. The Harder They Come, The Harder They Fall, One and all.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhgvwWE912k

[H2O Man]

26. Very good.

Thank you!

[wiggs]

24. I like the boxing analogy; I spar a couple times per week (kickboxing). I am

hopeful that Obama's strategy is as sophisticated as you suggest and I observe that his moves have so far been effective, efficient, accurate, and without mis-step. He is clearly the better "fighter" and we get the impression he can take the battle whenever he wants and on his own terms....but the points don't reflect this yet; the fight is close. I'm hopeful.

Yet...I would be even more hopeful if the last seven years hadn't been filled with disappointment, mystifying dem behavior, "keeping the powder dry" (which sounds kind of like "patient counterpunching"), election questions, propaganda, etc..

There's been more than one inexplicable judges' decision in boxing; hope Barak is thinking of a knock-out.

[H2O Man]

25. The democrats in Congress

have a habit of taking blows without ever firing back. That is distinct from counter-punching. It is, in a very real sense, an obscene form of cowardice, because it is the American public that suffers the damage from the republican attacks.

There are not knockouts in elections. They always go to the scorecards come that first Tuesday in November. You are correct, of course, in that in 2000 the US Supreme Court cast as crooked a hometown decision as any in the history of boxing.

[AtomicKitten]

27. I have learned to quell my inner anxiety and trust Obama's moves.

He has every intention of smacking the GOP upside the head, but he does it his way and seems to know what he is doing. Knowing that makes it a joy to pitch in.

K&R for the boxing analogy.

[H2O Man]

32. Timing is essential.

While Obama cannot allow McCain & Co to smear him without any response, the fact is that the recent attacks are not of a type that need any serious action by the Obama campaign. Even Patrick Buchanan, hardly an Obama supporter, said that McCain's ads were very weak, and reflected more poorly on his campaign than on Obama. Other journalists have noted McCain is attempting to communicate with "dumb" voters.

The media's polls will suggest that the race is close through the summer, and in the early fall. When the debates take place, the public will see and hear the stark differences between the two candidates. It will be an important time for Brack to confront McCain, and progressive and liberal democrats will be pleased with the result. Obama's lead will become substantial in the states we are counting on.

[yellerpup]

28. K&R!

Said so well there is nothing to add. Thanks! :kick:

[H2O Man]

33. Thank you! n/t

[Cha]

29. Thanks for this eloquent statement in

defense of what Team Obama's strategy is doing now, H20Man.

"Senator McCain is an ugly candidate, who must appeal to the ugly side of the public if he is to compete in the ’08 contest. The only issue at this time is how should Barack Obama, his campaign, and you and I respond?"

Thanks for being such an activist and getting some of us thinking along the lines of what we can do if want more hard hitting from Obama "right now".

[H2O Man]

34. Right.

The November election isn't only about Obama and McCain. It's about each one of us, and our right to live in a Constitutional democracy. Obama alone cannot revive that Constitution: if this effort is to work, it needs to be coordinated on every level. It's our job to exercise the Bill of Rights between now and election day. That is what democracy is all about. It is indeed a struggle -- all the more reason for us to fight the Good Fight.

[politicasista]

30. Nice analogy, but....

why is Obama lauded for not responding to the attacks, while other Democrats get slammed for "failing" to repond to the attacks, even when the facts have proven over and over again that they did respond.

The big difference is that Obama IS getting defense from Democrats. 10 times more than what Kerry and Gore got. It's still amazing that complain about the media, yet let them off the hook and buy into everything they fabricate unless it's not about my favorite candidate or liberal that's being smeared.


Obama is doing well because he has support from Dems, Dean's 50 state strategy and the grassroots movement. He didn't come this far with only his charisma and political skill.


Just sayin.

[northamericancitizen]

31. K & R . Interesting analogy. nt

[H2O Man]

35. Thank you. n/t

[immoderate]

36. Early in his campaign, I called Barack a jiu-jitsu master.

The essence on these "defensive" martial arts is to turn the opponent's force against him. It's hard to know whether Obama is that good or just lucky, because he makes it seem effortless.

--IMM

[H2O Man]

38. His life story,

including his move from political activist to law school to political office would suggest that he knows exactly what he is doing. Without discussing the democratic primary per say, I think it is fair to say that our party fielded a very strong group of candidates. His route to the party's nomination shows that he is that good.

[immoderate]

58. Right, he beat the best. OTH -- McCain was beaten by Bush.

--IMM

[Cha]

41. How about both?

Isn't that what luck is.. what happens when preparation meets opportunity?

[Guaranteed]

44. PLEASE!!--- No more "rope-a-dope." No more "jiu-jitsu." No more chess vs. checkers.

No more "keeping his powder dry."


I'm sick of those cliches.


That said, the OP is right-on. Obama's strength is beginning to throw McCain seriously off-balance. He is making desperate attacks and is beginning to flip-flop constantly. The old man doesn't know what he's doing anymore. Obama will come back and hit him with it, I'm sure. He's just stronger than McCain.

[immoderate]

59. Euripides...

You pay for dese. :)

--IMM

[Wetzelbill]

37. Obama-McCain is like Hopkins vs Tarver

:) The cool crisp counterpuncher outclasses his more aggressive and completely confused opponent. :)

[H2O Man]

39. Right.

B-Hop did a really good job of counter-punching against Oscar de la Hoya, too. I remember some of the people watching the fight in my living room, who kept asking when Bernard was going to take over the fight? In fact, he was in control from the opening bell, and was making a potentially bloody fight into an easy one. As Oscar found out, it's really hard to defend yourself, when you've had the wind knocked out of you. I think the McCain campaign will find themselves in a similar position, come the debates.

[Wetzelbill]

40. Best KO to the body I've seen since

Roy Jones nearly killed Virgil Hill with a rib shot. At least that I've watched, you're kind of the man so you probably have some others. Bernard impressed me so much, he seems like a slow starter, but he just goes about doing his thing and it works out. Oscar didn't have a shot at all in that fight. He tried, just Bernard was too much. Highly skilled and much larger.

I think the debates will be ugly. I have to wonder what would happen if they did the town hall stuff. I just don't think McCain should want any part of prolonged screentime, especially in contrast with Obama. He makes too many gaffes and looks too out of touch. McCain is good when he shuts up and lives off of his POW bio. That's impressive, people have a high admiration for him because of it, but the guy opens his mouth, shoves his foot in it and ruins his own mythology. And he couldn't be a worse candidate for the youtube era. You can see him lie and make gaffes time and time again. I see no way a McCain, who looked shoddy in the GOP debates, can hold his own with Obama. The contrasts are too great. Plus, I'm not sure if the guy can keep his temper in check.

[HCE SuiGeneris]

42. Thank you for writing this.

Recommended.

[H2O Man]

47. Thank you. n/t

[grantcart]

43. great piece

Obama's real opponent isn't McCain.


Its the buffer that people have in adopting a big big change in their lives.


Intellectually people know that he is going to be the President and that it will change a lot of things.


That is the opponent that Obama is fighting and counter punching.


McCain is a diversion.

[H2O Man]

48. I agree.

McCain is the character in the novel (made into a movie) that I borrowed the title of for this essay. He is being promoted by those with their own agenda.

[Flying Dream Blues]

73. That's a great point; it helps me understand why McCain has any support at all.

I hope you're correct in the certainty that he will be President, too!

[Awsi Dooger]

45. Favorable cycle and natural charisma

I appreciate the boxing references but the big picture overwhelms cute analogies like that. Obama has advantages that Gore and Kerry couldn't fathom. Look at the generic tilt now compared to 2000 and 2004. That allows basically any strategy to work, other than outright masochism.

And we finally nominated the more likable candidate. Punches bounce with a laugh.

[H2O Man]

49. I can assure you

that there was no attempt at a "cute analogy." I was making a reference to the Budd Schulberg novel in the title, and making what I believe is an accurate description of the election.

When Teddy Atlas autographed his book for my son last week, he encouraged him to use what he learned from participating in the Golden Gloves while he is in college. I think that the people I have met in life who have the most insight on life tend to be those who, like Teddy, have competed inside that squared circle.

[H2O Man]

46. error

[Laurab]

50. K&R n/t

[Eyes_wide_ open]

52. I do like your style H20 Man

in much the same way that I admire Barack Obama's style. You're one of the few posters here that I automatically open threads from because your positions are logical, well thought out, articulated well and ALWAYS make me think.

Excellent analogy, and 'tho I'm not a fight fan myself I found myself thinking along similar lines the other day in response to reading charges of "he's not hitting back hard enough". Obama's not going to stand in the center of the ring and just trade punches, it would be silly for him to do so when he has so much more in his arsenal. He's more versatile, he's more adept, and he WAY more smart.

Thanks for reinforcing my instincts ;) K&R

[stevedeshazer]

53. I enjoyed reading that.

Thanks very much.

[politicasista]

54. kick n/t

[opihimoimoi]

55. Obama is using somethings the Pubs don't have.. Class, High Road, Truth, Positive Polarity,

change direction from the present course....

He is smiling his way into the thing while McCaane tries to smile through his desperate clenched teeth "heh heh"

Obama is killing them with his Optimism, his promising Change, and a sense of Knowing...

He has prepared for this Office...wrote a book sim to Profiles of Courage...the Audacity of HOPE...his BMTI is ENFS Extrovert, iNtuitive, Feeler, Sensor....I might be off but thats what the web site reflected...

K&R

Thanks for the post

[eleny]

60. I hope you're right about the overseas trip strategy

Perhaps he's letting the trip speak for itself. Allow the American public to make up its own mind.

I always seem to trust his judgment about how to react to negativity. Not on this one. However, the debates keep coming to mind. And I think that McCain is going to be walking into a trap that's being set for him. That's when the public will really be paying attention.

[crimsonblue]

61. This election could end up being much like the Ali-Foreman fight...

Ali goaded Foreman early on into taking body blows while he was trapped against the ropes. After Foreman started to show signs of tiring, Ali emerged from his rope-a-dope and started his taunting and disorienting attacks on Foreman. Wham bam, thank you maam, and Foreman was on the ground.

[Chloroplast]

62. Thank you so much! K&R!

[Raksha]

63. K & R - even though I don't know anything about boxing! n/t

[happygoluckytoyou]

64. McCain will be at the 2009 Pres Inaug... hope he remembers to kiss OBAMA's...ring

[POAS]

65. Good boxing analogy but what happens when

we go to the scorecards?

We've all seen fights taken away by the judges at ringside and elections taken away by stolen votes and Supreme court decisions.

Counter punchers often give up early rounds to win the late rounds or to wear their opponent down for a KO but if it goes to the cards anything can happen.

Organizations like MOVEON and VOTEVETS need to get out early to make sure the end result is so overwhelming that the judges at ringside can't steal the fight.

[symbolman]

66. For some reason, even though I'm not a boxing fan..

Ive enjoyed some of the majors but don't keep on top of it, but, as I said, ever since Obama asked for, "No Drama" from those who worked for him, and has surgically struck only as needed with class and style.. All that's been running through my head has been,

"Float like a Butterfly, and Sting like a Bee.."

:)

There's a whole lot of Psyching going on as well.. That big grin and twinkling eye of Obamas can stun a Republican quicker than a dolphin uses his sonar to stun a Tuna, before he scoops it up for dinner :)

Great post H-Man, keep 'em coming, we love it

Hey, how about a political blog expressing your comparisons called,

"IN THIS CORNER..." ?

[1Hippiechick]

67. K&R. GR8 post!! And the VoteVets ad was a jaw dropper....here's the link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-HfSY6LEqY

[Whisp]

68. wonderful post, thank you.

just when I needed some calming ;)
excellent timing.

[rndmprsn]

69. three words...rope a dope

K&R

[GeorgeGist]

70. As always you fall for you own ignorance.

As always, I am convinced that all of life imitates the sport of boxing.

[H2O Man]

72. Gosh.

{1} ignorance: n: the state of being ignorant

{2} ignorant: adj: (a) destitute of knowledge or education; (b) lacking knowledge or comprehension of the thing specified; (c) resulting from or showing lack of knowledge or intelligence.
-- Wbster's New Collegiate Dictionary

Let's see, now. I boxed in over 300 fights. I trained and managed numerous fighters, both amateur and professional. The majority of my closest friendships are with other people who are closely associated with boxing. The articles that I have authored on boxing have, over the decades, been published in newspapers, the top boxing magazines, and on "sports blogs" on the internet. I have been interviewed on tv, radio, and "com-casts" on the sport of boxing.

As a young man who boxed, I got to "know" myself in ways that I suspect many people never have the opportunity to .... it can be mighty lonely taking that walk from the dressing room into the ring in front of 5000 people to face an undefeated fighter in his home town. Preparing for a fight correctly demands a degree of self-discipline and focus that one learns to translate to other areas of life.

As a retired psychiatric social worker, I am aware of the success that boxing can have in helping young men get their lives on track. Along with my brother, I ran a boxing team in upstate NY that was deemed the best in the four districts north of NYC. We had over 50 guys who had been experiencing problems at home, in school, and in the community before they started boxing. In each and every case, they were able to apply the self-discipline from boxing into their everyday life, and not a single one -- not one -- got in any serious trouble while they were involved with the team. I will gladly compare that to any other program dealing with "troubled" youth.

Many years ago, two-time heavyweight champion Floyd Patterson wrote an autobiography titled "Victory Over Myself." In it, he detailed how boxing transformed his life.I had the opportunity to get to know Floyd Patterson after he retired. Floyd continued to work with troubled youth, through a boxing team.

His trainer/manager was Cus D'Amato. Cus was considered to be "boxing's psychiatrist," because he had an uncanny understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the human mind. I could tell you about meeting Cus, but I'm sure it would bore you.

I've known a couple pschologists who trained and managed fighters. One is a good friend and former co-worker who worked with amateurs. The other worked with a former world champion; I fought on the undercard of his champion's first loss as a professional, and had four of my fighters on other fight cards he promoted.

Some of the most significant people in recent history had been boxers, and found that self-discipline and understanding of human nature helpful in the most trying times of their lives. These include men such as Nelson Mandela and Robert Kennedy. One of my best friends was a top middleweight, until he was incarcerated for20 years for a crime he did not commit. The monk-like existence from his training camps helped him survive the isolation in prison. While you undoubtably know more about this than I, others can watch the movie "The Hurricane," or read any of three books about his case. I would tell you about a phone call from him when he was in with Mandela, discussing possible ways to ease tensions in the Middle East, but you surely already know far more about that than I.

Some of the top American writers have had a love affair with the sport of boxing, and have used it as a vehicle to address "larger" issues. But you know that! I am sorry to waste your time.

Last Friday, my younger son and I spent some time with Teddy Atlas, the former student of Cus D'Amato, who is the top boxing analyst today. I've had the pleasure of knowing him casually for a few years. My son had the chance to have Teddy autograph his book, "Atlas -- From the Streets to the Ring: A Son's Struggle to Become a Man." Teddy encouraged him to apply the lessons he learned while competing in the Golden Gloves, to his life in college.

Thank you for pointing out how ignorant I am. I will say that one thing I learned in boxing was when to call an opponent's bluff. That said, I'd like it if you could back up your nasty little insult.

[Olney Blue]

71. Recommended.

[Flying Dream Blues]

74. Great analysis, and I agree. Obama is a patient type who waits for his shot.

I always enjoy your posts...keep up the great work!

[1Hippiechick]

76. Wow.....just wow! READ POST 72 IF YOU DON'T READ ANYTHING ELSE ON THIS PAGE! Wow....

:applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause:

[H2O Man]

77. Thank you.

I had hoped my friend would take the time to respond to me. Guess not.

[1Hippiechick]

79. Rope-a-dope, maybe? :) n/t

[H2O Man]

80. Without rope n/t

[Raksha]

78. I did read post 72...

and learned a lot of things about our friend H2OMan that I didn't know before. However I already recommended this thread last night and can't recommend it again, but I'm almost grateful to the troll for eliciting or provoking such an informative response.

Please note that I said ALMOST!!! :)

[Marrah_G]

81. Another great post.

[H2O Man]

82. Thank you.

(I finally got to the Post Office this afternoon.)

[Marrah_G]

83. Awesome! I can't wait !