Goodfella's & Gangsta's, The FBI and the NFL

As I was reading the news before heading to bed I found these two stories which are oddly similar yet very, very far apart.


FBI = FuggedaBoudIt
The F.B.I. is approaching their 100-year anniversary so they are in the process of making lists of their accomplishments. Apparently they feel their accomplishments against the Mafia rank right up there.

The funny part is that their dogged pursuit of the Mafia turned the Mafie into movie stars. What once were low lifes became became romanticized heroes in the newspapers, on television and in movies. On that note, I would like to thank the FBI for giving us The Sopranos, The Godfather, Goodfellas, Donny Brasco, and Scarface. These are some of the best shows and movies of all-time, hands-down. And to think it would not have been possible without the involvement of the U.S. Government!

Personally I respect and love The Godfather but Goodfellas has a special place in my heart. I couldn't find my favorite scene in the movie online (the scene in the bar where all of the gangsters are introduced)but here is one of the best scenes in the film. It is one long tracking shot, one camera from start to finish with no cuts or editing. You don't see this very often anymore.



The NFL Comes Out Against Sign Language
Deaf people everywhere are outraged and vow to boycot NFL halftime shows until this issue is resolved. Kiding of course! In a somewhat related story to the mafia notes above, gang members (some of whom may be deaf) are now more outraged than ever before! This is a very strange read. Why is this making the news? Why is the NFL wasting time on this? I guess I could understand their concern but don't they have better things to worry about? Like Nate Newton being busted with 213 pounds of marijuana in his van or trying to figure out what Michael Irvin or PacMan Jones are doing at this very moment? Maybe it is just me but I would take all of the resources that are assigned to this gang issue and funnel them towards the Cincinnati Bengals organization which I believe leads the league in arrests over the last 2 years. Sure, gangs may play a role, but how does a player making a gang sign during the game cause poor behavior off the field? This is a case of poor prioritization on the NFL's part.