Those Who Do Not Learn History...

I thought about writing of my day wandering around Ramadi, however, it really is very uninteresting (this camp is only so big and devoid of interesting sights); and my mind is actually fixed on other things.  The topic that has been discussed at length in the shop since the superbowl has been the possible (and now occurring) NFL lockout.  I am a far bigger Baseball fan than a professional football fan, so the loss of an NFL season would not bother me at all.  I do enjoy NFL games, but they just aren't as big a deal in my house as Baseball is.  I remember the 1994 strike very well, and am constantly reminded by my dad of the grudge he still holds because of it.  I actually had hope for a little while that the NFL players and owners would somehow remember the backlash from the fans following the 1994 strike.  It seems, however, that they are simply looking at the NHL and how it has recovered following it's lost season, but the NHL had to completely revamp its league, rules, and how it operates overall.  My hope that people with more talent and money than most would also have a memory was lost this week when the NFLPA decided their course of action.  They made it clear that this is entirely about money and greed, and at a time when most people are just trying to keep a roof over their heads; millionaires wanting $20 million instead of $18 million because they are afraid that they won't be able to retire is ridiculous.  I don't claim to know every gripe the players have, nor do I care.  I am looking at this from the point of view that many of us make due with what we have, that right now most of the people I talk to are thousands of miles away from their loved ones, and that people who have everything want more.  You are entertainers plain and simple, and if you do not provide the product then people will seek entertainment elsewhere.  The league won't simply die because of this strike, but depending on the length of the lockout you may find more empty seats than can support those outlandish paychecks when you decide to go out and do your "job".