I've been busy. But let me say that the best thing about this week all has had to do with sports. And it's because of my two favorite all-time teams, so on that superficial level, I've been able to avoid ridiculous newslines that say that we're actually winning the war because we don't know where Saddam Hussein is and that because we toppled a statue of him, that means that we've won.

May I take this small moment to remind everyone that we don't know where Osama Bin Laden is, either? Perhaps he and Saddam are hunkered down in a cave with Jimmy Hoffa and Elvis and Tupac and Biggie, drinking tea and laughing.

Meanwhile, the US continues to try to render the UN useless, despite the best efforts by Tony Blair (who I love, but haven't been able to figure out recently, I think he's having a serious brainfart right now - WHAT HAVE YOU DONE, TONY?!) - leaving everyone to wonder who's going to run that silly, wayward Iraqi country and Americans wave their flags in victory. The Senate approves spending an additional $80 million dollars on the war, while in recession, and throw in ridiculous pork-barrel-pet-projects like giving hundreds of millions of dollars to Columbia to fight the drug war (?!!!!???) because they know it'll pass. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, there is talk of extending the Patriot Act, which means that sooner or later doublethink and Big Brother will come to realization - and we thought Cointelpro and J. Edgar Hoover was bad enough.

(Here, I will have a Chris Farley moment.)

And the worst part is, I have problems saying I'm against this war because suddenly, I'm not "patriotic enough", or I'm a "traitor". I am "un-American" and "delusional" to think that Saddam would have gone away on his own. I'm a "neo-hippie" and a "pinko-lefto-socialist" (which will become true if George Bush wins re-election - and is becoming true now) who has no "faith in the power of America".

Okay. So maybe I don't "wave the American flag mindlessly because our boys are at war". Maybe I don't "support our troops in the way they want me to". Maybe I "think the President of the United States is delusional." Maybe I think "peace is never an option because of the current administration". Maybe I think "Karl Rove is using the war to win the next election". Maybe I think their "strategery and vision of America is all wrong".

What I do know is this: I don't need to like George Jr. to be an American. And I don't need to support him to be an American. And I don't need to stop shouting what I believe to be an American. In fact, that's what makes me one.

So maybe you can understand why I've been retreating into a world where there are rules. Where heros are made without killing anyone or being a prisoner of war. Where sportsmanship is more valued than raw power.

Thanks to Carmelo Anthony and Gerry McNamara and Hakim Warrick and Kueth Duany and Jim Boeheim for giving me something to believe in again. I've only been waiting my whole life for the 'Cuse to play a game like that. And I only hope to see more - especially if 'Melo was serious about hoping to go to another Final Four.

And just when I thought that inspiration and emulation could only go so far - my thanks go out to the newest Yankee addition, Hideki Matsui, for making history on Tuesday night. Never thought I'd see an incredible Asian athlete hit Grand Slam on opening day on his first day in pinstripes.

At least they gave me something to watch. Something that didn't involve me throwing something at the TV.

It's always time for a revolution.