By Rusty Rubin
Promoter Don King wants to bring pro boxing to our troops serving in Iraq and maybe Afghanistan. Don has always supported our brave lads and it’s not a bad idea to bring boxing to our boys overseas. In fact, it’s a very good idea.
But because of the religious aspect of these countries, that has to be respected, we can’t add the ring girls. Although knowing the frizzy haired King, he may find a way to do so and not offend the locals. He’s pulled off some miracles before.***
There’s no real boxing action scheduled for next week, so to all those boxing fans, and non (but why would they read this)? Allow me to wish all of you sincerest best wishes for the New Year.
My resolution is to continue to improve Glove2Glove and speak out as best I can for the vast majority of boxing fans, and to do whatever is necessary to help improve our sport.
And yes, it can use a lot of improvement.
Thanks for joining us at the Ringsports.com website, and you can be sure we will return as soon as it is feasible.
Agree or disagree, we’d like to hear from you. (Rngsportsr@aol.com).
Glove2Glove:
Prayers needed for Elise Brown, grand daughter of Ringside Products head honcho and good boxing guy John Brown. Young Elise has heart problems.
Prayers have also helped but continue to be needed for Dennis Wilcox, brother of boxing scribe David Wilcox, who is in an Oregon hospital suffering from Leukemia. The family and everyone at Glove2Glove ask for your prayers in his recovery.
Prayers for the return to health of Audrey Talmo, wife of Ed, a long-time boxing fan who cares about our sport.
Prayers needed for the return to health of Alfonso Luna, father of our outstanding photographer Ray Luna, who has taken ill in Southern California.
Please say prayers for the return to health of Helen Wambolt, wife of our East Coast World Boxing Hall of Fame writer Danny Wambolt. Cards will also be most welcome.***
Please say prayers for the return to health of Orazio Esposito, father of our photographer Richard Esposito.***
Prayers for the return to health of Don Donelson, father of writer Tom, and Gene Sebastian, brother of former middleweight champ Billy Soose. Both are suffering from congestive heart disease.
Please say prayers for Phill Grazide of Santa Rosa, CA. a big supporter of amateur boxing, who is suffering the crippling effects of rheumatoid arthritis.***
Needless to say we need prayers for the return to health of both former champs Greg Page and Gerald McClellan, both confined to wheelchairs.***
Glove2Glove is a non-denominational group set up to aide those boxing folks and their relatives in need of prayers and cards. We accept no money and only contact our members when someone is in need. It’s free to join. Simply send us your e-mail address. And even if you’re not a member, feel free to contact us if you are aware of some boxing person in need.***
Touching on politics briefly: Since this will be the final political column on the Ringsports.com website, for a while, allow me to share some heartfelt feelings.
The time has come to respond to a number of people who have written in and questioned why I haven’t called for the impeachment of George Bush for spying on the American people.
First, I’m not convinced that wiretaps should be illegal in time of war, particularly in lieu of the threat of nuclear proliferation from so many other Countries. The President has the obligation to do what is necessary to keep America safe, and if that means spying on Americans, so be it. National security must take top priority.
Secondly, if you think that Dubya is doing a lousy job, I shutter to think of what a Cheney administration would bring us. I may not agree or like everything that our President stands for, but I am far more fearful of the happy-go-lucky, Dick “Mr. Halliburton” Cheney.
Anyone who thinks this World is a safer place with our preemptive invasion of Iraq needs to think how much better things might have been if we pulled out after we captured Sadaam and destroyed his despotic regime. Our mission would have been accomplished, indeed.
And for those who applauded the exceptional turn out at the Iraqi polls, they should at least consider the obvious possibility of an Iran backed elected regime, which ultimately might be far more dangerous to America and the World than Sadaam’s was.
Let’s hope that’s not the case and that 2006 brings peace and security to a war-torn, hate-filled World sorely in need of both.***
Can someone help me out here? If suicide bombers go to Heaven and get 72 virgins, how come their leaders aren’t eagerly joining them in Paradise? Do you think that maybe they don’t really believe their own interpretation of the Koran?***
Finally, a bit of advice as to how to solve the future Social Security insolvency, how about a national lottery with all proceeds going into the fund (along with all SS tax revenue)...Yes, it’s gambling, no question about it. But if you don’t think that what the American government does with your tax dollar is gambling, I have some swamp land to sell you in Kansas.
To make the lottery even more attractive to all, we would allow all corporations or businesses who donate ‘gifts’ as additional prizes can write off the value of the donation on their year end taxes.
For example, American Airlines donates a couple of round trips to Hawaii. Even if you don’t win the top prize, wouldn’t that be something to settle for? The more prizes, the more chances the average person has to win.
This solution would help Social Security stay afloat and ensure that our future generations won’t have to stand on street corners with a ‘will work for food’ sign.***
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all.
From everyone at Ringsports.com to all our readers throughout the World. Happy Holidays. We sincerely wish you the very best that 2006 has to offer.
Agree or disagree, I’d like to hear from you. I respect everyone’s opinion.