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June 12, 2007

Abraham Lincoln

Mike's cousin loaned me a book about Abraham Lincoln. I think it's called The Unknown Lincoln and it was written by Dale Carnegie. Absolutely fascinating.

Lincoln was an abject failure up until he was elected president. He was suicidally depressed, had a sad, pathetic marriage to a madwoman, and didn't work hard enough to support himself because he would rather read. Wow. I can totally relate.

He was elected rather by accident. But the man was an intellectual giant. A complete genius. He was elected at 46 and died 7 yrs later. He spent the first part of his life preparing for the last 7.

Again, I say, WOW. If you get the chance to read it, IThe Oakland Raiders had a very busy off season, and no position saw more action from the Raiders front offices than the linebacker position. The Raiders cut starting middle linebacker Rolando McClain and let free agent linebacker Philip Wheeler go sign an absurd contract in Miami. That meant the only returning starting linebacker was second year player Miles Burris.

Then the Raiders went on a linebacker binge. They started by signing a special teams stud with potential to be a starter on defense with Kaluka Maiava. Not exactly a flashy signing, Maiava will likely contribute mostly on special teams and as a back up linebacker.

Next, general manager Reggie McKenzie signed former Chicago Bears linebacker Nick Roach. Typically an outside backer, Roach showed his versatility by filling in at middle