Taking Cyber Command

Happy Friday.

Well, as happy as you can get about this week.

I’m still sending warm, fuzzy sangria and tapas thoughts out to all mi amigos in Barcelona. One of the world’s great cities, and if I could transport myself Star Trek style I’d be trekking down Las Ramblas in solidarity with my Spanish friends this very evening.

Instead, I’ll knock back an Estrella later and dream of Gaudi buildings.

In the meantime, the cyber world moves on, and Politico reported some interesting news earlier today out of the Trump Administration.

President Trump announced today that U.S. Cyber Command has now been elevated to a "Unified Combatant Command," putting it on equal footing with other organizations that oversee military ops in the Middle East, Europe, and the Pacific.

In a statement, the president said the following:

"This new Unified Combatant Command will strengthen our cyberspace operations and create more opportunities to improve our Nation’s defense. The elevation of United States Cyber Command demonstrates our increased resolve against cyberspace threats and will help reassure our allies and partners and deter our adversaries."

TechCrunch elaborated in its own coverage that "whatever happens" with this change, it will be "welcomed by many" and that "there is a sense that we are being outplayed by cyber operatives in countries and organizations all over the world, from Russia to IS."

Ya think??!

Tiger Woods And La Roja

Happy Monday.

For those of you in the northeast who endured those crazy storms, especially in and around the D.C. area, you have my utmost sympathies, particularly with the oppressive heat moving in as so many people were without power.

Someone who discovered some new power over the weekend was Tiger Woods, who won his own tournament, the AT&T Congressional, as he sidled by Bo Van Pelt in a tight finish cemented on the 18th and final hole.

Woods explained to folks in his post-round press conference, “I remember there was a time when people were saying I could never win again. That was, I think, what, six months ago?”

In the period since, Woods has won three times in his last seven starts, and with Sunday’s victory, passed Jack Nicklaus with 74 PGA Tour victories.

Sam Snead’s 82 career victories looms off in the distance as a next milestone.

In sporting news that most Americans were probably not conscious of unless they accidentally slipped into the ESPN channel zone, Spain (better known in Spanish parts as “La Roja,” the “Red”) routed Italy in the Euro 2012 Championship, 4-0.

La Roja’s David Silva had a brilliant header in the 14′, and Jordia Alba then took a brilliant through-ball from Xavi to go 2-0 at 41′ to make it 2-0 before the first half ended.

For much of the second half, Italy played a man down due to injury, leaving them woefully exposed and a victim to two more goals by the hungry La Roja soccer beast.

Though I’m not sure it would have mattered had Italy 11 players the full game.

Spain’s triangular passing and relentless ball movement, particularly down in Italy’s corner of the field, was just overwhelming, and it’s not for nothing pundits are raising the question whether or not this Spanish national team is the “best ever.”

Considering they’ve won three major championships in a row — the Euro in 2008 and 2012, and the World Cup in 2010 — it’s certainly a point worthy of discussion.

As for me, I’m not going to lie, I was rooting for Espana the entire tournament, so I was elated to see them win at the beautiful game once again, and congratulate all my amigos in Spain who I know appreciate all the good news they can muster at the moment!

Fear not, futbol fans, if you’re worried about going into soccer withdrawal, help from the five rings are on their way when the first Olympic Match between Great Britain and New Zealand kicks off on July 25th at the London Olympic Games, and the English Premiere League premieres Saturday, August 18th with the Wigan Athletics and the Chelsea “Blues” (minus Didier Drogba!)

Hasta Siempre, Seve

Most saddening news in the golf world overnight.

Seve Ballesteros, the celebrated and widely admired Spanish golfer, finally succumbed to the brain cancer that first felled him at the Madrid airport in 2008.

I was a wee lad when Ballesteros came on to the scene, just learning the game of golf myself, but over the last 30 years, few professional golfers came to be so widely admired and loved as he.

Known as a shotmaker’s shotmaker, Jack Nicklaus mentions in this New York Times’ coverage of Ballesteros’ death “he could get up and down out of a garbage can. He could do anything with a golf club and a golf ball.”

And often did.  In 1979, he won his first Royal Lytham by purposely playing a shot into, and then out of, a parking lot because that’s where the prevailing winds were.

As a golfer, I can only say to laypeople who don’t play the game that, in most cases, parking lots are where you want to pick up or drop off your clubs, not fire off a shot in the British Open.

The prevailing golf winds over this particular weekend, which with some karma somehow features the Spanish Open in Barcelona, are going to be saddened by Ballesteros’ passing with golf fans around the globe.

A minute’s moment of silence was held at the start of the day’s round in Barcelona, where celebrated Spanish golfers José María Olazábal and Miguel Ángel Jiménez were said to share tears and hugs before and during today’s round.

I will share in that sadness, but also try to remember that fantastic, brilliant gleaming smile that Seve would flash to the world when he made a great shot, or sometimes, a not-so-great shot.

He was a true gentleman who helped bring Europe greater recognition and participation into what’s known to be a gentleman’s game — his presence will be missed.

Hasta siempre, Seve.