It's the beginning of the end. Israeli troops amass; suicide bombings increase; Osama Bin Laden is still at large; North Korea & South Korea; India & Pakistan; Taiwan & China; Norway & the Sudentenland; and it's opening day. Today the Chicago Cubs start us on our journey towards the end of time.

The world is poised on the brink of destruction and the Cubs are poised on the brink of a championship. In recent memory, the Cubs have not had a stronger offensive lineup, more speed or a better defense. They're going to go all the way, and when they do, we'll all be dead.

In game 7 of the 2002 World Series, bottom of the 9th, Sammy Sosa will do something amazingly heroic winning the championship for this city, I will jump up from my couch, upending my coffee table, tears in my eyes, cheering. And then all will go white. But we'll all go out smiling.

So keep the world tension coming. Let the political stability erode into border skirmishes. Let everything build until that final, fateful day in October. Just let the bombs hit before Bud Selig can make any speeches.