It was a year when we lost a cartoon stalwart, Joseph Barbera. A year, when sporting icons like Andre Agassi, Zinedine Zidane, Ian Thorpe and Michael Schumacher embraced retirement. And a year that ended with the execution of Iraq’s dictator Saddam Hussein. This T3OTW New Year special gives you the dope on those catchphrases that Barbera helped create, those farewell speeches that some sporting heroes gave, and the last words of Saddam Hussein Abd al-Majid al-Tikriti.
One half of the Hanna-Barbera combination that made all those awesome cartoons that enthralled me as a child, Joseph Barbera (March 24, 1911 – December 18, 2006) left for the heavens. Tom and Jerry, The Flintstones, Yogi Bear, The Jetsons, The Huckleberry Hound show, just to name a few. In his memory, here are some catchphrases that no one shall forget. Ever. The Flintstones “Yabba-dabba-do!” Yogi Bear “I’m smarter than the average bear” The Jetsons “Jetsonnnnnnn…. Youuuuu’re Fired!” 
Scooby Doo “Scooby dooby doo, where are you” That addictive theme. And the line that all those villians muttered… "...and I would have gotten away with it, too, if it weren’t for you meddling kids! " Heck - who am I kidding - these cartoons still enthrall me. *goes off to watch some Tom and Jerry* ----- 2006 was a year of big sporting retirements. Sure, these sporting legends may not have finished their careers on a winning note, but the legacy they leave behind is one that will take some doing to better. On the 9th of July, in the Fifa World Cup final, Zinedine Yazid Zidane played his last official football game. 
Only time will tell whether people will forget his actions on that fateful day in view of his larger career achievements. Said Zidane in an interview: “I can't regret it because if I do it would be like admitting that he was right to say all that. And above all, it was not right.We always talk about the reaction, and inevitably it must be punished. But if there is no provocation, there is no reaction.” The headline quote though, was this question he posed: “Do you imagine that in a World Cup final like that, with just 10 minutes to go to the end of my career, I am going to do something like that because it gives me pleasure?” While his actions were dubbed “unacceptable”, French President Jacques Chirac hailed Zidane as a national hero and called him a "man of heart and conviction” going on to say that he was “a virtuoso, a genius of world football.” And I couldn’t agree more. Your magic will be missed, Zizou. One of the greatest players to grace a football field. In the world of Tennis, a legend said goodbye. Andre Agassi bid farewell on September 3rd, 2006 at the US Open and gave a farewell speech filled with emotion. Definitely a top 10 all time farewell speech. 
After an 8 minute standing ovation from the fans, an emotional Agassi said: “Thanks. The scoreboard said I lost today, but what the scoreboard doesn't say is what it is I have found. And over the last 21 years, I have found loyalty. You have pulled for me on the court and also in life. I've found inspiration. You have willed me to succeed sometimes even in my lowest moments. And I've found generosity. You have given me your shoulders to stand on to reach for my dreams, dreams I could have never reached without you. Over the last 21 years, I have found you. And I will take you and the memory of you with me for the rest of my life. Thank you." In Formula One, virtuoso and seven-time champion Michael Schumacher decided to hang up his boots. 
On October 22nd 2006, he said: "Today, my racing career comes to an end and, obviously it's a special moment for me and I am proud to have lived my career with some fantastic people - namely everyone who is a part of the Ferrari family. There is so much to say - I can't find the right words. The things I will miss are probably the fans and in every moment they have been behind me and always supported me. Their support helped me perform, especially in moments when it was difficult. Over the years that was immensely important. I can only say thank you to those people and those fans” At the age of 24, Ian “Thorpedo” Thorpe decided to retire from competitive swimming following a year of illness and injuries and citing waning motivation.  Announcing his retirement on November 21st 2006: "I have been working towards this decision for quite some time. I am 24 years old, and I am only just 24 as well, I am young enough to still see the new challenges and be able to accept them in my life." "I'm looking at the next phase in my life, and that next phase means that I'm re-aligning what the most important thing is for me to do. Those important things I don't rank or order in a list, but swimming falls somewhere short. It's not up the top of that list, which has never happened before." Asked about a possible return to the pool he said: "I won't rule it out, I never rule anything out, but it's just not going to happen." Dawn Fraser, the first person to win an Olympic event three times, said that Thorpe was the "greatest swimmer in the world as far as freestyle swimming is concerned" In cricket, Damien Martyn surprised many with his sudden retirement, while Shane Warne, and Glenn Mcgrath announced their impending retirements after the Ashes. When quizzed about his retirement, Warne said: "My focus is the next two Tests but then I'll sit back and have a couple of beers and smokes." ------- In the world of lets-invade-countries-cause-we-think-they-have-wmds, the second last day of the year brought with it the execution of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.
By some accounts, during his last moments, Hussein seemed calm, but there was a give-and-take of harsh words exchanged with the crowd and guards. Says The Guardian: Saddam began reciting the “Shahada,” a Muslim prayer that says there is no god but God and Muhammad is his messenger, according to an unabridged copy of the tape, apparently shot with a camera phone and posted on a Web site. Saddam made it to midway through his second recitation of the verse. His last word was Muhammad. ---- That’s all for this New Years T3OTW special. Thanks for reading T3OTW. And a Happy New Year to all!
T3OTW continues in 2007 with issue 3 which is underway and should be out in 2 to 3 weeks. | 
