I took notice of an interesting article in the Columbus Dispatch about a new committee being formed by Cliff Hite to look at the possibility of banning "pay-to-play" sports in schools.
Some districts have chosen to implement a fee for student participation in extra-curricular activities including sports and music. For some districts, this is a fine way to deal with exploding budgets and dwindling funds; but in other districts, pay-to-play fees are limiting participation of the less fortunate.
I look forward to hearing what Hite and company come up with as paying for all of these activities is surely going to come up. With the school funding formula fiasco being what it is already, this will surely be controversial.
I'm intrigued and unless something comes up that would cause me to change my mind, at this point I'm a supporter of the idea. It is certainly worth exploring.
COLUMBUS—The Ohio House of Representatives today concurred on Senate changes to House Bill 29, also known as the “Boater Freedom Act,” which establishes conditions for watercraft safety inspections.
House Bill 29 specifies that the state’s law enforcement personnel may only stop a vessel if they have reasonable suspicion that the vessel or vessel’s operator are in violation of marine law or otherwise engaged in criminal activity. Currently, a boater on Lake Erie may be stopped by a state watercraft officer, local marine patrol, or the U.S. Coast Guard to conduct a safety check, sometimes multiple times in one day.
“House Bill 29 eliminates these intrusive boat searches in the state of Ohio,” said State Rep. Rex Damschroder (R-Fremont). “With the governor’s signature, House Bill 29 will become law in time to effect the remainder of this summer’s boating season This is a common sense approach to the issue as we have seen these random and arbitrary stops become far too common.”
Ohio’s boating industry contributes an estimated $3.5 billion to Ohio’s state economy annually and supports as many as 26,000 full-time jobs. Approximately 3 million Ohioans—nearly one in four—participate in boating-related activities each year. In addition, the seven Ohio counties that border Lake Erie experienced an $11 billion investment in tourism in 2011, with more than 117,000 jobs and $3 billion in employee wages.
House Bill 29 now awaits Governor Kasich’s signature.
COLUMBUS—State Representative Wes Retherford (R-Hamilton) presented a House resolution to the Miami University Hamilton Women’s Basketball Team for its 2013 state title during session of the Ohio House of Representatives this week.
The 2012-2013 Harriers were the first women’s team to win both the regular season title and the Ohio Regional Campus State Championship in the same year.
“It was my honor to recognize the Lady Harriers of Miami University Hamilton for their outstanding achievements this basketball season,” Rep. Retherford said. “Their championship was hard-earned, and these young women will continue to make Miami Hamilton, the City of Hamilton and the State of Ohio proud as they pursue excellence in the future. I look forward to the team bringing home many more championships in the future.”
During the presentation, Rep. Retherford and the team were joined by Reps. Margaret Conditt (R-Liberty Twp.), Tim Derickson (R-Hanover Twp.), and Peter Beck (R-Mason).
COLUMBUS—The Ohio House of Representatives today passed House Bill 16, which prevents referees, coaches and other volunteers from being criminally prosecuted for not complying with requirements that help identify youth sports injuries.
State Representative Jay Hottinger (R-Newark) sponsored the bill, which clarifies the provisions that were enacted as part of House Bill 143. This piece of legislation was passed into law during December 2012, and it worked to help coaches and other youth activity officials deal with head injuries at sporting events. The bill, however, inadvertently held these same persons liable if they did not recognize signs of a concussion or other various head trauma.
With the passage of House Bill 16, coaches, officials and other volunteers would not be criminally penalized for failure to act in accordance with the measures outlined in House Bill 143.
“In the past General Assembly, the legislature spent a lot of time on and ultimately passed House Bill 143 dealing with the very important issue of youth concussions in athletic events,” said Rep. Hottinger. “Unfortunately, in the bill’s final enactment, language was included that would create criminal liability for volunteers if they failed to recognize a concussion. It is not the intent of the bill to turn volunteers of youth sporting events into potential criminals.”
Local attorney from the law firm of Reese, Pyle, Drake & Myer, P.L.L. And community volunteer, Justin Lodge, was responsible for bringing this important issue to Rep. Hottinger.
House Bill 16 passed unanimously and will now move to the Ohio Senate.
So Sherrod Brown will fight the football Blackout Rule but he can't be found with a search warrant on the Utility MACT, the EPA or for payroll tax cuts? His priorities are out of whack, I guess....
COLUMBUS – Following Sunday’s 105-95 victory by the Dallas Mavericks over the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals, Gov. John R. Kasich issued a resolution honoring the champions on a successful season and declared members of the team and their fans to be “Honorary Ohioans.” Gov. Kasich praised the Mavericks for the loyalty, integrity and teamwork they demonstrated throughout the season. He also recognized NBA Finals MVP Dirk Nowitzki, who chose to keep his talents in Dallas by renewing his contract with the Mavericks in 2010 and forgoing free agency.
To read Gov. Kasich’s resolution honoring the Mavericks, go here.
Yeah, it is true. In a time when Americans want Congress to forget the fluff and go for substance, Harry Reid opens the lame duck session in the Senate with a boring, meandering 6 minute speech about Nevada football. Whiskey Tango Foxtrot? Obviously, Dingy One, you did not get the message. Check out the video here at Real Clear Politics. Here is the commentary from RCP:
Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) talks about Nevada's win over Boise State on Friday. Reid explain the highlights of the game and running into a player during church.
"This memorable, remarkable win means so much," Reid said during his floor speech. This speech took place on Monday during the lame duck Senate session.
Seriously, when are we going to quit proclaiming it this day or that congrats and simply stick with the business of running the country and saving the economy? Oh wait, that will be in January. Nevada, just remember, you elected this moronic buffoon again. I mean, do we really need to find out about Harry Reid's dingy jocklove on the floor of the Senate? I say no.
While the Yankees might be called the evil empire, the UCLA dynasty of John Wooden may be known as the Benevolent Monarchy. Coach Wooden was not a despot or an emperor, but a guide and mentor to hundreds if not thousands of Young men. One of my mentors sent me this story, which I will now share with you. Like him, it brought a tear to my eye. Godspeed, Coach Wooden! How 1964 Bruins made John Wooden.
Well, folks, it has been a long time since I have posted, except for my book review below, so I will put together some thoughts about some recent events.
Nice Job, Brownie Redux?
Janet Naopolitano, the current Homeland Security Secretary, is a walking disaster. In the wake of the Christmas Day Bomb plot, she goes out on national TV and says, "the system worked". Um, excuse me? The terrorist not only gets on a plane to America with a bomb, he begins to activate it, all despite being on watch lists and no fly lists. Oh yeah, and his own family turned him in to us and told us he was an islamic extremist. And this moronic hairhelmet dunce has the audacity to say the system worked? and while I am on this, where in the hell was the US President? Oh yeah, he was in bed. His aides didn't think he needed to be informed until six hours or so after he event took place. Yet, for an award he did nothing deserving to win, they woke him up immediately. Kind of let's you know the priorities of the Obama White House. And the best that Team Obama could come up with in the immediate wake of this mess? No potty breaks in the last hour or something of a flight, and no blankies allowed either. Well, considering the condition of most airline blankets, I don't mind that at all. Naopolitano's ignorance and arrogance is hardly surprising considering her background. She helped prosecute Tim McVeigh in the OK City bombing. She thinks the only terrorists are those who love the country, the military, and the Christian God. She even put out a report attacking our brave men and women coming home from the war on terror. Is it any surprise she is totally clueless about this situation? Yet, there is ol Obama, keeping this senile dumbarse around. Could this be his "Katrina" moment? I mean, the best he can do is come out and finally (a day or so ago) declare war on al qaeda anew? Do you think they are going to think you are serious, captain Apology? Come on now.
Maybe He is Getting Tough After All
The one good thing to come out of this is that the administration has now put out a list of about 12 nations, I believe, whose citizens must face more serious scrutiny at airports before boarding planes. Of course, the CAIR folks and the other aiders and abettors of criminals (the ACLU) are already getting their attack dog lawyers ready, but this really is something WE SHOULD HAVE ALREADY BEEN DOING. Little old Jewish Grandma was never a suspect. The ones who want to kill us are radical ISLAMIC extremists, typically from Islamic dominated countries. It is not profiling, morons, it is using your resources most efficiently. I wonder how long this newfound vigilance by the Obama team will last, considering how much he apologizes to every other nation and bows to every foreign leader he comes across.
And While We Are on Counter Terrorism and Intelligence
Do you know why in part this underwear bomber was able to get through all the warnings and watchlists and such? It is because the morons in Congress on both sides of the aisle decided after 9/11 that it was better to create MORE bureaucracy in the intelligence system and the counterterrorism area. Yes, the efficiency of the Post Office or the DMV is at work getting the latest intel to the proper people. Give me a break. We need less bureaucracy and less agencies to jump through. Could we please buy a clue before AQ really does succeed and blow something up?
But don't worry, I am not just going to pick on my liberal friends....
Wanted: A GOP Chair with Some Stones
Mike Steele has been trying to say the right things. He was out there talking about the dangers of stimulus and the like. He has spoken out on healthcare. But when it comes to motivation and a plan for true victory: HE SUCKS. Recently in interviews he doubted that the GOP could take back the House or the Senate. Wow, Mike, way to motivate the troops. If you would have been at Valley Forge, we would be sending our tax dollars to England instead of China today. If you had been the leader in the Argonnes forest, you wouldn't have been able to hold out for Patton. Whatever happened to victory, and whatever happened to being optimistic and motivating our forces and grass roots?
And then there is the OH GOP
In Ohio, we have leaders who are too chicken#### to take a stand on much of anything. Despite overwhelming disdain for former US Senator and Gang of 14 member and hater of 2nd Amendment rights Mike DeWine, the ORP State Central Committee has chosen not to endorse his more conservative and more directly experienced primary opponent, Dave Yost. And, instead of castigating five senators who crossed over and voted to raise party taxes, people tell me the party helped pick out the designated lambs to slaughter because most or all of them are either term limited or aren't running again. Yet at the same time, the ORP tries to claim the mantle of fiscal responsiblity and lowering budgets, all the while less than four years removed from the idiocy of the Taft Administration. And then, as my friend Tom Blumer wrote a few days ago, you have the pet of Party Chair Kevin DeWine, Jon Husted, running for secretary of state. This guy skirts over the integrity of Ohio election law, not even really living in the district he represents. Then, he castigates those who voted to increase taxes in the Senate (he is currently a state senator). What Kevin and Jonny won't tell you is Jon didn't mind raising your taxes when he was Speaker of the Ohio house, in fact he voted for damn near every tax incrase that came his way while he was in the House.
And this detritus and garbage are supposed to inspire us to vote for them? Meanwhile, true dedicated public servants who don't have super huge donors and do massive fundraising like Mary Taylor remain disrespected and overlooked. Mary Taylor has done a hell of a job as Auditor of State. Mostly because SHE'S BEEN DOING HER JOB MORE THAN CAMPAIGNING.
And sitting on this pile of poo is one Kevin DeWine, a guy who comes in with a fancy website talking about taking back ohio with some core principles, but the website and principles disappear when Kevin is called on the fact he hasn't followed most of what he laid out, epsecially when it comes to matters of integrity and being who we claim to be. Of course, he and his ilk are only about dollars and not about the principle. And with such visionary and motivational leaders as Mike "well, we might win a few, maybe" Steele at the head of the party, can you expect any more from a guy who is related to Mike DeWine? I mean, really, what did we expect?
On the plus side
Spent time with the family this Christmas season and saw two good films. Sherlock Holmes is an excellent movie, but only if you check images of Basil Rathbone at the door. It is a more modern take on the character, but the essence of the deductive genius is still there. Also, for crazy family fun, check out the Chipmunk Squeakuel. It is quite humorous and it has Zach Levi from Chuck in it. And, while you are at it, go read Vince Flynn's Pursuit of Honor. It is fantastic.
And finally....
Roll Tide, Roll! Alabama was able to outlast and outplay Texas in the national championship game last night. Heisman trophy winner Mike Ingram was able to break the jinx of Heisman winners in championship games by leading Alabama to the win and being named offensive player of the game. Sadly, Texas QB Colt McCoy got hurt in the first quarter and never returned. However, Texas rallied and made a game out of it. And thankfully, there was no Thom Brennaman to do the game. Yes, that Thom Brennaman, son of Marty, the hall of famer. Thom Brennaman lost all respect this season for his rather lusty and ridiculous praise of Florida's Tim Tebow. During the debacle of the Sugar Bowl, Thom couldn't help drooling all over Tim Tebow and singing his praises. Earlier in the season, Thom became a national laughingstock with his drooling quote of: "if you spend just a minute or two with Tim Tebow, your life is changed and you are a different person because of him." Um, I didn't see Tim walk on water yet. It was quite disgusting and embarrassing. If Thom wants to prostitute himself out like that, then please take the last name of Grande and quit claiming any relation to Marty, who has never ever gushed over someone like that. I mean, it bordered on a bromance. It was pathetic and I will change the channel when Thom is doing games for the Reds. Oh yeah, and the guy who thinks Jim Tressel walks on water took many shots at the University of Cincinnati. Thom, this is your hometown team, could you at least be fair to them? How about some perspective from a Cincy resident? Nope, he just sucked up to Tim Tebow and the Gators and Troy Aikman. It was sad and a disgrace to his father. If I were Tebow, I think I would see about a restraining order, because Thom might want to take this to the next level.
Matt thinks hockey sucks. I love the sport of hockey. However, when you have people like Sean Avery in the game, it makes it hard to argue with Matt's assertion.
Here is the video link, as my current location does not like youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NQB6ul2kzw
DALLAS -- Of all the cajoling, snide remarks and other stunts Sean Avery pulled on the way to becoming the biggest pest in hockey, never had he gone so far that the NHL believed it had to suspend him -- until Tuesday.
Avery was punished indefinitely by commissioner Gary Bettman for using a crude term about his former girlfriends now dating other hockey players. Bettman acted within hours, in time to keep Avery out of the Dallas Stars' game against the Calgary Flames on Tuesday night.
Avery's inflammatory line came following a morning skate in Calgary, Alberta. Reporters were waiting to speak with Avery about disparaging remarks he'd made last month about Flames star Jarome Iginla when Avery walked over to the group and asked if there was a camera present. When told there was, he said, "I'm just going to say one thing."
"I'm really happy to be back in Calgary; I love Canada," the Ontario native said. "I just want to comment on how it's become like a common thing in the NHL for guys to fall in love with my sloppy seconds. I don't know what that's about, but enjoy the game tonight." He then walked out of the locker room.
Now Matt is really going to be riled up...because the person Avery was referring to was his former girlfriend and daughter of Jack Bauer, Elisha Cuthbert. Cuthbert is now linked to a Calgary Defenseman, Dion Phaneuf.
Some people are saying the league went too far. I don't think so. This is not just based on Avery's current comments, but on a body of work, some of which I am very familiar with. Sean Avery, on his way to the NHL, spent two seasons in Cincinnati as a member of the now defunct AHL Cincinnati Mighty Ducks. Avery has always been a pest on the ice, getting under others skins, but he has been an arse off the ice. He frequently harassed fans, and showed up drunk at promotional events, including a charity auction where he made disparaging remarks in a drunken stupor. He frequently made disparaging remarks about fans, including young female fans. He was a horrible person, and while he had some talent on the ice, he had few friends in the locker room or in the stands.
Avery went on to stops in Detroit and Los Angeles, as well as the New York Rangers. With the Kings, he was traded from them because of his poor attitude, prima donna work ethic, and disparaging teammates. This from a player who averages less than 20 goals a season, and who frequently costs his team with penalties that supercede the value he gives by being a rabble rouser.
Avery is a bum. He has no friends in the locker room. He is violent, drunk, and abrasive.
Now, don't get me wrong. Trash talk is part of sports, and hockey. However, it is done on the ice, not in front of a camera. It is done between players, not to the media, especially when it involves a third party. Avery crossed a moral line by saying things like sloppy seconds, but also a line in terms of the code of players. You keep that stuff between the boards, not in public.
He was also suspended for his own safety. The NHL is lagging in popularity, and doesn't want this type of tabloid publicity. What if Avery had been allowed to play, and was seriously injured on the ice or crippled? People would be asking what the issue was.
Some have said the NHL went too far. However, the owner of the Stars said he would have suspended Avery if the league hadn't, because he doesn't want that crap on his team. The NHL had little choice, especially given Avery's body of work:
There is no guarantee Avery will be able to repair the damage he caused within the Stars' dressing room.
"It's going to take some time," teammate Mike Modano said. "It's a situation we'll have to address when that time comes, if it does."
Said Stars goalie Marty Turco: "It's just so disappointing for guys who have been around here for a long time and have taken a lot of pride in how this organization has been perceived. The disrespect of this morning and other things over the course of the season have been extremely disappointing for us. It's a slap in the face."
Dallas will play at Edmonton on Wednesday, again without Avery.
"Sean crossed that line," Stars coach Dave Tippett said. "He won't continue with us on the trip. We've always professed that there is nobody that's ever bigger than our group or bigger than the team.
"Sean said something that just doesn't paint our organization in a good light, and appropriate steps are being taken."
Despite his tough-guy image in his job, Avery has cultivated another image in his private life: fashionista. He's pursued his interest in the fashion world by interning with Vogue magazine. He's broken into pop culture through appearances on MTV and in tabloid gossip columns; he also grabbed a spot on People's "Sexiest Scars" list in 2007 for a gash on his lip.
The Stars signed him in hopes that his grittiness would boost last season's Western Conference finalists. Instead, the injury-riddled Stars have only 22 points, tied for the fewest in the Western Conference and near the bottom of the NHL. Avery had 77 penalty minutes in 23 games. He also had three goals and seven assists.
"It's disappointing," Stars co-general manager Les Jackson said. "Brett really stuck his neck out for him. I feel bad for Brett, because he put his total trust in Sean, and Sean hasn't respected the league, the game, the Dallas Stars, Mr. Hicks. He hasn't represented anybody professionally."
Avery and Iginla were to meet on the ice for the first time since Avery told ESPN "the NHL does a terrible job of marketing" by not promoting its "villains," and that "nobody cares about Jarome Iginla and guys like that, they're just not exciting enough."
The Stars and Flames meet three more times. Next is Feb. 3 in Dallas; the Stars return to Calgary on March 18.
"He made stupid comments and it bit him," said Flames forward Craig Conroy, Avery's former teammate with the Kings. "He probably thought it was funny. The league didn't think it was funny, the Dallas Stars didn't think it was funny and nobody thought it was funny."
His current teammates were in the locker room when Avery spoke Tuesday, but didn't necessarily hear his interview. Told what he said, most were not surprised.
"We expect that out of him like we have all year," said Turco, who was critical of Avery's agitation of Brodeur during the playoffs when it happened. "You know, the show continues."
In other words, Avery is all about Avery. he cares little for the team or his sport. It is all about Avery.
Some have said why suspend him and bring him back later because he has to play the Flames eventually. Well, it is all about safety. Giving the Flames time to calm down, maybe there won't be such violence.
But, some people have said this is a first amendment issue, that Avery is being unfairly censored. No one is censoring Avery. And, nowhere does it say in the Constitution that you don't have to deal with consequences of your speech. If you say something stupid, you lose friends or have a fractured relationship. If you are the Dixie Chicks and basically insult your audience, you pay the price. No one was censoring them by not buying their records. They were exercising choice. When we engaged in free speech by doing 3 Questions, people were upset, and we paid some consequences. No one censored us. We had to deal with consequences. Sean Avery, it appears, has screwed his career for a cheap attempt at self promotion. Well, Sean, you might have a future on E! or the WWE but your days in the NHL are surely numbered. And I don't think your teammates, the fans, or the league will miss you at all...Then we will see what kinds of "seconds" YOU get.....
As some may know from other articles, I am a history guy. I am a social studies teacher by training, and am a member of the National History Honor Society, Phi Alpha Theta. Two articles of mine have been published in my local chapter's journal, which is nationally recognized. One of my articles had to do with Jackie Robinson, the first African-American player in the major leagues in the 20th century (Moses "Fleetwood" Walker and other blacks played in the 19th century before the full effects of the "gentlemen's" agreement were in effect). Some people are thinking about Obama and Jackie. To me, there is little comparison except in the realms of firsts. I came across a great article from St. Louis by a gentleman who had some interesting things to say:
As Jack Buck once said, "I don't believe what I just saw!" Americans on Nov. 4 turned over control of the United States of America to a management team possessing no executive experience, having never run, as I liked to put it, nothing.
Well, Americans usually get the government they deserve, and I urge you all to get ready for this 21st century version of amateur hour. It's going to be an embarrassing and dangerous time for America and American ideals. There won't be much, I'm afraid, to be thankful for.
OK, let me stop here. I disagree with Z. Dwight on this one. As long as America still is based on the rule of law and the Constitution, there is still much to be thankful for. As long as there is even but one free man, there is much to be thankful for. OK, moving on....
Every strong Republican president who succeeded in protecting America has allowed Americans to become complacent about national security, thereby opening the door for weak Democrats who allowed enemies to threaten and attack America without penalty. Obama will be no different, and Americans will have to learn again that there can be no economic security without national security.
This sounds harsh, but remember, it was Joe Biden himself who said that the manchlid Dear Leader would be severely tested....And, history has a way of backing up what Z. Dwight is saying here....However, there are some interesting things of sidenote with a Barry Obama presidency...
That's not to say that Obama's election doesn't come with a couple of interesting side effects. For example, henceforth no black man in America may be called unqualified for any job that he might seek, no matter his prior education or experience level. Want to be a nuclear scientist but lack a Ph.D. in physics? If the applicant is a black man, it's no problem. Just offer hope to the profession and promise change from all those stuffy theorems that have given the discipline its structure over the years, and you're in.
That's on a par with throwing out the fact that tax cuts lead to more investment, job creation and increasing government revenues, just because the black man, that transcendent agent of change, says it's OK.
Another side effect has been white people contacting me to say that I should be proud to see a black man become president. Could there be a comment that is more condescending, more insulting, than that?
By the way, did I mention that Z. Dwight is black? Well, he is. So, he has a right to say these things, and it makes sense. But wait, there is more, as Z. Dwight takes those who say "all blacks should be happy" to task:
If I believed that in America a black man could not be president, then I would be proud to see any black man elected president. But because I always have believed that nothing in America prevents a black man from becoming president or anything else he wants to be, I can be embarrassed, not proud, to see someone as unqualified and inexperienced as Obama become president.
Indeed. I wonder if more black people will feel this way in a few years. I wonder if some will wonder if the cause of civil rights and such will have been set back by Obama and his soon to be epic failures. Or, will many continue to blindly do what the DNC tells them and the shills and crooks Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson tell them?
Here, Z. Dwight brings up an important point about Jackie Robinson (who by the way was a Republican AND a Black man, AND a civil rights activist) and the soon to be Dear Leader:
Jackie Robinson, the first black man in modern-day major league baseball, illustrates my point. He was the right man with the right combination of talent, temperament and character at the right time to be successful for that important "first." Obama? An empty suit who will fail.
See, here is a key point. Branch Rickey, the GM of the Dodgers who signed Robinson, searched high and low for the best combination to be the first. He knew he had to pick someone not just with talent, but with the right temperment who could handle the pressure. There were other players more talented: Satchel Paige, Josh Gibson, Monte Irvin, and others; but all came with some set of baggage. Paige was up in years and was known to be at times a partier; Gibson had mental issues and was known to exhibit strange behavior--savage in one instance, jovial and childlike in the next. The right combination was needed to set the standard. Jackie was the right man. I am not so sure about Mr. Obama. Looking at how he handled things when he was pressured, from kicking journalists off of his plane whose papers endorsed other candidates, to his stumbling, fumbling answers when questioned off the teleprompter; I am not convinced. Rickey knew that if Robinson failed, it would set things way back. If Robinson slid in any way, performance wise or in his temperment, he would have been held up as the example of "see, they (African Americans) can't handle the big dance." What will happen if Obama fails?
Z. Dwight goes on to offer some more points of illumination:
I'm going to approach the Obama years the same way liberals handled the Iraq war. Just as they claimed to support our troops while opposing the war, I'm going to support my country while opposing Obama and what he stands for in every way that I can.
I don't blame Marvin Lewis anymore, especially after he just got his legs cut off and the stinkface treatment by Mike Brown (a WWE reference, see Rakishi). He was a highly sought after defensive coach, intense, and on fire. But he has spent half a decade in football hell Bengals land, so he has had to drink the koolaid which sterilizes men and makes them turn into Mike Brown and Alan Cutler. Here is what Lewis had to say about the 27/10 Bengals loss Sunday:
"I was pleased that we did some things we set out to do,"Marvin Lewis said "We controlled the line of scrimmage and effectively ran the football.
Carson Palmer wasn't always a loser. He was a great winner. He won the Heisman, I do believe, and contended for a few national titles at USC. However, even he has been drinking the sterilization punch:
" I'm not concerned at all. I'm confident in the guys we have. The guys we have will prove themselves in game situations, and we just didn't do the things we wanted to do tonight," said Carson Palmer. "We had some mistakes that obviously need to be corrected," Lewis said. "But we did some things we came in here to do." "I'd be worried if we were playing Baltimore on Sunday, but we've still got some time," Palmer said
And why shouldn't we worry? Is it that 10 year streak of making the playoffs? Nope. Is it that continued 20 year run of winning seasons? Ouch. I know, it must be that solid offensive line...Eeek...Wait, the solid play of the defensive secondary? Ick....Hmmm.....
Now, contrast the loser, pathetic joke of an organization that has not won in decades, has no tradition of winning things other than convictions and lawyer fees; and a winning, tradition bound organization like New England. Here is what New England, who by the way were the team of this decade, won at least one Super Bowl (can Chris Henry spell Super Bowl?), and actually take players in and make citizens of them (see Dillon, Corey; and Moss, Randy), as opposed to giving thugs their 8th chance; had to say about losing a preseason game:
We got a lot of [expletive] work to do," said linebacker Mike Vrabel. "Well, I think it's pretty obvious that we've got a lot of work to do based on all three phases of the game," said coach Bill Belichick. It was a lot of little things, but those little things add up to big things. Start with me. We all have to do a better job." "Yeah, I put a lot of stock in these games," defensive end Richard Seymour said. "We've got a lot of work to do."
Hmmm....an organization that is built on personal responsibility, vs. one that begged for a stadium promising a winner but only gives cancerous whiners like C. Johnson and disgusting druggie perverts like Chris Henry....
But, their sports talk guys are probably soft and not hardcore like Alan Cutler...right....
It starts with accountability. IF the owner won't do it, the fans have to. If the fans hold the ownership accountable, things can change again. That is what New England did. But, we are so starved here for winners we will accept damn near anything, especially if a disgusting fitness expert with his Mike Brown kneepads yells it into our ears.
Mike Brown of the Bengals farts and craps in the faces of Bengals fans and common decency, and idiot shill sheep like Alan Cutler rejoice. Let's compare the rather idiotarian thinking of Brown with this gesture by Bob Castellini of the Reds:
Dear Fans,
Thank you for your loyalty and support of the Cincinnati Reds. You are extremely vital to the success of the Reds, and it is important we share with you the thinking behind our recent personnel decisions.
Since taking ownership of this franchise, we have aggressively tried to improve our Major League roster for the purpose of restoring championship baseball to Cincinnati. We have sought and signed proven players. We have extended the contracts of select current players. We added Dusty Baker, a proven winning manager. And, we have capitalized on our burgeoning younger players like Joey Votto, Jay Bruce and Johnny Cueto.
We had high expectations for the 2008 season. Unfortunately the team has not played up to our expectations and we have sustained injuries to key players within our starting lineup and rotation.
We opted to trade Ken Griffey Jr. and Adam Dunn at this time because we believe it provided the best outcome for the long-term success of the organization. By executing these inevitable changes now, we secured more players as part of our focus towards building a deeper, stronger inventory of young talent.
We are pleased that the trades allow Griffey and Dunn the opportunity to play for teams in tight division races. Both Ken and Adam made significant contributions to the Reds and we are extremely proud and grateful they wore the Reds uniform.
While the run production generated by these two veterans will not be quickly replaced, we chose to endure the short-term ramifications for the sake of building a strong, competitive team for 2009 and many seasons to come.
The vast majority of our 50 draft picks were signed, culminating last week with first-rounder Yonder Alonso and a pair of talented pitchers. Our expanded scouting operations also signed Juan Duran from the Dominican Republic and Yorman Rodriguez from Venezuela, who are arguably the best amateur free agent position players from their respective countries.
As we near September, we will continue to provide valuable playing time to our young players and new acquisitions who we feel can become significant contributors at the Major League level. We ask your continued trust and patience as we build the roster that will get us back on top. We appreciate your support and look forward to seeing you at the ballpark.
Now, I know I have been hard on the Castellinis and Jocketty for trading Jr. However, this at least shows they are listening to the fans, who want something more than platitudes. But, the truth will be on the field and in leadership, not in letters on message boards or dollar hot dog days or free tickets. But, at least they did not bring back a known thug who bought liquor for under age girls, like the Bengals did and which Alan Cutler approves of.
Noted Bengal jocksniffer and shill and spineless sad sack of spit Alan Cutler has a new thug jock to sniff for the Bengals: repeat offender, coming soon to a jail near you, Chris Henry. Here is the release from the Bengals:
The Bengals today signed free agent WR Chris Henry. Henry (6-4, 200; West Virginia) is a fourth-year NFL player. He rejoins the Bengals after being released by Cincinnati on April 3 of this year. He played in 35 games with 11 starts for Cincinnati over the 2005-07 seasons, with 88 receptions for 1370 yards and 17 touchdowns. Henry will be on a four-week NFL suspension to open the 2008 regular season, due to violation of the NFL's Personal Conduct Policy. Henry is eligible as of today to join whatever team preseason activities are assigned to him by the coaching staff. He is eligible to play in the final two preseason games. His suspension will begin on Mon., Sept. 1, the start of the practice week for Cincinnati's Sept. 7 regular season opener. During the suspension, he will be held out of practices as well as Games 1-4. He may resume full activities on Mon., Sept. 29, the start of the practice week for Game 5, on Oct. 5 at Dallas. A player with a history of off-field problems, Henry was released by the Bengals this spring after being charged with assault following an incident in Cincinnati. But charges against Henry were dropped after a trial resulted in a hung jury, with six of eight jurors voting to acquit him. Henry has no further matters pending in the courts. The NFL placed Henry on indefinite suspension following the assault charge, but the suspension was subsequently revised to four games.
One piece missing from this release is the usual comment from the coach, Marvin Lewis. Every other release involvling player movement has some type of coach reaction. Not this one. That is telling, and it reeks of Mike Brown being an idiot again.
Alan Cutler, meanwhile, defended the decision. He said it was all about winning and that Henry gives us a better chance to win. Hmmm, I guess the first four games are cakewalks? Check the schedule. I don't think so. Also, defense and lack of tackling are the main problems. Is Chris Henry going to play Dline or linebacker? Is he going to replace Leon Hall and show us how to cover the deep ball? Hmm? Obviously, Cutler came to the radio this morning fresh from a kneepad session with Bengals owner Mike Brown. Cutler will berate the Reds, run solid citizens out of town, but he will shill for Mike Brown til the cows come home. Well, Cutman, let's see what people are saying about the move, shall we, you shill and morally bankrupt jocksniffer:
The head coach got trumped by an owner with a forgiving heart and a poor track record for assembling football teams. Marvin Lewis might coach the Bengals. He doesn’t run them.
That was Paul Daugherty, award winning reporter for the Enquirer and fellow sports talk host But wait, there is more:
Chris Henry back to Cincinnati? Really? I guess Marvin Lewis isn't calling all the shots in Bengals-land.-Don Banks, CNNSI NFL writer
ProFootballTalk.com That the Bengals would so quickly embrace Henry, even on a one-strike policy, tells us that, in Cincinnati, principle always will yield to the desire to win. It's precisely why the team has been infested by so many turds over the past several years.
Daugherty also says: It's hypocritical, fraudulent and lacks integrity.
If we had a class organization, they would not have a shameless idiotarian hack who kisses rear like Cutler on the air as the host of the Bengals radio network. If we had a class organization, we would stick to our guns. Both Brown and Lewis had this to say as late as July when the talk about resigning Henry was brought up:
ESPN, July 22 Marvin Lewis "I'm not interested," Lewis told reporters Tuesday, before the team's annual preseason luncheon. "I don't think it would be productive for our football team. You have to be a productive part to be an NFL player, and there's responsibilities to being an NFL player. It's a privilege, it's not a right. There's a lot that comes with being an NFL football player." Mike Brown "That's all history now," Brown said. "We're going forward and trying to go forward with the kind of guys we can count on, the kind of guys who are not just good players but good citizens."
Marvin also said on July 27: We keep spending all this time on the knuckleheads instead of on the good guys; that's a problem," Marvin Lewis said. "When you spend all your time coaching knuckleheads and not spending the right amount of time with the right players in the right direction because you're putting out fires over here, putting out fires over there ... ."-Bengals.com, July 27
This tells me that Mike Brown, moron and proof the apple can fall off the planet, galaxies far from the tree, slapped his coach and cut his legs off to sign a thug and scumbag. Nice work, moron. Here is some video evidence of Brown lying.
And Alan Cutler makes excuses and talks about how this gives the Bengals a better chance to win...Again, will Chris Henry make a tackle? Will Chris Henry be able to stop the deep ball? Can Chris Henry play offensive line and give Palmer some time to pass? Will Henry not screw up again so he can actually show up and play? The answer to all but the last question is no. The answer to the last is: I dunno. Somehow someone who thinks taking a toke or being a thug is more important than their job and their family and livelihood is going to be a best chance to win. Cutler is so stupid and a shameless shill it should be embarrassing to HOMER 1530, much less Cutler's family. He calls Lance McAllister soft, but I bet Lance doesn't have a set of Mike Brown kneepads for everytime the subject comes up. Cutler is stupid.
Then, he had the audacity to compare Chris Henry to Josh Hamilton, like we owe it to Chris Henry....Uh, no, moron. Josh Hamilton lost his right to play baseball and had to work his way back. He had to prove he was clean and his life changed. Or, as Lance put it on his blog:
Did I miss something? Chris Henry=Josh Hamilton? Did Chris Henry get booted from the game for three years, change organizations, pee in a cup, stay clean and out of trouble for 18 months? Had the Reds been burned by other player's behavior? Wow...don't pull a hammy with that stretch.
Lance, Cutler can't pull a hammy, because he is a self-appointed fitness expert, remember? And you are just jealous because you are soft and he is so "hardcore"...Uh, yeah, right.
We don't owe Chris Henry a damn thing. The guy crapped away his chance. Playing football is a privilege, not a right. What has Chris Henry said or done to show he realizes he screwed up? Also, let's look at his stats when he played last year: Year Age Tm Pos G GS Rec Yds Y/R TD Lng R/G Y/G Att Yds TD Lng Y/A Y/G A/G YScm RRTD Fmb 2005 22 CIN wr 14 5 31 422 13.6 6 47 2.2 30.1 422 6 2 2006 23 CIN 13 4 36 605 16.8 9 71 2.8 46.5 605 9 0 2007 24 CIN 8 2 21 343 16.3 2 52 2.6 42.9 343 2 0 Career 35 11 88 1370 15.6 17 71 2.5 39.1 1370 17 2
So last year he appeared in 8 games, and had 321 yards...woohoo. Yeah, that is a difference maker.
What does this do to the coach in the locker room, or the enforcement of discipline? Once again, the lunatics are running the nuthouse. Nice work, Brown. I am done with this franchise. The Bengals have sucked for 20 years, absent the aberration in 05. It is not worth your effort to support a team that takes your money, lies to you, and spits in your face. Bengals fans need to wake up, and not only not go, not support any new stadiums, but volunteer to pack up the semis and move this team out of town and demolish that stadium. It is a complete joke.
And having a person of no integrity, a shameless shill, call others soft and say we are liars for not admitting we really want Chris Henry, is an embarrassment to 1530 HOMER. Alan Cutler is soft when it comes to the Bengals, but he is softheaded on everything. He was run out of Pittsburgh, and he must have some good blackmail material in Lexington, because he keeps getting a paycheck there. We know what he does to keep his job in Cincy...and it ain't pretty.
And what is most sad is some people will put up with this, because they will believe this idiot shill who says it gives the Bungles a better chance to win. How did they do with Chris Henry? One winning season. Wow, a real difference maker. NOT! The Bengals are a bunch of losers, and it starts at the top with the Brown Family.
David Fulcher is not impressed with this. Neither is Eric Thomas, and I am sure Anthony Munoz, a man of deep integrity and the greatest Bengal ever, is probably shaking his head. All these guys actually won with the Bengals. One hell of a birthday present, eh Munoz?
I stand with Lance McAllister on this one:
Chris Henry returning is par for the course for this organization. If it wasn't so sad, it would be hilarious. So much for it being a privilege, not a right to play in the NFL. So much for being tired of wasting time on knuckleheads. So much for needing guys you can count on. This just in.....the Bengals are a fraudulent organization. But I think many are missing the biggest issue in all of this. Mike Brown called this shot....and in doing so...sapped what little power/control Marvin Lewis had left. But shockingly, rather than be horrified of that fact, many fans will celebrate the return of a thug. As for the fan reaction...it simply comes down to what you want to say about yourself. How badly you need to win? Are willing to sell your soul while shaking hands with the devil? As some point today the words and phrases, "holier than thou" and "sanctimonius" will be thrown around. If preffering not to house a criminal that can't stay out of trouble with the law and can't be counted on is "holier than thou" and "sanctimonius", then I'm guilty as charged. Book me and process me. I'll put my head on the pillow and sleep soundly tonight. Have some pride as a fan. If Chris Henry is the answer...what exactly is the question? A desperate and incompetent organization chose to resign a troubled WR that can't play til week five. A WR that will miss 25% of this season....after missing 50% of it last season. So much for privilege, accountability and dependability. Rather than hiring a GM, drafting better and spending more on scouting, Mike Brown chose to try and polish a toy that he repurchased at a garage sale. Par for the course. A gimme putt.
I am now a free agent football fan. I root for the Packers and the Jets (as long as Favre is there.) The Bengals, Brown Family, and Alan Cutler can go to hell. Heck, they came back from there this morning to make this announcement after shaking hands with the devil and selling the last microsliver of a soul they have.
Me, I will remember when the Bengals won with integrity and talent. The 1980s when they were playoff contenders quite a few years and went to two Super Bowls. Sad that the Bengals will sell Chris Henry jerseys but don't carry Ken Anderson jerseys at all, a man who was honest and one of the most underrated QBs ever.
Hey, fans of Cincinnati, Marvin Lewis, and Alan Cutler, Mike Brown just sang this song to you:
So Bengals fans, how does Mike Brown's @$$ taste? Alan Cutler probably knows, because he kisses it at least 10 times a day.
Mark and I have a little fun talking about our Cincinnati Reds. In this clip, we talk about how the Reds would survive if they traded both Griffey and Dunn. Hilarity ensues...sort of. Oh, just watch the clip...I promise, I make a fool of myself...as usual...
UPDATE: Why did I post this now? I just spent about two hours working on the malariotherapy piece below and needed some levity...this video was queued up on the editing machine, so there ya have it. No real mystery...
Now this is where I draw the line...enough is enough. I'm supposed to cry for Chris Henry? A thug brought in to this town to play a game? For millions of dollars? Give me a break...
Here is today's open thread and a few items of interest...
AP News Alert:
NOME, Alaska (AP) Defending champion Lance Mackey has won the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.
So we've got that going for us...which is nice.
Oh...isn't that cute...Tom Brinkman thinks he still has a political future. The absolutely hilarious part comes when Brinkman blames his loss on Phil Heimlich's name still being on the ballot... Good times all around on this one!
Somebody is going to have to ask Brinkman just what he thinks is wrong about Jean Schmidt's CONGRESSIONAL record because that is another story he's still telling... Another question somebody ought to ask is whether or not he will support Wulsin and actually vote for her...or will he support the Republican in the race.
Today is a sad day. The ol Gunslinger, Brett Favre, is retiring, according to most news outlets. The decision came within the last 24 to 48 hours, according to most sources. He can still physically play, but feels the mental strain might be too much if the Packers didn't get to a Super Bowl. Favre owns most QB records in the NFL, and led the Packers to two Super Bowls, winning one and coming close on another. This past season, after rumors of retirement, he led the Packers to the NFC championship game, one step below going back to the Super Bowl. In his 17 years, he has been a multiple MVP, pro bowler...he has done it all.
However, I will remember Brett Favre for the intangibles. In an era when QBs were expected to be robotic corporate types, Brett was a gunslinger. He took chances. And he didn't exude a robotic calmness, he had the audacity of a kid and loved the game as one. That joy for the game and for life is sorely missing in most pro sports today, as we either have thug lifers, or corporate shills, or guys hiding what they inject in their butts. Favre was the last of the true guys next door playing football. However, the guys next door didn't have that arm!
Favre was not a perfect man, far from it. He abused alocohol and painkillers, but with the love of his wife and family, he came clean about his addictions and overcame them with a faith borne from his wife. In the following years, he would lose his father, deal with his mom's home being hit by Katrina, and his wife's cancer. Through it all, he worked hard, kept the faith, and showed that true American fighting spirit. And he did it all with style and grace, and that amazing cannon. He was able to turn his life around and was a true success story of redemption through love and faith.
While he did not fully complete the Elway exit, winning a championship, Brett did go out on top. He had one of the finest seasons of his career last year, and set numerous records. When many doubted him, he restored their faith and surpassed all expectations for himself and his team. And he did it all with that trademark "S.E." grin, the one that showed his joy and love for life and the game.
I am saddened, but I understand. Gunslingers always ride off into the sunset, at some time. We always want to keep our legends with us, but they have other fields to conquer. I am sad for myself, and for the game. The NFL was better with Favre than without. However, Brett now gets to spend time with his children he was never able to before and to be with his amazing wife Deanna, who is an inspiration herself. God bless them, and Brett, thanks for the memories.
Mark and I have a little fun talking about our Cincinnati Reds. In this clip, we talk about how the Reds would survive if they traded both Griffey and Dunn. Hilarity ensues...sort of. Oh, just watch the clip...I promise, I make a fool of myself...as usual...