Random Thought: The 70s Party

When I'm my dad's age, having a 1970s party will be like him having a 1930s party now.

Weird.

Tired of ESPN?

In what could become an ongoing segment, I will begin to chronicle that, while ESPN continues to be the best in sports coverage, their spins, agendas, politics and hypocrisy can be detrimental to sports journalism as a whole.

Case in point:

Thursday, September 28, 2006 - 11:00 PM SportsCenter
(well, actually started after the South Carolina-Auburn game which ended around 10:54 PM)

After a quick blurb about Pedro's torn calf muscle, the lead was, of course, T.O.'s suicide story. Stuart Scott and Scott Van Pelt began with a sarcastic quip about how big of a media circus this became, even referring to this whole thing as a "saga".

Yet, do they not realize that they are contributing to the media circus? It's like the man who can't stand Wal-Mart shopping there because he doesn't have the time to go to seven different stores to get what he needs.....not to mention "Falling Prices".

Hypocrites.

Now yes, I commend ESPN for gaining access to the 911 call of the Terrell Owens' publicist and for revealing the reason for her heightened concern.......the fact that she knew T.O. could not spend time with his son on his 7th birthday and that he'd recently broke up with his fiancee. Good for you ESPN.

But really, this style of coverage is completely overboard. They even rehashed the story around 12 minutes later at 11:08.

ESPN, you are part of the problem.

Sports is the story. The MLB Pennant race is the story. Not T.O.'s "saga".

I'm in no way a fan of Terrell Owens, but do we have to invade his privacy on this level. I find it almost disgusting that this man's dirty laundry has to be aired out to such an extreme.

Now, I'm not saying don't cover this at all. Professional athletes and their lives are part of the total package. They are celebrities. That being said, lead stories such as this are the equivalent of tabloid magazines.

Does the world wide leader in sports really want to associate itself with tabloid journalism?

You decide.

Pat Buchanan on the Daily Show

Ok, so we all know that Pat Buchanan is a right-wing nut job who believes he knows what's best for everyone else. But did you see him on the Daily Show with John Stewart?

If not, click here for the clip.

For one, his theory about Mexicans taking over the SW US is outrageous....but not totally outrageous. No, we are not yet in a "State of Emergency" but still, is his situation feasible? Certainly so. I do believe that Mexican flags being raised at schools, rallies, etc...is a sign, if not an iceberg tip.

Should we deport illegals already in America? Nope. Our economy will suffer. But we must integrate all immigrants into our country so that they share a national pride with all Americans.

And no, I don't think current Mexican and Latin American immigrants have a "plan" to come to America and eventually take over the states of Arizona and Texas, whatever.

But really, as immigrants increase in numbers, and thus decreasing the available jobs for those with similar education levels....won't that leave people in need very impressionable to negative leadership? Basically, the door would be open for a movement such as Buchanan implicates.

But the last part of Buchanan's segment was even more ridiculous or funny, depending on how you see it. And I quote, "John, look at the Indians. They had a liberal immigration policy. Look what happened to them John."

Is this the most preposterous thing he's ever said? A big nope. But could you imagine someone like Chris Rock or Dave Chappelle saying that quote or turning it into a skit? Now that's comedy.

Almost as funny as those criminal coyotes.

Bill Simmons on The Colbert Report

Bill Simmons AKA The "Sports Guy" appeared on Comedy Central's 'The Colbert Report' on September 14, 2006. Here's the clip.

C'mon Bill. You couldn't look more uncomfortable on TV if you were sitting on Brian Billick's lap at the end of a Ravens loss. You came across nervous and your comments on USA basketball seemed uneducated and sophomoric. Send 18 and under kids? What makes you think they could be more cohesive as a team?

I really expected better than you on the Colbert Report. Where's the witty charm that comes across in your writing? Disappointed. I mean, I had a hard enough time getting past the fact that you are a dirty Red Sox fan (don't worry, I hate the Yankees too). Now, I feel like I'm in the 8th grade and I've just been dumped by my girlfriend. Especially if it's that hot teacher.
Speaking of.......YouTube had to take it down, but here's MSNBC's clip of Matt Lauer's interview with Debra LaFave.

"He wanted it and I gave it to him." That's going in my book of great quotes. What a jerk that kid is for ratting himself out.