- The Sacramento Kings ended up with the tenth pick in the lottery. I keep reading all of the mock drafts and I have come to an important conclusion: Geoff Petrie never does what people expect him to do. Therefore, I say to all of those who are making up these mock drafts - just leave the Kings guess blank. You're almost guaranteed to be wrong when you try to figure out what they are going to do!
- The coaching interviews go on in Sacramento, and the only thing we know for sure is that everyone is glad that the Maloofs are staying out of it. The recent forays of the owners into the day-to-day aspects of running the team have given us the release of Rick Adelman, the acquisition of Ron Artest, the hiring of Eric Musselman, and the firing of Eric Musselman. Joe...Gavin...you have been great at running the business side of the team (except for your recent PR disasters with the arena). Let Petrie do his job. He's one of the best.
- The Raiders have drafted JaMarcus Russell as their quarterback of the future. Does anyone else see the poor guy suffering hit after hit because the Raiders have no blocking?
- The 49ers have done a great job this offseason. I still have too many doubts about Alex Smith, though.
- Real football (aka soccer) continues in the U.S. in the form of the MLS. Here in Northern California, though, we really don't care. Oh, it isn't because people don't like the sport (although it seems that most don't.) Rather, it's because our San Jose Earthquakes, now known as the Traitors in Houston, don't exist. With the difficulties that seem to be appearing in the quest for a new stadium in San Jose, we may end up burying the idea of a new team forever. Yet there is that nagging rumor that Placer County may be up for building them an arena. Can you just see it? The Roseville Earthquakes? The Lincoln Quakes? The Placer Quakes? The California Earthquakes? (That last one sounds bad, doesn't it?) In any case, I'd still like to have a team to root for.
- Finally...it's official. Clinton Portis needs to have elective surgery to either sew his mouth shut or remove his foot from it. I know this is old news, but it's been driving me nuts. How could anyone, regardless of his education, think that you can do whatever you want on your own property? "Yeah...well, this is my house and I can store nuclear waste here if I want to!" No, Clinton, you can't. You can't commit a felony by staging dog fights. You can't kidnap neighbors. You can't kill someone. What you can do, however, is go on an interview show and prove that you're a complete moron. Oh wait...you already did.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Sports Day!
Well, with so many things going on in the sports world right now, I wanted to throw in some random thoughts (especially since I haven't written about sports in a while!)
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Whales In Sacramento Redux
It's deja-vu all over again! Twenty-two years ago, a wayward whale nicknamed Humphrey the Humpback wandered into the Sacramento River. He eventually made his way out and an affectionate legend was born. This week, however, the legend is reborn in the form of a mother and calf that have made it all the way up to West Sacramento. They haven't been given names yet, but here they are a long way from home.
People tend to romanticize this situation and think that it's pretty neat to have these whales swimming around. But let's look at the circumstances logically instead. These are two whales a long way from where they should be. It appears that someone got too close to them while they were in the river and both are now injured. (People can be really stupid sometimes in their pursuit of selfish pleasures, can't they?) If these whales don't turn around soon, chances are that they will die. -- Hey folks! Isn't it cute? Two dead whales in the Sacramento River! Awwwwww, how adorable! -- That isn't going to be as much fun, is it? Instead of turning it into a sightseeing tour, people need to get away from the levies (which are having enough trouble) and get away from the whales (who are confused, hurt, and not doing well), and let the specialists try to lure them out. Whales are beautiful in their own way, but not when they are in this much trouble.
Still, I can't help thinking that some private filmmaker is going to be writing a story called "Star Trek 10 - The Voyage to the Delta (Quadrant)" with the tagline, "There be whales here!"
People tend to romanticize this situation and think that it's pretty neat to have these whales swimming around. But let's look at the circumstances logically instead. These are two whales a long way from where they should be. It appears that someone got too close to them while they were in the river and both are now injured. (People can be really stupid sometimes in their pursuit of selfish pleasures, can't they?) If these whales don't turn around soon, chances are that they will die. -- Hey folks! Isn't it cute? Two dead whales in the Sacramento River! Awwwwww, how adorable! -- That isn't going to be as much fun, is it? Instead of turning it into a sightseeing tour, people need to get away from the levies (which are having enough trouble) and get away from the whales (who are confused, hurt, and not doing well), and let the specialists try to lure them out. Whales are beautiful in their own way, but not when they are in this much trouble.
Still, I can't help thinking that some private filmmaker is going to be writing a story called "Star Trek 10 - The Voyage to the Delta (Quadrant)" with the tagline, "There be whales here!"
Monday, May 14, 2007
Studio 60, We Hardly Knew Ye
Well, NBC has completed their journey to the dark side. They have gone completely over to the side of inanity and gimmickry and announced the cancellation of Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip. What have they decided to keep? Well, you can be thrilled with more episodes of shows like Deal or No Deal. Even Heroes, which is higher quality than Deal, is still more geared towards shock value than quality, but at least there are a few redeeming features.
Why the big deal about Studio 60? Let me take you back in time. Way back in the "old days", there was a little show with a little following. In many cases, this show would have been canceled, but NBC decided to give it time to find an audience, because the president of the network thought that quality should count for something. The title of that series was Hill Street Blues, and it did find an audience and became one of the most appreciated police dramas in television. Want another example? How about a show that focused on the happenings in the White House? It was given time to find its legs, and became another hit. It was a quality show that assumed that the public was smart enough to "get it". That show was, of course, The West Wing, an Aaron Sorkin masterpiece.
Sorkin came back this season with another intelligent series, with witty, quick-moving banter and story lines. Instead of giving it a chance to find its audience, NBC kept pre-empting it with other programs (a special Deal or No Deal??) and making people go weeks between episodes. Is it any wonder that it couldn't find an audience? Now, after no opportunity whatsoever, NBC is pulling the plug.
What does this tell us about network television? It tells us that corporations are running the networks with nothing more than dollar signs in their eyes and no concern about quality. Is it really a surprise that cable networks are killing the free networks? It isn't because they have more money or sponsors. It's because they take a chance on quality. Shows like Monk, Psych, or even Mythbusters wouldn't have a chance on NBC, but are huge hits for USA and Discovery. Frankly, I'm insulted that NBC thinks that my intelligence is lower than theirs. I long for the days when a network president would give quality a chance. I miss West Wing. NBC...you've lost a viewer.
Let's be careful out there.
Why the big deal about Studio 60? Let me take you back in time. Way back in the "old days", there was a little show with a little following. In many cases, this show would have been canceled, but NBC decided to give it time to find an audience, because the president of the network thought that quality should count for something. The title of that series was Hill Street Blues, and it did find an audience and became one of the most appreciated police dramas in television. Want another example? How about a show that focused on the happenings in the White House? It was given time to find its legs, and became another hit. It was a quality show that assumed that the public was smart enough to "get it". That show was, of course, The West Wing, an Aaron Sorkin masterpiece.
Sorkin came back this season with another intelligent series, with witty, quick-moving banter and story lines. Instead of giving it a chance to find its audience, NBC kept pre-empting it with other programs (a special Deal or No Deal??) and making people go weeks between episodes. Is it any wonder that it couldn't find an audience? Now, after no opportunity whatsoever, NBC is pulling the plug.
What does this tell us about network television? It tells us that corporations are running the networks with nothing more than dollar signs in their eyes and no concern about quality. Is it really a surprise that cable networks are killing the free networks? It isn't because they have more money or sponsors. It's because they take a chance on quality. Shows like Monk, Psych, or even Mythbusters wouldn't have a chance on NBC, but are huge hits for USA and Discovery. Frankly, I'm insulted that NBC thinks that my intelligence is lower than theirs. I long for the days when a network president would give quality a chance. I miss West Wing. NBC...you've lost a viewer.
Let's be careful out there.
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
How Stupid Can French Protesters Be?
OK...just a quickie here.
Sarkozy elected president. Claims he will be a president for all of France. Vacations on a billionaire's yacht. Not too bright, but hey, he's the President-elect and won't be recalled for it. Just not a big public relations coup.
My main thing is the protesters. Once again, they start burning cars and clashing with police, calling Sarkozy a facist. (Have they already forgotten what a facist really is? I don't think Sarkozy is looking to put any Jews, Roma, or Jehovah's Witnesses in a death camp.) But on top of it...this:
OK, guys. You're calling someone a fascist and then torching a nursery school??? There are some people in this world that truly qualify as idiots. Congratulations, protesting youths...you are overqualified for the word.
Sarkozy elected president. Claims he will be a president for all of France. Vacations on a billionaire's yacht. Not too bright, but hey, he's the President-elect and won't be recalled for it. Just not a big public relations coup.
My main thing is the protesters. Once again, they start burning cars and clashing with police, calling Sarkozy a facist. (Have they already forgotten what a facist really is? I don't think Sarkozy is looking to put any Jews, Roma, or Jehovah's Witnesses in a death camp.) But on top of it...this:
In Paris, about 150 protesters shouting "Sarko, fascist!" clashed with police in the Bastille district. In the suburbs, youths set fire to a nursery school and torched cars in a garage.
In Lyon, some 200 demonstrators clashed with police, while UMP party offices were set ablaze in the nearby town of Villeurbanne.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6638301.stm
OK, guys. You're calling someone a fascist and then torching a nursery school??? There are some people in this world that truly qualify as idiots. Congratulations, protesting youths...you are overqualified for the word.
Monday, May 07, 2007
France Has Chosen
I just finished listening to the BBC World Report. They had a special edition on the French elections. After hearing the different reactions from the French politicos and people, I have a few thoughts to relate:
1) Nicolas Sarkozy is a driven man. He has wanted the presidency for a long time, and now he has it. There have been some negative comparisons to Napoleon - a short man driven to rule - and feel that while negative, they do have some merit. Not the "short" part, mind you, but the driven part. Even though Napoleon is viewed by many today as a crazy, power-hungry loon, the fact is that Napoleon was largely responsible for the look of Paris today, as well as the Codes that are still used to govern France. Sarkozy is driven, that's for sure. But no one can really say what direction he will ultimately take the country. One of the main problems that he sees in France is the business climate, and he sees that as causing many other problems that are offshoots from that one. He isn't wrong. When a country has high unemployment and bored youth, as well as poor immigrants who can't find work, there are bound to be social and criminal problems. Put people to work, and problems diminish. The only way that will happen is to remove some of the burdens that the Socialist governments have put on business. That's one of Sarkozy's main goals. Will he be able to implement it? That leads to item #2.
2) The Leglislative elections that are coming up are vital for any chance of success for Sarkozy's programs. If the French really wanted Sarkozy to do something, then the people are going to have to follow up the presidential elections with a legislative group that is in favor of change. The problem with France's multi-party system is that it is very difficult for the Assembly to speak with a single voice, or even two voices. The multitude of platforms makes it tough for a leader to get what he needs to implement policy. Sarkozy needs a majority to make it happen.
3) The Socialists still don't get it. Listening to the comments of one of the Socialist leaders, I realize that they don't really see what's happening. They see France as a left-leaning country and Sarkozy as a dangerous villain. But when asked if they need to change, the interviewee stated that they need to examine the reasons for the loss, but just need to find a new candidate with experience. Hello? Are you hearing what the people are telling you? They are tired of eight percent unemployment! They are tired of strikes interfering with their daily lives! The Socialist agenda didn't work. That isn't to say that Sarkozy's agenda will. No human government can ultimately succeed, because humans aren't capable of guiding their own steps, as the Bible tells us. Still, this is three losses in a row for the Socialists. If a dog gets swatted on the nose with a newspaper often enough, he learns not to use the carpeting as his personal toilet. The Socialists have been swatted several times now. They need to stop wetting themselves and take an honest look at their failures.
OK...enough politics. I'm sick of it. This old system keeps proving the Bible's point and that we need the Kingdom to rule. Want more proof? The Dems and Republicans have been debating in the U.S. Watch...learn...gag...
1) Nicolas Sarkozy is a driven man. He has wanted the presidency for a long time, and now he has it. There have been some negative comparisons to Napoleon - a short man driven to rule - and feel that while negative, they do have some merit. Not the "short" part, mind you, but the driven part. Even though Napoleon is viewed by many today as a crazy, power-hungry loon, the fact is that Napoleon was largely responsible for the look of Paris today, as well as the Codes that are still used to govern France. Sarkozy is driven, that's for sure. But no one can really say what direction he will ultimately take the country. One of the main problems that he sees in France is the business climate, and he sees that as causing many other problems that are offshoots from that one. He isn't wrong. When a country has high unemployment and bored youth, as well as poor immigrants who can't find work, there are bound to be social and criminal problems. Put people to work, and problems diminish. The only way that will happen is to remove some of the burdens that the Socialist governments have put on business. That's one of Sarkozy's main goals. Will he be able to implement it? That leads to item #2.
2) The Leglislative elections that are coming up are vital for any chance of success for Sarkozy's programs. If the French really wanted Sarkozy to do something, then the people are going to have to follow up the presidential elections with a legislative group that is in favor of change. The problem with France's multi-party system is that it is very difficult for the Assembly to speak with a single voice, or even two voices. The multitude of platforms makes it tough for a leader to get what he needs to implement policy. Sarkozy needs a majority to make it happen.
3) The Socialists still don't get it. Listening to the comments of one of the Socialist leaders, I realize that they don't really see what's happening. They see France as a left-leaning country and Sarkozy as a dangerous villain. But when asked if they need to change, the interviewee stated that they need to examine the reasons for the loss, but just need to find a new candidate with experience. Hello? Are you hearing what the people are telling you? They are tired of eight percent unemployment! They are tired of strikes interfering with their daily lives! The Socialist agenda didn't work. That isn't to say that Sarkozy's agenda will. No human government can ultimately succeed, because humans aren't capable of guiding their own steps, as the Bible tells us. Still, this is three losses in a row for the Socialists. If a dog gets swatted on the nose with a newspaper often enough, he learns not to use the carpeting as his personal toilet. The Socialists have been swatted several times now. They need to stop wetting themselves and take an honest look at their failures.
OK...enough politics. I'm sick of it. This old system keeps proving the Bible's point and that we need the Kingdom to rule. Want more proof? The Dems and Republicans have been debating in the U.S. Watch...learn...gag...
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