I’ve often wondered which is more important to the average American sports lover…their favorite team(s) or their jobs, friends, and family. As an avid sports fan, I can honestly say that up until very recently, I had no idea just how "out of whack" my priorities were. But it wasn’t necessarily anything I did. It was something someone else made me aware of through a random email.
Unless you just don’t know me that well, or unless you are blind (no pun intended) and can’t see my avatar, then I’ll just go ahead and tell you that I’m the biggest UNC fan on the planet. I make no bones about that fact. There are games I can watch with others. However, there are other games I just need to be alone to watch. And admittedly, UNC is probably the most televised college basketball team of all time. So it’s not like I’m deprived of Tar Heel air time, that’s for sure. Knowing this about me, then you must also know that I’m an avid Duke (dook) hater. After all, I am a Tar Heel fan. But it wasn’t until I received a random email from a Duke fan, that I began to see just how warped some of our priorities really are.
I rarely blog or even comment on this site anymore. But I did happen upon a blog that brought up the subject of Duke, and how many believe they are a fallen dynasty. So naturally, I chimed in and agreed, and threw in my two cents about how I "really" felt about the dookies. Little did I know that I would be summoned by a dookie via personal email.
Here is the quote taken directly from that email:
"I used to like the Tarheels. But due to many #### fans like you, who put down Duke by calling them "Dook" and "Puke," I have been a stalwart Duke fan for years. I have never met more #### and "no class" fans than the Tarheels. I mean, they are always denigrating Duke.Anyway, maybe you should take coach Roy's job. Frankly, he is one Tarheel who has "class"; so maybe you should take his job and complete the "no class" package."
Now, of course, anyone who reads this can see that this is nothing more than the pot calling the kettle black. And I’ve got no problem "debating" UNC and dook basketball. However, in the following days it became very evident that this guy had lost his marbles.
Apparently, he is in the process of writing a book about hatred for dook basketball. Now, I may not be a smart man, but when you become infatuated with what others think about a sports team, then I can only assume that family, work, and friends may be in for a long road. I have no idea who this guy is. I can tell you that he says he is a teacher….which I find either really scary, or highly unlikely. But the amount of personal hatred he has thrown out to UNC fans via myself, has been frightening, and apparently undetectable by him. We had several emails that went back and forth. But the more we emailed, the more I began to realize that this man was so infatuated with hatred for dook basketball, that he failed to see how it had taken over his life.
I finally just told him that enough was enough. I pointed out that he had started the whole fiasco by personally attacking me, someone he had never met, nor knew anything about. He is still in denial about this fact. And apparently he is still working on his book.
How far do we take our love for our teams? Should it be taken to the point that we personally attack those who show a disdain for "our" team. Should it be taken to the point that we take valuable time away from what’s really important in life? Should we really care about those who "hate" our teams? I sure as heck don’t care. And I sure as heck aint gonna write no book about it!!
Whew...what a night!! I don't know that I've ever been in a more electric atmosphere as I experienced in the Dean Dome last night. Yes, they were upper level corner seats. But I would have settled for the last row touchdown seats for last night's game. Unfortunately the last three games I've seen in person at the DD, our Heels have come away with losses. And to make matters even worse, all three losses were to the two teams I hate the worst...dook and UK. So as you can see, I don't get the opportunity to see my Heels in person very often, but when I do, I seem to bring some tough luck with me. So I apologize to all of my Heels fans out there. As much as I hate to say this, I think I'll stay away from the DD in these big games.
Now, on to the topic at hand. I was a bit perplexed at last night's effort from the Heels. Duke took 29 three pointers in that game. And I don't remember a single one of those three's NOT being wide open. I know this has been an ongoing debacle of sorts now for several years in Chapel Hill...."how to do a better job of guarding against the three's?" And much to my discernment, things appear to have slid even further into the abyss. We can blame the players for not getting around the screens. Heck, we can even blame the players for setting themselves up for the screens if that be the case. But I have been giving this a lot of thought. And I think I've come up with an analysis of this situation that most, if not all, UNCfans are not going to like.
I saw in the post game quotes from Roy where he was calling out Wayne for not hitting shots in game time situations. He said something along the lines of, "we have to be able to hit our shots during the game, not just in practice. If we can't do that, maybe we're not as gooda shooters as we thought we were." I'll have a link posted for his actual quote later. But I'm thinking that Roy just may need to heed his own advice. If he thinks his players are not quite as good as they think they are, and if he thinks that the effort just isn't there at times, then maybe, just maybe he needs to take a long hard look in the mirror.
We were beaten by a team that made some nifty "game time" adjustments. Roy is NOT a coach who seems to be able to make these "game time" adjustments. What we do hear from him is that he doesn't like the zone defense. But it's not just that he doesn't like it, he says he's not good at teaching it. What? Did I just read that correctly? So because you don't like the zone, and you don't like teaching the zone, you're just not going to teach it? Now, I may not be a smart man. But to me, that sounds like a lack of effort. It sounds like stubborness. And it sounds unfair to his players. Now, I'm not saying that a zone defense would have won the game for us last night. And they might still have had 29 open looks at three's. However, aside from a few half court traps last night, and a little full court pressure when the game was on the line, Roy made NO adjustments in that game. He didn't give his team a chance. And why?...because he doesn't want to put forth the effort to teach a defense that, not only would give our players a chance to breath a little, but would also throw a #### wrench in the game plan of the opposing team.
Roy, you're a obviously a good man. You're the best recruiter in college basketball. Your players graduate. And you run a squeaky clean program that is second to none. Now, if you will just put forth a little more effort in teaching something you don't like, you may just have the opportunity to become the greatest COACH of all time. Give your boys a chance Roy. Give them the effort they deserve, and you just may get it in return!!
The Appalachian State University Mountaineers completed a dream season on Friday night by defeating the Delaware Blue Hens for the Division I-AA National Championship. The win completed a “3-peat” for ASU (third straight National Championship) and, in the hearts of the AppState faithful, validated a win against Michigan in the “Big House” in their first game of the 2007 season. And in an ironic twist, the Delaware uniforms were replicas of Michigan’s uniforms.
In a year where the BCS was turned upside down by a two loss team reaching the BCS title game, the Appstate Mountaineers continued to dominate Div I-AA. However, their domination didn’t become apparent until their playmaker, quarterback Armanti Edwards returned from a shoulder injury suffered in their historic win over Michigan. After a couple of close calls in the first couple of rounds in the playoffs, AppState totally dominated the Richmond Spiders in the semi finals and Delaware in the Championship game. They outscored their last two opponents 104-56 to solidify their domination of Div I-AA Football.
There will be arguments made as to whether AppState deserves to be considered for a final ranking in the top 25 of the Div-I polls. After all, they received votes in the week two AP rankings after their win over Michigan. And it would be hard to argue that they don’t deserve a consideration for a final ranking in the top 25. However, with two losses during the regular season, one to Wofford and one to Georgia Southern, it isn’t likely that consideration will become a reality. And so this crazy college football season will likely end with AppState right back where they were before the season began…..a no name school from the mountains of North Carolina still trying to put itself on the map of big time college football.
I’m not foolish enough to believe that Appalachian State would be a Big Ten contender, simply by winning an opening season game against a #5 Michigan Wolverine team that was supposed to be a national title contender. And I can honestly say that if they were to play Michigan 10 times with this year’s roster, Michigan would likely win eight of those games. However, that’s what logic tells me and anyone else who follows big time college football. The only problem is, the heart knows no logic. And for one shining season, the Appalachian State Mountaineers took the Div I-AA Championship with talent….and took the heart and soul out of a Division I –A national title contender with heart.
(I would like to congratulate the Delaware Blue Hens with a classy game. I am personally embarrassed by the actions of some of the AppState fans and even some of the players. Delaware showed nothing but class. Head Coach K.C. Keeler is a class act and a great coach. Delaware should be proud.)
Yes, is the answer to that popular question. Here's why justice was served...
1. Michael Vick broke the law, plain and simple.
2. Michael Vick was given the opportunity, initially, to confess his guilt. He declined..and instead pleaded innocent to all charges.
3. Michael Vick agreed to take a lie detector test. He failed.
4. Michael Vick, only after failing the lie detector test, confessed that he was indeed guilty of running the dog fighting ring and guilty of torturing and killing dogs that didn't perform up to "standard".
5. As part of the plea agreement, Michael Vick was required to stay clean of drugs. He failed a drug test after the plea.
There are those who say he was unfairly sentenced. Some believe there are those who commit far worse crimes who are set free or who have to spend less time in prison. One example is Mary Winkler (the preacher's wife) who murdered her husband. She will spend less than a year behind bars.
My question is...where is your "real" beef? Is it with the judge who sentenced Mikey V to 23 months (less than 40% of what he could have gotten)...or is it with those judges who don't serve justice by wussing out on sentences and allowing criminals to walk free...which leads me to number 6 in my reasons why justice was served.
6. Henry Hudson was known for his harsh sentences. This was no surprise.
My advise to those who have problems with Mikey V's sentence is to take it up with the judges you actually have the issues with...the one's who wouldn't know justice if it were to bite them in the toosh!!
It seems that we have those who can't make up their minds. They complain about the O.J. trial being an injustice...and that he should have spent the rest of his life in prison. But those very same people also complain when justice is actually served, as in the case of Mikey V....that it was too harsh. So which way is it folks?
I’ve often wondered if the stigma that surrounds the New York Yankees has more to do with its history or with its owner, George Steinbrenner. Honestly, how many professional team owners have the ability to overshadow their team, even if they have 26 World Championships. It seems as though Steinbrenner may have done such a good job of overshadowing his team, that he single handedly "managed" his team to an early exit in this year’s playoffs. I wonder if the Yankees players felt any extra pressure to "win one for the skipper?" And I also wonder if Joe Torre felt any extra pressure, knowing his "Boss" had just gave him an ultimatum; either win the Series, or find another job.
New York fans have had more than just a baseball team to cheer for over the years. They’ve had the longest running soap opera in history. Who can ever forget the Babe Ruth "call", as he pointed to the sky, and promptly sent the next pitch into orbit. And who can ever forget the homerun chase between Micky Mantle and Roger Maris, which was ultimately won by the underdog Maris. The Yankee fans still weren’t happy.
Now it’s 1973. CBS, who owns the Yanks is selling to a couple of business gurus. Enter George Steinbrenner. This was the beginning of one of the most notorious love/hate relationships in professional sports. Who can ever forget the ongoing soap opera between Steinbrenner and Billy Martin. Billy Martin was either fired, or he resigned, on five different occasions under Steinbrenner. In 1990, George was banned from baseball "for life" following a gambling allegation. This came as a pleasant surprise to Yankee fans, who hadn’t seen a competitive Yankee team in almost a decade. However, after only three years, he was reinstated under the condition that he would allow the Yankees farm system to work for them, rather than trading away younger talent for overly expensive veterans. In 1995, that young talent, got the Yanks to the playoffs for the first time in many years. That began a string of four World Championships and 13 straight trips to the playoffs, all under the direction of Joe Torre.
So you can imagine what Joe Torre must have felt when he "heard" that George Steinbrenner had told the media that the Yanks needed to win the World Series in order for him to keep his job. But that wasn’t enough. Instead of firing Torre after their loss to the Indians, Steinbrenner decided to make Joe a one year offer, which would reduce his salary by more than $2,000,000. Yes, you heard me correctly. Rather than "man up" and just fire Torre, George decided to insult him by offering him something he knew he would reject. This is the thanks Joe Torre gets for bringing the Yankees from the depths and making them the most feared and successful team in baseball.
There are those who are just classless, and there are those who are just cowards. Well, George, you’ve managed to show us you can be both. And in the words of Kevin Costner in his film "For Love Of The Game", "I can’t think of a better reason not to be a Yankee!" You got that right Kevin. Thanks George, you’ve just reminded us how truly messed up professional sports is today. Who will you jerk around next, COWARD!!!
I know I know.....haven't we heard enough about Mikey V and the dogfighting? Well, it appears as though one prominent actress isn't quite finished "expressing her opinion" on the matter. While a guest on "The View" yesterday, Whoopi Goldberg stated her support for Vick by saying, "He's from the South, from the Deep South ... This is part of his cultural upbringing,".....ARE YOU SERIOUS!!! She also said, "For a lot of people, dogs are sport," Goldberg said on the show. "Instead of just saying (Vick) is a beast and he's a monster, this is a kid who comes from a culture where this is not questioned."
There is a little known town, nestled in the northwest mountains of North Carolina, that has become a household name over the past three days. Boone, North Carolina is home to those “upstarts” we all know as the Appalachian State University Mountaineers. And on Saturday, it was home to a few thousand students, who instead of taking the Labor Day Weekend trek home, decided to stay in Boone and cheer for their beloved Mountaineers. Little did anyone know that history was about to be made.
For anyone who lives outside the “Tri-State” area of North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia, the words “Appalachian State” mean nothing. It is a school with around 13,000 students that most like to label a “suitcase school”. Most students, unless they are athletes, are close enough to home that they can travel home during just about any weekend they choose. For me, it was literally a 30 minute trek up the mountain. So you could literally say that Appalachian State was my “home school”.
Football has always been “the sport” at App State. During the mid 90’s, they began asserting themselves as a top Division 1-AA threat for the National Championship. But it always seemed that the Championship game was illusive, in an almost taunting sort of way. Very little is known about their football program, simply because the only Division 1-A school that seemed to be willing to play App State on an annual basis was Wake Forest. And we all know, up until last year, that Wake has never been a football power. We always looked forward to that game as ASU fans…because more often than not, we seemed to come away with the win. But in recent years, Wake Forest has shown no interest in playing App State, probably because of the damage losing to them would do their egos and to their program.
So in recent years App State has played such foes as Auburn, LSU, NC State, and this year Michigan. Two years ago, they gave a LSU, a National Championship contender, all they could handle in Baton Rouge. Although the score showed 24-0, most of those points came late, and the stats showed that the game was very close. Last year, they played NC State very tough, and should have come away with a victory. But it was not to be. So after two years of hard luck and losing games to the “big boys”, it was their turn to take it a step further, and try their luck with a perennial national power, Michigan.
Keep in mind that Kidd Brewer Stadium, where App plays their home games, holds a measly 17,000 spectators at full capacity. So when the opportunity came to play in the “Big House”, it was too hard to pass up. They would leave their cozy little home in the North Carolina mountains, and voyage to a place that most high school football players could only dream of playing their college careers.
Most football experts, and fans alike, seemed to believe that the game this past Saturday would be a blowout. Press releases from all around the country talked about the “meaning” of playing a Division 1-AA team. Most believed this was nothing more than a “tune up” for Michigan. There were some who stated that Michigan only hoped to play Henne for no more than two quarters, or at least until Michigan had had time to “build a sizeable lead”. Reporters were tauting the receiver corps for the Wolverines, and wrote of limited playing time for them also. Michigan students and fans alike had no idea who this App State team was…or where they were from. They only knew it was supposed to be blowout city for the Wolverines and company.
Appalachian State has little to show for their football program. Players like Dexter Coakley and Matt Stevens have been lucky enough to make it to the NFL. But there has only been a select few to represent App State in the NFL over the years. So how could it be that this little school with this “suitcase” mentality could ever dream of playing a perennial national contendor in “their” house and dream they could come away with a win?
Michigan was supposed to win this game 55-0. Michigan was supposed to use this game as a “tune up” for bigger games. Michigan was supposed to intimidate this little team from nowhere. The only problem is, someone forgot to tell that to the App State Mountaineers. Someone forgot to tell Michigan that they were playing a team who had only lost 4 of their previous 30 games. Someone forgot to tell Michigan that there is more to football than talent, size, and ability. Someone forgot to tell them that they needed heart to beat this upstart team of “nobody’s”.
If you want to see the biggest and hear the biggest heart in college football, please feel free to come to the mountains of North Carolina where the clouds bleed black and yellow. But don’t forget to bring your radios and “in car televisions”. Because finding a way into this little 17,000 seat football stadium may be the hardest ticket you’ll ever find.
By the way, I’m more than just a fan of App State. I’m also a graduate.
Really? Is anyone surprised that the NAACP is just now getting involved? I think everyone needs to read this article from CNN. If you're not as appalled by what Mr. White had to say in this article than I am...then I give up.
"White also said he didn't understand the uproar over dogfighting, when hunting deer and other animals is perfectly acceptable."
UNBELIEVABLE!!!
If you agree with Mr. White, I'm saddened by your obvious bias. If you cannot see the difference in torturing dogs and hunting deer, you need to be examined for a loose lugnut, Mr. White included. Not to mention the fact that Mr. White feels that Vick should not be treated any different than any other NFL player who has made mistakes. Didn't I read somewhere where Vick lied to Mr. Goodell, the Falcons, and to a judge when he pleaded "not guilty"? How is that not perjury, by the way? That's about all I got to say about that.
I must preclude this post by saying the first four paragraphs, and the last paragraphs are my own. The "Star Spangled Banner" and the supporting paragraphs in between are not to my credit. I received that content in an email from a great friend of mine. If you would like that email, please feel free to leave your email address in your comments here, or email me at mattfaw@gmail.com. Thanks.
The playing of the Star Spangled Banner has long been a tradition at our American sporting events. It is one of the few songs that bonds all Americans who cherish our freedom here in this great land. We look forward to standing in unison, before our major sporting events, and singing along to those words that represent our freedoms and our culture. It is one of the few times where Americans come together in mass, no matter what political party we are associated with, and agree in unison to sing the song that represents our great nation.
In recent times, we have been confronted with issues in this country, regarding "God" being used in our schools and in our public venues. As a young boy growing up in North Carolina, we would stand in our classroom and recite the Pledge of Allegiance "one nation, under God" with no hesitation. Songs such as "God Bless America" were sang at gatherings. No one complained, and if anyone didn't want to join in the "festivities", they weren't persecuted. Prayers were offered before high school games by a local minister. No one kicked you out of the stadium if you decided not to join in the prayer, and you lived to see another day. Well, it appears as though those days are over.
Our country is being picked apart by special interest groups who have taken their individualistic views and desires straight to the top. It is becoming a nation where our Constitution is being twisted and turned into nothing more than a "I have rites" document. Don't get me wrong, this country was set up in such a way that the intentions were to do away with religious persecution. Our country is now a melting pot for all of the world's major religions. However, it has also become a melting pot for the minorities. And I'm not talking about race. I'm talking about ideals and lifestyles. Unfortunately, we are headed in a direction that is seeing the minority rule, as opposed to the majority. Our legal system has been abused in such a way, that it makes it almost impossible for the majority to rule in many cases.
This leads me to the idea behind my post. Our National Anthem actually has four verses to it. Although all we hear is the first verse, which doesn't mention God, God is mentioned in other verses. When Francis Scott Key wrote these great words to this great song, he was watching on as the British Navy was bombarding Fort McHenry. In the distance, Francis Scott Key could see the American Flag flying over the fort. His song describes the bombardment, and the subsequent results. Here are the words to this great song....
" Oh say, can you see, by the dawn's early light, What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming? Whose broad stripes and bright stars,through the perilous fight, O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming? And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air , Gave proof thro' the night that our flag was still there. Oh! say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave, O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
(Ramparts, in case you don't know, are the protective walls or other elevations that surround a fort.) The first stanza asks a question. The second gives an answer:
On the shore, dimly seen thro' the mist of the deep Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes, What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep. As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses? Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam, In full glory reflected, now shines on the stream Tis the star-spangled banner. Oh! long may it wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
"The towering steep" is again, the ramparts. The bombardment has failed, and the British can do nothing more but sail away, their mission a failure. In the third stanza I feel Key allows himself to gloat over the American triumph. In the aftermath of the bombardment, Key probably was in no mood to act otherwise? During World War I when the British were our staunchest allies, this third stanza was not sung. However, I know it, so here it is:
And where is that band who so vauntingly swore That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion A home and a country should leave us no more? Their blood has washed out their foul footstep's pollution. No refuge could save the hireling and slave From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave, And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
(The fourth stanza, a pious hope for the future, should be sung more slowly than the other three and with even deeper feeling):
Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand Between their loved homes and the war's desolation, Blest with victory and peace, may the Heaven - rescued land Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation. Then conquer we must, for our cause is just, And this be our motto --"In God is our trust." And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
I hope you will look at the national anthem with new eyes. Listen to it, the next time you have a chance, with new ears. Pay attention to the words. And don't let them ever take it away ... not even one word of it.
And oh yeah, if you don't want to be around when it is played, show up a few minutes late to the game, or wear your headphones. And no, the majority should not be the one's wearing the headphones...after all, this country is set up to be ruledby the majority...right?
As I was driving home from a weekend of reserve duty at Camp Lejeune, NC, I had about five hours to reflect on my life, and the events that have shaped it over the past 15 years. Life is a complicated thing. From the time we enter this world, to the time we leave it, we are nothing but pawns in a chess game called life. In fact, when you really sit back and think about your life, it is actually one gigantic illusion. The present slips away in the blink of an eye, quickly becoming the past. The only thing we have to hold on to are our memories of those moments.
With this in mind, I felt it necessary to post a blog that might just give us some of those old memories to ponder. And what better memories do we have here on the Fox Blogs...than those of sports. I will be looking specifically at the years between 1993 and 1996…as those years will lead into the message of my blog. However, don’t be surprised if I don’t throw some actual life experiences in there along with the sports.
1993 was quite a year in my life. As a teenager, I had attended a church camp on the coast of North Carolina during our summers off from school. It had been my dream to one day be a “staffer” at this camp. After all, those staffers were my heroes during those years. Well, after applying in the spring of 93 for a summer job at this camp, I was accepted…yee haw!!!! My Tar Heels had just won the NCAA Basketball National Championship, and Davey Allison was burning up NASCAR as an up and coming driver. Little did we know that he would end up leaving us all too soon when his helicopter crashed that summer….and we may very well have lost one of the greatest NASCAR drivers of all time, if he only would have had the chance!! With this being said, that was the best summer of my life…as you will see later.
1994 brought another summer as a “staffer”…and who could ever forget the OJ Simpson saga!!!! Although we wouldn’t learn for another year what his fate would be, we all were left bewildered and appalled at what he had likely done. Baseball ended early that summer, as the players went on strike. Jeff Bagwell was on his way to a possible triple crown, until the almighty dollar reared its ugly head!!!
1995 brought, you guessed it, another summer as a “staffer”. Although it was a slightly shortened season, due to the strike, my Atlanta Braves won their one and only World Series that fall. And I can’t mention 1995 without remembering those who lost their lives in the Oklahoma City bombings. And we will never forget the heroes who likely saved as many as died.
1996…yes…okay, one last summer as a “staffer”. And who will ever forget Kerri Strug’s heroics on the U.S. Women’s Gymnastics team that took home the team gold. She had sprained her ankle earlier in the competition, and yet was able to suffer through the pain, and pull off a miracle for U.S. again!!! On a downer, however, my North Wilkesboro Speedway would lose its races after 1996. It still sits there empty…with the ghosts of the past still being heard from time to time…if the wind is blowing just right!!
From there I would go on to get a Master’s Degree at Campbell University. I would then join the military during its most turbulent times in over 30 years. I would see two combat tours and lose three of my buddies in the process.
This all leads me back to 1993. As I sat at the gate of the camp where I was working, I can remember feeling the warm coastal breeze in my face. I remember a car pulling up to the gate, with a man and his wife, both in their 30’s, wanting to make a round through the camp. He was a former “staffer”, who had worked there during the early 80’s. He said to me, “you better make the most of these days, for they will be the best of your life…and they will pass quickly.” And of course, being the cocky 20 year old that I was, I thought to myself….” Whatever dude…these days will last forever…and I will stay young forever!” That was 14 years ago…and I’m now 34.
Next weekend, two of my old buddies and I will be taking a road trip to visit this old church camp. They were two of my closest “staffer” buddies during those years. We have since gone our separate ways, each of us choosing our own paths. However, we have remained close over the years…and I can honestly call them my brothers. I’m very excited about seeing this place again….which has a strong nostalgic pull. And yet I find myself equally as excited about what the next 15 years will bring in my life.
Sports is something that keeps us young. It keeps us close. And as heroes grow older, and eventually fade, young heroes will simply take their place, and keep sports on the tips of our tongues, and at our fingertips. Keep blogging my brothers and sisters. And remember, the NOW is already gone!!!
Wanna see where this investigation is headed? Wanna see more evidence of Mikey's involvement in the dog fighting business? And coming soon, if justice is served, you're gonna see Mikey V with his b-hole puckered up the size of a pin head. And I hope it will turn the dog fighting world UPSIDE DOWN!!!! I honestly pray that justice is served.
Here's to you Mikey!!! Click on the link below....
Not!!!! The past few years have been filled with scandals and unruly athletes in the world of sports. Whether it be the BALCO scandal and Barry Bonds, or the Ohio state penitentiary we like to call…the Cincinnati Bengals, the headlines of newspapers and all other media outlets have littered our heads with negativity. In most cases, there is a common theme…."I didn’t do it" or "It wasn’t my fault". In recent days there have been articles written about the crowds these athletes choose to run with. In the case of Michael Vick, there are those who believe he is a victim of his surrounding cast. Read here to see my point:
In the case of Pac Man Jones we have the same. Well, I propose this….
Why is it up to a multi-millionaire to "choose" his running crowd? Could it be that others have chosen them? Could it be that maybe Michael Vick and Pac Man Jones are actually the "bad influencers?" Could it be THEY are the bad apples and that Mickie V and Jones are the one’s bringing others down with them?
Why is it always someone else’s fault? I suspect that the crowds athletes choose to hang with are in all essence recluses. They suddenly "become friendly" to those with money. Why do those involved with dog fighting need Mike Vick? Why does Mike Vick need those who are involved in dog fighting? Why do strippers and strip bar frequenters need Pac Man Jones? Why does he need them? Common sense would tell me that others need these two more than they need them. They have money…and most of all they have INFLUENCE!!!!
So again, I ask, who are the influencers and who are the influenced? Common sense tells me that professional athletes have no one to blame but themselves. In fact, if anything, their "running crowd" can most likely blame them for much of their problems. So please…for crying out loud…STOP BLAMING OTHERS!!!!
NOT!!!! As many have already written in blogs here on the FoxBlogs, Michael Vick’s supposed association with dog fighting has created much attention over the past few weeks. As if Vick needed any extra attention, he has been accused of being involved with dog fighting. His involvement has yet to be determined, though there have been reports from some of his associates that he has been seen at dog fights in the past. But what is even more disturbing than these accusations, is that there have been NFL players who have actually come to Vick’s defense. As you have read on several FoxBlogs, Clinton Portis has been quoted as saying, "I don't know if he was fighting dogs or not, but it's his property, it's his dog.” He also said, "If that's what he wants to do, do it. I think people should mind their business." Well, Mr. Portis, let’s look at some of the facts that surround dog fighting.
Dog fighting is a money making machine. It is basically an underground outfit that makes its money by pitting two dogs against one another in a violent clash that often leads to death…and always leads to injury. These dogs live through this torture through most of their lives. If they are not killed while fighting, they often die from infections and internal injuries sustained from the fights. In other words, they die a slow and painful death. These dog fights are also common venues for drug distribution and usage. In fact, it is a common venue for gangs and “mafia” like organizations who thrive on drugs and violence. Dog fighting is a felony in most states, and is illegal in all states. It is the most violent and ridiculous of all animal abuses. Much of their training is done on cats and other small domesticated animals, who are unfortunate enough to be listed in the local newspaper as “needing a good home”. So the abuse from dog fighting isn’t limited to dogs. I don’t think I need to elaborate any further on the facts of dog fighting.
With this being said, I am challenging all bloggers who have supported Michael Vick and his fellow NFL supporters to explain to the sane world how exactly it is “okay” for Vick or any other person to be involved in the vicious and inhumane sport of dog fighting. Have we really gotten to the point in American where our professional athletes are pardoned for what would be a felony in most states? Now, with this being said, Vick hasn’t been convicted of anything. However, as friends and others come to the forefront of this investigation, with incriminating evidence that supports the accusation that Vick does, in fact, have his grubby little hands in this absurd sport, it is becoming more evident to the law of public opinion that he is guilty. And for those of you who support his actions, and anyone who is involved in this so called sport, I hope you have a mirror you can look into on a daily basis, and truthfully call yourself a decent human being. If you do, you are a fool, and someone who needs to be psychologically evaluated. GET HELP SOON!!!
As for Michael Vick, he was recently asked by an ESPN reporter about what this will do for his career. Vick simply stated that he had enough support from around the nation that this wouldn’t hurt him. He was also asked if he feels that he will be convicted of being involved with dog fighting. His heart felt answer was, “no comment”. If Michael’s brain activity matched his physical abilities, he might be able to complete a sentence that is understandable to the general public. And Mike may be able to understand right from wrong. Up to this point, that part of the brain has yet to develop. Good luck Mike!! And I assure you that what your money will get you out of in this life, will not escape you in the next!!!
Well, it's no secret that the Yankees have done it again. As if a payroll of 195 million underachievers wasn't enough, George Steinbrenner has reached deeper into his wallet to try and save face, once again, by signing Roger Clemens. Now I'm not saying I wouldn't spend the same money if I were in the same situation. If George is willing to pay the extra tax for going above the league maximum, then there isn't much anyone can say. But as smart of a business man as George appears to be on the outside, I have to wonder about his decisions in the office. But that's another blog for another time.
Roger Clemens, love him or hate him, is one of the greatest pitchers of all time. With a career record of 348 wins and 178 losses, and an ERA of 3.10, he could also be included in conversations of "the best pitcher of all time". However, in the era of free agency and self indulgence, Clemens has just catapulted himself to the top. It is fairly common for professional athletes to "hold out" for more money and more lucrative contracts. However, how many athletes of any era have been able to dictate, not only who they play for, but when they play for them? Roger evidently feels as if he doesn't need spring training. I find it ironic that Roger always makes his decisions in May, in order to bypass having to work out with whichever team he deems worthy of his presence....and obviously a team that can afford to pay him 4.5 million a month.
This leads me to my next subject. If you don't believe that Roger is an ego maniac, then listen to his announcement that he has decided to "help" the Yankees in their quest for the playoffs. His announcement was made in the seventh inning of the Yankees game with Seattle Sunday. Not only was the announcement made, but it was made by Roger himself. Roger's not too egotistical is he? As Kevin Costner said in "For Love of The Game", "I can't think of a better reason not to be a Yankee!" And I can't think of a better reason to hate the damn Yankees!!
In the wake of my latest post, depicting the outrageous actions of those who have entered our country illegally, but then turn around and have the audacity to demand rights from it, I felt it appropriate to post an email I received from a friend of mine yesterday. Granted, I can't proove that this email is authentic, because I cannot verify that it has not been tampered with.
However, aside from the numbers and sources used, it is still worth noting that there is growing concerns from our CITIZENS, here in our great land, of our own government's inability to contain a very real issue that is, and will continue to plague our younger generations until it is contained.
It is time we opened our eyes to reality!!! Let frenzy #2 begin...
If this doesn't open your eyes... Nothing will!
From the L. A. Times
1. 40% of all workers in L.A.County (L.A.County has 10.2 million people) are working for cash and not paying taxes.
This was because they are predominantly illegal immigrants, working without a green card.
2. 95% of warrants for murder in Los Angeles are for illegal aliens.
3. 75% of people on the most wanted list in Los Angeles are illegal aliens.
4. Over 2/3 of all births in Los Angeles County are to illegal alien Mexicans on Medi-Cal, whose births were paid for by taxpayers.
5. Nearly 25% of all inmates in California detention centers are Mexican nationals here illegally.
6. Over 300,000 illegal aliens in Los AngelesCounty are living in garages.
7. The FBI reports half of all gang membersin Los Angeles are most likely illegal aliens from south of the border.
8. Nearly 60% of all occupants of HUD properties are illegal.
9. 21 radio stations in L. A. Are Spanish speaking.
10. In L.A.County 5.1 million people speak English. 3.9 million speak Spanish. (There are 10.2 million people in L.A.County)..
(All the above from the Los Angeles Times)
Less than 2% of illegal aliens are picking our crops, but29% are on welfare.
Over 70% of the United States ' annual population growth (and over 90% of California , Florida , and New York ) results from immigration.
The cost of immigration to the American taxpayer in 1997 was, (after subtracting taxes immigrants pay), a NET $70 BILLION/ year, [Professor Donald Huddle, RiceUniversity ].
The lifetime fiscal impact (taxes paid minus services used) for the average adult Mexican immigrant is a NEGATIVE Number.
29% of inmates in federal prisons are illegal aliens If they can come to this country to raise Hell and demonstrate by the thousands, WHY can't they take charge over the corruption in their own country?
