What a fucking day. Item: Congress has tentatively agreed on a bill that will keep the government from shutting down. Now, there’s a lot wrong with it, starting with the fact that the Republicans are insisting on a huge payoff to Wall Street, basically holding the best interests of the people hostage to the best interests of the insanely rich. The smart money
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A few days ago there was another dust-up between US Men’s National Team manager Jurgen Klinsmann and MLS Commissioner Don Garber. In the aftermath we’ve heard analysis upon analysis, take after take, all trying to sort things like why can’t we all get along and why does Jurgy hate America?
Read moreReach out and touch me now Aphrodite said You aren’t the only one with armies in your head I guess I take the Adrian Peterson story personally, for reasons I wrote about back in 2011. To this day I remember the pain that was inflicted on me by those I loved, and who loved me. Pain inflicted because they loved me, so
Read moreI rarely criticize people for overthinking. I mean, this is #Merica. How often do I get a chance? This nation has its problems, but we’re not prone to overthinking. Still, every once in a while we do wander further down the rabbit hole than is necessary. Take this whole fire Roger Goodell thing. Should he be fired because he lied?
Read moreI’m not sure what to make of this latest development. I’m perfectly capable of believing that Roger Goodell saw the infamous video of Ray Rice KOing his then-fiancee Janay – in fact, I may be leaning that way – but that doesn’t mean that I automatically buy any claim that supports the opinion. In this case: Go in fear of
Read moreTwo decades ago the WaPo condemned the use of “Redskins.” A generation later, by god they’re doing something about it. Sorta. Way back in 1992 the Washington Post concluded that “the time-hallowed name bestowed upon the local National Football League champions — the Redskins — is really pretty offensive.” (Emphasis mine.) A rough estimate based on occurrences of “redskin” in a WaPo
Read moreWhen he goes to bed tonight, Tony Dungy should offer a prayer of thanks that the US isn’t at the mercy of people like him. Tony Dungy wouldn’t have drafted Michael Sam. But not because he’s gay! No, no. Because things will happen. You know … things. Three thoughts. 1: Look! Look! See, Michael Sam is on TV being interviewed about
Read moreWoods is instinctively a predator, on the course and off, and it’s not clear that a kinder, gentler Tiger has the mental edge needed to win. It’s Thanksgiving Day, 2009. Tiger Woods is happily married, he’s everybody’s favorite golfer, and he owns 14 major golf championships. It is pretty much assumed that at some point in the coming few years he
Read moreWorld Cup 2014 was a great one. But what does the future hold? Copa Mundial 2014 was a wonderful tournament, despite the bad officiating, diving and cannibalism. We saw the emergence of new stars (what do you mean it’s pronounced “Hahm-es”?), brilliant swan songs by old stars (here’s to you Miroslav Klose), dramatic overachieving (hail Ticos!), epic flame-outs (remember back in
Read moreWorld Cup 2014 is in the books. Congratulations to Die Mannschaft, and also to Argentina for a fantastic effort. It was a tournament for the ages. 11 stray observations, in no particular order. 1: While the political and economic controversies surrounding this tournament were driven by very real concerns, the tournament itself was marvelous. I’m not one who can easily compartmentalize when
Read moreMuch respect to King James. Wade is done and he’s taking Miami down with him. Bosh lashes himself to the mast of a sinking ship. And Melo is who we thought he was. Discuss. The major elements of this year’s NBA free agency season – LeBron, Carmelo, Bosh and Wade – are now settled, or soon will be. A few
Read moreDick Monfort slips up and inadvertently offers fans some great advice. I’ve been hammering the Colorado Rockies for a decade now, and for good reason. Years and years of clueless ownership and management were bad enough, and then we found out about the Jesus Mandate. Now we have a fun new episode to consider. Some poor schmuck of a fan
Read moreTim Howard put on an epic display, but the last-minute heroics fell short in a 2-1 loss. It was tense. It was gut-wrenching. And in the end, heartbreaking. The US team believed. Its fans believed. And now we have to find a way to feel pride when we thought we could go further. 12 thoughts, in no particular order. 1: Timmeh.
Read moreThe round of 16 features at least nine surprises. Who has outperformed expectations? Who swallowed their tongues? The group stage of World Cup 2014 is done and we have our entrants in the round of 16, which commences tomorrow. As always there have been surprises, so let’s have a look at the teams who have performed contrary to our expectations.
Read moreIt wasn’t pretty, but the Yanks advance. What next? Also, the ghost of Landon Donovan. The US Men’s team lost to Germany today, but thanks to Portugal’s win over Ghana the Americans advance anyway. 10 stray thoughts, in no particular order. 1: The pervasive emotion is relief, not elation. Thanks to its last-minute collapse against the Portuguese this was tense until the final whistle for
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lullaby pit 