Here's what's in NBA commissioner David Stern's universe these days: Kobe Bryant wants out of Los Angeles . . . a referee who allegedly bet on basketball games . . . the New York Knicks and coach Isaiah Thomas losing a sexual harassment lawsuit . . . the Sonics might ditch Seattle for Oklahoma City . . . Portland's number one draft pick, Greg Oden, is injured and out for the season . . . and the San Antonio Spurs are the defending champion.
One of the league's signature franchises, the Boston Celtics, made themselves a contender with the acquisitions of Ray Allen from Seattle and Kevin Garnett from Minnesota in exchange for leftovers. Of course, that's an easy thing to say in the talent-challenged Eastern Conference, where mediocre teams rule.
In the Western Conference, it's the Big Three--Dallas, San Antonio and Phoenix--along with up-and-comers Golden State, Utah and Houston. Even the Los Angeles Lakers, with the made-for-ESPN drama concerning Bryant, should be a playoff team as long as he stays with them.
Our projected playoff teams:
EAST Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons, Toronto Raptors, Washington Wizards, Miami Heat and New Jersey Nets.
WEST Dallas Mavericks, San Antonio Spurs, Phoenix Suns, Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Lakers (with Bryant), Houston Rockets, Golden State Warriors and Utah Jazz.
As for the Minnesota Timberwolves, most pundits have consigned them to the bottom of the heap in the post-Garnett era. And so are we. The Wolves are going to have a difficult time getting quality players to come here. Two of them, Ricky Davis and Juwan Howard, are already gone. They didn't want to play here in the first place without Garnett. That means all eyes will be on Al Jefferson, whom the Wolves ended up with in the Boston trade, as the new face of the franchise. It's not going to be pretty at Target Center for the next few years.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
The New Hub of Baseball
If you weren't among the few who saw our prediction of the Colorado Rockies upsetting the Boston Red Sox in a seven-game World Series, consider yourself fortunate.
Concluding one of the dullest post-seasons in recent baseball history, the Red Sox steamrollered over the Rockies in four games to win its second world championship this century. Fox's TV coverage of the World Series earned the distinction of being the second-lowest rated in history. People were complaining about the season ending in November? This one didn't make it to Halloween.
The news keeps getting better for Boston, who apparently has enough talent in its minor league system to keep them on top for years. Oh yes, and Alex Rodriguez has just become available, with the New York Yankees declining to re-sign him. I think we can safely say that the Curse of the Bambino is no longer in force.
Concluding one of the dullest post-seasons in recent baseball history, the Red Sox steamrollered over the Rockies in four games to win its second world championship this century. Fox's TV coverage of the World Series earned the distinction of being the second-lowest rated in history. People were complaining about the season ending in November? This one didn't make it to Halloween.
The news keeps getting better for Boston, who apparently has enough talent in its minor league system to keep them on top for years. Oh yes, and Alex Rodriguez has just become available, with the New York Yankees declining to re-sign him. I think we can safely say that the Curse of the Bambino is no longer in force.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Polluting The Airwaves
Tom Barnard's KQRS (FM 92.5) morning show has been the top-rated program on Twin Cities radio for many years, easily outdistancing its nearest competitors. Its mix of tabloid news, conservative political commentary and sexual humor makes everyone else's show seem tame by comparison--and makes you hate yourself for listening.
Unfortunately, the "KQ Morning Crew" has managed to offend a few people along the way. They've made jokes in the past at the expense of Somalis and Asian-American citizens, and the station has always had to cover their behinds because of it.
Now it's the Native Americans' turn to be offended. On a recent broadcast, Barnard and company were discussing the suicide rate in Beltrami County in northern Minnesota, which is where the Red Lake Indian Reservation is located. Co-host Terri Traen, who normally plays the resident ditz on the show, made the suggestion that incest goes on at Red Lake. Then Barnard alleges that the Shakopee Mdewakaton Sioux tribe, which owns Mystic Lake Casino near the Twin Cities, didn't spend a dime to help the Red Lake band. What followed was much giggling and name-calling by Barnard's paid stooges.
In fact, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, the Shakopee band has given $4 million to the Red Lake tribe for, among other things, a new Boys and Girls Club and the restoration of fishing on the reservation. The Shakopee band also made headlines recently, giving $10 million to the University of Minnesota for naming rights to the area outside the new football stadium.
The two tribes, along with members of the American Indian Movement, protested outside the studios of KQRS in Minneapolis. They met with management, who promised them an on-air apology and the hiring of Native American interns, among other things. What they didn't get was having Barnard fired. That may not be enough, as the tribes are planning some kind of advertising boycott. Just like the one that got Don Imus fired from his radio and TV jobs for making racially insensitive comments.
One thing missing in the news coverage of the protest is that Mickey Mouse no longer has anything to do with KQRS. The Walt Disney Company sold off ABC Radio Networks and most of the stations it owned to Citadel Broadcasting a few months ago. KQRS, KXXR (93X) and the Love 105 stations were included in the sale, but Radio Disney (AM 1440) was not. It's just that the signs in front of the building hasn't been changed yet.
How Tom Barnard and company can be so offensive to minority groups and remain on the air is a mystery. So what does the huge ratings the 'KQ Morning Show" gets say about the people who listen? Are we as tolerant of other cultures as we say we are?
Unfortunately, the "KQ Morning Crew" has managed to offend a few people along the way. They've made jokes in the past at the expense of Somalis and Asian-American citizens, and the station has always had to cover their behinds because of it.
Now it's the Native Americans' turn to be offended. On a recent broadcast, Barnard and company were discussing the suicide rate in Beltrami County in northern Minnesota, which is where the Red Lake Indian Reservation is located. Co-host Terri Traen, who normally plays the resident ditz on the show, made the suggestion that incest goes on at Red Lake. Then Barnard alleges that the Shakopee Mdewakaton Sioux tribe, which owns Mystic Lake Casino near the Twin Cities, didn't spend a dime to help the Red Lake band. What followed was much giggling and name-calling by Barnard's paid stooges.
In fact, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, the Shakopee band has given $4 million to the Red Lake tribe for, among other things, a new Boys and Girls Club and the restoration of fishing on the reservation. The Shakopee band also made headlines recently, giving $10 million to the University of Minnesota for naming rights to the area outside the new football stadium.
The two tribes, along with members of the American Indian Movement, protested outside the studios of KQRS in Minneapolis. They met with management, who promised them an on-air apology and the hiring of Native American interns, among other things. What they didn't get was having Barnard fired. That may not be enough, as the tribes are planning some kind of advertising boycott. Just like the one that got Don Imus fired from his radio and TV jobs for making racially insensitive comments.
One thing missing in the news coverage of the protest is that Mickey Mouse no longer has anything to do with KQRS. The Walt Disney Company sold off ABC Radio Networks and most of the stations it owned to Citadel Broadcasting a few months ago. KQRS, KXXR (93X) and the Love 105 stations were included in the sale, but Radio Disney (AM 1440) was not. It's just that the signs in front of the building hasn't been changed yet.
How Tom Barnard and company can be so offensive to minority groups and remain on the air is a mystery. So what does the huge ratings the 'KQ Morning Show" gets say about the people who listen? Are we as tolerant of other cultures as we say we are?
Monday, October 29, 2007
Creole and Oranges
It's time to play "Compare and Contrast". On today's episode, we'll break down the differences between San Diego and the wildfires to New Orleans and Hurricane Katrina. It starts now.
CAUSES Category 3 hurricane hits New Orleans and parts of the Gulf Coast, caused by warming waters in the Gulf of Mexico and massive winds. Brushfires from Los Angeles to the Mexican border caused by tinder-dry conditions and Santa Ana winds blowing from the east. In some cases, arson is suspected. In both cases, some people point to climate change as the culprit.
DAMAGES New Orleans was literally underwater, thanks to the city being under sea level and poorly-designed levees that broke. Some sections of the city that were destroyed may never be rebuilt. San Diego and Los Angeles are still standing, as far as we know.
EVACUATIONS Katrina victims (most of whom are poor and black), forced to leave kicking and screaming, are scattered across the country. Most haven't returned, and may never. In Southern California, over a half-million people (mostly rich and white) are evacuated from multi-million dollar homes in secluded areas. Most will rebuild on the same sites, depending on what kind of financial settlement they got from their insurance company.
GOVERNMENT RESPONSE Local and federal officials blamed for initial lack of response in Katrina, even though they've had years to prepare for something like this. President Bush does fly-over tours of the region. FEMA becomes national punchline. State and local officials in California respond relatively quickly, mainly because wildfires happen too often out there. Bush visits the area--on foot. FEMA holds fake news conference, embarrasses everyone involved.
In both cases, the additional help and equipment that would have come from the National Guard are currently dodging car bombs in Iraq.
STADIUMS The Louisiana Superdome, symbolic of poor conditions involving overcrowding, violence and lack of amenities including running water, working toilets and emergency power. Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego hosted 10,000 evacuees. According to media reports, the mood was considerably lighter and relatively peaceful.
NFL TEAMS The New Orleans Saints were forced to play their 2004 home schedule in San Antonio and Baton Rouge, LA. The San Diego Chargers had to move their practice to Phoenix, but otherwise did not lose a home game.
TOURISM New Orleans' iconic restaurants and jazz clubs in the French Quarter are slowly reopening. Mardi Gras is still celebrated. San Diego? They have beautiful weather.
In both Southern California and New Orleans, the damage caused by these acts of nature will forever transform the lives of the people who live there. How quickly they recover depends largely on who you are and where you live.
CAUSES Category 3 hurricane hits New Orleans and parts of the Gulf Coast, caused by warming waters in the Gulf of Mexico and massive winds. Brushfires from Los Angeles to the Mexican border caused by tinder-dry conditions and Santa Ana winds blowing from the east. In some cases, arson is suspected. In both cases, some people point to climate change as the culprit.
DAMAGES New Orleans was literally underwater, thanks to the city being under sea level and poorly-designed levees that broke. Some sections of the city that were destroyed may never be rebuilt. San Diego and Los Angeles are still standing, as far as we know.
EVACUATIONS Katrina victims (most of whom are poor and black), forced to leave kicking and screaming, are scattered across the country. Most haven't returned, and may never. In Southern California, over a half-million people (mostly rich and white) are evacuated from multi-million dollar homes in secluded areas. Most will rebuild on the same sites, depending on what kind of financial settlement they got from their insurance company.
GOVERNMENT RESPONSE Local and federal officials blamed for initial lack of response in Katrina, even though they've had years to prepare for something like this. President Bush does fly-over tours of the region. FEMA becomes national punchline. State and local officials in California respond relatively quickly, mainly because wildfires happen too often out there. Bush visits the area--on foot. FEMA holds fake news conference, embarrasses everyone involved.
In both cases, the additional help and equipment that would have come from the National Guard are currently dodging car bombs in Iraq.
STADIUMS The Louisiana Superdome, symbolic of poor conditions involving overcrowding, violence and lack of amenities including running water, working toilets and emergency power. Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego hosted 10,000 evacuees. According to media reports, the mood was considerably lighter and relatively peaceful.
NFL TEAMS The New Orleans Saints were forced to play their 2004 home schedule in San Antonio and Baton Rouge, LA. The San Diego Chargers had to move their practice to Phoenix, but otherwise did not lose a home game.
TOURISM New Orleans' iconic restaurants and jazz clubs in the French Quarter are slowly reopening. Mardi Gras is still celebrated. San Diego? They have beautiful weather.
In both Southern California and New Orleans, the damage caused by these acts of nature will forever transform the lives of the people who live there. How quickly they recover depends largely on who you are and where you live.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Rocky Mountain Upset
OK, so our original World Series matchup--Cleveland vs. Chicago Cubs--didn't pan out. But the teams that remain--Colorado Rockies vs. Boston Red Sox--are a study in contrasts.
The Red Sox are no longer the lovable underdogs who won the big prize in 2004. Instead, they spent billions of dollars to get practically any player they want (such as Curt Schilling, Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz) to play in that iconic ballpark on the Fens, just to compete with those better-known big spenders from New York. Nearly every game between the Sox and Yankees is on national TV and covered breathlessly by ESPN, whose headquarters in Conneticut puts them right in the crossfire.
In the playoffs, the American League East champions swept the Los Angeles Angels, then came back from a 3-1 deficit to win the ALCS in seven games as Cleveland's pitching fell apart.
The Yankees? The Indians took care of them in the first round. Then owner George Steinbrenner and sons allowed manager Joe Torre to twist in the wind until he rejected a one-year contract extension, saying goodbye after twelve seasons, ten division titles and four World Series championships. They haven't won a Series since 2000, and that's all that matters to Steinbrenner.
As for the Rockies, a franchise that's only been around since 1993, they appeared literally out of nowhere. After qualifying as the wild card in a controversial one-game playoff win over San Diego, they swept through Philadelphia and Arizona to get here. They are riding an incredible winning streak that dates back to September. Their lineup costs less than the salaries of the Yankees and Red Sox players, but aren't as well known outside Denver and the few folks who bothered to tune into TBS' playoff coverage.
Despite being the X-factor in this series and having to cool their heels for eight days, we think it's possible that the Rockies could pull off an upset, winning the World Series over the Red Sox in seven games. It should end sometime before Thanksgiving.
The Red Sox are no longer the lovable underdogs who won the big prize in 2004. Instead, they spent billions of dollars to get practically any player they want (such as Curt Schilling, Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz) to play in that iconic ballpark on the Fens, just to compete with those better-known big spenders from New York. Nearly every game between the Sox and Yankees is on national TV and covered breathlessly by ESPN, whose headquarters in Conneticut puts them right in the crossfire.
In the playoffs, the American League East champions swept the Los Angeles Angels, then came back from a 3-1 deficit to win the ALCS in seven games as Cleveland's pitching fell apart.
The Yankees? The Indians took care of them in the first round. Then owner George Steinbrenner and sons allowed manager Joe Torre to twist in the wind until he rejected a one-year contract extension, saying goodbye after twelve seasons, ten division titles and four World Series championships. They haven't won a Series since 2000, and that's all that matters to Steinbrenner.
As for the Rockies, a franchise that's only been around since 1993, they appeared literally out of nowhere. After qualifying as the wild card in a controversial one-game playoff win over San Diego, they swept through Philadelphia and Arizona to get here. They are riding an incredible winning streak that dates back to September. Their lineup costs less than the salaries of the Yankees and Red Sox players, but aren't as well known outside Denver and the few folks who bothered to tune into TBS' playoff coverage.
Despite being the X-factor in this series and having to cool their heels for eight days, we think it's possible that the Rockies could pull off an upset, winning the World Series over the Red Sox in seven games. It should end sometime before Thanksgiving.
Monday, October 22, 2007
Newspaper Flips Off Some TV Viewers
Today it is possible to sit down in front of the big screen and peruse channel listings to find out what's on, then select the show that interests you. Or you can use your remote and go channel-flipping.
The first option works great if you have digital cable or a satellite dish. For the rest of us who are stuck with either analog cable or broadcast TV, we usually have a little magazine located next to the couch to tell us what's on.
Not any more. The Minneapolis Star Tribune, in its never-ending quest to cut corners in its news coverage in the name of making more money while claiming to serve its readers, is discontinuing its Sunday TV Week magazine in November. However, they are offering subscriptions to TV Guide magazine, which will now provide the program listings on the newspaper's web site.
Besides, the Strib seems to be forgetting the number one reason why people still buy the Sunday paper in the first place: It's for the TV listings.
Have you seen TV Guide lately? (Disclosure: I am a subscriber.) Since they switched to a larger size a couple of years ago, local listings were eliminated, and TV coverage has been sacrificed in favor of celebrity gossip and who has the hots for whom on shows you don't care about. They seem to have forgotten that women aren't the only people who watch TV.
Having no local listings makes it tough for independents and PBS member stations to get noticed by viewers. In the case of KTCA (Channel 2), also known as TPT, they don't carry PBS programs at the same time the network does--especially during pledge drives.
The Star Tribune, in its message announcing the demise of TV Week, put in a line thanking the readers for their loyalty. In light of what owner Avista Capital Partners has done to the newspaper in the past few months, we think loyalty is a two-way street. If the Star Tribune isn't loyal to its readers, then why should readers be loyal to the Star Tribune?
The first option works great if you have digital cable or a satellite dish. For the rest of us who are stuck with either analog cable or broadcast TV, we usually have a little magazine located next to the couch to tell us what's on.
Not any more. The Minneapolis Star Tribune, in its never-ending quest to cut corners in its news coverage in the name of making more money while claiming to serve its readers, is discontinuing its Sunday TV Week magazine in November. However, they are offering subscriptions to TV Guide magazine, which will now provide the program listings on the newspaper's web site.
Besides, the Strib seems to be forgetting the number one reason why people still buy the Sunday paper in the first place: It's for the TV listings.
Have you seen TV Guide lately? (Disclosure: I am a subscriber.) Since they switched to a larger size a couple of years ago, local listings were eliminated, and TV coverage has been sacrificed in favor of celebrity gossip and who has the hots for whom on shows you don't care about. They seem to have forgotten that women aren't the only people who watch TV.
Having no local listings makes it tough for independents and PBS member stations to get noticed by viewers. In the case of KTCA (Channel 2), also known as TPT, they don't carry PBS programs at the same time the network does--especially during pledge drives.
The Star Tribune, in its message announcing the demise of TV Week, put in a line thanking the readers for their loyalty. In light of what owner Avista Capital Partners has done to the newspaper in the past few months, we think loyalty is a two-way street. If the Star Tribune isn't loyal to its readers, then why should readers be loyal to the Star Tribune?
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
What's Peace Got To Do With It?
This year's Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to former Vice President Al Gore for his efforts to educate the world about climate change and its consequences, thanks mainly to the film "An Inconvenient Truth", which won Gore an Academy Award for best documentary.
While the honors for Gore are well deserved, jealous conservatives who never believed in global warming in the first place (probably because most of us won't be around to see its consequences) are complaining that Gore isn't as green as people think he is, claiming that he leaves the lights on at his house too long, for example.
They're also wondering what in heck global warming has to do with peace. Let's see . . . unchecked climate change could lead to dwindling resources of food, water and land, which leads to refugees crossing borders from uninhabitable areas and countries defending their supplies with force, which might lead to war.
Some of the solutions to climate change are not without their flaws. Take the campaign to ban bottled water. It's a nice idea, but not everyone has access to clean, safe drinking water. Or bicycles. They're great for exercising during the summer. As for the rest of the year, unless you live in a warm climate and you don't have to haul stuff, bicycles aren't very practical. That's why people will continue to pay through the nose for gas to fill their SUVs.
And then there's the inevitable speculation about whether Gore wants to make another run for the White House to replace the current Polluter-In-Chief. First, he's not interested. Second, if he did run, he's well behind Hillary Clinton in the Democratic field in whatever poll you believe.
Besides, with all the accolades Al Gore is getting these days, who needs the White House?
While the honors for Gore are well deserved, jealous conservatives who never believed in global warming in the first place (probably because most of us won't be around to see its consequences) are complaining that Gore isn't as green as people think he is, claiming that he leaves the lights on at his house too long, for example.
They're also wondering what in heck global warming has to do with peace. Let's see . . . unchecked climate change could lead to dwindling resources of food, water and land, which leads to refugees crossing borders from uninhabitable areas and countries defending their supplies with force, which might lead to war.
Some of the solutions to climate change are not without their flaws. Take the campaign to ban bottled water. It's a nice idea, but not everyone has access to clean, safe drinking water. Or bicycles. They're great for exercising during the summer. As for the rest of the year, unless you live in a warm climate and you don't have to haul stuff, bicycles aren't very practical. That's why people will continue to pay through the nose for gas to fill their SUVs.
And then there's the inevitable speculation about whether Gore wants to make another run for the White House to replace the current Polluter-In-Chief. First, he's not interested. Second, if he did run, he's well behind Hillary Clinton in the Democratic field in whatever poll you believe.
Besides, with all the accolades Al Gore is getting these days, who needs the White House?
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Big Ten on Cable: When Pigskins Fly
College football is all over TV these days. ABC has a Saturday night game of the week (whenever they're not running NASCAR). CBS covers the best game from the Southeastern Conference. NBC carries Notre Dame home games. And ESPN goes wall to wall with pigskin nearly every night of the week.
Yes, college football is all over TV, unless you happen to live in Big Ten territory and do not have a satellite dish. Folks are missing games involving their favorite teams because of a contract dispute between Comcast, the region's largest cable provider, and the Big Ten conference's new TV network.
In a nutshell, the conference wants its network on a basic level along with ESPN, so everyone with cable can get it. Comcast claims that would cost its customers too much, preferring instead to put the Big Ten Network on a digital sports package. The dispute continues with no end in sight.
It's not like this hasn't happened before. A similar dispute between Comcast and the NFL Network resulted in a temporary legal victory for the cable operator, which put the football channel on digital (the NFL is appealing).
The Big Ten has deals with ABC, CBS and ESPN to show its best matchups in football and men's basketball. The leftovers go to BTN, which usually means showcasing the likes of Minnesota and Northwestern--schools without winning programs or legendary coaches. If the networks ever deign to show games involving the Gophers or the Wildcats, it's usually because they're playing Michigan, Penn State or Ohio State--the ones with winning programs and legendary coaches. And those games are usually over by half time.
As for the rest of the week, BTN plans to show women's sports and other non-revenue producing activities. Not to mention highlight shows and reruns of classic games, just like all the other sports channels. Nothing wrong with any of those, if you have friends or relatives participating. And what happens during the summer? Infomercial City?
What BTN should have done, for public relations purposes if nothing else, is to offer games of local interest to broadcast stations until enough people are able to get the network (Fox affiliates, whose parent company owns half of BTN, would have first dibs).
Comcast is not exactly innocent in all of this. If you are a basic cable subscriber in Minneapolis and suburbs, you might have noticed the gaping holes where channels used to be. That's because Comcast moved the likes of ESPN Classic and Lifetime Movie Network to digital cable, and aren't bothering to replace them. Is it because Comcast is phasing out basic in favor of the more expensive (with more equipment to buy) digital? Not everyone can afford those high-definition TV sets, you know. And that will become more apparent the digital switch of 2009.
At the risk of reducing the whole issue to a sports metaphor, Comcast and the Big Ten Network are locked in a titanic struggle to see who blinks first. And the viewers are the losers no matter what happens.
Yes, college football is all over TV, unless you happen to live in Big Ten territory and do not have a satellite dish. Folks are missing games involving their favorite teams because of a contract dispute between Comcast, the region's largest cable provider, and the Big Ten conference's new TV network.
In a nutshell, the conference wants its network on a basic level along with ESPN, so everyone with cable can get it. Comcast claims that would cost its customers too much, preferring instead to put the Big Ten Network on a digital sports package. The dispute continues with no end in sight.
It's not like this hasn't happened before. A similar dispute between Comcast and the NFL Network resulted in a temporary legal victory for the cable operator, which put the football channel on digital (the NFL is appealing).
The Big Ten has deals with ABC, CBS and ESPN to show its best matchups in football and men's basketball. The leftovers go to BTN, which usually means showcasing the likes of Minnesota and Northwestern--schools without winning programs or legendary coaches. If the networks ever deign to show games involving the Gophers or the Wildcats, it's usually because they're playing Michigan, Penn State or Ohio State--the ones with winning programs and legendary coaches. And those games are usually over by half time.
As for the rest of the week, BTN plans to show women's sports and other non-revenue producing activities. Not to mention highlight shows and reruns of classic games, just like all the other sports channels. Nothing wrong with any of those, if you have friends or relatives participating. And what happens during the summer? Infomercial City?
What BTN should have done, for public relations purposes if nothing else, is to offer games of local interest to broadcast stations until enough people are able to get the network (Fox affiliates, whose parent company owns half of BTN, would have first dibs).
Comcast is not exactly innocent in all of this. If you are a basic cable subscriber in Minneapolis and suburbs, you might have noticed the gaping holes where channels used to be. That's because Comcast moved the likes of ESPN Classic and Lifetime Movie Network to digital cable, and aren't bothering to replace them. Is it because Comcast is phasing out basic in favor of the more expensive (with more equipment to buy) digital? Not everyone can afford those high-definition TV sets, you know. And that will become more apparent the digital switch of 2009.
At the risk of reducing the whole issue to a sports metaphor, Comcast and the Big Ten Network are locked in a titanic struggle to see who blinks first. And the viewers are the losers no matter what happens.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
It's Update Time!
Here's what happened to some of the items we've covered in past posts.
- After a judge denied Senator Larry Craig's (R-Idaho) request to change his guilty plea to not guilty for allegedly soliciting sex from an undercover officer in what has become known as the Great Airport Men's Room Tap-Off, Craig said he would fight the charges and remain in the Senate until his term ends, much to the chagrin of fellow Republicans who wished he had kept his promise to leave by the end of September. They have enough problems with an unpopular president, and an uninspiring list of candidates who want to replace him. At least Craig is not running again--unless he changes his mind. Meanwhile, the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (where the alleged incident took place) is making changes in the men's room to make the stalls less enticing for those who want to leave certain types of messages, and not to gross out those who need to use it for its intended purpose.
- The University of St. Thomas, admitting it had made a mistake in disinviting Archbishop Desmond Tutu because of his alleged anti-Semitic remarks in a 2002 speech, now wants to re-invite him to speak next spring. We think Tutu should tell them, in the most Christian way possible, to go stuff it.
- Britney Spears, one month removed from her historically awful performance at the MTV Video Music Awards, has been taking hits for her bizarre behavior of the past few months. The reason for all of this has come into sharp focus: A judge has awarded temporary custody of her two children to former husband Kevin Federline. It's time to stop all the jokes and career speculation, and understand that Spears needs to seriously get her life together. Not just for her, but for the kids.
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
A Lesson in Free Expression
College campuses have long been the bastions of what we'd like to think America is all about. The free exchange of ideas between people from all walks of life, no matter what your social, sexual or political upbringing, is usually encouraged. You won't find that in corporate boardrooms, dinner tables, or in Washington these days.
So why is it that an institution of higher learning in Minnesota--the Catholic-based University of St. Thomas--chose to disinvite a world-renowned figure from speaking at their campus?
Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who won a Nobel Peace Prize in 1984 for his role in helping to end the system of apartheid in South Africa, was scheduled to speak at the St. Paul-based school in the spring of 2008. Then college administrators got wind of a speech Tutu made in 2002, in which he criticized the Israeli government's treatment of Palestinians in the occupied territories. Some pro-Israeli groups saw Tutu's comments as anti-Semitic, even though (according to City Pages) the archbishop did not blame the Jewish people in the speech.
We'll leave aside Middle East politics to those who are better versed on the subject. But what these groups seem to be saying is: Criticize Israel and you criticize the Jewish people. That's like saying we shouldn't criticize U.S. government policies, because then you offend the American people. The actions of both countries are not necessarily the opinion of the people they govern.
So, fearing protests--they went through this before, when conservative firebeand Ann Coulter came to town-- St. Thomas decided not to invite Tutu. Professor Cris Toffolo wrote a letter to the archbishop explaining the situation, then added her disagreement with the decision. That's why she is no longer chair of the Justice and Peace Studies department.
Maybe the administrators at St. Thomas didn't want a replay of what happened when Columbia University invited Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to speak during his recent visit to New York. Ahmadinejad, among other things, has denounced Israel, denied there was ever a Holocaust, and has been cagey about his country's nuclear program. Not only did Columbia's president Lee Bollinger attack his guest speaker in his introduction as a "petty and cruel dictator", but Ahmadinejad was booed and laughed at by the audience when he made claims such as when he said there were no gays in his country.
The Bush White House, for whom the Iranian president has long been a thorn in their side, tolerated the visit as an example of freedom of speech. That's interesting, coming from an administration who wouldn't tolerate any of it unless it's in front of a friendly audience.
What we're saying is this: If one university can invite a loose cannon of a world leader who doesn't hold real power over his own people (the mullahs run the show in Iran), certainly another university can invite someone who's had a positive impact on humanity--even if he has to watch what he says sometimes.
St. Thomas is currently reconsidering its decision not to invite Archbishop Tutu. If they stand by their original decision, the organization that invited Tutu has made arrangements for the speech to be moved to Metropolitan State University in Minneapolis. But it doesn't say much for college campuses--or anywhere else, for that matter--when a few people have the power to silence anyone who doesn't conform to their beliefs.
So why is it that an institution of higher learning in Minnesota--the Catholic-based University of St. Thomas--chose to disinvite a world-renowned figure from speaking at their campus?
Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who won a Nobel Peace Prize in 1984 for his role in helping to end the system of apartheid in South Africa, was scheduled to speak at the St. Paul-based school in the spring of 2008. Then college administrators got wind of a speech Tutu made in 2002, in which he criticized the Israeli government's treatment of Palestinians in the occupied territories. Some pro-Israeli groups saw Tutu's comments as anti-Semitic, even though (according to City Pages) the archbishop did not blame the Jewish people in the speech.
We'll leave aside Middle East politics to those who are better versed on the subject. But what these groups seem to be saying is: Criticize Israel and you criticize the Jewish people. That's like saying we shouldn't criticize U.S. government policies, because then you offend the American people. The actions of both countries are not necessarily the opinion of the people they govern.
So, fearing protests--they went through this before, when conservative firebeand Ann Coulter came to town-- St. Thomas decided not to invite Tutu. Professor Cris Toffolo wrote a letter to the archbishop explaining the situation, then added her disagreement with the decision. That's why she is no longer chair of the Justice and Peace Studies department.
Maybe the administrators at St. Thomas didn't want a replay of what happened when Columbia University invited Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to speak during his recent visit to New York. Ahmadinejad, among other things, has denounced Israel, denied there was ever a Holocaust, and has been cagey about his country's nuclear program. Not only did Columbia's president Lee Bollinger attack his guest speaker in his introduction as a "petty and cruel dictator", but Ahmadinejad was booed and laughed at by the audience when he made claims such as when he said there were no gays in his country.
The Bush White House, for whom the Iranian president has long been a thorn in their side, tolerated the visit as an example of freedom of speech. That's interesting, coming from an administration who wouldn't tolerate any of it unless it's in front of a friendly audience.
What we're saying is this: If one university can invite a loose cannon of a world leader who doesn't hold real power over his own people (the mullahs run the show in Iran), certainly another university can invite someone who's had a positive impact on humanity--even if he has to watch what he says sometimes.
St. Thomas is currently reconsidering its decision not to invite Archbishop Tutu. If they stand by their original decision, the organization that invited Tutu has made arrangements for the speech to be moved to Metropolitan State University in Minneapolis. But it doesn't say much for college campuses--or anywhere else, for that matter--when a few people have the power to silence anyone who doesn't conform to their beliefs.
Thursday, October 4, 2007
NHL 2007-08 Preview
As the 2007-08 National Hockey League season gets underway, let us count the ways (besides anemic TV ratings) it has become a relative oasis of sanity in a sports world gone mad:
- No players accused of steroid abuse.
- No players convicted of animal abuse.
- No on-ice officials allegedly betting on games.
- No coaches taping the other team's signals.
- No sexual harassment lawsuits.
OK, so there are drawbacks.
- Hits so violent, they end up on the evening news and end a player's career (if not his life).
- Five minutes of overtime is never enough to settle a game.
- Schedules that find teams in one conference playing the other conference less and less (We hear the league is working on it).
The Anaheim Ducks are the defending Stanley Cup champions. They began their season in London, England splitting a two-game series with the appropriately-named Los Angeles Kings. Then the Ducks had two days to fly across the ocean to Detroit, where they lost to the Red Wings in a shootout. The demands of being a champion are one reason why they will not repeat. The other is that the last team to do that are the Red Wings--ten years ago.
The two marquee names of the NHL these days are Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Alexander Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals. According to some hockey pundits, Crosby and the Penguins are Stanley Cup material while Ovechkin and the Capitals won't even make the playoffs. I agree with both assessments. But in the Penguins' case, not this year. Crosby is 20 years old. How old was Wayne Gretzky, to whom Crosby is often compared to, when he started winning Cups?
Instead of telling you who will play for the Stanley Cup, here's who we think will make the playoffs. Remember, you can't win it if you don't get there.
EAST: Ottawa Senators, New York Rangers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Buffalo Sabres, New Jersey Devils, Toronto Maple Leafs, Atlanta Thrashers and Tampa Bay Lightning.
WEST: San Jose Sharks, Anaheim Ducks, Detroit Red Wings, Minnesota Wild, Colorado Avalanche, Calgary Flames, Vancouver Canucks and Dallas Stars.
***********************************************************************************
The Minnesota Wild, with the exception of Niklas Backstrom replacing goaltender Manny Fernandez when he was traded to the Boston Bruins, made no real changes in personnel during the off-season. They seem to be confident that the lineup that got them to the playoffs last season will do the same for them this season.
How high in the standings and how far the Wild get in the playoffs depends on the health of Marian Gaborik, who spent a good chunk of last season nursing a groin--excuse me, lower body--injury. Also, they need to pick up the scoring slack and not depend so much on coach Jacques Lemaire's defensive style. And it says a lot about a franchise when one of your most popular players is a no-talent goon named Derek Boogaard.
After all, the Wild are under a lot of pressure. The Twins finished in third place. The Vikings and football Gophers are terrible. And the Timberwolves without Kevin Garnett are a disaster waiting to happen.
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Twins Recap '07
For the first time since 2005, the Minnesota Twins are watching the Major League Baseball playoffs on TV instead of playing in them. It's not like they deserved to be there this year.
The Twins finished the 2007 season at 79-83, good enough for third place behind the American League Central division champion Cleveland Indians. A distant third place, thanks to a lack of offense, injuries to key players such as Joe Mauer and Rondell White, and ineffective starting pitching. Even ace Johan Santana had an off year.
Now the question becomes: How many of the players you saw in 2007 will be in a Twins uniform come 2008? Terry Ryan has handed over the general manager duties to someone named Bill Smith. You might say Ryan got out just in time, because Smith has the unenviable task of trying to keep the popular Torii Hunter out of the free agent market. And if Santana has another so-so year like this one, the Twins won't have any problems parting with him.
It's not likely the Twins will be able to keep its stars, not as long as owner Carl Pohlad prefers to spend his money on radio stations and jewelry stores. Sure, there's a new ballpark to provide more revenue. But it doesn't open until 2010, and the landlords and Hennepin County are still bickering over the price--which might ultimately determine Pohlad's future financial investment in the team.
Whatever happens, the slide towards mediocrity is just beginning.
* * * *
Before we go, here's our projected World Series matchup: Cleveland vs. Chicago Cubs.
The Twins finished the 2007 season at 79-83, good enough for third place behind the American League Central division champion Cleveland Indians. A distant third place, thanks to a lack of offense, injuries to key players such as Joe Mauer and Rondell White, and ineffective starting pitching. Even ace Johan Santana had an off year.
Now the question becomes: How many of the players you saw in 2007 will be in a Twins uniform come 2008? Terry Ryan has handed over the general manager duties to someone named Bill Smith. You might say Ryan got out just in time, because Smith has the unenviable task of trying to keep the popular Torii Hunter out of the free agent market. And if Santana has another so-so year like this one, the Twins won't have any problems parting with him.
It's not likely the Twins will be able to keep its stars, not as long as owner Carl Pohlad prefers to spend his money on radio stations and jewelry stores. Sure, there's a new ballpark to provide more revenue. But it doesn't open until 2010, and the landlords and Hennepin County are still bickering over the price--which might ultimately determine Pohlad's future financial investment in the team.
Whatever happens, the slide towards mediocrity is just beginning.
* * * *
Before we go, here's our projected World Series matchup: Cleveland vs. Chicago Cubs.
Monday, October 1, 2007
Minnesota Empire Radio
American Public Media Group, the parent company of Minnesota Public Radio, in its ongoing quest to become the Clear Channel of so-called non-profit broadcasting, is branching out to Miami.
According to MPR's website, they're plunking down $20 million for WMCU, a Christian FM station which will (pending FCC approval) be converted to a classical format. Two commercial stations, according to MPR's site, have tried and failed in the Miami market.
APMG/MPR tried to get into the Washington, D.C. area with the purchase of another Christian station, but the owners of WGTS turned them down after supporters protested. Which is kind of what happened when MPR bought WCAL from St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota and turned it into The Current.
Besides holding a near-monopoly on public radio stations in Minnesota, APMG/MPR also owns stations in Los Angeles, Sun Valley, Idaho, Houghton, Michigan, Sioux Falls, South Dakota and Decorah, Iowa.
Yet for a few weeks every year, MPR personnel come hat in hand soliciting for funds to keep this marvelous and necessary enterprise on the air. Look, if they can afford to buy stations and build multi-million-dollar broadcasting facilities, what do they need your money for?
According to MPR's website, they're plunking down $20 million for WMCU, a Christian FM station which will (pending FCC approval) be converted to a classical format. Two commercial stations, according to MPR's site, have tried and failed in the Miami market.
APMG/MPR tried to get into the Washington, D.C. area with the purchase of another Christian station, but the owners of WGTS turned them down after supporters protested. Which is kind of what happened when MPR bought WCAL from St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota and turned it into The Current.
Besides holding a near-monopoly on public radio stations in Minnesota, APMG/MPR also owns stations in Los Angeles, Sun Valley, Idaho, Houghton, Michigan, Sioux Falls, South Dakota and Decorah, Iowa.
Yet for a few weeks every year, MPR personnel come hat in hand soliciting for funds to keep this marvelous and necessary enterprise on the air. Look, if they can afford to buy stations and build multi-million-dollar broadcasting facilities, what do they need your money for?
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