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| Name: | Craig Zwirn |
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| Member since: | December 15, 2005 |
| Last visit: | September 05, 2012 |
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Atheist has posted 0 links and 1,052 comments to SportsFilter and 0 links and 0 comments to the Locker Room.
Serena sounds like an a-hole to me. Is she really suggesting that because she doesn't typically foot fault, when she does, it shouldn't be called?, or if she does it in an important final it shouldn't be called. Maybe tennis should have a penalty called acting like a spoiled bitch.
Arguing with an official in a disrespectful manner should be cause for disqualification. Loosing it completely and actually threatening an official with physical violence should be grounds for suspension for a year if not life.
posted by Atheist at 05:32 PM on August 27, 2012
I think it will turn out to be a positive move for Lance. Even if the allegations are true, this country will forgive a celebrity anything nowadays (Fatty Arbuckle weeps), so I would expect the pro-Lance backlash to overwhelm the USADA in about two weeks.
I agree.
I also think it is ridiculous to eliminate 7 Tour de France victories without a positive drug test. In a sport in which it seems pretty clear this is common practice, just how do you try to claim Lance Armstrong was not the best cyclist of all time? He won the Tour 7 times. Has anybody ever won this race who wasn't accused of doping? If so I would bet it was before there was adequate testing. Oh, thats right, there is no adequate testing. Cycling needs to move on.
Those French really must have hated the fact that an American won their precious race so many times.
posted by Atheist at 12:32 PM on August 24, 2012
I will accept that my scenarios were flawed as there is a world of difference between Peyton Manning and Michael Vick. So what if I am talking about RG3 and Andrew Luck. Comparing number 1 and number 2 picks. What made one guy number one and the other number 2. I have heard people say it was a race issue when I believed it was a skill set preference issue.
Whether or not I was able to articulate my point about making assumptions as to the motivation for fan preferences, the fact remains that it isn't something that should be quick to be labeled as racism and Bayless was and ass for implying it.
posted by Atheist at 06:16 PM on August 22, 2012
grum I think in all your scenarios your are correct based on your wording. My gripe with Bayless and others is making the assumption that if you are not rooting for RG3 or if you think someone else is preferable, racism is the reason.
I am not a Michael Vick fan and I am a Peyton Manning fan. Since I am white guy some might assume that is a favoritism based on racism. It's not, and I hate if someone tries to make that implication.
I don't like Michael Vick, but love watching him play and admire his abilities. He is a convicted dog fighter and animal abuser which speaks directly to his character as a human being. I like Peyton Manning and love watching him play and admire his abilities. He acts like a professional on and off the field and I have never heard a negative thing about him as a person. I prefer a pocket passer and feel that is better for a team I care about than a QB who relies on scrambling, running and making something happen when plays break down. In lieu of an explanation why should someone assume my motivation.
As for RG3, personally I am waiting to see how he pans out as a QB in the pros for all the same reasons. It is possible to choose Andrew Luck in the draft over RG3 for reasons that have nothing to do with race, although it seems some just refuse to accept it. The why is everything, the choice itself tells us nothing. Why do people want so badly to make the wrong assumptions?
On the other hand I find myself rooting for Gabby Douglas or Wayne Simmonds simply because they are black and breaking down barriers in their respective sports. I suppose on some level that has an element of race bias but to me it is just a natural instinct to want to see someone succeed against the odds and help make a positive change.
posted by Atheist at 05:23 PM on August 22, 2012
tahoemoj - I don't think that seed was planted by Bayless, although he may have reinforced it. I have noticed that in past discussions regarding the performance of quarterbacks, that it is hard to criticize the play of black quarterbacks without the insinuation by some that it is racially motivated criticism, even when it isn't.
Bayless is just another jerk who wants to make everything about something it is not. I firmly believe that the Redskin fans will embrace any QB who plays well and wins just as they did with Doug Williams. On the other hand, it isn't fair to the fans if they see another QB performing better, to imply they are racist.
I also don't believe that it makes someone a racist to want to see a person of their own ethnicity or of similar background and circumstances succeed. Is it racist for a young black woman to root for Gabby G, to win Olympic gold because she can identify with her ? For African Americans to vote for a black man to become president and feel proud about it? For Jews to have rooted for Sandy Koulfax? I ask the honest question, is it racist for 98% of black americans to vote for a candidate because of his color? Would it be acceptable if white voters did the same?
I don't think it is fair to blame or accuse people for their motivations. If a white football fan roots for Tim Tebow to beat out Mark Sanchez for the Jets job, is it because he hated USC and is a Florida alumni, or is it because he is white, or is it because he is a born again Christian and thinks Tebow is god's choice? The real problem is assigning a motive to people you know nothing about.
posted by Atheist at 02:59 PM on August 22, 2012
Skip Bayless is an idiot. Who ever gets the starting job will have to earn it. I also think it is interesting that Skip Bayless mentions how Jason Campbell and Donovan McNabb did not work out in Washington, implying that the Washington fans prefer to root for a white QB and pressured or influenced their departure, without mentioning that the last time Washington won a Superbowl it was with Doug Williams.
I believed in this years draft the best QB available was Andrew Luck, not RG3, although I heard some people felt it was a color based decision that made him the number one pick. I think there is some bias in the NFL but I feel it is more about playing style than it is about race. Typically the league favors a pocket passer over a QB who will run. RG3 was not of interest to St. Louis because they had Sam Bradford a more traditional and very capable pocket passer. Indy took Andrew Luck as his play style is more like that of what they were accustomed to and what has been traditionally more successful in the NFL. Denver could not wait to get rid of Tebow in favor of Manning which I think clearly demonstrates the tendency to go with a QB who can be protected better from injury by not running down field. Color has very little to do with it. Playing style does. It seems like a cop out to accuse teams or fans of making their choices based on color if they are really just favoring a playing style.
I find the playing styles of guys like Cam Newton, Michael Vick, and Tim Tebow very exciting to watch, but I am not convinced with all that is riding on keeping a starting QB healthy for a season, I would want to bet on a QB that is so venerable to the dangers of that style of play. Although that Cam Newton is like a superman and may change my mind.
posted by Atheist at 05:06 PM on August 21, 2012
I can't for the life of me understand why anybody would care about this. A bunch of over the hill, ultra-conservative, rich old farts want to keep their little good ole boys golf club in the dark ages, why would anybody even give a shit. Isn't it within in their rights to have a boys only club?
While I couldn't imagine wanting to be a member of a club like this, I didn't care that they had it, and wouldn't care if they wanted to keep it that way for 100 more years. It is not like they are opening up the doors to the general public. It is a private club for the exclusive use of it members and guests. Still seems pretty exclusive to me. Sure ladies come on over if you are a fortune 500 CEO or former Secretary of State, we can try to accommodate all six or seven of you.
The world isn't a better place because of this token act, and while there are now two female members, most of the old men who are members probably can't notice anyway.
posted by Atheist at 04:04 PM on August 21, 2012
I am not sure this is a case of being tried and convicted by public opinion. To me it is more a case of the Dolphins and VH1 not wanting to have their enterprises connected to Chad Johnson and his off field drama, which is within their rights as employers. He has a reputation for having a big mouth and being kind of a media whore. No team really wants the side show of Chad Johnson-Ochocinco-Johnson distracting them or focusing the media on this kind of crap. Even the publicity hungry reality TV network doesn't want to be associated with airing a show about two lovebirds planning their wedding while same two lovebirds are poster children for disfunctional relationship involving domestic violence.
Whether or not CJ is convicted in a court of law has little bearing on what his employers feel is in their best interest or how his alleged behavior reflects on their businesses and public image.
It's actually kind of refreshing that some companies are not willing to tolerate this crap from even a talented athlete although it would be interesting to see if the Dolphins might have been a little more tolerant, had Chad Johnson been putting up great numbers into the middle of a successful season. Probably easier to cut him loose now than had he actually become a productive part of their team.
posted by Atheist at 05:38 PM on August 13, 2012
Latest news Chad Johnson and his wife had a reality show that just got dropped from its network as a result of this incident.
posted by Atheist at 04:29 PM on August 13, 2012
If I were running a football team, I would never pick up a player that New England cuts loose. It seems Bill B. runs a tight ship and if he cuts loose a talented player like a Chad Johnson, or Randy Moss, or Albert Hainsworth there must be a real good reason. The teams that take these guys usually find out why the Patriots won't tolerate them.
posted by Atheist at 11:46 AM on August 13, 2012
yerfatma - We agree totally. No chance at all? The Lakers had a chance even without Howard once they got Nash. I think Howard gives the Lakers a better chance but even with Bynum they were going to be tough. I am not sure how the lineup above isn't considered the best starting line up in the league, even with me or you in there.
posted by Atheist at 01:18 PM on August 10, 2012
Jerry is confused. There is a difference between the whole glory and the glory hole. Jerry has his head up his ass, and I am not talking about his whole ass, I talking about his ass hole.
posted by Atheist at 05:25 PM on August 01, 2012
When it comes to China, never underestimate the power of a country with well over a billion people and a government that fully supports their athletes. They have a huge desire to win on the world stage. Especially if that means unseating the USA as the world leader in a particular sport.
Regardless of whether or not you agree with their system they, have produced some incredible musical, athletic, and acrobatic prodigies. I have never seen such young people devote so much time and effort to achieve a level of success at such an early age. US swimmers, basketball players, gymnasts, better watch out. I think the Chinese really want to win and until proven guilty, I am just going to say wow pretty impressive performance.
posted by Atheist at 12:33 PM on August 01, 2012
The people who should really get the ax are those who established a system of rules that allows an athlete to win by loosing. Athletes are supposed to game the system and use strategy to win the ultimate goal. Sometimes a pitcher intentionally looses a battle with a hitter to face a more favorable foe from a match up sense. It is a gamble but why wouldn't an athlete play within the rules to get the best chance at the ultimate success. Even in the Olympics it is common for athletes like swimmers and sprinters not to give their all in preliminary heats to save something, or prevent injury and ensure a better chance at success when it counts the most.
The whole thing is a rules and procedure issue. Shame on the organizers not the players.
posted by Atheist at 10:27 AM on August 01, 2012
High School Builds $60 Million Stadium
and some people think the dangers of football, parental concerns, and insurance issues are going to cause it's death at the youth level. Seems like high school football is alive and well to me.