Archive for the ‘Recession’ Category

Hey Congress, Stay The Hell Out Of Sports

Thursday, March 26th, 2009

BCS Hearings - NCAA FootballThis week, the Senate Judiciary subcomittee’s Senator Orrin Hatch (R, Utah) pushed for hearings to ‘rectify’ the fairness of the BCS system.  Why are our elected representatives involved in things like the Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Miguel Tejada, and now the BCS? Don’t we have more pressing matters to address?

After months of hearing doom-and-gloom over the housing issue, corporate bailouts at tax payer expense and a weakening dollar, I had high hopes that our elected officials were burning the candle at both ends to fix this country’s economic problems and address the growing budget deficit.  But sure enough, Senator Hatch and his colleagues have put yet another sports issue on the docket–this time to ‘rectify the situation’ as it pertains to antitrust concerns over the BCS.

It’s like being given a traffic ticket while there are murderers & rapists running around on the next block.  Wouldn’t time be best spent catching those guys?

Frankly, I find watching sporting events as a distraction from the 6 o’clock news of murders, job losses, a shrinking economy, and corporate bailouts.  When I watch ESPN, I want to see a monster dunk, a clutch grand slam, or a game-winning catch.  Usually, the worst news on is that some stupid GM signed a no-name .220 hitter for $8 million, that Plaxico Burress shot himself in the foot again or a powerhouse college football program is under NCAA investigation.

The last thing I want to see is a ‘highlight’ of another congressional hearing with athletes in suits being grilled by some jock sniffing Senator.

Our tax dollars hard at work!

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Sports can get us through tough times

Sunday, February 8th, 2009

tigerazalea

The Daytona 500.  Baseball’s Spring Training.  March Madness.  The Masters with those famous blooming azaleas.  College Football’s Spring Games.  The NFL Draft.  After a long winter and a great Super Bowl, it’s time to turn the page to a new sports year.

In sports we can find respite from the economic recession, worries about our jobs, and nightly crime reports on the 6 o’clock news.   Don’t waste your time watching the local news; there is almost 100% certainty it will suck.  Instead, keep that HDTV tuned into SportsCenter or your Fox regional sports network on the dish.  The worst news you’ll find there is that A-Rod is now alleged to have taken performance-enhancing drugs or some other gifted sports figure screwing up his good fortune like Michael Phelps exhaling millions of dollars. 

Will Dale Jr.  win another Daytona 500? Will this be the year the Cubbies make it to the World Series? Who will draft who in the NFL draft? Will the newly-signed blue chip recruits propel your favorite college team to a BCS bowl next year?

As temperatures start to warm up, relish the smell of freshly-cut grass, a manicured golf course, and the sound of a popping baseball glove and the crack of a bat.  Plan a trip to see a college baseball game or a minor league game.   Dust off the golf clubs.  Fire up the grill & drink some cold beer.

In these rough times, sports may be what keeps us all sane.   Dale Jr. will win Daytona, the Cubs will beat the Red Sox in 6, and I’ve edited-out my local news channels.

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