Kayne, So Subtle

This link will be disabled soon enough, but in the meantime, "Enjoy."

Alex, I'll take "The Overly Self-Involved" for $200 please.

Hooray for Beyonce's reaction both when it happened and later in the evening. It's a pity that I can't find video of Beyonce classy response to Kanye's interruption when she brought Taylor Swift back on stage later.

9/11 + 8

Eight years ago today I was in "Introduction to the Old Testament" and "it" happened. What we never imagined could happen not only did, it was on TV for all to see.

I remember going into the Financial Aid office and thinking the radio sounded like "War of the Worlds" and I was wondering if I had missed the intro by Orson Wells and the Mercury Theater.

I remember going home and seeing Marie sitting on the edge of her seat. I remember me joining her.

Honestly, I guess that's all I have to say about that.

From Where the Grass Is Greener

The Today show just reported that many Republican and conservative Democratic members of Congress are skeptical about the President's health care reform package.

Gee, if I had their insurance I could afford to be skeptical too.

President Obama's Speech

In a scant three hours, President Obama will be on-line and on C-SPAN addressing the youth and young adults of America from a high school in Virginia. From the way some people are talking about this, you'd think he was going to propose the end of the truth, justice, and the American way.

First things first, judge for yourself. Read the text here. The speech is scheduled to begin at Noon Eastern time so if you can, watch it on the Internet from the link at the White House Web site or on the tube live or any of the dozens of times it will be rebroadcast.

Now for the commentary: What's funny about this is the reactions of the mobs. I don't even want to credit reactions to "people" or even "Americans" anymore. We are quickly becoming a nation of mobs and this "Sharks and Jets" mentality is seen best focusing between FoxNews and MSNBC. Frankly, they're just different ends of the same line and if we can't get beyond that, we will live on that line instead of in a marketplace of ideas and free expression.

AOL has some fun stats. Monday night, they reported that of people who responded to their online poll, 60% thought the President's plan to address the nation's students was inappropriate. Did these people respond the same way when President Bush did the same thing in 1991? From where I sit, the more important question is "Did I?"

Shame on me, I probably did. Hypocrisy stings when you realize it cuts both ways.

This morning, after the publication of the President's remarks, 56% think the controversy is much ado about nothing and 62% approve of the remarks. Less than 24 hours earlier, 60% thought the whole thing was inappropriate.

The AOL resources I used can be found at these URL's:
http://news.aol.com/article/obama-school-speech-controversy/655701
http://news.aol.com/article/obama-school-speech-text/658197

Talking Smack on the Smurf Turf

On Thursday night, the University of Oregon played Boise State on the blue turf of Bronco Stadium in Boise. The game started with what the NCAA suits called a "sportsmanship initiative." Fifteen players from each team came out to midfield and shook hands.

It ended with what the NCAA suits will call a "sucker punch."

Video from after the game very clearly shows Boise State player Byron Hout come out and "touch" Oregon tailback LeGarrette Blount and then say something. While I don't know what was said, from Hout's expression I don't think it was "Good game." Then while Hout continued celebrating with teammates, Blount turned and popped him on the jaw. Might I say it looked like he tagged him pretty well.

My personal observations:

• If you are going to talk smack, even on your home field, you should never do it without your helmet.
• If you are going to talk smack, even on your home field, you should never continue your celebration turning away from the man you just insulted.

I am not going to minimize LaGarrette Blount's actions. He shouldn't have taken the bait. But frankly, he was bated and Hout should not have been surprised that the bait was taken--and given back.

Blount has been suspended for the rest of the year. Unless the Senior has a red-shirt season available, this is the end of his collegiate career. I think that's a shame. Talking heads have said that Blount has had some discipline troubles, and this would surely be another mark in that column, but I don't like it at all. Discipline yes, but this is overboard.

As for Hout, I hope he loses a tooth.

Root, Root, Root for the Home Team or Be True to Your School

First things first, I was raised in the Kansas City suburbs. I am a graduate of Emporia State University and worked at Lamar Community College and the University of Arkansas. Let me just say that as a sports fan I have had some great reasons to cheer... and a long, long time to mourn the days that were.

The 1970 Super Bowl, Chiefs beat the Vikes. The 1985 World Series, it's the Royals over the cards. LCC in Lamar, Colorado and baseball coach Scott Crampton have had some great seasons over the past 15 years or so. Arkansas has won NCAA Championships in football (I have been walking almost as long), basketball, and over 30 track championships.

But especially with the Royals and the Griefs, being a fan is a mournful experience. So, can a fan divorce a team? I SAY NO! DON'T DO IT!

There are some Rick Reilly in ESPN the Magazine has offered some guidelines about shifting fan allegiance. There is even a web site where fans can demand Free Agency. As for me, I say dance with the one who brung you. If you have a favorite team in a sport, stick with it. Bandwagon jumping may feel good when you hitch your wagon to a star, but when it falls, you just look like a fairweather.

On a personal note, I do make some distinctions.

How can I root for both Emporia State and Arkansas. One is an NCAA D-I school and the other is a D-II school. I worked at both (either as a graduate assistant or as a professional) and took classes at both (BSB and MS at Emporia and worked on an EdD. at Arkansas). They will never play each other, especially for anything more than cash, so I see no conflict of rooting.

How about the community college I attended, Johnson County (KS) and LCC? Not only did I work at LCC, but I also did public address for the athletic department. Solid connection that I really enjoyed.

Finally, my most tenuous connection: I root for the Colorado Rockies in Major League Baseball as well as the Royals. My argument is easy; I lived in Colorado during the Rockies inaugural season. I was there to root for them from day one. But I want to make an important note here. If the Rocks played in the American League, as do the Royals, no question; dance with the one who brung you. I will always root for the Royals...even if they play the Rocks in the Series.

Not that's a delusional piece of dreamwork.