Face It Dems & Libs; We Picked the Wrong Guy, Because He's Too Much Like Me

By Chris Wright

In the last few months or so I've heard Matt Damon, Michael Moore, Stephen A. Smith & a few other democratic liberal types all say how disappointed they are in the work of President Barack Obama. All of these people voted for President Obama and are supporters of President Obama. So it made me take a deep look at the last fifteen months of the Obama administration. A closer look. And it was that punch in the gut that you get when you realize that your son is just not cut out for football. The feeling that you get when you finally accept your child's teacher's assessment that he or she needs special education. I took that long hard look at Barack Obama. And I love this man. He's been a beacon of light for me and millions of others. He seems virtuous, honest, and caring. He seems extremely patriotic and he means well with every action and every bill that is passed. But he's just not the guy. This job is going to swallow him alive!

How does this relate to me?

Ever since I was a young teenager; probably around 13, I had this desire to be in management. I always wanted to be in charge. I sold papers, made a system, hired a team of people to help me with my route, and after paying my team, I made no money, but I was happy that I managed a team of kids who handled this huge neighborhood. After awhile, my friends got lazy. They weren't waking up, missing their routes, stealing my money and other shenanigans. Which ultimately caused me to lose my route. But those were my buddies. We laughed and joked about it. Everything in life was good. I still had my friends. Screw the paper route. Later in life, I was in the Navy, as I moved up in the ranks, I was heavily decorated with ribbons and medals for accomplishments. I moved up the ranks pretty fast. But I never led people during my Navy stint. I was always in jobs where I worked alone and required self-motivation and independence.

After my Navy stint I got into management again. adult management; with a national restaurant chain; Italian food. I was an assistant manager. I was responsible for the restaurant operations; front to back. I became good friends with the kitchen staff. Those guys were great and they loved when I work. They could go crazy. The bartender chatted with me all the time, told me all of his life's horror stories, opened up easily. Waitresses loved me, confided in me, cried with me, and I even dated a few of them. I finally left and went into retail. I went to a national video chain. I did quite well there too. Promoted up to district manager of Norfolk, Virginia Beach and Chesapeake. Made great friends. A few who are great friends to this day. But I did not get those promotions because of my great leadership skills. I got those promotions because I was a politician. I rubbed elbows and befriended the right people. I was a socialite. And actually, I was a horrible manager of people. I wasn't a leader. I liked people. I wanted friends and lots of them. But I still wanted that executive position. I went from retailer to retailer. Big boxes with big names. You've heard of some; Target, Circuit City, Best Buy, Enterprise. Again, I was a great politician, gatherer of people and collector of friends. I finally got tired of trying to lead and motivate people for my success. It was such a stupid concept. Why didn't everyone see the world like I did? Why did I have to motivate people to want success for themselves. I had a plan. So I got fed up with needing people to get me where I needed to be. I wanted to work alone.

Every job that I took after that retail stint; I worked alone. And I was successful. Pharmaceuticals, Business to Business sales, and running my DJ company. I could have lots of friends and depend on none of them for my own success. And that is good for me. I don't have to wait on people to make decisions. I don't have to motivate others. I don't need them to be successful. I can be a nice guy. A politician. And sell my personality.

Here in lies the problem with Barack Obama. His campaign was great! The people loved him. Even the people that said, "he's inexperienced". He wowed us. He had a vision. He wanted change and so did millions of Americans. He wanted to reform health care. He want to please the gay population. He won over middle class whites and affluent blacks. And if this were a dictatorship where he didn't need anyone else to get his agenda done; then we wouldn't be having this discussion. But Barack needs to be liked. He's a socialite. He's gathered many friends in his short political career. He mastered the book "How to Win Friends and Influence People". Then he wrote two books of his own that sold millions and made the New York Times Bestsellers list.

You ever work for those manager's that did what was good for the success and profitability of the store, but most of the people thought that he was an asshole. He or she weren't trying to be popular. They didn't hang out with the crew. They had 8am meetings on Sunday mornings whether you liked it or not. They made a lot of money. They had a lot of company awards and accolades. And they were well respected by their superiors. You hated them while you worked for them. But at your next job, you respected how much you learned from them. You never knew this manager to have many friends. It's a tough place. It's a hard life. But somebody's gotta do it. And it's not Barack Obama.

He's not equipped to fight his adversaries. The republican party is ruthless. And not only them, but also, fight against the popularity of Hannity, Limbaugh, Beck, Wilkow, Levin, and Murdoch. They want him gone. He never stood a chance. While he should have been spending 15 months pushing forward his agenda, instead, he spent this time trying to get along with his enemies and out manuever the media pundits. He's tried to get tough a few times by publicly insulting and challenging the republicans, but it was all seen as posturing. He's not that guy. When there are riots in the streets, he's the guy saying, "can't we all just get along?" Barack Obama has compromised so many times on so many issues that he can't even remember what his original agenda was. Gays are mad. Middle class workers are mad. Unions are mad. Democrats are mad, Independents are mad. Barack Obama is still campaigning. "Gimme time. I will not surrender. We still have work to do. Gimme time. Be my friend." It's just sad. He has to learn like I learned. He will be a far better ex-president than he is a president. Because it takes iron-clad balls to be a president and stand in the face of adversity and take it, digest it, and spit it back in their faces.

Barack Obama take my advice. Don't run again. Serve the people that you intended to serve outside of Washington. Become an activist. Lead the ACLU. Practice law with Michelle, who once said, "it's the first time in my adult life that i've been proud to be an American". I wonder how she feels now? Barack, lead a cause to help the poor and disenfranchised. You can be a hero. But you cannot be a leader. This is the tagline on his Presidential nominee resume:

"Advocate for decisive change and action to restore the political, economic, military and social landscape and dominance of the United States as a global leader. Well-respected for political judgement, integrity, ethical behavior, passion and commitment to American citizens"

Barack, you can't do those things in Washington, you have to do them outside of Washington. That's what Bill Clinton is doing.

Tiger Test Our Religion

By Chris Wright

I ended my last blog entry saying how the Tiger Woods issue raises serious concern about who we are as human beings and what life means.

I took another day to reflect on that statement and I listened to more talk radio and rants from sports fans and analyst. I wanted to make sure that what I was thinking was on the right path. And of course...I was. You know me. I'm Wright even when I'm wrong. I am an emotional person when it comes to certain issues like anyone else. My biggest pet peeve is human judgment and unforgiveness. That, more than anything else really gets my blood boiling. Because everything that we need to know in order to live in this world, we learn by age 5. Then we just forget it all. One of the biggest lesson that we learn and one of the biggest lessons that we teach our children is forgiveness. But as adults, we fall short. Then the other thing that we teach our children is to not judge and not be mean. And as adults, we fall short.

On my Facebook page, long before the the fateful Thanksgiving of 2009 when the Tiger Issue began, the Religion question on my profile says: I am Tiger Woods. I was making mockery of the Nike commercial back in the late 90s when all of the children were saying "I am Tiger Woods". It was surreal and almost like a religious following. I could hear billions of human beings across the world saying in the same tone, "I am Jesus Christ". It was only Tiger Woods' second year as a pro when that commercial was on TV and already, he had been exalted to a deity-like form. "I am Tiger Woods". Once this scandal broke and the world turned their backs on him; the same world that followed him like disciples in the gallery, the world who replaced his posters on the walls with crucifix, and the same world that cringed at the very mention of his name, I wondered, should I keep my Religion status on Facebook as "I am Tiger Woods". I did. And it will remain.

Now more than ever it applies. The selection of that religious status was prolific and profound beyond my understanding. Tiger Woods is a man that the world has looked up to and exalted, not only because he could swing a golf club, but because he was perfect in every way possible. Though we thought. He was everything that we could not be or never imagine ourselves to be. He displayed poise and grace. He practiced hard and played hard. He spoke well. Here was a figure that we could finally tell our children to emulate. He seemed to transcend human life. He was more a than a man. He was loved by most. There were and still are those that hate him. And I do mean hate him. And there was good reason to not like him. He cursed and grimaced on the golf course. He is a very private man and never gave us much of his human side. He wasn't Phil Mickelson. So I can understand a few detractors. When this is all said and done and placed in the history books, somewhere between 1 Peter and Revelations, the most relevant lesson from the Book of Tiger will be one who strived for perfection, but fell short because of human frailty. Not because of temptation, but because of the opportunity and unlimited access to things that tempt.

That's right believers. We are only as religious as our opportunities to sin. This is why the older you get, the more religious you get. Many of you go to church. Look at all the grey hair in the pews. They can see the finish line. They can see the light. They have booked their reservation for a table for one in God's Cafe. And they are going to do everything possible to make sure they don't lose that seat. We remember the best Biblical lessons, not from going to church, but from our Grandmothers and Grandfathers. We say, "Gramma used to always say, Judge not and ye not be judged". Grandpa would always say, "he who is without sin, cast the first stone". Yes believers, we remember these lessons because ole folks taught us. But when you're young and vibrant and life is calling from every port and destination, we are tempted to go where life calls. Cancun, Vegas, LA, Times Square, Girls, Hotties, Money, Cars, Bling, The Jersey Shore... ok, maybe not the Jersey Shore...but you get my point. Oh its so hard being a young religious person. Too many opportunities. Too many chances to sin. And you think, can I do this for 60 more years? Go without?

And to think, you make a thousand dollars a week if you're lucky!!! Can you imagine making a thousand dollars an hour? Then imagine your choices. My goodness! Married men, you might get propositioned by women once every few months. As you're walking through Price Chopper picking up Huggies, a woman passing by gives you that look, squints her eyes and you imagine her to say.. "mmm.. i love a man in a dale earnhardt ballcap. especially when he has the jacket to match. and he's a dad too. come'er big daddy". Or you're in Lowe's deciding which door knob would look better on the first floor bathroom door and you're interrupted by a Hot Mom with a charming smile, holding on to her 3 year old by the the hood of his hoodie. And she sensually says, "do you know which aisle the picture hangers are on?". You melt. "If only I wasn't married". Guys, you have NO idea what temptation is! Now let's combine the two. You make a thousand dollars per hour and you have the whole Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue coming at you daily, not to mention a few Applebee's waitresses and your son's teacher; If you make it through the MONTH without one slip up, you're good. If you make it through the year, you're Ghandi, and if you NEVER submit, then praise the Lord, give me what HE'S having. Because that's the kind of control that I want.

Believers, this is not about Tiger or his transgressions. This is about us. This is about religious beliefs. Human beings. Forgiveness and judgment.

The Bible: If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them. if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.

The Qu'ran: And whoever does evils or wrongs himself but afterwards seeks Allah's forgiveness, he will find Allah Oft-giving, most merciful.

Buddaism: If we do not forgive, we keep creating an identity around our pain, and that is what is reborn. That is what suffers.

The Bible: Do not judge and ye will not be judged. Do not condemn and ye will not be condemned. Forgive not and ye will not be forgiven.

The Torah: When asked by an offender for forgiveness, one should forgive with a sincere mind and a willing spirit, for forgiveness is a natural seed of Israel.

Hinduism: O Lord forgive these sins that are due to my human limitations.

So I quoted from most of the religions in America minus Wiccan and Satanism and they all pretty much say the same thing. They say that we must forgive. And if forgiveness is a the cornerstone of religion and many of you shout to the roof tops that you're God-fearin' creatures who post Facebook scripture daily and weekly, then where is your forgiveness in regards to Tiger or the actions of Tiger? No crime was commited. No murder, no rape, no child molestation, no thievery, no embezzlement, torture, or assault. But I hear people on the radio yelling; yes YELLING at how horrible Tiger is and how weak and pathetic he is. People saying that his apology is a joke. Some even condemning him for apologizing at all. Some said, "too little, too late". Some said that Elin wasn't there and that was significant. Well Tiger's been invisible for 3 months. You don't think he apologized to her a million times? But I guess YOU want to hear him apologize to his wife and all will be good in your world.

I will wrap this up with this. If we take anything we have learned from school, church or parenting, we should look at this situation and give thanks. Thanks that once again, we have been taught another lesson. Like AIDS in the 80's made us think twice about our sexual promiscuity, maybe the Tiger Issue will make us think twice about infidelity. While Tiger's fall from grace is much higher than the few steps that we might fall down, the lesson should be the same, yet more significant. While infidelity in an average persons life might cost him or her a spouse, kids, a home and several thousand dollars; Tiger could lose millions, fame, and respect in the court of public opinion as well.

Tiger gave a 13 minute apology in front of the world. Who would YOU apologize too? In my mind, in that 13 minutes, only 8 seconds mattered. And that was when he said, "For all that I have done, I am so sorry." Nuff said Tiger. Nuff Said.

"Where You Been?" - signed Avid Reader

That's what I received in a Facebook message the other day. It made me feel good because bloggers think that only close friends, moms, and coerced people read their stuff. It's good to know that some people actually miss you when you don't write. It's been a few weeks since I last wrote anything. I mean nothing. The most I wrote was 'Love Daddy' and 'Love Chris' on Valentine's Day cards, but other than that, not much.

So what have I been doing. Let's see. I started working in Albany in January, in my new office with a new team. That in itself has been an overwhelming new experience. Although I'm doing the same job that I'd done in Utica/Syracuse, everything is quite different. I feel like like a left a job working in a bank to working at the New York Stock Exchange. Fun, fast-paced, electric, exciting, and flat out busy. So much to do in so little time. My days fly. I'm re-learning the Capital Region. It ain't what it was when I left it. It's more subdued. A little tame. I can also attribute that to me being 4 years older with a family and a real job. See, when I last lived in Albany, I worked for Enterprise Ren-ta-cah. And then I was a pharmaceutical rep. HOLD ON Enterprise folks, I'm not saying your jobs aren't real. I just remember how much we partied and drank on a daily basis. We are very close knit, like family. Forty percent of my Facebook friends are former Enterprisers. Some of my best memories are from working there. But one of the things you rarely hear from Enterprisers is, "IT'S FRIDAY". Because they don't care. If you don't know, let me explain, everyday was Friday. It was just a matter of where we were going. And I worked from Saratoga to Poughkeepsie, so the spots were abundant; Rafferty's, P&G's, Juniors, City Tavern, DA's, The Bullpen, Rusty Nail, Bayou, Cabaloosa, Mad River, and the list goes on. So yeah, Enterprisers work hard, but they party harder. Up at 5:30am and lucky to be back in bed by 2am the next night. We did it big.

Then there was my pharmaceutical rep job. Well... position, I should call it. Many of my friends still do this job, so I'll tread lightly when talking about it. What I remember most about pharma is driving. And driving. And more driving. And parking. And driving. Then more parking. Oh, I remember the drug launches. Who hoooo! And I remember driving. Everything else was a blur.

So back to what I've been doing. Like I said, Ye Ole Capital Region is different. So I'm getting used to that again. My drinking, partying, and womanizing hours are now spent commuting, shopping, and eating. That's what fathers/husbands do. We drive, shop and eat. At Golden Corrals and Friendly's and other fine family establishments. But it's fun and rewarding. I'm re-learning traffic. There was no traffic in Central NY. Except for the occasional congestion off the 90 exit at Carrier Circle in Syracuse at 7:55am. Then there was the back up on Genesee St and the Arterial in Utica because there's a traffic light every 30 feet. Nothing like the Northway at 7am and 5pm. So I'm adjusting.

I rediscovered sleep. Last week, I was sick and I use that word lightly. I think I was more fatigued/dehydrated than anything. I came home from work, popped 2 Tylenol PMs and that was it! A new discovery. That's what's been missing in my life. So now, I've been popping one at night before bed. The TPMs does two things. It helps me sleep and it cuts some of the minor aches and pains that I get from being cramped in a car all day. From driving, shopping, and eating.

I've been awakened and rejuvenated by Tiger speaking! It woke me up and turned on the creative juices. I'm ready to write again. I listened to Tiger talk all day yesterday and listened to and read people's reactions. And people, we've got problems. The Tiger issue raises serious concerns about who we are as human beings and what life means. It's my job to point that out to you. So get ready for my wrath.

Your Child Just Might Believe You. Handle With Care.

by Chris Wright

Is your kid a clone of you? Do you want your child to think and speak like you politically, socially, morally, and ethically? Think real hard before you answer.

If you're over 30, you can probably remember a time when there was less media, less cable channels, less radio, no Sirius, no XM, no cnn.com, not foxnews.com, no Rush, no Hannity, no Bill O' Reilly, no this.com or that.com. Your parents are probably pigheaded and believed what they believed without very little media or talking-head intervention. And now you say, "my parents are so close-mined". Well, we have the luxury of being very open-minded because as soon as we think one way, we can turn on the TV or radio and hear an opinion that differs from our own and say, "hmm, I never looked at it like that!" --at the speed of light, we can change our mind. With a great deal of help from media. Look how big the Independent party is. I believe due in part to media and not really taking a side. When I was younger, there were Democrats, Republicans, and Ross Perot. That was it! Now there is 5 or 6 parties for every election!

But this is not my point. So, I was listening to this conservative radio show the other night. Very conservative host Mark Levin. One of his clones called in. (A clone is a person that forms all of their opinions from one radio host. That's all they listen to. They talk like them and parakeet everything they say when talking to other people). The clone was a proud and concerned mother. She called in to tell the host her anecdote about her son's school project on Global Warming.

Just a little background for those of you that don't really know the political lobbying agenda on Global Warming. In a nutshell, the left are all for it, because they are "tree-hugging, environmental, go-green" activist. The right totally oppose the notion of Global Warming and have pretty good data and evidence that it and Al Gore are a fraud. And that the Obama Administration continues to pour mounds of money into the prevention of Global Warming, thereby perpetuating the farce. Ok, enough about that.

Her son had to do a paper on Global Warming. Now without knowing all of the details of the background on the school, the curriculum, the grade level, or the age of the kid, I can tell you that none of that is relevant for the sake of this blog. Being that mom is a staunch right-wing conservative who is anti-global warming, she was sure to have the urge to help her son with his essay assignment and give her two cents; probably with an iron fist. I'm sure that she told her son exactly how it is in regards to Global Warming.

"But mom! That's not what we were taught in school about Global Warming!" he might've said.

And mom probably said, "Well, I don't care what they're teaching you down at that school. They're wrong! Let me tell you about Global Warming son. It's a farce. And tonight, I'm going to show you some articles that proves that it's a fraud!"

"But..."

"But nothing. I know and we're going show that little teacher of yours the truth and stop these lies right NOW!"

So, he writes his essay on Global Warming according to his mother. He takes it into school. His teacher reads. She grades. He gets a zero.

Are you emotional? For the zero or against the zero? Let us move on.

He tells mom that he received a zero on his paper. Mom fumes. She makes an appointment with the teacher and now it gets sticky. The teacher explains that her son's take on global warming is not how it was taught in class. The teacher told the mother that the curriculum is based on what will be on the State Exam and that it is her job to prepare her students for the State Exam. She further explained that her classroom is not an open forum, at least not for that particular assignment, but that this particular project was to make the students familiar with the global warming agenda both domestically and abroad.

Mom now wants to speak with the Principal, who pretty much supported the teacher. After that, mom wanted the superintendent who not only supported the teacher and the principal, but explained to the mother, that if her son gave the same answer on the State Exam, that he would receive a zero again! So now mom wants to take it to the next level; writing the state, etc.

My question to you is this. Where does the son fit into all of this and what is he learning? He's learning at a very young age to buck the system if you think it's wrong. He's learning that authority is not important if you believe that it's wrong. He's learning that one man or woman's opinion is law if they can show evidence to support their view; even if they don't show you the opposing view. He's not learning that there is a very structured way to fight a system if you're against it. He's not learning that his mom supports the school and the administration. How many times have our children said, my teacher is stupid, or the assignment is dumb, or i'm failing such and such class because I don't agree with it? As parents, aren't we supposed to support the adult establishment that are in place to help nurture and educate our children?

The better way to go about this would have been for mom to review the material on global warming that was given to her son. And she should have bit her tongue and assisted him with the assignment based on the curriculum and material provided by the school. Wait, don't kill me yet! Then after the assignment was done or even while she was helping him, she could have had a conversation like this:

"I'm going to help you with this assignment and I want you to get a passing grade on it. You have to write your essay according to what the teacher gave you to read on global warming. I have a very different view on it, but that's not important right now. For the sake of this class, let's do it the way your teacher wants it done."

The boy might say, "but mom, I want to hear what you have to say!"

"ok, but I don't want you to write this. This is just my opinion". Then proceed to explain. Then reiterate, "...but for the sake of this assignment, you need to write your essay as your were taught so that you can get a passing grade".

"But mom, what you are saying makes sense! I want to write what you just told me".

"Well, how do you know that i'm right? You have to look at both sides of the argument. Tomorrow we will go to the library and look at magazines, newspapers, and surf the internet. I will let you form your own opinion".

How's that people?? Is that so hard? Or, do you want your child to share your political views and thoughts and become the very parakeet that you or your parents might be? Not teaching kids the importantance of structure and discipline is the downfall of discipline in America. Now kids fight parents, teachers, adults, courts, and anybody whose opinion and ideas differ from their own. And we all know that kids know everything!

This is a tough call. I went back and forth even as I was writing. We want our kids to be independent thinkers. We want them to hear opinions that differ from what they hear in school and church. But look at the results. Less children go to church. Many lack a spiritual base. Children see adults as their equal. They have an opinion about everything. And it drives me crazy! They are bored in school because they think their teachers are tools. And it becomes even worse when the parent agrees with them and proves it. I'm just asking you to think before you act. I have a rule of thumb. As far as the children are concerned, the school is always right. Then I will deal with the school privately and tell them adult to adult what idiots I think they are.

That's what mom should have done.

The Changing Of The Yards

Danny is a guest writer on the blog. He hails from Rotterdam Junction and he's a Syracuse Alum. Welcome Danny to the fold. Because he's right, even when he's wrong.

By
Danny DeOrazio

With everything that has changed throughout my life, there’s been only one thing that’s always been there, sports. They have always been a big part of my life, and will be forever. If you’re anything like me, then you have cheered, booed, yelled and cried over your favorite team or player. When you’re this into it there are superstitions, rituals and traditions involved. But somewhere along the path of my life filled with sports, the meaning of sports and sportsmanship has lost its swagger.

Think back to the days when you were a kid, growing up in the 80’s (maybe 90’s for some of my younger friends)… Think the idea of sportsmanship is the same to the athletes of today to those of the ‘glory days’ of sports??? To me it’s not even close. Athletes and (especially) big wigs have thought way too hard on how to make the game faster, fairer, and more profitable. I get it, sports is a business and without profit there’s no business but C’MON MAN, is enough ever enough?

Have you ever heard so many hubbubs about so many over privileged athletes ever in your life? Everything is news nowadays, too. Everyone wants to know everything about everyone, and then try to break it down. I’ll admit it, I’m part of the millions that want to know about what athletes beat their spouses, had infidelities, or used drugs, but where’s the line going to be drawn? So many people are so quick to judge Tiger Woods for his demise on Thanksgiving night, but I say “What is he the first person to ever cheat on his wife?” People should think about the people they’re surrounded by and the lives they live before judging someone else. Well, personally, I’m gonna root more than ever for Tiger when he comes back to golf, and I can guarantee I’m not alone.

The controversy on the use of steroids/PEDs/whatever in sports, especially baseball, will unfortunately be around forever. Thanks dicks! I used to absolutely love Mark McGwire and Jose Canseco when they were the Bash Brothers on the A’s! It kinda brought the excitement back into baseball, adding the long ball and taking away dominating pitchers like Nolan Ryan and Roger Clemens (yea I added him!). Everyone loves some offense right? Mostly, with me as an exception. I am, and always have been, defensive-minded. Love pitching, loved linebackers like LT and Mike Singletary. To me, anyone can learn to score a bucket or throw a pigskin, but defending your territory is where it’s at. In baseball, the gloves, the bats, the cleats, etc… have all improved to grow with the times, but what about the pitchers? Last time I checked, the ball itself is the same it’s always been…. How about making the ball a little smaller and we’ll see how many homers precious A-Roid puts up this year? I will say that MLB has gone through humongous strides regarding PED use in the past few years. That being said, anyone wanna take my bet than NOBODY will ever hit more than 61 homeruns in one year in my lifetime?

Instant Replays…Booth Reviews…Stupid Penalties….OH MY!!! Remember back in time when there were no replays?!? Whatever the referee or umpire called, that was it; no ifs ands or buts. Well, now we have instant replays that go to reviews to make sure the call is right. Granted, the review usually confirms the call, but how much do you still hate it when 50,000+ fans, 2 or 3 idiot announcers and one drunken idiot watching it on a 31” TV can see the play clear as day, thru bloodshot eyes??? I’m not saying the Twins would’ve won that one infamous game against the Yankees in the 2009 AL playoffs when not 1, not 2, that’s right 3 calls that a deaf and dumb pig could’ve got right in real time. But nobody can say it would’ve had NO effect on the game, or you’re just another Yankee fan.

Ya’ll can rest easy though; I have a solution to this instant replay/booth review conundrum. There needs to be “Reality Reviewers” at each and every major sports game. What I mean is a group of ‘trained eyes’, tested with countless hours of replays that can bring an unbiased judgment of a play, in reasonable time. Too many times do I see a review that takes 5 minutes or more and it’s not even the correct call. I consider myself a good, fair judge even if it’s against my team, and could make these calls within 30 seconds. I just want a fair call that doesn’t interrupt the flow of the game. Too much to ask?? … And I don’t even want to start in on how quarterbacks can’t get touched anymore! … Or the ‘Tuck Rule’.

Being a kid that grew up 5 foot nothing, 100 nothing pounds, I didn’t have all the athletic advantages as a lot of others I knew. I played golf. I think I was pretty good, but my family didn’t have the $$$ to give me what I needed to make it, because I wasn’t THAT good. All I can say, without any doubt in the world that if I somehow made it into the NFL, MLB, or PGA or wherever, you probably wouldn’t see me in the news a lot. Whenever I see someone cheating in the game, on their wife, bringing guns to the locker room or just running their mouth off I just laugh to myself and change my perspective on their lives. There’s no use making a martyr out of anyone, because someone will just do something even dumber pretty soon, it’s a given. For me just about anything can be forgiven and everyone deserves a second chance. I understand wanting to get a leg up on the competition, I understand coaches and players that shoot off their mouths, I get it. Except for Michael Vick, I love animals too much. Being the ‘Eye for an Eye’ believer I am, think his punishment should’ve been to have fought to the death with some other felon when he was locked up. Who’s with me???

Luckily, there is one sporting event that has not really changed during my lifetime: (minus adding 1 more irrelevant team) THE NCAA BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT. To me, college sports mean a whole lot more than the pros, because they’re not doing it for money. Only a small percentage will go on to the pros, the rest are playing for the glory of not only themselves, but for their coaches and their college buddies that they see walking down the quad. I happened to have seen my alma mater Syracuse University in their remarkable run in the 2003 NCAA tournament. I saw them in Albany, out in Boston, but didn’t make it to New Orleans. I happened to be in Syracuse for work. I went to the Carrier Dome and watched the championship game between the Orange and the Kansas Jayhawks. Who cares? Me, because I was the kid who in 1987 cried for days when my Orangemen lost on a last second shot by Keith Smart, giving the championship to Indiana. I may have been past my time as a student at Syracuse, but being amongst the other 8000+ current students in the Dome, I dropped to my knees and started crying again. Tears of joy this time! Thank you NCAA for keeping it real!

The Syracuse/NCAA reference was put in to show proof that sports can remain traditional, ethical and consistent enough to take a 8-year old crying-ass kid, and turn him into a gleaming 24-year old alumnus, and now into a 31-year old bracketologist. I just wish now that someone slaps some sense into the BCS committee……. What a mess!?!

The Mistake Threshold (MT)

By Joe Jenkins

If the Jets have taught us anything throughout this year’s playoffs it is this: Take everything you know about what makes teams successful in the regular season and cram it up your cram hole, La Fleur. We were all too busy with our sanctimonious proclamations of the NFL being a pass first, high octane league, that we forgot an all important rule of playoff football: The team with that stays within their mistake threshold wins.

What is a mistake threshold? So glad you asked because I just made it up!

Everyone and everything in life has a mistake threshold—that point at which a person, team, or relationship goes from being good enough to get away with a mistake to the juice just not being worth the squeeze. You’ll find it in love, life, jobs, and even sports. Think about it: A guy with a great personality and amazing looks is going to get away with a lot more with a woman than a guy like…well…me. I’m the guy in the leather jacket on the top of this page that clearly looks like he needs to toss a no-hitter just to get a date. If witty meathead and I go head to head, he's going to be able to screw up a lot more than me and still get the girl. It’s not the amount of mistakes you make; it’s the ability to stay within your mistake threshold.

Nobody will ever play a perfect game. Linemen are going to get nailed for holding or jumping early; quarterbacks are going to throw to the wrong team; running backs and wide receivers are going to put the ball on the ground; you get the idea. The key is to have the ability to overcome the mistakes you make. A dominant defense helps. An explosive offense helps even more since it can put a game out of reach, or keep a game from getting out put out of reach. A strong running game, can be from a situational standpoint, but doesn’t help expand a team’s mistake threshold unless they already hold the lead. It doesn’t help when playing from behind.

This is why the Jets are still playing right now. Not because they have more athletic talent than the teams they played, but because they have managed to not exceed the number of mistakes their style of play will allow. Their opponents, meanwhile, did the exact opposite with missed field goals, turnovers, and stupid penalties. The result? A 9-7 Jets team playing for the right to go to the Super Bowl.

Now, with me trekking all the way out on this limb to say that there is one definitive number that will conclude the winner of playoff football, perhaps we should break down the final four teams set to play tomorrow.

New York Jets MT#: 1.5-2.0
Make no mistake: The Jets do deserve to be where they are. Yes they pranced into the playoffs by beating teams that were mailing it in, but they did go on the road to beat two division champs—one of which was riding an 11 game winning streak.

The Jets do have a shutdown defense that helps take the pressure off Mark “don’t call me dirty” Sanchez. They’re good enough to afford him, or anyone else for that matter one to two purely bone headed plays per game that they can realistically overcome.

Even still, a run all day and play stiff defense with a rookie quarterback business model doesn’t translate well for shootouts or playing from behind. It took a lot of missed field goals and idiotic personal foul penalties to get the Jets to Indianapolis. Chances are the Jets won’t have that luxury against a precision team like the Colts. They’re going to have to toss a gem in all phases to stay in this one.

Then again, the Jets have been getting written off since week 16, so what the hell do I know?

Minnesota Vikings MT#: 2.5-3.5
The NFC teams are so much closer and this one took a lot of soul searching for me. 1) Because Brett Favre has seemingly made a career out of making an ass out of me—and more directly my Bears. 2) I am absolutely and inexplicably man-smitten with Jared Allen and all of his quirky antics. I love the mullet. I love the fact that he has openly admitted that he still giggles at the fact that he wears number 69. I love the outdoorsy, possibly psychotic, “Seat at the table” Steve Lattimer-esque attitude. Plus he’s just sick coming off the corner.

Add Adrian Peterson, Sidney Rice and Percy Harvin to the mix and the Vikings can afford a few pooch screwing moments.

Outside of the front 7, though, the Vikings defense is suspect at best. Their defensive backs should feel complimented by being called a liability.

Here’s what’s scary: Adrian Peterson can and will fumble. He didn’t last week. It’s coming. We also know that when Favre has a blow up game, it tends to draw comparisons to Hiroshima or Nagasaki.

How does the mistake prone tendencies of Minnesota’s offense actually factor into the mistake threshold?

Since New Orleans runs a passing offense as efficient as any other in the league, it plays right in to the weakness of the Minnesota defense. When strengths play into weaknesses, it will actually shrink one team’s threshold while expanding the other. The Vikings really can’t afford to have Favre go Chernobyl or for Peterson to get the drops if they want to keep it close.

New Orleans Saints MT#: 3.5-4.0
The two NFC teams are so close that really what this game boils down to a few key things because all of the things just mentioned about the Vikings defense also goes for the Saints. New Orleans is at home and playing in front of a crowd that will help pick them off the mat if they should soil the bed sheets; and—as stated above—they excel at exploiting a defense where Minnesota is weakest. On top of this, we haven’t seen Drew Brees throw up an absolute stinker in a while. Unlike the king sized Baby Ruth’s that Favre tends to leave in the swimming pool at Bushwood, Brees’ seem to be a bit more of the fun sized variety.

One other guy to factor in here is Reggie Bush. Granted he’s only shown flashes of any redeeming value, but think of him as the Jay Buhner of football: He’s not going to get the ball in play every time, but he’s good for a big home run every now and again.

Indianapolis Colts – MT#: Possibly infinity
Peyton Manning is a surgeon that doesn’t need a mistake threshold because he almost never makes them; and he does awesome commercials with Justin Timberlake. Has there ever been a more lethal combination? I submit that there has not! The Colts also haven’t lost when he’s played the entire game since last year. They can run the ball effectively, and they can play adequate defense, they have play making receivers which includes their tight end.

To put Indianapolis in real life terms, he’s the guy you work with that could get caught sleeping with your bosses wife, sexually harass the secretary and punch the intern in the face all while getting voted employee of the month.

Ahhh, to be the Colts…

Haiti Relief

By Chris Wright

This is one of those situations that make me scratch my head. I mean, I don't know if you support relief efforts in Haiti or not, it doesn't matter. I'm just going to lay it out there. Here goes.

Americans and nations across the world are mailing money, texting money, wiring money, and exporting money at an alarming rate. I'm not even talking about time given and personal sacrifice. Athletes and celebrities are flying to Haiti to lend a hand. Food and water are being dropped so quickly, you would think it was New Orleans during Katrina... Oh wait... that took a week. Scratch that thought. Anyway. Large corporations are exporting supplies, beds, clothing, and other necessities. Ministers, priest, and Rabbis are taking whole congregations for spiritual relief and to feed the hungry. In just one week, over $200 million have been collected in relief efforts. Ladies and gentlemen, that is crazy good. And they have not even collected the money from foreign governments.

President Obama pledged that the US will donate $100 million. $616 million from the European Union, and $5 million from China. (They can afford much more).

Where am I going with this? You're wondering. Does Chris support these efforts or is he against them? I'm for them, BUT...As I stated on my Facebook status early this morning, why did it take devastation to notice Haiti? Before you think that i'm bitching about assistance, let me make it known that the United States leads the world in Haiti financial aid. Between 1990 and 2003, we as a nation gave approximately 1.5 Billion dollars in aid. But to put that into context, Jerry Jones and many investors and the state of Texas spent about a Billion dollars on the new Cowboy Stadium. But that's private enterprise, so they can do what they want. So it's not an argument. I was just making a point. That's what's great about America. You can do what you want with your money and I can write what I want.

The Republic of Haiti is the first independent nation in Latin America. It is the first post-colonial Black-led nation. And last but not least, Haiti's independence was gained as part of a successful slave rebellion. Which says quite a bit about the heart of the proud people of Haiti. I wonder had there been a slave rebellion in America, would Blacks be better off or worse off in present day? I dare not answer that. Food for thought.

Haiti is THEE poorest country in the Americas. Let me repeat that. THEE poorest country in the Americas. They have a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of seven billion dollars. We have more than seven billion dollars in Hollywood!! Here's more context. Their GDP per capita (per head, per person) is $790 dollars! Reality check: $2 per person per day!!

So remember the next time you drop $4.50 on your Caramel Macchioto, that your cup of coffee cost more than the daily pay of two Haitians for one day.

We are talking about an impoverished country. One of the world's poorest and least developed countries, ranked 149 of 182 on the United Nations Human Development Index. 80% of the country live in poverty. 50% of the citizens are illiterate. 80% of Haitian college graduates migrate, mostly to the United States. (Which tells me that there are quite a few Haitian-Americans that will be flying back to Port-au-Prince this week).

This place is so poor, that in 2010... yes... in 2010, over 225,000 youth are forced into voluntary slavery working as servants for food and shelter! Can you IMAGINE?

Now like I said earlier, Haiti does get aid. Foreign aid make up 30 to 40% of the national government budget with the United States being the largest donor. So again, I want to reiterate, I'm not bitching about that. Although I do have an issue with our relief efforts in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, but that's for another day, another time.

While I totally get that a 7.0 magnitude earthquake, with death tolls reaching over 200,000, is extremely dramatic and tragic. But is the poverty, hunger, slavery, illiteracy and living conditions unfit for rats, not as bad? We react to large sweeping tragedy i.e. 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, and the Oklahoma City bombing. The death toll of Hurricane Katrina was about 1,900 give or take a life or two. The 3rd highest death toll for a hurricane disaster in the US. But there are an AVERAGE of 150 murders in New Orleans per year, with tolls hitting over 160 and 163 in 2008 and 2009 respectively. Where's is the relief efforts? Where is the aid?

I said that over 225,000 youth were in poverty motivated slavery in Haiti and you probably didn't flinch. You probably did not give pause to the hundreds of thousands of death caused by poverty. Death from hunger. Inadequate medical treatment. Under qualified physicians (since they've all migrated to the United States). Murder and violence are always a product of poverty. So how many deaths are a result of that?

So as you're texting 45678 and 90999 on your cell phones to donate $5 and $10 at a time. Think about it next year too. And the year after. Figure out how you can help Haiti. Get children out of slavery. Keep college graduates in their country. Food, clothing, shelter, medicine, schools and so much more. When this is all said and done and the world rebuilds Haiti with new buildings, homes, schools, and hospitals. It might be a better country after all.

Grandma used to always say, "the lord works in mysterious ways". While we would all hate to believe that death and destruction is a means to an end.

It just might be an end to the way we presently think of Haiti. Or not.

Gilbert Arenas, Guns & Race

By Chris Wright

Every year. Without fail. A gun debate surfaces. The right to bear arms. Really? For who? When? Have our irresponsibililty with guns and the misinterpretation of gun laws which vary from state to state, alter the very meaning of the second amendment?

Well before I get into my foray on gun behavior, let us take a closer look into The Second Amendment: A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

Then after that, someone said, "Well what does that mean?" And some lawyer or politician or something, something, something advocate said, "That the people have a right to bear arms for the defence of themselves and their own state, or the United States, or for the purpose of killing game; and no law shall be passed for disarming the people or any of them, unless for crimes committed, or real danger of public injury from individuals; and as standing armies in the time of peace are dangerous to liberty, they ought not to be kept up: and that the military shall be kept under strict subordination to and be governed by the civil powers."

And somehow, from December 15th, 1751, all the way through today and beyond, it's been interpreted as "I have a right to have a muthafuckin' gun!" How did we get here? It doesn't matter. We're here.

Yesterday, NBA player Gilbert Arenas was suspended indefinitely by NBA without pay. He's paid $150,000 per game (and we wonder why sports tickets are so expensive. Another day). If he does not play another game this season, he will lose $10 million dollars. Quite a price to pay for stupidity. Why was he suspended? Because he felt that since he had "the right to bear arms", it would be ok to keep his firearms in his locker at the Verizon Center. Whoa! That's not all. He got into a pissing match with a rookie teammate and wanted to show who's boss. The argument got heated and this multi-million dollar superstar brandished his gat! But wait! It doesn't end there! The rookie baller was like, "What muthafucka! Gats don't mean shit to me, I got gats too! Rook proceeds to go into HIS locker and pull out his Johnny Blaze. And yes. In an NBA locker room, they faceoff. Huh??? Is anything sacred? A sports locker room?

We all should be aware of the Plaxico Burress story by now. NY Giants star wide-receiver who almost blew his dick off in a nightclub last year. Yep. Doing 2 years and might never play football again. His income was $4 million a year plus incentives. I'm sure one of those incentives was not "blow your dick off". Now, he's currently in prison for, not brandishing his gun, but concealing his gun. And it just happened to go off in a public venue. He said that he felt it sliding down his leg and he went to grab it and because his ring finger is probably about a size 19, he pulled the trigger. Ouch!! Mayor Bloomberg decided to make an example out of him because he has a huge name and Plaxico Burress is good billboard fodder for the gun problem in NYC.

So now all over talk radio, The Great American Debate begins. Do we have the right to bear arms and how do we bear arms according to the state that we live in. A caviat in the Plaxico Burress case was that he thought that his gun was legal. Yes. His gun was legal in Florida, so he thought that it was legal no matter what state he was in. Not so fast my friend. But he had to know that it was not legal in a nightclub, so that argument is moot.

Then it becomes a racial issue. Al Sharpton got involved in the Gilbert Arenas case and sportswriter, Screamin' Stephen A. Smith wrote a piece on Foxsports.com called "The Black Community Suffers from Arenas Stupidity". Your can read it here after you finish reading this. In a nutshell, he points out how black star athletes' behavior promotes and condones similar activities with black youth. Debatable. But I don't want to talk about that. I want to get back to Al Sharpton. He proclaimed that "Gilbert Arenas must be punished!!". No shit Reverend Al! But what's your point? Do you really think that you're that important that when you say it shall be, it actually shall be?? Because you were ready to castrate Mayor Bloomberg for going after Plaxico with such fervor. And I believe... correct me if I'm wrong... but I think threatning a person with a gun when you're own life is not endangered... is a called ... ummm.. a crime??? So Al, you did not have to make the proclamation, "Arenas must be punished". But I give you a slight pass, because you understand that many people will justify Gilbert Arenas stupid actions.

I heard former NBA All-Star, Jerry Stackhouse say on his radio show, 'aww shucks man, that's just Gilbert. He's a fun guy. Nothing should happen to him. The NBA needs to understand..., blah blah." Shut up Stack! Then, Stack went on to lament on how these million dollar athletes come from dangerous neighborhoods and how guns are the way of the land. And he went on to point how the late Washington Redskin Defensive back, Sean Taylor was gunned down in his own home. Whatever. Sean Taylor wasn't gunned down in his dangerous neighborhood. It's idiotic commentary like that exacerbates the problem. Stackhouse is black if you didn't know.

Then white folks calling up saying how "these people" think that they can do whatever they want because they make millions. The talk show host asked the caller to define "these people" and without fear of retribution, the caller simply said, "these young black athletes". Well, I guess that cleared that up! So does that mean that the right to bear arms has race clauses too? Ooh. I hope not. Then I would have to worry about only whites having guns. That's scary. (Visual of the 1700's. Very scary).

Where is the NRA in all of this? I've not heard a peep. This is bad publicity for them; athletes and guns. While they want to ensure that the second amendment is secure and intact. These high profile gun incidents are making it very hard. Well, I did hear one peep. I found it on a podcast. A gentleman from the NRA said that he did not want to comment on it because the percentages of gun crimes compared to the amount of guns sold is very small. Of course, he's talking about sold legally. So the NRA marches on.

What we all need to do is examine how we really feel about guns and their usefulness in society. Do you own one? Are you concerned if laws are tightened to make it harder to acquire guns? Would you like to see harsher punishment in regards to guns and gun crimes? If you had a gun, would you use it? Do you believe that politicians and our justice system are consistent in the punishment of gun crimes? Or, do you see a problem at all?

Since i've lived in Central NY, I haven't seen so many stabbings in my life!! A cop recently stabbed his wife to death then stabbed himself 14 times. So next, we'll tackle Knife Laws. Not.

The Hawk and The Hall

By Joe Jenkins

People change. Sometimes for the better; sometimes for the worse, but people change.

When I was 6 I wanted to be a Transformer. By the time I was 18 I wanted to be a journalist. Now I’m 28 and all I want to be is incredibly wealthy and retired.

On a very quick and sentimental note, I’d like to think most people are always trying to change for the better. I’d really like to think that most of the people around me have. If I might quote from the book of Balboa, chapter 4 verse 33: “If I can change; and you can change, everybody can change!”

Funny thing though. Stats don’t change. Not even a little. They’re locked in. Walter Payton still ended his career with 16,726 yards in 1987. Hack Wilson still drove in 191 RBI and hit 56 home runs in 1930.

It’s for this reason that I can’t just sit back and be happy that Andre Dawson finally got inducted into Cooperstown today. Is it nice? You bet…

…but just because it’s nice doesn’t make it right. Take a quick peek at this:
In 21 seasons, all The Hawk did was bat .279 jack 438 home runs (for you younger readers, this was a very high number before players starting eating Winstrol brownies.); steal 314 bases; total over 2,700 hits; 8 Gold Gloves and All-Star selections; winner of Rookie of the Year in 1977 and NL MVP in 1987 (runner up in 1981 and 1983).

Okay, on the surface a lot of these numbers look like they need to be filed under “pretty good” and not quite “Cooperstown worthy.” On paper I agree, but consider this:
Dawson spent the better part of the ‘80’s and going into the early ‘90’s as one of the most feared hitters in the National League. Remember: Dawson was hitting between 20-30 home runs a season when that was a lot. For those that remember seeing him play, Dawson threw absolute peas from any of the three outfield positions. Now, prepare yourself while I blow your mind:
Those 400 home runs and those 300 stolen bases? There’s a list of other people that have done that: Barry Bonds... and Willie Mays… I am now done with the list… …and spooling up my indignant tirade.

Can somebody please tell me why voters waited 8 whole years to vote in a guy that has compiled career numbers that have only been eclipsed by two of the greatest baseball players of all time?!! (Don’t start on the whole Barry Bonds thing…not the venue.) Three guys!! EVER!! One of them widely considered to be one of the top two players…EVER!! How is this even possible?! The Hawk didn’t get any better over the last 8 years did he??!! Why now??!! Why do I keep using multiple punctuations??

I’ll tell ya why!! 1) Because I wrote it to be grammatically correct, and the proper levels of rage were simply not conveyed. 2) Dawson didn’t get in until now because the whole idiotic system is just plain screwed up, that’s why!!

Luckily for you folks, along with all of this very wordy babbling, I have come up with a solution. I’m a fixer. It’s what I do. Solving life’s little problems with reasonable and rational remedies makes me feel smexy (that’s smart and sexy, gang). I figure these things will come in handy when I’m named the sports czar of North America. And on the day after instituting my system of promotion and relegation to the BCS, this is the process that will clean up the steaming pile of poo that is the Baseball Hall of Fame induction process: Take (some) of the power away from the problem.

A quick lesson for those of you that never worked in the sports industry:

Think back to your high school days. Remember the geek that obsessed over baseball and knew every stat? You know the guy that would jump into a conversation to remind you how many times Frank Viola threw more than six innings on weekdays after the passing of the Summer Solstice? No, no, no, not the skinny, hairy, yet strangely handsome fellow that just won’t let his sideburns go, that’s me. The other guy. Yeah…him… he became a sports writer, too.

Here’s what’s scary: This guy has a couple hundred friends that call themselves the Baseball Writers Association of America. These guys stalk locker rooms and clubhouses clinging to an antiquated notion that they alone are responsible for protecting the sanctity of baseball like they belong in a Dan Brown novel. They do this by holding the keys to Cooperstown. If they hold a grudge, you’re out. If they think you were kind of ornery in the locker room after a loss? You might not get voted for. If an older beat writer from Boston hasn’t ever heard of a player from San Diego, he won’t get the vote. I’m not kidding about any of this.

So instead of just putting the players through a screening process, I say we put the writer’s through a test to see if they still have their heads about them. Those that carry sufficient knowledge and the clarity of mind to judge players based on their ability and not if they stole a writer’s lollipop in elementary school will keep their vote. That vote will count for 1/3 of the voting process.

So where does the other 2/3 of the vote come from? So glad you asked! (You didn’t ask? Well, I’m going to keep writing…so…don’t make this awkward.)

Players know Players

The good news is, there’s a bit of a failsafe in place if a player gets screwed by the writers. Living Hall of Famers, a.k.a “The Veteran’s Committee.” The bad news is “The Veteran’s Committee” treats the Hall of Fame more like a fraternity and a popularity contest than the writers do.
Same deal here. Pass a screening…keep your vote... but it only counts as 1/3 of the total process.
The Honor is for the player. Cooperstown is for the fans.

Look, we’re the ones that elevate them to rock star status. We’re the ones that enable them to make millions, and we’re the ones that get outraged when they aren’t voted in, and we’re the ones that visit the museum in the first place. Remind me why we don’t have a say as to who gets in? The fan vote portion would be simple. Every year mlb.com offers a 24 hour window for fans to sign on and register for Hall of Fame voting. Each year, 500 registrants are randomly selected to select from the ballot. They vote and it counts for the final 1/3. A player still needs 75% total to get in, but can’t have any one category dip below 55%. This should prevent any fan uprisings from trying to get a truly undeserving player in.

For the Pete Rose’s and the “Shoeless” Joe’s of the world, the solution is simple. Under the new system, banned players get one shot. If you’re voted in, good for you; if not, there’s the door. Next time don’t break the rules.

Finally, no more 15 years. After the 5 year waiting period, everybody gets 10 years as long as they maintain 25% of the vote. At the end of the day, sometimes we need a little time to sit back and realize just how good somebody really was, but it sure as hell doesn’t take 20 years for that to happen.

And there you have it:
More democracy. More change.
Change is a good thing…
…but I still kind of want to be a Transformer…

Parents, do you lock your kids in dark places?

by Chris Wright

Texas Tech University football program recently fired their head football coach for (in my opinion), unacceptable and inappropriate behavior. He locked a player diagnosed with a concussion inside of a dark closet as discipline. Ok, it was not a closet. That's the way that it was originally reported, but it actually was a dark room about the size of a single car garage. I believe it is called an "equipment locker".

Believe it or not, this is a controversial issue in sports this week! To be fair to the controversy, let me give you a little more background on the story. The player in question is named Adam James. His father is Craig James; a former NFL football player and currently an ESPN college football commentator. He is reported to be very much involved in the development of his son's athletic education and mentoring. He has been accused by Mike Leach, the former Texas Tech football coach, of being a meddler. Coach Leach said the father Craig James complained about his son's playing time and other directions of the coaching staff. Basically, it sounds like Craig James is not much different than many parents who has children that are athletes. I used to coach AAU girls basketball and I witnessed it first hand. Parents meddle. Also, being that Craig James works for the "world wide leader in sports" in a position of intimidation; college football commentator, I am assuming that Mike Leach felt that this put daddy in a position of power also. Or at least a perceived position of power.

On Coach Leach, he also has a reputation of being a tough minded coach and for some athletes, difficult to play for. He also had some contract disputes with the university and was very outspoken with his discontent with the contract offered. There you have it. The brief synopsis on the background of both parties. Does that change your opinion on his behavior?

As parents, we entrust the mentoring, coaching, and well-being of our children to the hands of coaches and teachers everyday. From the moment they leave your hands when you drop them off at daycare and beyond. This trust continues in elementary school and up through college. And I do not believe that most of you would condone your child, who has been diagnosed with a concussion or any injury, to be stuck in a "dark room" or disciplined at all for being advised to resist the urge to practice or play by a doctor; not a coach, not a trainer, but a doctor. That is what this Coach told his trainer to do. And like a dummy, the trainer followed 'orders' and locked the kid in the 'dark room' and then lied to the media and the university saying that he never did. Then the trainer recanted his story and told the truth saying he did! What the hell is that all about? Then the coach says, "the punishment did not cause any further medical damage to the player". What is that? In summary, you don't like the kid, you don't like his dad, you're a bully, and you bully not only your players, but your assistant coaches and trainers too. So you lock the kid in a 'dark room' because the doctor advised that he should not practice or play. Nice move coach.

Parents, wouldn't you prefer that a coach cut or release your child from the team, bench your child, verbally reprimand your child IF indeed he's not playing or participating up to his or her potential? Wouldn't you prefer that the coach was able to show by detailed developmental reports and statistics that your son is just not standing up to the task? I would. You would NOT lock my kid in a dark room with a concussion because your next step may be the grave!

Many pundits and people who approve of Coach Leach's behavior fall back on the "tough" coach argument. They reference Bobby Knight, the former Indiana basketball coach who was known as a tough as nails coach who would berate players and throw chairs and intimidate the media. They reference former Ohio State football coach Woody Hayes, who was caught on video punching a player. They reference NY Giants coach Tom Coughlin who former Giants running back Tiki Barber said was the catalyst for his retirement. They reference Coach Bear Bryant, the former Alabama football coach who had very unorthodoxed ways of coaching and disciplining his players. Ok, so these men that I mentioned have storied careers and are very successful. But their methods would not be tolerated with today's athletes or parents. There was a time that a parent said "i don't care what you need to do to make my boy successful'. There was a time that strict physical discipline was the rule in homes. Kids were used to it. I know that the beatings that I received as a child would surely have me in a foster home today! Child Protection would have removed me and my siblings from the homes immediately. Ladies and Gentlemen, we are in the days of "time-outs" and "talking". Therapy and family counseling. You don't beat the crap out of your children anymore and you certainly don't stick them in dark rooms. So, if the kid doesn't get it at home, you really expect him to accept it from a coach? And if you didn't administer this type of discipline, would you accept it from a coach?

There are good coaches in sports also. Coaches that do not impose this kind of will on their athletes and coaches. Men and women who do not coach by fear. I am a Pittsburgh Steelers fan and I admire the way their coach Mike Tomlin coaches and disciplines his players. He motivates them with playing time, roster assignments, and details. I like Patriots coach Bill Belichek who tells his players 'my way or the highway'. You try him, you won't be a Patriot long. I like Lakers coach and former Michael Jordan/Chicago Bulls coach Phil Jackson, who has coached some of the most polarizing personalities in sports; Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Kobe Bryant, and Shaq. He managed personalities. He did not have tirades. I like coach Calipari and Coach Rick Pitino and Nick Saban and Mack Brown. Look at these guys careers. They're known as mentors and leaders. Not bullies and feared. Players love these men as much as they love their own fathers.

I'm not sure if Coach Mike Leach is a father but if he is, I hope that he when his child says, "Mommy, i'm sick, can i stay home from school today?", Mike doesn't shove him in a closet until he learns not to ever ask again.