Taken To the Logical Extreme:The Worship of the Dangerously Ignorant Athelete vs. Embarrasingly Unreflective Patriotic Jingoism

Is Dallas Mavericks forward Josh Howard just an asshole, or is he a brilliant player in a magnificent bit of political theater that matches two of Bush America's most virulent strands?

Horrors! An NBA player is disrespecting the national anthem. Looks like you can put lipstick on a pig but you can't teach the pig to love their country. Howard will probably be getting a few less ho's until this all blows over.

Come out the Hotel and see Jose Reyes Run!!

I wish I hadn't seen them, but if the following idiotic pictures are to be believed, Jose Reyes pays close attention to the television. Which now will be playing the Mets 2008 Collapse on a loop. He should have had them dress up as ballplayers. No one is perfect, but how hard can it be to keep your private transgressions to yourself to protect your image and career? Reyes is every bit as dumb as he looks.

One can understand why an athlete would commit a crime just to be relieved of playing for the Oakland Raiders (a truly awful team), but why would Jose get married recently when he can enjoy the classy company of these wonderful ladies? The only question left is which is more shameful, his private behavior off the field, or his yearly September play on the field?

What the Fuck is A Hockey Mom?

I dunno either, but here's a clue as to why the Republicans are using this strategy over the "CricketMom" alternative.

Catering to the Young and Drunk

Baseball and other sports can be proud of the scofflaw attitude towards public inebriation. A new study in the journal Alcoholism:Clinical and Experimental Research (home delivery is a must) gives the big leagues another black eye.

The study found that:

People who are under age or visibly intoxicated can often buy alcohol at ballgames with ease, especially from vendors in the stands, according to a new study based on visits to 16 stadiums in five states.

...found that alcohol was sold to 18 percent of the testers who appeared under age and 74 percent of the testers who appeared intoxicated.

To test sales to minors, the study used people who were legally old enough to buy alcohol but looked younger. They were told to say they did not have identification with them if asked for proof of age.

And I always wonder why Americans continue to put up with stadium gouging. It's probably because its easier than sitting outside the package store in the shadows waiting for an unscrupulous homeless adult to hook you up.