We have all heard it. Any of us who work in a sports-related
field have heard the trolls of the internet or the right-wing squawk machine
tell us that any political opinions from us are not welcome. As if, by working
in the sports or entertainment field we give up our rights as citizens of the
country. As if, because we work in the sports and entertainment field our
viewpoints are somehow less valuable. That a person cannot be well-read or
thoughtful in one area if he/she works in another. The latest to be under
attack was Lebron James who was taken to task by squawker Laura Ingraham last
week for his criticism of Donald Trump. She castigated his level of schooling….she
told him to “shut up and dribble” using a variation of a line she has used for
book titles. She then, using an old right-wing troll trick, invited him on her
show , which certainly would have juiced her ratings for that day. But, Lebron
is too smart to fall for that one. He knows that his bully platform is much
bigger than hers. He knows and many have asked the question about his
contributions to society at large compared to hers. You have seen these shows
parade their own dubious celebrities before the cameras and microphones to
espouse right-wing views. Are we to believe that Kid Rock, Ted Nugent, Scott
Baio and Chuck Norris are somehow smarter and more well-read than Gregg
Popovich, Patton Oswalt and Jimmy Kimmel. Please. We need people who have grown
up with the casual racism, economic inequality and other forms of degradation
that survives in our society to continue to comment and call attention to it. As
Amy Trask tweeted “It is intellectually dishonest to admonish athletes who
share thoughts as to how they believe we can make the world better to “stick to
sports” but to maintain that they should be “role models”- that’s what they are
doing- civil discourse is how we can problem solve”. I’m not big on engaging the
trolls. It’s not productive. Let the keyboard warriors live in their stunted,
acid-tinged world. But I and others won’t be silenced by them either.“Shut up
and dribble”? “Stick to sports”. Nope, not happening.
BTW, Lebron James is paying $41 million to send 1100
underprivileged kids to college. His foundation is building a school. He continues
to speak out for those who can’t speak or are powerless. As many have asked in
the last few days, what has Laura Ingraham done to make the world a better
place?
(and before you answer, I know she has adopted a couple of
Russian orphans. Admirable but it doesn’t cleanse her of her ignorance).
You may not know the name Ben McDade but he has been one of
the best high school athletes in the state of Wisconsin the last four years.
The Monona Grove senior broke a state record this weekend by winning his 15
th
WIAA State swimming championship. He has also lead his school to four
consecutive state team titles!
Wausau West grad Jasmin Samz continues to sparkle for the
Ball State womens basketball team this season. On Saturday she tied her career
high with 18 points and added seven
rebounds and four assists.
I’m not a big NASCAR
fan but I watch the Daytona 500 every year. It continues to confuse me though
how a person can be declared a winner after wrecking the guy leading on the
final lap. It seemed to happen yesterday and nobody seemed to be too upset
about it except may Aric Almirola who was leading before he was bumped out of
the way. Maybe my Nascar friends can enlighten me. Wouldn’t it be like a person
running second in a track and field event purposely stepping on the heel of the
runner ahead of them causing them to trip?
Brewers regular position players report to Spring Training
today. The first game action is Friday.
Elections have consequences….The indictments of last week
are another important link in the chain that Robert Muellers team is building.
The Trumpsters and their shills in the right-wing squawk machine have been pushing
the narrative that these indictments somehow vindicate them. The only reason I
can see for this bizarre claim is that they truly believe that their base is
too stupid to do anything but nod along like so many bobblehead dolls. And the
President’s continued inaction regarding an attack on our electoral process by
a foreign enemy is maddening. He ignores a huge bi-partisan Congressional vote
to sanction Russia for their activities. Since he is sworn to protect and
defend the Constitution just for attacks like this you would think that
impeachment would be on the table by now…and yet the Republican Party has sold
whatever integrity they had left to protect a lunatic. Add on their complicity
in the gun debate by continuing to ignore the vast majority of Americans who
want to see sensible gun control legislation and it’s hard to see how they will
continue to be a credible political party going forward. If the voters of
America continue to elect Republican candidates after all that has gone on in
the last year and a half, we are too stupid to survive as a country and deserve
the disdain and contempt of the rest of the world.
Quotes Of The Day
“Teenagers who were almost murdered last week are leading
the nation on gun control. The head of Trump’s EPA is afraid to fly coach”-Sam
Adams
“I find it psychologically interesting that the man who’ll
go down as one of the most bumbling and inept con men in history-even given
crucial assists by the GOP and the Kremlin-is obsessed with the thought that
people are laughing at America all over the world. He’s not wrong”- Steve
Silberman
“For the record, the issue with Facebook is not that its
business model is ads. Advertising serves a valuable function in society, It
connects buyers and sellers, its useful to many. The issue is basing it’s
product on manipulating people and misleading the public about its impact”.-Francois
Chollet
“Incomprehensible pain and looss at a high school, yet
again, and it’s children who are leading voices for action. Meanwhile, our
president uses the tragedy to attack the investigation of a foreign adversary’s
interference in our democracy. Shameful”-Sally Yates
“It’s 11:30 pm and the President is holed up alone at his
Florida resort, his wife is angry that he cheated on her with porn stars and
Playboy models, while he yells at Fox News and tweets batshit conspiracies at
the rest of us”- Jon Favreau
“The United States was attacked by a foreign power.
Yesterday’s indictments should make that abundantly clear to everyone (as if it
wasn’t already). What will the man who took an oath to “preserve, protect and
defend the Constitution of the United States” do about it?”-Dan Rather
“I’ve been much more inspired lately by the children of
America than the adults”-Preet Bharara
Songs Of The Day
