littleLebowski’s profile

Definitely happy to see the final score, but man, there were pockets of each day where it was literally the best golf I've ever seen, by players on both sides - to the extent that I couldn't have complained if the Europeans pulled it out.
Quality stuff and praise deserved for everyone involved.

posted at 10:58 PM on September 22

I'm torn, lbb.
Part of me says that acknowledging those things are such simple and brief ways of acknowledging our respect for what we have as individuals and as a country, then why not.
But, I definitely see the logic that overuse reduces their impact - maybe even generates apathy or even mild forms of contempt.

posted at 04:36 PM on September 18

What do you mean, "I don't think I said any such thing"? I copied "fake patriotism" from your post.

Regardless, funny enough, I'm fairly close to your and cjets' sentiments, but you just seem to be carrying it to an extreme that I disagree with.
If all we were talking about was "chose not to sing the National Anthem, that's their right.
I personally would not agree with them. But I would not think that their claim is completely without merit either." or "whether he stands for the Anthem or not. ... I'd just appreciate the same respect for Americans who choose to express that some other way.", I'd be done talking and I'd actually defend that stance. But Howard didn't simply choose not to sing - he chose to go the extra step of foul-mouthingly disrespect the anthem. THAT'S the part of this that some people here seem to be praising him for and is what I take exception.
Again, don't say the Pledge or sing the Anthem - fine. Live and let live.
Badmouth the flag, Pledge or Anthem simply as something you think is stupid - fine (freedom of speech). But "live and let live" no longer applies. My freedom of speech now kicks in and you're going to hear about how wrong I think you are.

posted at 03:13 PM on September 18

Crap - did I miss the "preview comment" button or something? sorry.

Anyway, meant to add to the middle of my rant :
I'm with Howard. I hate all forms of forced shows of fake patriotism.
Exsqueeze me, but who the F are you to tell me that my patriotism is fake? I love folks that are confident enough in their omnipotence to instruct me on what is and is not patriotic. I agree with the Constitution and voting points you make, but don't tell me that because I happen to value the pledge of allegiance and national anthem, that I'm fake. something I think rcade said that these things are meaningless if they are compelled. I agree to an extent - I don't do those things because I am forced (has someone in this group had a gun put to their head to sing?) - I do these things because I personally value them. If you want to me explain to me why you don't participate, that's fine, but don't consider me a lemming because I choose to do so.

And cjets, you've missed some earlier points. There are things that this country should be ashamed of, and still should to this day. But, the national anthem, other than having been written a long time ago, is not mentioned in any part of your dissertation and the song makes no reference in support of slavery or anything else that is "less than great" about this country.

I value and would argue to the ends of the earth for your (not pointing at anyone in this thread, other than Josh Howard) free speech ... and my free speech, which I'll choose to use to turn around and point out why you're being a jackass for being so disrespectful (again, don't sing if you don't want, I won't say anything, but don't go out of your way to bash it, either).

posted at 01:58 PM on September 18

Wow, this thread isn't going the way I expected when I opened it. I figured a few people would be praising Howard for standing up for what he believes in (which I doubt he even knows what he believes in), and few people calling for his head, and the rest just kinda shaking their head. But, a surprisingly and IMHO disappointingly large number of people are actually siding with him and using this as an opportunity to

The flag, national anthem, and pledge of allegiance are not just objects as some of you would like us to believe - they are representations of what it means to be an American - just like voting, Free Speech, and learning our history. I'm not happy with several things about this country, but I damn well am not going to disparage a significant sign of respect for this country to demonstrate that. I don't like everything that my parents have ever done, but they're by-in-large vary good people, so I don't walk up to people who are giving their parents a hug and tell them "you fuckin' wimp - my parents should just leave me the hell alone."

It's a matter of respect. If you don't want to participate then don't. And, if you feel so negatively toward this country as to go to the extra step, then you truly should find another place to reside, and don't hold it against me if I have a few choice words for you on the way out.

posted at 01:44 PM on September 18

Some decent points, brain.
But, I'm not afraid of what might really be necessary. I just don't believe that firing Tressel is what IS necessary ... yet.
Having said that - the play-calling was awful. And, when you're only apparent half-time adjustment is to stop alternating QBs - the ONE thing that was actually giving the team a little rhythm - definitely a head-scratcher.
But more than all that, the individual play on the field was embarassing. Alex Boone is a supposed senior leader and quasi-All American. He played about the worst game I've ever seen by a o-lineman. Boeckman, who I've never liked, looked like a deer-in-headlights during warmups. And, I hate to say this cuz I love the kid, but I'm afraid Laurinaitis might be overrated. He has some games where he's all over the place - but other games, it's hard to find him making plays.
Back to Tressel though, if we don't see a significant shift in style of play after getting Pryor established in the offense (even if that is next year), then he will have wasted one of the nation's top recruits, and THEN you'll be hearing more rumblings about Tressel specifically.

Augh, I typed that in about 90 seconds ... little pent-up angst, ya think?!

posted at 03:53 PM on September 17

I'll give you the benefit of the doubt that you didn't read on this before that rant. But, here are a couple tidbits from published sources that might've relieved you of your angst.

"European captain Sam Torrance did last month (Sep 2002, set up the course to favor his team) at The Belfry - narrowing the fairways in the long driving zone, slowing the greens and moving the tee on the short par 4 10th hole to discourage players from trying to drive the green."

"But when they teed it up at The K Club, the U.S. team found that European captain Ian Woosnam had tinkered with the course setup.
The greens were slow, and the fairways looked like bowling lanes in the spots where Woods and the long knockers normally hit their tee shots. The fairways were 8 yards wide on many holes.
'I spent a great deal of time trying to set it up what we felt was best for our team,' Woosnam said."

Do you still consider it cheating when the captain publicly announces in advance the course set-up changes he is making, in accord with what is common in the Ryder cup preparation for both teams?
Do you and/or the world hate all of the countries that the Europeans hail from because the captains of their teams routinely do this same thing?

posted at 08:41 AM on September 17

And that second paragraph could have been worded better...

Nah, YYM - that second paragraph was worded beautifully ... for someone who is bitter that their team is really horrible and is jumping on the opportunity to revel in their rival's loss (to a completely unrelated team).
And, comparing the Lions to UM is an insult to the Lions.

Just semi-messing with ya. OSU was pathetic. Fans can only hope that USC makes everyone look that bad (which is entirely likely) and that OSU isn't as bad as they looked (which doesn't excuse another horrible performance on the biggest stages). Something has to change - I'm not referring to coaching personnel, but rather some overall strategy and player personnel.

posted at 03:12 PM on September 16

I guess drastic measures are necessary if the U.S. wants to compete these days.

These are hardly drastic measures. The captain of the home team having an active role in the layout of the course has been pretty routine in recent memory. Woosnam openly talked about his tinkering of the course for the 06 Ryder Cup, to take away the US advantage of distance off the tee.

The part of the article that discusses what Zinger is actually doing to the course is interesting. But, it's mildly sensationalistic in how it comes across that what he's doing is so maverick. And, I don't think the changes are all that "far out".

Not sure I like , regardless of which team is doing it. But, I'm not sure there is a solution to it. Guess it's part of home-field advantage - at least that inherently alternates each time.

posted at 02:55 PM on September 16

I'll apologize, lbb. Although I considered some of the initial responses to BoKnows' original post to be condescending (can't hear above his axe-grinding, surprise that his heart hadn't given way to the evils of the world), I shouldn't have fallen prey to the very thing I was railing against. But, I don't live in a glass house - I wouldn't have posted if I didn't welcome and expect reaction and feedback. Your recent posts have been much more in line with, what I view, to be your normal quality style. So, although my sentiment remains - that posters here deserve a certain level respect from others, especially considering the history of that poster's posts, and I feel many of us unnecessarily get our "undergarments in a bunch" when a nerve is touched (myself included) ... I apologize for crossing that line myself. On topic, on one hand, because of the debacle this led to (including some of this thread, my post included), I'd love for everyone involved to be sentenced to a noogie, including the source. But when a story gets broken and it turns out to be some major revelation, the journalist gets the credit for great investigative journalism ... when the story falls on its face, the journalist can bitch and moan all they want to their source, but it should be the journalist and editor that face the consequences.

posted at 01:50 PM on May 19

Do what you want, yerfatma ... and Venice, point taken. yerfatma, I actually wasn't even including your first response in my rant (which was a rant, I admit) - your post was pointed, but didn't come across particularly nasty. Everyone has a right to their opinion, and I'm far from being qualified to "police" this site. I'm merely suggesting that some folks consider the target and content of some of their attacks. I was just surprised - I falsely assumed that others felt like I, that BoKnows was a pretty quality and respectful poster, and the subsequent level of seething hatred towards his post was disproportionate to his history on this site.

posted at 12:02 PM on May 19

It was such a baseless and insipid point to begin with ... "insipid" ... hmm, maybe reference your own post and lbb's I'll apologize immediately for calling this out, but it's getting frustrating watching/reading a vocal minority of posters occasionally get their undergarments in a bunch on a topic and make attacks, which lack any objectivity or sense of respect. I don't have a dog in the Sypgate fight, and I don't know BoKnows or anyone else here from adam. But, I do know that BoKnows is a consistently very strong poster (as are lbb and others), who posted an alternative theory to all the belaboring that the Pats have been mistreated. Maybe he could've spelled out his admittedly no-proof-behind-it scenario, but it certainly didn't deserve the venom it received. Venom that seemed to be justified by "those who followed the case in some detail ..." ... This wasn't a simple misunderstanding by the Pats. Didn't other news outlets that also followed the story in some detail report that the commissioner's office sent out a very clear reminder of the intent and focus of the regulation. Good lord, the tiniest part of you can't admit that your precious team may have f'ed up?! No feasibility of you staying loyal to your team but disagreeing with what they did ... or at the very least not ridiculing anyone who doesn't feel the same way as you? BoKnows doesn't need me coming to his defense, and I value this site overall. But I expect a little more dignity from posters on here who are clear to hold themselves and this site in such high regard (see : any time a newbie comes in with a horrible post).

posted at 11:08 AM on May 19

Great post, NoMich - thanks This is ridiculously cool. I help coach a U10 team and I can't begin to imagine how bonkers the guys would go if this happened to them. I wouldn't be at all surprised if this gets "paid forward" by someone in attendance or who has read about it. Again, great post - this kind of thing is why I'm a SpoFi member.

posted at 11:51 AM on April 08

AL East: Red Sox AL Central: Tigers AL West: Angels AL Wild Card: Yankees NL East: Mets NL Central: Cubs NL West: Diamondbacks NL Wild Card: Braves ALCS: Red Sox over Tigers NLCS: Braves over Cubs WS: Red Sox AL MVP: Manny NL MVP: Chipper AL CY: Beckett NL CY: Peavy AL ROY: no clue NL ROY: no clue First Manager Fired: Bruce Bochy

posted at 11:50 AM on April 01

I didn't expect to see a post about this, but I commented to my wife right at the moment - like him or not (which I don't), I really wish this was one occasion that people could hold it in. You don't have to cheer, but he was there for nothing but baseball, so no need to boo. I also thought it was cool what the Nationals did on his coat. I'm not a huge fan of our commander-in-chief going by simply "dubya", but did you you notice on the right breast of his coat, the middle initial W was the Nationals logo? Didn't exactly take Einstein to dream that up, but I thought it was clever.

posted at 11:19 AM on April 01