Friday, October 02, 2009
Not IOC Kinda Town
Barack Obama needs to resign...as a Chicago politician! No Chi-town pol should ever let himself get out-bribed in a high stakes negotiation.
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Not only didn't the president's home town not bring home the Olympics, it didn't even "medal" -- getting eliminated on the first ballot!!!
Congrats to Rio! Snark aside, Obama and Co. should have realized that the odds were against Chicago: The U.S. has had the Olympics in each of the last three decades ('84 & '96 Summer and '02 Winter Games). South America has never hosted the Games (Mexico doesn't count).
It was a big and unnecessary risk having the president put his and U.S. prestige on the line by going to lobby the International Olympic Committee in person.
Disappointing as it might be for the United States, the selection of Rio is, arguably, a "fair" choice and in keeping with the whole idea of the Olympic spirit.
Labels: Barack Obama, Chicago, Olympics
Sunday, February 08, 2009
SNL Tosses Michael Phelps A Lifeline
A good friend of mine recently said, "Why's everyone so surprised that Michael Phelps was caught with a bong? After all, it is a a water pipe!"
As for everything else, well, Seth Myers nailed it last night on SNL (especially liked the "What do we tell the kids?" line):
Admittedly, Phelps did recently guest host Saturday Night Live, so the show is kind of coming to the rescue of it buddy. And SNL's, ahem, 'history' with drug use doesn't exactly give them a pristine platform from which to pontificate...but, really! It's not exactly as if Phelps hasn't sacrificed a lot to reach the upper pinacle of his sport. Pot-smoking is illegal -- and a whole lot of perfectly competent and successful people did it in their late-teens and early-20s (if not later). Many of those people are running cities, states and this country right now. So, let's spare the faux outrage and move on.
And, Michael? Get a better set of friends -- at least some that you can trust not to sell you out to the next media outlet waving some money around.
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As for everything else, well, Seth Myers nailed it last night on SNL (especially liked the "What do we tell the kids?" line):
Admittedly, Phelps did recently guest host Saturday Night Live, so the show is kind of coming to the rescue of it buddy. And SNL's, ahem, 'history' with drug use doesn't exactly give them a pristine platform from which to pontificate...but, really! It's not exactly as if Phelps hasn't sacrificed a lot to reach the upper pinacle of his sport. Pot-smoking is illegal -- and a whole lot of perfectly competent and successful people did it in their late-teens and early-20s (if not later). Many of those people are running cities, states and this country right now. So, let's spare the faux outrage and move on.
And, Michael? Get a better set of friends -- at least some that you can trust not to sell you out to the next media outlet waving some money around.
Labels: Michael Phelps, Olympics, Seth Myers, SNL, USA Swimming
Monday, August 11, 2008
August Blues
A rather depressing weekend past -- even without Russia's invasion of Georgia:
The rather spectacular Opening Ceremonies of the Olympics on Friday were immediately overshadowed by the Beijing slaying of the father-in-law of the men's volleyball team. The assailant promptly committed suicide. The action was said to be "random" by a clearly deranged individual. That may be the case. However, such an action could well have the the by product of potentially discouraging any Westerners who might consider speaking out on human rights abuses.
Then, Saturday morning brought the news of comedian/actor Bernie Mac's death at the relatively young age of 50. It was surprising only because more recent reports were that he was recovering from the pneumonia that had hospitalized him a week before.
Then, on Sunday comes word that Isaac Hayes, a true pioneer in soul, funk and disco died in his home. While a younger generation knew him as South Park's Chef, his contribution to modern popular music is looms far higher. A songwriter, singer, actor and proto-rapper, he was something of a Renaissance man. Among other achievements, with his "Shaft" soundtrack, he became the first black musician to win an Oscar.
The following is a live recording of Hayes doing "Walk On By":
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The rather spectacular Opening Ceremonies of the Olympics on Friday were immediately overshadowed by the Beijing slaying of the father-in-law of the men's volleyball team. The assailant promptly committed suicide. The action was said to be "random" by a clearly deranged individual. That may be the case. However, such an action could well have the the by product of potentially discouraging any Westerners who might consider speaking out on human rights abuses.
Then, Saturday morning brought the news of comedian/actor Bernie Mac's death at the relatively young age of 50. It was surprising only because more recent reports were that he was recovering from the pneumonia that had hospitalized him a week before.
Then, on Sunday comes word that Isaac Hayes, a true pioneer in soul, funk and disco died in his home. While a younger generation knew him as South Park's Chef, his contribution to modern popular music is looms far higher. A songwriter, singer, actor and proto-rapper, he was something of a Renaissance man. Among other achievements, with his "Shaft" soundtrack, he became the first black musician to win an Oscar.
The following is a live recording of Hayes doing "Walk On By":
Labels: Beijing, Bernie Mac, Isaac Hayes, Olympics
