It's time to take a look at a few more news stories, and some insight on a few other things:
First off, is it just me, or does anyone else find the double-standard in media and the society annoying when it comes to entertainers who speak out about politics?
When someone like Sean Penn, Tim Robbins, Susan Sarandon, Bruce Springsteen, the Dixie Chicks or Esther Madge Veronica Louise Ciccone Ritchie - you know, those evil liberals - speak out, they're told to "shut up" and "just worry about entertaining us". They're "unqualified" to speak about politics, and need to "quit using their money and fame as a soapbox".
BUT, when it's someone conservative like Toby Keith, Darryl Worley or Tom Selleck speaks up, they're "good, loyal, patriotic Americans" whom we should applaud and admire.
If there is one thing I've never had patience or tolerance for, it's hypocracy and double-standards. Either it's okay for all entertainers to speak out about politics, or they all need to shut up. Picking and choosing who should be applauded for speaking up and who should be jeered just because Toby Keith's comments fit into your view, but Esther's don't, is hypocrtical bullshit. And last time I checked, I thought that was what the First Amendment was about...
Now, I know, I know. The same First Amendment that gives Esther the right to film the video for "American Life" gives Toby Keith the same right to heil Bush. And it gives the mediots and the sedated tabloid robots the same right to bash Esther and tell Michael Moore to shut up.
But, once again, the Right doesn't see the irony of it. They beat their chests and shout about freedom - freedom for America, bringing freedom to the Middle East - yet they won't even respect the freedom of fellow Americans. It often irks me how the ones that are the loudest and most belligerent about freedom seem to understand it the least.
Don't get me wrong - it doesn't thrill me to read or hear the viewpoints of the Right, or hear those who still continue to support Bush's war of lies. But I respect their right to think that way, and to speak out. Freedom and respect are two-way streets - that means even if you don't like the other side's opinions, you should show them the same respect you want in return.
The only time I've wanted to tell the mouths from the Right to shove it have been when they were bashing the Left - O'Reilley's nastiness, Limbaugh's arrogance, Toby Keith saying anyone who doesn't like his music is a "Commie heathen". In other words, it's not their views I want to see erased, it's their mean-spirited crap.
This is something I've had a problem with for some time, but has been refueled after a recent visit to an anti-Madonna site. Now, I'm a far bigger Sherrie Austin fan than I am a Madonna fan (in fact, I have to say I was a "semi-retired" Madonna fan until June and just got back into her after being a huge fan in the 80's). So, it's not a matter of whining because "Someone has a Madonna hate site". No, what annoyed me was the entire motivation for the site was "Madonna is un-American because she moved to England and recorded 'American Life'".
Sorry, but I wanted to hear the same, tired, old "un-American" crap, I'd turn on The O'Lielley Factor or Limbaugh.
Needless to say, I doubt said webmaster was bothered one bit by Toby Keith's political commentary... Same old "Only conservatives can speak their mind" bullshit that has swept America since Bush stole America in 2000.
Eric said tonight that I need to run for public office, and I don't think he was referring to the 2004 Material Campaign. He might be right, maybe it's time to throw my hat into the ring for real - though it's a little late for this election.
Maybe I can find some wealthy liberal to help back my campaign. Hmmm... I wonder if there are any listings for "Ciccone" in Beverly Hills? Hahaha...
Ex-Raider wanted in Siegfried & Roy shooting Ex-Oakland Raiders kicker Cole Ford is a suspect in the drive-by shooting on the home of Siegfried and Roy last month. His minivan was used in the shooting, and according to at least one witness, Ford yelled that they "need to get out of America". Whether that's because they're foreigners, or homoseuxlas - or both, I'm not sure. What is for sure is that Ford is obviously a hate-filled maniac.
Originally, the police had filed hate crime charges, but had backed off that, convinced bias wasn't a factor in the crime. Really, now? It's obvious Ford fired on their home either because of their sexual preference, or nationality. Either one makes it a hate crime.
Makes me wonder who the police REALLY try to protect sometimes...
Jake Plummer gives in, removes Tillman sticker. As I'm sure anyone who even remotely follows sports knows, former Arizona Cardinal Pat Tillman was killed in the Middle East this spring. The Cardinals retired his #40, and during week 2 players on every team wore a #40 sticker on their helmets in honor of Tillman.
Plummer, who had been close friends with Tillman since their days at Arizona State, kept his sticker. The No Fun League threatened to fine Plummer if he continued to wear it.
He removed the sticker for a week, but last Sunday it was back. Plummer had decided the issue was too important to give up without a fight.
Apparently, the NFL and Plummer have come to a compromise. Nonetheless, I am not thrilled over the NFL's stance in this entire situation.
While I do not support the war, any true pacifist cares about our troops. The difference is, we want them home safe, instead of being shot at in a foreign land. The NFL's policy on "alterations" to uniforms (such as stickers or patches) was primarily put into place to prevent players from plastering corporate logos on their uniforms. Yet, the NFL decided not to budge - that they see no difference between Jim McMahon wearing an Adidas headband in the 1980's and Jake Plummer wear a #40 sticker in 2004.
The difference is simple: McMahon was making an addition to his "uniform" for the sake of raking in sponsorhip money. Plummer was trying to honor a friend.
While I'm pleased there is a compromise, I'm still not pleased over the NFL's stance. Sometimes there are times where allowing an exception is the right thing to do. They're concerned that making an exception would set an ugly precident. I WOULD hope the NFL would have enough brains and balls to tell Terrell Owens "No, just because Plummer was allowed to wear a #40 sticker doesn't mean you can wear a Sharpie sticker".
The NFL's stance is about as sickening as Major League Baseball telling Keith Foulke he couldn't wear a cap with an American flag sewn on. Lighten up, already.
Tape implicates Barry Bonds for steroids I sure hope the Bonds Bangwagon has their ears plugged good, because the voices and evidence suggesting that Bonds is a cheater and a disgrace are getting louder. According to a report from the AP, a recorded phone call between trainer Greg Anderson and Bonds allegedly has Anderson telling Bonds that these steroids are "undetectable" and can even be taken the same day as a drug test and not come up.
Furthermore, allegedly Anderson tells Bonds that he has sources within the MLB offices (possibly Rob Manfred) and knows ahead of time the dates when Bonds will be "randomly" tested.
Both Anderson's lawyer and Manfred deny everything, of course. However, there were comments during the 2002 Collective Bargaining negotiations that had both the players' union and the owners agreeing to put together a weak steroid policy to try to convince the fans they were taking steroids seriously, despite the fact NEITHER side cared to curb steroid use - both the owners and players were profitting too much from the fan and media attention of the home run surge.
Nor do I find it hard to believe that baseball would want to protect it's biggest cash cow. Much like Michael jordon in the NBA, Bonds brings in too much money and has too much power, and therefore is above the rules.
I'm sure there might be someone out there reading, thinking I'm "convicting" Bonds off one piece of evidence. But there's a string of it - his ties to BALCO, his massive power surge, the fact he gained FORTY THREE pounds of muscle between 1996 and 2000 in his mid 30's (he went from 6'0" 185 in 1995 to 6'1" 228 in 2000). The evidence against Bonds is piling, and all of it suggests Bonds is a gutless cheater who has disgraced baseball and is deficating all over the game's history.
Bonds, and Major League Baseball should be ashamed. I know I'm ashamed, and all I am is a fan/historian of baseball. Though, if Bonds gets away with this, and passes Hank Aaron, you can remove the "fan" part. I'll be damned if I continue to support a sport that encourages and protects cheaters.
Labels: A world gone mad, BALCO Barry, Cheaters, Corporate Assholes, Religious Right Ain't Right, Sports, Terrible Owens
