DarkStar Spouts Off

Rush Limbaugh And Team Part Ownership, Part II

If some of Limbaugh's statements are going to come back to haunt him during his quest to be a part owner of an NFL team, these are the statements that I think should be used.

I pointed out in this post that Limbaugh said Blacks haven't advanced in 50 years.

It's a white Republican, Rush Limbaugh, who is saying Blacks have not advanced in 40 years.

I was listening to the show when he said it. Here's a link, although some people may not like the source.

Limbaugh: We know that technological advancement is going along at light speed. And yet during this period of time, whether it be the last 57 years or be it the last 20 years, it seems that a majority of the black population has remained angry, frustrated, and behind. They've been left behind. They are acting like they've been left behind, and of course we've heard that this is because of racism, natural systemic institutional racism in America, that we are unfair, that this country is just horrible and rotten.

When there are statistics that directly contradict this statement, and when Limbaugh, himself, has railed against liberals, particularly Black liberals, who state that Blacks have not gained anything, then I have to ask why the statement ISN'T race baiting.

In my opinion, what Limbaugh said about McNabb wasn't racist. It was a statement about the media, however, it was wrong. There are many examples of the media praising quarterbacks who really don't deserve it. For example, right now I think Tony Romo is one of them.

But, to me, this is a major comment that should cause the team owners to look askance:

Look it, let me put it to you this way. The NFL all too often looks like a game between the Bloods and the Crips without any weapons. There, I said it.

There are other ways to say the antics of the game is doing damage to the game. To call the behavior gang behavior without the guns?

Huh?

Frankly, it's the 50 years comment that sets me off, even more than the gang comment.

But that's just me.

What Would You Do?

You've been playing organized football ever since you were 8 years old.

You played in high school and you played in college. You think you can play on the professional level so you make yourself eligible for the draft.

You're good.

You know you're going first round.

You're Black.

You don't like Rush Limbaugh.

You get selected in the first round by the St. Lewis Rams, who is partially owned by Rush Limbaugh.

Their first offer is a multi-year contract with a multi-million dollar signing bonus.

What would you do?

What do you expect NON-ESTABLISHED, players to do?

Football Sunday, 3

Ravens CRUSH.

Washington.... Lost to Detroit. The Lions. The team that hadn't won in 19 tries.

And the Steelers lost to the Bengals with a great comeback drive by the Bengals.

You gotta luv it!!!!

How About Gangsters OWNING The NBA Team?

Gangstas playing in the NBA?

A Russian billionaire, an amateur basketball player the size of an N.B.A. power forward, signed a tentative $200 million deal Wednesday that would make him the principal owner of the New Jersey Nets and an investor in the team’s new home, an arena planned for Brooklyn.

Mikhail D. Prokhorov, the richest man in Russia and president of Onexim Group, would become the first foreign owner of an N.B.A. team who is not Canadian. Prokhorov, who once owned a stake in the CSKA Moscow basketball team, wrote on his blog Tuesday that he intended to improve Russian basketball by using N.B.A. training methods and sending Russian coaches to the United States for internships.

How about mobsters OWNING an NBA team?

I'm not saying the new Nets owner is tied to the mob, but a lot of the Russian rich are tied into criminal activities.

I hope the vetting process by the NBA is better than that of the Obama administration.

Ravens Win Because of Offense

The Ravens won a tough game and it was a game that people expected The Ravens to lose.

While people are amazed at the offense, once again, I'm looking at the defense who seems tough until the fourth quarter. San Diego lost this game cause of penalties.

But a win is a win and the Steelers lost!

Football Sunday, I

GO RAVENS!!!!!

Update:

RAVENS: Ravens won the game. I heard the game but didn't see the game. From what I heard, the Ravens need to be worried. And I don't care how good a quarterback Flacco seems to be, why focus on the pass?

WASHINGTON: Again, I heard the game but didn't see the game. I'm now convinced that Jason Campbell is not a starting NFL QB. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad they lost, but this had to be the year Campbell broke out, and it looks like he isn't going to do it.

Pre-Season Football

• Troy Smith can throw the rock and use his legs to give people more time to do something. Normally, there would be a QB controversy.
• Philly + McNabb + Vick == Sports Talk Ratings HEAVEN... Gonna have to see if I can find Philly talk radio on the Internet

Bullet Point Brain Spew

Thoughts in bullet point form:

• I thought about posting my thoughts on one of the health care alternatives that was being "linked" about the Internet, especially the part about the potential for end of life counseling. After reading the offending section and a lot of the alternative, I decided to hold off on posting anything specific because it was one of 3 alternatives AND because the "end of life" counseling wasn't spelled out in the way critics of the health care reform effort have made it out to be.
• Any congress critter who didn't read the differing bills being put forth, but still trying to defend the effort, deserved to be yelled at.
• I'm not comfortable saying that people who really disagree with Obama are doing so mainly because he is Black, but a trusted "fly on the wall" has confirmed the number of threats against Obama has exceeded those of previous POTUS. I'm just sayin'.
• At a community cook out, besides learning how bad the previous "owner" of my home was, I learned other Black families moved into the area, even with the high cost of the homes, because of the school system. One family moved from a highly regarded area to this one because of concerns of the high school his children would be attending.
• You can't  have one Black American political agenda because the concerns of Blacks at the various socio-economic and family levels, will not come together enough for their to be a common Black political agenda.
• When you read this opinion article, keep in mind the following math:
  • Today you have 100 items. Tomorrow you have 200 items. That's a growth rate of 100%
  • The day after that, you have 300 items. That's a growth rate of 50%.
  • The day after that, you have 400 items. That's a growth rate of 33 1/3%.
  • The day after that, you have 500 items. That's a growth rate of 25%.
  My point is very simple. When you have low numbers to start with, any increase will be a large percentage even if the increase amount is constant. Walter Williams is relying on this math play to distort facts.
• Michael Vick In Philly?!?!?!?!?!?
• Go RAVENS!!!!

Hellavuagame!!!!

Congrats Steelers.

Ravens vs Steelers

Half time.

Ravens 7
Steelers 13.

Too close and the Ravens are behind with a rookie QB.

Not. Looking. Good.

[ UPDATE ]

Near the end of the 3rd quarter. Now 16 to 7. In the 4th quarter, the Ravens D tends to break down.

LETS!

GO!

RAVENS!!!!!!!

[ UPDATE 2 ]

Raves 14.

Steelers 16.

Can we get a 6 minute TD drive?

OHHHH..... I'm in knots...

[ FINAL UPDATE ]

Rookie QB, ....

Interception.

Whhhhhooooooooooooooooo

Ravens 13.
Tenn. 10.

[ Update ]

It's Ravens at Steelers.

Playoff Football

I was playing Spades last night when the Colts and Chargers game came on. I said the Chargers had a good chance to beat the Colts and if they didn't, the Colts would be in the Super Bowl. Well, the Chargers won and I'm very happy about that one.

I don't understand how Atlanta losing to the Cards is an upset.

Now, the Ravens advance because of the defense. Ed Reed is a beast. But any team that plays the Ravens should start out playing no huddle offense until they get 17 points and then go from there.

Next up, the Eagles...

Football

It's a regular season wrap. Here are thoughts on the teams that I tend to follow:

• Ravens - I thought they would go 8 - 8, instead they go 11 - 5. I think the coaches get a lion share of the credit. It is now obvious that the previous coach lost his team. The most valuable player for the team isn't QB Flacco, it's WR Mason. Dude gutted out separated shoulder after separated shoulder. The last 3 games it was evident that he had little, if any, use in the shoulder. You could see it when he ran patterns with, essentially, one arm and STILL got separation and caught passes. And what I want to know is, who poisoned Troy Smith's food?
• Cowboys - Wow. Just, wow. They self destructed. Is Romo prime time?
• Washington - I still like Campbell and I think Zorn may be a good head coach. I hope he gets 2 more years to prove himself. I thought Campbell needed to prove he could be a #1 QB this year or else he would be in trouble. I think he is a good QB but the Washington fans are, as the word implies, crazy. So I think they want him gone. I say he has one year left, or else.
• Eagles - Fire Andy Reid. McNabb? Keep him only because there are no other quality QBs out there, except maybe Troy Smith.

Other football stuff:

• Like I said, Farve should have never come out of retirement. The Packers were right to do what they did.
• The Colts are the team to beat. Even if it gets that far, the Ravens can't deal with them.
• The Steelers are the team to beat. If it gets that far, it will be a good game. But the Ravens will still come out on the losing end if they face the Steelers.

Finally:
Oh - Fur.
Zero.
Zilch.
Nada.
None.

Lions.
0 - 16.

If they play another Thanksgiving day game in the near term, someone needs to be shot.

Like I Been Sayin'

The Ravens can't beat a good team.

All the team has to do is keep it close, like The Steelers did, and then run a no-huddle offense and that guarantees a score. When it was down to about 5 minutes, and the Ravens didn't score a touchdown, instead they had to make the field goal, I knew the game was lost.

Yeah, I'm Packin' [ UPDATED ]

The Giants have decided to suspend Plaxico Burress without pay for the rest of the season.

All of this happened because Plaxico went to a club packin' heat, and shot himself in the leg. Now, me, I'm thinking dude is a fool for carrying a gun in New York when New York has the strictest gun control laws in the country. I was also thinking that he is supposed to be hurt, and there he is, out partying at a club, a few nights before a game, even if he is not going to play.

A team is paying you millions of dollars, you are already hurt, and there you are, out there ready to get your groove on instead of trying to get back playing. Yes, I realize you can't rehab 24/7, but hanging out at a club with a messed up hamstring? And you're packin' heat?

In NYC?

Look, I understand that high profile people in this day and age may need protection, but at dude's level, couldn't he hire a bodyguard? Couldn't he just NOT go to the club?

Here is a quick list:

• Broncos player Darrent Williams was killed outside of a club in a drive by after leaving a club.
• Raiders player Javon Walker beat up and robbed.
• Jaguar Richard Collier shot.

I say just don't go to the club. But then there is the case of Sean Taylor.

He was in his home. He was at home.

If I'm making enough money, there is a "safe room" in the basement, a safe room on the living level, and safe rooms in the bedroom level. The safe room would be in the master bedroom closet and in the children's bedroom closets.

If I'm not making enough money, there would be a safe room somewhere in the house and at a minimum, I'm packin' on every level.

Dude should have hired a body guard, so the comments about him being dumb, are on point, even when you take into account players "being targeted."

[ UPDATE ]

I forgot to mention something important to the story. Plaxico's teammate, Steve Smith, was robbed a few days before Plaxico was caught with the gun. It's important to mention but my comment still stands; he should have had a body guard or not gone out.

Dang Dirty Birds

Can the Ravens beat a good team? After getting owned by Indy and now New York, the obvious answer is HELL2DANAW!!!!!!

Football

Anyone thinking the Ravens have a chance against the Colts, needs to be institutionalized.

[ UPDATE ]

The Ravens have a rookie quarterback, but the defense didn't show up. In other games, they faded in the last quarter, but this game?

At least Dallas AND Washington lost.

The Cow Girls, SUCK!

Now I have to hear that Washington fan all dang day!

Project 21 Hit on HBCUs and Sports

From a Project 21 article:

We need not look further than George Washington Carver for inspiration.  To serve the greater good, Carver passed up other opportunities to head the agricultural program at Booker T. Washington's Tuskegee Institute and helped revolutionize farming.  How wonderful it would be if today's HBCUs could begin producing scientists and engineers with Carver-like potential.

Given that their budgets and access to resources are limited, how can HBCUs increase their science and technology focus?  They should not "Rob Peter to pay Paul."  They should simply take "Peter" out of the equation.  The HBCUs' Peter is money-losing athletic programs.

HBCUs should consider converting resources set aside for athletic programs into resources for scientific research and development.

For example, Howard University reported that its athletic program in fiscal year (FY) 2006 would have incurred a nearly $1.1 million loss without revenues from the NCAA and sponsorships, which cut the overall loss to a little over $100,000. 

For FY 2007, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) reported that, without $1.4 million from the NCAA and sponsorships, it would have incurred an operating loss of $1.8 million.  As a result, FAMU's athletic program lost around $400,000. 

Preserving the status quo won't change anything.  Consequently, if black Americans desire a different set of outcomes, they must take new and different action.

High-quality scientists and engineers are in demand, and their compensation level rank high on the nation's wage scale.  To gain access to these salaries, to improve job prospects and to contribute to our nation's progress, shouldn't HBCUs implement programs to produce more scientists and engineers?  Isn't it logical to accomplish this outcome by converting financial, physical and human resources from the cultivation of athletes to the cultivation of scientists and engineers?

It is not clear from the author of this piece, why Howard and FAMU received the money from the NCAA. It is written as if the money was given to these schools to prevent the programs from losing a lot of money. However, I remember hearing the NCAA gives most of the money it receives to member schools. From the NCAA website:

The Association believes that the amount of revenue an organization generates should not influence its tax-exempt status. Instead, that status should be determined by how those funds are used to support an organization’s mission. The Association’s 1,200 member schools receive 95 percent of the NCAA’s revenue. The remaining funds are spent to maintain the day-to-day operations of the Association.

The Association in this case is the NCAA. Was the money given to FAMU and Howard part of the regular distribution of money? Take a look at the pie chart

Look at how the money is disbursed.

Should that raise a flag about the writing of the article?

The author also doesn't say that many schools, HBCUs included, have to go to a college board to get permission to offer certain programs. I know this is true of FAMU, Morgan, Coppin, and Bowie. I suspect this is true for most state HBCUs, while it's soley up to the private HBCUs.

I understand the intension of the article, besides just hypercriticism, but the article, from my POV, is poorly written and researched.

Cowgirls vs Eagles

In-SANE!!!!

[ UPDATE ]

Great game!

Boooo....

Vince Young.
Boooooooooooooo.

Can't take the heat?
Booooooooooooooooooo.

Gets a little heat from fans.
Boooooooooooooooooooooo.

Then gets hurt.
Booooooooooooo.....

And then his mom and friend have to contact people to say they are worried about Vince Young's frame of mind?
Boooooooooo......

Damn, son. I hope you got educated in college.
DAMN.

Bullet Point Spouting Off On: The Olympics

Quick comments, bullet point style and done as scheduled posting to make it seem like I have something to say every day. I do, but my time is limited so...

• I've heard talk by the Olympic track commentators and on 2 sports show saying the Olympic U.S. track and field authorities heads should be rolling. I don't understand why people would say this.
  *EVERY* sprinter knows you have to practice hand-offs. These are grown men and women who KNOW they have to practice hand-offs or else risk the DQ.
  Well….
  *THEY*, the athletes, are at fault. (The passer’s only job is to put the baton in the receiver’s hand and release it *ONLY* when that person has it. The receiver's job is to keep their hand as steady as possible when the baton is either called for or when the mark is hit that indicates your hand goes back. Then it is to keep the hand steady, while watching the zones to make sure you don't receive the baton before the zone or out of the zone. It's not hard but it DOES require practice!
• In women's gymnastics, the U.S. team was upset by some of the judging. I understand that but the home country ALWAYS gets home field advantage.
• Again in women's gymnastics, why would you complain that the Chinese team has under-aged team members? Why would you admit that you just got your behind whupped by, say, a 12 year-old when you're, say, 18 or 20?

That's my comments for the day.

I Gotta Say It

Future hall of famer or not, Brett Favre is a punk *****!!!!!!
I'd key his damn car!

He May Be A Punk

He may be a punk, but Kobe deserved to be MVP.

When The Olympics Are Over

When the Olympics are over, I think we are going to find out that people on the committee to select which country would get the Olympics, were bribed. I'm not saying all of them, but enough of them to make a difference.

I didn't understand the selection at the time and I really don't understand it now.