Category Archives: Sports

NRA 500

Connecticut Democrat Sen. Chris Murphy sent a letter to Rupert Murdoch, head of Fox Sports parent company News Corp., suggesting that it’s not appropriate for the National Rifle Association to sponsor this weekend’s NASCAR race.

“The race not only brings national attention to an organization that has been the face of one side of this heated debate,” the Connecticut Democrat wrote in a letter to Rupert Murdoch, the chairman and chief executive of the channel that’s due to broadcast the race, as reported by CNN. “It also features the live shooting of guns at the end of the race.”

[...]

And he chided Mr. Murdoch: “You should play a constructive role in our national dialogue by refraining from broadcasting the NRA 500,” he wrote, CNN reported. “By airing this race, you will be strengthening the brand of a radical organization that is currently standing in the way of meaningful progress on this issue.” (my emphasis)

The NRA is a strong, committed, focused organization, but they are far from being “radical”. As for “strengthening the brand”? Well, that’s why companies and organizations sponsor these races.

NASCAR NRA Venn DiagramPerhaps this Venn Diagram showing the relationship between the NRA and NASCAR fans will help.

My pics in the League Too Tough To Tame — Jimmie Johnson, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kyle Busch, and Trevor Bayne.

Talking Sports

Not only did I make some changes on this side of things, I also tweaked the look of bRight & Early Sports. I wanted it to mirror this site, but with a few flavor changes for the sports theme.

But that’s not why I called you here.

In addition to the change in appearance I also added a forum there. Come on over and let’s talk sports.

Getting Sporty

It’s certainly no secret that I’ve been a real slacker when it comes to posting here. There are a few reasons, but burnout probably leads the list. Not “I don’t want to write anymore” burnout, but “I’m tired of writing about politics” burnout. What’s odd is that I’m still just as politically engaged, and totally invested in making “The Won” “The One and Done”. And maybe burnout’s not the right word. It’s more a case of political writer’s block.

I’m hoping that I can clear my head by writing on something different. With that in mind I set up bRight & Early Sports.

My hope is that by writing about something other than politics I can get all of my writing jump started.

That’s my goal. And, I like sports. Let me be clear, I’m not a sports expert, I’m a fan. And not the kind of fan who knows every player, schedule, and stat. I’m the kind of fan that likes to sit on the couch with the remote and click from Baseball to NASCAR to Golf. There will be a bit of nostalgia thrown in too. Please, click on over and check it out.

A Philly Sports Night

It’s been a Philly sports night for me. Even though I haven’t lived in the Delaware Valley for nearly 35 years, Philadelphia sports teams are still my “home” teams.

And it’s been an exciting night. First up was the Phillies against the Florida Marlins. In that game I got to watch Roy Halladay pitch the 20th perfect game in MLB history. I watched the other Philly perfect game on TV when Jim Bunning threw his flawless effort on Fathers Day in 1964.

The second event was the first game of the Stanley Cup Playoffs with the Philadelphia Flyers and the Chicago Blackhawks. Chicago took the win 6-5 in a game where the lead kept going back and forth.

Not a bad way to spend a Saturday evening.

Fantasy Golf for Bloggers

Even without Tiger, it’s time for the PGA golf season to get under way. That means it’s time for Yahoo! Fantasy Golf to get under way. That means it’s time for you to join the BlogGolfers group and compete against other bloggers.

If you’re interested in joining the group just sign up for a team and join BlogGolfers with the password n0bama12. Do it soon, the first tournament is this weekend.

Hey Wyatt, how soon can we sign up for The League Too Tough to Tame?

UPDATE: Duh. I forgot, it’s group #5073

BREAKING – Tiger Woods In Serious Car Accident

Not much available, but I just read that Tiger Woods was seriously injured in a car crash as I was scanning the news during lunch.

Professional golfer Tiger Woods was seriously injured in a car accident early this morning, the Florida Highway Patrol just reported.

Woods, 33, pulled out of his driveway in the Isleworth community about 2:25 a.m. when he struck a fire hydrant, and then drove into a tree at his neighbor’s property, FHP reported.

Woods was transported to Health Central Hospital in Ocoee in serious condition, FHP said. No other information about his condition has been released.

UPDATE: Reports are now saying that he has been treated and released. It would be good news to find out that the “seriously injured” originally reported was an over statement of the facts.

Besides, he has always had trouble with his drives being off line. Too soon?

The Week Ahead

It looks to be an interesting week.

Of course the big story this week will be the “Wise Latina” Senate confirmation hearings starting today.

Hearings in the Senate Judiciary Committee begin Monday with opening remarks from the panel’s 12 Democrats and 7 Republicans, followed by Sotomayor’s own statement that is expected to emphasize her compelling rise from poverty in New York City.

Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., the committee chairman, planned to kick off the proceedings with laudatory remarks that also sought to firmly establish Sotomayor as a judge who follows wherever the law leads her.

“In truth, we do not have to speculate about what kind of a justice she will be because we have seen the kind of judge she has been. She is a judge in which all Americans can have confidence. She has been a judge for all Americans and will be a justice for all Americans,” Leahy said in excerpts of his statement that were provided to The Associated Press.

Questioning of Sotomayor will wait for Tuesday.

Yes, “we have seen the kind of judge she has been.” Overturned.

Also later today the Council of Economic Advisers will issue a report saying that healthcare and environmental jobs are growing at a faster rate than those of the U.S. economy as a whole.

The report, which looks at how the U.S. labor market is expected to develop in the next few years, says a rebound in employment in construction and some manufacturing sectors is expected as stimulus spending approved early this year invests in projects around the country.

The report is based on an analysis of recent labor market data, a White House official said. The report identifies likely changes in the U.S. labor market as economic drivers shift from sectors like financial services to the growing sectors that are transforming the economy, the official said.

Personally, I wonder if the healthcare and environmental job numbers, or any of the rest for that matter, are going to be real jobs, or the smoke, mirrors, and thin air numbers of “created or saved” fame. I have a guess, but will wait and see.

Tomorrow night is the MLB All-Star game. Four of my Phillies are on the team: Chase Utley, Raul Ibanez, Ryan Howard, and Shane Victorino. I’ll be watching.

I’ll be discussing these stories, and more, on bRight @ Night, tonight at 11:00 ET on Blog Talk Radio. You can call in and share your thoughts: (718) 664-9725 or go to the show page and look for the click to talk button. The chat room will open just before show time.

I hope you have a great week.