Limbaugh Is Getting What He Deserves

Apparently Rush Limbaugh’s hopes of gaining partial ownership of the St. Louis Rams have exploded, according to SI.com.

Is this fair?

Your answer to that question depends on your reference frame.  Granted, there are several ways to analyze the ethical, legal, and political issues raised by Limbaugh’s attempt to enter the circle of NFL owners.   Reasonable people can disagree.

My conclusion is based on the fact Limbaugh holds 50% of the American public in utter contempt.  He does not merely disagree with the left side of the political spectrum.  He sees no redeeming value in the left whatsoever, and works to create a nation where it no longer exists.  Given his political extremism, I find it find it impossible to feel sorry for him.

Apparently, Limbaugh believes he can a broadcast an intellectually shallow message of political contempt five days a week, and then on Sundays welcome with open arms both Republicans and Democrats into the stadium for a football game, as though he had equal respect for both groups.  Life doesn’t work that way, and the NFL knows it.

Swift Reaction to the I.O.C. and the Chinese Gymnastics Program

At CNNSI.com, E.M. Swift lays into the I.O.C. for its failure to adequately address the age of several members of the Chinese women’s gymnastics squad.

Tracking down the age of these gymnasts wouldn’t be rocket science, but it would take some time and effort. It might even exonerate China, and prove that, all along, the host nation was telling the truth. So why on earth hasn’t it been done?

Why indeed. Cheating is cheating. The IOC spends millions of dollars trying to ferret out drug cheats. Yet they ignore allegations of institutionalized cheating by an authoritarian government that has the ability to alter the dates on a passport anytime it wants. The IOC’s response to the whole underage gymnast controversy? One statement saying that they’d checked out the passports of the gymnasts in question and they were in order. Any other questions should be directed to the FIG. All’s well in China. Let the Games begin. (How young do the Chinese gymnasts look? Check out the photos here.)

Whatever their ages, the Chinese athletes should be congratulated for their accomplishments at the Olympic games.  But the age-limit rule exists to protect children from the extraordinary pressure of Olympic competition.  By not enforcing the rule, the I.O.C. is effectively rejecting this rationale.

Why Muscles Get Tired

A fair amount of attention has been paid by the cycling blogs to yesterday’s NY Times article on muscle fatigue. Apparently, calcium, and not lactic acid, is the culprit. Follow this link for a descent summary.

My spin session tonight followed the Carmichael “Cycling for Fitness DVD.” Distance, 22.96 miles; time: 1:03:09.

2008 indoor totals: 19 rides. Distance: 353.98 miles; time: 16:52:44.

Britain Backed Down by Communist China?

The Daily Mail reports that British Olympic athletes are being forced to sign a contract prohibiting criticism of China’s communist government. If an athlete does not sign the contract, he or she does not compete in China. If one violates the contract while in China, he’ll be put on the next plane home.

A Crowning Achievment: Appalachian State University

Today (9/1) my alma mater pulled off the biggest upset in sports history: Appalachian State 34, Michigan 32. Actually, that should be: Appalachian State 34, 5th-ranked Michigan 32.

Absolutely unbelievable. Yes, ASU is the two-time defending national champion at the I-AA level, and yes those kids are used to winning every week, and yes they came prepared to play . . . but this was Michigan . . . at home. The Mountaineers are a great team, but upending the fifth-ranked, all-time most wins in college football, greatest helmet design in the game, Big Ten favorite Michigan . . . on their field? That’s crazy stuff.

The best part? All those shocked Michigan fans. All over that state, millions of people will never forget what they almost certainly didn’t know before today: Appalachian State University is in Boone, NC, and they have a football team than can, and did, kick your collective butt–on your field. That is way cool.

Follow this link to read SI writer Stuart Mandell try to explain the impossible.

You Tube videos of the miracle:

The key final plays.

The final blocked field goal and interview with ASU head coach.