Ultimate in the news

The AP had a nice article on ultimate this weekend, corresponding with the college nationals tournament in Corvallis. It's great that articles like this are out there, showing that ultimate is a real sport with real athletes, and not a bunch of stoners.

While I'm at it, congratulations to the Stanford women for winning the national title (again), and for the Stanford men for getting to the semifinals (again). Good show, kids.

Bush and stem cells

I was thinking about this the other day: Bush won't back stem cell research because he won't take away a life in order to save others. Yet at the same time, he's got no problem with a death penalty that takes a life in order to save others. It's a blatant hypocrisy. Sure, he simply likes embryos more than he likes murderers. But he doesn't put it that way. He uses his big, sweeping generalizations that sound good on the ticker on FOX News. Anyway, someone at Slate beat me to the punch, and wrote up a chart of all the contradicting statements.

On a separate Bush note, how hilarious is this guy? Here's an exchange I heard on NPR from a recent social security event (this may not be completely accurate; I can't find a transcript; but it's close):

Bush: How old are you?
Elderly woman in crowd: I'm 74.
Bush: Well, you look a hundred.
Woman: Uh...
Bush: Er, I mean, you look like you'll live to be that old.
Woman: Thank you Mr. President.

Heh.

Lost

Simply the best show on television. The only show that compares is The Sopranos, and even that show doesn't consistently deliver the goods like Lost. At least three times per show, I think to myself, wow, this is great TV.

Next year I have a class on Wednesdays from 7-9 p.m. If Lost stays in its Wednesday 8 p.m. slot, I guess this means I'll have to get a TiVo. Yes, Lost is so good that it will make me get a TiVo next year.

Just awesome.

Good man

SI's Frank Deford has the right take on Indian mascots. Not many columnists have understood this argument, that these mascots perpetuate ideas that Indians are still warring savages. As he puts it, mascots "help keep Indians trapped in history, cartoon figures frozen on the warpath." Exactly.

Episode III

Saw Star Wars, like everyone else this weekend. I liked it. There wasn't much story-wise that surprised me, but the visuals were cool and there weren't many painful scenes. The acting is still painful in parts -- a couple scenes between Anakin and Padme are laughable -- but it wasn't as bad as previous movies.

It's hard for me -- and for anyone my generation, I think -- to compare these movies with the first three. Obviously, I was a kid when the first three came out, so I didn't care about acting or dialogue. The whole thing blew my mind. Now, I pay more attention to acting and dialogue, so I find the prequels scary-bad at times.

I can't avoid the question: were these prequels even necessary? Would we have been better off without them? Eh, I guess I'm glad the movies were made. Sure, I wish they had been better, but they do make me appreciate the old ones more. And the story is cool, so why not.

And I'll probably go see it again soon, so I have no point.

Sonics recap

This was one of my favorite Sonics teams of all time. Right up there with the 92-93 and the 95-96 teams. No one expected anything of this team, and they ended up winning 52 games, beating Sacto in the playoffs, and winning two games against the Spurs when two of their top three scorers were hurt. They played a great brand of ball, and they had a fun mix of shooters and bruisers. Thoroughly entertaining team.

Now they have a bunch of contracts to figure out. The Times breaks down the top priorities this way. Here's my take:

Must sign: Nate McMillan and Ray Allen. Got to get them back.

Please sign: Antonio Daniels and Damien Wilkens. These guys play hard on D, and have good offensive games. I think Wilkens can be a great player someday.

Consider signing: Vladimir Radmanovic, Reggie Evans, and Jerome James. All three of these guys will probably get more money than they deserve from another team. But if they can get any of these guys for a reasonable price, they should do it. They're all valuable.

Only at a rebate: Ronald Murray and Vitaly Potapenko. They serve a purpose, but they're not worth spending much money on.

I hope the nucleus comes back, because they're a fun team to watch. Luke and Nick will be better next year, and apparently Fortson is coming back, which is always exciting. But please, bring Nate and Ray back.

Working man's blues

So I started my summer job on Tuesday. So far, it's been fine -- not too exciting. The hardest part is the freaking 8-9 hour day, and getting up at freaking 7:30. I know, I know. All you workers out there are chuckling at my spoiled life. But I've been a student for the last 9 months, where I only spend a couple hours a day in situations where I'm not in charge of what I do and where I go. On top of that, I was only in school three or four days a week.

But now, ack. I have a long workday and a five-day work week. It's a rough adjustment to make. Yeah, I'm sure you're pitying me.

Weird baseball rules

I don't know why you can't assume the double play. Where does this rule come from? Why does it exist? It makes no sense to me. In tonight's game, the M's defense is about to turn a double play, but first baseman Richie Sexson inconceivably is unable to catch a ball that hits him in the hands. They could have been out of the inning. The next batter hits a grand slam. Ridiculous. But, no error on the play. All runs are earned. Stupid baseball rules.

As a post script, man it's great to be back in Seattle where I can listen to Mariners broadcasters. Rick Rizzs is the worst of all time. He does not say anything about Sexson's inability to catch the ball. I guess this is acceptable fielding for him. Then, when Bernie Williams hits the grand slam, the Rizzer only talks about the "great effort" by center fielder Jeremy Reed on the play, who made a leap and failed to catch the ball. Jeez. Why can't the Mariners hire some good announcers?

Wine case decided

This is an interesting case. Basically, there are several states that forbid wineries located out of state from shipping wine directly to customers in those states. These laws mainly affect small wineries that sell over the Internet -- so Mom & Pop wineries with websites can't ship directly to a customer who lives within one of these protected states. This case tested the constitutionality of those laws (here, in Michigan and New York). A recap of the oral arguments can be found here.

Anyway, today the court struck down those laws in a 5-4 decision. Victory for Mom and Pop. It's a cool case, though, because it poses a battle between the dormant Commerce Clause (which resides within the actual Constitution) and the 21st Amendment -- the amendment that repealed prohibition and gave states the power to regulate alcohol trade. The Court rejected the idea that the amendment could "repeal" the Commerce Clause. This is precedent that could be important in later cases (none that I can think of right now, but it seems like a big step to limit the power of an amendment like this).

The opinions look interesting. For the majority, Kennedy goes off about how cross-country commerce is essential to the foundation of the Union -- citing historical sources. But in dissent, Stevens reminds the majority that alcohol isn't just another type of tradeable item -- it can also be perceived as a "social menace." Interesting difference in opinion separated by a generation.

Anyway, here's a summary on SCOTUSblog, and other news here and here.

Keep it going Sonics

A great game tonight by the Supes. They let Duncan get his, but shut down everyone else. Meanwhile, Ridnour lights it up and Wilkens comes out of nowhere. No matter how the series ends (and yes, I do believe they have a chance to steal it -- gotta win one in San Antonio...), this has been a great team to watch. Please re-sign Ray and Nate! (And Antonio... and Vladimir... and Reggie... and maybe even Jerome...)

No on Bolton

I don't trust a guy whose hair doesn't match his mustache.

A fan revolution

So the Brits are all upset because Malcolm Glazer, an American, appears to be buying Manchester United. The fans are really pissed. I like this part:

Oliver Houston, of Shareholders United, told Reuters: "He's got himself an extremely tainted asset -- this is by no means over.

"Even if Glazer succeeds in getting all-out control, the campaign by fans to show that no customers equals no profits will continue.

"If that means starving ourselves, and starving the club of income, in order to make this parasite detach himself from us, then so be it," Houston told SkySports News.

This is exactly what I wish fans would do when their teams do crappy things. They never follow through, though. In this case, however, I think they might be just angry enough to not support the team until Glazer lets go. It might take several years. But they just might do it.

Made it

Arrived in Seattle last night, making the drive from Ann Arbor in three days. Not bad, especially considering the first day was an absolute debacle. After driving 100 miles west, I realized I had left my suits hanging in the closet. So I had to turn around and get them. 200 miles and 3 hours wasted. Anyway, it was still a good trip. Stopped to see the Corn Palace in Mitchell, SD and the Little Bighorn Battlefield in Montana. And stopped at Wall Drug in South Dakota... if you've ever driven I-90 through the midwest, you've heard of Wall Drug. It's not as cool as the billboards make it seem.

Anyway, so I start work on Monday, and I'll be moving into Wally's house this week sometime. Let the summer begin.

On the road

Okay, I'm off. I might try to blog from the road, if I can get internet access along the way. Otherwise, I'll be out of the loop for a few days. Hopefully I'll make it to Minnesota today.

Steroids, again, again

ESPN's Bill Simmons has a surprisingly rational take on baseball's steroid issue. I used to think I was the only one who thought the way I do about it, but I'm finding more and more people who really don't see steroids as a sign of the apocalypse.

Done!

I am finished with my second year of law school. Crazy. I am constructively a 3L.

Now I have a couple days to clean my apartment, pack, and prepare for the drive to Seattle. I also need to compile my summer reading list. Any suggestions?

Bronx Bummers

Man, these are great days for Yankee haters. I have to think, though, that this is just a slump and everybody, including the Yankees, is over-reacting. They still have Sheffield, Jeter, Rodriguez, and Matsui, and that's pretty good. I think they'll be fine by the end of the season. But for now, it is a great joy to watch them sweat.

Good job Sonics

That was a fun series to watch. The Sonics seem like they're playing pretty well right now. And Ray Allen... when he is on, he is amazing.

Gotta love the play of Collison, Ridnour, and (holy crap) Jerome James.

Can they take it to San Antonio? They played really well against the Spurs this year when they had the full team together. The pundits will predict the Spurs to crush, but I think the Sonics can win 3 games. Should be a good series.

I don't know how I'm going to watch it when I'm driving across the country next week.

29

Yep, another birthday. Last year of the 20's. Sheesh.