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I’m not sure if it’s as much human rights or freedom of the press, but this Olympics is starting out poorly in the eyes of free nations around the world.
The latest bit of bad news is delivered to our door steps via the New York Times, which is reporting that although promises were made that foreign journalists would have unlimited access to the Web, many sites have been blocked so that reporters can not get access to them from Beijing’s press centers. In a roundabout way, Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge said publicly two weeks ago there had been an agreement to allow journalists unlimited access. But at the behest of China, Rogge succumbed to the country’s objections.
Strangely, it appears both China and Rogge have lost what is a basic ideal of the Olympics: Camaraderie of sovereign nations in which peace and freedom are promoted. Sadly, China has yet to portray any of the characteristics of a nation that is concerned with freedom or camaraderie. Human rights continue to overshadow the games and suppression of this known negativity is paramount to the Chinese government. For what reason, I’m not sure. But the party line is the censorship of many Web sites is to keep social stability.
Let’s be clear: In the Olympics, there is no escaping politics. It’s guaranteed. There have been bombings (1996 in Atlanta, USA), propaganda (1936 in Berlin, Germany) and boycotts from competing nations (1980 in Moscow and 1984 in Los Angeles).
This year, we’ve already seen propaganda on issues ranging from the legitimacy of Falun Gong, Tibetan human rights and Taiwanese independence. I am sure we will continue to see demonstrations of dissent as well, as seen in the video below, in the course of these Olympics.
In essence, the backlash against the media is a protracted stance in form with China’s normal crackdown on dissenting voices against the country’s human rights record. Even Amnesty International, according to the New York Times, has been blocked.
This is all a disturbing trend, seeing how China had promised reforms in order to get the games in the first place. So far, the only thing that has changed, although slightly, is the pollution in Beijing.
China’s history on human rights, it’s record on suppressing dissent and its cowardly initiative to suppress the freedom of information, therefore the press, points to a very shallow Olympics in which the country proudly protects its reputation while damaging it more in the process. I can conclude, without fail, that China will not see the see the games again until this is rectified. Even the IOC can’t put up with this terrible publicity for more than one year.
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UPDATE: The New York Times is reporting today that some of the Web sites previously blocked by China, such as Amnesty International, are now available to reporters at the Olympics. That’s what happens when the press starts putting the focus on lies and backward rhetoric.
The New York Daily News’ I-team is reporting that Kirk Radomski … the Kirk Radomski … has found his shipping receipts for packages of steroids he’s sent to Cheater No. 2 (aka Roger Clemens) to help solidify the case against him.
This is what I like to call a slow death. Everything is unraveling for this former great. His wife is accused of injecting steroids. He’s charged with perjury. His son is badgered with questions. Shoot, the I-team is working so hard they have a list of women they’ve found to be connected to the ex-power pitcher.
I wonder, does he ever think he can just hide and it will all go away? It certainly doesn’t work for O.J., Michael Jackson, Barry Bonds and every other disgraced star we once idolized.
I dedicate this to everybody who called Kings fans, Kings players and Kings coaches crybabies or whiners in 2002. Former NBA ref Tim Donaghy, who has admitted to betting on games, including ones he worked, has now alleged in court papers that the Kings - Lakers series of 2002 was tampered with. The document, submitted by his lawyer, reads:
“Referees A, F and G were officiating a playoff series between Teams 5 and 6 in May of 2002. It was the sixth game of a seven-game series, and a Team 5 victory that night would have ended the series. However, Tim learned from Referee A that Referees A and F wanted to extend the series to seven games. Tim knew referees A and F to be ‘company men,’ always acting in the interest of the NBA, and that night, it was in the NBA’s interest to add another game to the series. Referees A and F heavily favored Team 6. Personal fouls [resulting in obviously injured players] were ignored even when they occurred in full view of the referees. Conversely, the referees called made-up fouls on Team 5 in order to give additional free throw opportunities for Team 6. Their foul-calling also led to the ejection of two Team 5 players. The referees’ favoring of Team 6 led to that team’s victory that night, and Team 6 came back from behind to win that series.”
Team 5 is the Kings, Team 6 is the Lakers, and Douchebags A, F and G are Dick Bavetta, Bob Delaney and Ted Bernhardt. The three allowed L.A. to take 27 free throws in the fourth quarter alone. They scored 16 of their last 18 points at the line, while centers Vlade Divac and Scot Pollard both fouled out trying not to breathe on Shaq.
“My first thought [upon hearing Donaghy’s allegation] was: I knew it,” Pollard said Tuesday night. “I’m not going to say there was a conspiracy. I just think something wasn’t right. It was unfair. We didn’t have a chance to win that game.”
“This is a hard one to swallow,” Pollard said. “If it’s ever proven, the league owes me a ring. I guess I can’t really say that, because it doesn’t change much. It just breaks your heart.”
Anyone who watched the game, including honest Lakers fans, knows that should’ve been the end of the series. Instead, the Lakers won game seven and the championship over a weak New Jersey team.
NBA Commissioner David Stern had his chance to respond to the allegations, and basically said that Donaghy was a felon with no credibility and that his claims were “baseless.”
How can he be so sure? How can he dismiss the idea so quickly? The felon and cheater was employed by the NBA for 13 years, and Stern had no idea.
He might be right, but he needs to wipe that smirk off his face while he answers, cause I’m not laughing. I don’t think it’s funny, I don’t think it’s ridiculous, and I’m not satisfied with his answer. If anyone wants to argue that there wasn’t a conspiracy, then they have to offer an explanation for the officiating. How could it be so bad? It was more than the volume of calls that came just when the Lakers needed them, it was the calls themselves (e.g. Bibby’s bloody face fouling Kobe’s sharp elbow).
Stern also acted like this was old news. Apparently the NBA launched a $1 million investigation after Donaghy got caught. But I don’t know how thorough it was because Delaney said nobody has tried to contact him about the game. You would think you’d be interested in talking to the refs involved in this game.
I’m still not convinced there was an explicit conspiracy, but I have to think the league wanted a game seven and the refs knew it. Most importantly, perception is reality. Nobody trusted NBA refs before Tim Donaghy. Stern’s casual brush-off isn’t acceptable. Kings fans have never gotten over that series, and especially game six. Saying “Don’t worry about it” isn’t good enough.
As crazy as it sounds, Donaghy getting caught might be the best thing that could’ve happened. The NBA needs a revolution in the reffing department. Get rid of all of them and start over fresh. Right now, people are convinced that corrupt or just plain bad refs are costing their teams games, series’ and championships. Referees robbed the Kings of a championship in 2002, and I’m just one of the many who are pissed off about it.
Finally, the NBA (National Free Throw Association) is doing something about the flopping trend. ESPN is reporting that the league will impose fines for “clear cases of flopping.” They still haven’t worked out most, or any, of the details, but this is the best move David Stern has made since … submitting his resume to be commissioner of the NBA. Manu Ginobili, you’re working for free next year!
Hopefully this is just the first step. Suspensions should be coming for repeat offenders. I’m not opposed to fining the refs who reward the most obvious flops. Some are going to argue that determining what is or isn’t a flop is too subjective, and they’re partially right. But nearly every call in an NBA game is subjective. There are times when we just know they’re flopping. It’s common sense and a simple calculation of player size - like when Tony Parker was whistled for knocking over Pau Gasol last night. There’s a simple test to use to see if a player just flopped - if he goes down and I say, “What a bitch,” fine him! Playoff notes:
I wonder if Paul Gasau smells as bad as he looks like he does.
For as excited as I was for this year’s playoffs, especially in the West, most of the games haven’t been all that exciting.
They should just have each team shoot, say 150 free throws, and see who wins. At least that way I won’t be expecting a basketball game.
The NBA refs are still the worst in sports, by far.
That said, it was a great no-call when Derek Fisher jumped on Brent Barry’s head at the end of game four. I don’t want a game decided like that.
Sasha Vooyachitch has a girl’s name, girl’s hair, a girl’s headband holding down his girl hair, and we can only assume, a vagina.
I wish Kobe wasn’t such a baby and didn’t complain every time he missed a shot. He’s also the only player allowed to cuss at the refs and swing his arms at them without getting a technical.
I hate the Lakers.
That said, I think this Lakers team is much better than the team that won three straight championships. I still say much of that team’s success was based on big fat Shaq being able to do whatever he wanted, elbow whoever he wanted out of his way, while nobody could graze his jersey. As much as I hate the 2008 Lakers, they’ve got talent all over the place.
Got to love the politics of drugs in sports. Seeing how Marion Jones, one of America’s greatest fallen stars, is now in prison, her former Olympic teammates want to appeal on their own behalves to keep their gold medals.
Not too long ago, Jones was stripped of her 2000 Olympic medals. It’s been a downward spiral ever since. I’ve only written about Jones sparsely, ignoring her lying ways until she was convicted of lying and obstruction of justice. She was backed into a corner before she told the truth.
These are truly sad times for folks in the BALCO fold. I imagine, cheater No. 1 is watching, looking for examples to squeal his way out this mess.
I wonder if jail birds watch the news? I wonder if she’s been in contact with her former teammates and whether or not they’ve forgiven her, especially now that she’s in jail paying the ultimate price of cheating.
The conversation would probably be a necessary one for Jones to piece her life back together, but in general she’s probably screwed herself beyond friendship. The only friends she has now are those in stripes.
But back to the topic at hand, should Jones’ teammates get their medals back? I think not. It’s not like they ran those relays with only three legs, there was a whole other piece in that team that they want credit for which they truly don’t deserve.
I see this getting swatted away like a six foot guard testing Kevin Garnett in the paint — it ain’t happening.
In the interest of defeating stupidity, Josh Howard only thinks he’s being honest. He really does mean well, that is, by telling people what he does and that he controls it. Too bad he doesn’t control his mouth.
This has got to be some sort of threshold. I’ve never known a racing body to publicly back tolerance and fight racism. The people should give the FIA all the praise in the world for an organization such as Formula 1 that lacks diversity. Hockey should take note. Golf, too.
I’m glad to know the FIA didnt back away from the despicable acts, but responded with force and understanding.
Cheers to them and Lewis Hamilton for putting up with it all.
The No. 1 football news Wednesday was that Adam “Pacman” Jones was traded to the Dallas Cowboys. As if they need him.
Pay careful attention to the fact that Jones is not reinstated into the NFL. There are conditions per the trade agreement, as ESPN and the Associated Press report.
Specifically:
Sources tell Werder that Dallas will send its fourth-round pick (the 126th overall) in Saturday’s draft to the Titans for Jones.
There are also conditions attached to the trade related to Jones being reinstated by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and how much he plays for the Cowboys. If he plays a significant amount of time in 2008, the Titans will get an additional pick from the Cowboys in 2009.
If he doesn’t get reinstated by the NFL, sources said the Cowboys get the Titans’ fourth-round pick in 2009.
With all the hoopla about him just being traded, I wonder what the hell Jerry Jones was thinking. So you’re telling me Mr. Jones that you can’t see Adam taking a couple of days off to head to Austin and make it rain. I know I would. It’s Austin for goodness sake. Does he really think the Big D won’t give him enough excuses to land in jail. And then what? Do you cut him, losing those draft picks in the process.
This is a poster moment for the NFL, the Dallas Cowboys and the Tennessee Titans. Each has a huge stake in the credibility of football’s character by being involved with folks that continually are toeing the line with the law.
Did anybody witness what happened to the Portland Trailblazers. They’re metamorphisis from moths to butterflies (I know, dorky) is being hailed every day. Now look at the Cincinnati Bengals, who just cut ties with Chad Henry after his umpteenth arrest. There are already examples for trouble makers. I’m guessing that if Pacman wants a real chance, he’ll stay very far away from the club.
I was cruising through my e-mail this morning when I spotted this piece of art handed down from the assistant sports editor from the Boston Globe. He said it was from an anonymous source, so I take my hat off to whoever is out there that wrote this.
It’s god damn hilarious.
Check it:
Clemens: You want answers?
Congressman: I think I’m entitled to them.
Clemens: You want answers?
Congressman: I want the truth!
Clemens: You can’t handle the truth! Son, we live in a world that has
baseballs. And those balls have to be hit by men with bats. Who’s
gonna do it? You? You, Congressman?
I have a greater responsibility than you can possibly fathom. You weep
for steroids and you curse HGH. You have that luxury. You have the
luxury of not knowing what I know: that HGH - while illegal - probably
sells tickets. And my existence - while grotesque and incomprehensible
to you - sells tickets.
You don’t want the truth. Because deep down, in places you don’t talk
about at parties, you want me on that mound. You need me on that
mound. We use words like fastball, slider, splitfinger… We use these
words as the backbone to a life spent playing a sport. You use ‘em as
a punchline.
I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man
who rises and falls asleep to the Sportscenter clips I provide! And
then questions the manner in which I provide them! I’d rather you just
said ‘Thank you’ and went on your way. Otherwise, I suggest you pick
up a bat and dig in.
Either way, I don’t give a damm what you think you’re entitled to!
Congressman: Did you order the HGH?
Clemens: (quietly) I did the job you sent me to do.
I’m not sure if it’s as much human rights or freedom of the press, but this Olympics is starting out poorly in the eyes of free nations around the world.
