From the band that incited bikini-clad slip n’ slide at McCarren Park Pool this Summer…
Here’s MGMT’s new video for “The Youth”…
That was directed by Eric, of Tim & Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! fame (Adult Swim)
Here’s a sweet wedding band that played some nuptials I was at last weekend.
They annihilated Otis Redding’s Try a Little Tenderness, obviously.
After the rip-roaring success of the politically charged Great “Bailouts” in Sports History, I decided to go back to the well and poll the sports blogging intelligentsia on issues quasi-related to Decision ’08. This week’s topic:
BEST SPORTS PLATFORMS FOR THE CAMPAIGN TRAILIt may seem a little (or entirely) taboo right now, given the economic ground and pound, however, I’ll point to a story in this week’s New Yorker by Peter Boyer (The Appalachian Problem) on Obama’s campaigning in Appalachia, in an attempt to siphon votes away from McCain and take the state of West Virginia . Boyer brings up former Democratic Governor Mark Warner, who fought an uphill battle to get into office, and repaid the voters of the region by getting Virginia Tech into the ACC. Since VT joined the conference, their men’s basketball team earned its first NCAA Tournament berth, and the football team was able to expand Lane Stadium. All the while, creating heightened interest in V-Tech sports in and around the region – translating into additional revenue, not to mention jobs, in the state.
In the same light, I’m suggesting Obama vow to get Memphis out of Conference U.S.A, to appeal to the economically liberal, socially conservative voters of Tennessee. (And Alabama’s UAB faithful.)
If he so chose, he could mix in some lackadaisical foreign policy while catering to the Memphis populus – who can see Germantown from their houses (nod to Scott from WaitingForNextYear.com for that one!)
Here are some other campaign promises the sports blogosphere would like to hear coming out of the political arena in the final month of the race. And Since Obama and McCain already downplayed anti-steroids legislation (thanks Phil, from CheatorBeat, for that), they could use something to get sports fans going…
“[The candidates] should focus their campaign on adopting the ‘Francesca Football Plan’ which involves replacing the final two NFL exhibition games with regular season games. This plan, which I first heard mentioned by WFAN Legend (in his own mind) Mike Francesca, would expand the NFL regular season to 18 total games and in doing so would push the SuperBowl back two weeks to the Sunday just prior to Presidents Day. This would create an official, govt. sanctioned three-day SuperBowl Holiday weekend and subsequently do away with the most ‘called-out’ workday of the year.” (Chris “Shorty” Smith, BadChoiceMilk)
The incremental plan to increase the amount of football is as brilliant as Francesca is insufferable.
Have you seen the Mike Francesca Show? Who in their right mind would watch that one gurgle for a half-hour late Sunday night when you’re faded from a full-day of football?
Jimmy Traina from SI.com has a simpler suggestion for how our chief commander could improve the NFL: “Whoever is elected president needs to make the Monday after the Super Bowl a national holiday”
The Super Bowl is already a well established, polished glutton fest. But this would set off a spending spree that would rival black friday. It would all be contained to beer and protein, but still. (plus I think I’d like to live in country where those things helped drive the economy). The real benefit, however, is the money saved by companies closing on a clear no-work work day.
Bares mentioning that I’m actively looking for a politician to run for office on the four-day work week platform. The Super Bowl holiday could seamlessly be included as buffer.
NBA blogger Trey Kerby (The Blowtorch) would like your candidates to abolish the shooting game at the All-Star Game, and mandate a one-on-one tournament.
The score of last year’s All-Star game was 134-128 – 260 points, yet almost an unwatchable game. It’s a combined point total that’s only rival is that of the Dow Jones Industrial losses over the last week. What do they have in common? Both are pretty boring to follow, yet there is undeniably something wrong happening.
Forget NBA All-Star regulation though, what we need is NBA relegation. I’d like to see the president vow to protect against lame duck teams who mail in the end of the year so they have 25% chance of getting the #1 pick in the lottery. You tank, congratulations, welcome to the D-League. Have fun spending a year throttling post-pubescant 19-year olds (that run, and run, and run) in Sioux Falls for a year.
Here are some additional ideas to get people flocking to the polls:
Start a professional ice hockey league! Wait, … (Doug Sheckler, Epic Carnival, on205th Magazine)
Here’s a thought – make instant replay mandatory in every sport. Everything is reviewable, especially missed calls. (Moon Dog Sports)
“There needs to be a plus one system playoff for D1 college football. The top 4 play and the winners play in a final game. This will keep the pundits happy that still want to keep the smaller bowls, and it will still allow for a lot of pork barrel spending at the AT&T Cotton Bowl, AutoZone, Liberty Bowl, Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl, Brut Sun Bowl, Capital One Bowl,Champs Sports Bowl…” (Ethan Jaynes, NESW Sports)
…etc., etc., etc., etc. (great ref. to pork barrel spending!)
“Being that Ohio is a battleground state, Obama should campaign to get better coaching for the bengals and browns. I’d say the same about michigan…but mccain’s already conceded it and the lions are a lost cause anyway.” (Dan, InGameNow)
Swing states are going to make or break this election, and both candidates have already vowed to examine and take down programs that aren’t working (I think they were mainly talking about government bureaucracy, however.)
Do your civic duty, and vote for the platform that will get our presidential candidates your vote on November 4:
Part Seven in an on-going series on kickball that I feel is determined to continue deep into the cold weather months…
After all, the National Power Poll was just issued this week! Here are the top-16 as compiled by Kickball365.com.
1.) Frosty Balls (VA Recess)
2.) Meatballs (FL West Palm/FL Beach)
3.) Hey Whoa (NY Gotham)
4.) Kick Asphalts (VA Dominion)
5.) Screw the Team (FL Riptide)
6.) Young Guns (FL West Palm/FL Beach)
7.) Menace 2 Sobriety (DC Rock Creek, DC Memorial)
8.) Off in Public (DC Liberty, DC Memorial)
9.) Blue Balls (VA Recess, VA Shore)
10.) Dumpster Fire (NY Freedom)
11.) We Kick Your Balls (AZ Valley)
12.) Friends With Benefits (VA Dominion)
13.) Gonzo (VA Alexandria, VA Arlington)
14.) Sofa King Good (CA Hollywood)
15.) Best Coast Ballers (CA Gold Rush)
16.) Gym Class All Stars (DC Monument)
Folks, you can rank anything in sports – as long as you power rank it. Kickball is no exception.
The rationale is broken down at Kickball365 as well. I’m assuming a certain subjective approach regardless. It’s hard to factor in the competitive nuances of each respective league. For instance, we learned months back that there is a vigilante terrorist group trying to bring the DC league down (see The Mooks of Kickball, part 3). Who knows how this affected some teams’ R.P.I.?
Here’s a photo of the cleverly named, #1-ranked Frosty Balls celebrating victory at the Founders Cup in Las Vegas…
I’m ranked pretty high in most Cure songs played on jukeboxes in the Metro-NY area over the last six months. You can pretty much rank everything in life.
This kid is what those in the Hip-Hop industry like to call young money. And that photo begs the question: Is their a form of unorthodoxed racing that Red Bull doesn’t sponsor?
“Leonardo Panayiotou, a four-year-old go-karter at the same track Lewis Hamilton first made his mark, has received £15,000 in sponsorship to pursue his motor racing dream. Despite his tender age, Leonardo races a 60cc kart as speeds of up to 50mph. A consortium of sponsors spotted the youngster racing at Rye House Kart Raceway, in Hertforshire, and came forward with the money.” (Four-year-old racer picks up £15,000 sponsorship deal)
I want to go fast! His parents better hope he doesn’t change his life goal (to be, like, a fire fighter, or spiderman) between now and four years, when he’ll legally be allowed to race competitively.
Link:
A major event of the WFTDA season takes place this weekend, with 12 of the top derby squads on the East Coast meeting in Wisconsin for the annual Derby in Dairyland. A shot at the Nationals in November at stake.
True to form, this tournament plans to offer more than just fine Hell on Wheels competition, with live music, dancing, and coerced trips to roughhouse saloons i’m sure being offered. So, if you’re in the Madison area – go gallivant. (I would!)
Host and notoriously charitable team, the Mad Rollin’ Dolls, will be auctioning off plastered busts of several of the team members’ chests during the weekend as well. The proceeds go to benefit breast cancer awareness. Here’s the model of the Mad Rollins’ Chop Suzzy.
More info on Derby in Dairyland can be had at www.derbyindairyland.com. Check out this video of the Mad Rollin’ Dolls giving a tour of the city of Madison below…
Links:
Derby in Dairyland rolls art and music into flat track festival (The Daily Page)
Photos – Derby Team Plasters Cancer
The Big Lead posted a link to this photo this morning in The Round-Up… god bless him.
The Browns-Palin Paradox (Waiting For Next Year)
No Follow Backlinks on Link Lists? Don’t be a D*ck (The Sports Dollar)
Kung Pu: Learn Judo With Vladimir (Hugging Harold Reynolds)
10 Best Product Placements in Movies (via Pop Candy)
The 2008 Red Sox as Bond Villains (Bugs & Cranks)
I take fashion pretty seriously…especially, when the clothing involved asks that we suspend all notions of practicality. And double especially, when it’s some form of cuckoo [golfing!] lingerie.
Looking to create the online athletic couture unveiling of the season, this was sent my way by UK designer boutique Mio Destino.
The golfing bra is, quote, “the answer for all golf lovers who feel they neglect their lady.”
“So the next time your partner asks if you ‘fancy a tee?’ she won’t be putting the kettle on, oh no! She will be opening her lingerie drawer and whipping out the fun new set from Mio Destino”
The golfing bra is nearing the final stages of development (I’m thinking the dangling golf balls on tassels might get left out of the on-the-course version), and the set is available for £300.
Link:
The folks behind the “Don’t Vote” video are asking folks to share it with five other people. (video is actually called, simply, 5 Friends). And bloggers are taking the extra step by posting it and linking to five other blogs.
Check it out, The Sports Dollar gets the nod for the first post (that I saw, at least).
And Sarah, excellent point.
NESW Sports
Moondog Sports
Hugging Harold Reynolds
Epic Carnival
NYHoosier.com
A taped broadcast of the the 2008 USA Rock Paper Scissors Championship airs tonight on Fox Sports Net (check your local listings). Broadcasting renaissance man Master Roshambollah to provide commentary. (via Deuce of Davenport.)
Last October, Henry Paulson said a bailout wouldn’t be necessary (via The Big Lead)
Top 50 Sports Blogs (The Sports Dollar)
Coachella Moves 2009 Dates Up Two Weeks (via Pop Candy)
So, this is Seth Petruzelli? (Epic Carnival)
I’m teetering on the verge of a morbid fascination of tonight’s impending trainwreck. Go here to get your Palin Bingo sheets for tonight’s debate!
The Knicks City Dancers did a photo shoot (EPIC CARNIVAL)
September Traffic Rankings For Sports Blogs (MOONDOG SPORTS)
HBO eyes series on U.S. exodus (SOUP)
‘The Office’: Jim’s Best Pranks! (via Pop Candy)
NFL Punchlines: Is T.O. Ruining His Relationship With Another Quarterback? (The Sports Point)
