Nick going, Nick Faldo. Just let the Mars Rover run your ass over and retire, you fag.
===
Faldo slammed for Ryder Cup loss
LONDON (AP) One headline branded the outcome "Faldo Folly." Another deemed him "Captain Calamity."
Under fire: Europe's Ryder Cup captain Nick Faldo is taking heat for his team's surprising loss to the United States over the weekend in Louisville, Ky. AP PHOTO
European Ryder Cup captain Nick Faldo was under siege Monday after his team's loss to the United States. Faldo, a six-time major winner, was belittled for his player selections.
"Nick Faldo, not the crowd, was America's 13th Man," the Daily Maily said of his role in Europe's 16 1/2-11 1/2 loss in Louisville, Ky.
The Times of London said that while U.S. captain Paul Azinger instilled belief in his team, "Faldo inspired chaos."
Even without the best player in the world — Tiger Woods' only involvement was text messaging Azinger — and a team comprised of six rookies and three veterans who knew nothing but losing in the Ryder Cup, the captain's messages got through.
The Times assailed Faldo for using his most successful players — Ian Poulter and Graeme McDowell — near the end of Sunday's singles matches rather than at the beginning. That meant the overall result was decided by the time they won their matches.
"Buzzing around the 17th green, the United States players extolled the team-bonding skills of Azinger," the Times said.
"Faldo's thin skin, the need to have his sports shrink by his side even out on the course and his grating sense of humor, had confirmed what we knew all along, which is that he is no natural leader," the paper said. "But what we had not expected was that a man who had dedicated himself so much to this job would make such a colossal mistake."
Former European Ryder Cup captain Bernard Gallacher said Faldo got his singles selections wrong.
"I was worried about putting three top players at the bottom of the order," said Gallacher, who lost two Ryder Cup matches and then won his third. "The top players should be at the top to get the points early."
The Daily Mail said Faldo's decision to put Poulter and McDowell near the end of the 12 matches was like "sending an aircraft carrier to a conflict that was already over."
"His list will go down as one of the great leadership howlers and it confirmed the sense we had of Faldo being swept along by instinct and whim," the Mail said.
The Telegraph said Faldo had used the Ryder Cup to feed his ego.
"Faldo's gamble on the big finish . . . left Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood and Padraig Harrington, thrashing at thin air, their legs amputated by a hopelessly incontinent ego," it said.
The Telegraph said the Valhalla fallout would leave Faldo "about to pay the price of a lifetime of self serving, of devotion to the cult of the individual."
The Japan Times: Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2008
(C) All rights reserved
===
And as long as we have Rafa Nadal playing for Spain...and we face them...we will always be screwed.
US out of Davis Cup
Written By:BBC , Posted: Mon, Sep 22, 2008
Caption: Rafael Nadal beat Andy Roddick in straight sets to put defending champions the United States out of this year's Davis Cup.
Spain's Rafael Nadal beat Andy Roddick in straight sets to put defending champions the United States out of this year's Davis Cup.
Nadal's 6-4 6-0 6-4 win gave Spain an unassailable 3-1 lead, taking them through to the final where they will face Argentina, who beat Russia 3-2.
Playing at the Las Ventas bullfighting arena, Nadal put Roddick to the sword with his array of passing shots winning a huge ovation from the partisan home crowd.
It is the latest chapter in a dream year for Nadal, coming after his wins at the French Open, Wimbledon and the Olympics and his claiming of the number one spot.
US pairing Mike Bryan and Mardy Fish had kept their team's hopes alive on Saturday with a thrilling 4-6 6-4 6-3 4-6 6-4 defeat of Feliciano Lopez and Fernando Verdasco in the doubles.
Fish was only playing because of a shoulder injury to Bryan's usual partner, his brother Bob.
But after a hesitant start that saw Lopez and Verdasco take the opening set, he proved to be a strong partner.
Nadal had survived an early scare against Davis Cup debutant Querrey before winning in four sets in Friday's opener.
The French Open and Wimbledon champion initially struggled to contain Querrey's powerful serve and forehand and had to recover from the initial shock of being put on the back foot by an opponent just out of his teens.
The 20-year-old took the first set on a tie-break but Nadal fought back to win 6-7 (5-7) 6-4 6-3 6-4.
Spain will play Argentina in the final in November after they completed a 3-2 win over Russia in Buenos Aires.
Russia's Nikolay Davydenko came from behind to beat David Nalbandian 3-6 6-3 7-6 (7-2) 6-0, bringing his side level at 2-2.
But Argentina secured victory when Juan Martin Del Potro defeated Igor Andreev 6-4 6-2 6-1 in the decisive encounter.
On Friday, Nalbandian had swept Andreev aside to claim a 7-6 (7-5) 6-2 6-4 win but Del Potro's victory over Davydenko was even more one-sided, the 19-year-old dropping only seven games against the world number six on his way to a 6-1 6-4 6-2 win.
Elsewhere in the Davis Cup, Roger Federer and Stanislas Wawrinka teamed up for the first time since winning Olympic gold in Beijing to clinch Switzerland's place in the elite World Group.
They beat Belgium's Xavier Malisse and Olivier Rochus 4-6 7-6 (8-6) 6-3 on Saturday, giving the Swiss an unassailable 3-0 lead.
Individually they had got off to a perfect start on Friday, as world number nine Wawrinka eventually beat 58th-ranked Steve Darcis 6-7 (4-7) 6-1 6-3 2-6 6-4 in the first singles match.
US Open champion Federer saw off world number 95 Kristof Vliegen 7-6 (7-1) 6-4 6-2.
===
What happened to showing up?
There are teams that I follow that lose, and there are teams that I can't help but wonder, "Why do you even bother playing if you don't even bother to show up for it? It's asinine, really. That was the case with a number of teams I follow. First, AFC Liverpool, a fledling outfit, got walloped by a team a tier blow them, called Waterloo Dock, 6-1. And this side at the top of their table...and they get thumped. Bloody wanks. I mean, at least if you're going to exit, you'd at least make the score respectable. That just gets on my bad side. Even though they are in theri first year, one would expect a scoreline better than this. Scouse fags.
Even worse, while Yankee Stadium is due to be nothing more than a smoldering pile of rubble in a number months' time, the Angels, who are three wins away from 100 victories, cannot rely of Jered Weaver to help him. The rube can't pitch his way out a wet paper bag in a 9-6 loss to the Mariners. Adding a little insult, the Dodgers won that day.
And that's what drives me to bedlam here. Dodgers win, Angels lose. Send Jered back to Salt Lake, MIke Scioscia. We can't rely on him next month. We'd have to bring up the bullpen at the top of the 2nd inning.
===
Is it just me, or has the world ended? While President Bush's dementia has reached beyond Satanic levels with his plan to make the rich richer and the poor poorer (a plan that will go back to hell from whence it came), the Los Angeles Galaxy...actually WON a few days ago. DC United fell, 5-2.
About bloody time you pricks did something right. Now let's get on a streak already, you dormant rubes.
===
Two-game losingt streak, Roughriders? Get out of here.
===
Lack of consistency isn't restricted to my university's women's soccer team, apparently. The women's volleyball team suffered their first sweep of the season...to fucking Santa Clara, of all sides, a day after sweeping them on Friday.
Gimmillaro...we ought to send the New York Five Families to question you and your team's dwindling commitment to consistent play this year.
===
There are individuals and teams, though, that cut the mustard. The USA, Australian, and English squad are undefeated in their runs towards South Africa 2010. And Francisco Rodriguez became the first closer to reach 60 saves in a season. Adelaide United is the first Australian side to advance to the semifinals of the AFc Champions League, defeating the defending J.League champions Kashima Antlers 2-1. Robert Cornthwaite, who scored an own goal in the first leg in Japan, made up for it by scoring the winner at the Hindmarsh Stadium. I think Oswaldo may want to send their first team keeper, Hitoshi Sogahata, to the reserve side.
And the Sparks are still alive. Bring on San Antonio. 71-64 win over Seattle.
Even worse, while Yankee Stadium is due to be nothing more than a smoldering pile of rubble in a number months' time, the Angels, who are three wins away from 100 victories, cannot rely of Jered Weaver to help him. The rube can't pitch his way out a wet paper bag in a 9-6 loss to the Mariners. Adding a little insult, the Dodgers won that day.
And that's what drives me to bedlam here. Dodgers win, Angels lose. Send Jered back to Salt Lake, MIke Scioscia. We can't rely on him next month. We'd have to bring up the bullpen at the top of the 2nd inning.
===
Is it just me, or has the world ended? While President Bush's dementia has reached beyond Satanic levels with his plan to make the rich richer and the poor poorer (a plan that will go back to hell from whence it came), the Los Angeles Galaxy...actually WON a few days ago. DC United fell, 5-2.
About bloody time you pricks did something right. Now let's get on a streak already, you dormant rubes.
===
Two-game losingt streak, Roughriders? Get out of here.
===
Lack of consistency isn't restricted to my university's women's soccer team, apparently. The women's volleyball team suffered their first sweep of the season...to fucking Santa Clara, of all sides, a day after sweeping them on Friday.
Gimmillaro...we ought to send the New York Five Families to question you and your team's dwindling commitment to consistent play this year.
===
There are individuals and teams, though, that cut the mustard. The USA, Australian, and English squad are undefeated in their runs towards South Africa 2010. And Francisco Rodriguez became the first closer to reach 60 saves in a season. Adelaide United is the first Australian side to advance to the semifinals of the AFc Champions League, defeating the defending J.League champions Kashima Antlers 2-1. Robert Cornthwaite, who scored an own goal in the first leg in Japan, made up for it by scoring the winner at the Hindmarsh Stadium. I think Oswaldo may want to send their first team keeper, Hitoshi Sogahata, to the reserve side.
And the Sparks are still alive. Bring on San Antonio. 71-64 win over Seattle.
ISML 2008 Tiara Preview
A preview of the International Saimoe League Postseason, which starts September 30, 2008 and concludes in early November.
NOTE: This is the final version. The previous one had a typographical error in one of the slides. Thankfully that was the only mistake. This is also being posted on Google Video.
ISML 2008 Tiara Preview
A preview of the International Saimoe League Postseason, which starts September 30, 2008 and concludes in early November.
NOTE: This is the final version. The previous one had a typographical error in one of the slides. Thankfully that was the only mistake. This is also being posted on Google Video.
Oh God, here I go!
So said Max Baer as he turned blue, dabadee dabadi, dabadee dabadi, dabade dabadiiii...
===
World shares dive after Lehman Brothers collapse
NEW YORK (AFP) — Global stock markets went into a dizzying fall Monday as the collapse of US investment bank Lehman Brothers sparked fears that more bad news is on the horizon for the finance sector and the economy.
The blue-chip Dow Jones Industrial Average tumbled below 11,000 with a slide of 4.42 percent to 10,917.51, its largest one-day point loss since the reopening after the September 2001 terrorist attacks.
The Nasdaq composite plummeted 3.60 percent to 2,179.91 and the broad-market Standard & Poor's 500 index skidded 4.71 percent to 1,192.70.
Investors were in near-panic mode because of the uncertainty about the knock-on effect of the collapse at Lehman, a former Wall Street titan with broad connections to other financial firms.
The emergency sale of Wall Street rival Merrill Lynch to Bank of America and worries about a possible collapse at insurance giant American International Group added to jitters.
"Lehman Brothers' decision to file bankruptcy and worries that the credit crisis could claim American International Group as the latest casualty are fueling the fears on the Street," analysts at Charles Schwab & Co. said in a note to clients.
"Merrill's purchase has traders fretting that hidden problems abound and more firms could be looking at a fate similar to Lehman's."
Meanwhile central banks, led by the US Federal Reserve, rushed to inject tens of billions of dollars into the money markets to head off any rush on liquidity as investors pulled money out of stocks and looked for safety.
Despite the moves, London's FTSE 100 index slumped 3.92 percent to 5,204.20. In Paris, the CAC 40 tumbled 3.78 percent to 4,168.97 and in Frankfurt the DAX shed 2.74 percent at 6,064.16 points.
The Euro Stoxx 50 index of leading eurozone companies lost 3.67 percent.
Asia tumbled first on the news Monday, followed by the Middle East, Russia and then Europe before the shockwave hit the North and South American markets.
"The collapse of Lehman Brothers has sent a major jolt through global financial markets as it is by far the biggest victim of the credit crisis that started in August 2007 and had been considered too big to fail," said Global Insight economist Howard Archer.
"There is obviously widespread concern about other banks' exposure to Lehman Brothers, not only in the US but also in Europe. Lehman's collapse also increases concerns that other banks could fail."
The dollar came under pressure as analysts said the US central bank's Federal Open Market Committee, set to meet Tuesday on interest rates, might be forced to cut rates in a further reassurance to markets. The Fed has kept its base rate at 2.0 percent since April.
John Ryding at RDQ Economics said a rate cut might not solve the crisis but that some are concerned "about the damage to the markets that could be done if the Fed disappoints expectations."
In New York, Lehman shares, delisted from the New York Stock Exchange, plunged 94 percent to 21 cents.
American International Group, one of the world's biggest insurance companies, slid 60.8 percent on fears it may too face a death spiral from a cash crunch and possible credit downgrade.
Merrill Lynch, Lehman's white-shoe rival on Wall Street, managed to get a lifeline over the weekend with a deal to sell itself for 50 billion dollars to Bank of America. Merrill shares rose 0.06 percent but Bank of America fell 21 percent.
In Europe, the banks bore the brunt of the losses as the Lehman Brothers bankruptcy undercut any notion of business as usual, dealers said.
In London, HBOS plunged 36 percent at one stage but managed to finish with a loss of 17.55 percent, reflecting concerns about a bank that had to raise fresh cash earlier this year after massive losses on its US subprime exposure.
Royal Bank of Scotland, similarly in the firing line, lost 10 percent and Barclays was down 9.84 percent.
In Canada, the S&P/TSX index slid 4.04 percent percent while the Brazilian Bovespa index, South America's largest, sank 7.59 percent.
In Asia, where Tokyo and Hong Kong were among several markets closed for a public holiday, shares fell sharply, with Sydney down 1.8 percent and Singapore off 3.27 percent.
===
World shares dive after Lehman Brothers collapse
NEW YORK (AFP) — Global stock markets went into a dizzying fall Monday as the collapse of US investment bank Lehman Brothers sparked fears that more bad news is on the horizon for the finance sector and the economy.
The blue-chip Dow Jones Industrial Average tumbled below 11,000 with a slide of 4.42 percent to 10,917.51, its largest one-day point loss since the reopening after the September 2001 terrorist attacks.
The Nasdaq composite plummeted 3.60 percent to 2,179.91 and the broad-market Standard & Poor's 500 index skidded 4.71 percent to 1,192.70.
Investors were in near-panic mode because of the uncertainty about the knock-on effect of the collapse at Lehman, a former Wall Street titan with broad connections to other financial firms.
The emergency sale of Wall Street rival Merrill Lynch to Bank of America and worries about a possible collapse at insurance giant American International Group added to jitters.
"Lehman Brothers' decision to file bankruptcy and worries that the credit crisis could claim American International Group as the latest casualty are fueling the fears on the Street," analysts at Charles Schwab & Co. said in a note to clients.
"Merrill's purchase has traders fretting that hidden problems abound and more firms could be looking at a fate similar to Lehman's."
Meanwhile central banks, led by the US Federal Reserve, rushed to inject tens of billions of dollars into the money markets to head off any rush on liquidity as investors pulled money out of stocks and looked for safety.
Despite the moves, London's FTSE 100 index slumped 3.92 percent to 5,204.20. In Paris, the CAC 40 tumbled 3.78 percent to 4,168.97 and in Frankfurt the DAX shed 2.74 percent at 6,064.16 points.
The Euro Stoxx 50 index of leading eurozone companies lost 3.67 percent.
Asia tumbled first on the news Monday, followed by the Middle East, Russia and then Europe before the shockwave hit the North and South American markets.
"The collapse of Lehman Brothers has sent a major jolt through global financial markets as it is by far the biggest victim of the credit crisis that started in August 2007 and had been considered too big to fail," said Global Insight economist Howard Archer.
"There is obviously widespread concern about other banks' exposure to Lehman Brothers, not only in the US but also in Europe. Lehman's collapse also increases concerns that other banks could fail."
The dollar came under pressure as analysts said the US central bank's Federal Open Market Committee, set to meet Tuesday on interest rates, might be forced to cut rates in a further reassurance to markets. The Fed has kept its base rate at 2.0 percent since April.
John Ryding at RDQ Economics said a rate cut might not solve the crisis but that some are concerned "about the damage to the markets that could be done if the Fed disappoints expectations."
In New York, Lehman shares, delisted from the New York Stock Exchange, plunged 94 percent to 21 cents.
American International Group, one of the world's biggest insurance companies, slid 60.8 percent on fears it may too face a death spiral from a cash crunch and possible credit downgrade.
Merrill Lynch, Lehman's white-shoe rival on Wall Street, managed to get a lifeline over the weekend with a deal to sell itself for 50 billion dollars to Bank of America. Merrill shares rose 0.06 percent but Bank of America fell 21 percent.
In Europe, the banks bore the brunt of the losses as the Lehman Brothers bankruptcy undercut any notion of business as usual, dealers said.
In London, HBOS plunged 36 percent at one stage but managed to finish with a loss of 17.55 percent, reflecting concerns about a bank that had to raise fresh cash earlier this year after massive losses on its US subprime exposure.
Royal Bank of Scotland, similarly in the firing line, lost 10 percent and Barclays was down 9.84 percent.
In Canada, the S&P/TSX index slid 4.04 percent percent while the Brazilian Bovespa index, South America's largest, sank 7.59 percent.
In Asia, where Tokyo and Hong Kong were among several markets closed for a public holiday, shares fell sharply, with Sydney down 1.8 percent and Singapore off 3.27 percent.
The weekend after 9/11
Some insane things have gone on this weekend: while Hurricane Ike slams Houston and the heart of Texas, a clash of two trains marytyred dozen twofold and some in Chatsworth. Mercy.
My Lancer football team won, as well as my women's volleyball team, and the likes of AFC Liverpool, Melbourne Victory and AFC Wimbledon did, too. The Socceroos and the USA MNT also did their part of the work. I am disappointed in the Los Angeles Galaxy's failure to get any positive results for the bulk of this season, hence I changed the color layout. I also changed it due to the MLS season wrapping up down here.
SPeaking of MLB, how about that Francisco Rodriguez. 58 saves. He made history tonight, passing Bobby Thigpen in a 5-2 win for the Halos. Nine wins away from 100, two saves away from 60 for K-Rod. Some more milestones are in order.
A relief for me...the Armada are eliminated
From Bleacher Report...
Blair Field, Dirtbag Country: Why I Stay Away When the Long Beach Armada Play
Ahhh, the USA. It has its share of great ballparks, from sea to shining sea. But if there was ever a baseball stadium that caught my imagination, it's Blair Field, located in Long Beach, California. If you ask me, this is the gem of all amateur baseball parks. Established in 1956, it has been the home of some thrilling high school baseball games, American Legion clashes, Connie Mack classics, training for the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Rams (when they were in Los Angeles-good times), and even was used for Olympic training, perhaps as a precursor to the demonstration days of 1984 at the Chavez Ravine that is Dodger Stadium.
But I shed no tears for the Long Beach Armada falling to the Orange County Flyers in Game 5 of the Golden Baseball League South Division Series by the score of 12 runs to 2. Instead, I raise my hands in celebration for this fact alone: in about 5 months' time, Blair Field will return to its rightful owners, the Long Beach State Dirtbags.
The city's TRUE home team.
The Angels clinch it.
Wow. Those Angels clinched it. Now all we need is those Dodgers to pull their weight and make it a division sweep for both the Blue Crew and Halos. Let's go Dodgers. (I can't believe I just said that.)
Angels dominate the West, but can the Dodgers do the same?
It looks like the only drama now remaining for the Los Angeles Angels this regular season is if closer Francisco Rodriguez can rewrite the record books in the coming days by becoming the first to tally up 60 saves in a season (which is doable), or maybe even 70 saves a season. And the side story will be their push for 100 wins in a season (currently they stand at 88).
Dour mood today...
Ugh. God, I am disgusted today. Not for the fact that we lost to Florida, but the fact that we gave up the last three sets after winning the first two. There can be no excuse for Brian Gimmilaro's ladies failing to fish the job. I am looking at another second-place finish to Cal Poly after what just transpired today.
Unforgivable. Totally. I mean, if you're gonna be up two sets to none in a volleyball match, you'd better focus on finishing your opponents off. Today, you witnessed an example of Long Beach State volleyball putting the foot off the pedal at the most critical point in a contest.
I am not gonna be surprised if any future defeats are in this fashion. Brian, Debbie, Melissa...you gotta talk to these ladies about finishing. This is the type of volleyball that runner-ups and also-rans are skilled at. It's so easy to lose in this fashion, you won't know it until the other team across from you jumps like they are half their age.
Thie start was epic, but the finish was pathetic. Better fix this when you face Central Connecticut State....
===
Meanwhile, the Dodgers win again, the Angels lose...again, and it hasn't been a good day for my favorite club teams. FC United's match this week was postponed due to waterlog, AFC Wimbledon drew even with Weston-Super-Mare, and AFC Liverpool dropped a stinker. While my national teams won (USA over Cuba, Australia over Netherlands), the Galaxy continue their nasty slump. 3 minutes from halftime, 1-1 tie with Real Salt Lake.
The Sparks lost last night to the San Antonio Silver Stars. Thank God my St. Anthony Saints and Lakewood Lancers won their games. It was a decent outing for a majority of my teams, but I was hoping for more of my teams to have gotten the job done.
===
September 4, 2008
The spiels at the 2008 Republican National Convention was a win-win scenario for both parties. On one hand, you got the GOP people who now have thrown their support towards John McCain and Sarah Palin for President and Vice President. On the other hand, the Democrats, who are viewing this, are a field day, if not a feast day, getting plenty of fuel for the ads that will come out.
This is awesome. As a supporters of the Democrats, I think my party will enjoy debunking all the speeches coming out from the Twin Cities. This is great.
===
I am not gonna be surprised if Leslie Sanchez gives McCain's speech a B, let alone an A. Given that she rated Obama's speech a C and her roles as a Republican strategist on CNN, it's clear that if you're looking at it from a neutral perspective, it's a tad skewed. And if you ask me, given her role, it's expected that she will be biased.
===
I am looking at McCain and Palin getting a similar outcome to Mondale and Ferraro in 84. It's a hunch. Similar to Richard Collier not winning his fight to survive.
===
Down at DeVry-er, Keller, I was treated to a video on obfuscating the truth in the name of justice, of winning for the plaintiffs or defense, and all these bombsells coming out.
Would you believe it; I now have a hankering for some court pictures of endowed cross-examiners.
I gotta get me down to the booru. Quick.
Labor Day Quick Hits
Hurricane Gustav and Hurricane Hanna have been assigned to send hell in a storm basket to Louisiana and Georgia, respectively. Gustave made landfall about a few hours ago, while Hanna is warming up for the beatdown by upgrading to a Category 1 hurricane.
Get in on, both of you.
===
36 people in China lose their lives in a 5.7 earthquake in Sichuan Province. And Mother Nature's wrath wreak havoc as Hi Jintao heart hardens like the Pharaoh of Egypt in the Biblical days.
===
I am quietly compiling some results for a video on the International Saimoe League 2008, subject to approval to the commisioner of the league (the webmaster of the site, in layman terms). It will just be a simple slideshow, complete with results.
Nothing too special.
===
It's Labor Day today. No work means some R&r, but for me, it's on the eve of a return to class.
I gotta get some stuff ready. That means a backpack full of books and binders, and plenty of writing apparati.
===
I am elated after getting those DVDs out of the way. I needed to back up all those Olympic Games footage. All that's remaining is a few Closing Ceremony clips, an iso of the Opening Ceremony, and a few soccer games.
Get in on, both of you.
===
36 people in China lose their lives in a 5.7 earthquake in Sichuan Province. And Mother Nature's wrath wreak havoc as Hi Jintao heart hardens like the Pharaoh of Egypt in the Biblical days.
===
I am quietly compiling some results for a video on the International Saimoe League 2008, subject to approval to the commisioner of the league (the webmaster of the site, in layman terms). It will just be a simple slideshow, complete with results.
Nothing too special.
===
It's Labor Day today. No work means some R&r, but for me, it's on the eve of a return to class.
I gotta get some stuff ready. That means a backpack full of books and binders, and plenty of writing apparati.
===
I am elated after getting those DVDs out of the way. I needed to back up all those Olympic Games footage. All that's remaining is a few Closing Ceremony clips, an iso of the Opening Ceremony, and a few soccer games.
More young men martyred on the football field
What the hell is it with all these football players dying? It makes me sick to see all these young guys being martyred on the field. It's the stuff of high school dramas.
I got me a hankering for some more anime.
I got me a hankering for some more anime.
Tragedy required tough questions
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There are stories, and there are stories, and there are stories, and every now and then, there are stories like that of 15-year-old Max Gilpin.
It's the kind of story that -- contrary to what some believe -- most journalists would prefer not to have to cover -- the death of someone so young, so full of hope, so full of potential.
It is also the kind of the story that demands tough questions, deliberation and honest answers.
Max died three days after experiencing breathing difficulties and collapsing at the end of football practice at Pleasure Ridge Park High School. The heat index had reached 94 degrees -- a point at which players are supposed to be allowed to drink as much water as they want. A second player also experienced breathing problems but has recovered.
This happened on Wednesday, Aug. 20, and by Friday, Aug. 22, an initial examination by the Jefferson County Public Schools had concluded that all precautions had been taken and there were no violations of district policy. On Aug. 23, Max Gilpin died.
Two stories published in The Courier-Journal since then have provoked the ire of some members of the PRP community who think the newspaper has been insensitive to the family and PRP community in general.
One story was an eyewitness account by four people who say they heard a coach deny some players' request for water. (None of them knew if Max was one of the boys, and a fifth eyewitness has come forward.) That story has prompted the school district to take a harder look at the circumstances around Max's death and triggered an investigation by the Louisville Police Department.
But some readers e-mailed us to say that story, which was published on the day of the funeral, should have been delayed out of respect for the family. The second story was about the funeral itself and, again, some thought it was insensitive to the family.
Make no mistake: We take everything we do here seriously, and these stories were no exception.
This case is a classic example of the delicate balancing act that news organizations across the country face every day in weighing the rights of the people we cover and the public's right to know.
In the case of the eyewitness account, there was never any thought of delaying the story. It was too important to hold, especially given the school district's quick rush to judgment on what had occurred. I can't think of any credible newspaper in the country that would not have promptly published a story of such importance. We would have been remiss not to do so.
You also should know that Max's mother, Michele Crockett, fully supported that story and others we have done. And, as for covering the funeral, she approved our request to cover it.
We clearly understand the sensibilities in cases such as this, and we try our best to be respectful.
But we also have an obligation to report the news. That's our job.
We make literally hundreds of decisions a day as we go about putting out the next day's newspaper -- what stories will go where on Page One, what's the most important story of the day, what stories will go in the Metro section, what reporter will cover a certain story, and on and on and on. Some decisions are easier than others. Decisions are always more difficult when they involve the loss of someone's loved one, especially someone as young as Max Gilpin.
While our stories may have been difficult for some to read, they have raised serious questions about Max's death. Had we not published the eyewitness accounts, would the Jefferson County school system be taking a deeper look? Would the police department be involved?
Probably not.
This story is too important to gloss over. Too many people have a stake in this one, including the hundreds of parents who have children in the Jefferson County school district.
Max Gilpin, a perfectly healthy young man by all accounts, died, and that shouldn't have happened.
That's why we are asking tough questions and looking for honest answers.
Bennie L. Ivory is vice president and executive editor of The Courier-Journal.
Boy, 16, killed after egging carsSunday, August 31, 2008 3:40 AMTHE COLUMBUS DISPATCHGeorden Burton is comforted by Westland guidance counselor Christi Shore at the football game last night." border="0">
ADAM ALEXANDERDispatchGeorden Burton is comforted by Westland guidance counselor Christi Shore at the football game last night.
Westland High School junior Garrett P. Burton, 16, was shot and killed near Hilliard-Rome Road." border="0">
Westland High School junior Garrett P. Burton, 16, was shot and killed near Hilliard-Rome Road.
First, a moment of silence. Then the Westland High School band played the school's alma mater in memory of Garrett P. Burton at last night's football game.The 16-year-old junior was shot and killed early yesterday, apparently in retaliation for throwing eggs at vehicles driving on Hilliard-Rome Road. Columbus police said Garrett died at the scene just before 3 a.m.
Garrett and at least one other boy were in the backyard of a house at 5402 Ripplemead Court when someone shot him in the head.
His grieving family came to the game last night to honor him. They hung a poster with his name, birthday, the day he was killed and a message from his mom, Patti.
They stood on the field with their arms around each other when those in the stadium stopped to remember Garrett.
"It was a dumb juvenile prank. Get your car washed, don't kill my kid," George Burton said about his son.
Burton, a Columbus police officer, didn't know details of the case or why his son was out so late, just that Garrett had been "out egging."
Garrett was killed in Ramiro Toribio's backyard, which backs up to Hilliard-Rome Road. A white plank fence and a line of trees buffer traffic noise. The area between the fence and the trees also could provide cover for teens to play pranks on passing motorists.
Toribio didn't hear the shot; police knocking at his door woke him up about 3 a.m.
"They said, 'Don't go outside; there's a dead person in your backyard,' " he said. He said Garrett's body was removed by the coroner's office about 8:30 a.m.
Toribio and his family have lived in the house since 2000. He said it's a quiet neighborhood.
His daughter, Laura, is a student at Westland and knew Garrett.
"She said he was a very likable kid," Toribio said. "For someone to kill a kid because of that is beyond belief."
News of Garrett's death spread quickly around this Far West Side community. Students sent text messages to each other and talked about the tragedy at the game.
Paige Turner, 15, said Garrett was in some of her classes. She was shocked when she heard that he'd been killed.
"It's really sad because he's really nice and he's never mean," she said.
Garrett tried out for the Westland football team last year but decided "it wasn't in him," his dad said. Garrett's older brother, Georden, was a linebacker on the Westland team until he graduated this year.
People described Garrett as quiet, very polite and helpful. He worked at Kroger and loved to golf, bowl and play basketball.
Another Columbus teen was killed in connection with an egging incident in 2006. Danny Crawford, 14, was shot and killed on the Hilltop after a group of boys he was with threw an egg at a car. No one has been charged in his death.
Anyone with information about Garrett's death is asked to call Columbus homicide detectives at 614-645-4730. His death was the 65th Columbus homicide this year.
Dispatch reporter Kathy Lynn Gray contributed to this story.
At R.J. Reynolds High, the deaths reverberate
Saturday, August 30(updated 3:00 am)WINSTON-SALEM — The words still ring through the years, from the last time death visited Reynolds football, and they still sting.
“Then the locals punted out, and on the eve of what was to be the most brilliant victory in the history of the school came the most horrible catastrophe that fate could send; for it was in this play that Leo Caldwell, our star halfback, in making a tackle, lost his life.”
The words were written in 1923 in the first Black and Gold annual after the school opened 85 years ago. A plaque outside the gymnasium honors the fallen student, and a scholarship in Caldwell’s name has been awarded each year since his death.
A large banner hung from the railroad bridge below the historic campus Friday afternoon. "Home Football Game — RJR.” Another hung from the giant windows of the school. “We will never forget.” By its side, another. “Remember Matt Gfeller — 57.”
Death returned to Reynolds football 85 years after the tragic death of the 1923 team’s star halfback. Gfeller, a sophomore linebacker, Eagle Scout and artist, died from an injury sustained in last Friday’s game against Page. A week later, on the same football field, the Demons played again.
“I wasn’t sure we would be able to do this,” athletics director Jim Spivey said before Reynolds’ 37-16 loss. “The players wanted to play.”
And so they played.
Friday was a normal school day at Reynolds. There were no announcements, no instructions about the counselors on the school grounds or about the special ceremonies planned before the game against rival East. Most everyone knew about them, anyway. It had been a long, tough week at Reynolds, and most everyone agreed that it was time to begin the slow and painful process of moving on.
They buried their 15-year-old classmate Wednesday. Gfeller died Sunday morning from a brain injury suffered in a freak accident during the game against Page.
The football team decided earlier Wednesday that it needed to go to the stadium as a group, stand on the 30-yard line where the accident occurred and allow the players to have their own service for their teammate.
Friday night, as parents and alumni and teachers and administrators stood in silence, the players walked into Deaton-Thompson Stadium again, this time along with the East Forsyth players, all of whom wore the No. 57 on patches and helmet stickers. In fact, several schools in the area have decided to wear the number for the rest of the season.
Since the Reynolds team could only practice sparingly this week, East decided to do the same.
The teams were nervous Friday night, even scared. A moment of silence was held in the uncomfortable minutes before the playing of the national anthem, and then a football game was played on the hallowed ground where a player was fatally injured seven days earlier.
Reynolds is one of the oldest high schools in North Carolina, a school originally named Winston-Salem High School, a school that has produced state football champions and All-America collegians and NFL players dating back years and years. The brick-and-mortar outer walls are built with classic lines, narrow hallways wind around courtyards and catacombs stretch underground filled with artifacts from the Roaring ’20s.
Reynolds is a proud old school, and its community is tight, a black-and-gold line stretching 85 years.
That community came together this week in memorials and services for Gfeller, a kid who often told his friends, “I won’t let you down.” Almost to a person, they wore a T-shirt Friday with that quote on the front and the number 57 on the back.
He was a kid who touched people, a talented actor and a son and a brother who loved football more than anything else. His dream, the family said, had always been to wear the black and gold, to play football for his school.
A foundation was set up 85 years ago to provide scholarships in the name of Leo Caldwell, the star halfback who fell in the great victory over Charlotte in the first year of the new school building. All these years later, the school and the city that grew around it continue to honor his memory.
Matt Gfeller died after playing the only game he would ever play for R.J. Reynolds. A community of friends came to honor his memory Friday night, each of them pledging to remember him forever, as is tradition, beneath the pines of Reynolds High.
Ed Hardin, RJR class of ’74, can be reached at 373-7069
Okaloosa schools to review death of Niceville football player
Comments 0 | Recommend 0August 31, 2008 06:44:00 PMNICEVILLE
The Okaloosa County School District will conduct a review of the death of sophomore football player Taylor Haugen.
The review is not an indication of fault, but merely a procedural effort.
"We want to determine the sequence of events that happened between the time the players hit each other to the time he was under the care of emergency medical treatment," Okaloosa County Superintendent of Schools Alexis Tibbetts said Sunday. "He was wearing the right equipment, and the ambulance was there within five minutes. I'm not sure what we could have done differently.
"It was a tragic accident," Tibbetts added.
Jerry Sansom, the school district's director of athletics, will conduct the review.
Niceville football coach John Hicks said he received a call from the Florida High School Athletic Association with well-wishes and that he will speak with the organization's representatives this week to discuss paperwork to be completed regarding the incident.
Haugen suffered an injury to his mid-section after colliding with two Fort Walton Beach players Friday night in the junior varsity portion of a Kickoff Classic game at Steve Riggs Stadium. He left the field under his own power before collapsing on the sideline.
There, a team trainer and doctor treated him until an ambulance arrived minutes later, and he was taken to Fort Walton Beach Medical Center, according to Tibbetts.
Haugen died early Saturday.
"It was a very short response time," she said. "From the time (medical personnel) got there, they were in charge and they made the decisions. He was being treated as best he could and everyone did everything they could do."
Tibbetts said the review is done just to be aware of everything surrounding the event.
"The county will be looking at all of the aspects of this tragic accident," she said. "We want to be aware of everything that happened. I want to be a problem solver and look at all sides. This student was equipped with all the gear that is expected and everyone was on top of everything they needed to be on top of.
"It's just a tragedy."
Barnwell High School Football Player Dies Save
Posted: 6:59 PM Aug 31, 2008
Last Updated: 10:28 PM Aug 31, 2008
Reporter: Ashley Jeffery
Email Address: ashley.jeffery@wrdw.com
News 12 at 11 o'clock August 31, 2008
BARNWELL, SC--Justin Ferguson and James Wooden always played side by side and now that he's gone; this is one warhorse that will never be forgotten.
"He gave everything he had and that's what he did that last day of practice," said Justin Ferguson, James' teammate.
Justin Ferguson was at James Wooden's side when he collapsed after practice Tuesday and he can't believe his friend won't be back by his side ever again.
"I saw his eyes rolling around so I knew he was dehydrated real bad but I never knew it would be like this," said Justin.
Justin rode to the hospital with James and prayed everything would be just fine, but it wasn't. James' football coach tells News 12 the high school junior died Sunday morning from complications from a heat stroke.
Before he fought for his life in the hospital. James was a fighter right here on the football field as one of the toughest yet gentle Barnwell Warhorses."
"When the pads weren't on, you couldn't get him to hurt a single person, not even a fly. But when he put those pads on, you better know he was ready to hit," said Justin.
The "big teddy bear" as many would call him, touched countless lives in the Barnwell community. His number 79 painted in the end zone and posters still hung around the stadium from Friday's game. Reminders of support from a community that hoped James would be hitting the field once again.
And for James, a promise from his friend.
"He'll be there, he won't be there but his spirit will. The whole year is dedicated to him now," said Justin.
A team that plays for one horse, one town, and now one friend who will never be forgotten.
Coach Joey Still tells News 12 that James had suffered from other heat related complications this season. A few weeks ago he was hospitalized but was recently cleared to hit the field again.
He was able to play in the team's season opener against H-K-T.It's unclear at this time if the teenager had other medical problems that contributed to the heat stroke. No cause of death has been released
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Map Quick hits, August 31, 2008
Within a couple of weeks, Francisco Rodriguez is due to not only smash Bobby Thigpen's signle-season saves record, but also become the first closer to tally 60 saves in a single season.
Chew on that, White Shox.
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The Long Beach Armada clinch the GBL South Division 2nd half title. Nice. Now let's see if they can ACTUALLY win it all in the playoffs.
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Volleyball and soccer at the Beach are off to a decent start. The volleyballers are 3-0, while Mauricio's bridesmaids are 2-0-1, the draw against Denver.
Let's see if they can keep it up.
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After a two-game slump, the Saskatchewan Roughriders learn how to win again. A 19-6 victory over those Blue Bombers from Winnepeg snaps the funk..at the expense of poor Marcus Crandell being released in favor of Michael Bishop, the former Toronto Argonaut.
Time for Eric Tillman, Ken Miller and the crew to make this a habit for the rest of the season and learn to win again and again. I mean, the best thing for Saskatchewan now is: you already got a spot in the playoffs, and now it's time to tally up those W's because you want to have that good ol' home field advantage all the way to the Grey Cup.
Ride on, Riders.
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I not only follow the Chelsea (that's the only team I follow from the EPL), but I also follow a few non-league sides.
All good things have to come to an end for AFC Wimbledon. Their win streak was halted by the likes of Bath City in a 2-2 draw. If Jon Main gets healthy, and some other players step up, these guys will be back in business as they continue their promotion push in the Blue Square South.
Meanwhile, out at Gigg Lane, the likes of FC United of Manchester are having a test in the Unibond League PRemier Division. They are in the middle of the table, and it's early, but a 3-1 win over Whitby is the way to go.
And down in little old Prescot, a suburb of Liverpool, AFC Liverpool is enjoying their maiden year in the Vodkat LEague Division One. They are where FC United was three years ago. Whether or not a promotion push is in the works remains to be seen, but a 3-0 win over Ashton Town, as part of a 4-game win streak in the Vodkat Division One is a sign that they intend to stay at the top of the table...at least until they get promoted.
Will it happen? We'll find out...
===
Chew on that, White Shox.
===
The Long Beach Armada clinch the GBL South Division 2nd half title. Nice. Now let's see if they can ACTUALLY win it all in the playoffs.
===
Volleyball and soccer at the Beach are off to a decent start. The volleyballers are 3-0, while Mauricio's bridesmaids are 2-0-1, the draw against Denver.
Let's see if they can keep it up.
===
After a two-game slump, the Saskatchewan Roughriders learn how to win again. A 19-6 victory over those Blue Bombers from Winnepeg snaps the funk..at the expense of poor Marcus Crandell being released in favor of Michael Bishop, the former Toronto Argonaut.
Time for Eric Tillman, Ken Miller and the crew to make this a habit for the rest of the season and learn to win again and again. I mean, the best thing for Saskatchewan now is: you already got a spot in the playoffs, and now it's time to tally up those W's because you want to have that good ol' home field advantage all the way to the Grey Cup.
Ride on, Riders.
===
I not only follow the Chelsea (that's the only team I follow from the EPL), but I also follow a few non-league sides.
All good things have to come to an end for AFC Wimbledon. Their win streak was halted by the likes of Bath City in a 2-2 draw. If Jon Main gets healthy, and some other players step up, these guys will be back in business as they continue their promotion push in the Blue Square South.
Meanwhile, out at Gigg Lane, the likes of FC United of Manchester are having a test in the Unibond League PRemier Division. They are in the middle of the table, and it's early, but a 3-1 win over Whitby is the way to go.
And down in little old Prescot, a suburb of Liverpool, AFC Liverpool is enjoying their maiden year in the Vodkat LEague Division One. They are where FC United was three years ago. Whether or not a promotion push is in the works remains to be seen, but a 3-0 win over Ashton Town, as part of a 4-game win streak in the Vodkat Division One is a sign that they intend to stay at the top of the table...at least until they get promoted.
Will it happen? We'll find out...
===
Roll call? We don't need no stinkin' roll call!
Art Torres, thank you very much for shooting down my call for you guys to cast any votes. You turd.
I suppose there was a reason why they passed on casting any votes. I mean, who needs a roll call anyway? It really didn't make any sense to cast the votes when Senator Hillary Clinton of New York decided to let Obama take the nomination by acclamation, eliciting the obvious sensation across the nation.
(No rhyme intended. Damnation.)
Anyway, since all 4,000 votes will go towards Obama, my attention turns toward who McCain will tap as his VP mate. Could it be Mitt Romney (who I am calling for him to pick)? Is it Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota? Is it someone else like Bobby Jindal of Louisiana?
I am looking forward to who McCain will pick now. Also can't wait to see a crowd down at the Mile High Stadium.
I suppose there was a reason why they passed on casting any votes. I mean, who needs a roll call anyway? It really didn't make any sense to cast the votes when Senator Hillary Clinton of New York decided to let Obama take the nomination by acclamation, eliciting the obvious sensation across the nation.
(No rhyme intended. Damnation.)
Anyway, since all 4,000 votes will go towards Obama, my attention turns toward who McCain will tap as his VP mate. Could it be Mitt Romney (who I am calling for him to pick)? Is it Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota? Is it someone else like Bobby Jindal of Louisiana?
I am looking forward to who McCain will pick now. Also can't wait to see a crowd down at the Mile High Stadium.
We ARE Out There
"If You're Out There..."
So says John Legend and the Agape Choir to the masses at the Pepsi Center in Denver. Day 1 of the Democratic National Convention had some concerts, some cheesy speeches, but the Pepsi Center was jumping with the house band doing the honors.
I made a promise to my folks that if the Democrats get the White House, I would refrain from the "Dean Scream." For four years. And whether or not I do it again depends on what happens on the elections after that. So as of this post, the "America's Town Hall" part of the program is underway. Obviously they filtered out the questions to bring in the ones that will result in the cheesiest answers.
Yawn. I can't wait for the delegations saying, "Madame Secretary...The Great State of California...will cast 166 delegrates for Hillary Clinton, and 204 for the next president of the United States, Barack Obama!"
Something like that.
I can't wait to start working on my MBA. I just gotta get the green light from my parents.
On Waipio Little League and another milestone
What a meltdown by Lake Charles, Lousiana in the US Championship Game of the Little League World Series. I mean, you are three outs away from meeting Matamoros, Tamaulipas, and you give up six runs in top of the sixth! Oy vey. One of the greatest collapses in Little League history! Whoa. Gunner Leger just gave what could be the entire World Series to Waipio of West Waipahu, Hawaii.
They paid the price, with Minami of Edogawa Ward in Tokyo downing them, 4-3 in the consolation game.
Waipio became the second team from Hawaii to win the Little League World Series, crushing Matamoros, 11-3. The first to do it was Ewa Beach in 2005. There are some local boys who can smack the horsehide around down there. There's one now, scouts. Go get 'em.
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It's number 50 for K-Rod! Francisco Rodriguez gets his 50th save as the Angels defeat the Twins, 5-3.
They paid the price, with Minami of Edogawa Ward in Tokyo downing them, 4-3 in the consolation game.
Waipio became the second team from Hawaii to win the Little League World Series, crushing Matamoros, 11-3. The first to do it was Ewa Beach in 2005. There are some local boys who can smack the horsehide around down there. There's one now, scouts. Go get 'em.
===
It's number 50 for K-Rod! Francisco Rodriguez gets his 50th save as the Angels defeat the Twins, 5-3.
Final Olympic thoughts, Day 16: 36, 38, 36.
The USA men open up Day 16 with some hard-earned payback for what Brazil's women did to them in volleyball. Meanwhile down at the Wukesong Indoor Stadium, the only low point of the first quarter for their counterparts is KObe Bryant missing a slam dunk with a few seconds remaining.
Aghast. Please let this not be a sign of things to come. And please, fates, let this be the ONLY low point for the Redeem Team this game. Ugh.
===
Curse you Fates. They didn't listen. At the end of the first half, it's a high-scoring affair, but the USA is ONLY leading Spain by 8, 69-61.
Time for some adjustments.
===
Um, hello? Where the bloody hell are the adjustments I've been asking for? Why is it that we can't capitalize on our last two buzzer-beating shots, and Juan Carlos Navarro does it on his last shot?
Bastards. USA 91, Spain 82 through three.
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I'll give Spain this: they should be the #2-ranked team in the country. They have the best team in Europe, and they have players that will be helping our clubs in the NBA>
Final score: USA 118, Spain 107.
===
Obviously, we can't win them all, but USA Men's Water Polo and USA Women's Volleyball escaped an article of praise from me on Bleacher Report. It's a 14-10 goal festival for the Hungarians who get the gold medal. The women's water polo team should be in the same league with the softball team in terms of futility. They come undefeated...only to lose their last game. There will be goats. On the men's side, it's the soccer and baseball teams. On the women's side, water polo and softball have been the biggest letdown in the team sports.
===
In spite of it all, the USA's stock in men's volleyball, men's water polo, and women's volleyball will see a strong resurgence. Lloy Ball has waited four Olympiads for a medal. It was worth the wait, and it was a gold. The men's water polo team wasn't even supposed to contend for a medal, let alone the gold. But even the Hungarians have to admit that they have been impressed by the likes of Tony Azevedo and then-unheralded company. And what about the women. Even though they equal their best finish from Los Angeles, their resurgence will do wonders for them in London.
===
All in all, this was a great Olympics. USA will finish with the most medals, with China grabbing the most golds. This was a Games that will be remembered for generations to come. See you in Vancouver in 2010.
As well as Singapore.
We finish with 36 golds, 38 silvers, and 36 bronzes for a total of 110 medals.
Aghast. Please let this not be a sign of things to come. And please, fates, let this be the ONLY low point for the Redeem Team this game. Ugh.
===
Curse you Fates. They didn't listen. At the end of the first half, it's a high-scoring affair, but the USA is ONLY leading Spain by 8, 69-61.
Time for some adjustments.
===
Um, hello? Where the bloody hell are the adjustments I've been asking for? Why is it that we can't capitalize on our last two buzzer-beating shots, and Juan Carlos Navarro does it on his last shot?
Bastards. USA 91, Spain 82 through three.
===
I'll give Spain this: they should be the #2-ranked team in the country. They have the best team in Europe, and they have players that will be helping our clubs in the NBA>
Final score: USA 118, Spain 107.
===
Obviously, we can't win them all, but USA Men's Water Polo and USA Women's Volleyball escaped an article of praise from me on Bleacher Report. It's a 14-10 goal festival for the Hungarians who get the gold medal. The women's water polo team should be in the same league with the softball team in terms of futility. They come undefeated...only to lose their last game. There will be goats. On the men's side, it's the soccer and baseball teams. On the women's side, water polo and softball have been the biggest letdown in the team sports.
===
In spite of it all, the USA's stock in men's volleyball, men's water polo, and women's volleyball will see a strong resurgence. Lloy Ball has waited four Olympiads for a medal. It was worth the wait, and it was a gold. The men's water polo team wasn't even supposed to contend for a medal, let alone the gold. But even the Hungarians have to admit that they have been impressed by the likes of Tony Azevedo and then-unheralded company. And what about the women. Even though they equal their best finish from Los Angeles, their resurgence will do wonders for them in London.
===
All in all, this was a great Olympics. USA will finish with the most medals, with China grabbing the most golds. This was a Games that will be remembered for generations to come. See you in Vancouver in 2010.
As well as Singapore.
We finish with 36 golds, 38 silvers, and 36 bronzes for a total of 110 medals.
More Olympics thoughts on Day 15
The USA gets the gold medal in women's basketball, taking down Australia, 92-65. Meanwhile, Brazil took out the USA, three games to one. for the gold medal in women's volleyball. Both USA sides won their respective golds in the 4 by 400-meter relays.
Hopefully the men can get their revenge against Brazil. It's only fair. Next time, Konata might think twice about upping those sliders.
Meanwhile, the Chinese table tennis power trio of Ma Lin, Wang Hao and and Wang Liqin made it a 1-2-3 finish in the men's single department. We can see China hit 50 golds by Day 16...
...pending the facts behind their women gymnasts. Nonetheless, the likes of Zou Shiming, Zhang Xiaoping and Zhang Zhilei are poised to crack the 50-gold barrier. Of course, they will come nowhere close to the 83 golds we won down in my home town, Los Angeles...Hohohohohoooooh.
One more day to go. We are at 35 golds, 37 silvers and 36 bronzes. If we add the other medals we won, we are now at 1,007 golds, 810 silvers and 696 bronzes.
Hopefully the men can get their revenge against Brazil. It's only fair. Next time, Konata might think twice about upping those sliders.
Meanwhile, the Chinese table tennis power trio of Ma Lin, Wang Hao and and Wang Liqin made it a 1-2-3 finish in the men's single department. We can see China hit 50 golds by Day 16...
...pending the facts behind their women gymnasts. Nonetheless, the likes of Zou Shiming, Zhang Xiaoping and Zhang Zhilei are poised to crack the 50-gold barrier. Of course, they will come nowhere close to the 83 golds we won down in my home town, Los Angeles...Hohohohohoooooh.
One more day to go. We are at 35 golds, 37 silvers and 36 bronzes. If we add the other medals we won, we are now at 1,007 golds, 810 silvers and 696 bronzes.
Olympic Quick Hits, Day 15
OMan, I just don't get these Russians. There is a player on their men's volleyball team by the name of Semen. I don't about you, but the next thing you know, some fresh new set of parents in Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand, or insert [country of kinky names here] who lack even the slightest of decency is gonna name their daughter Cum.
God save that family. Domine salvum farc!
===
God save Ato Boldon, too. He is an ass. He just had to correlate the missing bibs with the USA 4x100m relay team's failure to hold on to the baton.
Douchebag.
===
At least the USA got their revenge on Japan. In baseball, they took home a bronze in an 8-4 rout. Meanwhile, China makes Cuba pay for their victory over them in pool play, winning 3 games to 1.
===
Some news.
FIG requests evidence from China
BEIJING - THE International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) told China on Saturday to provide more evidence to support its claims that five of its Olympic gymnasts are old enough to be competing.
Allegations have been rife that China broke the rules by fielding gymnasts who will not turn 16 this year as required under the sport's rules introduced in 1997 to protect the wellbeing of young athletes.
'The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) is seeking to clarify the claims made in the media regarding the age of Chinese female gymnasts He Kexin, Jiang Yuyuan, Li Shanshan, Deng Linlin and Yang Yilin,' it said in a statement.
'The FIG provided documentary evidence, including copies of the athletes' passports, when questions were raised in online media earlier this year.'
But more evidence focusing on the age of gold medal winner He Kexin has surfaced in recent days prompting the International Olympic Committee to demand the FIG check again.
The FIG said that 'in the interests of laying the matter to rest ... the FIG has now asked the Chinese Gymnastic Association to submit further documents testifying to the birthdates of the gymnasts'.
'On receipt of these documents, the FIG will forward its conclusions to the International Olympic Committee. It is in the interests of all concerned, not least the athletes themselves, to resolve this issue once and for all.'
BOCOG executive vice president Wang Wei insisted on Friday that the gymnasts would not have competed if they were under-age, while He told reporters during the competition that she was 16.
USA Gymnastics president Steve Penny on Friday said he had long believed the issue needed addressing by the FIG and IOC.
'An investigation would help bring closure to the issue and remove any cloud of speculation from this competition,' he said. -- AFP
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China, we can get through this faster if you cooperate. Failure to do so will result in your medals being taken away. Xie Xie.
===
Argentina took out Nigeria in the gold medal game in soccer, 1-0, as Wang Hao and Ma Lin clashed it out later in the day for the gold in men's table tennis.
===
We have four legit chances at getting some gold back (aside from China's cooperation regarding the real age of those young brats). The ladies have to outhit the Brazilians and outshoot the Aussies, while they along with their guy counterparts have to outrun everyone else-BUT NOT DROP THE F***ING BATON-in the 4 x 400 meter relay. Four chances.
Let's get it done.
God save that family. Domine salvum farc!
===
God save Ato Boldon, too. He is an ass. He just had to correlate the missing bibs with the USA 4x100m relay team's failure to hold on to the baton.
Douchebag.
===
At least the USA got their revenge on Japan. In baseball, they took home a bronze in an 8-4 rout. Meanwhile, China makes Cuba pay for their victory over them in pool play, winning 3 games to 1.
===
Some news.
FIG requests evidence from China
BEIJING - THE International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) told China on Saturday to provide more evidence to support its claims that five of its Olympic gymnasts are old enough to be competing.
Allegations have been rife that China broke the rules by fielding gymnasts who will not turn 16 this year as required under the sport's rules introduced in 1997 to protect the wellbeing of young athletes.
'The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) is seeking to clarify the claims made in the media regarding the age of Chinese female gymnasts He Kexin, Jiang Yuyuan, Li Shanshan, Deng Linlin and Yang Yilin,' it said in a statement.
'The FIG provided documentary evidence, including copies of the athletes' passports, when questions were raised in online media earlier this year.'
But more evidence focusing on the age of gold medal winner He Kexin has surfaced in recent days prompting the International Olympic Committee to demand the FIG check again.
The FIG said that 'in the interests of laying the matter to rest ... the FIG has now asked the Chinese Gymnastic Association to submit further documents testifying to the birthdates of the gymnasts'.
'On receipt of these documents, the FIG will forward its conclusions to the International Olympic Committee. It is in the interests of all concerned, not least the athletes themselves, to resolve this issue once and for all.'
BOCOG executive vice president Wang Wei insisted on Friday that the gymnasts would not have competed if they were under-age, while He told reporters during the competition that she was 16.
USA Gymnastics president Steve Penny on Friday said he had long believed the issue needed addressing by the FIG and IOC.
'An investigation would help bring closure to the issue and remove any cloud of speculation from this competition,' he said. -- AFP
===
China, we can get through this faster if you cooperate. Failure to do so will result in your medals being taken away. Xie Xie.
===
Argentina took out Nigeria in the gold medal game in soccer, 1-0, as Wang Hao and Ma Lin clashed it out later in the day for the gold in men's table tennis.
===
We have four legit chances at getting some gold back (aside from China's cooperation regarding the real age of those young brats). The ladies have to outhit the Brazilians and outshoot the Aussies, while they along with their guy counterparts have to outrun everyone else-BUT NOT DROP THE F***ING BATON-in the 4 x 400 meter relay. Four chances.
Let's get it done.
More Olympics thoughts on Day 14
The Serbs were roughhoused by the USA, doubled up in a 10-5 win. The gusy wrap up their games against the always-intimidating Hungarian team, led by the likes of Gergely Kiss and Norbert Madaras.
===
Man, this has been nothing but a crap Olympics for USA Baseball, as well as USA Softball. I'm putting my money on both sports returning in 2016. The USA gets a shot at payback against Japan in the bronze medal game.
===
JUst like the women, it will be Brazil vs. the USA in the gold-medal game, A 3-1 victory over Italy makes it a Clash of thr Americas at Beijing.
===
This time, the men did NOT drop the baton in the 4 x 400 m relay, finishing first in their heat. Meanwhile, Bryan Clay gives the USA another gold in the decathlon.
===
The modern pentathlon, a.k.a. The Search for Eastern Europe's Greatest All-Around Athlete to Come Home Later In Life In A Box, concluded. Lena Schoenborn led the way for Germany's women (Heather Fell got silver for the Brits and Victoria Tereshuk won the Bronze for the Ukraine), while Andrey Moiseev took homne another gold for the Russians. A couple of Lithuanians in Edvinas Krungolcas and Andrejus Zadneprovskis took home silver and bronze.
I really think they should scrap this event. It's just plain antiquated. The IOC, in their next meeting, should do this:
* Scap the Modern Pentathlon.
* Bring back baseball and softball.
* Bring in rugby sevens and karate.
If it sounds hard to do, it's because the countries who vote against it suck.
===
Bring on Spain and the Gasol brothers. A 101-81 victory lands the USA in the gold medal match, while Pau and Marc busted the Lithuanians 91-86.
===
Man, this has been nothing but a crap Olympics for USA Baseball, as well as USA Softball. I'm putting my money on both sports returning in 2016. The USA gets a shot at payback against Japan in the bronze medal game.
===
JUst like the women, it will be Brazil vs. the USA in the gold-medal game, A 3-1 victory over Italy makes it a Clash of thr Americas at Beijing.
===
This time, the men did NOT drop the baton in the 4 x 400 m relay, finishing first in their heat. Meanwhile, Bryan Clay gives the USA another gold in the decathlon.
===
The modern pentathlon, a.k.a. The Search for Eastern Europe's Greatest All-Around Athlete to Come Home Later In Life In A Box, concluded. Lena Schoenborn led the way for Germany's women (Heather Fell got silver for the Brits and Victoria Tereshuk won the Bronze for the Ukraine), while Andrey Moiseev took homne another gold for the Russians. A couple of Lithuanians in Edvinas Krungolcas and Andrejus Zadneprovskis took home silver and bronze.
I really think they should scrap this event. It's just plain antiquated. The IOC, in their next meeting, should do this:
* Scap the Modern Pentathlon.
* Bring back baseball and softball.
* Bring in rugby sevens and karate.
If it sounds hard to do, it's because the countries who vote against it suck.
===
Bring on Spain and the Gasol brothers. A 101-81 victory lands the USA in the gold medal match, while Pau and Marc busted the Lithuanians 91-86.
Riders, Angels and Galaxy fail miserable...again on Day 14
A quick Q and A.
Question: Who is Maris Strombergs?
Answer: He is a Latvian who upstaged the likes of Mike Day and DOnny Robinson to take the first-ever Men's BMX gold at the Beijing Games. HE was also heading into this run as the world champion, so, it was fair enough.
Question: Who is Jill KIntner?
Answer: She represented the only medal hope for the USA in women's BMX, delivering bronze behind a 1-2 combination for France.
===
And the Philippines in not going to medal at these Games. Mary Antoinette Rivero lost to Sandra Saric in taekwondo, 4-1. Nice going, mother country.
===
As Steven Lopez does his own taekwondo business, I am surprised that this match went south in a hurry for Marcio Araujo and Fabio Luiz Magalhaes in the third set against Phil and Todd. Mr. Dalhausser and Mr. Rogers take the Brazilians out of their neighborhood to win, 2 sets to 1.
===
While Phil and Todd's Beijing Beachvolley Adventure culminated in a gold sweep for the USA, their indoor counterparts were frustrated at the grittiness of the Russians, namely Maxim Mikhaylov, Alexander Volkov and Sergey Tetyukhin in Set 3 after they were up 2 games to none. You gotta give to credit to these three guys for keeping them in the game with a 27-25 victory in the set. In volleyball, there are times where getting that final set can be difficult, especially if you are up two games to none. A lack of focus, combined with an uncanny penchant for complacency, will do you in when a match goes the distance.
The best teams in volleyball will shut down their opponents early when they are up by two sets. But those same teams also inherit the ability to rally back when they are down to their last set. This Russian side's performance was a clear example of what great teams in volleyball do when everything is on the line. Actually, the guys nearly gave the match away altogether to the Russians. THank god for David Lee. See, this is why I am proud to be from Long Beach State. It's these types of alums that are clutch when it come to these types of situations. It took them 220 rally points, but David finally got it done, blocking Maxim Mikhaylov, and taking it, 25-22, 25-21, 25-27, 22-25, and 15-13.
===
Time-out to vent some steam.
What the hell is going on with my Roughriders and Galaxy? Saskatchewan is now on a 2-game losing streak. We probably need to get some calcium pills stat over to Regina because our guys are getting their bones broken faster than old hags with osteoporosis. And even with Bruce Arena at the helm we can't figure out how to win games. 1-0 defeat to Chicago. I'm more keen to follow the likes of the Chelsea, the Melbourne Victory and AFC wimbledon now. I don't think my G's will stand a chance against even the Wombles.
===
And as if things haven't been bad enough for my local team today, they do. Angels fall to the Twins, 2-1. Suddenly, the phrase "consistency" comes into play. Should they have enough to win the division, the last thing Scioscia needs to come into October on a losing note. Wake the bats up boys, the regular season isn't over yet. Only good thing locally is that the Armada won. The bad things about it is that...the Armada won on a day that the Angels lost.
Question: Who is Maris Strombergs?
Answer: He is a Latvian who upstaged the likes of Mike Day and DOnny Robinson to take the first-ever Men's BMX gold at the Beijing Games. HE was also heading into this run as the world champion, so, it was fair enough.
Question: Who is Jill KIntner?
Answer: She represented the only medal hope for the USA in women's BMX, delivering bronze behind a 1-2 combination for France.
===
And the Philippines in not going to medal at these Games. Mary Antoinette Rivero lost to Sandra Saric in taekwondo, 4-1. Nice going, mother country.
===
As Steven Lopez does his own taekwondo business, I am surprised that this match went south in a hurry for Marcio Araujo and Fabio Luiz Magalhaes in the third set against Phil and Todd. Mr. Dalhausser and Mr. Rogers take the Brazilians out of their neighborhood to win, 2 sets to 1.
===
While Phil and Todd's Beijing Beachvolley Adventure culminated in a gold sweep for the USA, their indoor counterparts were frustrated at the grittiness of the Russians, namely Maxim Mikhaylov, Alexander Volkov and Sergey Tetyukhin in Set 3 after they were up 2 games to none. You gotta give to credit to these three guys for keeping them in the game with a 27-25 victory in the set. In volleyball, there are times where getting that final set can be difficult, especially if you are up two games to none. A lack of focus, combined with an uncanny penchant for complacency, will do you in when a match goes the distance.
The best teams in volleyball will shut down their opponents early when they are up by two sets. But those same teams also inherit the ability to rally back when they are down to their last set. This Russian side's performance was a clear example of what great teams in volleyball do when everything is on the line. Actually, the guys nearly gave the match away altogether to the Russians. THank god for David Lee. See, this is why I am proud to be from Long Beach State. It's these types of alums that are clutch when it come to these types of situations. It took them 220 rally points, but David finally got it done, blocking Maxim Mikhaylov, and taking it, 25-22, 25-21, 25-27, 22-25, and 15-13.
===
Time-out to vent some steam.
What the hell is going on with my Roughriders and Galaxy? Saskatchewan is now on a 2-game losing streak. We probably need to get some calcium pills stat over to Regina because our guys are getting their bones broken faster than old hags with osteoporosis. And even with Bruce Arena at the helm we can't figure out how to win games. 1-0 defeat to Chicago. I'm more keen to follow the likes of the Chelsea, the Melbourne Victory and AFC wimbledon now. I don't think my G's will stand a chance against even the Wombles.
===
And as if things haven't been bad enough for my local team today, they do. Angels fall to the Twins, 2-1. Suddenly, the phrase "consistency" comes into play. Should they have enough to win the division, the last thing Scioscia needs to come into October on a losing note. Wake the bats up boys, the regular season isn't over yet. Only good thing locally is that the Armada won. The bad things about it is that...the Armada won on a day that the Angels lost.
More Olympics thoughts on Day 13
In team competition, the USA had had its share of ups and downs. The USA Women had their sloppiest game yet at the Wukesong Indoor Stadium. Against Becky Hammon and the Russians, they eked out a 67-52 victory. In extra time, the USA women defeated Brazil thanks to Carli Lloyd's goal in the 96th minute.
There were a few letdowns, all of them big. Down at the Yingdong Natatorium, the USA lose a heartbreaker to the Netherlands, 9-8. And what the bloody hell just happened in Fengtai!? In what will go down as one of the biggest chokes in softball history as well as a day of infamy for softball in this country, the USA loses to Japan, 3-1. This USA side was undefeated before this game. For these ladies to lose the very last game in their Olympic campaign-THE VERY LAST GAME-is something that will never be erased from this proud American psyche for years, even after the sport is reinstated.
This softball picked the WRONG time to drop one. Let us have a moment of silence for their campaign gone south. See the obituary below.
===
More chokes. In taekwondo, Mark Lopez lost to Son Tae-Jin for the gold medal, while Diana Lopez salvaged a campaign gone south, defeating Veronica Calabrese for the bronze. Allyson Felix was outrun by Veronica Campbell-Brown of Jamaica for the gold in the women's 200 meters. Just in case you had any doubt about the Havana Affair being put to rest, David Payne and David Oliver were not match for Dayron Robles of Cuba in the men's 100-meter hurdles.
===
There were some other good things that also happened. Lashawn Merritt, Jeremy Wariner and David Neville made it a 1-2-3 finish for the USA in the men's 400 meters.
===
More diving medals for the Chinese. Ruolin Chen and Wang Xin finish 1-3 in the women's 10-meter platform.
===
Konata's gonna need to crank up those sliders, because it IS Brazil that the USA will face in the women's volleyball gold medal game. They swept China 3-0. And it WILL be Australia in the gold medal game in women's hoops, with the Opals thumping China, 90-56.
======
Rest in peace, Gene Upshaw.
===
And just when you thought it couldn't get any more worse for the USA, it does. Both 4 x 100 meter relay teams dropped the baton. And suddenly, Chicago's prospects for 2016 have taken a serious about-face.
Mercy.
There were a few letdowns, all of them big. Down at the Yingdong Natatorium, the USA lose a heartbreaker to the Netherlands, 9-8. And what the bloody hell just happened in Fengtai!? In what will go down as one of the biggest chokes in softball history as well as a day of infamy for softball in this country, the USA loses to Japan, 3-1. This USA side was undefeated before this game. For these ladies to lose the very last game in their Olympic campaign-THE VERY LAST GAME-is something that will never be erased from this proud American psyche for years, even after the sport is reinstated.
This softball picked the WRONG time to drop one. Let us have a moment of silence for their campaign gone south. See the obituary below.
===
More chokes. In taekwondo, Mark Lopez lost to Son Tae-Jin for the gold medal, while Diana Lopez salvaged a campaign gone south, defeating Veronica Calabrese for the bronze. Allyson Felix was outrun by Veronica Campbell-Brown of Jamaica for the gold in the women's 200 meters. Just in case you had any doubt about the Havana Affair being put to rest, David Payne and David Oliver were not match for Dayron Robles of Cuba in the men's 100-meter hurdles.
===
There were some other good things that also happened. Lashawn Merritt, Jeremy Wariner and David Neville made it a 1-2-3 finish for the USA in the men's 400 meters.
===
More diving medals for the Chinese. Ruolin Chen and Wang Xin finish 1-3 in the women's 10-meter platform.
===
Konata's gonna need to crank up those sliders, because it IS Brazil that the USA will face in the women's volleyball gold medal game. They swept China 3-0. And it WILL be Australia in the gold medal game in women's hoops, with the Opals thumping China, 90-56.
======
Rest in peace, Gene Upshaw.
===
And just when you thought it couldn't get any more worse for the USA, it does. Both 4 x 100 meter relay teams dropped the baton. And suddenly, Chicago's prospects for 2016 have taken a serious about-face.
Mercy.
Obituary of the day
In Affectionate (or is it Disaffectionate?) Remembrance
of
USA SOFTBALL,
WHICH DIED AT THE FENGTAI FIELD
on
21st AUGUST, 2008
Deeply lamented by a large circle of sorrowing friends and family, despondent acquaintances, and despairing fans of the sport who also mourn the removal of it from the Olympic Program in 2012. (As well as deeply celebrated by weeaboos around the world.)
------
R.I.P.
------
N.B. - The body will be cremated and the ashes taken to Japan.
In Affectionate (or is it Disaffectionate?) Remembrance
of
USA SOFTBALL,
WHICH DIED AT THE FENGTAI FIELD
on
21st AUGUST, 2008
Deeply lamented by a large circle of sorrowing friends and family, despondent acquaintances, and despairing fans of the sport who also mourn the removal of it from the Olympic Program in 2012. (As well as deeply celebrated by weeaboos around the world.)
------
R.I.P.
------
N.B. - The body will be cremated and the ashes taken to Japan.
of
USA SOFTBALL,
WHICH DIED AT THE FENGTAI FIELD
on
21st AUGUST, 2008
Deeply lamented by a large circle of sorrowing friends and family, despondent acquaintances, and despairing fans of the sport who also mourn the removal of it from the Olympic Program in 2012. (As well as deeply celebrated by weeaboos around the world.)
------
R.I.P.
------
N.B. - The body will be cremated and the ashes taken to Japan.
Havana Affair on Day 13
The day started off rather nicely for us. Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh got their payback over Tian Jia and Wang Jie, winning the gold medal in successive 21-18 set victories. Naturally, my senile parents made it known that they were living in a different, louder era.
Meanwhile, as the USA took out Guatemala 1-0 for their first-ever win in a FIFA World Cup Qualifier in Guatemala City, Wang Chen won her fourth-round match against Kim Kyung-Ah of South Korea, 11-9, 9-11, 11-8, 10-12, 6-11, 11-9 and 11-9. Four games to three.
That Usain Bolt...does this guy have a future as an actor? He made it look as if it was something from a comedy worthy of a Razzie. Dat Jamaica mon...
===
Meanwhile, Wu Xue of the Dominican Republic (seriously, what the hell is it with these countries hiring these Chinese mercenaries to play for them? Do us all a favor and develop your OWN players, you lazy island merengue maniacs!), takes out our very own Gao Jun by the same score as Chen's win over Kim.
===
I am compelled to play the Ramones' "Havana Affair" over and over. We can't lift a middle finger to them in wrestling, and one of our grapplers quit. And you call yourself an Olympian, Daniel Cormier. By the blood of Rulon Gardner of Wyoming, you are a disgrace to your singlet.
===
Cuba's women's volleyball team should have known that karma is a female hound from hell that bites. They swept the USA 3-0 in their round robin match before they headed into the knockout stages. They must have thought, "Oh, we beat the USA, we can take care of them again."
If these ladies thought they were going to reprise their effort, they were in for a rude awakening. Jenny Lang Ping and her crew were playing the type of game Cuba had been doing to them. They reviewed the game tape, and figured out these ladies, routing them in a sweep of their own: 25-20, 25-16 and 25-17.
Performances can turn into flukes just like that. This USA women's team will get a medal. It's just a matter of which color it will be.
Olympic Quick Hits, Day 12
We could be facing the Australians in softball, as well as men's and women's basketball. Hey, we got their number in women's water polo, so I feel a clean sweep coming on.
===
As it turns out, I read it wrong. They do a double-elimination format for the semifinals. Japan has one more crack at us after beating Australia, 4-3.
Curses.
===
The baseball counterparts could not figure out Japan's Yu Darvish but in the top of the 11th innings, reliever Hitoki Iwase gave up four runs on three big hits by Brian Barden, Nate Schierholtz and Matt Brown to take it, 4-2.
Some payback is in order when we face Cuba in the semifinals.
===
The basketball team did its usual business, defeating Australia 116-85. It was a regular day at the office for Kobe Bryant, delivering with 25 points to lead the way. A chance for redemption is in order as either Argentina or Greece is next.
===
Meanwhile, in Taekwondo, it took them 12 days but Mexico got their first gold medal of these games, with Guillermo Perez delivering in the Under-58 kilogram category over Yulis Gabriel Mercedes of the Dominican Republic, winning by superiority after a 1-1 draw.
===
Usain Bolt strikes again. The Jaamaican sensation takes the gold in the men's too meters, with Sahwn Crawford getting the bronze. Churandy Martina gives the Netherlands Antilles their first medal of these Games, taking the silver.
Bolt also took down Michael Johnson's world and olympics record set in Atlanta 1996, running a 19.30.
===
It's going to be Argentina. The USA has a shot at revenge as Luis Scola and company defeated Greece, 80-78.
===
This has been a really lousy day for USA Track & Field at these Games. Sheena Tosta finished with a silver as Melanie Walker gave Jamaica yet another gold medal. Poor Tiffany Ross-Williams. She ended up finishing last as she stumbled on a hurdle.
===
It's interesting: it could be a gold for China...or a golden medal for a Chinese posing as someone playing for a different country. Table tennis is one of those types of sports where it will be certain it will be someone from China or someone from China posing as someone playing for a country other than China.
===
It took them five games, but the USA defeated Serbia in men's volleyball, 20-25, 25-23, 21-25 and 15-12.
Bring on the Russians.
===
As it turns out, I read it wrong. They do a double-elimination format for the semifinals. Japan has one more crack at us after beating Australia, 4-3.
Curses.
===
The baseball counterparts could not figure out Japan's Yu Darvish but in the top of the 11th innings, reliever Hitoki Iwase gave up four runs on three big hits by Brian Barden, Nate Schierholtz and Matt Brown to take it, 4-2.
Some payback is in order when we face Cuba in the semifinals.
===
The basketball team did its usual business, defeating Australia 116-85. It was a regular day at the office for Kobe Bryant, delivering with 25 points to lead the way. A chance for redemption is in order as either Argentina or Greece is next.
===
Meanwhile, in Taekwondo, it took them 12 days but Mexico got their first gold medal of these games, with Guillermo Perez delivering in the Under-58 kilogram category over Yulis Gabriel Mercedes of the Dominican Republic, winning by superiority after a 1-1 draw.
===
Usain Bolt strikes again. The Jaamaican sensation takes the gold in the men's too meters, with Sahwn Crawford getting the bronze. Churandy Martina gives the Netherlands Antilles their first medal of these Games, taking the silver.
Bolt also took down Michael Johnson's world and olympics record set in Atlanta 1996, running a 19.30.
===
It's going to be Argentina. The USA has a shot at revenge as Luis Scola and company defeated Greece, 80-78.
===
This has been a really lousy day for USA Track & Field at these Games. Sheena Tosta finished with a silver as Melanie Walker gave Jamaica yet another gold medal. Poor Tiffany Ross-Williams. She ended up finishing last as she stumbled on a hurdle.
===
It's interesting: it could be a gold for China...or a golden medal for a Chinese posing as someone playing for a different country. Table tennis is one of those types of sports where it will be certain it will be someone from China or someone from China posing as someone playing for a country other than China.
===
It took them five games, but the USA defeated Serbia in men's volleyball, 20-25, 25-23, 21-25 and 15-12.
Bring on the Russians.
Bitter and sweet first thoughts on Day 12.
Damn you Ryan Carneli! You lucky Aussie fuck! 1-0 win over the Philippines's Tshomlee Go. AAAARGH! The possibility of no medal for the Philippines at the Beijing Games looks golden. I can't believe I'm calling for it. But now I am.
===
Mention the name "Crystl Bustos" in Japan and everyone who follows softball down there raises their hands in despair. At the top of the ninth inning, her 3-run bomb over the fence was the key factor in what was, up until that point, a nailbiter.
===
The adventures of Phil and Todd conclude with a match against Fabio Luiz Magalhaes and Marcio Araujo of Brazil for the gold.
Have fun, guys.
===
USA Field Hockey,
Lee Bodimeade must be sacked. NOW.
To fail in their last game, a classification match, against Spain, 3-2 on a golden goal, is clearly unacceptable, and you know as well as I do that he should be gone. Keep him on board, and our prospects to qualify for Longdon 2012 are tanked well before the next Pan-Am Games starts.
Bodimeade must go. Get. It. Done.
===
Mention the name "Crystl Bustos" in Japan and everyone who follows softball down there raises their hands in despair. At the top of the ninth inning, her 3-run bomb over the fence was the key factor in what was, up until that point, a nailbiter.
===
The adventures of Phil and Todd conclude with a match against Fabio Luiz Magalhaes and Marcio Araujo of Brazil for the gold.
Have fun, guys.
===
USA Field Hockey,
Lee Bodimeade must be sacked. NOW.
To fail in their last game, a classification match, against Spain, 3-2 on a golden goal, is clearly unacceptable, and you know as well as I do that he should be gone. Keep him on board, and our prospects to qualify for Longdon 2012 are tanked well before the next Pan-Am Games starts.
Bodimeade must go. Get. It. Done.
Olympic Quick Hits, Day 11
No need to be a sourpuss, Hagen Stamm. Your guys scored that last goal on an illegal restart. That's like scoring an easy goal in soccer, onl y to find you're off-sides. You can't be blaming the ref in this case. You denied yourself an opportunity. Go back to your pub in Deutschland and cry in your bier, you cheat.
===
MIsty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh will face Tian Jia and Wang Jie in the gold-medal match in beach volleyball after sweeping the Brazilians.
===
Actually, I found out that we were NOT facing Russia in our women's volleyball quarterfinal...instead, it's Italy. This will be fun.
===
I just learned a new thing: table tennis is a sport where Nigirians can best us in. It's not restricted to soccer. David Zhuang wouldn't stand a chance at beer pong. The failure.
===
Henry Cejudo, don't let us down against Japan's Tomohiro Matsunaga. If we can bounce them in volleyball, soccer and softball, you can do the same against this guy.
===
Bloody hell. The Angels are now on a 2-game losing streak. Wake up, gentlemen.
===
Flickering lights go on as I halt Dad's downloading to do mine's. I only have four or five hours to go on a downloading feast and get my games downloaded. I like my speeds to go as fast as they can go, preferable 100 kB/sec at the minimum. Currently I am taking care of a soccer match between the USA and Canada on the women's side. One of the parts is being taken care of by Megaupload, the other on ADrive, which has a 50 kB/sec limit. After the part by Megaupload is done, I am reactivating uTorrent, beause I have to make sure that the lights don't stop blinking.
I mean, I have so many games that I couldn't download due to the bottleneck, and I am lucky enough to be able to halt the Dad's download to get some of my files done. When his is stopped, mine's flies like the wind.
===
Hallelujah, we got another medal coming our way! Whether it's gold or silver reamins to be seen in women's water polo, but we withstand a monumental comeback by the Aussies in a 9-8 win. Bring on the Netherlands. This should be our chance to get back at them for what their 4 x 100 meter freestyle relay team did to us. Make the most of it. Can't stress it more than that.
===
I decided, "Ah, screw the ADrive files. If I go one file each on MegaUpload, I will be clocking at 188 kB/sec."
===
Dammit. Another gold for China, with Li Xiaopeng taking it in the parallel bars. And the USA finsihes out of the medals in synchronized swimming. Russia gets the gold, Spain the silver, and China and Japan tie for the bronze. The USA finished fifth.
===
Looks like Cejudo didn't let us down, defeating Matsunaga by points, 5-2. And the duo of Shawn Johnson and Nastia Liukin made it a 1-2 combo for the States. This time, Johnson takes the gold in the balance beam, with Liukin grabbing the silver. Cheng Fei took home the bronze for China.
===
In sailing, Anna Tunnicliffe brought home the silver in the women's laser radial. And yet another gold for China, as the young, brash, but always amazing Zou Kai caps off their artistic gymnastics campaign with a gold in the high bar, with Jonathan Horton taking home a silver. Fabian Hambuechen gave Germany a bronze.
===
The Koreans were the next to fall to the women's basketball team, 104-60. Russia and Becky Hammon is next for them. Shouldn't be a problem.
Italy was unable to hold off the Americans in women's volleyball, as they dropped a 5-game heartbreaker to Jenny Lang Ping's crew, 20-25, 25-21, 19-25, 28-18 and 15-6. Next up: Cuba. Ramones send help.
The USA baseball team is on a little bit of a tear, taking out Chinese Taipei 4-2. That should give them a spot in the medal round.
===
This has been a really good year for the Chinese men in gymnastics. Lu Chunling and Dong Dong (yes, that IS his real name) make it a 1-3 finish for the hosts in the men's trampoline event. LIkewise for the divers, He Chong and Qin Kai make it a 1-3 finish in the men's 3-meter springboard final.
===
Meanwhile, Sanya Richards taken the bronze for the USA in the women's 400 meters, with Great Britain's Christine Ohuruogu crashing the Jamaica sprint party a bit to take the gold (Shericka Williams gave the island a silver). Of course, though, Dawn Harper gave the States something to cheer about, with a gold in the 100-meter hurdles.
===
THe next big small country hero to deliver was Rashid Ramzi of Bahrain. His win in the men's 1,500 meters should give him some nice financial endowments and such from his majesty the King.
=-=
Poor Steffen Peters. He could have been on the podium...but finished fourth in the dressage individual grand prix freestyle event at Sha Tin (in Hong Kong). Another of those would-be feel-good stories for the Americans at these games. Sigh.
===
Argentina upstages the Brazilians, 3-0 in men's soccer and will face the Nigerian s for the gold. A mer formality? Stay tuned.
===
26 golds, 26 silvers, and 27 bronzes, with 5 days to go. Hmmm.
===
MIsty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh will face Tian Jia and Wang Jie in the gold-medal match in beach volleyball after sweeping the Brazilians.
===
Actually, I found out that we were NOT facing Russia in our women's volleyball quarterfinal...instead, it's Italy. This will be fun.
===
I just learned a new thing: table tennis is a sport where Nigirians can best us in. It's not restricted to soccer. David Zhuang wouldn't stand a chance at beer pong. The failure.
===
Henry Cejudo, don't let us down against Japan's Tomohiro Matsunaga. If we can bounce them in volleyball, soccer and softball, you can do the same against this guy.
===
Bloody hell. The Angels are now on a 2-game losing streak. Wake up, gentlemen.
===
Flickering lights go on as I halt Dad's downloading to do mine's. I only have four or five hours to go on a downloading feast and get my games downloaded. I like my speeds to go as fast as they can go, preferable 100 kB/sec at the minimum. Currently I am taking care of a soccer match between the USA and Canada on the women's side. One of the parts is being taken care of by Megaupload, the other on ADrive, which has a 50 kB/sec limit. After the part by Megaupload is done, I am reactivating uTorrent, beause I have to make sure that the lights don't stop blinking.
I mean, I have so many games that I couldn't download due to the bottleneck, and I am lucky enough to be able to halt the Dad's download to get some of my files done. When his is stopped, mine's flies like the wind.
===
Hallelujah, we got another medal coming our way! Whether it's gold or silver reamins to be seen in women's water polo, but we withstand a monumental comeback by the Aussies in a 9-8 win. Bring on the Netherlands. This should be our chance to get back at them for what their 4 x 100 meter freestyle relay team did to us. Make the most of it. Can't stress it more than that.
===
I decided, "Ah, screw the ADrive files. If I go one file each on MegaUpload, I will be clocking at 188 kB/sec."
===
Dammit. Another gold for China, with Li Xiaopeng taking it in the parallel bars. And the USA finsihes out of the medals in synchronized swimming. Russia gets the gold, Spain the silver, and China and Japan tie for the bronze. The USA finished fifth.
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Looks like Cejudo didn't let us down, defeating Matsunaga by points, 5-2. And the duo of Shawn Johnson and Nastia Liukin made it a 1-2 combo for the States. This time, Johnson takes the gold in the balance beam, with Liukin grabbing the silver. Cheng Fei took home the bronze for China.
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In sailing, Anna Tunnicliffe brought home the silver in the women's laser radial. And yet another gold for China, as the young, brash, but always amazing Zou Kai caps off their artistic gymnastics campaign with a gold in the high bar, with Jonathan Horton taking home a silver. Fabian Hambuechen gave Germany a bronze.
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The Koreans were the next to fall to the women's basketball team, 104-60. Russia and Becky Hammon is next for them. Shouldn't be a problem.
Italy was unable to hold off the Americans in women's volleyball, as they dropped a 5-game heartbreaker to Jenny Lang Ping's crew, 20-25, 25-21, 19-25, 28-18 and 15-6. Next up: Cuba. Ramones send help.
The USA baseball team is on a little bit of a tear, taking out Chinese Taipei 4-2. That should give them a spot in the medal round.
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This has been a really good year for the Chinese men in gymnastics. Lu Chunling and Dong Dong (yes, that IS his real name) make it a 1-3 finish for the hosts in the men's trampoline event. LIkewise for the divers, He Chong and Qin Kai make it a 1-3 finish in the men's 3-meter springboard final.
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Meanwhile, Sanya Richards taken the bronze for the USA in the women's 400 meters, with Great Britain's Christine Ohuruogu crashing the Jamaica sprint party a bit to take the gold (Shericka Williams gave the island a silver). Of course, though, Dawn Harper gave the States something to cheer about, with a gold in the 100-meter hurdles.
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THe next big small country hero to deliver was Rashid Ramzi of Bahrain. His win in the men's 1,500 meters should give him some nice financial endowments and such from his majesty the King.
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Poor Steffen Peters. He could have been on the podium...but finished fourth in the dressage individual grand prix freestyle event at Sha Tin (in Hong Kong). Another of those would-be feel-good stories for the Americans at these games. Sigh.
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Argentina upstages the Brazilians, 3-0 in men's soccer and will face the Nigerian s for the gold. A mer formality? Stay tuned.
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26 golds, 26 silvers, and 27 bronzes, with 5 days to go. Hmmm.
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