Oh No Canada....

As most of you probably know, I’m a huge sports fan and last night was Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals.  I know what you’re probably thinking, hockey?  Really?  Well, believe it or not, I was actually into the hockey playoffs this year, or at least the last three rounds.  I don’t really follow any one team but being a Red Sox fan and seeing that the Boston Bruins hadn’t won a championship since the early 70’s I began following them.  I was treated to some really good hockey.  I can honestly say that in the last month or so, I’ve watched more hockey than I have in my entire life.  All three series were pretty fantastic and Game 7’s in any sport are usually great games.  Unfortunately for Vancouver Canuck fans, it was pretty anti-climatic as the Bruins rolled to a 4-0 win and it really wasn’t all that close at the end.  The sad thing, the game isn’t what this post is about; instead it’s about the sore-loser Canadian fans that were classless, dangerous and downright stupid for their actions in the final minutes of the game and after.

Canadian fans set the tone for the night by first booing our National Anthem, then loudly singing along to their anthem.  Real class there Vancouver, real class!  I’ve been to numerous baseball and even hockey games where a visiting Canadian city is in town (Toronto and Montreal) and have NEVER heard fans boo during the Canadian anthem.  NEVER!  Not only was this disrespectful but it was ignorant and just plain stupid.  My opinions and thoughts on Canada were not all that high before I heard this but now I will make it a point to not only SIT during your anthem but any time I can to absolutely ignore and/or miss when a Canadian team is in town.

That aside, after the game, when the Bruins were receiving the Stanley Cup and getting their praise from the Commissioner and the NHL, the fans loudly booed.  They booed so loudly it was tough to hear at times and it again showed poor class.  I’ve watched a lot of series clinching games that were won by the visiting team and I can’t remember one where the visiting team was treated with such disdain.  I even remember when the Red Sox won game 7 of the American League Championship Series in New York in 2004 after an improbably comeback that Yankee fans didn’t boo.  YANKEE FANS!  They HATE the Red Sox and even they didn’t loudly boo during the ceremony (granted, most had exited before the final pitch anyway, but that’s for another post).  Again, Vancouver, really?  Are you that ignorant?

During the final moments and after the game, the Vancouver fans and general public also rioted.  Yup, they rioted and acted like a bunch of poor-sport babies because their team couldn’t pull off the win when they were up 2-0.  Fans set cars on fire, even some police cruisers, local stores were destroyed, windows damaged and looting and people were injured while these crybabies acted like idiots.  While not ALL fans destroyed the city, there were thousands that participated and I just don’t get it.  I’ve seen fans go crazy after they WIN a series and flip cars and cause some ruckus but never really seen the destruction that happened after the game last night.  Here’s a good website with some video and photos (http://www.twirlit.com/2011/06/16/vancouver-riots-2011-photos-city-destroyed-after-canucks-loss-watch/).  As you can see, utter chaos!  I guess it’s true; Canadians are really into their hockey…perhaps a little too into their hockey!

Maybe it’s me but Canada definitely lost some of my respect and I can bet some Americans are waking up today with some bad views of Canada.  I know, personally, I never really thought much of Canada to begin with but with events like this, it just really puts a bad taste in my mouth.  Grow up Canada….it’s just a game.

What are your opinions?  Do you agree?  Were the rioting, booing of the National Anthem and booing during the presentation ceremony disrespectful and class-less?  Let me know!

Super 8 - A True Throwback!

This past weekend I was able to catch Super 8, the new movie by J.J. Abrams and produced by the great Steven Spielberg.  It felt like I’d stepped back into the 1980’s as the movie has that Goonies/Stand by Me/E.T. vibe.  J.J. Abrams pays homage to Spielberg in a great way because the movie screams 80’s Spielberg.  It had it all, the story that’s focused on the kids, the messy home life scenes, the setting, the lighting and the late monster reveal.

Overall I thought the movie was fantastic though some late third acts scenes had some plot holes I can forgive them because the movie as a whole was so good.  The nostalgic feel to me was the most important aspect of the movie.  In today’s movie market you hardly see a “smart” movie with kids aged 10-13 as the leads.  Generally it’s either late teenagers or older getting the main focus of movies.  Here the kids are 12-13 years old and their acting is superb.  Dialogue that was spot on and although it’s a far fetched idea, it still seems grounded in reality, much like E.T. and Goonies.

I brought my six year old and he too absolutely loved it.  Though, I’ve trained him by reliving all of my favorite 80’s movies over and over again with him.  In fact, some of his favorite movies are my favorites (Stand by Me, The Goonies and Sandlot).  The problem is, I wonder how late teens and early twenty year olds are viewing this movie, the 16-23 demographic for example.  They are a bit too old to remember these classics and with movies nowadays being vastly different, I wonder what they thought of it.  These days, movie patrons are treated to a full-on-shot of the monster 15 minutes into a movie or even before in the trailers.  How are these impatient high school and college kids reacting to having to wait and sit through some excellent character development before getting their monster fix?

If you have a chance to see it, DO IT!  Especially if you grew up watching those classic 80’s movies and miss them as much as I do.  Maybe it’s me but I don’t think we’ll ever get movies like those again.  Though seeing Super 8 has me optimistic, maybe these types of movies will make a comeback.  I sure hope so because there’s nothing like that feeling.

10:30 Game Time....Really MLB?

Did any of you guys stay up to watch the Red Sox vs. Yankees game last night?  Well, if you did, you’re better than me!  The game went through a 3 and a half hour rain delay and didn’t start until 10:30 p.m.  I was only able to keep my eyes open until the 3^rd inning and finally had to give up.  Outrageous!  If I had tickets to the game I would have been majorly pissed.  I just don’t get why they couldn’t scratch the game and play it at a later date.  They play each other numerous times and could even schedule the game around an off day due to the closeness of the cities.  It’s not like we’re talking about two cities that are on the opposite sides of the country.  We’re talking a 3 hour ride here.

I don’t really know who to blame here.  My guess would have to be Major League Baseball.  My guess is that they had the final call and decided that 10:30 was an acceptable time.  I disagree and don’t think anyone should have to wait around 3 ½ hours then sit through a 3 hour ball game.  I hope they made arrangements with the Subway transit for those that come to the games on the trains.

Imagine if I had tickets and had to go to work in the morning.  There is no way I would have been able to stay for the game.  As a fan of the Red Sox and more importantly a fan of baseball I think playing that game at that time was unfair and cruel.  Baseball is getting more and more ridiculous with their scheduling that at times it’s comical.  What about the kids?  Kids love watching baseball, especially the Sox vs. Yankees.  Do you think any parent would allow their 8-13 year old to watch a game that starts at 10:30?  I sincerely doubt it.

Maybe it’s me but better judgment should have been used last night and the game should have been cancelled and made up at a later date.  Shame on you MLB, shame on you!

Take Fan Voting AWAY!

If you want a good laugh today, check out the all-star voting for baseball’s mid-season classic.  I know all star games in pro sports have become nothing but popularity contests but this year’s baseball voting is downright comical and sad at the same time.  Generally every year there are players that get left off the roster that should have been on it and sometimes players will sneak on because of popularity but this year, so far anyway, the fans have got it very, very wrong.

First let’s talk about the leader at 1^st base, Mark Teixeira.  He’s having a pretty good year so far (16 HR’s, 38 RBI, .901 OPS) but is he really the best 1^st baseman in the American League?  Adrian Gonzalez is having a monster year (.918 OPS, AL high 46 RBI, .329 avg.), Miguel Cabrera is having another MVP type season (1.001 OPS, 40 RBI, .311 avg.).  Heck even DH David Ortiz, who if you had to put at a position would be 1B, is having a monster year (.964 OPS, 13 HR’s, 28 RBI).  So is Tex the best option at 1B?

Now let’s take it to the National League at the same position.  Albert Pujols currently leads the voting and is so far having one of his worst statistical years ever.  His batting line of .265/.335/.412/.746 and 9 HR’s, 31 RBI looks putrid next to Joey Votto (1.001 OPS, 7 HR, 32 RBI, .338 avg.) and Prince Fielder (.924 OPS, 11 HR, 42 RBI, .291 avg.) who are putting together fantastic starts to the year.  Why does Pujols belong this year?  Is it because of his past MVP seasons or maybe his hardcore St. Louis fan base flooding the ballots?

The rest of the National League however is pretty good.  The voting seems logical and all the leaders in other categories I could reasonably say deserve to go to the All-Star game.  The biggest travesty comes from the American League.  Your leading vote getter so far at the position of short-stop is….Derek Jeter.  What the…?  Derek Jeter?  Really?  He of the following stat line - .264/.328/.332/.660 with 2 HR’s and 16 RBI?  Wow.  Let’s see there are probably 7 other SS that should be ahead of him, but I’ll narrow it down for you to 3.  Asdrubal Cabrera of the Indians is having a beast of a year so far (.875 OPS, 10 HR, 39 RBI, .299 avg.) and should be the leading vote getter.  But there’s also Erick Aybar (.315 avg., .800 OPS, 3 HR, 20 RBI, 14 SB) and Jed Lowrie (.305 avg., .803 OPS, 3HR, 22 RBI) tearing it up right now.

I get it.  Jeter is iconic and legendary but the All-Star game is for what players are doing THIS YEAR!  It’s not what about you’ve done in your career.  I could see if this was Jeter’s last season in the league and we all knew he was retiring, then great, vote him in one last time and give him his curtain call, but we all know he’s going to continue to play mediocre baseball for the rest of his contract, so why is he the leading SS vote getter?

Maybe it’s me but I think it’s time to revoke the fan voting system MLB has in place.  If Major League Baseball is trying to push this game as “meaning something” and it does by giving the winning league home field advantage in the World Series it’s time to get the best players on the teams.  If it wants to continue with the fan voting popularity contest, then it’s time to remove the meaning of the game and let it be just an exhibition game.

With the game determining home field advantage for the World Series, then it’s in the best interest to have the best players at each position for each league.  Jeter should not be at shortstop and I’m sorry but Pujols shouldn’t be at first base this year.  Take away the fan voting and come up with a new system.  I’m sick of fan bases flooding the ballots to get their favorite players on the field when sometimes they just don’t deserve it.

Lastly, I’d like to point out that although I’m a Red Sox fan, I’m a baseball fan first and a baseball purist at that.  I don’t care that there are six Yankees leading the voting so far.  In fact I believe that 4 of those Yankees deserve to be in the game (A-Rod, Granderson, Russell and Cano) but let’s get rid of the ones that don’t deserve…

Manslaughter For Not Predicting An Earthquake? Really?

Wow.  Just Wow!  Take a look at this article when you get a moment of free time (http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/20110526/sc_livescience/seismologiststriedformanslaughterfornotpredictingearthquake).

It’s about a group of 6 seismologists that are being tried for manslaughter for not being able to predict a 2009 earthquake in L’Aquila.  Maybe it’s me but this is just plain ridiculous!  Seriously, there is no exact science to predict an earthquake.  The article discusses how scientists are actively trying to develop methods to predict earthquakes but there are no tools out there currently to help predict a very random phenomenon.  It’s like trying to predict next year’s Super Bowl or World Series winner.  Yes we know certain areas of the world are more susceptible to earthquakes but when and exactly where they will hit is not exactly a science.  I’ll liken it to predicting a Super Bowl winner again.  We all know the best 6 or 7 teams but do we really know if any one of those teams will win the big game for certain?  No, it’s impossible because it’s unpredictable, just like many weather phenomenon.  It’s not possible to predict Mother Nature!

I will continue to follow this story because it could affect other scientists and weather experts.  What if I bought tickets to a baseball game and my local meteorologist told me it was going to be sunny and 85, yet when I get to the game and the sky opens up and a thunderstorm cancels the game.  Can I sue the weatherman for the cost of the tickets because he didn’t accurately predict this thunderstorm?  Can I sue the weatherman for the sunburn I got because he didn’t correctly tell me the sun was going to be out when I mowed my lawn?  Come on… This is ridiculous.  Meteorologists at least have instruments and tools to predict weather patterns but even that isn’t an exact science.  Patterns change, fronts come and go and it’s just an extremely hard job to do.  Imagine if we could sue them when they weren’t right.  There would be no weather experts because no matter what, Mother Nature is very unpredictable.

Maybe it’s me but whoever is trying these seismologists needs to have their head examined because how in the hell can you predict an earthquake….

Sane Enough To Kill, But To Insane To Stand Trial???

I just finished reading an article about the Arizona shooting suspect Jared Loughner.  A judge has declared him incompetent to stand trial at this time and he will be sent to a mental health facility for up to four months to be evaluated.  If he gets “better” or mentally stable and understands the consequences of the case against him, the trial will continue but if not, the charges could be thrown out and he’ll spend the rest of his life in an institution.

I usually don’t like to bad mouth the United States of America, but man does our Justice Department really puzzle me.  This 22 year old was competent enough to get a driver’s license, buy a handgun, get admitted to college (he dropped out), feed himself, dress himself and plan and construct a killing spree.  Yet, he’s not competent enough to stand trial for the crimes he’s committed?  I don’t get it.  I remember reading awhile back that this same individual sent messages to some of his friends and family the night before the killings that read, “Please, don’t be mad at me.”  This shows that he knew what he was going to do was wrong and that the killing spree was premeditated.  So exactly how is he incompetent?

The judge has had two mental health experts evaluate him and they both concluded that he is a schizophrenic and likely not faking the whole thing but how does one go from competent enough to get into college and plan a huge killing spree to a loony toon overnight?  It just doesn’t make sense.  I love this country more than anything but it’s stuff like this that really tries my patience.  It seems we give these killers and murderers more rights and compassion than they really deserve.

This case is really an easy one to determine.  It’s pretty much an open and shut book.  Hundreds of people were at the rally and saw him shoot the people.  The evidence is all there, so why do we need to waste taxpayer’s money by housing, feeding and giving medical and mental care to this lunatic.  It’s stuff like this that really make you scratch your head and say what the fuck?

Maybe it’s me, but the court system in the United States and all of the judges that review cases should be checked for competency.  Get it together already.  If an animal or dog attacks a person and causes serious harm, they are deemed “mad” and put down; I think it’s time to extend that to human beings as well.

Maybe it’s me, but our gun laws should also be checked for competency because apparently you can own a gun and be a mentally unstable schizo maniac….

Post 9/11 Flying...

I’m back from vacation and I hate to be that person but I wish I was still in Florida.  I hate it when people come back from vacation and all they do is talk about and wish they were back to relaxing and doing nothing all day.  I always think to myself; “come on get back to reality already.”  Yet today, I find myself thinking how nice it was to be in sunny Florida and by the poolside bar enjoying a cocktail.  Oh well, I guess I have to snap out of it.

While traveling I did notice something that really pisses me off, it kind of goes with what happened a couple weeks ago with the killing of Osama Bin Laden.  Maybe it’s me but 9/11 really screwed up flying.  I had only flown maybe three times before 9/11 but I remember it being so easy and so relaxed that it was probably the easiest part of a flight.  Nowadays getting through security and onto an airplane is so nerve-racking and annoying that I want to punch all terrorists square in the face.

I have the system down and usually feel pretty confident while going through security but when you witness other people getting screamed at because they forgot they had a bottle of toothpaste or an unopened bottle of soda in their carry-on, you yourself start to feel uneasy.  Don’t get me wrong, I think the protocol is needed and anything that makes us more secure as a country is alright by me but those damn terrorists really fucked flying up for all of us.

Take off your shoes, take off your belt, separate all them when putting them on the conveyor belt.  Walk through the metal detector. Whoops, you beeped, please do it again.  Oops you beeped again, now you get the wand.  Heaven forbid you beep during that, then you may get have to get a full cavity search (thank goodness, I’ve never had that pleasure…yet).

There’s no joking around with these people either.  I went through the metal detector with my Red Sox hat on and had to remove it and have it inspected by the attendant.  I jokingly said, “Ha must be a Yankees fan.”  The attended sternly stated that, “no sir, this is just protocol, it doesn’t matter which baseball team I like.”  Easy there lady, I was just joking with you.  The security seems too brash and if they lightened up a bit, I bet everyone would be more relaxed.

While flying is the quickest and generally the easiest way to get to your destination, those stupid American-hating Muslim bastards really fucked it up.  I think that all the terrorists we capture and hold prisoner should be lined up after the security gate at the airport and every passenger should be able to kick them in the nuts after they go through the hassle they created.  It would make us all feel just a little bit better about the process and I for one would actually look forward to the proceedings.  Who’s with me?  I wonder if the White House website has a suggestion box I can send this to…