What did Lolo Jones do to the Old Gray Lady?

Deadspin asks the question:

This morning's New York Times sports section has an article about Lolo Jones, the virgin hurdler you're probably somewhat aware of titled, "For Lolo Jones, Everything Is Image." The thrust of the article is that the attention the media has lavished on Jones is not commensurate with her achievement, and (this part is key) Lolo Jones is somehow at fault for that. Basically, that Lolo Jones is a #fraud.

The piece says that Jones's popularity "was based not on achievement but on her exotic beauty and on a sad and cynical marketing campaign." Jones, suggests the article, wants attention for herself and the products she endorses, and this desire sets her apart from other famous athletes...somehow.

The article situates Jones within centuries of struggle for acceptance of women athletes, and pretty explicitly calls her a traitor to her gender for garnering attention with sex appeal. The New York Times points out her pose for the ESPN The Magazine's Body Issue, three years ago, and her cover for Outside magazine, where Jones could be seen "seeming to wear a bathing suit made of nothing but strategically placed ribbon." They link to the cover. It's a big ribbon. At the same time, says the article, "she has proclaimed herself to be a 30-year-old virgin and a Christian," as if the cover of Outside magazine was a close-up of her punctured hymen, or her ESPN The Magazine pose showed her shooting up inside a flaming pentagram.

And there's the real rub, that Deadspin is missing.

Image: Deadspin

Let's not forget what all went on this week--as if we could--with Chick-Fil-A, where, yes, among other chowder-headish responses to the trying notion that an executive of a private company actually express a personal opinion about a political issues that heretofore a majority of voters have agreed with, the demand that Chick-Fil-A be consistent with their “anti-homosexual” values and stop serving “homosexual” chicken at their restaurants. And then there's Sarah Silverman's indecent proposal to a Romney backer.

So now here comes Lolo Jones (no pun intended), an attractive athlete about to begin competition in the Olympics and who claims to be a virgin and a Christian. The Times' problem isn't that she's an attention-mongering athlete unworthy of the attention, it's that the Times is as obsessed with pelvic issues as the rest of the left. It is that simple.

The Star Spangled Banner the Way It Ought to be Sung

Yes, it's before a football game, but if you're an American and the Chicago way can't get your patriotic Olympic juices flowing then you're probably one of those people I have no way of relating to -- you know, someone who would trade away his first liberties for something less real than magic beans, sic the health department after the kids' lemonade stand on the corner, poison lost puppies, push old ladies down the stairs, ...



USA! USA! USA!

A Joke to Stir Those National Olympic Passions

At the expense of our friendly North American rivals (no offense) and ripped off from an Iowa joke I heard as a kid:

Q: Why does the Mississippi River flow south?
A: Because Canada blows and Mexico sucks.

I know it's bad form to laugh at your own joke, but... bwahahahahaha!

USA! USA! USA!

Olympic Fever?

Ryan Lochte, Team USA Swimming

Well, an Olympic cold, maybe. But it's feed a cold right? So I'm going to have figure out a way force feed myself Olympic coverage in spite of the day job schedule I've got in the next two weeks.

I'm as patriotic as the next guy. I love the Olympics. And I love when the US does well.And I for one think we could use it.

Taking it to the next level. It's a prospect that strikes us from multiple angles these days -- personal, spiritual, professional, physical, financial, ...  Are these times to "seize the initiative?" To "take it to the next level?"

If you haven't been cut off at the knees, yet, I suspect you are just trying to hold ground, or at least not lose it rapidly. It feels like there are dark clouds just over the horizon. That heaviness, stillness. Dare I say, "malaise?" Will they blow over? How about bring rain? We could use that, too.

It felt a lot like this in the late 70's. A slow tightening on the money side. And colder, too. I'm not sure whether that last part was true, but it felt like it, and the Cold War didn't help. Nor did the hostage crisis in Iran. And it lasted longer than that (longer than the Iran deal anyway). Into the 80's. People talk about, or, rather, stop themselves from dwelling on, the feeling that America's best days were behind us, just as they did then. I didn't buy it then, but then I was a kid at the time, and watched the hockey team take gold in 1980.




Where's the gold now?

Eric Heiden with his 5 gold medals from 1980 in Lake Placid
(Image: The National Speed Skating Museum and Hall of Fame)

Now, it's hot, and there's no evil empire to take down beyond the specter the squirrely types keep harping about (that would be us -- USA! USA! USA!).

If the hockey team hadn't won, would Eric Heiden have been enough? I'd like to think so. Just as I'd like to think Ryan Lochte, Gabby Douglas, or Lolo Jones will carry the day today.

There won't be any big "national win" this time, so there won't be any lingering lilt in the step for weeks on end to inoculate ourselves from uninspiring unemployment figures, private sector job growth, durable goods orders, manufacturing productivity, or whatever.

So be it. There will be two weeks of great athletes doing great things. That'll do.

USA! USA! USA!

Truffle Tweet for USA vs. Slovenia

Guys, if you have to bring an US President to the #WorldCup, go with
the best. --> http://twitpic.com/1xuqxl
Original Tweet: http://twitter.com/taffastrophe/status/16483992195

Sent via TweetDeck (www.tweetdeck.com)

Sent from my iPhone

Is the Big-12 the Dog, or the Tail?

I'm sure the money deal a mega-conference could pull is compelling. Regardless, I'm with Craig James, what kind of sallies they got running the Big-12? Why aren't they the ones talking about poaching the other BCS conferences rather than being poached?

John Wooden's Love Letter

link

Let's Go Squir-rel!

clap-clap clap-clap-clap

Also see twinsbaseball.com

Shaq Reminds Us to Not Forget Haiti

It has been four months since the devastating earthquake shook Haiti, and things are still dire there. Actually, in many ways they were dire before the earthquake.

NBA superstar and current Cleveland Cavalier, Shaquille O'Neal, is recognizing the need to not only try to address the still current crisis, but to put pieces in place to help Haiti overcome years of unaccountability by its government. He is directing his O'Positive foundation to face the "emergency" facing Haiti's children; in his own way recognizing that true change can only come from the culture and perhaps will be a function of attrition:

We must treat these children like children. They need music and arts and sports. They need trained teachers who can educate and protect them during the school day. They need to have safe places to play. They need access to computer labs, technology and modern education tools.

I decided this is what I would focus on. How could I lead in contributing for immediate needs -- but also for those that linger? A bed to sleep in and a roof over their heads. Schools. Computers. Teachers. Books. Soccer fields. Basketball courts. Parks. That is it.

Hats off and godspeed.

Jesse Jackson Wants All-Star Game Yanked from Arizona over Immigration Law

Like moth to a flame, Jesse Jackson has inserted himself into the debate over Arizona's recent immigration law and is dragging Major League Baseball in with him by issuing an open letter to Commissioner Bud Selig. I suppose he figures, "Why not? It worked with the Super Bowl." I'm sure Bud is jazzed about this. (HHT: DailyPitch)

Here's the letter:

Dear Bud,

The Rainbow PUSH Coalition appeals to Major League Baseball to take a public stand against the recently passed Arizona immigration law. We also urge you to move the scheduled 2011 all-star game from Diamondback Stadium in Arizona unless this law is repealed.

America's democracy is based on the values of freedom and equality--a level playing field for all of its people. The passage of the Arizona immigration law is an affront to these principles, representing the most divisive and polarizing approach to immigration reform. It is morally reprehensible and will be challenged as unconstitutional in the courts. This law – and the social "movement" that has inspired it – will have a negative impact on all of America's people.

Major League Baseball is truly an international sport. Well over 25% of MLB players are of Latino descent, and players, coaches, managers, and staff come from many countries other than the United States. From Jackie Robinson's breakthrough moment in 1947 to today, they make major league baseball one of the world's most popular sports. They come here legally, documented, with the single goal of showcasing their skills and contributing to the growth and success of Major League Baseball. They should not be subjected to humiliating and illegal harassment.

The Arizona law will have a devastating impact on the integrity and public image of Major League Baseball. Imagine if players or their families are stopped and interrogated by law enforcement – not just during all-star week, but during any games – spring training (where half of the teams locate in Arizona) and regular season – played in Arizona. That would truly be a dark day for Major League Baseball. We urge MLB to take all necessary measures to protect the rights and interests of your players, coaches, staff and their families.

Sincerely,Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr.
President and Founder/Rainbow PUSH Coalition

Rats! We Don't "Need" No Stinkin' Playoffs!

Memorial of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

After the Fiesta and Sugar Bowls it appears that the BCS may have gotten it right for tonight's national championship game. The down side is that there likely will be less controversy this year. Oswald Sobrino has buzzed by one of my pet themes, that discord is not inherently an evil. One of the joys of college football is the uncertainty that makes every week important. Similarly, there can be grace in the persuasion of honest debate; having a mind open to reason. I guess we'll have to wait until next year, unless the powers that be mess it up with a playoff system.

Boomer! Sooner! Go OU!

Update:

Unfortunately for Sooner fans, there is no question about the national champion, nor about the Heisman winner. I guess we'll have to wait until next year, but it's gonna be tough with 3/4 of the starters departing.