Letters to the Editor
bluefellow
Published Letters: 73 Editor's Choice: 3
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Don't get it
[Read the article: Howard's world]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Many times as I am scannning through the tv stations I will come across Howard Stern's show and pause for a little while, hoping that maybe I'll catch a glimpse of whatever it is that makes him so appealing to so many people. No luck so far. The very rare nugget of insight or wit or originality is buried in so much juvenile and predictable garbage that to me its not worth the time to wade through, let alone $13 per month.
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Old police tactic
[Read the article: Cindy Sheehan's controversial T-shirt]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]It's a tried and true police tactic for dealing with people they know they cannot convict but still want to hassle, for whatever reason -- "You might beat the rap but you won't beat the ride".
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"Honorable Republicans" ??
[Read the article: Only the GOP can save us]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]That phrase, considered in the context of the apparent earnestness of his appeal, is either the funniest or the saddest thing Keillor has ever written.
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Religion in America
[Read the article: Going long for Jesus]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I think these gatherings perfectly embody the state of religion in this country. Its easy and satisfying to make a showy public display of your faith and give lip service to God and the teachings of Jesus. But to actually "love your neighbor as yourself", well that's just too demanding.
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Packer, not a Viking
[Read the article: Going long for Jesus]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]The football player who refused the White House visit was Mark Chmura, who played for the Green Bay Packers.
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Make it happen
[Read the article: Reality doesn't measure up to supermarket romance novels]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Actually, there is one person out there who has the ability to make your life thrilling, complete, and fulfilling. That person is You.
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Challenge Shaq
[Read the article: King Kaufman's Sports Daily]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I'd like to see some brave sportscaster challenge Shaq's dubious assertion that he hits them when they count. As several posters have already noted, every free throw counts for one point, whether in the first quarter or the fourth. And so many basketball games are decided by a couple of points that every free throw should be considered important. It will never happen but it would be amusing to see some post game interviewer ask Shaq "so those five free throws you missed in the first half, I guess they didn't count?" Second, if indeed Shaq hits them when they count, I presume that means he is able to draw on extra focus or concentration when he deems a free throw to be important. That must mean that on the other, not so important free throws he isn't really trying all that hard. Finally, the guy makes right around half his free throws for his career. Are we really supposed to believe that he just happens to make the half that count?
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Wade and Shaq
[Read the article: King Kaufman's Sports Daily]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Rich
I don't think it is useful to compare Wade's performance during a single 48 minute game, with its natural ebb and flow, and Shaq's claim that over the course of his career his notoriously poor free throw shooting somehow improves when the game is on the line. Now if Wade consistently shot a low percentage from the field, and consistently turned the ball over, and somehow in the fourth quarter of most games turned things around and played extremely well, then yes I would have to question his concentration and focus in the first three quarters. But that does not seem to be the case with Wade; it does, however, appear to be what you and Shaq are asserting about his free throws.
Also, since what you are claiming flies in the face of the available statistical evidence (a career 50% free throw shooter makes a higher percentage when the game is on the line), I would think you bear the burden of proof. My guess is that Shaq's FT shooting is probably roughly equivalent (around 50%) for each quarter.
I do agree with you that it would be very interesting to dig up some old play by play logs and see what the game circumstances were and whether Shaq made his free throws. Too bad basketball fans aren't as obsessive about statistics as baseball fans.
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A matter of perspective
[Read the article: King Kaufman's Sports Daily]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Great article, King. When I saw the video I thought it was inappropriate (especially given Knight's history) but would probably not lead to any serious consequences. More than anything I thought here comes the typical overreaction from Knight's detractors and typical downplaying from Knight's supporters.
I would like to ask if Bobby Knight is being reprimanded by his athletic director Gerald Meyers (bear with me, this is PURELY hypothetical) and Meyers "lifted" Knight's chin in the same manner, would Knight think it was nothing? If Knight did it to Meyers, would Meyers say Knight had done nothing wrong?
Okay I'll dispense with my attempt at objectivity -- Knight's a d**k who gets off on bullying people.
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Karen, please pick up your award
[Read the article: Memo to O.J.: Kill yourself]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]"Strange how the average single childless guy over 40, who actually has his pick among many types and ages of women if he's interested, is seen as damaged or defective or a "remnant." Meanwhile, a woman, weighed down with some other man's kids, already past prime female attractiveness age, and a certified loser in the marriage derby, somehow concludes that she is some kind of grand prize."
Karen on behalf of single men everywhere I think you deserve an award for the single most trenchant and perceptive comment I've ever seen.
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According to NBA.com
[Read the article: King Kaufman's Sports Daily]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Just so everyone knows the numbers, at the time of the melee the Nuggets had a 19 point lead with 1:32 remaining in the game. There are situations when leaving your starters in or "running up the score" is indeed tacky and unprofessional, but this was not one of them. I remember a game just a year or two ago when Tracy McGrady scored something like 13 points in the last 35 seconds to beat the Spurs.
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Are you ready, boots? Start walking.
[Read the article: Senators tell Rice: The president has lost us]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Whenever Bush or Rice or Cheney or any of their many political hacks speak about Iraq, I can't help but think of some lines from that old Nancy Sinatra song
You keep lyin' when you oughtta be truthin',
You keep losin' when you oughtta not bet,
You keep samin' when you oughtta be changing,
Now what's right is right, but you ain't been right yet.
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Right wing whiners
[Read the article: Penalty Boxer]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I find it amusing that the people desperately trying to create this tempest in a teapot are the same ones who usually love to rail against "political correctness" and the "culture of victimization".