ESPN's Bush (Reggie) Poll Shows Two Different Americas

Sweetness & Light ^ | September 17, 2006 | N/A

[Sam Hill]

A ESPN poll asks what punishment, if any, Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush should incur for having been paid during his college career.

The results so far look strangely familiar:

(The gray areas represent states where the vote was too close to make a call.)

It's beginning to look more and more like the US is comprised of two different countries.

One that believes in playing by the rules, and one that doesn't.

[Sam Hill]

But there must be "nuances" that the green states don't understand.

[Sam Hill]

A "Great Divide" ping.

[Wolfie]

One that believes in playing by the rules, and one that doesn't.

Heck, give him amnesty. It's all the rage these days.

[Issaquahking]

I see "Nagin's country" as part of the DILLIGAFF group. No wonder everyone left at the first opportunity...

[GadareneDemoniac]

The great liberal dream is a life without consequences.

[Paleo Conservative]

Yellow is the perfect color for those states.

[Mr. Mojo]

One that believes in playing by the rules, and one that doesn't.

Does it say somewhere in the rules that if a college player receives cash and gifts from marketing agents that his individual awards (in his case, the Heisman) are to be taken away and that the team he played for (which, btw, didn't break any rules) is to be stripped of national championship titles (if they won any)?

[gridlock]

The Heisman voting was obviously rigged by DIEBOLD!

[vetvetdoug]

Looks like to me that Auburn has just been the rightful recipient of its honestly earned National Championship. If the NCAA can punish Universities for their mascots, surely they can do the right thing and give the rightful winner of the National Championship their due.

[photodawg]

But there must be "nuances" that the green states don't understand.

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

Of course. The poor baby was exploited by the money grubbing University athletic department that capitalized on his talent and only gave him a $120,000.00 education, including free room and board, work study money, academic support, weekend and game day meal money of $100 a day, and access to university resources for the rest of his life. (sarc.)

Interesting that most of the heavy high school football breeding grounds are in the green states. Also if we substitute red for green and blue for yellow you would get a close corollary to the national political breakdown. Hmmmmmmm?

[Celtjew Libertarian]

There's another reasonable explanation.

The orange states are mostly those around California -- where I there is most likely a concentration of USC fans -- and the northeast, where, let's face it, big-time college football is scarce.

In most of the green states, there are major college football teams -- teams that compete either directly or indirectly with USC for the national championship. (The one state that seriously bucks this trend is Louisiana.)

I suspect people are voting not so much on the ethics of the case, but based on how such sanctions would affect their team.

[Mr. Blonde]

If the NCAA would have known about this money he wouldn't have been eligilble to recieve these awards or play in the NC game. So he certainly wouldn't have won the Heisman, but no one can say USC wouldn't have won the NC. Probably unlikely that they wouldn't have though.

[raybbr]

How do they know where you are voting from?

[Mr. Mojo]

I see. Well, I guess that puts me in the camp of those who think his Heisman should be taken away, but that USC should retain its national titles.

[GreenAccord]

Does it say somewhere in the rules that if a college player receives cash and gifts from marketing agents that his individual awards

It was mentioned on ESPN this morning that Jim Thorpe was stripped of all his awards when it was determined he was paid for his participation, rendering him no longer an amateur athlete, but a professional one. The Heisman award is for the best college football payer, and in light of the allegations, if proved to be true, would have rendered Bush ineligible.

[SoCal Pubbie]

Is there an option to choose "How about we wait and find out the facts beyond the accusations of sleazy online "journalists" and convicted gang bangers before we answer the question?"

This strikes me as a "Have you stopped beating your wife" kind of question. Do the words Duke Lacrosse ring any bells?

[perez24]

I was having a hard time putting my thoughts into words. Your post did it.

[GreenAccord]

How do they know where you are voting from?

Your IP address, known via your ISP, reveals your location. Of course, it is possible that border cities may have citizens from across state lines, but it would be random, and likely a wash when viewed across the entire country.

[Sam Hill]

"This strikes me as a "Have you stopped beating your wife" kind of question. Do the words Duke Lacrosse ring any bells?"

I guess you didn't bother to read the question of the poll.

It says: "If Reggie Bush is found guilty?"

[rodomila]

If they take his Heisman away it will go to 2nd place finisher, Vince Young, who deserved it more anyway.