Sydney Greenstreet in 'Casablanca.' See what I mean?
Posted on 08/08/2006 2:31:12 PM PDT by governsleastgovernsbest
by Mark Finkelstein
August 8, 2006 - 17:04
Imagine if Rush Limbaugh had said it . . .
'Rome is Burning' is ESPN's edgy sports-commentary show starring the eponymous Jim Rome. Jason Whitlock is standing in for Rome this week, and while I don't know much about him, from what I've seen I enjoy his shtick. He's smart, funny and seems to successfuly walk the fine line of expressing strong views without being malicious.
Another plus: his physique and bearing remind me of one of my all-time favorite movie characters in my all-time favorite movie - Sydney Greenstreet as Signor Ferrari in Casablanca. Judge for yourself.
In any case, in the show's opening monologue, the host riffs on what 'he's burning about.' Among Whitlock's topics today was what he suggests be the top priority for about-to-be-announced new NFL Commisioner. For Whitlock, job #1 is
"Fixing the league's officiating crisis. The new commissioner shouldn't bury his head in the sand and pretend everything is OK with the zebras. It's not. The new millenium NFL player is souped up on supplements and moves at the speed of sound. It's ridiculous to have 50 year-old white guys chasing after 25-yr old black guys."
Whitlock might well be on to something. As Steve Sailer has noted, "over the last six Olympics, all 48 male finalists in the 100m have come from West Africa or its diaspora."
But discussing inherent racial differences has proven to be a minefield for many. For example, Air Force football coach Fisher DeBerry recently made a comment along the same lines as Whitlocks's, observing that black football players "can run very, very well."
The result? He was reprimanded by the Air Force Academy and forced to issue an apology: "I realize the things I said were hurtful to many people, and I want everyone to understand that I never intended to hurt anyone." The Academy's athletic director Hans Mueh, issued a written reprimand to DeBerry and stated:
"This is totally against anything the Air Force Academy stands for."
Guess we'll stand by for Mueh to condemn Whitlock.
If Rush had said this...
ESPN/NewsBusters ping to Today show list.
You did read my very first line, didn't you? ;-)
You beat me to the punch - right you are...
oh gees. if Rush had said that, it would be a top story on every news program tonight,
Sydney Greenstreet in 'Casablanca.' See what I mean?
I did and was just sort of reiterating it, because it's so true!
This guy nails it. I mean, c'mon. How often do you see refs get squeezed in-between a bunch of 300 lb athletes? Pathetically ducking underneath football passes that approach 80 mph? Getting hit inadvertantly? These refs are someone's grandparents in the offseason, for crying out loud.
So I guess the 45-year old black zebras are still OK? (not to mention that 'zebra' is seen as a derogatory remark against mixed-race persons).
At last Jimmy the Greek vindicated!
why not have younger refs,
I have a novel, rattling around in my head, with the premise being -- that referees are not real people, but clones. And that the secret organization which controls the referees literally control all major sports, by controlling who wins and who loses.
How many referees do you know personally?
Jason Whitlock doesn't exactly look built for speed, himself. He must not be a child of the West African diaspora.
I know--no refs! People can vote on plays from the stands. Gives a whole new meaning to home field advantage.
Ref Ed "The Buff" Hochuli is in better shape than some of the players.
One thing is for sure, black atheletes definitely can't run as fast as Jesse Jackass can shake down corporations for money. Jesse is the fastest!!! He's got GAME!
A writer to Patriots Football Weekly last year suggested the Pats recruit him as a safety.
The writer responding thought he might make the cut, but that he would spend too much time posing and flexing to make any plays.
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