[Darren McCarty]

Much as the NFL is called the no fun league, Gary Bettman (Buttman) has done the same to the great sport of hockey. More than any other person, this non-hockey jackass has done his best to run a great sport into the ground with his disrespect of tradition.

There's a reason Bettman is booed out of more arenas than Chris Chelios at road games. Clarence Campbell is rolling in his grave.

[processing please hold]

What the heck is an octopus twirl?

[processing please hold]

I immediately thought of Squidward in a tutu.

[Dr.Deth]

"Twirling the octopus?"

Is that what they call it these days?

[Cobra64]

I don’t have a clue what this has to do with politics. Please post this stuff over on Sports Illustrated. Thank you. Thank you.

[penowa]

"More than any other person, this non-hockey jackass [Bettman] has done his best to run a great sport into the ground with his disrespect of tradition."

Worth repeating...

[DannyTN]

Isn't it crueler to throw the octopus onto the ice, than to twirl it.

Can they replace it with a midget toss?

Cat Juggling?

[netmilsmom]

And the harm in this is, What?

[RGSpincich]

An earlier thread said that twirling the octopus could prevent prostate cancer. No,.. wait. Maybe that was something else.

[afortiori]

Can't say that I can think of a comparable sport ritual involving the desecration of a real dead animal's body.

They used to throw rubber chickens on the ice for a bad call, and hats for a “hat trick.”

I'm no animal right wacko, but this is just weird.

[jonrick46]

Mmmm! Octipus tenderized tentacles for the tailgate party outside. Put me at the front of the line.

[Red Steel]

Better images

[Stoat]

Related video that may be of interest....includes 'twirling' footage

YouTube - The Octopus and Catfish

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

I hope these octopi are dead already. I’m no animal rights nut, but twirling and throwing a live one around seems cruel. However, if it’s dead already, up yours, Bettman!

[Krankor]

Abusing or tormenting any kind of animal is despicable and cowardly. It shows a lack of humanity.

[Mr. Brightside]

How about if he swings around a plate of deep fried calamari instead?

Would the league fine him?

[NittanyLion]

Bettman is a moron. And the NHL’s decision to grant Versus almost the entire television rights was a huge mistake. The playoffs are hockey’s time to attract new fans, and many folks don’t even have Versus.

[taildragger]

The Michigan Economy stinks, Red Wing Ticket Sales are down, so where does the disposable income come from to pick up a little calamari to toss around?

Oh BTW....

More good news.

The Famous Christmas Shop in Frannkenmuth may move out of state because of the screwed up business tax. http://www.bronners.com/

[scrabblehack]

For you geeky linguists out there, octopi is not the plural of octopus. Some idiot thought it followed the Latin -us/-i scheme. But it’s a Greek word — so the classical plural is octopodes.

[SunkenCiv]

Mayor Kilpatrick: ‘I Am Being Punished By My God’
clickondetroit | 4-19-2008 | The Associated Press
Posted on 04/20/2008 3:24:11 PM PDT by Westlander
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2004485/posts

Michigan Dems Pitch Sex Education Plan
Associated Press | 4-21-2008 | Associated Press
Posted on 04/21/2008 10:31:24 AM PDT by Westlander
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2004804/posts

[grellis]

If you would like to be added or dropped from the Michigan ping list, please freepmail me.