The "Puritan" NFL League has double standards...

Unless you've had your head in the sand recently, you've no doubt heard the white noise--no pun intended--regarding the pre-game skit between Terrell Owens and Nicollette Sheridan. Let's re-visit the festivities, shall we? Dateline ABC, November 15th, just before the kick off of Monday Night Football. Ms. Sheridan, dressed in a white towel, tries to entice Mr. Owens into ditching his teammates for other..err..festivities. Terrell initially plays it straight, insisting that he couldn't let down his teammates for the premiere football game of the week. The wiley Ms. Sheridan then drops her towel--revealing her bare back and leaving little to the imagination--and jumps into T.O.'s arms. Fade to black--no pun intended. This was clearly a shameless attempt by ABC to plug it's hugely popular show, "Deperate Ho's"...sorry, "Desperate Housewives." The problem with it was that the irony was lost on those who hadn't already watched the show. That said, the skit was still funny, if but a bit stereotypical--I'll get to this in a moment.

I suppose I shouldn't be suprised by the double standard "No Fun League" making noise about the skit, despite the fact that everyone in the Eagles organization--and thus, the NFL, by relation--knew the skit had been taped beforehand. What I find silly though, is the notion that the NFL's Monday Night Football broadcast has become this Puritan, moral, family program. Let's review the tape, shall we?: Are you ready for some football? You know...the (self proclaimed) Monday night party? Are you ready for Coors beer? ...and...and Twins!? Are you ready for Levitra, Cyalis, and Viagra? And contacting your doctor in the unlikely event you get "stuck" with a four-hour erection? Are you ready for tampon commercials? Are you ready for scantily clad cheerleaders? Are you kidding me? The NFL's Paul Tagliabue and company really need to sweep around their own front door before patronizing a network with whom they have a contract about how it chooses to entertain the public at large. This is the same network that televised the--[Ewww!]--complete bare backside of a male during more episodes of NYPD Blue than I care to recall. Yikes! I had successfully deleted that image out of my brain until just now. Thanks a lot, Mr. Tabiabue!

The other thing I find hysterical is this supposed moral outrage from a select number of viewers and media pundits. Listen closely: Monday Night Football is not--repeat, IS NOT--Little House on the Prairie. Don't like the material? Change the damn channel. This is another attempt at right-wing America attempting to impose their beliefs on what passes for entertainment today. Sorry, there's already a PAX channel. Deal with it.

The last thing that I found laughable was Tony Dungy's diatribe and references to race and Kobe Bryant. So I suppose if Brian Urlacher had played T.O.'s role it would have been "all good", right? Wrong. Sure, there are people who are (still) uptight about interracial relations, but hey, things have evolved since The Jeffersons broke loose with Helen and Tom Willis! I can understand and appreciate the "discomfort" with the less-than-subtle sexual undertone, but putting race into the mix is just ridiculous. And Tony Dungy, a reportedly religious man, is way off base here. I suppose all of those interracial couples are not suppose to publicy display affection now because it offends Tony? Give me a break...

But wait! Hold on just a minute...I just looked in the paper and what's coming up on Monday Night Football? New England vs. Kansas City? Say it isn't so! I can see it now...[Dream harp music plays in the background] Tom Brady has replaced T.O. and Beyonce has replaced Nicole in a spot for McDonalds. The towel drops as before, but the camera pans just a little low...Bootylicious, indeed...Okay, okay, a brotha' can dream, can't he?
Peace,
+THINKER

Election Post mortem...

I've been slacking. A whole month went by without writing. I've been working on my Master's degree and following the propositions, presidential debates, and both campaigns closely this year. Be grateful it's over. Among the positive things to consider now that the election is over is that we will no longer be subjected to election commercials. I can't say I remember an election year where the marketing has been so particularly nasty. It's as if we're no longer supposed to have differences of opinion in this country anymore. Quite the contrary. Express your opinion, and be prepared to be ridiculed. Or worse, ostracized and/or persecuted. I have a message for the various special interests and groups who fancy themselves as the think tank for all Americans: Get over your yourselves--recall earlier article, "It's Not all about you." And here's just a few more tid-bits for select individuals:

• Republicans - I hate to break this to you, but you do not have the market cornered on religion, morality, or family values. I find it interesting that your party is more than willing to intermix politics with religious--read "Anglo Saxon Protestant" beliefs with regularity. Have any of you folks read the Bill of Rights recently?--see Amendment 1.
• Democrats - I know you're still licking emotional wounds from losing the Presidential election, losing seats in the Senate and the House, and losing seats across the country in local districts. That ought to be a red flag shouldn't it? Just a little out of touch with mainstream America, perhaps? Here's a thought: In 2008, it will be open season on the Presidency. Now is the time to begin examining individuals who have consistent, progressive, non-controversial records as legitimate candidates. Someone who is well-spoken and has a good grasp of issues. Someone who does not have baggage. Get off the Hillary bandwagon already and do some deeper searching.
• Conservatives - Why do you think your opinion supersedes everyone else's?--I'll refer you to the 1st Amendment as well. For the record, your religious beliefs are no more legitimate or important than anyone else's. There's a perception that young people vote with their hearts and old people vote with their head. Even if that's partially true, it's that individual's right to do so. While it may be in your character to proselytize, you have to respect another person's right that they might not wish to be bothered with your beliefs. There's a fine line between moral values and what's necessary in terms of legal doctrine. I think George Carlin summarized it best in his description of only needing two commandments instead of ten--see "When Will Jesus Bring the Pork Chops."
• Liberals - What makes you think the government is the solution to everything? I think it's reasonable to expect a "certain" level of governmental assistance to subsidize people in physical and financial need--most of us pay taxes for that purpose (in part). But the notion that all assistance from the government is good and necessary sets bad precedent. It serves to de-motivate. "Why work when I can get (fill in) for free?" Programs should have a fundamental goal of "launching" people into supporting themselves in the community, and not drawing from the system indefinitely.
• Environmentalists - Is there anything we can BBQ without creating smoke? Anything in an aerosol can that doesn't affect the environment? Anything we drive or fly that doesn't affect the ozone layer? For the record, the Earth is a pretty tough ol' gal. She's withstood dinosaurs, an ice age, volcanoes, world wars, atomic bombs, forest fires, strip mining, and drilling for oil. We won't be deep sixing her anytime soon. That said, can we do better? Absolutely. However, do we need to eat, live, and travel in the interim? Yes, we do. Think about that the next time you chain yourself to a tree.
• Animal Activists - Homo Sapiens are on top of the food chain. Get over it! People will continue to eat meat, and wear furs and leather goods. I heard on the radio yesterday that some guy in Pennsylvania jumped in a Lion's den because he was going to "Bring Jesus to the Lion." The lion proceeded to take several chunks out of said "savior" when the gingko biloba kicked into his brain and told him to "Get the Hell out of there!" He's getting mental help, but the moral of the story is: Human's rule, but fences--and Zoo barriers--make good neighbors. 'Nough said.
• Rich Athletes - For cryin' out loud: Stop making references about how you're not making enough money and that you need to "feed your family" when your salary exceeds eight digits! It's insulting to the rest of us who actually work for a living. And to those of you who are putting your money where your mouth is--Magic Johnson, David Robinson, Kevin Johnson, and many others I'm sure--just know that you're receiving much prayer, gratitude and quiet applause from those lives you affect.

There. Aren't you glad we're going to have four more years of the same old thing? Good. Now can't we all just get along?

Peace,

+THINKER