Those of you who go to football games probably have been near someone like who I am about to describe. I went home last weekend to see my high school alma mater, Massillon play host to Saint Ignatius. Playing Ignatius is like playing a college team. They are that good and that stacked.
Massillon has a new football coach that is trying to change the culture of the program and instill some discipline that has been missing in the past.
Anyway, Ignatius jumped out to a 14-0 lead about a minute into the game! The Wildcats were leading 35-0 at the end of the first quarter. Massillon just isn't talented or big enough to deal with a team like Iggy.
The point of my post is this butthead who was sitting on the aisle seat in Section Three. He was wearing a big white Massillon jersey with the number 34 on it. As Massillon was making mistakes and turnovers that were leading to quick scores, this jerk was screaming and yelling at the kids on the bench. I noticed some of the players turned around to see who was yelling. It was getting so bad at one point that people in the section were yelling at this guy to shut up. Thankfully, he didn't stick around.
This is high school football for crying outloud, not the Browns. I think the kids knew they were not playing well. They didn't need some jerk (insert better words here) to yell at them that they were playing badly.
It was nice of Wolf Blitzer to attempt to offer up an excuse for Palin. "She's trying to cram a lot in there." Yes, it was a lot...of unrelated thoughts and a very weak attempt at a legitimate answer. I just have this weird, anxious feeling whenever Palin talks; like I expect her to mess but I don't know how badly. It reminded me of the following infamous question and answer.
It's not often that I can put the Winner and Loser in the same video but hey, it happens. Last night's debate was interesting. I have to give John McCain his props. He did better than I expected for a guy who prefers town forum style meetings.
Anyway, my winner of the week, is Barack Obama. For a guy who has been hammered for not knowing foreign policy or not being experienced in it, I think he handled himself quite well.
Loser of the week goes to the "Bitter Beer Face" at 1:04 in this video. And then, who is McCain craning his neck to look at at 1:11? A lot is being said about the nonverbal communication in this debate. Besides the odd facial expressions by McCain, he never looked at Barack during the entire debate. That came off as awkward.
One last issue, we all know that a lot of what makes candidates successful is how they are marketed and promoted...you know, the image. However, I wish the following words and/or phrases could be banned from any future debates or appearances that get replayed on the news or elsewhere: (In no particular order) "I have a pen..." "I will make them famous..." "I am the candidate for change" (for both...obviously, either candidate technically is a change from Bush) "maverick" "First dude" "Reformer" "Drill, Baby, Drill" "Community Organizer" "Hockey mom" "9/11" "September 11th"
It just seems like whenever either candidate gets stuck, these catchphrases creep their way in to the speech or response.
Just watch the last minute where Katie Couric asks essentially the same question three times. How can she NOT KNOW the accomplishments and reforms by her "maverick" running mate???? Even the Republican supporters have to be asking "what the hell?" Yes, she is apparently a very nice woman but jeez, she is so unprepared for this high of an office.
All of her answers seem very rehearsed and revolve around catch-phrases..."track record," "maverick," "reform", etc.
On a recent walk through West Hall after my class at Bowling Green State University, I stopped by the radio stations. Pictured above is the brand new renovated studio of WBGU 88.1 FM. I spent several shifts in this studio from 1989-1993. I loved every minute in that room during my undergrad years. It's good to see the university is still committed to giving students the best training possible to get a jump start on their careers.
From Yahoo!'s Entertainment section: She's Just Being Miley posted by celestia - Mon, Sep 22, 2008, 12:25 pm PDT
"Rumor has it that Miley Cyrus is being a total brat on the set of her hit Disney show, "Hannah Montana." Us Weekly notes that there have been reports the tween queen shows up incredibly late to the set. In addition to being tardy, she allegedly told Disney execs that she'll only shoot 12 of the 24 planned episodes of her new season. If that's true, who does this girl think she is? Yes, she's sold millions of albums. Yes, her program nabs big ratings for the channel. Yes, her merchandising makes millions. But, let's be real ... without Disney's financial and creative support, Miley would only be known as Billy Ray's 16-year-old daughter!"
****Ok, are you kidding me? The original story goes on longer. I couldn't believe the last line of the opening paragraph. I think right now, and probably until Miley becomes irrelevant, if she ever does, the consensus public feeling is something like, "Oh, that Billy Ray guy is Miley's father" and NOT the other way around.
I use this space to share thoughts about education, media, politics, and life in general.
I am an Assistant Professor in Communication at Hiram College in Ohio. I teach journalism, sports journalism, media law and other classes.
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