May 31, 2017

Most misspelled words by state

How do they figure this out??? And, really, liar? Sense? Nanny? What's the matter with some of these people?

https://twitter.com/GoogleTrends/status/869624196921303040

May 29, 2017

Bryce Harper charges mound; how many games will he be suspended?

Strickland hit Harper with a pitch. These two have a bit of history. Harper has several suspensions on his record.


http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/19492344/bryce-harper-washington-nationals-hunter-strickland-san-francisco-giants-start-bench-clearing-brawl

May 29, 2017

Frank Deford, NPR's Longtime Philosopher Of Sports, Dies At 78

Through nearly four decades, five presidential administrations and seemingly countless Super Bowls and World Series, NPR listeners could depend on at least one thing in the ever-unpredictable world of athletics: Frank Deford. A mainstay on Morning Edition, the Hall of Fame sportswriter was public radio's scholar of sports for some 37 years before hanging up his cleats earlier this year.

Deford died Sunday at the age of 78 at his home in Key West, Fla., his wife confirmed to NPR. He leaves behind an astonishing 1,656 commentaries for NPR.

"We are saddened to hear that Frank Deford has passed away," NPR President and CEO Jarl Mohn said in a statement Monday. "Since 1980, Frank voiced sports commentary for NPR, leaving us 1,656 of his signature insights into the world of sports and the human stories behind athletic triumphs. He was a beloved colleague and a signature voice of public radio."

http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/05/29/530600033/frank-deford-nprs-longtime-scholar-of-sports-dies-at-78

May 29, 2017

Tiger Woods arrested on DUI charge

I feel some inner rage whenever someone gets charged with DUI. It's not like there aren't plenty of public awareness campaigns about the potential harm you could wreak.



"Tiger Woods was arrested in the early hours of Monday morning on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol.

The former world No1 was taken into custody near his home on Jupiter Island, Florida. According to Palm Beach County police, he was arrested at 3am, booked into jail around 7am and released at 10.50am.

Woods is the world’s most recognized golfer, although he has not played professionally since February due to lingering back issues. He has won 14 majors during his career but his last victory came in the 2008 US Open.

Last week, Woods said he had no plans to retire from golf, despite undergoing another surgery on his back in April. “We tried every possible non-surgical route and nothing worked,” said Woods of the fourth procedure he’s undergone on his back since 2014. “I had good days and bad days, but the pain was usually there, and I couldn’t do much. Even lying down hurt. I had nerve pain with anything I did and was at the end of my rope. The process leading up to my decision to have surgery was exhaustive. I consulted with a specialist, and after weighing my options, that’s when I decided to go to Texas to have surgery.”

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/may/29/tiger-woods-dui-charges-florida-golf

May 29, 2017

From the G7; further proof that Angela Merkel is a real humanitarian

May 28, 2017

Trump "discreetly" flips middle finger at Italian Prime Minister

"President Donald Trump appeared to give the Prime Minister of Italy, Paolo Gentiloni, the middle finger while to scratching his head at the G7 summit in Taormina, Sicily.

G7 stands for “group of 7” and consists of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States. The group is dedicated to advancing the world’s economy as well as combating climate change under the 2015 Paris Agreement. However, as well as apparently flicking off Gentiloni, Trump’s intentions regarding American participation in the Paris climate deal, agreed to under President Barack Obama, remained unknown on Sunday, reports The Guardian.

Trump has been the odd man out at G7, apparently by choice. While all other world leaders went for a walk with each other through Taormina, Trump chose to ride in a golf cart, reports The Hill.

Not to be outdone, “The White House Facebook page failed to acknowledge First Gentleman of Luxembourg Gauthier Destenay, married to Prime Minister Xavier Bettel, in a post featuring the spouses of world leaders attending this week’s G7 summit in Sicily,” writes Newsweek. The Luxembourgians are the only gay couple of Trump’s foreign counterparts."

http://heavy.com/news/2017/05/donald-trump-flicks-off-italy-prime-minister-middle-finger-g7-youtube-video/

May 27, 2017

Dogs versus fidget spinners

I got a kick out of this. Hope you do too.

May 25, 2017

Little things that bug you...

I try not to let the little things bother me, BUT I can't stand diesel exhaust! If I'm out walking the dog in the evening, for example, and someone starts up a big diesel pickup truck as we're approaching and that black plume of exhaust comes belching out, I get annoyed. I will immediately cross the street, if it's safe to do so, and try to avoid it but that smell carries a long way and it lingers.

What bugs you?

May 24, 2017

Use of the word "f*ggot" in sports

It's come up a couple of times recently in pro sports, several days ago when Toronto Blue Jay Kevin Pillar called a pitcher that name and a few days ago when Ryan Getzlaf of the Anaheim Ducks said it on the ice in frustration with an official.

Pillar was suspended two games by the Blue Jays.

Getzlaf was fined $10,000 by the NHL. However, a Go Fund Me campaign has been launched by a fan to cover that amount but it only stood at $310 raised as of this post.

There is a lot of chatter on sports discussion boards about "snowflakes" getting their noses out of joint because "it's just a word" and "it's always been part of sports."

I'm going to guess that my brothers and sisters here at the DU mostly see it otherwise. IMO, it's no longer acceptable, just like use of the "N" word is no longer acceptable. If an serious effort isn't made to address it, it will persist. There are plenty of ways to express anger and frustration, the lexicon is broad. No need to continue using homophobic slurs.


http://www.montrealgazette.com/sports/getzlaf+gets+gofundme+support+after+fine/13392032/story.html

May 22, 2017

Inside the Hindenburg

Nope. This has nothing to do with the Trump administration!



I've seen pictures of the Hindenburg from the exterior many times. The NPR article linked below shows a few images from inside the dirigible. Pretty fascinating stuff.





http://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2017/05/19/528508054/photos-when-the-hindenburg-was-the-height-of-luxe-in-flight-dining