Thursday, February 28, 2008

Journalism Telling It Like It Is

Upon noticing CNN's breaking news of Prince Harry serving on the front lines in Iraq, the first thing that crossed my mind was a famous early 90's Saturday Night Live skit which showed a White House press conference where this 5-star general fielded questions. The backdrop was the first conflict with Iraq, the Kuwait invasion one. Remember that one?

Anyway, the skit went something like this (relying on memory here….)

Reporter 1: Can you tell us where the American Forces are right now?
General: No I can't, in the interest of the safety of our soldiers.

Reporter 2: What is the exact plan of attack that you intend to employ?
General: Again, that is classified information which I cannot share.

Reporter 3: Where are we most vulnerable to attack, at this moment?
General: [visible irritation] I would remind you all that I cannot give classified information that would compromise our military efforts. Now are there any questions that do not pertain to specific military planning details?

Reporter 4: Is there anything you can tell us that would lower the morale of our troops stationed in Kuwait?
[Army aide has to restrain the General from physically confronting reporter.]

SNL's lampooning of the Press aside, you have to commend them this time, as Harry has apparently been in Iraq since before Christmas (or "The Holiday Season", trying to be PC folks). But that didn't stop the torrential outpouring of brilliant, inspired commentary from this panel of political pundits on CNN.

Consider some of these quips I made mental note of:

"Al Qaida would pay particular attention to targeting Prince Harry"

"Iraq is a dangerous place right now, Harry is at a great risk of injury or even death!"

"The Queen must be quite concerned over the Prince's well-being"

Thank God (sorry again, that should read thank "goodness") that we have these panels to set us straight. Here I had no idea that Iraq was dangerous, nor did I realize that Al Qaida was interested in targeting a high profile person, nor did I realize that the Queen, as a mother, would have concern for her child.

Got to go now, they've interrupted this story on TV for breaking news on Britney……

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

A Fine Canadian Institution

I'm not a sociologist, but I believe Canada is one of those few societies that has two significant traditions occurring at once. Usually, a culture will space them out, somehow we neglected to do that.

Tuesday February 26 sees two events sweeping the country: The NHL Trade Deadline, and Roll Up The Rim time. The NHL Trade Deadline looks to be fairly vanilla this year, but I'm liking the look of Roll Up The Rim. Check out some of the prizes:

- 35 2009 Toyota Matrix's (or should that read Matrices?)
- 100 Boats by Bayliner
- 5000 Garmin GPS devices
- 20,000 $50 Tim Horton's gift cards
- 31 Million instant food prizes

I noticed that this year, there is no Plasma TV prize. The theme seems to be "transportation".

Also noteworthy is that Roll Up The Rim is going on in Kandahar, at the NATO military station. Participants can Roll Up The Rim with a specially designed camouflage cup. They don't get a shot at winning the Toyota Matrix or Bayliner Boat prizes, but they do get cash prizes, caps, GPS devices, and food prizes. So, its a nice gesture to the Canadian guys over there fighting for Canada.

And who am I to thumb my nose at this fine Canadian institution. So, with that said, I'm off to Tims for my Extra Large with one cream.

Friday, February 15, 2008

Football Factories.... Holy &%$# !!

I Just Don't Get It

I'm alway game to try out a new show, especially the sports-themed ones. A few weeks ago, I come across this one show on The National Geographic Channel called "The Real Football Factories". All it took was one episode, and I was determined to watch the lot.

In a nutshell, the show is a documentary where the host infiltrates various organized soccer hooligan clubs, and I do mean organized. He would talk to the presidents of these "firms" in countries like Italy, Holland, Argentina, Brazil, Scotland, and a few others. Without fail, the various members of these firms would express their undying love for their club, often showing a tatoo, and then launch in a verbal, inciteful tirade on why they hate their chief rival club and their firm.

The show offers footage of firm clashes, where the two mobs convene and "fight". I'm not sure "fight" is the right word, its more than just a fight. People have died, weapons are used, and in one case, on firm had a guy who would select a victim, take him to a secluded area, and rape him. Needless to say, its both eye-openning and sickening.

After each show, I usually shake my head, then grab the remote to look for a comedy of some sort, something uplifting. Later on, I would mentally revisit the show, and proclaim "I just don't get it". I've been a rabid sports fan my whole life. But not once have I ever wanted to strike an opposing fan, nor have I witnessed such a thing.

I can only conclude that there must be some sort of sociological/anthropological scheme at play here. I'm resigned to the fact that I never will understand these firms.

But I do recommend watching. National Geographic Channel, people. Except the Scotland episode, you need subtitles to understand these guys with that speech impediment they try to pass off as an accent.

Monday, February 11, 2008

Richard Zednik's Life Threatening Incident

Nathan Horton (left) looks on in horror as
Zednik receives emergency treatment.


Not since the Todd Bertuzzi / Steve Moore incident have I witnessed an incident on the ice where I felt sickened. A moment where the game is the absolute last thing on your mind, you focus turns to the player.

Although I did not see the game live, I did see the Sportscentre replay and I still can not honestly recall the score of the game. Zednik had this look of confusion, he clearly knew his life was in danger. Even as I write this, I still can see that look on his face. It leaves you numb.

One thing I can tell you is that I will make sure my son sees this and understands why he wears mandatory neck protection. I'll tell him to look at Tanguay, who wears a neck-guard, so regularly that you forget he's wearing it.

I'm pretty confident in saying that Richard Zednik wouldn't mind if the hockey dad's out there referred to his ordeal to teach the kids about the importance of proper protection. Suddenly those neck guards don't seem so expensive.