Friday, January 23, 2004
Pathetic, Piss Poor Planning
So in the IRB's effort to open up the US market to rugby they scheduled a 7's Series stop in Los Angeles at the Home Depot Center.
It a nice stadium only 27,000 seats (so the 2 day even has 54,000 tickets available.
How many have been sold so far for the feb 14-15 even? 5,000. 1,000 of which were purchased by the Fijian Consulate.
The main problem (aside from the very low market pull of rugby in the States) is the price they charge $35 for the first day, $45 for the second day or $60 for a 2-day package. Can we say over priced for the demand? They offer a "deal" for local clubs buy 20 tickets get 5 free.
Be smart about it make the tickets cheap ($72 will buy season tickets to Arena Football a bigger draw than rugby currently here). So you may loose money, but you'll get more people there and interested and create a market for the event next year.
Then again promoting 7's may not work best, but its an introduction to the sport. Rugby should take a lesson from soccer, stage a World Cup in the States, get people excited that way and open the market, bring money to the sport, get better quality American athletes in the game, and personally get rugby on a channel other than Fox Sports World (which isn't carried on basic cable/satellite service).
It a nice stadium only 27,000 seats (so the 2 day even has 54,000 tickets available.
How many have been sold so far for the feb 14-15 even? 5,000. 1,000 of which were purchased by the Fijian Consulate.
The main problem (aside from the very low market pull of rugby in the States) is the price they charge $35 for the first day, $45 for the second day or $60 for a 2-day package. Can we say over priced for the demand? They offer a "deal" for local clubs buy 20 tickets get 5 free.
Be smart about it make the tickets cheap ($72 will buy season tickets to Arena Football a bigger draw than rugby currently here). So you may loose money, but you'll get more people there and interested and create a market for the event next year.
Then again promoting 7's may not work best, but its an introduction to the sport. Rugby should take a lesson from soccer, stage a World Cup in the States, get people excited that way and open the market, bring money to the sport, get better quality American athletes in the game, and personally get rugby on a channel other than Fox Sports World (which isn't carried on basic cable/satellite service).
Math Geek Moment
Its consecutive integer day!
1/23/4
1/23/4
Thursday, January 22, 2004
Quote of the Day
Wednesday, January 21, 2004
Is Pelosi a Idiot?
In her response to Bush's State of the Union, everything she said was addressed in Bush's Speech. I guess she should of payed attention.
But boy she makes me feel really smart.
But boy she makes me feel really smart.
Sport, Foreign Policy and Imminent Threat
Some may not think they are related, but the same principles can be applied to both.
One of the big themes of the Democrats make attacks at Bush for is "Iraq wasn't a imminent threat." Aside from the fact Bush never said that, waiting for a imminent threat is stupid.
Lets apply that to say Baseball, where the defense cannot take the field until there is a runner going Home from Third Base. Or to Basketball where they can't play defense until the shot is in the air. Or in football the defense can't take the field until the offense is on the 1 yard line.
Doesn't make a lot of sense to play that way especially if you want to in the game. Sitting around waiting for the other team to act doesn't win games.
The truly good teams (championship teams especially) balance offense (going into Afghanistan and Iraq) and defense (Patriot Act and Homeland Security) to win. In fact most teams make their defense strong (hence the phrase "offense wins games, defense wins championships). That makes the Patriot Act and a successful Homeland Security Department more important to keep America safe, but that alone won't win America's fight against terrorism, communism, and fascism. America needs to go on the offensive to deal with these threats before they can strike.
In a sense Mr. Bush could of easily learned this lesson when he owned the Texas Rangers and team widely known for its offensive power and for its lack of a pitching staff. It made the team scary to play because of its offense, but lack of success in winning the west, making the playoff, or winning the World Series. A mistake Bush has not made in running the country, where he has a strong offense and working on a stronger defense for the country.
As a result he has made America a positive force in the world again. A force that is taken seriously and made the lives of the people he serves safer.
God Bless George W. Bush and may he get those precious four more years.
One of the big themes of the Democrats make attacks at Bush for is "Iraq wasn't a imminent threat." Aside from the fact Bush never said that, waiting for a imminent threat is stupid.
Lets apply that to say Baseball, where the defense cannot take the field until there is a runner going Home from Third Base. Or to Basketball where they can't play defense until the shot is in the air. Or in football the defense can't take the field until the offense is on the 1 yard line.
Doesn't make a lot of sense to play that way especially if you want to in the game. Sitting around waiting for the other team to act doesn't win games.
The truly good teams (championship teams especially) balance offense (going into Afghanistan and Iraq) and defense (Patriot Act and Homeland Security) to win. In fact most teams make their defense strong (hence the phrase "offense wins games, defense wins championships). That makes the Patriot Act and a successful Homeland Security Department more important to keep America safe, but that alone won't win America's fight against terrorism, communism, and fascism. America needs to go on the offensive to deal with these threats before they can strike.
In a sense Mr. Bush could of easily learned this lesson when he owned the Texas Rangers and team widely known for its offensive power and for its lack of a pitching staff. It made the team scary to play because of its offense, but lack of success in winning the west, making the playoff, or winning the World Series. A mistake Bush has not made in running the country, where he has a strong offense and working on a stronger defense for the country.
As a result he has made America a positive force in the world again. A force that is taken seriously and made the lives of the people he serves safer.
God Bless George W. Bush and may he get those precious four more years.
Hall of Fame, Rules, Steroids, and the such
In last night's State of the Union speech President Bush addressed the use of steroids in professional sports:
"Athletics play such an important role in our society, but, unfortunately, some in professional sports are not setting much of an example. The use of performance-enhancing drugs like steroids in baseball, football, and other sports is dangerous, and it sends the wrong message -- that there are shortcuts to accomplishment, and that performance is more important than character."
And I agree. Performance enhancing drugs ruin sports. Kids are under pressure to use them if they want to be successful, even pressured by High School and College Coaches. It needs to be stopped because of the long term harm. Bring sport back to a pure competition.
But simply giving players fines and a few game suspensions doesn't work. Its a slap on the wrist, nothing more. Institute real punishments for breaking the rules, now I understand cases of mistakes (Fernando Vargas comes to mind, but he took responsibility, took his suspension from boxing and now is working to redeem himself) where you can give one pass with a slap on the wrist, but more than once should be dealt with harshly.
What do I suggest?
Life-time suspensions, kick them out of the sport, show cheating has consequences.
Make them ineligible for the respective sport's hall of fame.
Wipe their record from the record books. The home run record comes to mind, restore it the honest 61 that Maris hit.
Excessive? Probably.
Make a statement about steroid use? Definitely.
Which brings me to Pete Rose.
Keep the life time ban from Baseball. Those are the rules, breaking them is not tolerated.
Hall of Fame, keep him out. He broke the rules, tarnished the game and should not be rewarded for it, no matter what he did on the field. But if you see in letting him the Hall, put the first thing on his plaque, "Kicked out of Baseball for gambling on the sport and disgracing himself, his team, and the sport."
If people view athletes as "role-models" they should be held to a standard and have consequences for breaking rules and showing lack of any kind of character.
That lesson will be far more important than breaking a record or making money by cheating. Lets show that morals and values actually matter.
"Athletics play such an important role in our society, but, unfortunately, some in professional sports are not setting much of an example. The use of performance-enhancing drugs like steroids in baseball, football, and other sports is dangerous, and it sends the wrong message -- that there are shortcuts to accomplishment, and that performance is more important than character."
And I agree. Performance enhancing drugs ruin sports. Kids are under pressure to use them if they want to be successful, even pressured by High School and College Coaches. It needs to be stopped because of the long term harm. Bring sport back to a pure competition.
But simply giving players fines and a few game suspensions doesn't work. Its a slap on the wrist, nothing more. Institute real punishments for breaking the rules, now I understand cases of mistakes (Fernando Vargas comes to mind, but he took responsibility, took his suspension from boxing and now is working to redeem himself) where you can give one pass with a slap on the wrist, but more than once should be dealt with harshly.
What do I suggest?
Life-time suspensions, kick them out of the sport, show cheating has consequences.
Make them ineligible for the respective sport's hall of fame.
Wipe their record from the record books. The home run record comes to mind, restore it the honest 61 that Maris hit.
Excessive? Probably.
Make a statement about steroid use? Definitely.
Which brings me to Pete Rose.
Keep the life time ban from Baseball. Those are the rules, breaking them is not tolerated.
Hall of Fame, keep him out. He broke the rules, tarnished the game and should not be rewarded for it, no matter what he did on the field. But if you see in letting him the Hall, put the first thing on his plaque, "Kicked out of Baseball for gambling on the sport and disgracing himself, his team, and the sport."
If people view athletes as "role-models" they should be held to a standard and have consequences for breaking rules and showing lack of any kind of character.
That lesson will be far more important than breaking a record or making money by cheating. Lets show that morals and values actually matter.
State of the Union
Though I missed the State of the Union after 7:00 PM PST (Due to attending the Kings' 4-1 victory over the Flames)
But here are my favorite quotes for the night (with appropriate award category):
Our Words Mean Something Award:
"And one reason is clear: For diplomacy to be effective, words must be credible, and no one can now doubt the word of America."
World's Longest Unilateral List Award:
"Some critics have said our duties in Iraq must be internationalized. This particular criticism is hard to explain to our partners in Britain, Australia, Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, Thailand, Italy, Spain, Poland, Denmark, Hungary, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Romania, the Netherlands, Norway, El Salvador, and the 17 other countries that have committed troops to Iraq. As we debate at home, we must never ignore the vital contributions of our international partners, or dismiss their sacrifices."
Americans Lives are Important Award:
"There is a difference, however, between leading a coalition of many nations, and submitting to the objections of a few. America will never seek a permission slip to defend the security of our country."
Hope this is True Award:
"We also hear doubts that democracy is a realistic goal for the greater Middle East, where freedom is rare. Yet it is mistaken, and condescending, to assume that whole cultures and great religions are incompatible with liberty and self-government. I believe that God has planted in every human heart the desire to live in freedom. And even when that desire is crushed by tyranny for decades, it will rise again."
Blah, Blah, Blah, Listen to me because I am France, Blah, Blah, Blah Award:
"Our closest allies have been unwavering."
Match, Set, Game Award:
"Key provisions of the Patriot Act are set to expire next year. ([Democrat] Applause.) The terrorist threat will not expire on that schedule. (Applause.) Our law enforcement needs this vital legislation to protect our citizens. You need to renew the Patriot Act. (Applause.) "
Anyone else get up in the morning and thank God George W. Bush is our President?
But here are my favorite quotes for the night (with appropriate award category):
Our Words Mean Something Award:
"And one reason is clear: For diplomacy to be effective, words must be credible, and no one can now doubt the word of America."
World's Longest Unilateral List Award:
"Some critics have said our duties in Iraq must be internationalized. This particular criticism is hard to explain to our partners in Britain, Australia, Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, Thailand, Italy, Spain, Poland, Denmark, Hungary, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Romania, the Netherlands, Norway, El Salvador, and the 17 other countries that have committed troops to Iraq. As we debate at home, we must never ignore the vital contributions of our international partners, or dismiss their sacrifices."
Americans Lives are Important Award:
"There is a difference, however, between leading a coalition of many nations, and submitting to the objections of a few. America will never seek a permission slip to defend the security of our country."
Hope this is True Award:
"We also hear doubts that democracy is a realistic goal for the greater Middle East, where freedom is rare. Yet it is mistaken, and condescending, to assume that whole cultures and great religions are incompatible with liberty and self-government. I believe that God has planted in every human heart the desire to live in freedom. And even when that desire is crushed by tyranny for decades, it will rise again."
Blah, Blah, Blah, Listen to me because I am France, Blah, Blah, Blah Award:
"Our closest allies have been unwavering."
Match, Set, Game Award:
"Key provisions of the Patriot Act are set to expire next year. ([Democrat] Applause.) The terrorist threat will not expire on that schedule. (Applause.) Our law enforcement needs this vital legislation to protect our citizens. You need to renew the Patriot Act. (Applause.) "
Anyone else get up in the morning and thank God George W. Bush is our President?
Tuesday, January 20, 2004
Who let the Donkey out?
"YAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!"
I still laugh at that. What the heck was it? (other than the funniest sound bite of the night)
UPDATE: Incase you missed Dean come unhinged, check out C-SPAN. Look for "Howard Dean Reaction to Iowa Caucus Results"
I still laugh at that. What the heck was it? (other than the funniest sound bite of the night)
UPDATE: Incase you missed Dean come unhinged, check out C-SPAN. Look for "Howard Dean Reaction to Iowa Caucus Results"
Monday, January 19, 2004
Regan and MLK
Great article today in the New York Times about Regan and the creation of Martin Luther King Day.
I was most impressed by Mr. Regan's opposition to racism and discrimination through personal action.
"Mr. Reagan has said that his first personal experience with racism against blacks occurred while he was on the football team at Eureka College. He and his teammates were traveling by bus in Illinois near his hometown, and stopped at a hotel for lodging. When the hotel manager refused to accommodate his black teammates, Mr. Reagan offered to take them to his home for the night. His parents warmly welcomed their son's friends."
I would be curious to see what leftists think of this op-ed. I bet they will find some exception to make where they can still hate everything Regan stood for and did, but agree with having a Martin Luther King Day and what the Day stands for.
I was most impressed by Mr. Regan's opposition to racism and discrimination through personal action.
"Mr. Reagan has said that his first personal experience with racism against blacks occurred while he was on the football team at Eureka College. He and his teammates were traveling by bus in Illinois near his hometown, and stopped at a hotel for lodging. When the hotel manager refused to accommodate his black teammates, Mr. Reagan offered to take them to his home for the night. His parents warmly welcomed their son's friends."
I would be curious to see what leftists think of this op-ed. I bet they will find some exception to make where they can still hate everything Regan stood for and did, but agree with having a Martin Luther King Day and what the Day stands for.
I Survived
Well I played a full 80 minutes and one thing is certain, I'm glad I have today off from work. But I made it through with just a few bruises and some sore spots.
Iowa kicks off today, which really isn't that important, it is taking the temperature of the race to see what the feeling is, but nothing more. The first real vote will be New Hampshire, where the fun begins.
Iowa kicks off today, which really isn't that important, it is taking the temperature of the race to see what the feeling is, but nothing more. The first real vote will be New Hampshire, where the fun begins.
