Maybe She Died This Way, No That Way!

The news organizations plastered their stations, newshole and online headlines with coverage once someone killed Pakistani political leader and hero Benazir Bhutto yesterday - and they haven't stopped down yet.

But that may be the problem.

These outlets, even the reputable ones, are in a fury to release the latest and "truest" information about Bhutto's death.

CNN slipped several times. I've checked its website three times today. Bhutto dies from bullet wounds. No wait, Bhutto dies from shrapnel, no gun shots. Scratch that, she hit her head on the sunroof and her skull fractured.

Now CNN's backing off, realizing its missteps. It's essentially saying, "XYZ says Bhutto died from the sunroof, but we're not saying that." Earlier the network was saying, "BHUTTO DIED FROM XYZ". They went from certainty to cautious, sourced reporting.

The lesson to learn is that you shouldn't race to claim a cause of death if it's wrong. Oh, then you'll just release a new cause of death and it'll be right - oh no, wrong AGAIN! Slow down and get the facts right, chief.

The first three grafs (paragraphs) of this story indicate how CNN has backed off as the day and the varying reports were relased.

Have a look: http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/asiapcf/12/28/pakistan.friday/index.html

Clip of the Day

I thought Arizona State was good? Come on, Pac-10 - don't prove how weak you really are when you face teams in bowl season. To me, this validates how weak Pac-10 teams become when a strong program (from the SEC or even the Big 12) has time to prepare. 52 points against this Texas team? Please.

Check out Mack Brown's face. Classic.

Journalists are Becoming...Telemarketers?

A little off subject again, but deal with it. Here's the future of the industry I will receive a degree in this May and the one you depend on for local, national and international news. God help us and the media companies.


The Miami Herald to outsource ad work
MIAMI

The Miami Herald is outsourcing some of its advertising production work to India, the newspaper's editor said Thursday.

Starting in January, copyediting and design in a weekly section of Broward County community news and other special advertising sections will be outsourced to Mindworks, based in New Delhi.

The project is still in the testing phase, so it was not clear if or how employment in South Florida will be affected, Executive Editor Anders Gyllenhaal said.

Mindworks will also monitor reader comments posted to online stories, he said.

Earlier this month, The Sacramento Bee, also owned by the McClatchy Co., announced it would outsource some of its advertising production work to India.

In May, news Web site, pasadenanow.com, was widely criticized after editors hired two reporters in India to cover the Los Angeles suburb.

On an Irrelevant Note..

I apologize for my unforeseen blogging hiatus. I was held back by computer issues at my home (virus or something) and my grandparents' home (prehistoric computer).

In any case, I couldn't restrain myself from discussing this next topic. The Wire is the greatest show on television - period. If you haven't watched it, treat yourself. Please. Go to Blockbuster and rent the first season; I assure you won't regret it.

I am forever thankful that a professor and mentor introduced me to the show two years ago and more importantly, illuminated the negative truths about a city that my home state routinely neglects. I watched the first two seasons of The Wire - 25 - 30 one-hour episodes with no commercials - in 10 days. I was working 50 - 60 hours a week at the time.


Do yourself an additional favor by withstanding the killing, drugs, vulgar language and corruption that will frustrate you and may make it difficult for some to watch. If you can't, you'lll miss the multi-layered themes and motifs, thorough character development, unyielding anticipiation, and the abundance of sheer truth that The Wire offers on a silver tray.

David Simon, a former reporter with The Baltimore Sun, writes and directs television treasure with Ed Burns, a former Baltimore crime investigator, and several other talented minds.

The final season's theme is the media's coverage or understanding of Baltimore's major issues - AIDS, drugs, crime, etc. - we'll have to see. That excites me, a print journalism major, but may not lure you. Don't let it stop you from watching. I didn't think I'd be interested in a season devoted to corruption in the city ports, but the season was as engaging as ever.

The show receives praise from anyone who gives it a moment's chance. It might have taken some critics a few seasons to accept its value, but they've come around.

Even NPR. Check it: http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/characters/chris_partlow.shtml

More truth looms, get ready.

Clip of the Day

Remember the Warriors' Run Last Summer?

As I searched for today's Clip of the Day, I saw a saved clip of Baron's memorable dunk over Andrei Kirilenko. This happened in Game 3 of their playoff series, but the first round defeat of the Mavericks was also quite sensational.

That said, this Clip of the Day is in memory of the Warriors, the fans' yellow t-shirts, and most importantly, Jessica Alba cheering intently for BDiddy on the sidelines.

Enjoy.

"Clip of the Day" series begins

Today marks, hopefully, the beginning of several new features on the blog. I plan and pray for these features to be consistent, foreseeable posts.

Don't get too excited - they're not too revolutionary yet. The first of the bunch is a "Clip of the Day," that will highlight an entertaining video in the realm of sports, entertainment or comedy. YouTube is my major asset in making this possible, obviously, but hope to pull from other sources as well.

Here's the first. PLEASE COMMENT. The more hits, the more people see the blog.

SVP Shows the World His Personal Side

Courtesy of the world's greatest sports blog, Deadspin, here is a little tip into the world of Scott Van Pelt. A little sad, I must say. But, at least we know his humor isn't part of the act and is really SVP.


Scott Van Pelt Addresses America's Future

So, you might be wondering: Who was the commencement speaker at the University of Wisconsin-Madison? (Trust us, you were wondering this.) Well, it was, of all people, our old pal Scott Van Pelt ... and we're not ashamed to say it was a pretty amusing speech.


Not only did he praise Madison -- which, we agree, is a wonderful city -- but he even referenced that famous voice mail message.

This hourglass will serve several purposes here. First of all, it's my reminder to be brief. I might have left a voice mail message for a young lady that made it's way on to the Internet. If you're familiar, you know it's proof that I do get a little long-winded. And as a side note to the fellas, when in doubt, maybe a text message is nice...I'm just saying.

The more important purpose of this is that it is symbolic. When I was where you now are, I gave no thought to the passage of time, no thought to the sand in my hourglass, so to speak. But as I stand here today, I am painfully aware of how much sand is in the bottom and how quickly it piles up there. And if you believe nothing else that I tell you today, believe me that a year will become five, will become 10 and you wake up one morning and you don't recognize the bald-headed guy looking back at you in the mirror. For the ladies that analogy doesn't work quite so well, unless you marry a bald-headed guy, and you'll probably find him quite charming, because really we have no other option.

Van Pelt continues to be our favorite "SportsCenter" anchor, and not just because he constantly references "Flight Of The Conchords." (Though that helps.) We might find it strange that a major American university would ask a "SportsCenter" anchor to address their graduates, but if they had to pick one, they picked the right one

Could this Slow FSU's Revival? Well... It Should

Florida State's football program is dying to reenergize and reclaim some notariety on the college footbal scene.

While the football hasn't gotten much better in the last year or two, there are some signs. Bobby Bowden has assembled Rivals.com's No. 4 recruiting class for 2008 graduates. Two five-star recruits and an absurd 13 four-star recruits highlight Bowden's 23-player class so far.

FSU cleared the air about who would succeed Bowden when they annointed the currently disputed, but overall impresive offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher to assume the job when Bowden moves on. Recruits probably feel more comfortable accepting an FSU offer if they know who will coach if the senior citizen passes away in office.





Having said those favorable things about FSU's future, consider this substantial blow not only to the team, but also the credibility of its academic advisors to athletes.

Report: 20 Seminoles may be bowl ineligible

Posted: December 18, 2007
Sporting News staff reports

Up to 20 Florida State players could be suspended from the Dec. 31 Music City Bowl against Kentucky and the first three games of 2008 because of their involvement in a cheating scandal, an unidentified source has told ESPN.com. Athletes in several other sports also were implicated in a cheating scandal that involved an Internet-based course, and the university is expected to make public the findings of an investigation this week. A tutor is said to have told investigators that he had been providing students with answers to test questions as well as typing papers for the students.

Sign of the Apocalypse

This is my version of SI's "Sign of the Apocalypse." Consider:



Alonso's two-year deal reportedly to pay him $51.3M per season


MADRID, Spain -- Two-time Formula One world champion Fernando Alonso is heading back to Renault.

Fernando Alonso

Alonso

The 26-year-old Spaniard announced his return to the French team Monday after a turbulent season at McLaren.

At Renault in 2005, Alonso became the youngest driver in F1 history to win the title. He repeated in 2006.

"I am delighted to be returning to Renault," Alonso said in a statement. "This is the team where I grew up as a driver in Formula One. Now it is time for us to begin a new chapter together."

Renault said that Alonso, who agreed to a two-year contract, would drive along with Nelson Piquet Jr. The duo will make their debut testing the new R28 car at Valencia from Jan. 22-24.

"Fernando and Nelsinho will form one of the most exciting driver lineups of 2008," Renault managing director Flavio Briatore said. "We are delighted to be welcoming Fernando back home to the team where he enjoyed his greatest success. His abilities as a driver and a team leader are well known, and we look forward to forging another strong partnership."

Spanish media reported that Alonso would earn $51.3 million per season, though Renault would not confirm the figure.

Alonso had been linked with a return to Renault ever since he was released from his three-year contract with McLaren in November. A move to the French team gained momentum Friday when FIA decided against penalizing Renault for possessing confidential information about rival team McLaren.

"To be honest, the first three weeks of November, I was on a much needed vacation and during which I disconnected from Formula One," Alonso said. "The decision to choose a team did not take more than a week, as me and the people close to me were clear about what we wanted."

Alonso dismissed talk that he could have taken a year off, preferring patience while analyzing all of the possible options.

"It would have never come to me not having a drive for next season," Alonso said. "We are talking about a very important decision and since I could not get back at the wheel of a car until January or February, there was no rush."

Alonso finished third in the 2007 drivers' standings with 109 points, though his season is better remembered by rocky relations with rookie driving partner Lewis Hamilton and a spy scandal that cost McLaren $100 million and all of its constructors' championship points.

Renault finished third in the constructors' championship in 2007 with 51 points, 153 behind champion Ferrari.

Alonso made his F1 debut in 2001 with Minardi and spent three years at Renault from 2003-06. In 105 races, he won 19 and finished on the podium 49 times.

Giancarlo Fisichella and Heiki Kovalainen drove for Renault in 2007.

"Renault had a difficult year in 2007, but I know that the team has real strength in depth," Alonso said. "I am confident they can produce a fast and competitive car and be back at the top in 2008."

ACC vs. Do You Still Play Basketball

This is a belated post, but I most post it anyway. I yearned to write about the ACC-Big Ten Challenge this year because it's a debacle.

The ACC rolls on each year with competition with the Big East for the best conference and sometimes the SEC for a few of the best teams. But the Big Ten seems to spiral further and further downward each year. Thank the lord for Eric Gordon, or I might not watch a Big Ten game this year. Ok, maybe I'll tune in to see MSU just to see the "Izzone."

But really, Big Ten basketball can only compete for worst downswing with itself - Big Ten football. Alright, Big Ten football will survive and probably thrive again.

But honestly, I'm not sure Big Ten basketball will. It's become cool to play basketball for Southern Cal and to an extent, Gonzaga. One-year-and-done college ballers find it cool to to play in Manhattan, Kansas now.

If that's the case, the ACC, Big East and PAC 10 schools will have to take in lower recruiting classes just because of these outliers. Where does that leave the Big Ten?

The answer is I'm still not sure, and I don't think the Big Ten knows either.






Watch out for Tubby Smith, he'll find a way to make Minnesota dominate this conference.... in a year or two.

The blog lives on

The blog returns after a brief...err...four-month hiatus. I apologize to the dedicated loyal followers who might number in the double digits at this point.

I've started things up again because I've finally found time. I stopped working a couple weeks ago, and I've found that I have time to spend productively - if I chose - when I don't work. I can legitimize this as "productive" work to myself and whether it is doesn't really matter.

I also concede that this is probably my favorite time of the sports year. I love watching basketball more than any other sport - at the college and NBA level. Also, the college football bowl season gives me a chance to watch football on any given....Tuesday? But that's the case all year in college football now.

I don't have a definitive position on the BCS. But, I do know that when LSU's at their best, they're phenomenal. When they have time to prepare, they're phenomenal.

Remember last year? The national media projected that LSU would blow out the high-powered Notre Dame offense led by a few big-time NFL prospects. Could Notre Dame and the maestro Charlie Weis wield magic?

Yes, to the tune of a 41-14 LSU blowout victory. Stat line? Brady Quinn: 15/35 for 148 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs. Stellar.

Who knows if that will hold true this year, though.

Just a few random, entangled thoughts to appease you thirsting readers.

But for now, to balance this poor argument. Here's a clip to show you why you see "LSU - 10 Penalties for 150 yards" each game.




Glad to be back.