Lethal Force

  On March 8, 2000, Boston Bruin defenseman Marty McSorley was charged with assault with a weapon when he attacked Vancouver Canucks forward Donald Brashear with his stick during the February 21 game in Vancouver.  The strike and subsequent fall to the ice resulted in a Grade 3 concussion.  Brashear did not fully recover from his … Read more

I Am Still Spartacus

  Imagine a different ending to the 1960 film version of Howard Fast’s novel Spartacus.  Spartacus (Kirk Douglas) does not die by crucifixion at the hands of Roman general  Marcus Crassus (Laurence Olivier) and is able to watch his son by Varinia (Jean Simmons) grow into adulthood.  In a touching scene, the young boy tells Spartacus … Read more

You’re Fired

  Damn, I love sports.  But not for the reason most people do.  Yes, great competition is exhilarating.  And it is an escape.  Ask New Orleans Saints fans after Hurricane Katrina. Or Yankee fans after 9/11.  Equally important, sports is a parable for life.  It helps us understand aspects of the world which may seem … Read more

The Danger of Being SO Wealthy

  Call it one of the most generous severance packages ever.  Yesterday, the Los Angeles Rams fired coach Jeff Fisher 10 days after announcing a two-year extension of his $7.0 million annual contract.  Must be nice.  Not only for Fisher who will pocket $14 million without having to spend one more night watching game films.  But … Read more

Giving America the (Foam) Finger

  Several pundits attributed the Trump victory to a desire by many Americans to voice their dissatisfaction with the establishment on both sides of the aisle. In politically incorrect terms, voters were giving the liberal and conservative establishment “the finger.” It did not matter if it was a direct vote for Trump or protest votes for … Read more