As I'm watching the Oakland game on TV with requisite shots of the crazy "Black Hole" fans, I'm reminded of this quote from Philadelphia Eagles coach Andy Reid, a request for the fans that you don’t hear in other NFL cities: “It’s also important that they’re there to watch a football game and not to be up there fighting … Cheer loudly, but please try not to kill or maim anyone.”"
I'm pretty sure that even in the Black Hole the head coach doesn't have to ask the fans not to kill anyone.
btw: the Eagles are alone at the top of the NFC East after one week, and GUARANTEED to be at least tied for first after next week. (The Giants, Cowboys, and Redskins all lost this week. Next week, the Redskins play the Cowboys (meaning one will be 0-2!) and the Eagles play the Giants. It's quite possible that the Eagles could have a 2 game lead on 2 NFC East teams next week!)
Monday, September 11, 2006
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Wrong Door
This article comments on the proliferation of heavy-handed unnecessary police tactics - "No-kock" warrants. It's yet another example of abuse of power - both in legal terms and firepower terms.
If you've ever watched "Dallas SWAT" on A & E, you're probably like me and wonder why heavy-handed SWAT tactics are used to serve search warrants and the like. I fully understand the value of SWAT in obvious situations (like armed hostages), but I think we (and local governments) are giving the police a free pass by letting them use obscene amounts of force at high expense to perform marginally riskier police work.
This is driven by the seductive worst-case scenario argument of "what if the suspect is armed and dangerous?" but the logical conclusion to this is fully-armored street policing of jaywalkers.
Wrong Door
If you've ever watched "Dallas SWAT" on A & E, you're probably like me and wonder why heavy-handed SWAT tactics are used to serve search warrants and the like. I fully understand the value of SWAT in obvious situations (like armed hostages), but I think we (and local governments) are giving the police a free pass by letting them use obscene amounts of force at high expense to perform marginally riskier police work.
This is driven by the seductive worst-case scenario argument of "what if the suspect is armed and dangerous?" but the logical conclusion to this is fully-armored street policing of jaywalkers.
Wrong Door
gladwell.com: Abolish the NCAA?
Thought provoking post by Malcom Gladwell ("Tipping Point" and "Blink.") His underlying point is that a free and open market is best - a lesson that applies to virtually any economic situation.
Add in the fact that the NCAA is drastically authoritarian, and I wonder if we'd be better off without them.
However, there is so much $$$$ involved that I can't see a big change ever happening.
The other thought provoking part of the post: Gladwell's point about competitive balance. His 50-year data is surely likely to tilt even more towards concentrated power, given the BCS stranglehold on top post-season games.gladwell.com: Abolish the NCAA?
Add in the fact that the NCAA is drastically authoritarian, and I wonder if we'd be better off without them.
However, there is so much $$$$ involved that I can't see a big change ever happening.
The other thought provoking part of the post: Gladwell's point about competitive balance. His 50-year data is surely likely to tilt even more towards concentrated power, given the BCS stranglehold on top post-season games.gladwell.com: Abolish the NCAA?
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