NCAA is Not Tax Exempt
The NCAA has been hanging on to its tax exempt status like Linus holds onto his blanket. The NCAA defended itself recently to Congress in a 25-page letter from current president Myles Brand earlier this month. His argument? The kids. He says the NCAA stands for the students, student-athletes and education.
“The lessons learned on the football field or men’s basketball court are no less in value or importance to those student-athletes than the ones learned on the hockey rink or softball diamond — nor, for that matter, than those learned in theater, dance, music, journalism or other non-classroom environments,” Brand wrote.
Ahhhh. It is such a beautiful picture full of debating students on the campus quad. Professors telling student-athletes to “give ‘em hell on Saturday.” Fluffy bunnies and colorful birds fluttering about on campus while football players study mathematics under a shade tree.
But this story illustrates how important the students are to the NCAA, doesn’t it? The two schools that will likely meet in the national championship, wait, sorry, the Tostitos BCS National Championship, will only make about 1,000 student tickets available each. That’s right, out of the 73,000 seats at University of Phoenix stadium in Arizona, 2,000 are being made available to the students. Sure, there are packages for students, but those cost $2,000.
You have to be kidding me. Like one student said in the article, there would be no football without the students. That’s all that can be spared?
This is why the NCAA is not tax exempt. This is why the government shouldn’t subsidize the outrageous salaries of coaches. This is why athletes in the bigger campus sports — football and basketball — should be paid as professional athletes. Give me a break NCAA and start being honest with everyone.
Spam Catcher
If you put a link in your “comment” posting here at eightandfive.com, make sure you go to the spam catcher and approve your comment. By default, it will catch any URL and hold it until approved.
Kill ‘Em All! Let God Sort ‘Em Out!?
In the Twin Cities, 73-year old Gerald Haley of Coon Rapids, MN has made the news for shooting and killing a home intruder. The intruder in question was a 17-year old neighborhood kid named Anthony Parks.
This is a tragic story, and what is even more tragic is that Gerald Haley will not be charged with a crime. He should at least be charged with involuntary manslaughter or some other lesser crime. While I do not think he should do jail-time, I believe he should be punished.
It is not proper for a homeowner to shoot first and ask questions later.
I have no idea what I would do in Mr. Haley’s situation but one thing is certain: I would not shoot anyone. I own a hunting rifle but I have no bullets. If I am going to attack a home intruder, it will be with a six-foot stick or a survival knife. Possibly a coat hanger.
But to think that a homeowner has the right to shoot to kill without regard will only harbor a mindset that it is acceptable to kill people on your property. The dead boy’s step-mother goes as far as to say,
If someone walked into my door and it was dark, I would empty my clip, too. He didn’t know they were kids … or if they would shoot him. We feel really sad that this happened.
It’s not sad that this happened. It’s sad that this will happen again.
Punishing Mr. Haley may not prevent this from happening again, but it might make someone think twice before pulling the trigger.
“So that’s when I said, ‘No, you may not see my receipt. You may, however, suck it.’”
Security: May I please see your receipt, sir?
Dude: Yoink!
Well, if Wonkette Is Running It…
About a month ago I came across a curious story regarding a large land purchase by the Bush family in northern Paraguay. The source was a bit dubious, so I bookmarked it and filed it in the “hmmmm, that could be interesting” bin.
Well, lo and behold, Wonkette is running a story about the same thing. So, hell, here it is. Call me paranoid, but it looks interesting.
Lifesized Yoda!
You’ll have nothing to worry about during a break-in if you have this Jedi Master in your living room! Is the Force with you?
La-Z Boy to the Rescue
If a La-Z Boy can do this, then maybe we need to protect the Green Zone with a brigade of soldiers in recliners.
Linsay neds a sphellceker
Wow, this is certainly an interesting look into the mind of Lindsay Lohan, isn’t it? I normally don’t care that much about celebrity gossip and news, but this story is just too good to pass up. Visit the link and read the entire letter she sent to Robert Altman’s family to offer her condolences. Wow, just wow.
Hey, she’s being sincere, but come on, Lindsay. Were you home-schooled by inept parents or something? The best part is she played a brainiac kid in “Mean Girls.”
My favorite excerpts:
“…I am lucky enough to of been able to work with Robert Altman amongst the other greats on a film that I can genuinely say created a turning point in my career.
“I learned so much from Altman and he was the closest thing to my father and grandfather that I really do believe I’ve had in several years…”
“…”He left us with a legend that all of us have the ability to do…”
“…Look in the mirror and thank god for every second you have and cherish all moments.
“The fighting, the anger, the drama is tedious…
“…’Make a searching and fearless moral inventory of yourselves’ (12st book) -everytime there’s a triumph in the world a million souls hafta be trampled on.-altman Its true. But treasure each triumph as they come…”
“…Thank You,
“BE ADEQUITE”
Lindsay Lohan
Yes, “Be Adequite,” indeed…
Someone’s Grandma Was On National TV Recently
A certain someone’s grandma was recently on television with Martha Stewart celebrating National Bundt Day. Dottie Dalquist appeared on the show to help Stewart make a sweet-potato bourbon Bundt cake. Now, I wonder if that certain someone will make a cake for all of us? We’re waiting.
The Bundt pan, you may recall, was invented right here in Minnesota. Nordic Ware still exists and is found in St. Louis Park at the interchange of Hwy 7 and Hwy 100.