At the request or Reissberg, I am posting Rick Reilly's column from SI this week. Why does Reissberg care about malaria? Check out the comments section to find out.
Nothing But Nets
I've never asked for anything before, right? Well, sorry, I'm asking now.
We need nets. Not hoop nets, soccer nets or lacrosse nets. Not New Jersey Nets or dot-nets or clarinets. Mosquito nets.
See, nearly 3,000 kids die every day in Africa from malaria. And according to the World Health Organization, transmission of the disease would be reduced by 60% with the use of mosquito nets and prompt treatment for the infected.
Three thousand kids! That's a 9/11 every day!
Put it this way: Let's say your little Justin's Kickin' Kangaroos have a big youth soccer tournament on Saturday. There are 15 kids on the team, 10 teams in the tourney. And there are 20 of these tournaments going on all over town. Suddenly, every one of these kids gets chills and fever, then starts throwing up and then gets short of breath. And in seven to 10 days, they're all dead of malaria.
We gotta get these nets. They're coated with an insecticide and cost between $4 and $6. You need about $10, all told, to get them shipped and installed. Some nets can cover a family of four. And they last four years. If we can cut the spread of disease, 10 bucks means a kid might get to live. Make it $20 and more kids are saved.
So, here's the ask: If you have ever gotten a thrill by throwing, kicking, knocking, dunking, slamming, putting up, cutting down or jumping over a net, please go to a special site we've set up through the United Nations Foundation. The address is: UNFoundation.org/malaria. Then just look for the big SI's Nothing But Net logo (or call 202-887-9040) and donate $20. Bang. You might have just saved a kid's life.
Or would you rather have the new Beastie Boys CD?
You're a coach, parent, player, gym teacher or even just a fan who likes watching balls fly into nets, send $20. You saved a life. Take the rest of the day off.
You have ever had a net in the driveway, front lawn or on your head at McDonald's, send $20. You ever imagined Angelina Jolie in fishnets, $20. So you stay home and eat on the dinette. You'll live.
Hey, Dick's Sporting Goods. You have 255 stores. How about you kick in a dime every time you sell a net? Hey, NBA players, hockey stars and tennis pros, how about you donate $20 every time one of your shots hits the net? Maria Sharapova, you don't think this applies to you just because you're Russian? Nyet!
I tried to think how many times I have said or written the word "net" in 28 years of sports writing, and I came up with, conservatively, 20,000. So I've already started us off with a $20,000 donation. That's a whole lot of lives. Together, we could come up with $1 million, net. How many lives would that save? More than 50 times the population of Nett Lake, Minn.
I know what you're thinking: Yeah, but bottom line, how much of our $1 million goes to nets? All of it. Thanks to Ted Turner, who donated $1 billion to create the U.N. Foundation, which covers all the overhead, "every cent will go to nets," says Andrea Gay, the U.N. Foundation's Director of Children's Health.
Nets work! Bill and Melinda Gates have just about finished single-handedly covering every bed in Zambia. Maybe we can't cover an entire Zambia, but I bet we could put a serious dent in Malawi.
It's not like we're betting on some scientist somewhere coming up with a cure. And it's not like warlords are going to hijack a truckload of nets. "Theoretically, if every person in Africa slept at night under a net," says Gay, "nobody need ever die of malaria again." You talk about a net profit.
My God, think of all the nets that are taken for granted in sports! Ping-Pong nets. Batting cage nets. Terrell Owens's bassinet. If you sit behind the plate at a baseball game, you watch the action through a net. You download the highlights on Netscape and forward it on the net to your friend Ben-net while eating Raisinets. Sports is nothing but net. So next time you think of a net, go to that website and click yourself happy. Way more fun than your fantasy bowling league, dude.
One last vignette: A few years back, we took the family to Tanzania, which is ravaged by malaria now. We visited a school and played soccer with the kids. Must've been 50 on each team, running and laughing. A taped-up wad of newspapers was the ball and two rocks were the goal. Most fun I ever had getting whupped. When we got home, we sent some balls and nets.
I kick myself now for that. How many of those kids are dead because we sent the wrong nets?
Saturday, April 29, 2006
Friday, April 28, 2006
He Finally Ran Out of Chances
Former Yankees pitcher Steve Howe was killed in an accident. Howe is best known for failing so many drug tests that he was suspended 7 times, but was reinstated into the majors every time. In 1992 he was banned for life, but reinstated by an arbitrator.
Howe was killed at 5:55 a.m. PT, said Dalyn Backes of the Riverside County coroner's office. The pickup truck Howe was driving left the roadway, entered the median and rolled several times, ejecting Howe from the vehicle, according to the coroner's office.
No word on whether drugs or alcohol were involved.
Howe was killed at 5:55 a.m. PT, said Dalyn Backes of the Riverside County coroner's office. The pickup truck Howe was driving left the roadway, entered the median and rolled several times, ejecting Howe from the vehicle, according to the coroner's office.
No word on whether drugs or alcohol were involved.
I Was Wrong Again
I once predicted that Soledad O'Brien would be the new co-host of The View. Believe it or not they actually hired Rosie O'Donnell. I think she is too big a personality to fit in on a show where at most you can talk 20% of the time. I don't think it's going to work also because according to reports I've heard, she just isn't a nice person. Plus, she's a fat, ugly lesbian. The antithesis of Elisabeth Hasselbeck.
Fuckin ATMs
Gawker seems to think that Andy Serwer said a curseword on American Morning the other day. I listened to it 100 times and I was there when it happened, no one reacted or said anything. It seems to me as if Miles is saying if, and the f from that, combined with whatever Andy was saying, sounded like fuck. But it wasn't.
Can't Stop, Won't Stop
I am going to keep posting about Kevin Mench until this streak ends. He has homered in 7 straight games now. I believe that is one shy of the major league record. In 8 games with the proper shoes he has 7 homers and 21 RBI, while batting .394.
Mets 5 Braves 2
Big win to get the series off to the right start in Turner Field where the Mets never win.
Pedro is awesome. I know he is usually good for one home run each start but as long as he leaves the game with a lead, that's all you can ever ask from your starting pitcher.
Duaner Sanchez is equally awesome. The guy has been near perfect all season.
A rough save for Billy Wagner, but all that matters is that he gets the save. I know there were runners on base and he hit Andruw Jones, but Diaz and Pratt were completely overmatched. I always felt like the Mets were always bringing up hitters like that against other teams closers, but with Franco, Benitez, Looper, etc I never felt that we had one of those guys.
Chipper Jones is a Met killer. I think they said one time that the only person who has hit more home runs against the Mets than Chipper is Willie Stargell, coincidentally I wore my Stargell jersey today.
Jeff Francoeur is the type of player I might love if he weren't on the Braves. When I first fell in love with Vladimir Guerrero it was because of his free swinging and his incredible arm. Francoeuer made two throws tonight, one to third, one home, both were awesome.
Jose Reyes is starting to become an excellent leadoff man. He's on pace to walk about 50 times this year which isn't so bad. Gary Cohen keeps mentioning that he scores about two thirds of the times he reaches base. That proves that he is a huge key to any success this team will have this year.
Endy Chavez is starting to remind me of Willie Mays Hayes. He's playing better, dragging bunts and using his speed.
This may sound weird coming after a two home run game but I am worried about David Wright turning into Piazza. Of course there are huge expectations for him and the fans love him but so far this year 4 of his 5 homers are solo and the other came with a man on first. Tonight he hit two solo home runs and twice he came up with two men on and 1 out, and he hit a sac fly (which is fine) but he also struck out. He also continues to make bad errors at crucial situations. I love him still, but I'm starting to worry.
Classy move by the redneck Braves fans to give Julio Franco such a warm reception.
Hopefully they can get at least one of the next two games and put this Turner Field shit to bed.
Pedro is awesome. I know he is usually good for one home run each start but as long as he leaves the game with a lead, that's all you can ever ask from your starting pitcher.
Duaner Sanchez is equally awesome. The guy has been near perfect all season.
A rough save for Billy Wagner, but all that matters is that he gets the save. I know there were runners on base and he hit Andruw Jones, but Diaz and Pratt were completely overmatched. I always felt like the Mets were always bringing up hitters like that against other teams closers, but with Franco, Benitez, Looper, etc I never felt that we had one of those guys.
Chipper Jones is a Met killer. I think they said one time that the only person who has hit more home runs against the Mets than Chipper is Willie Stargell, coincidentally I wore my Stargell jersey today.
Jeff Francoeur is the type of player I might love if he weren't on the Braves. When I first fell in love with Vladimir Guerrero it was because of his free swinging and his incredible arm. Francoeuer made two throws tonight, one to third, one home, both were awesome.
Jose Reyes is starting to become an excellent leadoff man. He's on pace to walk about 50 times this year which isn't so bad. Gary Cohen keeps mentioning that he scores about two thirds of the times he reaches base. That proves that he is a huge key to any success this team will have this year.
Endy Chavez is starting to remind me of Willie Mays Hayes. He's playing better, dragging bunts and using his speed.
This may sound weird coming after a two home run game but I am worried about David Wright turning into Piazza. Of course there are huge expectations for him and the fans love him but so far this year 4 of his 5 homers are solo and the other came with a man on first. Tonight he hit two solo home runs and twice he came up with two men on and 1 out, and he hit a sac fly (which is fine) but he also struck out. He also continues to make bad errors at crucial situations. I love him still, but I'm starting to worry.
Classy move by the redneck Braves fans to give Julio Franco such a warm reception.
Hopefully they can get at least one of the next two games and put this Turner Field shit to bed.
Da Brick Falls to Da Jets
OK, so I was wrong. The draft is still 15 1/2 hours away and I already got some stuff wrong. I really thought the Texans would take Reggie Bush despite his problems. But I now believe, as I suggested, that Houston's owner and front office asked Bush about the house issue and the answer he gave them was a lie. Maybe they had this plan all along but the Texans have already signed Mario Williams.
I think Reggie Bush will be taken with the second pick, but probably not by the Saints. That could change things later on in the draft but for right now mark me down for Williams first, Bush second, Young third and Da Brick to Da Jets at #4. Everything else stays the same.
I think Reggie Bush will be taken with the second pick, but probably not by the Saints. That could change things later on in the draft but for right now mark me down for Williams first, Bush second, Young third and Da Brick to Da Jets at #4. Everything else stays the same.
Say It Ain't Shinjo
I don't know much about Japanese news sites but one of them suggests that former Met Tsyushi Shinjo is going to keep busy in retirement (which he annouced last week) by releasing nude photos of himself and his wife.
"Actually, Shinjo's thinking about releasing a collection of nude photos. Straight after he announced his retirement, the president of a major talent agency Shinjo is expected to join on his retirement called the player and said, 'If you're gonna do nude stuff, let me look after it for you.' And, as a bit of an extra for his real fans, there's also talk of Shinjo and his wife doing a nude shot together. If they don't want to go all the way, it could be a shot of them in some pretty racy underwear. The Shinjos are a lot more appealing than David and Victoria Beckham," says Motoji Takasu, a publishing company producer."
"Actually, Shinjo's thinking about releasing a collection of nude photos. Straight after he announced his retirement, the president of a major talent agency Shinjo is expected to join on his retirement called the player and said, 'If you're gonna do nude stuff, let me look after it for you.' And, as a bit of an extra for his real fans, there's also talk of Shinjo and his wife doing a nude shot together. If they don't want to go all the way, it could be a shot of them in some pretty racy underwear. The Shinjos are a lot more appealing than David and Victoria Beckham," says Motoji Takasu, a publishing company producer."
Real Men of Genius
The long running Bud Light ad campaign "Real Men of Genius" nee "Real American Heroes" saluting life's unsung heroes has produced many side splitting moments ("ripping off heads") but none greater than "Mr. Boneless Buffalo Wing Inventor." Check it out, and a lot of the other ones, before the evil pricks make them take the site down.
Hot Teacher In Hot Water Again
Pamela Rogers, 28, is back in jail for violating the terms of her probation. She served 6 months for having sex with a 13-year old student, now 14. Hours after her hearing she sent the kid explicit videos and violated the order not to communicate with him.
NFL Draft Predictions
I am going to give you my top 10 draft predictions only. Because the theory of my blog is, a lot of short posts will keep readers interested. If you want a blog where you get one high quality post every week or so, visit the Pizza Parlor. Derek is serving up a comprehensive mock draft piping hot for you. Make your own predictions in the group called Paul's Poop at ESPN's Draft Forecast.
Here goes my top 10:
1. Houston Texans: Reggie Bush. The best player. Simple.
2. New Orleans Saints: D'Brickashaw Ferguson. Offensive linemen make great high choices because they don't need anyone else around them to help them succeed the way skill position players do, and they operate with minimal fan pressure. UVa's resident Jet Fan Brian Cohen will be sad to see this.
3. Tennessee Titans: Vince Young. Believe it or not the coach and the O-coordinator are getting outvoted by the GM and the owner. Huge bust potential here.
4. New York Jets: Mario Williams. Could be the next Julius Peppers.
5. Green Bay Packers: AJ Hawk. I just heard that Hawk can flip his hips like a safety. I wonder if Laura Quinn told them that. As you know, the "hips don't lie."
6. San Francisco 49ers: Vernon Davis. This pick is even more sure than Bush.
7. Oakland Raiders: Matt Leinart. He falls far. Then porks a girl he meets at Marquis Saturday night.
8. Buffalo Bills: Haloti Ngata.
9. Detroit Lions: Michael Huff.
10. Arizona Cardinals: Jay Cutler.
Both PP Derek and I are going a little off track. The consensus I've been getting is Bush, Williams, Leinart, Brick, Hawk, Davis, Young.
Other notes:
LenDale White will go to Carolina at 27.
The Jets get the quarterback of the future in Oregon's Kellen Clemens. He may not fall to 35 so the Jets may have to take him at 29.
No one from Syracuse goes in the first round.
The Steelers take a wide receiver from Western Michigan with the last pick in the first round.
Here goes my top 10:
1. Houston Texans: Reggie Bush. The best player. Simple.
2. New Orleans Saints: D'Brickashaw Ferguson. Offensive linemen make great high choices because they don't need anyone else around them to help them succeed the way skill position players do, and they operate with minimal fan pressure. UVa's resident Jet Fan Brian Cohen will be sad to see this.
3. Tennessee Titans: Vince Young. Believe it or not the coach and the O-coordinator are getting outvoted by the GM and the owner. Huge bust potential here.
4. New York Jets: Mario Williams. Could be the next Julius Peppers.
5. Green Bay Packers: AJ Hawk. I just heard that Hawk can flip his hips like a safety. I wonder if Laura Quinn told them that. As you know, the "hips don't lie."
6. San Francisco 49ers: Vernon Davis. This pick is even more sure than Bush.
7. Oakland Raiders: Matt Leinart. He falls far. Then porks a girl he meets at Marquis Saturday night.
8. Buffalo Bills: Haloti Ngata.
9. Detroit Lions: Michael Huff.
10. Arizona Cardinals: Jay Cutler.
Both PP Derek and I are going a little off track. The consensus I've been getting is Bush, Williams, Leinart, Brick, Hawk, Davis, Young.
Other notes:
LenDale White will go to Carolina at 27.
The Jets get the quarterback of the future in Oregon's Kellen Clemens. He may not fall to 35 so the Jets may have to take him at 29.
No one from Syracuse goes in the first round.
The Steelers take a wide receiver from Western Michigan with the last pick in the first round.
Reggie Bush is a Lying Sack of Shit
Charles Robinson of Yahoo! has done a great job reporting on the whole Reggie Bush scandal. His latest report that Bush's parents, the Griffins, did not pay rent on the house does not surprise me. I said that from the beginning. This would have been really easy to prove. Reggie said that his parents "leased the house like any other family." Ok, fine, then show us the rent checks. By the way, rent was $4500/per month or about $54,000. They moved out of the house like thieves in the night, but that doesn't really bother me. You can also read about how Bush now claims he was extorted, but I won't bother rehashing those details because most of you probably know them, and most of you say you like this blog for my opinion on things. Well sorry for this but I am not going to give you my opinion. I am going to tell you how it happened.
Reggie's parents made a wink and nod deal with this Michael Michaels or whoever else that in exchange for certain things (use of the house, plane tickets to USC games) they would consider letting this fledging sports agency represent Reggie. I'm sure the Griffins thought they could still choose whomever they wanted as an agent. I'm sure the agents thought if they choose someone else, we'll out them. I really believe his parents did not tell Reggie about the deal because they knew it was against the rules and they wanted him to have plausible deniability. Of course, the Griffins never paid one dime in rent or for anything else they got. They will claim they planned to pay when Reggie got rich. Even if that's true, it's still wrong. Sort of like Butch McRae, they made a deal with these people, they should have just allowed them to represent him. That would have solved all their problems.
Fast forward to this week. Reggie goes on every show he can find (I saw him on PTI, QF and Best Damn) and says his parents did nothing wrong and that he would hide from interviews because he's telling the truth. Today Reggie canceled an interview with Dan Patrick, probably because he found out his parents never paid rent, and told him they had.
So what happens? I think the NCAA will deem this an improper benefit and make USC forfeit every game Bush played in, the same thing they did to the Fab Five when Webber took money. I think the Downtown Athletic Club will let him keep his Heisman. I think its possible the Texans will pass on Bush in the Draft because owner Bob McNair asked him flat out and he lied about it, I think it's because he really didn't know.
The bottom line is, like in He Got Game, greedy relatives took him down. I honestly think his parents told him they were paying rent like anyone else, and they made a liar and a fool out of their own son, because they wanted to move to a nice house one year early.
Reggie's parents made a wink and nod deal with this Michael Michaels or whoever else that in exchange for certain things (use of the house, plane tickets to USC games) they would consider letting this fledging sports agency represent Reggie. I'm sure the Griffins thought they could still choose whomever they wanted as an agent. I'm sure the agents thought if they choose someone else, we'll out them. I really believe his parents did not tell Reggie about the deal because they knew it was against the rules and they wanted him to have plausible deniability. Of course, the Griffins never paid one dime in rent or for anything else they got. They will claim they planned to pay when Reggie got rich. Even if that's true, it's still wrong. Sort of like Butch McRae, they made a deal with these people, they should have just allowed them to represent him. That would have solved all their problems.
Fast forward to this week. Reggie goes on every show he can find (I saw him on PTI, QF and Best Damn) and says his parents did nothing wrong and that he would hide from interviews because he's telling the truth. Today Reggie canceled an interview with Dan Patrick, probably because he found out his parents never paid rent, and told him they had.
So what happens? I think the NCAA will deem this an improper benefit and make USC forfeit every game Bush played in, the same thing they did to the Fab Five when Webber took money. I think the Downtown Athletic Club will let him keep his Heisman. I think its possible the Texans will pass on Bush in the Draft because owner Bob McNair asked him flat out and he lied about it, I think it's because he really didn't know.
The bottom line is, like in He Got Game, greedy relatives took him down. I honestly think his parents told him they were paying rent like anyone else, and they made a liar and a fool out of their own son, because they wanted to move to a nice house one year early.
Day Two With Carson
I love Carson even more today. He once again arrived about half an hour early, by himself. This time I spent some time getting the shot ready. He looked at the suit, was actually impressed that it really looked good. He was so knowledgeable, and he took it seriously while having fun. He was really ironing, and showing Andy how and where to iron, all while saying things like "it's getting hot and steamy in here." He then made a series of gay jokes about our floor manager Bruce, including telling Andy matter-of-factly that Bruce was tossing and turning all night last night, but that's usually what happens when Bruce gets drunk. At one point I was being a pain so someone said "get out of here Paul." Then Carson followed up with a "yeah Paul." After the segment was over I went into the greenroom to get a bagel, I offered him something and then he put his hand on my shoulder and said "no thank you Paul." He remembered my name. As he was leaving the makeup artist told him he was the nicest person that's ever come through there. And Wendy sees everyone. He thanked her and was very gracious. What a nice man.
Prisons Need New Posters
Roger Toussaint, the douche who ordered the Transit Workers strike, is serving a ten-day jail sentence because the strike was illegal. NY1 visited him in prison. If you go to this page and watch the video by clicking on the roadrunner icon, at about 15 seconds into the video you will see a very interesting, but outdated poster on the wall. It may be hard to see exactly who is on the poster, but Mike has the same one in his bedroom.
Thursday, April 27, 2006
I Fought the Law and I Won
The sordid tale of Paul and the parking ticket is over. The night of Matt's birthday party I parked in a zone that had no parking after 1am. I stayed in the bar until around 2. When I came outside I had a $115 parking ticket. But I beat it.
I would like to thank Matt for having a birthday, and for having his party on a street with night time parking restrictions. I would like to thank Julie and Emily for making me wait to see them do karaoke. I'd like to thank the Concierge for encouraging me to fight the ticket, "an incorrectly filled out ticket is invalid and not enforceable." I'd like to thank the judge who fairly dismissed the ticket. But most of all I have to thank the idiot meter maid who incorrectly copied down my license plate and also incorrectly filled out the restricted times from the sign onto the ticket. And I'd also like to thank Jesus Christ. I can beat all tickets through Christ who strengthens me.
One interesting side note, since my license plate was wrong I thought if I never fought the ticket, they wouldn't be able to come after me since the only identifying information was recorded incorrectly. I called the Concierge and he said "they'll never find you. You hear me, they'll never fuckin find you. Never!"
I would like to thank Matt for having a birthday, and for having his party on a street with night time parking restrictions. I would like to thank Julie and Emily for making me wait to see them do karaoke. I'd like to thank the Concierge for encouraging me to fight the ticket, "an incorrectly filled out ticket is invalid and not enforceable." I'd like to thank the judge who fairly dismissed the ticket. But most of all I have to thank the idiot meter maid who incorrectly copied down my license plate and also incorrectly filled out the restricted times from the sign onto the ticket. And I'd also like to thank Jesus Christ. I can beat all tickets through Christ who strengthens me.
One interesting side note, since my license plate was wrong I thought if I never fought the ticket, they wouldn't be able to come after me since the only identifying information was recorded incorrectly. I called the Concierge and he said "they'll never find you. You hear me, they'll never fuckin find you. Never!"
Air Force One is Like the Beers Household
During the White House gaggle earlier today on board Air Force One, the Washington Post’s Jim Vandehei asked Scott McClellan why the TVs on Air Force One were always tuned to Fox and if it was possible to have them tuned to CNN instead. The ultimate result: the White House changed the channel to CNN. It’s a long exchange that’s a hysterical read. Especially if you work for CNN. The transcript is also posted on cnn.com at www.cnn.com/situationreport/
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
(Biloxi, Mississippi)
For Immediate Release April 27, 2006
PRESS GAGGLE
BY
SCOTT McCLELLAN
Aboard Air Force One
En route New Orleans, Louisiana
11:21 A.M. EDT
Q It's come to my attention that there's been requests -- this is a serious question -- to turn these TVs onto a station other than Fox, and that those have been denied. My question would be, is there a White House policy that all government TVs have to be tuned to Fox?
MR. McCLELLAN: Never heard of any such thing. My TVs are on four different channels at all times.
Q Because you have four different TVs. But every time I've ever been --
MR. McCLELLAN: Every TV in the White House also has channels every -- has a split screen, where they can --
Q Well, they always seem to be tuned to Fox, and there's been requests, and these are paid for by taxpayer dollars. And my understanding is that you guys have to watch Fox on Air Force One. Is that true?
MR. McCLELLAN: First time I've ever heard of it. First time you've brought it to my attention, meaning the first time the press corps has brought it to my attention. In fact, I've watched other channels on here.
Q There's one --
MR. McCLELLAN: Hang on, Jim, come on. I've watched other channels on here, so I don't know where yuo're hearing that. But it's the first time anyone in the press has raised that question with me.
Q You've watched other channels other than Fox?
MR. McCLELLAN: On here, yes, sure.
Q I've never seen -- they're always turned to Fox, which a lot of people consider a Republican-leaning network.
Q Scott, is it one -- on the airplane, is it one for all? I mean, if it's tuned for Fox here, is it Fox everywhere?
MR. McCLELLAN: I think that certain areas may be interconnected, but I'll have to double-check which.
Q Is yours off, wherever you are?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, the conference room, or the senior staff office, the staff office, they're different TVs, and you can switch to different channels. I'm not sure if some of these in the back are connected to some of the others that are watching right here, right now. It doesn't look like it to me. I've never known anyone that's raised a complaint about a request from back here to watch a different channel.
Q I'm officially raising it and officially complaining about it.
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I'm going to go see if we can change the channel for you. Have you called up?
Q I was the Fox victim, and I was told -- the quote was, "No," when I asked for CNN.
MR. McCLELLAN: I don't know who you talked to, so -- it didn't come to my attention. You don't know who you talked to either?
Q Well, the magic people at the other end off the phone.
MR. McCLELLAN: The magic people at the other end of the phone. Well, I'll see if this cabin is --
Q I was told, "We don't watch CNN here, you can only watch Fox."
MR. McCLELLAN: As I said, it's hard to respond to something when I don't know who it is you talked to.
Q I used the phone back here.
MR. McCLELLAN: I find this all quite amusing, to tell you the truth. I mean, there are a lot of people on this plane that do watch that channel.
Q I've never been told, no. They're such nice guys up there.
MR. McCLELLAN: First time you brought it to my attention. I'll go see what we can do on it.
* * * * *
MR. McCLELLAN: We just called up. They're going to be changing it, at your all's request, to the channel that you requested, which is CNN -- from the press corps.
Q Thanks, Scott.
END 11:39 A.M. EDT
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
(Biloxi, Mississippi)
For Immediate Release April 27, 2006
PRESS GAGGLE
BY
SCOTT McCLELLAN
Aboard Air Force One
En route New Orleans, Louisiana
11:21 A.M. EDT
Q It's come to my attention that there's been requests -- this is a serious question -- to turn these TVs onto a station other than Fox, and that those have been denied. My question would be, is there a White House policy that all government TVs have to be tuned to Fox?
MR. McCLELLAN: Never heard of any such thing. My TVs are on four different channels at all times.
Q Because you have four different TVs. But every time I've ever been --
MR. McCLELLAN: Every TV in the White House also has channels every -- has a split screen, where they can --
Q Well, they always seem to be tuned to Fox, and there's been requests, and these are paid for by taxpayer dollars. And my understanding is that you guys have to watch Fox on Air Force One. Is that true?
MR. McCLELLAN: First time I've ever heard of it. First time you've brought it to my attention, meaning the first time the press corps has brought it to my attention. In fact, I've watched other channels on here.
Q There's one --
MR. McCLELLAN: Hang on, Jim, come on. I've watched other channels on here, so I don't know where yuo're hearing that. But it's the first time anyone in the press has raised that question with me.
Q You've watched other channels other than Fox?
MR. McCLELLAN: On here, yes, sure.
Q I've never seen -- they're always turned to Fox, which a lot of people consider a Republican-leaning network.
Q Scott, is it one -- on the airplane, is it one for all? I mean, if it's tuned for Fox here, is it Fox everywhere?
MR. McCLELLAN: I think that certain areas may be interconnected, but I'll have to double-check which.
Q Is yours off, wherever you are?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, the conference room, or the senior staff office, the staff office, they're different TVs, and you can switch to different channels. I'm not sure if some of these in the back are connected to some of the others that are watching right here, right now. It doesn't look like it to me. I've never known anyone that's raised a complaint about a request from back here to watch a different channel.
Q I'm officially raising it and officially complaining about it.
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I'm going to go see if we can change the channel for you. Have you called up?
Q I was the Fox victim, and I was told -- the quote was, "No," when I asked for CNN.
MR. McCLELLAN: I don't know who you talked to, so -- it didn't come to my attention. You don't know who you talked to either?
Q Well, the magic people at the other end off the phone.
MR. McCLELLAN: The magic people at the other end of the phone. Well, I'll see if this cabin is --
Q I was told, "We don't watch CNN here, you can only watch Fox."
MR. McCLELLAN: As I said, it's hard to respond to something when I don't know who it is you talked to.
Q I used the phone back here.
MR. McCLELLAN: I find this all quite amusing, to tell you the truth. I mean, there are a lot of people on this plane that do watch that channel.
Q I've never been told, no. They're such nice guys up there.
MR. McCLELLAN: First time you brought it to my attention. I'll go see what we can do on it.
* * * * *
MR. McCLELLAN: We just called up. They're going to be changing it, at your all's request, to the channel that you requested, which is CNN -- from the press corps.
Q Thanks, Scott.
END 11:39 A.M. EDT
Feel The Bern!
Many of you remember Bernie Kim aka Michelle Kwan for his frequent forays to the Kliq. Bernie worked for Best Damn, then left for ESPN Hollywood, now he is evidently back with Best Damn. He made a video about the NFL Draft inspired by SNL's Lazy Sunday. Click on this link then look for "Crazy Sunday" on the left hand side of the page.
I Wonder if He Leads the League in Nose Hair
This is my favorite look alike yet. I noticed it weeks ago but couldn't find a good picture to illustrate it. Phillies catcher Sal Fasano looks just like Major League's Clue Haywood, the evil Yankees slugger played by 1982 Cy Young Award Winner, Pete Vukovich. I hope when the Phillies plays the Mets that Fasano asks LoDuca, "how's your wife and my kids?"
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