The Semi-Pro ABA

For one brief moment, the long deceased American Basketball Association will be resurrected in the minds of moviegoers this weekend with the release of Will Ferrell's over the top comedy, Semi-Pro. Ferrell is a proven box office winner so his movie will shed light on an era that has been forgotten by most and remembered by those few who were fortunate to live in an ABA city during the leagues run in the late 60's and early 70's.

This writer had the privilege to grow up on Long Island and witness the league through one of its top franchises, the New York Nets. It is funny how things keep repeating themselves. The Nets actually were born in New Jersey as the Americans and after one season moved to Long Island. They played in the old hockey arena in Commack and then moved to the 5,000 seat Island Garden for two seasons. The Nets hit the ABA big time when they became the main tenant at the Nassau Memorial Veterans Coliseum. Despite being successful in New York, the owners eventually moved the team back to New Jersey when the Nets entered the NBA as one of four teams to survive (an historic fact at the heart of Semi-Pro) the demise of the red, white, and blue basketball league. The very same Nets franchise is poised to move back to New York (Brooklyn, of all places!) in the near future.

The Nets had a list of famous names linked to the club. Rick Barry (who shot his free throws underhanded), Dr. Julius Erving (the most dynamic offensive player in history!), Coach Lou Carnesseca (of St. Johns college and sweater fame), and Hall of Fame pitcher, Bob Gibson, who served for a time as a color commentator on local broadcasts.

The Nets also featured ABA types like Whopper Billy Paultz and super afro 6'2" slam dunk master Ollie Brown. And that is what made the ABA so much fun. Mixed in with the two or three quality players on each team were has-beens and never-
weres. Famed TV announcer Bob Costas has spent an entire lifetime boasting about his work with the Spirits of St. Louis and all-time crazy man, Marvin Barnes. Those who witnessed Wendall Ladner on and off court, would probably vote for the oft-traded Ladner as the epitome of the league and the basis for Ferrell's new movie.

When you mix in the Floridan ball girls, the Memphis TAMS (who played games in Tennessee, Alabama, and Mississippi), gigantic Kentucky Colonel Artis Gilmore, the original slam dunk All Star contests, the origins of the three point shooting line, red-necks, ruffians, and soul brothers on the court all at one time, and fantastic basketball from teams like the Utah Stars, the Indiana Pacers, and the Kentucky Colonels, you have a defunct league that has left its millions (oh well, thousands) of die-hard partisans with memories to last a lifetime.

What Hillary Should Say

The debate, the "last" debate, will start in a little more than an hour from this posting. Hillary, if you are reading, here is what you should say:

"I want to continue my last thoughts from the waning moments of the Texas debate. I am proud of Barack Obama and if he should win I will enthusiastically support him and help bring a Democratic victory in the fall. That said, I have the right and the opportunity to continue to fight for my candidacy. I am the last alternative to my friend from Illinois. I have been saying all along that we need a more experienced hand when the next president takes the oath of office in January 2009.

"I want to be upfront and honest with everyone watching and listening tonight. I have given my life to the betterment of others. I have always worked to bring dignity and value to all Americans, regardless of wealth, race, and religion. I have seen how the power of this office weighs upon the person who must make the ultimate decisions. I have served my state of New York in the midst of the worst attack upon its soil. It is wonderful to be enthusiastic and hopeful as Barack has mentioned in his stirring speeches. But I am here tonight to remind everyone that hope must be mixed with a solid wisdom that can only be gained from years of hard work.

"In my haste to garner your support I have been pulled in different ways over the past weeks. It seems that I am being warm to my opponent and then the next day blasting some of his ideas or campaign tactics. I know the pundits have written me off and I also know that both of us are lucky to get thirty seconds of air time on the nightly news. Forget about all the slogans and trivial stuff. I want you to think hard before you pull the lever for one of us next Tuesday. A vote for Barack is indeed a vote for a hopeful future. But a vote for me is a vote for a more certain future. One ripe with possibilities grounded in the nuance of reality..."

Hillary: your only chance tonight is to open up your soul and sell us once and for all on why you are running for president. Stop tearing down Obama and build yourself up. Drop the "Xerox" crap and speak truth. If you listen to your consultants tonight, you will be giving a concession speech in one week's time.

Speed of Light

In more leisurely days, one could pick up a copy of the weekly news magazines (i.e. Time, Newsweek) to get expert analysis of presidential campaigns. If a primary was held once a week or twice a month, the magazines could give thoughtful insight into the candidates and their developing campaigns. Just a few years ago, one could depend upon his/her local newspaper to get the top political stories from each day.

But it seems that those days of introspection are gone forever. Just think about the past seventeen days. Seventeen days - two weeks plus three days. How much could happen on the presidential front? Well, there was this thing called "Super Tuesday" on Tuesday February 5th. Primaries and caucuses were held all over the country. Clinton and Obama basically split the contests while McCain began to solidify his lead among the Republicans. Since then, there have been eleven more elections held. In just two short weeks, Obama pulled away from his rival by sweeping all the elections while McCain put a stranglehold on the GOP nomination. The richest candidate, Mitt Romney, dropped out, while Governor Huckabee stayed around to bring some lightness to the entire process.

If all that was not enough, think about the past six days. Obama lifted words from his friend Deval Patrick, Michele Obama was accused of being anti-American for some remarks she made, Senator Obama obliterated Clinton in Wisconsin, Clinton came close to crying again in a televised debate, husband Bill declared that if his wife did not win the upcoming Ohio and Texas primaries the campaign would be over, McCain was accused of a torrid affair with a young lobbyist, and the right wing went after their old nemesis - the New York Times.

The point is that there is not much time in this hyped up 24/7 world for measured thought. Any magazine article is already old before it hits the printer and what is fresh in the morning newspaper is already stale by noon. To keep up with all the buzz, the public must keep constantly tuned to the cable news channels and be locked in on the internet.

With a compacted primary season (here we are crying about Clinton getting out of the race and it is still only February) and the need for the new media outlets to have news and more news, the digesting of information no longer allows the voter to carefully weigh the pros and cons of the people who are competing for the most important position in the world. Momentum trumps experience and innuendo overcomes reasoned judgment.

We may have more people than ever tuned into this presidential race but that does not mean that we are critically educated to choose the right person.

What Makes Hillary Run?

Eight days ago this blog ran a story titled "Hillary In the Nether World". A handful of primary losses later, we are back again wondering why Hillary continues to run. She has tried a variety of tactics - detailed economic blueprints, TV ads, an extra day in Wisconsin, jumping on Obama's delivery of Governor Patrick's (Mass) speech - yet nothing has stopped her opponent.

Clinton has one last shot at this: the March 4th primaries in Texas and Ohio. But Senator Obama has now reeled off ten straight victories in divergent areas of the country. Starting in Virginia and going on to Wisconsin, he has now cut deeply into Clinton's base of hard working blue collar types and women. Each day's polls (especially in Texas) show a tightening race that could spell electoral doom for the former first lady.

From our distant vantage point, we would have to think that it is time for the Democratic Party to rally behind Mr. Obama. The only way for this process to start would be for Mrs. Clinton to throw in the towel and begin the healing process from what has at times become a bitter campaign fight.

However, all indications are that Clinton is not ready to put up the white flag. She has two more debates with Obama and she still must believe that the demographics are with her in the two big March 4th states.

As we mentioned on February 11th, Clinton (and her husband) are tough combatants. They are not used to losing and see themselves as champions of the middle class and the saviors for an America that has fallen on hard times. From this belief, Clinton has earned the right to battle one last time.

But one could also look skeptically at Mrs. Clinton. All the momentum and votes are with her opponent. Continuing to go "negative" will harm the man who is on the verge of carrying the Democratic banner into the fall campaign. There must be an urge among many party leaders for Clinton to fall on her sword for the good of the party and make way for her younger victor. With Senator McCain already in full combat mode, it would be deemed imperative that Obama be given the chance to place all his emphasis on the Republican candidate.

Yet one has to wonder, if there is another reason for Clinton to go on. Surely, it must hurt when you know that your opponent does not lack for money. It must hurt when you speak in high school gymnasiums while your opponent can rent and fill mega sized basketball arenas across the nation. It must hurt when your speech is preempted on cable TV by your opponent who sweeps away all the rules of etiquette, and starts his speech while you are barely one third of the way through your own.

What makes Hillary run? What damning secret or information does the Clinton campaign hold that could derail Obama? What change in attitude, appearance, or in her words can make her campaign come alive? If there is something there, then Hillary better come forth with it now. The clock is ticking on this primary season. Will Hillary be remembered as a gallant champion who found herself and made a miracle run at the end? Or will she be remembered as one who dragged her opponent and herself into the proverbial "mud", damaging her party and giving victory to the enemy? The clock is ticking.

Two Strikes On Obama

Two recent episodes have clearly revealed that Senator Obama is not the "CHANGE" agent that he and his handlers have been proclaiming. Oh, they might be changing the way a politician gets elected (see MYSPACE, FACEBOOK, etc.), but what actual change will Obama bring to America if and when he occupies the White House? Now that he is the newly minted front runner, the columnists, commentators, and bloggers are starting to take a long needed look at who Senator Obama is and what he would do as president.

In the past days, Obama has had the opportunity to show in real time, that he is a different politician. That he would do things in a radical new way. Unfortunately he has swung and missed at two situations that have crept into the campaign. Surely, a third pitch will come his way soon, that hopefully will show that he does have the stuff to make great things happen. Unfortunately, Obama is in an 0 and 2 hole, and looking like an easy strikeout victim.

The first challenge came from presumptive GOP candidate John McCain. McCain announced that he had a binding agreement with Obama to forgo private donations so that the two could take around $80 million or so from the public coffers to run their fall campaigns. If Obama had agreed to this, it would be a sure fire disaster, as he has now proven that he can raise incredible amounts of money. Obama will need every penny as he will face Swift Boat style 527 attack ads from the right wing. But Obama is in a bind because he is selling himself as the candidate of honesty and openness. By rejecting his agreement with McCain he will be turning his back on both a promise and the cleanness that comes from accepting public funding. Obama has sent mixed signals about what he will do when and if he is nominated, showing that at least on this first pitch, he is not as pure and principled as his legions of supporters have made him out to be.

The second curve ball, was the recent shooting at Northern Illinois University. Obama, a senator from Illinois, reacted to the tragedy in a heartfelt way. Just like almost all of us, he said his prayers were with the victims. But then he quickly went on to proclaim his support of the second amendment and the "individual's" right to bear arms. This second point is important because it is code for the NRA and the millions of hardcore gun owners who are up in arms over a Washington DC gun ban that is before the courts. Here was another in a string of bloody campus killings, and already Obama was playing to the hands of the gun lobby. Obama is not naive and knows that to win the GOP leaning "red states", he cannot give the gun lobby ammunition to shoot him down. But why is he being so calculating? If he is the man of change, where is his real plan to start bringing to a head the problem of gun shootings not only on our college grounds but on the killing fields of our urban cities? If he
is so pure and different, isn't it about time that a major candidate such as himself sacrifices campaign calculating for some plain truth?

Two recent problems - two typical political answers. The people in Mudville went home shaking their heads when their Mighty Casey struck out. Will the primary and caucus supporters of Senator Obama also go home sulking when they see that their man is not much different from all the rest or will he hit a homer full of honesty and conviction to bring about the so called season of change? Pitch number three is coming . . .

A Passing In The Night

In the midst of the election madness, the stubborn streak of campus killings, the free fall of the markets, and the hidden war in Iraq, a man of courage and hope passed away over the weekend.

Leo Greene has suffered with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) for the past two years. What made his story remarkable was that he covered his own slow demise on the pages of the newspaper he worked for in Ontario, California. Readers of his columns followed the ups and mainly downs of his battle with the incurable disease. Those who never met or talked to him (including this writer) were touched with his story. We learned about past problems with addiction, final trips he attempted to make, and generally putting things in order as he faced certain death.

As Leo continued to write, people from all over the United States and around the world began to listen in on his story.
We looked forward to hearing the truth about a muscle disease that literally tears a person's body and mind apart. Leo never wrote in self-serving terms and did not want our sympathy. He was a one person hospice team, alerting all of us to the brevity of life and the reality of death.

Ann Madden, Leo's roommate, found him in bed, slumped over a book. An avid learner and a man with a varied career path, it was fitting that he should leave this earth, eager to read and learn new things.

With all the sensationalism over politicians, celebrities, and others in the bright public light, it was a privilege to have known Leo Greene through the prism of his own words and thoughts.

Hillary In The Nether World

Why Hillary? Why are you willing to face such scorn and derision? Why don't you see the clear message that so many hate you and will delight themselves by dancing on your grave? Are you staying in this presidential race for the country or for yourself? If you don't gain the nomination, will you actively campaign for your former opponent, or will you go sulk and pray that he loses so you can come back in November and say, "I told you so!" Where do you get the strength to get back up on the stump day after day even as the voices of negativity become louder and louder? Why Hillary? Why?

What are the forces arraigned against the former first lady? Briefly: MSNBC - Chris Matthew's brings up your husband's White House shenanigans, Keith Olbermann questions the validity of any voting support you receive, and now David Schuster says that you are "pimping" daughter Chelsea. FOX NEWS - Nothing new there! THE GOP - "Nothing will unite us as much as running against her!" The AFRICAN-AMERICAN VOTE - Your husband says a few things and everyone forgets your entire life struggle to bring civil and economic justice to this important Democratic constituency. YOUR FELLOW UPPER CLASS DEMOCRATIC BROTHERS AND SISTERS - You poured your soul into universal health care in the early 1990's and have worked hard in the U.S. Senate and all they want to do is throw you overboard for this new fellow. MEN - The media has underplayed how much resistance you are getting from men. This includes crude commentary, cutting remarks on the trail, and a significant amount of white men who will not vote for a woman.

So why? Are you that self-centered that you can't admit defeat? Do you think that highly of yourself that no one else can become president? Maybe you have psychological problems. Maybe, but we are looking from the outside and do not have privy to the inner struggle that is within you. But could there be another reason for you to become such a martyr? Do you (and your changing staff) see things that we don't? Do you see a silver lining through what is and will continue to be a month of February walking in the land of the dead?

What might you see? Do you see that the growing number of state caucus victories by your opponent do not reflect the depth of participation that comes from actual primary ballot voting? Do you see that in states like Louisiana and Maryland that the wholesale defection of African-American votes is beyond your control? Do you see private (and public) polling that indicates that you will still be triumphant in large states like Texas and Ohio and that this month of purgatory will lead into a March of victory? Do you see that your core base of women, hard working blue collar Americans, and Latinos will still be there and bring the triumph that you want so badly?

There has to be a reason that someone can stand so tall and strong and take on the arrows from such a wide assortment of bows. Only time will tell if the Hillary we are watching is a deluded dreamer or a passionate campaigner for the people of the U.S.

Super Tuesday - Final Notes

The African-American Vote -If the idea was once that Bill Clinton was the "first black president", that concept has now been put to death. With each new day, a greater and greater percentage of African-Americans are climbing aboard the Obama bandwagon bringing him millions of votes and millions of dollars. Nowhere will this be more evident than when the votes are tabulated next week in DC, Maryland, and Virginia.

The Latino Vote - At a slightly smaller percentage but still in impressive numbers, Latinos are coming out to throw a life preserver to Hillary Clinton and bring her victory in places like California and Arizona. Once again, this racial divide is being played up by the media. Instead of focusing on the admiration the Hispanic community has for the known quality of the Clintons, pundits are wondering out loud whether Latin voters would vote for an African-American. Conversely, you hear nothing about the racial pride (justifiably so) that is propelling so many African-Americans to abandon Clinton for a black male.

The money race - This is really a post Super Tuesday event. Obama, as we write, has raised around $7 million in just the past forty-eight hours. His coffers are running over. Hillary revealed her $5 million personal loan and the giving up of her campaign jet. If one just follows this financial aspect, all is doomed for Clinton and the race is virtually over. However, McCain was broke at one time, and now he is on the verge of capturing the GOP nod. If money was the end all, Ron Paul, would be a more credible candidate.

The next month - Obama is in the driver's seat for now. He is going to win the majority of February contests because of caucus states and the Potomac primaries (DC, MD, VA). However, if Clinton can tread water and pull in at least 40% of the delegates the race will still be very close. Then, if she has enough money for ads and has not lost all momentum she could rebound with at least three March 4th victories in Texas, Ohio, and Rhode Island. If the race lasts to that date, all eyes will be on Pennsylvania on April 22.

A last look at Florida (check out our Florida analysis) - Once again, the votes in Florida have been a perfect predictor. Latinos, working class whites, women, and seniors for Clinton. The so called "upstream" whites, the youth, and the African-Americans for Obama. In most large states, where the African-American electorate is below 25% of the total vote, Clinton wins quite easily. If not totally rattled (which she may or may not be) Hillary and her staff should use Florida as the blueprint to victory. However, endorsements by Edwards and Al Gore for Obama, could be the final steps to an Obama victory.

A Look Back At Super Tuesday

Notes on Super Tuesday

GOP - What's to discuss? McCain did a bang up job and is this close to becoming the nominee. If Romney drops out presumptive vp candidate Huckabee will be the last obstacle.

Right Wing Radio - Get over it! Are you really going to swallow your mikes while Obama or Clinton move towards the White House and appointments of judges that you would disdain? Of course not! There are ratings to be won and what other way for the right wing to keep their audience happy but by yelling lies and hatred at the Dems.

Caucuses - Give Obama's political team a thumbs up for sweeping up easy delegates and adding states to their columns through this arcane attempt at democracy. They put in the money and effort to pack the caucuses with true believers and young fans to dominate in Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Minnesota, and North Dakota (Don't forget that all this started back in Iowa with a caucus!)

Fake Victories - On paper Obama won all the states mentioned above. But would the results have been different or much tighter had the caucus states ran primaries? How many seniors wanted to get out on a cold Tuesday evening and spend two hours in a local school gym or library? Relatively few people in most of the Super Tuesday caucus states made it seem that Obama had won landslide victories. Yes, Clinton's campaign should have had a better strategy for this; but real primary voting with huge numbers of participants would show that the apparent depth of Obama's following is not as unlimited as it semed to be.

Movement Politics - The new buzz word just emerging is "Movement". As in Clinton is fighting a movement and it will only be a matter of time before the movement engulfs her. The "Movement" indeed gives Obama fresh wads of money and energized supporters who flock to caucus situations.

Polls - Just as in New Hampshire, one must wonder where those polls are coming from. The most quoted poll was one in California two days out, that had Obama up 36 to 34, closing a once large double digit Clinton lead. Well we all know how that ended - Clinton took the Golden State by ten big percentage points.

The Media Storyline - The story goes something like this: The young upstart multi-racial candidate with a call for change and a new utopia is tracking down the old fashioned centrist Democrat weened on political wars. A new era is about to dawn as the candidate and his young followers "The Movement" overtake the once promising female and her overprotective husband. Every large rally and new endorsement get played up while her rallies and endorsements are parsed over. There is no conspiracy here but check out how negative the cable and network news teams are on Clinton. Where to look first - try MSNBC's Keith Olbermann who repeatedly swept away any good news (and there was plenty of it) under the carpet and sang Obama's praises all night on Super Tuesday.

Mail-In Ballots - How could the experts not factor this in? Up to fifty percent of the voting in California and in other states (see Florida) came in before Super Tuesday. The Clinton camp seems to do as well with this type of voting as the Obamas do with the caucuses. Then the media continually talks about how so many people in the last three days (see Florida) broke for Obama. Well, duh, of course. The Clinton supporters (i.e. women and seniors) knew exactly who they wanted from day one and as soon as possible got their hands on the ballots and sent them in. So the pool of late decision makers was absent the hardcore Clinton people and naturally would look in favor towards Obama.

MORE TO COME!!

Super Bowl Thoughts

We all should have known that the Super Bowl would eventually become something much different when the NFL powers to be began to use Roman Numerals to keep track of each season's game. The World Series is just that - the World Series. But there is something haughty and intimidating about Super Bowl XLII.

The NFL has its roots deep in the soil of the midwest. A game of brutality (mixed with moments of poetry and grace) was played on cool autumn days that gave way to frozen tundras as the playoffs and championships were contested. Loyal fans, buried behind long johns, sweaters, overcoats, scarfs, gloves, and woolen hats braved the freezing elements to witness their heroes battle for victory.

But as the NFL and the upstart AFL merged in the late sixties, the idea took root to treat the championship more like a college bowl game. A neutral site, first in warm Los Angeles, then later in places like Florida, New Orleans, and Arizona was thought to be the best way to portray the game and ensure that attending fans would not have to sit through the cold to enjoy the growing spectacle.

From somewhat humble beginnings (the first game did not sell out and featured actual college bands playing at halftime), the Super Bowl began to become a sporting event different than others. In fact, as time went on, the actual game became secondary to the circus that surrounded it.

The hardcore fan can remember many of the champions, mvps, and great plays that took place. But as the game increased in popularity, via television, it was the outside events that most think of. Apple computers iconic Macintosh commercial, the annual Bud Bowls, and the glimpse of a singer's nipple are the moments that capture the fancy of those who viewed the contests.

With much of the nation socked in with snow and with no place to really go, the NFL and the TV networks and advertising agencies have used the game to peddle glitz, schlock, and incredibly high ratings. All that have an invested interest in the game are raking in millions while the common folk spend an almost entire Sunday watching some football but lots of entertainment and loads of commercials.

If you could ask the true football follower which games hold his or her's fancy, the answer would be the league playoffs that precede the Super Bowl. Those games are not played in neutral, sanitized spots. Hometown fans still have an opportunity to root in person for their beloved teams. The games are still subject to the elements that were once an essential component of the gridiron contest. And blessedly, the playoff games are devoid of most of the mainstream musical acts and the hype that surrounds the ultimate championship.

So yes, most of use will watch the Giants and the Patriots battle in University Of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. We will see the aging Tom Petty at halftime. We will watch much of the tear jerking personal stories on the pregame FOX broadcast. And we will ogle at the shots of celebrities sitting in comfortable suites, sipping wine, and taking our place at the game that was once meant to be played in places like Green Bay, Chicago, and Cleveland in the last throes of a cooling autumn in front of thousands of steelworkers, bus drivers, school teachers, and just common folk that had a personal bond with their team and their bloody but not broken warriors.