Olympic Games

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

I thought maybe we could use a thread for the London Games.

This morning I watched Alexander Vinokourov age 38 of Kazakhstan ride an amazing race to take the gold in the cycling road race. It was pretty cool because no one saw it coming, with a few kilometers left he broke away along with a much younger (23?) Colombian rider. Then with just a few 100 meters left the young guy had a brain fart and let his concentration slip for just a moment, the old guy noticed the slip and immediately began his final dash. By the time the young guy realized what happened, the old guy had built up a good lead and was able to hold on to win.

[Fredia]

already staring at whatever is own and sadly using the net for spoiler alerts  5 metals

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

France is hanging tough against the USA men's basketball team. And Craig Sager is wearing normal clothes. I figured NBC would have him dressed like a peacock.

[austro]

Just finished watching Brazil-Belarus in soccer. Neymar showed some incredible moves. Brazil wins 3-1.

[Ron Brand]

I need a 'LOLO ALERT' that sends to my phone.

[Ron Brand]

NatLamp unto my feet.

[ybbodeus]

Monolithic Oil Company. Mr. Rogers. Richard Belzer and Bill Murray as talk radio jocks. The Nadia reset from Brian Doyle Murray that you linked.  A classic bit of irreverent humor.

[Ron Brand]

Flash Bazbo, Space Explorer.

[ybbodeus]

"And now for $24,000, name three famous Mickey's."  Another Bill Murray gem.

[Ron Brand]

Mickey Way? Will they take that?

[Fredia]

do not go to the home page of yahoo or aol or listen to the radio

[ybbodeus]

Mickey Way? Will they take that?

"Mickey WAY?"

[Ron Brand]

The candy bar. They'll take that, won't they? Mickey Way? The candy bar?

[NeilT]

Mickey Mantle, Mickey Rooney, and Mickey Moose.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Mickey Spillane, Mickey Finn, and Mickey Sixx.

[ybbodeus]

"And now for $50,000, name a small sea animal."

[Fredia]

budseligseasnake

[ybbodeus]

That'll do. Brand and I were looking for "shrimp cocktail", but, again, that'll do.

[Limey]

I see that NBC continues it's ridiculous pandering with the medal table.  For everyone else, the team at the top of the table is the team with the most golds, not the most medals in total.  I don't appreciate China's dominance either, but lying about it is a pointless exercise.

[subnuclear]

There should be a 5-3-1 point system for the medals and they should show them per capita and per $ spent on training.

Also, they should have some grab bag events where you don't know the sport your competing in until right before the event.

[MusicMan]

I see that NBC continues it's ridiculous pandering with the medal table.  For everyone else, the team at the top of the table is the team with the most golds, not the most medals in total.  I don't appreciate China's dominance either, but lying about it is a pointless exercise.

They've done it this way long before China started catching up.

[Ron Brand]

I see that NBC continues it's ridiculous pandering with the medal table.  For everyone else, the team at the top of the table is the team with the most golds, not the most medals in total.  I don't appreciate China's dominance either, but lying about it is a pointless exercise.

It is the National Broadcasting Company, not the China Broadcasting Company. Hell, I don't care if they show the US in a table by themselves with everyone else separate. It would be the least of their sins, given the rest of their coverage.

[Limey]

They've done it this way long before China started catching up.

I only noticed last time around.  Doesn't matter how long it's been going on, it's always been wrong.  Most golds = winner.

[MRaup]

I've decided to dedicate myself full time to learning Olympic Handball.

That game is BRUTAL.

[Limey]

I've decided to dedicate myself full time to learning Olympic Handball.

That game is BRUTAL.

I believe Alkie is a past gold medalist.

[Noe]

I've decided to dedicate myself full time to learning Olympic Handball.

That game is BRUTAL.

When I saw a Spanish handball player (woman) try to take down a French woman by literally jumping into her full force, I had to take time to follow what they were doing. It's basketball without the need for a flop, combined with futbol (soccer) without the need for a fake injury. It's all about hurting the other player trying to score a goal. Wow!

[Limey]

When I saw a Spanish handball player (woman) try to take down a French woman by literally jumping into her full force, I had to take time to follow what they were doing. It's basketball without the need for a flop, combined with futbol (soccer) without the need for a fake injury. It's all about hurting the other player trying to score a goal. Wow!

Rugby?

[Matt]

Can the US Women's soccer team just play in the men's competition?

[MusicMan]

Can the US Women's soccer team just play in the men's competition?

Alex Morgan is all woman.

[Noe]

Rugby?

Kinda, except handball is played indoors on what looks like a very hard floor with two goals, one on each end. The teams run back and forth trying to throw the ball into the net (that is tended to by a goal keeper). Looks for all the world like basketball and futbol combined as an indoor sport. And lots of knocking people on their keesters.

[Bench]

Looks for all the world like basketball and futbol combined as an indoor sport. And lots of knocking people on their keesters.

And hockey and lacrosse and hurling and polo. 

[austro]

Alex Morgan is all woman.

And she has developed some impressive skills in the last two years. She used to be a bit of a one-trick pony: speed. But she often does a very nice job of controlling the ball now, and has turned into a fairly deft passer. I'm impressed.

[Taras Bulba]

Bob Costas is a pompous little fucking fuck.

[Ron Brand]

Bob Costas is a pompous little fucking fuck.

Is it me, or are they shooting him in soft focus to hide the work he's had done?

[The Spleen]

You wanna know how I got these scars?

[Lefty]

Bob Costas is a pompous little fucking fuck.

blue, sky; wet, water; selig, asshole

[Fredia]

how dare the usa not qualify for handball

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

We need more South Africans on live tv.

[Noe]

And hockey and lacrosse and hurling and polo. 

Mixing in a horse or two would be outstanding! Bring in the Calvary!

[Noe]

Destiny Hooker... best damn volleyball player I've ever seen. At least, the most dominant and if you're facing her kill on the other side, you're going to get a black eye when the ball bounces off your face.

[BizidyDizidy]

Not a bad name either

[Duke]

Destiny Hooker... best damn volleyball player I've ever seen. At least, the most dominant and if you're facing her kill on the other side, you're going to get a black eye when the ball bounces off your face.

Phenominal player.  42" vertical jump.  Did you ever see Flo Hymen (also not a bad name)?  She played in th '88 team that won silver in Seoul.  One of my classmates at Texas Lutheran was on that team (Laurie Flachmeir)

[drew corleone]

Destinee...

[Noe]

Phenominal player.  42" vertical jump.  Did you ever see Flo Hymen (also not a bad name)?  She played in th '88 team that won silver in Seoul.  One of my classmates at Texas Lutheran was on that team (Laurie Flachmeir)

Yup, I remember Flo too. My sister played volleyball and was very good (a setter), but never good enough to play Olympic volleyball. I got to play on an amateur team with her (co-ed rec league) one year and she taught me how to play. That was a lot of fun.

What I saw of Hooker today (even though the player of the match was Megan Hogue with all her kills) was just one dominant player. I figure the Chinese were not going to stop Hooker 1 on 1, so they kept looking for her. That opened up the game for Hogue and Toms to get some running kills. You could see the Chinese not knowing what to do, follow Hooker around the court or play the others straight up. The times Hooker got a set on the outside, it was just so scary good what she could do with the ball. One kill in particular, she rose well above the double block. They were trying to take away the line and the middle from her and have her hit an almost impossible cross court spike. Heck, that didn't bother her, she went over the block and hit it down the line and the defender in the back got a mouthful of ball. Man, breathe taking player IMHO.

[Bench]

Destiny Hooker... best damn volleyball player I've ever seen. At least, the most dominant and if you're facing her kill on the other side, you're going to get a black eye when the ball bounces off your face.

Best Porn names in the Olympics.

Led of course by Destinee Hooker, but I really like Milica Mandic.

[ybbodeus]

Destinee...

Whoa, there. Just had a Young Frankenstein flashback.

[MusicMan]

Best Porn names in the Olympics.

Led of course by Destinee Hooker, but I really like Milica Mandic.

Much better than the slide show that listed the "most attractive athletes in the Olympics" and included a 16 year old gymnast.

[Bench]

Much better than the slide show that listed the "most attractive athletes in the Olympics" and included a 16 year old gymnast.

Link?

(just kidding)

[subnuclear]

Much better than the slide show that listed the "most attractive athletes in the Olympics" and included a 16 year old gymnast.

I guess I'd have to go to Maryland to view it.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Wow. Murray just destroyed Federer for the gold.

[MusicMan]

I thought the complaints about NBC's streaming were overblown.

Then I tried to stream USWNT v Canada.

I'm pretty sure a VIC-20 is powering this stream.

[hostros7]

I thought the complaints about NBC's streaming were overblown.

Then I tried to stream USWNT v Canada.

I'm pretty sure a VIC-20 is powering this stream.

No shite, I can't even see Alex Morgan clearly. 

[Limey]

I thought the complaints about NBC's streaming were overblown.

Then I tried to stream USWNT v Canada.

I'm pretty sure a VIC-20 is powering this stream.

Speaking of NBC and overblown, I was watching the tape-delayed gymnastics last night, unaware of the results.  Both Miss Limey and myself were gobsmacked at the Cubbish victory dance being performed by the fuckwits in the booth over McKayla Moroney's impending slaughter of all-comers in the individual vault.  "Stay tuned for McKayla's outstanding vault, coming soon...".  Neither of us were sure if we were watching the real-time commentary, or one that was looped onto the highlights later.  Their certainty was 100%, ugly and stupid.

Then McKayla's butt hit the ground on her second vault, and the gold was gone.  The sad part is that my sadness for McKayla was offset with a giant heaping of serves-you-fuckers-right for the gobshites in the booth.  If there's anything disconcerting about these olympics (other than one shitbag lobbing his beer bottle during the 100m Men's final) it's NBC's appalling coverage.

Oh, and the beach volleyball arena being on the Horseguards' parade ground is fucking genius.  What an amazing sight*.


* No, I'm not talking about Marta Menegatti.

[Bench]

No shite, I can't even see Alex Morgan clearly. 

Speaking of which, this has been a batshit amazing game. 

[Matt]

Speaking of which, this has been a batshit amazing game. 

The US women's football team is way more entertaining than the men's.

[Limey]

Speaking of which, this has been a batshit amazing game. 

The free kick / penalty was bullshit squared.  But them's the breaks.

[Matt]

The free kick / penalty was bullshit squared.  But them's the breaks.

The Canadians should have been playing a woman down for that head stomp though so it all evened out.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Speaking of NBC's coverage. WTF Ryan Seacrest?!?!?!? If for nothing else, Fuck You NBC!

[ybbodeus]

It's a marketing thing, though I'd hate to hear their term for the subspecies they're trying to reach through his participation.

[AtascAstro]

It's a marketing thing, though I'd hate to hear their term for the subspecies they're trying to reach through his participation.

Americans.

FML

[Noe]

Best sign at Wembley Stadium today at the Gold Medal match: "Forget Han, I want to be Mr. Solo!"

[Matt]

Best sign at Wembley Stadium today at the Gold Medal match: "Forget Han, I want to be Mr. Solo!"

I ALWAYS think of her as being Han and Leia's daughter.

[MusicMan]

I ALWAYS think of her as being Han and Leia's daughter.

Hope and Tim Howard should breed the next generation of US keepers.

[remy]

Not sure that blaring "Born in the USA" through the stadium loudspeakers after the game was a very bright idea.  In any situation really, but especially against Japan.

"Sent me off to a foreign land
To go and kill the yellow man"

Awkwarrrrrrrrrrd....

[Matt]

Not sure that blaring "Born in the USA" through the stadium loudspeakers after the game was a very bright idea.  In any situation really, but especially against Japan.

"Sent me off to a foreign land
To go and kill the yellow man"

Awkwarrrrrrrrrrd....

hahaha Oops.

[ybbodeus]

Not sure that blaring "Born in the USA" through the stadium loudspeakers after the game was a very bright idea.  In any situation really, but especially against Japan.

"Sent me off to a foreign land
To go and kill the yellow man"

Awkwarrrrrrrrrrd....

Yeah, witnessed the horror of that song on a Karioki night in Hiroshima about ten years ago. My buddy who was singing it? I tried to stop the song once it was announced, but he had already started.  Our hosts? I think they put that song on just to fuck with the ugly Americans. Hopefully the Texas Longhorn ballcaps I gave them eased their bitterness. 

[austro]

Kenyan guy won the 800m in 1:40.91 tonight. That's just incredible. Sometime in the next 5 or 10 years somebody is going to go under 1:40. That's ridiculous.

[ybbodeus]

Love the 800. Happy for Kenya.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

I ALWAYS think of her as being Han and Leia's daughter.

That's silly, Star Wars was not real. Anyway, I'm pretty sure she is Napoleon Solo's and April Dancer's granddaughter.

[Ebby Calvin]

That's silly, Star Wars was not real.

You shut your damn mouth!

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

I ALWAYS think of her as being Han and Leia's daughter.

A New Hope?

[Fredia]

for some reason all these underwater shots freak me out...

[MusicMan]

Not sure that blaring "Born in the USA" through the stadium loudspeakers after the game was a very bright idea.  In any situation really, but especially against Japan.

"Sent me off to a foreign land
To go and kill the yellow man"

Awkwarrrrrrrrrrd....

It was worse at the Little League World Series.

[NeilT]

That's silly, Star Wars was not real. Anyway, I'm pretty sure she is Napoleon Solo's and April Dancer's granddaughter.

I thought Han and Napolean were brothers?

[Matt]

A New Hope?

Exactly!

[das]

Kenyan guy won the 800m in 1:40.91 tonight. That's just incredible. Sometime in the next 5 or 10 years somebody is going to go under 1:40. That's ridiculous.

Insane.  Fastest 800m I ever ran was a 1:57.8 when I was in tip-top shape at 17.  This guy would have beat me by 150m.  Now, as I approach 400m, he would only be 150m behind me as I start the 2nd lap.  On a 2 lap race. Crazy.

[AtascAstro]

So Leo Manzano just took the express lane to infamy.

[Andyzipp]

So Leo Manzano just took the express lane to infamy.

Is he not of Mexican heritage?

[MusicMan]

So Leo Manzano just took the express lane to infamy.

It is a BRAND NEW DEVELOPMENT that some Americans may have immigrated from other countries and maintain pride in their heritage.

[AtascAstro]

Is he not of Mexican heritage?

Don't care.  He is there as a sponsored representative of the USA.  I don't think that any other country in the world would be ok with that.  Tons of olympians train in the US (permanent residents or citizens), I don't see any of them hoisting the Stars'n Stripes.

[Bench]

It is a BRAND NEW DEVELOPMENT that some Americans may have immigrated from other countries and maintain pride in their heritage.

Some folks should check out NYC on Columbus Day. 

TRAITORS!

[Andyzipp]

Some folks should check out NYC on Columbus Day.  

TRAITORS!

That's just white folks, so no problem.

[MusicMan]

Don't care.  He is there as a sponsored representative of the USA.  I don't think that any other country in the world would be ok with that.

I don't have enough dismissive wanking motions in the world for this.

[subnuclear]

"The United States is my home and I'm very proud to represent it. I love this country and wouldn't change it for anything, but my roots are Mexican and I also feel proud to be able to carry the two flags," he said.

[Andyzipp]

Pride comes before the fall.  In Atascocita.

[Bench]

Amy Goodman had a really interesting interview with John Carlos, of 1968 Olympics "Black Power salute" infamy on Democracy Now today.  Carlos described how much thought they put in to deciding what symbols to employ, from the black scarf for black power, beads to represent slaves and other people killed in lynchings, an unzipped jacket to represent blue collar strife (they seemed to be grasping at straws at this point but it's cool they thought about it), and a puma sneaker to show their appreciation to the brand marketing affordable athletic gear to inner city black communities.  They wore the gloves so they wouldn't have to literally shake the hand of Avery Brundage, who was evidently a horrifically awful person. 

I only caught about five or so minutes of it so I'll have to go pull it off the archive to catch the rest.  But that was a bit more "infamous" at the time then this fellow. 

[Ron Brand]

I only caught about five or so minutes of it so I'll have to go pull it off the archive to catch the rest.  But that was a bit more "infamous" at the time then this fellow. 

No shit. They were reviled when they came back to the US. You'd have thought they posed with the VC throwing a peace sign or something.

Raising that fist took a damn load of guts. Whatever your politics, that was a Bold Statement and it must have felt like climbing Everest to do it.

[Bench]

No shit. They were reviled when they came back to the US. You'd have thought they posed with the VC throwing a peace sign or something.

Raising that fist took a damn load of guts. Whatever your politics, that was a Bold Statement and it must have felt like climbing Everest to do it.

The IOC (helmed by Brundage) tried to have them removed from Mexico, and when the USOC refused he suspended the entire US track team. 

They returned home to death threats and were generally shunned by the sporting community for a while.  It's comforting to look back and shake your head in wonder that the vast majority of people were on the wrong side of history.  It happens a lot, from major institutional events like Plessy v. Ferguson to silly things like eating chicken sandwiches.  At least that's what I tell myself.

The 1968 display was incredibly courageous and it certainly came from a place of rage and anger (and rightfully so).  Manzano's gesture is of course nothing of the sort, and if anything is an affable display of multiculturalism and unity.  Serena's crip walk was merely silly. 

[austro]

... multiculturalism ...

Now you've done it. You're going to be hunted down like a dog when the Tea Party takes over.

[cougar]

They wore the gloves so they wouldn't have to literally shake the hand of Avery Brundage, who was evidently a horrifically awful person. 

Just from looking him up on wikipedia (which, as we all know, is 100% correct) he, amongst other things, fought against boycotting the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, took away Babe Didrikson's amateur status because she did a car commercial (?) and backed it up by saying, " "You know, the ancient Greeks kept women out of their athletic games. They wouldn't even let them on the sidelines. I'm not so sure but they were right.", kicked gold medal favorite swimmer Eleanor Jarrett off the team in 1936 after the team arrived in Berlin (she claimed for refusing a proposition of his), possibly appeased Hitler by kicking 2 Jewish runners off the men's relay team, as IOC president allowed the USSR to supply "amateur" athletes with housing, stipends, and "jobs" so they could train year around, and is often remembered as a racist and anti-Semite.  He did some good things (most of them scholarships and such after he died) but all in all, wouldn't be high on my list of favorite sports personalities.

[austro]

Just from looking him up on wikipedia (which, as we all know, is 100% correct) he, amongst other things, fought against boycotting the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, took away Babe Didrikson's amateur status because she did a car commercial (?) and backed it up by saying, " "You know, the ancient Greeks kept women out of their athletic games. They wouldn't even let them on the sidelines. I'm not so sure but they were right.", kicked gold medal favorite swimmer Eleanor Jarrett off the team in 1936 after the team arrived in Berlin (she claimed for refusing a proposition of his), possibly appeased Hitler by kicking 2 Jewish runners off the men's relay team, as IOC president allowed the USSR to supply "amateur" athletes with housing, stipends, and "jobs" so they could train year around, and is often remembered as a racist and anti-Semite.  He did some good things (most of them scholarships and such after he died) but all in all, wouldn't be high on my list of favorite sports personalities.

You're too kind. He was scum.

[cougar]

You're too kind. He was scum.

Yeah but I thought, "I wouldn't piss on him if he was on fire, but I would if he wasn't" might not go over well.

[Lefty]

Manzano's gesture is of course nothing of the sort, and if anything is an affable display of multiculturalism and unity.

Nobody in Texas would bat an eye or really give a shit.  The rest of the country though....

[Bench]

Just from looking him up on wikipedia (which, as we all know, is 100% correct) he, amongst other things, fought against boycotting the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, took away Babe Didrikson's amateur status because she did a car commercial (?) and backed it up by saying, " "You know, the ancient Greeks kept women out of their athletic games. They wouldn't even let them on the sidelines. I'm not so sure but they were right.", kicked gold medal favorite swimmer Eleanor Jarrett off the team in 1936 after the team arrived in Berlin (she claimed for refusing a proposition of his), possibly appeased Hitler by kicking 2 Jewish runners off the men's relay team, as IOC president allowed the USSR to supply "amateur" athletes with housing, stipends, and "jobs" so they could train year around, and is often remembered as a racist and anti-Semite.  He did some good things (most of them scholarships and such after he died) but all in all, wouldn't be high on my list of favorite sports personalities.

He was also an Olympian himself. A silver medalist in fact. He was bested by Jim Thorpe whose gold medals he later stripped.

[ybbodeus]

Thought he didn't medal. Did he steal the medal via the stripping of Thorpe?  That wouldn't explain silver, I suppose.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

I've always been amused by how emotions can be controlled so easily by a particular arrangement of inks on cloth.

[HudsonHawk]

He was also an Olympian himself. A silver medalist in fact. He was bested by Jim Thorpe whose gold medals he later stripped.

Brundage did not medal.  He dropped out of the decathlon competition and finished sixth in the pentathlon.  And Thorpe's medals were stripped from him almost immediately after the games, in 1913.  Brundage didn't become IOC President until nearly 40 years later in 1952.

[Bench]

Brundage did not medal.  He dropped out of the decathlon competition and finished sixth in the pentathlon.  And Thorpe's medals were stripped from him almost immediately after the games, in 1913.  Brundage didn't become IOC President until nearly 40 years later in 1952.

Ah. I may have misheard that part in the interview.

[Uncle Charlie]

I really enjoyed the Mexico v Brazil soccer final.  Mexico was not in the attacking third much, but when they were they were nearly excellent.  MEX could have easily had 4-5 goals.  Good for them.

That said, I'm incredibly impressed with the young Brazilian squad.  Hulk and Oscar represent significant adds to the Chelsea club, which does not make me happy as a Fulham supporter.

[AtascAstro]

Pride comes before the fall.  In Atascocita.

Sport, and especially the Olympics, has been a wonderful unifying influence in this country.  That moment of victory, where we as Americans, become one despite being more different than any other nation on earth is beautiful and it is what makes us great.  We all come from somewhere else, we all have roots, we are all different.  But we can find common ground in our national banner, pride in our competitive excellence.  For that moment, Leo may have been born in another country and he may even speak a different language in his heart but in that victory we are all on the same team and one can look around and realize that Americans of every color and creed are all cheering together.  United in a moment that is so rare.  When he picks up the other flag, he separates again.  Sure in a perfect world it shouldn't, but this isn't a perfect world.  We need those pure moments to help the weak and hateful along. 

I don't hate him, I don't want him deported or kicked off the team, I just wish that in that moment he would have made it easier for someone prone to hate to be confused about why they feel that way.  Someday maybe we'll all be so tolerant and open minded that we don't need those special moments, but I don't think we are there yet.

[Lefty]

Sport, and especially the Olympics, has been a wonderful unifying influence in this country.  That moment of victory, where we as Americans, become one despite being more different than any other nation on earth is beautiful and it is what makes us great.  We all come from somewhere else, we all have roots, we are all different.  But we can find common ground in our national banner, pride in our competitive excellence.  For that moment, Leo may have been born in another country and he may even speak a different language in his heart but in that victory we are all on the same team and one can look around and realize that Americans of every color and creed are all cheering together.  United in a moment that is so rare.  When he picks up the other flag, he separates again.  Sure in a perfect world it shouldn't, but this isn't a perfect world.  We need those pure moments to help the weak and hateful along. 

I don't hate him, I don't want him deported or kicked off the team, I just wish that in that moment he would have made it easier for someone prone to hate to be confused about why they feel that way.  Someday maybe we'll all be so tolerant and open minded that we don't need those special moments, but I don't think we are there yet.

Here smack dab in the middle of good ol' red state (though formerly blue-dog, may it be again) Hill Country, we will be having a parade for Leo, at his convenience.  One of the many things I do love about Texas is how we as a state embrace our special relationship with our Southern neighbors.  FU AZ

[AtascAstro]

Here smack dab in the middle of good ol' red state (though formerly blue-dog, may it be again) Hill Country, we will be having a parade for Leo, at his convenience.  One of the many things I do love about Texas is how we as a state embrace our special relationship with our Southern neighbors.  FU AZ

Well of course you should have a parade, he is still an Olympic Silver medalist and those don't come along every day.  I hope that he uses his fame to champion whatever causes are important to him.  That is the privalege of any champion after they come home.  I still feel that the competition and moment of victory should be about the team first.  Leo isn't unique, every athlete there has a cause or a secondary heritage.  I don't think that the games would be better if everybody decided to celebrate their personal and individual causes.  1968 would have been far less moving and impactful if it had been common.  There are times and causes worthy of elevation,  their rarity is what makes them meaninful.

[Fredia]

have to add this usa usa usa

[Bench]

Leo doesn't owe the weak and hateful dick, nor do the rest of us. Pandering to the lowest common denominator is a pretty shitty goal.

[austro]

The officiating in this basketball game is confusing. It's almost as if Angel Hernandez and CB Bucknor are on the floor.

[subnuclear]

Leo doesn't owe the weak and hateful dick, nor do the rest of us. Pandering to the lowest common denominator is a pretty shitty goal.

I have no idea what this even means and seems out of line. In this case, because Leo is a making a politics-free tribute to his family, I don't think its an issue worth getting upset about, but its not hard to see ways someone could be disrespectful about it.

[MRaup]

The officiating in this basketball game is confusing. It's almost as if Angel Hernandez and CB Bucknor are on the floor.

Just seeing the Gasol brothers makes me feel like I need a shower. There is no greater Eurotrash stereotype than those two dirtbags.

[Ty in Tampa]

I only noticed last time around.  Doesn't matter how long it's been going on, it's always been wrong.  Most golds = winner.

Yep.

[austro]

Russia has unleashed their 7'2" guy as an outside hitter and completely reversed a volleyball match in which they were down two sets to none and up against a couple of match points. This guy is hitting from at least 3' above the net.

And there's the winning point. Amazing comeback.

[Taras Bulba]

Closing ceremonies: WTF?

[ybbodeus]

Are they displaying any interest in photography?  You know, CANDID photography? Eh?

[Lefty]

Just seeing the Gasol brothers makes me feel like I need a shower. There is no greater Eurotrash stereotype than those two dirtbags.

You haven't watched Portugal, France or Italy in the WC, I take it?

[BizidyDizidy]

Best thing from the olympics

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=510_1344196881&fb_source=message

[subnuclear]

Best thing from the olympics

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=510_1344196881&fb_source=message

I saw it earlier and its so totally awesome that I was convinced it was just guys screwing around and not live tv.

[Limey]

Yep.

Congrats to the mighty Team USA.

I'm still trying to digest Team GB's third place finish.  Amazing.

[Ty in Tampa]

Congrats to the mighty women of Team USA.

I'm still trying to digest Team GB's third place finish.  Amazing.

Home pitch advantage.

[Taras Bulba]

I'm very thankful that our men's soccer team did not qualify. 

[MusicMan]

I'm very thankful that our men's soccer team did not qualify. 

Let's say the events were somehow taking place simultaneously.  Would you rather watch our men or women in a World Cup elimination game?

[Bench]

Best thing from the olympics

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=510_1344196881&fb_source=message

"You're not going to win any medals going that way, dickhead."

[Taras Bulba]

Let's say the events were somehow taking place simultaneously.  Would you rather watch our men or women in a World Cup elimination game?

I could not imagine such a thing happening.  We've poured 500 billion dollars and double that of popsicles into this whole soccer thing and American men are not capable of beating Upper Volta.  Our male population should do what we do best: some assorted track and swim shit and then go all in for American Goddamn Football come September.

[ybbodeus]

Would have preferred to have Supertramp over The Who at the final party. Hell, I'm down with The Who, but there should have been a GB superband formed with members of the Stones, the Beatles and Clash, The Kinks, Bowie, Mott the Hoople, Pink Floyd, Genesis...anybody but Sting. At last they left THAT whining windbag out.

Wundebah! Wundebah, wundebah!

[Ron Brand]

That ain't The Who, that's The Who's Left.

[chuck]

That ain't The Who, that's The Who's Left.

The Who the Hell Are You?

[ybbodeus]

Banana O'Reilly seems to have become their theme song.  Not complaining, but as a marries man, My Wife has become my favorite over the years.

"If she catches up with me..."  Greatness.

[ybbodeus]

Baba/banana, same thing. Marries/married, not. I should probably increase the font for my aging eyes.

[ybbodeus]

Would have preferred to have Supertramp over The Who at the final party. Hell, I'm down with The Who, but there should have been a GB superband formed with members of the Stones, the Beatles and Clash, The Kinks, Bowie, Mott the Hoople, Pink Floyd, Genesis...anybody but Sting. At last they left THAT whining windbag out.

Wundebah! Wundebah, wundebah!

I probably should have included Jeff Lynne and ELO.

[Limey]

Wundebah! Wundebah, wundebah!

Tenpole Tudor?   That would've been awesome. 

[ybbodeus]

Death of a 1,000 Swords might not have been the one to sing, huh? Right up there with The Sex Pistols and God Save the Queen, no?

[Taras Bulba]

Death of a 1,000 Swords might not have been the one to sing, huh? Right up there with The Sex Pistols and God Save the Queen, no?

I would have paid Yankee dollars to see that.

[Limey]

Death of a 1,000 Swords might not have been the one to sing, huh? Right up there with The Sex Pistols and God Save the Queen, no?

Swords of a Thousand Men

[Ron Brand]

Ah, that was great. Thank you.

[Limey]

Ah, that was great. Thank you.

If you liked that, you'll love this (the reference yybodeus first made).

[Ron Brand]

For years, all I knew of Tenpole Tudor was from Great Rock and Roll Swindle. Wunderbar makes me think of something sorta like this.

[ybbodeus]

Swords of a Thousand Men

The way I'm fuckin' up spellings lately, I'm somewhat surprised I didn't type Banana O'Grady.  Sheesh!