The Press, the Storyline, and Politics USA

Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2016 Laurence Kant

Superhero Charlatans

An excellent article that illustrates our penchant for glorifying Gatsbyesque charlatans:

http://nymag.com/news/frank-rich/david-petraeus-2012-12/#print

Madoff, Wilpon, and the Mets

The intriguing and mysterious saga of the Wilpon and Madoff families. I’m not sure what happened here, but the story is gripping. If Wilpon knew so little about investing (which may well be the case), that’s one more confirmation how con-men can push the buttons of anyone in their narcissistic drive for money and power.
http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2011/05/30/110530fa_fact_toobin?printable=true&currentPage=all

Ryan Mallett Analysis

This analysis is interesting, thoughtful, detailed, and perceptive.  The author is a thinker and researcher. I enjoyed reading it to get an insight into how to think about predicting trends and future directions. It’s football, but applicable to life.

http://weblogs.sun-sentinel.com/sports/columnists/hyde/blog/2011/03/draft_winds_lies_damn_lies_and_1.html

Don Banks on NFL Labor Talks

This is a devastating piece on this sports war between the rich and richer.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/don_banks/03/11/nfl.labor.front.ap/index.html

The Odd Couple: Yogi Berra and Ron Guidry

This is a wonderful story about a friendship through baseball.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/24/sports/baseball/24yogi.html?hp=&pagewanted=all

The Suicide of Dave Duerson and NFL Brain Injuries

Dave Duerson shot himself in the chest in order to preserve his brain for research.  Concussive injuries in football are increasingly implicated in brain disorders.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/20/sports/football/20duerson.html

Doing the Right Thing

This is a moving story, a pitcher who gave up 12 million dollars, because he wanted to do the right thing and keep his self-respect.  Inspiring.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/27/sports/baseball/27meche.html?hp

Jews and Rowing

The Rowing Team
Yeshiva University decided to put together a scull rowing team. Unfortunately, they lost race after race. They practiced for hours every day, but never managed to come in any better than dead last. The head of the Yeshiva finally decided he couldn’t stand any more embarrassment so he sent Yankel to spy on Harvard’s team.

So Yankel shlepped off to Harvard and hid on the bank of the river from where he carefully watched the Harvard team as they practiced.
When Yankel returned to the Yeshiva he proudly announced to the head.
“I have figured out their secret,”

“They have eight guys rowing and one guy shouting and we have eight guys shouting and one guy rowing.”

Golf Bloopers

I feel pretty good about my golf game now:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sERwdGY_ITU&feature=player_embedded

Chris Henry and Organ Donation

This is quite a moving story:  http://www.cbssports.com/video/player/play/nfl/CdypPOxkRyMWxJjEkoxYqBr_XWjB6WQe

The Highest Paid Athlete in History

http://www.laphamsquarterly.org/roundtable/roundtable/greatest-of-all-time.php
A Roman charioteer was actually the most well-paid athlete in history.