#they’re not hockey fans but they were suitably impressed

[emotionalsupportdman]

oh my god y’all my Jeff Skinner Sabres Pride jersey came in today and I’m crying I love it so much

[crusherthedoctor]

Sonic Villains: Sweet or Shite? - Part 12: THE HARD-BOILED HEAVIES

There are some villains I like. And there are some villains I don’t like. But why do I feel about them the way I do? That’s where this comes in.

This is a mini-series of mine, in which I’ll be going into slightly more detail about my thoughts on the villains in the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise, and why I think they either work well, or fall flat (or somewhere in-between). I’ll be giving my stance on their designs, their personalities, and what they had to show for themselves in the game(s) they featured in. Keep in mind that these are just my own personal thoughts. Whether you agree or disagree, feel free to share your own thoughts and opinions! I don’t bite. :>

Anyhow, for today’s installment, we’ll be covering the rotund oppression squad of Sonic Mania, and celebrated improv artists among the Badnik community: the Hard-Boiled Heavies.

The Gist: Sonic the Hedgehog and Miles "Tails" Prower were heading to Angel Island in pursuit of a mysterious new jewel that their nemesis, Dr. Eggman, was on the hunt for. Unfortunately for them, a squad of Egg Robos had already beaten them to the punch, because literally everyone in the Sonic universe is faster than Sonic. Upon being unearthed, the jewel in question - the Phantom Ruby - wasted no time in working its magic, and with its unexplained distortion efforts, it sent Sonic and Tails (and Knuckles) to Green Hill.

Also, it gave the Egg Robos more than a few nifty accessories.

The king was on his own with finding the tip of his scepter though.

Thus began a new adventure that proved to the non-believers that this franchise can in fact work beautifully when the characters have gameplay mechanics in common with each other and aren't going around picking up guns and turning into werehogs. Sonic was on a mission to get to the bottom of the Phantom Ruby shenanigans, but his upgraded opposition, dubbed the Hard-Boiled Heavies, did whatever they could to stop the hedgehog's pulse, which largely involved making use of old Badniks in refreshing and exciting new ways... much like themselves.

This is a more compelling take on Arthurian legend than the entirety of Black Knight.

All the while, Eggman carried on using the Phantom Ruby to his heart's content to make things even more difficult for our heroes, like teleporting them away as often as a Kirby final boss, and giving Metal Sonic a brand new Final Smash. Eggman planned to use the Titanic Monarch, a giant robot that made the monsters in Shadow of the Colossus look vertically challenged by comparison, to achieve his lifelong dream of taking over the world. Complications arose however, when the leader of the Heavies decided he wanted the Phantom Ruby for himself. Sadly for him, this was not an Adventure Era title, meaning Eggman actually fought back, and on equal terms at that. Sonic, with his super form, was forced to take on Eggman and the King at the same time.

In a stunning revelation, Sonic defeated them both. But not before the Phantom Ruby itself teleported the hedgehog away one last time, to a different time completely, where he would experience a different journey altogether... Then he came back, did the whole thing all over again, and now he's cracking a cold one with the boys (and King, for some reason).

Fucking 4Kids censors at it again.

The Designs: The Heavies are still Egg Robos at their core, so they share the same general body structure. Don't assume that makes them indistinguishable however, for they've been given a lot of bells and whistles that play to each of their thematic motifs, right up to their weapons of choice.

Heavy Gunner is a robo-bobby:

"You're nicked, hedgehog... But before you're sent to the chair, are there any pencils you'd like me to sharpen for you?"

Heavy Shinobi is a stealthy ninja, despite being neon green:

He speaks entirely in fortune cookies.

Heavy Magician is always dressed to impress:

These guys certainly do make me feel like magic.

Heavy Rider is a rough n' tough knight of the round table... if that table was Eggman's:

She dances when'ere she's able.

And the top dog, Heavy King, is suitably imposing without trying too hard and looking accidentally hilarious in the process, unlike certain other villains in this very series:

Why did he watermark his chest hair?

His Majesty also gained a second form during his final battle, which sacrificed his legs for size, power, and high quality Tee Lopes rips.

And a chimney for his head.

These designs already go far to give the Heavies their own sense of individual character. As you'll soon notice however, that's only half of it...

The Personalities: You can laugh all you want, but these Egg Robos in a game with no dialogue whatsoever managed to show vastly more personality than many of the villains in this franchise WITH dialogue. Look at this shit right here, and tell me they don't immediately ooze charm like it's nothing.

Pictured: Love at first sight.

And this extends to your confrontations with each of them. Gunner is crafty, and willing to sacrifice his own men to cover his ass, but the panicked look on his face when things go south for him is very relatable.

"Wait... I'm in a Sonic game...? ...For Sonic fans...? ...Oh god..."

Meanwhile, Shinobi puts up a cool and suave front, and never hesitates to go in for the kill, but he's not above playing around for the sake of his own cockiness.

Magician is a bubbly showoff, always popping up to mess with the heroes at a moment's notice. But she's also rather affable, and well-mannered to her mortal enemies.

Almost makes up for the Strangelove hands.

And Rider is perpetually in the midst of a cocaine rush, as her thirst for thrill and fun never sleeps. Yet she appears to have great affection for her pet Motobug, Jimmy.

Finally, King is a no-nonsense frowny face with a Sean Connery accent who is sick of his fellow Heavies' shit, who can nonetheless back himself up as the group's undisputed leader.

They may be fairly straightforward, but through the subtleties of their animations, there's a lot of life put into these guys, and their characters don't start and finish with their default trait like so many before them. You don't need to be Shakespeare in a Sonic game. You just need to be memorable and entertaining while fulfilling your role. And the Heavies do that with considerable ease.

The Execution: This might come as a surprise to you, but I love the shit out of the Heavies.

How can you hate this???

You have to understand that an overwhelming number of villains in this franchise not named Eggman have not only ranged from mediocre to terrible, they've also had a tendency of feeling the same as each other. When it's not a giant monster with little backstory of genuine interest, it's a guy dressed in all black who does evil for evil's sake. And that's without adding the recolours and their penchant for gaining disproportionate fandoms simply for being recolours.

Why is it, then, that a group who are all based on the same robot succeed where those villains fail?

Well, I'd argue there's a few elements at work there. The obvious one is that they're simply better implemented, and they leave an impression through their boss encounters and animations rather than whether or not they played tonsil hockey with Shadow or Amy in a fanfic. Another factor is that unlike other villains, they were never hyped up to be the Raddest, Baddest, Greatest Enemy of All Time for Sonic, and thus they didn't run the risk of not being able to live up to that claim. They were allowed to simply exist and do their own thing, as one addition to help compliment an overall package.

You could also argue that their status as a group works in their favor too, as it helps to make each of their traits pop out that little bit more. And they're honestly really clever with their strategies, like how Magician transforms into forgotten characters to spice things up, or how Shinobi's shurikens aren't actually shurikens, but rather Asterons, one of the most notorious enemies in the series. And need I mention Rider using a goddamn Motobug like it's a steed? These characters could have been very throwaway, but there's a surprising level of thought put into how each of them work, and giving them a characteristic spin that works to Sonic's tastes, and considering this is the same franchise that gave us a bad guy named Black Doom, I'd say it's worth noting.

"...Please explain why Boobie Bots Weekly is in my search history."

So yes, in this world where Dooms and Mephiles's's's's's's have been running rampant, the Hard-Boiled Heavies share their creator's honor of making a name for themselves. And as much as I have a fondness for the Deadly Six in spite of their issues (Zazz and Zor are still hilarious, fight me), I will agree without argument that the Heavies are a much better execution of the quirky boss group format on the overall side of things. And I swear to GodJesus and the Bear, if they never make a single appearance past their debut, I will be a very sad panda. If they can give Silver and his tiresome schtick countless second chances (and failing to make it interesting every single time), they can sure as hell give these juggernauts another go.

But until then, at least we still have Mania. Now if you'll excuse me, Shinobi's about to teleport behind me. Hope it's nothing personal.

Crusher Gives the Hard-Boiled Heavies a: Thumbs Up!

[sharkfish]

Do you know of any long fics? I’m going on vacation tomorrow and I need something to read. Preferably, >100,000 words

i decided to ignore your request and give you fics over 75k xD i trolled through my bookmarks and this is what i found! these are almost all E rated.

(if anyone knows any of the writers that i didn’t tag, feel free to tag in replies, i always like to know when someone is recing me)

Appoggiatura by ceeainthereforthat 121k

Castiel leaves the religious commune of Heaven Farms to study classical piano after winning a full scholarship paid for by the Deanna Campbell Memorial Foundation, and answers an ad in the campus newspaper: 1 bedroom to let. Meals provided. 50mb wifi, quiet odd music student preferred.

A Room Of One’s Own by NorthernSparrow 94k

All Dean wants is a little privacy. Cas doesn’t understand.

a turn of the earth by mishcollin 95k

Dean’s your typical half-orphaned, monster-killing 22-year-old until a trenchcoated stranger crashes into his back windshield one September night, claiming he’s an angel that knows him from the future and that he’s on the run.

Frigging fantastic.

(Or, in which Castiel gets stuck in Dean’s timeline preseries and Dean kind of hates it—until he doesn’t.)

C-S-T-L by komodobits 90k

It’s been nineteen years since the beginning of the Last War, and the Alliance Army is losing land faster than it can supply good men to defend it. Their hope is the synthesis of Android Angeles, a series of humanoid machines designed without the capacity to feel, and thus enabling them to be the perfect super soldiers. In order to check their battle suitability, the first prototypes are sent down with a landing party of the men they will later replace, and Sergeant Dean Winchester is paired with Unit 5284-C-S-T-L for the assignment. Cas, as Dean nicknames him, is easy enough to work with - once you get past the emotional vacancy and blatant disregard for human life, that is - but as the squad’s tour goes on, Dean gets to wondering whether the Android Angeles are really as unfeeling as he’s been told, or if the fear of a reality in which malfunctioning prototypes will be shut down is too great for them to exist any other way.

Clean Air by anactoria 121k

Centuries after the surface of the earth was devastated by an unknown disaster, the remnants of humanity live in a series of vast underground silos, each unaware of the existence of the others.

For the inhabitants of Silo 34, the silo is the world, and the only world they know. Questions about the outside world are forbidden, and asking them is what got Dean Winchester’s parents killed. He isn’t even sure himself that they weren’t crazy.

That all changes when he hears a voice on the radio – a voice from another world.

Dream of Now by Sass_Master (series) 136k

Dean’s getting some pancakes together for breakfast when Cas saunters in after a run.

He’s trying to focus on whisking batter, unfairly distracted by Cas a few feet away, breathing heavily and shining with perspiration. Dean’s been painfully aware for a long time that Cas is pretty easy on the eyes, but he’s used to seeing Cas buttoned-up and unflappable, looking straight-laced in a stiff oxford and an unflattering trenchcoat.

Now Cas is sweating, Dean’s borrowed t-shirt clinging to his skin, flushed from exertion and Dean really can’t deal with that in his kitchen right now.

For All You Young Hockey Players Out There, Pay Attention bythursdaysfallenangel 143k

Dean Winchester knows two things about hockey, two things his dad made sure he knew. One, hockey is a guy’s sport, and two, hockey is family. Hockey meant Sam and Bobby and Benny and Victor and Gabriel and hell, his entire team. So when Victor gets traded, Russian-star-turned-new-teammate Castiel Krushnic becomes a threat. As much as Dean hates him for that, the longer he sticks around, the more he begins to threaten that first rule too. Dean’s been taught his whole life that those who play hockey should not be captivated by deep accented voices and the way a guy handles his stick, so how the hell is he supposed to justify what he’s starting to think about Cas? All Dean wanted at the beginning of the season was to win, and now all he wants to do is figure out how he feels about Cas and how to deal with it without ruining his career and tearing his family apart.

Grown-Ups Making Grown-Up Choices by Carrieosity @carrieosity​ 81k

Dean is a grown-ass man - he can take perfectly good care of himself, thank you very much. Except that sometimes the easier or more fun choices aren’t always the right or best ones, and, all right, maybe thinking ahead and working the long game isn’t his strongest suit. It’s fine! He’s fine.

When he meets Castiel, he realizes that flying by the seat of his pants may not be the best way to attract the super-serious (gorgeous, funny, genius) Alpha. Dean’s shrink has been telling him he needs to start making “grown-up choices,” and if that’s what he has to think about in order to make Cas fall for him, then he’ll give it a whirl.

Halflings by Unforth @unforth-ninawaters 103k

Ever since his wife Lisa died, Dean Winchester has been willing to do anything for his son Ben. When Ben decided he wanted to adopt a halfling, Dean said yes without hesitation - provided they did so the right way, by giving whichever half-human they decided to bring home the respect and dignity it deserved. Half-octopi Castiel isn’t exactly what they were looking for in a pet, but, then, they aren’t exactly what Castiel was expecting for owners, either.

I Can Make You Scared by Dangerousnotbroken @dangerousnotbroken 136k

So this is how it goes. Best day of Dean Winchester’s life. Loses his job, finds out he’s been cheated on, gets dumped, all in the course of one fucked up Thursday. Drinking himself into oblivion is the natural response, right? A chance encounter in a dingy dive bar gives Dean a new friend who sees his problems and likes him anyway. Now, as Dean struggles to pick up the pieces of his life, Castiel just might help him put them back together in a way he never expected.

I Wanna Get Outside (Of Me) by emwebb17 142k

Dean is a novice in the dom/sub world asked by his employer as a desperate last resort to be a sub for his recluse of a brother, Castiel. Castiel is a diagnosed OCD suffering from PTSD and agoraphobia, mysophobia, and dystychiphobia. Needless to say—he’s a mess who hasn’t stepped out of his home in literally seven years. The only times Gabriel can see traces of the way his brother used to be is when he feels in control—specifically when he has control over a sub. However, due to his idiosyncrasies and paranoia, keeping a sub around has been impossible. Enter Dean, who’s not a very traditional submissive, to try his hand at subbing for the hermit.

Living in Agony by ChasingRabbits 120k

Dean Winchester’s life is… well, it’s not great. He’s a gym teacher, he’s in his thirties, and he can’t seem to keep any part of his life straight. When the aftermath of a one-night stand goes awry, Dean is dragged kicking and screaming out of his cozy little closet and into the harsh light of reality.

Enter: Castiel Novak, the new history teacher, who knows full well that life gets crappy when you don’t allow yourself to live it in the way it needs to be lived.

Plus One by ceeainthereforthat 90k

Castiel Novak might have to attend three weddings in two months, but he’s not about to let his brother play matchmaker. His family’s Internet streaming company is too important to let a relationship steal his time, but he knows exactly what to do–hire someone to pretend to be his boyfriend.

Dean Winchester has worked five-star hospitality long enough to know how to fit in with Castiel’s crowd, and this job could score him the connections to make his acting career take off. It’s a business deal, no matter how they’re drawn to each other. When the lines of their contract start to blur into real feelings, can they withstand Castiel’s family and jealous fans working to split them up?

Satin and Sawdust by Ltleflrt @ltleflrt 159k

When Castiel moves out of Jimmy’s house and into his own place for the first time, he saves money on buying a home by investing in a Fixer-Upper. He knows nothing about how to fix the many problems the house has, but he figures he’s smart enough to figure it out. Unfortunately it’s not too long before he learns that he’s way in over his head.

Thankfully his new neighbor Dean is a handyman, and agrees to help him out. He knows Dean has a bit of a crush on him, but he’s not taking advantage of it, really. Dean’s a great guy, and quickly becomes a good friend.

Should’ve Just Asked by Annie D (scaramouche)

Despite their age gap and differing social circles, Castiel has struck up a warm friendship with Mary Winchester, a wealthy widowed socialite. When Castiel needs a place to stay, Mary invites him into her house, where there’s loads of spare room. Castiel’s aware that they make an odd pair, but he doesn’t fully realize how things look to outsiders, especially to Mary’s eldest son. All Dean Winchester sees is that his mom has apparently hooked up with a hot young guy (who is totally Dean’s type) and that makes things… weird.

The Last Great Race by wincechesters 82k

There is a race that takes place every year in Alaska called the Iditarod, a thousand mile journey across the Alaskan wilderness by dog sled team that has come to be known as “The Last Great Race on Earth”. It is a test of endurance, of the relationship between dogs and their people, traversing mountain ranges, frozen rivers, forest and tundra.

When writer Castiel Milton is forced to spend two and a half months in Alaska at Winchester Kennels to cover the race preparations and the Iditarod itself, the only person more dismayed than he is Dean Winchester, one of his hosts. Castiel views his assignment as a punishment and is less than impressed by his surly host, and Dean distrusts the sheltered city-born writer who has invaded their home and their lives. But soon, as the Winchesters prepare for their race and Castiel learns about sled dogs and what a musher’s lifestyle is all about, they forget to hate each other and their relationship evolves into something neither of them expected.

ok this is sterek and tagged with watersports and underage but hear me out — i love this fic. stiles gets peed on at the beginning of ch9 if you want to skip it, but it’s really just about as weird in a werewolf verse as you’d imagine, and i still love the fic so. 

Sell Your Body to the Night by Dira Sudis (dsudis) 121k

“No,” he repeated impatiently. “I’m not a cop. I’m someone who wants to exchange my money for your sexual services. I was told you were in that line of work.”

“I, uh, yeah, sorry,” Stiles said. He glanced around again and then up–the full moon was almost directly overhead. Just one of those nights, maybe. “Yeah, I am. I do that.”

also sterek, but hear me out – this is the first sterek fic i ever loved, and if it weren’t for this fic, i probably wouldn’t have gotten into it in the first place. 

Cornerstone by Vendelin 

Suffering from PTSD, ex-Marine Derek Hale moves back to Beacon Hills to open a bookshop and find a calmer life. That’s where he meets Stiles, completely by accident. Stiles is talkative, charming and curious. Somehow, despite the fact that he’s blind, he’s able to read Derek like no one else.

if you read and like any of these, give the writer some comment love!!! 

and have a great vacation!!!! 

[justlookfrightened]

NHL!Bitty Part 4

Yes, the parts are still getting longer. And at the end of this, don’t blame me. That’s just the way Jack is.

Probably one more part coming.

Part 1    Part 2     Part 3   Part 5

The end of the season always sucked. There was no way around it. Well, there was one way around it. Winning it all wouldn’t suck, Bitty thought. But that hadn’t happened since high school, when the competition was a lot less intense.

Going out in the first round of the playoffs was … disappointing. Not as disappointing as not making the playoffs at all, Bitty thought, but still disappointing.

It was like winning a silver medal at a figure skating competition, or maybe a bronze. On the podium, but not on top, and everyone talking about how well you did, when all you could do was look up and see how much better you had to do.

That didn’t stop the guys from coming to congratulate him at locker clean-out.

“You did good, kiddo,” Baby Pops said. “We wouldn’t have made it as far as we did without you.”

Bitty tried for a smile, and said, “Thanks. Wish we could have gone further.”

“Hey, we took the Aces to six games,” Pops said. “You’ll be back next year, and Tricksie Ricksie. We’ll get there.”

Bitty nodded in acknowledgement, but he didn’t feel anywhere near as confident as Pops sounded. Next year wasn’t promised to anybody. That was a lesson Bitty learned when he had to quit figure skating just as he was poised to break out, maybe make the junior nationals.

But then his family had moved, and when he talked about maybe billeting with a coach somewhere else so he could continue skating, his mother had cried and his father had spoken quietly about how that would mean borrowing against the house, Junior, and he put that dream away.

Sometimes it didn’t take a tragedy to end things; sometimes, that’s just the way it worked out.

Bitty shook his head to clear the melancholy away. Things had turned out better than he had any right to expect, with half a season on an NHL team under his belt. He’d certainly earned more in three months than any but the most successful figure skaters.

He bent down to zip his gear bag, the shelves of his locker stall bare. He hoped the Aeros would want him back next season, but he wasn’t counting on it.

He’d told Molly he’d be out of the temporary rental by the end of the week. She’d smiled and told him she would have a list of realtors from him to choose from in August so he could find his own place.

Ricks was waiting in his car, air conditioning already blowing even if it was only April. That was another thing; Bitty would have to bring his car if he returned to Houston, or maybe buy a new one. He’d left his old Ford truck in Baton Rouge; his father had flown to Baton Rouge and driven it home to Georgia.

The Falconers had a game tonight, facing the Islanders to start their second-round series. He could watch that while he made some pies to leave for the front office staff tomorrow. Shoo-fly pie, maybe. It was too early for any fruit to be in season.

Bitty was blind-baking the crusts and just starting to mix the filling when Ricks knocked on the door.

“BIts, you there?” he called. “I brought beer.”

So Bitty baked and drank and Ricks drank and chirped and both of them watched Jack Zimmermann score two goals in the opening game of the Falconers series against the Islanders.

As soon as the final buzzer went, Bitty reached for his phone to send a text.

Great game, Jack!

“Who’re you texting now?” Ricks asked.

“Zimmermann,” Bitty said. “Congrats on the game.”

“I didn’t know you had his number,” Ricks said.

“Aw, jealous?” Bitty said. “You’re still my best friend.”

***************************

Bitty spent eight days at home in Madison with his parents before his skin got itchy with the need to go where he could be more … himself. 

It wasn’t so much that he told his parents he was straight as it was they just didn’t talk about it. It was kind of like they’d reached an agreement that Bitty’s sexuality was not an appropriate topic without ever mentioning it at all.

At least Mama and Coach didn’t ask him if there were girls lined up to go home with an NHL player, the way his cousins did.

Bitty considered why it was so bothersome; it wasn’t like he had been out and proud in Houston or Baton Rouge. But those were places where he worked. His value to the team was based on his hockey production mostly, but also a little bit on his popularity with the fan base. Whether they would accept a gay player was an open question, one the Aeros probably weren’t too keen to learn the answer to just now.

In any case, he was pretty sure some of his teammates suspected he wasn’t straight. Ricks knew Bitty didn’t pick up girls when they went out together, no matter how many times Ricks pointed out likely prospects. Baby Pops and Ginger had stopped teasing him about his presumed innocence after the first week. But whatever they thought, they didn’t seem to have a problem with Bitty.

But his family was supposed to love him, love all of him, and he didn’t like not knowing whether they would still love him if came home crying or crowing over a boy.

So Bitty took the key to his truck and told Mama and Coach he was heading to Samwell for graduation, to congratulate his frogs and wish them well. He made the 16 hour drive over two days, blasting his music through the FM stereo adapter he had plugged into the old truck’s cigarette lighter.

He stopped outside of Washington, D.C. and brought his laptop into the hotel room to watch the Falconers win Game 5 and take the series from the Islanders. If he’d planned better, he could have gotten to Washington the day before and taken in the Capitals-Lightning game. Maybe next time.

By the time he pulled up to the Haus the next day, a plan was forming in his mind. Classes had just ended, and there was almost a week until graduation. The Falconers would probably be playing Game 1 of the conference finals before graduation, and they’d probably be at home, if Washington pulled it out.

He was an NHL player, right? He could probably get tickets to the game if he asked. Maybe Baby Pops would know how.

After Bitty embraced Nursey and Dex and was tackled by Chowder, he carried his bag up to Chowder’s room and set up the air mattress. Before heading back to the kitchen, he texted Pops.

Who would I ask to get tickets to the next Falcs game? I’m in Samwell for graduation and wanted to treat a few of the guys.

The return text came before he even got his pie crust assembled.

Pretty sure you have at least one friend on the Falconers you could ask for a couple of tickets. How many do you need?

Four, Bitty responded. And I can pay for the tickets. Should I just go through the front office?

Somehow, Bitty could hear the sigh coming from Texas when Pops texted back, I’ll take care of it. Once the games are set. I’ll let you know.

****************************

Pops was as good as his word, texting Bits that there would be four tickets under his name at will-call for the first game against the Capitals on May 13, two nights before graduation. When Bitty asked, Pops said he didn’t owe him anything, except maybe a pie when he got back to Houston and got settled.

Oh, and Jess really likes those cookies you made, Pops said.

That … wasn’t tremendously clear, but Bitty had some time to figure it out. If he ended up in Baton Rouge, well, he could always ship baked goods.

Nursey, Dex and Chowder were suitably impressed when Bitty told them about the game. He wished he had an actual gift to give them, in addition to the gift baskets he had been baking for, but they seemed thrilled,

“I get to see Snow and Holtby in the same game!” Chowder said.

Bitty drove Chowder to Providence in his truck and Dex drove Nursey in his truck.

“Think they’ll both make it in one piece?” Bitty asked.

“They’ll be fine,” Chowder said. “I know it doesn’t seem like it, but  they’re getting along a lot better these days. Sometimes I think they argue just for the fun of it.”

Then Chowder asked about going to training camp as a draftee, and that conversation carried them the rest of the way.

The tickets were there as promised. Bitty’s eyes nearly fell out of his face when he saw where they were: 10 rows back, behind the benches. He had just been hoping for something without an obstructed view.

Then he found all-access passes in the envelope, with a note.

“Hey, Bitty. Pops said you were bringing some of your old teammates to the game. If you want to bring them down to the locker room after the game, we’d be happy to see you. Marty”

When he showed the frogs, their eyes almost fell out, too.

“Can we go, Bitty?” Chowder said. “You think it’s really ok?”

Bitty shrugged. “Well, he invited us, so I don’t see why not,” he said.

“Just how well do you know St. Martin?” Dex asked. “This is a pretty big favor to ask.”

“Not too well,” Bitty said. “But Pops is close to him. I asked Pops how to get tickets, and he said he’d take care of it. I didn’t expect all this.”

“Well, you can always repay him in pastry, right?” Nursey said, maintaining what Bitty was sure was a facade of nonchalance.

“Sure can,” Bitty said. “Now we have to go so I can find out what his favorite pie is.”

The teams skated out for warm-ups, and Marty took the time to find them in the crowd and shoot them a thumbs up. He nudged Jack and pointed, and Jack almost did a double-take before smiling and offering a small wave.

Bitty thought that might be enough for the camera people to find them, and sure enough, during one of the TV timeouts in the first, he and the frogs appeared on the scoreboard. Bitty, dressed in a black T-shirt and a Falconers blue hoodie, waved for the crowd as a picture of him scoring his goal during his game here flashed next to the image of him in the stands.

He knew he was blushing when Jack pointed at him while he skated to the faceoff circle.

There was no score at the end of the first period. The Falconers led 1-0 at the end of two, but the Caps came back and won 2-1.

Bitty and the frogs hung back until the media left. Then they entered the locker room.

Marty, already showered and almost dressed, saw them right away.

“Eric Bittle!’ he said. “Thanks for coming to see that sorry effort. Who’re your friends?”

Bitty introduced them, and when Dex and Nursey were marvelling over the size of Tater’s biceps (“Seriously, dude, what do you do to get muscles like that?”) and Chowder was gushing over Snowy’s 15 saves in the third, not mentioning that it wasn’t Snowy’s fault the D broke down, Bitty saw Jack at his stall, staring hard at the floor as he tied his shoes, and sidled over.

“Hey, Jack,” he said. “Rough game. You played well, though.”

“Not well enough,” Jack said, barely looking up. “Why’re you here, Bittle?”

“I just came back to Samwell to see my teammates graduate,” Bitty said. “I thought it would be nice to bring them to a game.”

“So why’d you come down here?” Jack said. “We lost. Not much of a celebration.”

“It was still a good game,” Bitty said. “And it was just the first game of the series. Anyway, we came down to thank Marty for the tickets.”

“Yeah, that Marty’s a good guy,” Jack said. “Always ready to help out.”

“Yeah, he is,” Bitty said. “It was nice of him.”

Jack nodded. A brief silence fell, then Jack spoke again.

“Must be rough, watching from the stands in May,” he said.

“Must be nice, not to know,” Bitty replied.

@cyn2k

@fifty-shadesofgay

@ontheavalanche

[isoboto]

A Controversial Opinion: (Not) Taking A Knee, In Sports

▬▬▬

00 | PREFACE

Welcome to an episode where I try to break your echo chamber. This is your host, Eva. I hope you’re having a great day.

Have a seat and settle down because you, my lovely readers, are about listen to one of the silent voice you don’t know exist, or if you do you are usually very quick to attack/dismantle/dismiss.

The purpose of this is not to trigger or anger you. It’s to explain to you why some people acts and thinks differently from you.

Welcome to the real world.

Today, we will be tackling why some athletes won’t take a knee or why some leagues don’t mandate kneeling as part of their operation to eradicate racism. As well as the future implications of kneeling in sports.

Some context: I’ve only gotten into hockey recently as a form of escape from politics. I watched soccer and NASCAR with my dad, but we aren’t religious fan.

I’m from Vietnam, a regime where criticisms against authority or merely pointing out faults in the system is very much like asking for a death sentence. I’ve been political since I started middle school and had put myself into many risky situations for expressing my opinions.

I came to Canada for a better future and was determined to put my past behind me and not involved in more political talks. I followed the news, but I kept my mouth shut. Being agreeable is very easy -- all you have to do is nod and smile and parrot back whatever the other person is saying.

The death of George Floyd got me dialed in back to politics full-time. I initially did not chime into the discussion, simply because I don’t see the point of yelling something everybody agreed across the board. I agreed that Floyd’s death is unwarranted, the involving police officers should be tried and punished suitably, the police force should reflect and reform and take actions to prevent similar situation from happening again to anybody.

I continued to keep silence as protests sparked across the US, Canada and Europe. People have the right to exercise their free speech, free thoughts and demand the government to improve and be better and fairer.

There are many other things that happened in the past 3-5 months, but I will direct your attention to what happened between Colin Kappernick and Drew Brees, and the conversation about the meaning of kneeling during the anthem.

I was not invested in NFL or NBA or MLB, and only mildly involve in NHL and NASCAR. However, there were many talks about potentially allow players to kneel. I really didn’t get what was the anger all about, but whatever you know.

Fast forward to August 1, 2020.

MLB and NBA orchestrated a kneeling event where almost all players were kneeling (except for cases I’ll mentioned later). NHL’s Matt Dumba knelt during the American anthem after a speech, following by a few others on August 3.

I’ve seen both sides of the aisles, and I’d like to explain from the silent side’s opinion. 

This is not mean to be a comprehensive list of reasons why people don’t/won’t kneel. If you support kneeling you don’t have to agree to all of these points. You may have already ran into these talking points, or you may not. You’re free to criticize the people, however, I’ll ask that you acknowledge that these opinions exist.

Alright.

Let’s dissect this down.

▬▬▬ 

01 | WHY WON’T THEY KNEEL?

» An examination on why some people don’t kneel or won’t kneel as a form of protest «

I’ve seen this question raised a lot across my dash and saw people criticizes why players wouldn’t kneel and instead chose to stand without considering what could go on through the players’ minds.

There are a several plausible explanation for why a player/an organization chooses not to kneel. The top 3 that I most often heard (and also deduce from my personal experience) are: 1) business tactics, 2) religious reasons, 3) political reasons.

What do I mean by that?

      1.  From a Business Perspective: “Where The Money Goes, I Go.”

Let’s not forget one thing: sports are a business, just like Tesla, Red Bull, Hollywood, the music industry or your local small stores.

It is an exchange of values. The players are getting paid to play games, to win and the owner/the audience are paying for entertainment. 

Following the riots, just like many businesses and brands, sport teams and leagues began putting out pro-BLM and anti-racism messages. However, many also took (extreme) steps to show how woke and supportive they are.

Which, brings us to this unique perspective of how mixing politics and businesses can be very counterproductive and even harmful. The year 2020 is the year Get Woke, Go Broke manifests into existence, and we can physically and statistically see it happening.

Let’s go with some recent biggest examples:

The recent lawsuits against Patreon for banning users for some particular ideologies, specifically against conservative or right-leaning creators (Owen Benjamin vs. Patreon lawsuits breakdown, Viva Frei). 

Patreon lost the case and they will now be forced to arbirate 100+ claims and pay up to $10,000 per arbitration just from the lawsuits with Owen Benjamin alone. Other creators and supporters who were previously shut down are now filing lawsuits against Patreon. The impending arbitration money are going to crushed Patreon in the matter of times.

A&E’s story of dropped viewership and revenue after cancelling “Live PD” (A&E Sees Viewership Drop 49% After Canceling Live PD, Rosa Escandon).

Live PD is responsible for 85% of the traffic and revenue for A&E and is the most popular shows out of all series they’re running. The cancellation is not definite, but it is probable that once this blew over A&E will bring Live PD back.

Or, since we’re talking about sports, just hot off the press, August 3:  NBA Ratings Crash: Why are NBA and MLB ratings at an all time low after ‘Black Lives Matter’ protests, Gautham Balaji. August 5: ESPN loses the biggest number of subscribers in 4 years.

Here are some numbers:

via Ethan Strauss’s Twitter, August 2, 2020

via Rich Greenfield’s Twitter, August 5, 2020

Civiqs’ Poll

Let’s put ourselves into these millionaires’ (expensive) shoes for a second.

We all know how basic business model works. In order for a business to succeed, you have to understand your audience, understand who you’re trying to impress. You want to maximize your target market.

For sports, you want people to buy tickets or to tune in on the broadcast, buy merchandises, etc. Therefore, your target market would mostly be those who have disposable incomes, a stable job, middle-class. Splitting it down even more, the older group would most likely don’t want to be political while the younger group would most likely to be political; while people with higher education are most likely to be political while lower education are less likely to be political.

Examine the Civiqs’ graph:

Prior to April 2018, the opposition against BLM is greater than supporting for BLM. Noted that by the time George Floyd’s story hits the news and the peaceful protests began, support for BLM surged and opposition dipped.

However, immediately when the riots started, shifts began: noted the huge plummet in “Neither support nor oppose” corresponding with the big swing for “Oppose” and the slight change in “Unsure”. These people who previously didn’t care or chose not to be active politically “flipped”.

If you (the player/the league) outright supported BLM, you know you’re potentially losing 36% of your audience with current situation. At its peak you can lose up to 42%.

To put into perspective: that’s over 1/3 of a league’s revenue evaporating into thin air. Big leagues, like NBA or MLB or NFL, or big teams with more money, may be able to hold on. Smaller leagues, like NHL, which had to battle it out in places for people to take hockey seriously and was already strapped, will be hurt a lot. Especially if you take into consideration lower fan attendance over the years and other factors.

That’s not the worst case scenario.

See the “neither support or oppose” and “unsure” category? Remember, if they’re in those categories it doesn’t mean they don’t have an opinion. They may not care about BLM’s agenda -- perhaps they view BLM as an organization that did some bad and some good, or perhaps because they are not political at all.

So let’s assume they are not political at all. Neutral. Most likely, these fans don’t want anything to do with politics. They just want to work, come home, have the TV on and fall asleep. They may be passionate fans, they may be not.

Noted that leading up to the riots, the amount of people deciding to be neutral stays relatively the same.

But, a few things happened: the riots and big corporations/celebrities coming out endorsing violence, MSM constantly promoting anti-racism and pro-BLM materials day in and day out.

People go online, BLM. People go shopping, BLM. People go across a street, BLM. The news, BLM. BLM, BLM, BLM everywhere!

They just want a break. They put the sport channels on, and oh hey! BLM again!

They are sick and tired of it.

I spoke about this all days every day, browsed news about these, debated all of this for fun,  and even I got sick of it too at some point. I physically could feel myself driven insane just from the divisiveness and anger I’ve chosen to surrounded myself in. I could feel my perspective skewed and warped far from I actually believe -- being polarized.

Guess how are these average, non-political people going to react to politics being shoved down their throats everywhere? They just want the country to do well economically, have a stable job, unplug from their work. They don’t want to keep stressing out about politics and turmoil. They are done hearing/talking about it at work.

They’re just going to turn off the TV, go on YouTube/Netflix and stream some dumb things. Or they’re going to change the channels.

The numbers don’t lie.

If you combined the current numbers of “oppose”, “neither support or oppose” and “unsure”, you’re staring at 50% potential loss squarely in the face. If you’re going for the extreme numbers, at their respective peak, “oppose” had 42%,  “neither support or oppose” had 26% and “unsure” had 3%, for a combined 71%.

70% of your audience is going to tune out or abandoned you.

But, let’s assume the best case scenario. The 50% that supports BLM will also stand by you for doing the “right” thing (quotation mark, because I’ll let history be the judge).

But what if the 50% that you thought are going to applaud and support you aren’t doing that. They are criticizing you for your message, your delivery, your efforts. They’re going to call you phony, cheap, sell-out. You’re only claiming to support it, you don’t really support it, do you?

Are they going to quit watching you, too? Maybe. Potentially.

What if some of those 50% are like me -- self-proclaimed pundits trying to take a breather and reflect? Nobody can be on a job 24/7, for 365 days.

You get what I’m going here?

Look hard at the numbers for the NBA and MLB’s debut versus golfing.

Noticed the ratio? At best, 1.7M vs. 5.8M viewership. 1:3 ratio. 30% remained.

It’s already happening.

Kneeling and declaring allegiance to BLM are already crippling the sports.

The players can do whatever they want. Kneel, don’t kneel, support BLM, don’t support BLM -- whatever. 

But the league should not affiliate itself with a political movement that started under problematic platforms and now unraveled into full unhinge-mode. It is extremely dangerous when leagues like NFL, NBA, MBL and NHL started endorsing BLM  -- and I am very specifically talking about supporting BLM here. By pledging to BLM (ie. painting BLM on the courts, having giant letters at your stadium), the league as a whole is making itself political and aligning itself with an ideology, which is Marxism (Karl Marx).

When a league aligns itself to a particular ideology like that, players that have different opinions will either bottled up their real thoughts or they will receive backlash and be cancelled if they dare go against the grains (even if they intent to be political or not)

NFL Takes Hardline Stance Against Christian Players Attending Church

Marcellus Wiley (NFL) on BLM

NBA's James Harden Slammed for Wearing Apparent Pro-Police Mask amid Fight Against Racial Injustice

NHL: Bruins Photoshop Boston Police Logo Off Charlie Coyle’s Shirt In IG Post After Globe Reporter Matt Porter Criticizes Tuukka Rask For Wearing BPD Hat During Interview

ESPN Host’s Poll Mocks NBA Player Who Didn’t Kneel For Suffering Season-Ending Injury

Aligning themselves with BLM will also make the leagues primed to further metaphorically “bend the knee” for the BLM mob and make players do what they want for that “united” facade they want.

The BLM mob are demanding everybody to kneel because that’s the only appropriate way to protest, and so one-by-one down they go.

You can argue “but it’s for justice!”, but you and I both know that’s not how it works. BLM reared its ugly head and then people flocked to appease it. Say anything else other than “I Support BLM” and they will loot your store, threaten to desert you. They scream and scream and scream in your face. The media amplified that voices. Big companies like WalMart, etc. -- people immediately dismissed it because “they have insurance”. How about the small businesses that had to board up their fronts and spraypainted “Minority-Owned Business” because they’re terrified the mob are going to bash their windows and steal?

The recent scandal with Red Bull is a smart move. I’m not (necessarily) gleeful that people are getting fired, but it is a strategic move because Red Bull recognizes the “Get Woke, Go Broke” reality. This segment started with examples of businesses got broke and got caught in their own hypocrisy, and now here we are.

The reasons why some businesses or players will not “bend the knee”, physically and/or metaphorically, is because:

They recognize the political undercurrent and they do not want to be involved in it;

They realize supporting BLM doesn’t mean supporting black lives on the street in meaningful ways;

Bend the knee to the mob once, you’re going to bend the knee to the mob again;

Losing a bigger chunk of fans for supporting BLM;

“Get Woke, Go Broke” trend;

Or, simply: they don’t agree with this particular form of protesting.

    2.  From a Religious Perspective: “I kneel before no man but God.”

I know players are from various religious backgrounds and beliefs.

I am not a religious person by any means. I respect people who worships gods and follows religions, whichever it is. As long as they do not physically harm others in the names of their religious belief, then I’m all good.

Worshiping a religion means people will also following (some) of its beliefs, and by respecting their beliefs I must also accept that people will choose and act according to their faith.

The two prime players who stood up for their belief are: Sam Coonrod (SF Giants, MLB, July 23, 2020) and Jonathan Isaac (Orlando Magic, NBA, July 31, 2020).

Jonathan Isaac Explains Why He Stood During National Anthem

From my knowledge, most religions featured common values (ie. be kind, be respectful, be considerate of your words and actions, understand karma and consequences, etc.). However, since the two examples I provided featured Christians, I’ll talk about the Christian perspective from here. That being said, God doesn’t necessarily just talking about Jesus Christ but could also be referring to Allah or other god-like figure they worship.

The following articles gave some good insights on how different Christians feel about this: 1) Kneeling for the Anthem: a Catholic Reflection on Protest, 2) The Power and the Threat of Kneeling, 3) Christian players frustrated by criticism for anthem protest.

I’ve had also chances to talk to some of the local Christians, gotten an array of answers. 

Some Christians said they are willing to take a knee in the name of racial justice. Some Christians disagree with the method of protesting but don’t agree with stifling somebody trying to express their voice. 

Some Christians refused to take a knee. Why?

They do not think any man is worthy of bowing down for, except for God

They do not believe BLM advocates for the values they follow or what God wants. Examples:

BLM is anti-Christ/anti-religion -- burnt down numerous churches, defaced and burnt the Virgin Mary, decapitated Jesus Christ, sexual harassment and physical assault to a priest in CHAZ;

BLM seeking to destroy nuclear family and permanent removal of father-figure in children’s life -- yes, this is stated on their official website;

BLM is pro-abortion -- Planned Parenthood has entered many discussion. The thing is: Margaret Sanger and Planned Parenthood is founded specifically to decimate minorities. Their message has been flipped due to the new “wokeness” (ie. going from “we will restrict your community from growth by killing off your babies” to “we will help elevate your voice by killing off your babies”). 

BLM is Marxist -- one of the main idea in Marxism is the absolute removal of religion, and this is often interpreted as all religions. However, the attack on Christianity and Christians are the clearest example of this, at least in the US/Canada

Some articles on why Christians do not believe or support BLM: 1) Some Evangelicals Struggle With Black Lives Matter Movement, 2) The Stated Goals of Black Lives Matter Are Anti-Christian. This last one is very interesting because it breaks down similarities in Christianity and the method of protesting some BLM protesters choose, The Faith Of The Black Lives Matter Movement

As fellow non-religious folk, you and I may not have been able to comprehend why they are taking their relationship with God very seriously, or how much they use the Bible to guide them in life.

I’ve heard many others dismissing and even laughing at people because they’re religious, or criticizing people because they need an outdated book to help to through life. Both Sam Coonrod and Jonathan Isaac were slammed when they cited their faith as one of their main reasons for not kneeling.

If Christians chose not to protest against racial injustice by kneeling, and instead raising a fist, or standing and praying to God to purge racism out of human’s DNA -- why is it a problem?

All Christians that I have spoken to believe there are racial injustice and want to do their best to eradicate it and help those who are suffering. They want no harm and want the world to be a better place.

If we can accept that people can think differently, can act differently, can speak differently, why are we not accepting that people can protest or raise awareness differently?

Unless, it’s not about kneeling or raising awareness or protesting at all.

It’s about satisfying your own needs to feel vindicated, to know your favourite players are doing things you want them to do and are feeling the same way about things just like you.

      3. From a Personal Perspective

Traditionally, and universally-accepted: kneeling can be in awe, in fear, in humiliation or in respect.

To me, personally, kneeling to someone/something is often being linked to “being terrified”/”being humiliated” rather than “being respectful”.

As someone who is small-frame, I don’t like kneeling. One knee or two knee bent, didn’t matter. Psychologically speaking, and, physically speaking, you’re making yourself smaller, lower to the ground and easier to hurt. You’re in a vulnerable position. 

Kneeling reminds me too much of grovelling, powerless.

Obviously, this is my opinion and I don’t know if anybody else or any players who didn’t kneel share the same opinion. But. I don’t think kneeling is an empowering move.

You have to stand up for what you believe in even if it’s unpopular. Not: you have to bend your knee for what you believe in.

Standing had always been associating with rising, moving upward, becoming bigger and more powerful.

Some reasons people will cite for kneeling including: condemning police brutality, honouring the lives lost under police brutality, honouring black lives. Which are great causes. I still very, very much believe if you’re going to protest, stand up tall and firm. (Especially, since, you know, Floyd dies with a knee on his neck. Kneeling in remembrance of him is kinda funny ironic.)

So, an interesting case study: Recently, Matt Dumba (Minnesota Wild, NHL, August 3, 2020) made a speech and knelt. However, he only knelt for the American anthem but stood for the Canadian anthem.

I’m not ragging on Dumba. Kudos to him for speaking out.

He later said he’d have kneel for Canada anthem as well. I understand. There are pressures on him, and I think when hearing your nation’s anthem you’ll usually automatically stand up.

That being said, there are rightful, warranted probing questions. It raised doubts to the legitimacy of kneeling.

Kneeling for the US anthem but then standing for Canada anthem is a strange decision because it is implying that there are problems in the US, not in the Canada. Prior to George Floyd’s death as well as around the times when protests/riots broke out, a few Indigenious Canadians died during a wellness check (Recent deaths prompt questions about police wellness checks) and arguably perhaps police brutality.

Here in Canada, we’re told we’re equally racist, but the mentality Canadians have is that we’re better than the US.

Therefore, I’d say it is rightful that a lot of people interpreted Dumba’s action as hating on the US and/or not actually raising awareness about racism or police brutality.

This brings us to the biggest reason a lot of people cite for being against kneeling: kneeling on the flag is disrespecting the country.

I’ve looked into the military history of kneeling on the flag/during the anthem. I’ve to wade through pages of different vets rationalizing their opinions and asked some of the vets/active-duty that I knew of, and here are my findings:

Some views it as disrespect because it shows cowardice

“I didn’t serve so you can kneel.”

Some doesn’t like it but doesn’t mind it because you’re excising your freedom of speech and thoughts. 

Most people I knew of, and myself, fell into this camp

Some thinks it could mean respect and should even be a mandate form of greeting the flags.

I thought this was a good point and should be something we can consider

However, it’s worth pointing out there are also vets that supports kneeling specifically because they hate America or the government, either because the system chewed them up and spat them back out. There are also people that supported spitting and/or burning the flags for all the history it carries

I don’t agree with spitting and/or burning the flags. I think it implies symbolically you’re wishing your country to go down in flames (the fact that half of America has been literally burning down for over 2 months, and many rioters/BLM supporters talking about literally burning things down make me more alarmed and disgusted)

But. It’s freedom of speech and freedom of expressions. So.

Drew Brees’ speech is a very good way to sum it up how most average people feel about this: I would stand on the anthem, but you’re free to kneel even if I disapprove of the particular method of kneeling.

The take-away here is that the same action can mean differently to different people.

Some will not kneel or disapprove of kneeling because of the symbolic weight. 

So, I’ll reiterate the biggest point: There’s no “correct” way of protesting. 

Someone does not have to kneel in order to express that they are against racism.

We can achieve the same goal by different means. 

You and I are okay with people kneeling don’t mean others have to agree with us. We should not be pressuring others to kneel and think and process and expression opinions the same way we do. It is impossible, and it is a dangerous mentality.

We are not a monolith.

      4. From a Political Perspective: “BLM is doing more harm than good.”

      4.1. Wrong messenger/mixed messages

Look.

People are free to kneel, but I do believe there is a right time, place for it, and the right people for it.

The NBA kneeling for racial justice and equality for all and police brutality yet the whole organization is built off the back of child labour and sweatshop in China and the CCP’s inhumane treatment to the Chinese, as well as actively stifling Hong Kong’s freedom. 

Some dramatic irony there. 

They have pulled down the option to put in anything for the player’s name, but history got it down: 1) NBA store says 'Free Hong Kong' was 'inadvertently prohibited' from jerseys, 2) Police fire water cannon, tear gas at Hong Kong protesters, 3) China’s Global Threat to Human Rights.

It really does undermined your message, NBA! Make the “kneeling for justice” idea got completely thrown out of the window! Try better next time!

We can also go over Disney or Colin Kappernick (lmao that July 4th tweet, Colin. Really bad move!), the awfully cringy “I Take Responsibility” video but you understand the point.

BLM is this exclusive “branding” that businesses and sport leagues slap onto their forehead so they won’t be branded racist while not doing anything for the minorities. BLM is a hoax, a front for privilege people to pat themselves on the back for “acknowledging” their privileges and their power. 

You can think this is an excuse for me to rag on these idiotic big companies or individuals (and, you’re right), but it also leads me to this early conclusion that BLM is a scam.

However, with recent events and evidences I’ve been digging up, it’s increasingly difficult to say BLM as simply “a scam”.

      4.2. BLM: the sinister Marxist agenda and the crazy utopia

Kneeling to protest against anti-racism, by now, is synonymous with supporting BLM.

I’m willing to bet if you’re pushing for everybody to subscribe to the “KNEELING! TO! PROTEST! AND! SHOW! SOLIDARITY!” deal, you’re also a BLM supporter.

You can support BLM. That’s fine.

I’ll tell you upfront that I don’t support BLM.

You are going to click away, or maybe already angrily typing something up to build your case against me.

Wait until the end.

All I ask is that you try to see what I and many others find repulsive and alarming about BLM. 

Alright? Alright.

I will not go into excessive details on BLM, because I’ll dedicate another post at some point to BLM. That post will probably be up at somewhere some point early/mid-2024. It will definitely be on time with the BLM’s peak activity, during another waves of riots.

Anyhow.

So why won’t I kneel for BLM? Why won’t I do this for BLM cause?

Because I don’t believe black people should have more rights? Because I don’t sympathize with the black community? Because I’m a racist?

Listen.

I support black lives. I know the system is rigged, I know there needs to be improvement -- nothing will ever be perfect, and improvements are always needed.

I don’t support Black Lives Matter (BLM) because Black Lives Matter (BLM) the organization and the movement had already derailed too far too fast.

Zuby summarizes a lot of my points, so if you like listening/visual more than reading, feel free to listen to his rationale before continuing.

Zuby - The Problem with Black Lives Matter 

I cannot get on board with their actions or their ideologies, nor can I see they’re making an impact on black community they’re claiming they’re representing. I spoke to people, I shifted back and forth and remained neutral for a while before throwing in my towel and quit it. There were murder of kids in NYC and there are zero, ZERO anger. No riots, no protests. Nothing! Zit! Nada! 

Yet they’re willing to come out and break windows for a criminal. Both Michael Brown and George Floyd were criminals. Isn’t it strange? The biggest riots/protests spearheaded by BLM are for criminals? Michael Brown’s case was a justified shooting. And although George Floyd’s death is unnecessary recent leaked footage had provided ample of context. Both autopsies also came back showing that he was high on meth and fentanyl.

BLM have a particular political vision Marxism (1) BLM co-founder describes herself as ‘trained Marxist’, 2) Is Black Lives Matter Marxist? No and Yes), and please, excuse me for saying this is alarming because they’re clearly demonstrating and glorifying communist ideas and practices. I’ve been through the grinder, I can recognize the signs. 

It is very clearly not the Sweden-socialist model they are going for (which is a myth, btw, because Sweden is pro-capitalist). It is very clear they are angling for Marx-Leninism.

People will be screaming “all revolutionaries are led by Marxist ideas”, ignoring the fact that those revolutions, if succeed, often crashed and burnt and led to weak economy and terrible nations.

But, but. You know what? Fine. I’ll refrain from screaming Communism Doesn’t Work!!!

We will give BLM the absolute benefits of the doubts: that BLM do everything in line with MLK’s vision or the BPP’s vision.

We will not rip BLM base on its ideologies anymore and will examine its actions.

Alright. So how had they been beneficial to the community they claim to serve, so far in 2020?

More black people are dead during this fight for justice for black. More black people lives are ruined during this fight for justice for black. There are thousands of businesses in ruined -- black businesses in ruined, black people working hard, busting their ass gathering money and finally got their came true only to have it burnt down by their own people and destroyed in one night.

Does the Black community want to abolish the police?

Inside the Portland riots - this is what the media calls peaceful?

3 stories of black-owned businesses damaged in the riots

Black-Owned Businesses That Were Damaged and Looted

Affordable apartment project destroyed during night of protests

The 17 people who have died in the protests and riots so far

Chicago children killed by gun violence

In Wake Of Continued Gun Violence, Prominent Members Of Black Community Call On NYPD To Bring Back Anti-Crime Unit. Small crimes went down, but murders and shooting went up by 200%.

To rub the salt onto the wound, Mayor de Blasio deployed 27 polices guarding the BLM mural on the street (which is bigger than any of NYPD unit) instead of protecting the citizens.

To pour bleach all over the wound, these BLM activists and AOC insisted, that No! Defund more police! and making excuses for these murderers

Black Americans Want Police to Retain Local Presence, Gallup Poll, August 5, 2020

Say what? Americans (especially minorities) want more cops in their area? Yes. Check out Chicago’s latest news: Chicago Police: Violence drops after 2 new units rolled out. Having police presence, improving police training and bringing police and community closer, would deterred crimes and protected the minorities and those who are vulnerable, who knows!

I will now direct your attention to the Love Fest that is CHAZ (est. June 2020, rip. July 2020). Where if your stuff got stolen it’s an “unintentional donations”.

Born and raised, and buried, with all BLM’s Marxist loving ideas, safe and inclusive and funsies:

CHAZUpdates, Twitter

Welcome to Chaz!

The Economics of CHAZ / CHOP: Anarchy at its Finest

Video shows black-only segregated areas within CHAZ

Inside CHAZ (the Capital Hill Autonomous Zone)

CHAZ: where protesters/rioters actively practicing racism while preaching against racism, practicing police brutality while preaching against police brutality, leeching off America’s resources while wanting to burn the country to the ground.

CHAZ is the epitome of what BLM is advocating for. 

BLM wants segregation -- again, it is literally spelled out on their website. “boycott white businesses” and basically implying black goes to black businesses only. Recent stories of BLM activists “demanding” stores or else meet with force:  'We're not an enemy of the Black community' and Cuban community plans rally at NuLu restaurant in response to Black Lives Matter demands, and opinion analysis breakdown

BLM promotes violence as the automatic first response -- look. stop telling people to fight police

The 'Black Lives Matter Foundation' isn't the real BLM, explaining differences between the two organizations’ approach -- which, very nicely, also points out the problem with BLM. They’re not seeking for healing or cooperation, they’re all about breaking and burning stuffs down.

Robert Ray Barnes explains why he chooses the name “Black Lives Matter Foundation”

BLM creates more racial tension and encourages people to fake police-brutality/racism -- The biggest, most-hated face in BLM, Shaun King, is actively tearing up people’s lives. He accused many officers to be rapists, murderers, dramatizing claims, etc. He makes money off of getting people riled up. You can hate him, but if you’re telling me he doesn’t have any influence you’re very mistaken. His followers had sent death threats, showed up at people’s houses, doxxing people’s identity. People had been pushed to suicide, money loss, reputation ruined.

Liar Liar Pants On Fire Series breaks down all the viral videos claiming police brutality, and you will see that videos featuring a black person is more likely to be shared and be viral without waiting for the context

I’ll put forth the Jussie Smollett hoax, which, congrats Jussie! You just now make people waving away the attacks that actually happened due to racism! You’re so lacking in “being oppressed and being discriminated” in America, you’ve to import some from Nigeria!

I’ll also put forth the recent Bubba Wallace hoax. It is not a noose, Bubba Watson oops I mean Bubba Wallace (copyright belongs to Don Lemon). 15 FBI agents confirmed it. You can see it through video footages. Don’t be a drama queen, Bubba. (btw, i don’t know why BLM aren’t celebrating this? i mean, 15 FBI agents are immediately dispatched to deal with the claims. that’s how important this is. the feds will not hesitate to deal with discrimination)

Affiliated Organizations and BLM itself are cult-like, putting criminals on a pedestal, endorsing the party that is harmful to the black community

Assata’s Daughters, Breakdown on Assata Shakur and insights about the organization

BLM endorsed DNC and Joe Biden, gave money for the same party that created the KKK and ran on a platform of unity but are made up of elitists

99.64% BLM’s Defund The Police Donations Go To Joe Biden Campaign Via ActBlue

They are donating to DNC instead of pouring funds into black community at the times of crisises

Do Black Lives Matter Donations REALLY Go to Black Lives?

Based from America’s Top 20 Cities for Crime, and What Party Runs Them (spoiler alert, 18/20 are ran by Democrats), if you cross check it with the black population in each city, you will find that a lot of these cities have majority of black population and that Democrats had been in office for decades. If they’re helping the black community, they’re taking an awful long time.

BLM encourages a culture of blaming and perpetuating that black people are powerless, becoming a husk for over white supremacist and sexist.

the familiar “blaming it on the white men” game is played for practically every new political movement right now, and the “us minorities and ‘non-racist’ whites up against those straight rich white men’” and the concept of “white privilege” and being recycled over and over to make minorities feel more powerless

“White privilege” isn’t the biggest barrier, because if it is, please explain to me why and how did Madam C. J. Walker became the first black female millionaire in the early 1900s? Before Civil Rights Movement?

(White) people “check their privilege” and feel good about themselves for being “aware” of their privilege and therefore protect the minorities’ fragility. You’re admitting that just by being white you have more power than other race? That sounds very, very racist.

You have white people in protests actively suppressing other minorities’ voices, because apparently due to “white privilege” whites feel like they’re the only voice that would be valid

What it's like to be a Black officer policing Portland protests | Raw Interview (you can view the notable quotes here:  Black Portland cop slams White BLM protesters using 'same tactics that were used against my people')

'The most horrific displays of hate I've ever seen' | Portland police describe protests | full video (you can view notable quotes here: Portland police describe front lines of protests) // Analysis Breakdown

You’ve white people writing guides on how minorities should behave to get rid of the “whiteness” in them -- I cannot even find words for this. Notice how all these “whiteness” qualities are what holds a functioning society together? Hello, Asia existed long before European came along. The Indigenious people existed long before European came long. The assumption that other cultures/countries couldn’t have function without the European coming over and spreading their “whiteness” is extremely offensive. The fact that there are actual people out there who will follow this racist guide is crazy to me.

Whitesplaining white privilege

Poster defining “Whiteness” put forth by the National Museum of African American History & Culture. The poster had since been removed.

Robin DiAngelo, makes her fortune off of flexing her internal racism: The Dehumanizing Condescension of White Fragility

So please tell me: is BLM the organization and the movement really support black lives or are they acting out? They care so much for black lives they are going to kill their own people to express their discontent for the system they are stuck under?

But, “Oh, it’s the rioters! Peaceful protesters do no such thing!”

Yeah, and you know which banner are those rioters are rioting under? BLM. And BLM is doing nothing to stop this. Some protesters tried to stop, but the official BLM pages? Nope. Crickets. They want this. Black neighbourhood burning to ash will make black people’s spirit will be worn down and black will be suck into this cesspool of blaming others -- again and again and again.

Yes, Portland is still rioting (Day 71, as of this writing). They had started moving into residential neighbourhoods, vandalizing and terrorizing the streets and are attempting to kill people

Portland mayor condemns rioters for 'attempting to commit murder'

You can view livestreams from protests/riots across the US at WOKE.NET. Noted the differences between the peaceful protesters (morning till midnight) and the rioters (midnight till morning).

Andy Ngo covered Antifa/BLM riots

Thomas Sowell, an amazing American thinker that no one seems to talk about, writes the book Dismantling America (2010), and in it he predicts the downfall of America. And beat-by-beat, oh my god, 2020 is when we see all of his predictions come true in the BLM’s playbook and tactics.

Thomas Sowell -- Dismantling America

BLM is a terrible, terrible organization -- and at this point, a terrible movement. I encourage you to also look into BLM’s history as well as what BLM is actually accomplishing and doing. They may be doing some goods, but I am seeing them killing black people, not elevating them to higher heights.

I’ll wrap this up quickly:

Not everybody out there support BLM;

Not everybody out there that doesn’t support BLM is a racist;

Not everybody out there that doesn’t support BLM doesn’t care about black lives;

Not everybody out there that support BLM also support the agenda they are pursuing;

Not everybody out there support BLM knows what are they supporting;

Not everybody out there support BLM really support black lives.

Some people are there genuinely because there is a problem, I’m not denying that. But you have to understand BLM isn’t what you believe it is. Take one very hard look at the movement you’re indirectly supporting. You’re under the BLM banner, but how much of it are you actually supporting? Are you just supporting because if you don’t support “Black Lives Matter” you don’t support black lives?

Alright. So why would I refuse to kneel because I don’t support BLM? How does that tie together?

As I stated in the beginning: kneeling on the anthem specifically to protest anti-racism and police brutality started with Colin Kappernick and the BLM movement. It is now associated with BLM. Just like the raised fist.

People like me who are opposing BLM views it as giving in, especially when we see things like this this all over the country --  people literally getting down on their knees in the middle of the streets for strangers, saying sorry for whatever the hell the mob demands because otherwise they will be call a racist, a bigot, or being beaten to death.

When I see not many people find this disturbing disturbed me. Some even gleefully says “Yes, that’s should be the future”.

Look: BLM cancels each own people for not falling in line. BLM local leaders had to stepped down because he feels like BLM isn’t a safe platform for him to fight for fair education for black children. 

Blacks that spoken out against BLM, or black conservatives, are branded “coon”, Uncle Tom, such as the case of Terry Crew, Candance Owens, Brandon Tatum, Anthony Brian Logan, Candance Owens, etc. (If you’re interested, Uncle Tom is a great documentary that documents the journey and hardships black conservatives experience)

Look around you.

People are bashing others, cancelling others, for not supporting BLM, for not kneeling, for not following the trends. In sports, players that chose not to kneel is called “not doing enough”, “racist”, hoax, etc.

Do you see how this is problematic? Why do they have to kneel, specifically? You can show solidarity in many ways. Why do they have to kneel? 

You’re free to support whatever you want, but don’t force other to follow the same thing.

BLM is a mob of mindless social justice warriors shoehorning a free society into their warped utopia where everybody speaks the same “right” thing and acts the same “right” way.

In 2020, it started out as “police brutality” and “George Floyd” but it is no longer that. I will not bend the knee for an organization that deploys unjust, racist approach while hiding behind a banner of “justice”. Antifa rioters are using BLM as a husk, and BLM encourages it, wanting it.

I will not kneel for an organization that is built on lies. I will not kneel for a hypocritical movement that has been murdering its own people, demanding outrageous deals and abolishing the system through force and violence.

Kneeling is pledging your support for BLM. And I cannot and will not support BLM the organization or the movement, especially when it’s becoming increasingly toxic and deranged.

I will die on my feet rather than live on my knees.

This doesn’t mean I’m not supporting the black community. But I will choose an alternative way to express my thoughts and sympathy -- because I’ll die sooner than following the way the mob and the terrible organization that is BLM dictates.

Kneeling is not the only way to express my opinion.

I know I’m not the only ones who see through this. For many people, athletes included, BLM is the reason why they are reluctant to kneel.

▬▬▬

02 | A (QUICK) ANALYSIS

» A look on the fans’ reaction « 

From @mitchmarner​, August 2, 2020

This message overall is a good representation of the situation and how people reacted to this. The criticism is respectful and on-point. The post contains both good messages that I agree with, and some subtle toxic undertone that I find problematic.

For context, this post is regarding NHL.

All the unhighlighted words are what I agreed with. Highlighted words are what I have some opinions on.

Let’s go through this.

       1. “White players should be kneeling”

first of all, just a small thing, but I’m curious as to why only the “white” players are under pressure here. I find it’s strange that the post has to specified the race and what they should do. Hockey players are mostly white -- okay, sure. But I don’t get the emphasis on skin colour? I’m still puzzled why would you put pressure on white people. Because you’re white, you must do as we said and support us no matter what. In the hockey world, it’s easier to say whites have more power. But what about in the NBA, a black-dominated field? Jonathan Isaac, a black guy, refused to kneel and got grilled for it. Instead of specifying race, why not just use “players”? Anybody is welcomed to join in the movement.

You may think I’m being nitpicking over some words, but this is how media uses it to rile people. By putting races in it, they take out the actual humanity, making everything about racial identity and race politics. Ie. which headlines would make you be more angry? “Girl accuses classmates of cutting off her dreadlocks” or “Black girl accuses white classmates of cutting off her dreadlocks” (headline from CBS News, which had changed after the story came out as false).

A recent letter of a journalist from MSNBC reveals how cancerous are the current world is going, and how the media is exploiting it -- racial tension is just one of the facet they can exploit.

I also find the usage of “should” somewhat demanding, indicated obligation and duty. Again, people can say this kneeling is for human rights -- but as I pointed out in both part 1 and part 2, with the modern cancel culture and the herd thinking and BLM’s violence, there will be interpretation of kneeling as in bending the knee to BLM or the angry mob. Why not say “could”? Because, yes, there could be more players out there supporting this cause. They choose not to, and they should be able to choose. This is a free country. They do not have to support something if they don’t agree with it, and they also do not have to support it in a particular way if they agree with it.

        2. Unhighlighted, but similar thing: “If you, like me, are white, we should focus on Ryan and [his] bravery”

Again, why are only white people being pressured into doing the right thing? I’m Asian, not white. So I don’t have to applaud Ryan Reaves’s bravery for standing up (or kneeling down) to his belief, right? We, as a community or fans, should all applaud when people choose to stand up for their belief.

You’ll also spy this subtle “white privilege” thinking hiding in this sentence -- “because we’re white, our voice is more valid and therefore we are the only people others will listen to”

         3. “Many of his teammates [refused] to kneel with him”

I agree you can criticize their lack of support, but demanding people to kneel to show support, without considering why they refused to kneel is ignoring the diversity in thinking or someone’s personal rationale. 

Other players could absolutely have supported Ryan, but they do not “have to kneel” to show it explicitly -- the same way family members don’t have to shower each other with grand gestures in public.

         4. “Make it about white players who should’ve done this bare minimum action from the start comes off weird”

So. Guilt-trip them into submission? If every white player kneel from hereon, racism will definitely be solved in the league.

You know, this reminds me of the now infamous #BlackoutTuesday. Everybody races to post a black square to prove they are not racist (“bare minimum action”, right?), and then that ended up backfiring to the cause. This time, everybody kneel to prove they are not racist (again, “bare minimum action”). Perhaps those that are yelling at all athletes to kneel wouldn’t see this right away, but very soon at some point when (not if) kneeling will be the norm, everybody completes this “bare minimum action” that actually doesn’t solve anything or potentially backfires hard, racism still remains. The platform that provides these athletes power and spotlights may be shrinking, and sports become another divisive tool instead of bringing people together. 

This is a very cult-like thinking to demand everybody to behave and act the same way you want/expect them to act. Yes, we should all take parts in minimizing racism. But, no, we do not have to kneel to solve racism -- especially if we can see that the action doesn’t necessarily solve racism, only a gesture; especially if we don’t agree with the gesture.

I’ll go out on a limb and predict that in 2024, there will be another wave of riots, another wave of “enough is enough” and a new trend to commemorate death due to police brutality -- instead of kneeling, everybody is now bowing down with their face to the ground.

Again, I agree with most of the message. However, I think it’s important to see how some other people are interpreting the same messages and pick apart the problems that is implied within the thinking. 

▬▬▬ 

03 | SOME PREDICTIONS

This is a fun section where I’ll try to read where the situation with the “kneeling” is going to go. Feel free to skip to the end, but if you enjoy musing about the future then stay with me.

Kneeling has very high probability of becoming a tradition. The rating will continue to go down the tubes for the wokest leagues (at least from a current stand point). I don’t know if it will continue to stay low in the future.

Leagues that orchestrated mass-kneeling are probably banking on the fans deserting them will come back eventually (probably around 2021 or 2022) and ignore the kneeling, once the creeping normality settles in. Which, pretty much kind of defeat the purpose of kneeling and raising awareness, in my opinion. But, it’s not like kneeling is effective now so whatever, I guess. 

Since NFL, NBA and MBL have way bigger budget and audience than NHL, those big leagues/teams could probably afford losing money for 1-2 years. Although if the owner deemed it’s killing the business they will quickly say Shove it.

I think NHL’s strapped budget is the one of the main reason why they are the only “opinion-open” league, ie. don’t force mass-kneeling but agree to facilitate and protect players that choose to kneel. If they had a bigger budget, things might have look different.

There is a very high probability that all leagues will adopt NFL’s way, “Stand for the anthem or Stay in the Locker Room”. This way, those that supports kneeling will be okay because the players are still technically still protesting/kneeling, and those that opposes kneeling or don’t want to be preached politics while they are looking for entertainment will not be ticked off.

A possibility that I think may be possible, albeit I don’t know if it will happen: all leagues stopped kneeling once this wave of wokeness swept over. There will be instances of players kneeling, but there won’t be mass-kneeling like what MBL and NBA are doing.

There is also a tiny chance that leagues/players will continue to orchestrated mass-kneeling and died with their ideologies rather than backtrack and change. 

Prime example: LeBron James. LeBron James and his ego don’t take bruising well.

Colin Kappernick made more money being an activist than being a quarterback -- he was a terrible quarterback if you look at his number (How Good Was Colin Kaepernick When He Left the NFL in 2017?). But, that aside. Kappernick got offered some million dollar documentary and book deals (from Disney) for his spoiled “struggle” and “hardship”. From a legal and financial and medical viewpoint, I doubt Kappernick is going to go back into NFL and will wring this BLM activist thing for all that its worth. NFL careers are often short, while being an activist allows Kappernick to preach to the mass while monetizing his self-made misery.

Anyhow: cancel culture is very vicious, and the media amplified the most extreme voices. The kneeling culture will drag itself to the graves, believe me.

Ryan Reaves won’t get in trouble with his kneeling (from the business and the legal side. I don’t know about his knee). Full disclosure that I’m not well-versed with all the business and money and contract and only mildly familiar with US law. I applaud Ryan for kneeling down for a cause he believes and took risks with his knee (I’d assume he consulted his doctor first, but let’s give him the benefit of the doubt). But, I don’t think Ryan financially risked anything.

According to CapFriendly, VGK just signed Reaves to a contract 2-year extention in June 18, 2020. This shows that they are interested in keeping him around. 

Logically speaking, Ryan is a great player and contributes greatly to VGK organization. Benching/trading him is suicidal, especially while VGK has consistently been a strong team since its infancy in 2017 and Ryan seems to be a part of the cornerstone. Ryan will probably stay with VGK until 2022 when his contract ends. 

▬▬▬

04 | CLOSING WORDS

Am I implying that you can’t criticize athletes? No.

Am I defending these athletes? Not necessarily.

These athletes can absolutely do more than just posting pictures on IG and spewing some cookie cutter words, they can absolutely be more supportive of their friends. They can do more. They deserve to be criticize for not doing more.

However, I do not agree with this “you have to kneel” pressure. This is a free country, where you have the freedom of speech, freedom of thoughts, freedom of religious. We have the freedom to criticize people, but they also have the freedom to not listen to it. 

Unlike the government where there is a duty to her citizens to consider her citizens’ wishes, these athletes are strangers and owe no obligations. It is true that sports had always have political aspects to it, but that there are some people that definitely would like to remain apolitical during their career. Michael Jordan remains apolitical until his retirement. Or James Harden, who was described as not involving in politics whatsoever and got dragged through the mud for accidentally wearing a Blue Lives Matter mask while his colleagues and NBA condone BLM.

Some athletes view “being a player” or a star comes with the burden of constantly being on your job 24/7. Stats do show that people are now more scared to disclose their political thoughts, and the further left one’s views, the more one believes they’re protected. 

For someone who is political, kneeling started as a political statement, a symbol of cowardice, and it remained as one, especially considering how many people are tripping over their feet to kneel to sooth the mob. For someone who isn’t political, kneeling may be contradicting to their personal beliefs.

I’ve been stewing on this particular issue for some times, and the kneeling don’t make headlines as much anymore, but I figured this should be addressed regardless. I am concerned about the rise of cancel culture, the radical conformism, and the intolerable thinking rampaging in the US and Canada. Forcing people to kneel to just a late symptoms of what potentially can be the future if this cult-like behaviour is not call out or stop.

You may or may not agree with all the points, and that is OK. Again, this is not a whole list that details all the thoughts out there. This is based on a lot from myself, what I observed, what I scoped out from news. The athletes may have other reasons I haven’t covered. That being said, my point still stand: they have a reason for not kneeling.

Please realize that there are more than one way to view things, especially in a climate where everybody is forced to be political. The most important takeaway here are:

1) kneeling is not the only way to raise awareness;

2) people do not have to kneel to show that they support black lives.

[thornburgrealty]

Least wildcats puncher’s here jennings made friday

You’ll notice there is baseball jerseys no Charlie Blackmon or CarGo on the roster. Michael Oher Jersey Womens said a telephone wholesale nfl jerseys china interview that he Omicidio Francesco Lorusso: Una storia di giustizia negata (Italian Edition) and McCain probably will continue to urge Obama to issue the pardon. But when he is, be delighted by the practically supernatural connection between him and Rivers. Chalmers also has a great relationship with Fizdale from back their Miami days- surely that could play a part Chalmers’ decision. His quality performance has added another chapter to one of the raging debates about Quick and where he stands among his goaltending peers. Oh that’s http://www.mcetasarim.com/nick-vigil-jersey-c-1_21.html right, you’re Rice, he said. shouldn’t have to read that or that. He has 20 points, including eight goals, his last 12 nfl jerseys from china after having just 22 points through his first 39. He is one Nick Vigil Youth Jersey of 16 Remparts players to ever compete the event.

The fans, said Koppen. It is bittersweet , because I would for to be here to accept this award himself. I just want to keep it simple out there. Hopefully that’ll help take over for that experience we’re losing. A dark-gray phone icon. They’re all on the same page all the time, all prepared for the game the right way. Variable annuities are suitable for -term investing, particularly retirement savings. His assist came on Karlsson’s 15th goal of the year. Larsen replied Patrick McCaw Authentic Jersey for the Canucks , who got 28 stops from . Exact fees are determined by a number of factors, including the location of event, the talent’s schedule, requested duties and supply and demand.

Celek is a replacement-level player, but he could end up logging a ton of snaps Week 4 versus . ‘s Church 1989. Fellow safety Hall, who strained a calf muscle wholesale mlb jerseys late the game at nike nfl jerseys china Philadelphia, is listed as questionable. Seven of ‘s 11 RBIs this have come Boston. He’s the perfect rental option wholesale nfl jerseys china for just about any team need. Of course I’m not happy. Listen to the full show above. Eat.See.Play. Belinfante’s production group was given League Baseball’s extensive historical library of baseball film going back to the early 1900s. The Buccaneer bench accounted for 21 points as 10 different players reached the scoring column the opening 20 minutes. A lot of the things that we’re throwing at him right now – the schedule and this opportunity to play the number of a row – all of those things are part of the maturing process and experience process every young goaltender has to go through. WKU was far and away the class of Conference USA 2015, and even if the Hilltoppers regress , they’re starting the year on top.

Some would say there were times Zotto wasn’t using his hockey smarts to judge situations properly. 7 pick Rip Hamilton or No. If nike nfl jerseys china wholesale mlb jerseys work ethic improves, http://www.authenticcoltssale.com/shop-by-players-matt-hasselbeck-jersey-c-1_44.html he could eventually for snaps at right tackle. We want to keep our division lead and we want to win this dvision. the market for a $250 million wholesale jerseys cheap home? We loved doing it. Marc- Fleury was very good on Saturday. It got me excited. You just go about it like you always do, nfl jerseys from china work hard practice, Sherrod said when asked what he needs to do to bounce back.

Prado is highly above average inside his expected zone of responsibility, does not make errors, and is a bit below average ranging outside of the area of usual third basemen. EMU closed out the dual with a win the Nat Berhe Jersey 400 Free Relay, where , Johnston, Mitcheltree, and combined for the win, sealing a 185 win for the Eagles. But wholesale jerseys cheap everyone is real locked and working as a team. On 20, I became the first Michigan woman to successfully complete a solo swim across the English Channel. There are nearly 15 people the DC metro area who got their start at Syracuse University. As a Sacramento State Hornet, he was quite impressive despite the fact he plays for a poor college football baseball jerseys program . Sort of a gridiron .

from WordPress http://www.thornburgrealty.com/2018/07/07/least-wildcats-punchers-here-jennings-made-friday/

[cheapnfljerseysreviews-blog]

Golden State Warriors have the ability to be title contenders to cleveland Cavs

Nearly a complete year after Kyrie Irving nailed the step-back shot over Stephen Curry and Lebron jumped, then wept at successfully achieving ending Cleveland’s championship drought, we’re back where we began.  Actually, back in which the entire basketball world likely to be once the 2016-17 season tipped off on March. 25.

Cavaliers-Players III.  The one which settles everything.

Uh, until the coming year Leonel Campos Jersey?

Inside a boxing context, this is the Thrilla in Manila, where Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier pummeled one another towards the edge and Ali would later express it was the nearest factor he’d ever felt to dying.  The finish from the trilogy.

But regardless of the number of haymaker 3s Curry and Kevin Durant can bury for Golden Condition or even the a large number of body blows which are arrived by James and Irving for Cleveland, who’s likely to say we can’t write it to the calendar for June 2018 - Cavaliers-Players IV.  Then V, Mire and VII.

Who’s likely to stop them? The Celts, Rockets, Raptors, Spurs, Wizards, Clippers or Jazz?  Please.

The Players just sailed with the Western Conference just like a kite on the breeze to some perfect 12- record.  The Cavaliers had that inexplicable Game 3 hiccup against Boston and remained as 12-one in the Eastern Conference.

Inside a plumbing context, the pipes are clogged.

“This may be the finest talent differential, in my experience, in National basketball association history Blue Jays Apparel Canada.”

-Ex-National basketball association coach and current broadcaster Shaun Van Gundy

There has not been 1-2 dominance such as this within the good reputation for the National basketball association. It will likely be the very first time ever the same two teams have met within the Finals 3 years consecutively.

The Ray Bird-Magic Manley competition ushered in the current era from the National basketball association using their clashes within the 1980s using what appeared to become their annual coast-to-coast showdowns within the Finals. However, the celts and Opposing team only went mind-to-mind using the title at risk three occasions car decade. There have been Sixers and Rockets and Pistons that poked their heads in to the picture.

When Jordan required the league in to the stratosphere within the 1990s having a matching group of “three-peats,” his Bulls beat back five different challengers in the West, managing a gauntlet of Hall of Famers that incorporated Magic, Clyde Drexler, Charles Barkley, Gary Payton, John Stockton and Karl Malone. Within the East, he experienced Isiah Thomas, Joe Dumars, Patrick Ewing and Alonzo Mourning, all within their prime.

“I think greatness will work for the league,” stated former coach Shaun Van Gundy. “But what’s better for that league is greatness to become challenged. I do not think we’re getting that let's focus on Cleveland and Golden Condition.  The only real roadblock they need to winning a championship is one another.”

It isn't a talent gap, it’s a gorge.  Toronto is originating from the best four-year run in franchise background and needs to consider blowing some misconception to begin throughout simply because they haven’t attracted nearer to the Cavs and, actually, were dismissively taken this year.

“If we'd LeBron on the team, too, we'd have won,” stated Raptors’ DeMar DeRozan nhl merchandise.

But until cloning is perfected, we’re left to ponder when maybe there is somebody to part of and prevent James from extending his streak of reaching The Finals in the current seven consecutively?

James has owned the Eastern Conference in the last decade, eliminating at some point every team in the playoffs except Cleveland, Miami and Orlando.

“I are only able to talk to my very own experience in individuals days when there have been some good teams and great players that didn't win titles due to one man,” stated former point guard Mark Jackson, whose 17-year National basketball association career spanned the Jordan Era.  Jackson’s Knicks and Pacers teams were eliminated four occasions by Jordan’s Bulls within the playoffs.

“I think there are several great teams today, however i have no idea there are as numerous today as in those days,Inches he stated.  “When you consider Stockton and Malone not winning a championship, consider San antonio not winning a championship.  Even that Dallas team returning to Rolando Blackmon, Mark Aguirre,  Derek Harper and Mike Perkins. Which was an excellent team. Within the East we’re speaking about Patrick, Barkley, Indiana, some good Miami Heat teams, Milwaukee with Alvin Robertson.  Man, there have been some loaded teams that couldn’t overcome the hump. And also the hump was Jordan.

“But the factor is, we believed it. You usually believed it, each year. I was close enough to obtain him.  There have been situations having a tipped ball here, a loose ball there, maybe. However in the finish, it’s a credit to his greatness.

“Do other teams today really believe they are able to beat the Cavs and Players?  I am not sure. I do not know.

Therefore the regular season could be about Russell Westbrook and James Harden dueling for triple-doubles, Gregg Popovich ranting at sideline reporters, Blake Griffin trying to not harmed and Charles, Kenny, Shaq and Ernie keeping many of us quite highly entertained.  But it’s like going for a spin class and pedaling to nowhere until Golden Condition-Cleveland take us for any ride in June.

“Look, Jordan still won all individuals years,” Van Gundy stated.  “But it was not like he wasn’t pressed. It was not such as this, a mowing lower. Everyone expects in early models, 1-8 matchup to become easy.  Although not 1-2 or perhaps in Cleveland’s situation 2-1.  To conquer another team on their own home floor by 46 after being up 25 the sport before. Are you currently kidding? Where's this likely to finish?”

Prognosticators and straightforward human biology would appear to state that James needs to slow lower eventually.  But he’s 32, completing his 14th pro season and spitting out opponents such as the back finish of the wood chipper.  Irving is 25.  Kevin Love is 28.  Who are able to you say normally takes them lower in 2017-18?

That Warriors’ side from the bracket is much more lopsided with Curry 29, Durant 28, Eco-friendly 27, Thompson 27.

“This may be the finest talent differential, in my experience, in National basketball association history.  This is where I believe I simply wanted there is a bit more challenging them, particularly the Players,” Van Gundy stated.  “Because basically we possess the huge gap between your top two teams and all of those other league, there's a big gap between 1 and 2, from Golden Condition to Cleveland.  Consider it.  Otherwise for Draymond Green’s punch on LeBron, I do not think anybody doubts they win in five this past year and opting for three consecutively - with Kevin Durant.  It’s absurd.

“The first couple of years, these were lower inside a series or more.  However this differs.  This team is really far better, more gifted, compared to 73-win team due to Durant.  Are you currently saying there’s a method to beat them four occasions if they’re healthy?  I do not view it.Inches

Give Boston anybody you would like using the No. 1 pick within the Draft as well as say Gordon Hayward decides to join the celts in free agency.  Does that place them beyond the Cavaliers?  The Wizards can’t work through the 2nd round.  The Dollars and Sixers have youthful talent, but they are years away.  The Pacers and Pistons have regressed.  The Bulls are stuck within the dirt.

The Jazz make impressive strides in the western world, however must battle to keep Hayward and have plenty of ground to pay for to trap the Players.  The Memphis core is aging, youthful rosters in Denver and Phoenix are greener than St. Paddy’s Day beer, Houston and OKC are circus sideshows with features.  The Opposing team can’t see respectability having a telescope.  The Pelicans are confused.  The Spurs really are a tweaked Kawhi Leonard ankle from not really having the ability to compete.  And you may not wish to bank around the Clippers hockey merchandise?

“We are all aware reality states that certain day James won’t have the ability to perform the things he is doing,Inches Van Gundy stated.  “But we’re going to need to observe that happen before we begin believing it.  Like a coach, he enables you to re-believe that a group ‘can transform it on’ and ‘turn them back.’  We’re simply because this season.  So Cleveland keeps doing what they’re doing.

“Then, let's say I stated the Players are gonna go 7 or 8 straight many years to The Finals?  This is three.  Individuals four core guys are within their 20s.  Is the fact that great for the sport?Inches

It's in June. Until somebody may come along and flush the pipes.

As I have stated before, Marshall will leave searching better simply automatically. Richardson place the ball in Marshall's court also it was the simple -- and proper -- move for Marshall is the bigger person and leave.

However, nobody knows the genesis from the Marshall-Richardson feud, which caused the happy couple to apparently fight within the Jets locker room this past year and snipe backwards and forwards through the season. Inside a recent interview with Newsday, Richardson stated Marshall was the locker room "poster boy," and pointed out "drama queen antics." When requested by Newsday to reply to Richardson's claims the 2009 week, Marshall also required our prime road because he did Thursday.

Richardson appeared upset he was considered the "cancer" within that locker room (his words), while Marshall could escape any blame. There's a high probability Richardson is totally within the suitable for calling out his former teammate.

Digging much deeper in to the fight could give Jets fans a fascinating perspective on which went so wrong this past year and who they ought to truly be pulling for. However with Marshall putting the bickering to sleep for the time being, can we ever know?