Not Just a Game: Power, Politics & American Sports
Dave Zirin
Media Education Foundation
We've been told again and again that sports and politics don't mix, that games are just games and athletes should just "shut up and play." But according to Nation magazine sports editor Dave Zirin, this notion is just flat-out wrong. In Not Just a Game, the powerful new documentary based on his bestselling book The People's History of Sports in the United States, Zirin argues that far from providing merely escapist entertainment, American sports have long been at the center of some of the major political debates and struggles of our time. In a fascinating tour of the good, the bad, and the ugly of American sports culture, Zirin first traces how American sports have glamorized militarism, racism, sexism, and homophobia, then excavates a largely forgotten history of rebel athletes who stood up to power and fought for social justice beyond the field of play. The result is as deeply moving as it is exhilarating: nothing less than an alternative history of political struggle in the United States as seen through the games its people have played.
Sections: Introduction | In the Arena | Like a Girl | Breaking the Color Barrier | The Courage of Athletes
To Watch the Trailer, Preview the Film, and Order it
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Showing posts with label Sports. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sports. Show all posts
Dave Zirin: Wisconsin -- Solidarity Among Workers … And Football Players
Wisconsin: Solidarity Among Workers … And Football Players. As Wisconsin’s public workers fight to keep their wages and bargaining rights, they’re joined by others involved in a labor struggle: their Super Bowl champion neighbors.
by Dave Zirin
Yes!
Less than two weeks ago, the Green Bay Packers—the only fan-owned, non-profit franchise in major American sports—won the Super Bowl, bringing the Lombardi trophy back to Wisconsin. But now, past and present members of the “People’s Team” are girding up for one more fight and this time, it’s against their own governor, Scott Walker.
Walker, after the Super Bowl victory, bathed himself sensuously in the team’s triumph, declaring at a public ceremony that February was now Packers Month. He oozed praise for the franchise named in honor of the state's packing workers. But just days later, the governor offered cutbacks, contempt, and even the threat of violence for actual state workers.
Fighting austerity is not an Egyptian issue or a Middle Eastern issue—it’s a political reality of the 21st century world.Walker has unveiled plans to strip all public workers of collective bargaining rights and dramatically slash the wages and health benefits of every nurse, teacher, and state employee. Then, Walker proclaimed that resistance to these moves would be met with a response from the Wisconsin National Guard. Seriously.
Yes, in advance of any debate over his proposal, Governor Walker put the National Guard on alert by saying that the guard is "prepared" for "whatever the governor, their commander-in-chief, might call for.” Considering that the state of Wisconsin hasn’t called in the National Guard since 1886, these bizarre threats did more than raise eyebrows. They provoked rage.
Robin Eckstein, a former Wisconsin National Guard member, told the Huffington Post, "Maybe the new governor doesn't understand yet—but the National Guard is not his own personal intimidation force to be mobilized to quash political dissent. The Guard is to be used in case of true emergencies and disasters, to help the people of Wisconsin, not to bully political opponents."
Already this week, as many as 100,000 people have marched at various protests around the state with signs that reflect the current moment like "If Egypt Can Have Democracy, Why Can't Wisconsin?” “We Want Governors Not Dictators," and the pithy “Hosni Walker."
To Read the Rest of the Article
by Dave Zirin
Yes!
Less than two weeks ago, the Green Bay Packers—the only fan-owned, non-profit franchise in major American sports—won the Super Bowl, bringing the Lombardi trophy back to Wisconsin. But now, past and present members of the “People’s Team” are girding up for one more fight and this time, it’s against their own governor, Scott Walker.
Walker, after the Super Bowl victory, bathed himself sensuously in the team’s triumph, declaring at a public ceremony that February was now Packers Month. He oozed praise for the franchise named in honor of the state's packing workers. But just days later, the governor offered cutbacks, contempt, and even the threat of violence for actual state workers.
Fighting austerity is not an Egyptian issue or a Middle Eastern issue—it’s a political reality of the 21st century world.Walker has unveiled plans to strip all public workers of collective bargaining rights and dramatically slash the wages and health benefits of every nurse, teacher, and state employee. Then, Walker proclaimed that resistance to these moves would be met with a response from the Wisconsin National Guard. Seriously.
Yes, in advance of any debate over his proposal, Governor Walker put the National Guard on alert by saying that the guard is "prepared" for "whatever the governor, their commander-in-chief, might call for.” Considering that the state of Wisconsin hasn’t called in the National Guard since 1886, these bizarre threats did more than raise eyebrows. They provoked rage.
Robin Eckstein, a former Wisconsin National Guard member, told the Huffington Post, "Maybe the new governor doesn't understand yet—but the National Guard is not his own personal intimidation force to be mobilized to quash political dissent. The Guard is to be used in case of true emergencies and disasters, to help the people of Wisconsin, not to bully political opponents."
Already this week, as many as 100,000 people have marched at various protests around the state with signs that reflect the current moment like "If Egypt Can Have Democracy, Why Can't Wisconsin?” “We Want Governors Not Dictators," and the pithy “Hosni Walker."
To Read the Rest of the Article
Dave Zirin: Here Come Los Suns: Sports and Resistance to Arizona's SB 1070
Here Come Los Suns: Sports and Resistance to Arizona's SB 1070
by Dave Zirin
We Are Many
by Dave Zirin
We Are Many
Here Comes Los Suns - Dave Zirin from RedReel on Vimeo.
Golfer Kills Hawk Incident: Golfer Tripp Isenhour Accused of Killing Noisy Hawk With Golf Ball
Golfer Kills Hawk Incident-- PGA Tour golfer Tripp Isenhour was charged with intentionally killing a hawk by hitting golf balls at it because the migratory bird was making noise as he videotaped the TV show "Shoot Like A Pro" on Dec. 12.
Tripp Isenhour could be facing charges after an animal rights group called on the PGA Tour to punish him for killing a hawk with a golf shot.
The 39-year-old player, whose real name is John Henry Isenhour III, killed the bird after becoming frustrated with its persistent squawking during the filming of his television show Shoot Like A Pro. The incident happened on December 12 at Isenhour's home course, the Grand Cypress Golf Club in Orlando, Florida, and the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) are now urging the PGA to launch a full investigation.
After becoming angry with the red-shouldered hawk, Isenhour is reported to have driven his golf cart to within 300 metres of the bird before he starting to hit shots at it. However, the bird failed to move and the American gave up and drove away. When the noise started again Isenhour is reported to have moved to within 75 metres before allegedly saying: "I'll get him now."
The details of the incident are outlined in a report compiled by Brian Baine, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officer. He added: "About the sixth ball came very near [to] the bird's head, and [Isenhour] was very excited that it was so close."
Witnesses says a few shots later he struck the bird, which then fell to the ground bleeding from both nostrils.
Tripp Isenhour was charged on Wednesday with cruelty to animals and killing a migratory bird, crimes that carry a maximum penalty of 14 months in jail and $1,500 in fines. He has since apologized and claimed he was trying to scare the hawk away
"As soon as this happened, I was mortified and extremely upset and continue to be upset. I want to let everyone know there was neither any malice nor deliberate intent whatsoever to hit or harm the hawk. I was trying to simply scare it into flying away."
Picture via SbB
Buster Martin Is a 101-year-old London Marathoner
Remember Buster Martin, the UK's oldest employee? At a age of 101 years old, Mr Martin is still working at the plumbing company Pimlico Plumbers. On March 2, Buster Martin completed the Roding Valley Half Marathon in five hours 13 minutes in Woodford Green, east of London and won a medal. In an attempt to become the world's oldest marathon runner, Buster Martin is currently training for the April 13th London Marathon. Source: Chinadaily
Video: Travis Pastrana Skydives With Only Underpant
Meet Travis Pastrana, the daredevil who skydives without a parachute but with only an underpant!
On Sept. 26, 2007, Travis Pastrana jumped out of an airplane over Arecibo, Puerto Rico, without a parachute. In a carefully choreographed stunt, he met up in midair with another jumper, then lashed himself into a harness in time to make a safe tandem landing.Source: Youtube via Digg
Dwight Howard Slam Dunk Contest Superman Dunk Video
Awesome! Dwight Howard Is a Superman! Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard is the dunk king of 2008 Slam Dunk Contest on the All-Star Game in New Orleans!
Terry Bradshaw Super Bowl F Word on Howie Long Video
Oops! During the Super Bowl pregame show, Fox commentator Terry Bradshaw made a shocking comment about former NFL player Howie Long's "big f**king' head."
David Tyree Great Super Bowl Catch!!
With only 75 seconds left in the game while facing a third-and-five and a four-point deficit, New York Giants' quarterback Eli Manning did something extremely valuable to help his team won Super Bowl XL II. He escaped the grasps of New England Patriots' Richard Seymour and Jarvis Green, throws the ball up to teammate David Tyree. Tyree didn't disappoint Eli when he successfully caught the ball despite intense pressure from the opposite defender Harrison. Together with many Super Bowl fans, we are indeed thrilling at the Eli Manning-David Tyree pass which definitely could be counted as one of the most unbelievable plays in all of the history of Superbowls.
New York Giants Ticker Tape Parade
Superbowl picture, Eli Manning Holding the Vince Lombardi Trophy (Harry How/Getty Images via ABC)
New York Giants Ticker Tape Parade--New York City is to honor the Super Bowl XL II champion New York Giants with a ticker-tape parade Tuesday February 5 that will end with a ceremony at City Hall Plaza.
The parade is scheduled to start at 11 a.m. on Broadway at Battery Place and is expected to follow a route north to Chambers Street. Wish all those who are going to attend the celebration a good journey!
Will Ferrell 2008 Superbowl Commercials
No. 1, Will Ferrells 2008 Super Bowl Budweiser Ad: No.2, Will Ferrells Semi Pro 2008 Super Bowl Commercial: p.s. Semi Pro is New Line Cinema's upcoming comedy starring Will Ferrell and Woody Harrellson. The story is about Jackie Moon, the owner-coach-player of the American Basketball Association's Flint Michigan Tropics, rallies his teammates to make their NBA dreams come true.
Alicia Keys 2008 Superbowl Video; Alicia Keys Super Bowl XLII Pregame Show Video
Alicia Keys performed on the Superbowl XLII Pregame Show hosted by Ryan Seacrest. Nine-time Grammy Award winner Alicia treated 2008 Superbowl fans a very nice medley including three songs, Falling, If I Ain't Got You and No One.
Kina Grannis Digg Girl "Message from Your Heart” Super Bowl Video
Kina Grannis, aka Digg Girl, won the Doritos Crash the Super Bowl contest. Message from Your Heart, the new song from the talent Austin female artist of half Japanese origin had been played during Doritos Super Bowl commercial. Congrats!
Message From Your Heart Lyrics:
Don't break me, I bruise easily
The source of both your love and miseryI am steady, beating endlessly
While you are dozing, dreaming pretty things
Lovely thingsI don't work for free
Please take care of meThis is a message from your heart
Your most devoted body part
Taking blood and making art
This is a message from your heart
Pounding away into the dark
You could thank me for a start
This is a message from your heartDon't hurt me, I bleed constantly
My efforts leave me but flow back swiftlyMy rhythm, soothing, like raindrops steady
On foggy windows when you gaze outwardly
PeacefullyI don't work for free
Please take care of me
Please take care of meThis is a message from your heart
Your most devoted body part
Taking blood and making art
This is a message from your heart
Pounding away into the dark
You could thank me for a start
This is a message from your heartEverytime you sleep
Everytime you eat
Everytime you laugh
Everytime you cry
Every time you loveThis is a message from your heart
Your most devoted body part
Taking blood and making art
This is a message from your heart
Pounding away into the dark
You could thank me for a start
This is a message from your heart
Jordan Sparks Superbowl 2008 Singing National Anthem Video; Jordan Sparks Singing The Star-Spangled Banner at Superbowl 2008
Jordin Sparks, American Idol season 6 winner, sings The National Anthem -- The Star-Spangled Banner-- at The Superbowl 2008.
Lyrics:
- O say, can you see, by the dawn's early light,
- What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming,
- Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight,
- O’er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?
- And the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
- Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
- O say, does that star spangled banner yet wave
- O’er the land of the free, and the home of the brave?
- On the shore, dimly seen thro’ the mist of the deep,
- Where the foe’s haughty host in dread silence reposes,
- What is that which the breeze, o’er the towering steep,
- As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
- Now it catches the gleam of the morning’s first beam,
- In full glory reflected now shines in the stream:
- ’Tis the star-spangled banner! O long may it wave
- O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
- And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
- That the havoc of war and the battle’s confusion
- A home and a country should leave us no more?
- Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution.
- No refuge could save the hireling and slave
- From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:
- And the star-spangled banner, in triumph doth wave
- O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
- O thus be it ever when freemen shall stand
- Between their loved homes and the war’s desolation!
- Blest with vict’ry and peace, may the Heav’n-rescued land
- Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
- Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
- And this be our motto: "In God is our Trust."
- And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
- O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
GoDaddy.com Danica Patrick 'Exposure' Super Bowl Ad
GoDaddy.com, the famous online hosting company, gets IRL star Danica Patrick 'exposed' in this ad aired on FOX Super Bowl commercial slot. "It is ...definitely very smart. GoDaddy.com ... used it as a way to direct people to their website...Genius!" GaySocialites commended. Wow, Danica Patrick's too-hot-for-TV beaver joke Super Bowl commercial rejected by FOX is here. Before leaving this site to watch 'beaver', you can have a sneak-peek from Morning Buzz's post
Red carpet entrance, and two models in the other car are carrying a beaver. No lie, an actual beaver of the rodent variety. So Danica’s unzipping her jacket and one of the paparazzi says, “Where’s the beaver?”
Sayeth Danica: “A domain name and a Web site from GoDaddy.com give me all the exposure I need, so I can keep my beaver safe and out of site.”
New York Giants Wins Superbowl 17-14 Over New England Patriots
Congrats to Eli Manning! The Superbowl score His New York Giants has beat Tom Brady's New England Patriots to win Super Bowl XLII! The Superbowl score is 17-14! After losing the Superbowl to the New York Giants, the Patriots did not become the second NFL team to finish with a perfect season. The Patriots finished the regular season 16-0 and finish the entire season including the post-season 18-1. The only team to finish with a perfect undefeated record in the NFL was the 1972 Miami Dolphins team under head coach Don Shula.
Paula Abdul Super Bowl “Dance Like There’s No Tomorrow” Performance Video
Paula Abdul Superbowl--Paula Abdul performed for the first time in nearly 10 years at Super Bowl XLII. The American Idol judge and an airplane crash survivor has sung “Dance Like There’s No Tomorrow” to a crowd of thousands during 2008 Super Bowl Pre-game show at the Stadium of Phoenix University.
Tom Petty Free Falling 2008 Super Bowl Halftime Show Video
How old is Tom Petty? It's not important. What is important is that Tom Petty had performed three songs on 2008 Super Bowl Halftime Show!
N0.1: Free Falling
No2. I Won’t Back Down No.3: American Girl Source: Popcruch
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