Hat tip to Jon Miller
His distinctive voice and awesome knowledge of baseball were major factors in my embracing of the game. Fully deserved IMO
Tuesday, 2 February 2010
Monday, 1 February 2010
Friday, 18 December 2009
The Sun, Harry Redknapp, and an article about all the wrong issues
Mediawatch has already covered some of this story, but the sheer patronising lack of respect for its readers bares mentioning here.
It has all the hallmarks of the very worst, cretinous journalism that this awful publication specialises in:
1. Claimed as a " WORLD EXCLUSIVE" despite it being published as a story 8 days ago in another paper
2. Each sentence is formatted as a paragraph, making the whole article like a visual assault. In fact I feel like I have mild snow-blindness, as the palsied universe lies before us a leper.
3. Zero quotes attributed to any players, and at least two attributed to unnamed sources.
4. Unnamed sources blatantly being made up to represent the views of what the author of the piece thinks they would say so as to back up his article
I quite liked these two statements:
It was an audacious plot planned with military precision
Skipper Robbie Keane - the mastermind behind the plan - had been on reconnaissance many times to Ireland's capital city
Has Robbie Keane ever masterminded anything? I doubt he could mastermind walking the dog frankly. Also, I can't help thinking that audacious isn't really the right word in this case. I know it's easy to revert to Irish stereotypes here but who could seriously consider that they would get away with this? I would perhaps replace "audacious" with "really fucking stupid".
In a slight on the modern armed forces, military precision seems to consist of collecting money, booking flights and a staying in a hotel. Never since the days of Monty and the desert rats has such an operation been put into place.
Robbie Keane was fucking BORN in Dublin. I wonder when he got the reconnaissance in? Perhaps throughout his whole fucking life because that's where he lived?
I really think that this whole debacle is worthy of a serious article about how the players have seriously undermined the authority of their manager by doing this 3 days before a Premier League game and then losing that match at home to Wolves. Of course that would require some kind of thought and intellect on the part of (let me just check back to see who wrote this bollocks) Shawn Custis.
More interestingly they may have to criticise Sun columnist, and all round highley affable and quotable Deputy Dawg himself. A massive no no for the manager who gets away with more crap than any other. This is thanks, I can only surmise, to the fact he is nice to the journos and give them good copy more often than not.
It has all the hallmarks of the very worst, cretinous journalism that this awful publication specialises in:
1. Claimed as a " WORLD EXCLUSIVE" despite it being published as a story 8 days ago in another paper
2. Each sentence is formatted as a paragraph, making the whole article like a visual assault. In fact I feel like I have mild snow-blindness, as the palsied universe lies before us a leper.
3. Zero quotes attributed to any players, and at least two attributed to unnamed sources.
4. Unnamed sources blatantly being made up to represent the views of what the author of the piece thinks they would say so as to back up his article
I quite liked these two statements:
It was an audacious plot planned with military precision
Skipper Robbie Keane - the mastermind behind the plan - had been on reconnaissance many times to Ireland's capital city
Has Robbie Keane ever masterminded anything? I doubt he could mastermind walking the dog frankly. Also, I can't help thinking that audacious isn't really the right word in this case. I know it's easy to revert to Irish stereotypes here but who could seriously consider that they would get away with this? I would perhaps replace "audacious" with "really fucking stupid".
In a slight on the modern armed forces, military precision seems to consist of collecting money, booking flights and a staying in a hotel. Never since the days of Monty and the desert rats has such an operation been put into place.
Robbie Keane was fucking BORN in Dublin. I wonder when he got the reconnaissance in? Perhaps throughout his whole fucking life because that's where he lived?
I really think that this whole debacle is worthy of a serious article about how the players have seriously undermined the authority of their manager by doing this 3 days before a Premier League game and then losing that match at home to Wolves. Of course that would require some kind of thought and intellect on the part of (let me just check back to see who wrote this bollocks) Shawn Custis.
More interestingly they may have to criticise Sun columnist, and all round highley affable and quotable Deputy Dawg himself. A massive no no for the manager who gets away with more crap than any other. This is thanks, I can only surmise, to the fact he is nice to the journos and give them good copy more often than not.
Thursday, 3 December 2009
The Crazy world of US Sports
They do things a little different in the US and often their athletes are a whole lot crazier than ours.
Take Ron Artest who plays for the current NBA champions the LA Lakers:
http://www.sportingnews.com/nba/article/2009-12-02/sn-conversation-ron-artest-i-was-head-case
The money quote:
"I used to drink Hennessy … at halftime," Artest says in the interview, which hits newsstands this week. "I (kept it) in my locker. I'd just walk to the liquor store (near the stadium) and get it."
The best thing is that Artest is so crazy that no one is even suprised by this interview! We are talking about a man once suspended for 73 (yes seventy-three) games for brawling into the stands with fans when he played for Indiana. Legend.
Oh yes, let's not forget the time that he emailed one of the Laker fans to tell him he should "Suck a cock."
Why do we have to listen to Michael Owen-esque post-match interviews over and over again but they get a guy like this?
Unfair
Take Ron Artest who plays for the current NBA champions the LA Lakers:
http://www.sportingnews.com/nba/article/2009-12-02/sn-conversation-ron-artest-i-was-head-case
The money quote:
"I used to drink Hennessy … at halftime," Artest says in the interview, which hits newsstands this week. "I (kept it) in my locker. I'd just walk to the liquor store (near the stadium) and get it."
The best thing is that Artest is so crazy that no one is even suprised by this interview! We are talking about a man once suspended for 73 (yes seventy-three) games for brawling into the stands with fans when he played for Indiana. Legend.
Oh yes, let's not forget the time that he emailed one of the Laker fans to tell him he should "Suck a cock."
Why do we have to listen to Michael Owen-esque post-match interviews over and over again but they get a guy like this?
Unfair
Friday, 13 November 2009
Mike Carlson
It's time for that irregular feature here a FJM, a positive post!
Often my friends acuse me of not liking anyone on TV, saying I hate everyone and everything in sports broadcasting. Mostly that is true but there are exceptions.
Mike Carlson is the best pundit working on British TV today. You can read his work at NFLUK.com where he writes a weekly column, and check out his facebook appreciation society where he often comments. But most of all I suggest you tune in, or record Channel Five every Sunday night where Carlson does his thing. I haved watched a lot of NFL over the last few years and the constant adverts on Sky's coverage render it unwatchable unless you have recorded and can fast forward, or are doing something else at the same time. Five's studio show is perfectly done with just enough insight to humour ratio. Carlson's ability to analyse proves you don't have to be an ex-player to be a great pundit.
I beg you to give it a go because he deserves it
Often my friends acuse me of not liking anyone on TV, saying I hate everyone and everything in sports broadcasting. Mostly that is true but there are exceptions.
Mike Carlson is the best pundit working on British TV today. You can read his work at NFLUK.com where he writes a weekly column, and check out his facebook appreciation society where he often comments. But most of all I suggest you tune in, or record Channel Five every Sunday night where Carlson does his thing. I haved watched a lot of NFL over the last few years and the constant adverts on Sky's coverage render it unwatchable unless you have recorded and can fast forward, or are doing something else at the same time. Five's studio show is perfectly done with just enough insight to humour ratio. Carlson's ability to analyse proves you don't have to be an ex-player to be a great pundit.
I beg you to give it a go because he deserves it
Monday, 2 November 2009
Poor persecuted Fergie
Rowley Birkin rides again
Jeff Powell has had his cage rattled once again, this time it seems by his own colleagues (although it is always difficult to tell with him).
Sir Alex Ferguson lost top spot at Liverpool and is now public enemy No 1 with referees, but let's remember that he is ... STILL THE GREATEST
Snappy title eh?
This 2009-2010 campaign has turned into open season on the laird of Old Trafford. The rest of our national game is waiting for the mightiest of them all to fall.
God I hate Fergie. Let's make it clear from the outset my opinion on him. A truly great football manager who has consistently shown himself to be a tremendous judge of talent and a great man manager. The man who signed Roy Keane, Dennis Irwin, Patrice Evra, Ronaldo etc because he knew what they would bring to his team. I hold him up as an example of how to manage footballers: from old school players like Mark Hughes and Bryan Robson, through to modern day multi-millionaires like Ronaldo and Rooney.
Such a man would normally have my complete respect. Instead I have nothing but contempt for the man. As a man he fails to earn my respect on every level. Bad losers are good winners of course but Fergie takes it to another level.
The ruffling of authority's feathers and the intimidating of opponents are part and parcel of what it takes to be The Greatest. Ask Muhammed Ali.
Comparing him to Ali is interesting. Does Fergie even have any morals? Going to jail for committing no crime, only for an idea? I suppose Powell could be comparing the two as both are huge figures, dominating their sports with force of personality.
I think however, there is a slight difference between making a rude comment about a referee and refusing to go to war as a matter of principle when you know that you will lose your liberty as a result. Fergie's worst punishment is probably a week's wages rather than a loss of his livelihood at the peak of his career.
Ali was a horrible person a well I guess but I'm sure that's not what Powell means.
Whatever happened, gentlemen, to the freedom of speech which we profess to defend? Where would the stories come from if the leading players in the game of life were silenced? Yet football, in all its many constituents, is ganging up on the manager who keeps heaping more glory on our national game than most of his peers can begin to imagine.
I find this appalling journalism. Football is not ganging up on Fergie. Powell speaks as if Fergie has done nothing wrong, as if he is being persecuted. There is no glory in the way Sir Alex Ferguson treats people. Physically and verbally abusing his players; not allowing them the freedom which Powell so vociferously defends for Fergie himself; constantly belittling, condescending and undermining officials and opponents.
Ask this man which quality he looks for above all others when he recruits a new batch of kids or signs a £50million superstar and he will give you the answer himself. 'Character,' he will tell you. 'Aye, then it helps if they can play a bit. But first attitude, desire, pride, appetite.'
Berbatov? Nani? Owen? Kleberson?
Yet football, in all its many constituents, is ganging up on the manager who keeps heaping more glory on our national game than most of his peers can begin to imagine.
Just because your paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get you? Criticising Fergie for talking absolute bollocks about referees, bringing the game into disrepute in the process, is not ganging up at all.
"The pace of the game demanded a referee who was fit. It is an indictment of our game. You see referees abroad who are as fit as butcher's dogs. He was taking 30 seconds to book a player. It was ridiculous."
"I think Howard Webb has a great chance to be the top referee but today was a big game for him and, at times, he favoured Arsenal. Their second goal came from him not giving a free-kick for a foul on Louis Saha on the far side. It should have been a foul for us."
"Everton knew it was a weak referee and they exploited that to the full. I don’t blame them. Right from the first whistle, there was no protection."
Just a few of Fergie's rants for which he never seems to get more than a slap on the wrist. What a way to 'heap glory' on the game this is.
On Wednesday, we came to the laughable point where one Roberto Martinez complained Ferguson wields too much power. Roberto who? For the benefit of the uninitiated, young Mr Martinez used to be the boss at Swansea and is now in charge at Wigan Athletic
I believe Jeff Powell is now moaning about Martinez expressing his freedom of speech. He's probably forgotten that bit already.
Having reacted with dignity in Rome by acknowledging Barcelona's superiority on the night, just as he did at Liverpool on Sunday, he is using the wisdom of his ages in the game to plot life after Ronaldo.
Cherry picking much? I think we have established that Fergie is bereft of both dignity and wisdom by the bucketful.
Anyway this is followed by lots of fawning over the great Fergie. Typical Powell BS.
Thursday, 21 May 2009
How the media works
There are some basic tenants on which the media are formed, especially with relevance to the tabloid press.
Their favourite is claiming every story as an EXCLUSIVE!!! Another technique which they employ often is to make up a story (generally claiming that the public are outraged about it) and then run with the story as gospel truth in the following days and weeks, usually inventing reactions to the story as well for as long as they think it will sell papers.
I present to you a particularly appalling and un-subtle (even for them) effort from The Sun.
Part 1
Part 2
The first story "We'll sue Man Utd" features zero quotes from any of the clubs involved. In fact on the day of the story being published all 3 of the clubs mentioned categorically denied any intention on their part to sue Man Utd no matter what team they play against Hull. So I think it would be fair to say that this story was a complete fabrication, or to put in simple language for the Sun journos: YOU FUCKING MADE IT UP
You would think at this point that The Sun would just forget about it and move on to a crazy transfer rumour of some sort. Unfortunately they decided to just carry on anyway with "Hull of a U-turn Fergie"
1. Fergie was never quoted or mentioned as wanting to field a weakened team. In fact his only comments have been that Rio Ferdinand would play to prove his fitness. Never has he mentioned anything about any other players being involved, or not as the case may be.
2. How did it take 2 journalists to write a story containing 248 words?
3. Awful, awful punnage in the headline.
SunSport revealed yesterday relegation-haunted Newcastle, Middlesbrough and Sunderland are furious at the prospect of United playing a shadow side.
SunSport made up yesterday a load of lies about 3 football clubs suing Man Utd but now they have issued clear denials we are going to pretend we said they were furious instead.
But after a day of talks between Premier League chiefs and the clubs, United have promised they will change their plans for the weekend.
Now we have realised that we are going to look stupid when Fergie plays a reasonably strong team we have decided to make up some more bullshit without any sources quoted whatsoever to cover our own backs.
Boss Alex Ferguson kicked off the compromise by saying Rio Ferdinand must prove his fitness at Hull ahead of the Champions League final three days later.
Can we find some quotes to back this up? Can we fuck, we'll just have to paraphrase something Fergie said earlier in the week and make it sound like he is backing us up.
That is a major shift from Fergie's original plan - which angered the trio of North-East clubs - to play only Fletcher from his normal starting XI.
Quick we haven't lied for the last 2 sentences, throw another one in to confuse them.
Congratulations to The Sun for producing some of the worst journalism I have ever read. And in this country that is saying something.
Their favourite is claiming every story as an EXCLUSIVE!!! Another technique which they employ often is to make up a story (generally claiming that the public are outraged about it) and then run with the story as gospel truth in the following days and weeks, usually inventing reactions to the story as well for as long as they think it will sell papers.
I present to you a particularly appalling and un-subtle (even for them) effort from The Sun.
Part 1
Part 2
The first story "We'll sue Man Utd" features zero quotes from any of the clubs involved. In fact on the day of the story being published all 3 of the clubs mentioned categorically denied any intention on their part to sue Man Utd no matter what team they play against Hull. So I think it would be fair to say that this story was a complete fabrication, or to put in simple language for the Sun journos: YOU FUCKING MADE IT UP
You would think at this point that The Sun would just forget about it and move on to a crazy transfer rumour of some sort. Unfortunately they decided to just carry on anyway with "Hull of a U-turn Fergie"
1. Fergie was never quoted or mentioned as wanting to field a weakened team. In fact his only comments have been that Rio Ferdinand would play to prove his fitness. Never has he mentioned anything about any other players being involved, or not as the case may be.
2. How did it take 2 journalists to write a story containing 248 words?
3. Awful, awful punnage in the headline.
SunSport revealed yesterday relegation-haunted Newcastle, Middlesbrough and Sunderland are furious at the prospect of United playing a shadow side.
SunSport made up yesterday a load of lies about 3 football clubs suing Man Utd but now they have issued clear denials we are going to pretend we said they were furious instead.
But after a day of talks between Premier League chiefs and the clubs, United have promised they will change their plans for the weekend.
Now we have realised that we are going to look stupid when Fergie plays a reasonably strong team we have decided to make up some more bullshit without any sources quoted whatsoever to cover our own backs.
Boss Alex Ferguson kicked off the compromise by saying Rio Ferdinand must prove his fitness at Hull ahead of the Champions League final three days later.
Can we find some quotes to back this up? Can we fuck, we'll just have to paraphrase something Fergie said earlier in the week and make it sound like he is backing us up.
That is a major shift from Fergie's original plan - which angered the trio of North-East clubs - to play only Fletcher from his normal starting XI.
Quick we haven't lied for the last 2 sentences, throw another one in to confuse them.
Congratulations to The Sun for producing some of the worst journalism I have ever read. And in this country that is saying something.
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