cooperstown

Sorry, Habib, but I couldn't disagree more. I think you need to walk in the shoes of a police officer/law enforcement agent to fully understand. Regardless of whether you agree with the directive they were given, their orders were to disperse the crowd. When dealing with a large number of people where the potential for violence exists, you take all precautions necessary to prevent and combat that violence. It doesn't matter that the group had been peaceful up to that point. Similar protests across the country have escalated into confrontation and violence. You don't show up to a situation such as this and demand the demonstrators leave, only to have the situation turn ugly (for whatever reason) and find yourself unprepared. You can't exactly call time-out so you can go back to the station to gear up. I've executed many arrest warrants on individuals who had no past record of violence. I nonetheless still carried my weapon, wore my vest, and had a partner with me. You don't dismiss the possibility that it could be as dangerous a situation as someone who does have a violent record. You prepare for the worst. If you end up "over-preparing", so be it. There was nothing whatsoever inappropriate with these officers responding in riot gear. Now that all being said, I do not support the pepper spray response by the police officers, most certainly not at the point that it was used.

Maybe so, but he'll still get a lengthy prison sentence. And he'll probably have to be segregated in prison, as even criminals have a certain honor code. Sandusky would most assuredly not be safe in the general prison population. Which is fine by me.

While all of the Penn State officials involved in this affair disgust me, I think I may be most disgusted with McQueary. He may have been a grad assistant when he witnessed Sandusky sodomizing a 10 year kid, but he was 28 years old and a good-sized man, to boot. Far bigger and stronger than Sandusky. So what does he do? Turns away and leaves. Anyone else here in this forum think they would have reacted the same way? A 10 year old kid! And he walked away. Granted he told Paterno about the incident, but if we are to believe Paterno's story (I don't), McQueary didn't even tell Joe the specific details of what he saw, only vague generalizations about seeing something "inappropriate". And then this full grown adult fails to follow up with anyone to see what actions have been taken or whether the young child was identified and was okay. Nothing more. Saw a rape of a child, turned away, mentioned "something" to Paterno, and then washed his hands of the incident despite apparently seeing Sandusky on PSU property with another young child years later. Solid citizenship right there, Mr. McQueary, you worthless, spineless piece of trash.

Anybody got a website that shows a receiver's targets? I just got home and am a tad bit surprised to see Shipley with one catch for an impressive -1 yards. Figured him to be a big part of the Bengals' passing game this year.

It really is amazing to hear about the high number of ACL injuries these days, especially in young kids. I played a lot of competitive sports in the late 70's and early-to-mid 80's and am not sure I recall any of my teammates incurring this injury. I'm sure they did and either I do not recall (likely) or it simply was not diagnosed as such, but I feel completely confident in saying the number of these injuries has increased several thousand-fold over the past 25 years. Are these injuries just being diagnosed more accurately or are athletes doing these differently these days that are causing the increase?

Actually, I believe the MCL can regenerate itself from a partial tear as there is blow flow to this ligament. Apparently, that is the key - whether or not there is blood flow to a particular area. The ACL receives no such blood and therefore can repair itself and always requires surgical correction. Is this right, sidelinedoc?

While I'm generally on your side here, Clyde, there is, of course, the issue that if exercising the right to vote is all that important to these disenfranchised voters (blacks, minorities, low-income, etc...), it really shouldn't take someone cajoling them and almost literally leading them by the hand to the polling booth to exercise this right. I know this is off your point of why these regulations are being proposed/enacted at this particular point time, but nonetheless it is rather silly that it takes such a Herculean effort to get these individuals to vote. Don't tell me they don't know an election is taking place, that they are unaware of their right to vote, or that they couldn't figure out the process on their own to get registered and become a meaningful part of the political process - if it was truly important to them. That's the part of the argument that bothers me - helping to ensure that people who generally speaking don't really care about the right to vote have the easiest path to do so.

I think Clyde is right and that the timing of these Republican-backed proposals has to do solely with the upcoming elections and a desire to limit the voters "less-inclined" to vote Republican. As a former die-hard Republican this normally wouldn't bother me in the slightest, other than I have now grown disgusted with the Republican party as well. I have no problem with requiring a picture ID and given some of the tactics of ACORN over the past few years with voter registration fraud, think it's a good idea. It's important to note, though, that these ACORN employees were committing these acts predominantly to meet criteria required to get paid - i.e., they had to sign up "xx" number of new voters a day, so they made up names when they were short - and not to rig the election. Nonetheless, it was their inappropriate/illegal activities, which became more prevelant during the last election and openly supported by Democrats, that has made the concern about voter/election fraud more pronounced and given the Republicans the very opening they needed to pursue excessive voter rules designed to benefit their party and future election prospects - all under the guise of doing what's best for the American people and the election process. Sure. The exact reason I am sick of them all.

While I believe ACORN workers have been convicted in several other states - Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Washington, and Florida, to name a few - these convictions have been for voter registration fraud as opposed to actual voter fraud. These workers provided false names on voter registration forms to get paid for work they didn’t do, not to stuff ballot boxes. Not saying that it's right - it's not - but it is different than actual voter fraud, which doesn't happen all that often.

Putting up with - and creating - distractions has been the forte of Mike Brown's reign of the Bengals.

That's if - and HUGE "if" - they could possibly get Brown to entertain the thought and I just don't think the man is bright enought to do so. Beyond that, I can't imagine they'd mortgage their immediate future to pick up a guy who really hasn't proven himself all that effective the past few years. I think they'll see what Collins offers the first few games and unless he's a total bust or gets injured, will sit pat. Obviously just a guess.

I will admit to not being much of a Notre Dame football fan, so perhaps this is more wishing thinking than reality, but I think there's a pretty reasonable shot ND could start the season 0-4. Michigan at Michigan is going to be tough and then they have Michigan State, against whom they have greatly struggled the past 14 seasons (4-10). Game #4 is at Pittsburgh, no pushover and to whom ND has lost two of its past three games. Kelly will blow an aneurysm if this happens. Interesting stats I just read today: ND has lost 15 of its last 28 games at home and has finished the season ranked in the top ten just once in the past 17 years.

No chance they call Brown for Palmer. They know he's as stubborn as a mule and even if he would listen to an offer, it would take a king's ransom (several high picks) to snag him. Just don't see them paying that price for a one-year fix, unless they see Manning's injury as potentially long-term/career-ending. Ultimately, there's still a lot of offensive talent on the team and a caretaker like Collins should be sufficient.

Is this a hobby or full-time occupation for you? Sign me up for the salmon and mango salsa.

What if the allegation had to do with trafficking drugs? What if the individual was suspected in a some type of crime (assault, robbery, etc..) that involved the use of a firearm? Beyond this issue, however - and a case could be made either way - why instruct your players to keep the matter a secret from their parents? If that's true - and, of course, it's only an "if" at this point - I think it says a lot about how serious he felt the allegation was. And certainly speaks to the integrity of someone who would take this kind of action so that he could insure one of his better players was able to play in a tournament.

Blew up at Crist and a WR that dropped a pass. I imagine he was feeling some pressure before this game and it just doubled at a minimum.

So to sum up: You appear not to have been in agreement with his "athletes" statement?

"Sally, over here. This is the ref I was telling you about that keeps "adjusting" himself all the time."

CardsFan - what year is your QB? Runs well, can't say I was overwhelmed with his passing. I know passing isn't an overly critical part of your offense, but still a nice weapon to have when teams are putting all their efforts into stopping the run. He missed a couple wide open guys tonight for what could have been long gains.

He would not be a fullback on many teams. He is very fast. As in very, very fast.

Ryle has a very, very solid defense and Elliott's injury won't change that. A good defense can take you far, so even if he is out for an extended period, I think Ryle can win this district. But they will need to progress on the offensive side, paritcularly passing the ball.

Fun place to watch a football game. Nice stadium. Bigger and more intimidating than when I got to play in it 30 years ago (wow). Their split-the-pots are unreal. The winner can take home $5000-6000. And they do some serious tailgating before the game. Like bigtime college football-level tailgating.

Mac Vollett. Heart of the Ryle defense. Hits hard, very good tackler.

Assuming he didn't tear any of the ligaments that hold the kneecap in place. Son had this injury and it's a tough one, too. Not an ACL injury by any means, but no walk in the park either.

Didn't see much of the 4th quarter, but up to that point I couldn't imagine they had 100 net yards.