I wanted to write about something a little more fun than my "Save the Pens" rant, so I think, with the debut of the new sleeker uniforms at the All-Star Game a few nights ago, it's time for my opinions on each team's current jerseys and what should, or shouldn't be, changed.
I'll start in the East and then do a separate post for the West.
Pittsburgh - Of course, I'm going to talk about my team first. I feel no major changes are needed. Some people don't like the Las Vegas Gold, but I think it differentiates them from the Steelers and Pirates. A new third jersey for next year would be nice.
New Jersey - There isn't many changes you could make that wouldn't draw the unwanted attention of Christian fundamentalists. A 3rd jersey featuring the legendary Jersey Devil creature could be a lot of fun.
NY Islanders - Again, not much that can be changed. I would like to see them drop the orange crush jersey however.
NY Rangers - Am I the only one who hates the retro ties? A cool idea would be to incorporate a camouflage 3rd jersey to honor our military, particularly the U.S. Army Rangers. I doubt that MSG would have the courage for something that bold and pro-military in the heart of downtown Manhattan.
Philadelphia - No real complaints here. Unlike the Isles, a big dopey orange jersey fits this franchise well.
Boston - The classic "B" in the wheel look will never get outdated. Heck, even the 3rd jersey with the bear head is a nice mix of modern design, with the kid-friendly clawmarks on the shoulders, and tradition, as the team wisely stuck with a classic bear head.
Buffalo - Yeah. I was building to this. Who allowed these guys to change their name to the Snails? The logo is atrocious. The rest of the uniform isn't bad, it's just too busy and too Euro for my taste. Seriously, they could've just taken the old red and black unis and switched the colors to blue and gold. Come on. Or just use their original unis, but update them a bit (a la current Pittsburgh Penguins.) I have a great appreciation for what this organization has done on the ice, but I'm really glad I'm not a Sabres fan just because of these horrendous jerseys.
Montreal - No changes needed..........ever. I have a tremendous amount of respect for this team and organization. My 2nd favorite NHL team, the jersey is a classic and rests with Yankees pinstripes and the Green Bay Packers on the "untouchable" jersey category.
Ottawa - The use of the Praetorian Guard for a mascot elevates the notion of "Senator" from a bunch of grumpy old men (and women) to something that can be cool and very intimidating. One of the best of the post-Original 21 era.
Toronto - I know they're Original Six, but the uniform is BORING. The logo is EVEN MORE BORING. A blue maple leaf outline with the words "TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS." Ugh! The sad thing is I have no idea how to remedy the situation.
Atlanta - I still have no idea how Atlanta Thrasher fandom began to be identified as "Blueland", but the blue 3rds are pretty cool. The regular jerseys are ok as well. About as good as you can get considering the mascot is an aggressive robin.
Carolina - Yawn. A hockey puck surrounded by swirlies. Yay. The red is fairly distinctive at least.
Florida - The Panthers unis, unlike the rest of the operation, actually work pretty well. The coolest touch has to be the crossed hockey stick and palm tree. At least it's not teal.
Tampa Bay - I never understood the mixed fonts in the words "Tampa Bay" and "LIGHTNING", but overall this works pretty well.
Washington - Let's face it. Any change was better than their original uniforms. And the Eagle and Capitol Building work pretty well. I wouldn't ask Leonisis how that whole "America's Team" promotion went, considering they're having trouble promoting themselves as Washington's team. And they even have Ovechkin.
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Save the Pens....or have we already?
Hockey fans are obviously aware of the plight of the Pittsburgh Penguins. For those not aware the quick version (feel free to scroll past the next three paragraphs if you're already familiar):
Team plays in a dilapidated old arena, but receives great fan support, excellent TV ratings and has a young nucleus that most likely will lead to a Stanley Cup or two (or maybe three) in the next few years. City/County say they have no $ for new arena for last 7 years, then the state passes legislation to start slots parlors/casinos. Penguins owner, Mario Lemieux, Hall of Fame hockey player, two-time Stanley Cup winner, multiple MVP, cancer survivor and all-around OK guy, then partners with a casino (Isle of Capri, known as IOC) company. If IOC wins Pittsburgh's lone slots license, they will pay for the arena (yes, including the urinals.)
IOC's partnering with the Penguins forces the politicians to, in turn, force the other two casino companies vying for Pittsburgh's slots license to ante up and contribute $7.5 mill over 30 years to a new arena, if either of them win. Of course, being that we live in Pennsylvania and our politicians and government couldn't possibly accept a free arena, the benevolent idiots on the State Gaming Board choose one of these companies - Majestic Star, owned by Don Barden - for the slots license.
The Penguins ownership then goes to Kansas City, which has almost finished a sparkling brand-new arena. They're offered a lease for free and the opportunity to invest in a 50% stake in the new arena. Meanwhile, our politicians realize, like most of the characters on Arrested Development at one time or another, that they've made a terrible mistake, and begin to negotiate a deal to build a new arena and keep the Pens in town. Everything seemed to be going well, until, at least reports say this, the aforementioned Mr. Barden decided to stick his nose in and try to get development rights around the current arena site as well as parking. Our fearless leader, Gov. Rendell, also started shooting his mouth off about how this deal is the best deal any PA team has ever gotten and that the Pens want $10 mill to pay off IOC since they didn't get the license (probably a poison pill to keep the Pens from negotiating before the license was awarded.) Too bad Kansas City isn't in PA. Mario Lemieux then states they're disappointed in the current deal and will examine all their options, including relocation - this week's candidate is Houston.
The issues appear to be the following:
1. The Pens $10 million payment to IOC. They want some relief from the state on this.
2. The state's insistence that Barden get the bulk of the development and parking revenue from the current arena site.
Notice I didn't say anything about an arena? Ok. Good.
My strongly held belief is that the arena deal itself is near-complete. The problems revolve around who gets the revenue from developing the old Mellon Arena site. If this is the case, it should come down to a simple negotiation between Barden and the Pens ownership. Without the Pens, a new arena does not get built. Without a new arena, Barden doesn't get to redevelop the old arena site as he promised. The solution is simple. Barden either has to put up more money for the arena, meaning the Pens put up less OR Barden has to cave to the Pens demands for revenue from the old arena site and parking revenue. The politicians and SEA need to step away from the situation and allow this negotiation to happen.
A lot of people have a lot to lose if this falls through and the team leaves town. Here's my rundown:
1. Barden - If he breaks his promise to redevelop the Hill, he will lose credibility among Hill District residents and the region-at-large, not to mention the backlash that will surely hurt his business if the Pens leave town.
2. Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl - This poor kid's political career will be toast before he's 28.
3. County Executive Dan Onorato - Speculation says he plans to run for governor in 2010. If this is the case, the western half of the state (his supposed home base) will be pretty unhappy if the relocated Pens have brought Kansas City or Houston a couple Stanley Cups by then. Hell, he may have trouble just being re-elected to his current job.
4. Governor Ed Rendell - Yeah. Ed can't run again. For governor anyway. I believe if he doesn't get on the presidential ticket next year, he might want to run for Senate. (Let's face facts: Arlen Spector isn't getting any younger.) I believe this is why he's trying so hard to keep the team here. Plus if people don't go to Barden's casino, the state's take goes down, which means it will be harder to lower property taxes (the whole point of the slots), which will hurt the biggest proponent of slots casinos: Ed Rendell.
5. Sports & Exhibition Authority - Yeah. These guys want to be stuck with an arena that's falling apart with no anchor tenant. I doubt the AHL would ice a team there if the Pens leave.
So here we are. I didn't even mention the weaknesses inherent in moving to team to either Kansas City or Houston. Mainly that negotiations to sell the team would be with one buyer in either city, killing any leverage for the current ownership. And I highly doubt there'll be a bidding war at this point or it would've started by now. Plus I doubt Les Alexander (owner of the Houston Rockets) and Boots DelBiaggio (the only guy authorized to own a NHL team in KC) are dumb enough to get into one.
Lemieux will go to Houston at the end of the week and check out their arena and this will put the pressure on the politicians and Barden to meet again. However by the end of next week (Groundhog Day folks), I believe a deal will be completed. I have no inside info to confirm this; just my intuition based on what I know about the situation. In the end, everyone, including Lemieux, is out to maximize revenues and cover their own behinds.
And that's why I think the Pens will stay in Pittsburgh.
Team plays in a dilapidated old arena, but receives great fan support, excellent TV ratings and has a young nucleus that most likely will lead to a Stanley Cup or two (or maybe three) in the next few years. City/County say they have no $ for new arena for last 7 years, then the state passes legislation to start slots parlors/casinos. Penguins owner, Mario Lemieux, Hall of Fame hockey player, two-time Stanley Cup winner, multiple MVP, cancer survivor and all-around OK guy, then partners with a casino (Isle of Capri, known as IOC) company. If IOC wins Pittsburgh's lone slots license, they will pay for the arena (yes, including the urinals.)
IOC's partnering with the Penguins forces the politicians to, in turn, force the other two casino companies vying for Pittsburgh's slots license to ante up and contribute $7.5 mill over 30 years to a new arena, if either of them win. Of course, being that we live in Pennsylvania and our politicians and government couldn't possibly accept a free arena, the benevolent idiots on the State Gaming Board choose one of these companies - Majestic Star, owned by Don Barden - for the slots license.
The Penguins ownership then goes to Kansas City, which has almost finished a sparkling brand-new arena. They're offered a lease for free and the opportunity to invest in a 50% stake in the new arena. Meanwhile, our politicians realize, like most of the characters on Arrested Development at one time or another, that they've made a terrible mistake, and begin to negotiate a deal to build a new arena and keep the Pens in town. Everything seemed to be going well, until, at least reports say this, the aforementioned Mr. Barden decided to stick his nose in and try to get development rights around the current arena site as well as parking. Our fearless leader, Gov. Rendell, also started shooting his mouth off about how this deal is the best deal any PA team has ever gotten and that the Pens want $10 mill to pay off IOC since they didn't get the license (probably a poison pill to keep the Pens from negotiating before the license was awarded.) Too bad Kansas City isn't in PA. Mario Lemieux then states they're disappointed in the current deal and will examine all their options, including relocation - this week's candidate is Houston.
The issues appear to be the following:
1. The Pens $10 million payment to IOC. They want some relief from the state on this.
2. The state's insistence that Barden get the bulk of the development and parking revenue from the current arena site.
Notice I didn't say anything about an arena? Ok. Good.
My strongly held belief is that the arena deal itself is near-complete. The problems revolve around who gets the revenue from developing the old Mellon Arena site. If this is the case, it should come down to a simple negotiation between Barden and the Pens ownership. Without the Pens, a new arena does not get built. Without a new arena, Barden doesn't get to redevelop the old arena site as he promised. The solution is simple. Barden either has to put up more money for the arena, meaning the Pens put up less OR Barden has to cave to the Pens demands for revenue from the old arena site and parking revenue. The politicians and SEA need to step away from the situation and allow this negotiation to happen.
A lot of people have a lot to lose if this falls through and the team leaves town. Here's my rundown:
1. Barden - If he breaks his promise to redevelop the Hill, he will lose credibility among Hill District residents and the region-at-large, not to mention the backlash that will surely hurt his business if the Pens leave town.
2. Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl - This poor kid's political career will be toast before he's 28.
3. County Executive Dan Onorato - Speculation says he plans to run for governor in 2010. If this is the case, the western half of the state (his supposed home base) will be pretty unhappy if the relocated Pens have brought Kansas City or Houston a couple Stanley Cups by then. Hell, he may have trouble just being re-elected to his current job.
4. Governor Ed Rendell - Yeah. Ed can't run again. For governor anyway. I believe if he doesn't get on the presidential ticket next year, he might want to run for Senate. (Let's face facts: Arlen Spector isn't getting any younger.) I believe this is why he's trying so hard to keep the team here. Plus if people don't go to Barden's casino, the state's take goes down, which means it will be harder to lower property taxes (the whole point of the slots), which will hurt the biggest proponent of slots casinos: Ed Rendell.
5. Sports & Exhibition Authority - Yeah. These guys want to be stuck with an arena that's falling apart with no anchor tenant. I doubt the AHL would ice a team there if the Pens leave.
So here we are. I didn't even mention the weaknesses inherent in moving to team to either Kansas City or Houston. Mainly that negotiations to sell the team would be with one buyer in either city, killing any leverage for the current ownership. And I highly doubt there'll be a bidding war at this point or it would've started by now. Plus I doubt Les Alexander (owner of the Houston Rockets) and Boots DelBiaggio (the only guy authorized to own a NHL team in KC) are dumb enough to get into one.
Lemieux will go to Houston at the end of the week and check out their arena and this will put the pressure on the politicians and Barden to meet again. However by the end of next week (Groundhog Day folks), I believe a deal will be completed. I have no inside info to confirm this; just my intuition based on what I know about the situation. In the end, everyone, including Lemieux, is out to maximize revenues and cover their own behinds.
And that's why I think the Pens will stay in Pittsburgh.
Friday, January 19, 2007
Where I live: pros and cons
As I stated in my introductory post, I live in a small town in western Pennsylvania. Pittsburgh is the nearest metro area and the region is generally identified with the city and surrounding suburbs. For those of you unfamiliar with the area, I'd like to present what's good about this part of the USA....and what's not so good.
The Pros of western Pennsylvania/Pittsburgh:
1. This is a family-oriented region. People are generally friendly and if you're in trouble, they're relatively eager to help out.
2. Excellent educational resources. Namely the universities, including, in order of prominence: Carnegie Mellon, Penn State (sorta western PA), Pitt, Duquesne, IUP and Robert Morris. That doesn't even include several small private colleges such as, Grove City, St. Vincent, St. Francis and Westminster.
3. Excellent cultural amenities. The Carnegie Museums, Symphony and Ballet are world-class. Falling Water is a national treasure and the Pittsburgh Zoo is a fun day out. Throw the sports teams here as well. The Steelers are one of the best-run organizations in sports, while the Penguins, assuming they stay in Pittsburgh, have the most promise. The Pirates....well....let's just say they have a long and storied history that, until 15 years ago, actually included winning seasons and championships once in awhile. *heh*
4. Scenery - This is beautiful country. A favorite, and cheap, way to spend time with my wife involves just going for a drive down a road we've never been on before. The farms are generally well-kept and even the burnt-out coal towns are interesting. Pittsburgh itself has a beautiful skyline, with Downtown and Squirrel Hill being the most attractive neighborhoods.
5. Cheap Living - Housing has not become outlandishly expensive like it has in much of the country. Having a declining population is a big reason for this. The same reasoning applies to most other necessities as well. Gasoline is usually below the national average.
6. Good Healthcare - I list this last, because I fear this may change as UPMC (that's University of Pittsburgh Medical Center) continues to gobble up hospitals and practices and the effects of PA's horrendous lawyer-driven malpractice laws further discourages doctors from opening practices in PA and drives others out of state. Despite this Pittsburgh, which is where many folks with serious illnesses end up, generally rates pretty well when it comes to the quality of its hospitals and doctors.
Now for the Cons. There aren't as many, but they're still very important.
1. Economy - Since the steel mills began shutting down in the 1970s, western PA's economy has been either contracting or lagging behind most of the rest of the nation. Diversification has begun to happen in fits and starts, as banking, finance, health care and high tech have assumed greater importance. Some manufacturing has returned as well in recent years, attracted by the educated, hard-working workforce. I have some ideas to improve the area's economic prospects, but as this is supposed to be a summary, I'll move on.
2. Government - This covers a lot. In large part, I blame government interference in the economy for the region's inability to sustain economic growth. High taxes, excessive business regulation and a lack of will to do the things that make the most sense are all pervasive on the state level as well as on the local level in Pittsburgh proper. A lack of political will to change PA into a right-to-work state has hurt the region's economic prospects more than anything else. It's why so many businesses move to the Southern US or overseas. But again, this is a summary so I'll move on.
3. Government Corruption - Ok, maybe I'm not moving on just yet. It's one thing to support economically-flawed policy and projects, which #2 basically covers, but it's a whole other ballgame when you consider the rampant corruption that is endemic at various state agencies (PennDOT, Turnpike Commission, anyone?) and in certain municipalities (City of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County; do I hear a second on that motion?) The amount of government waste in this state is unbelievable. But let's move on. (I'm not kidding this time.)
4. Roads - PA's roads are notoriously bad. And western PA's are generally worse. Much of this is weather-related and I respect that, however #3 comes into play here as well. (Ok I lied again, so sue me. At least this is a nice segue way to #5.)
5. Weather - Depending on where you live, the typical PA resident has to deal with floods, tornadoes, hurricanes (in the Phillie area), hail, blizzards (the whole state) and, yes, even earthquakes (NE PA gets them every so often.) The weather isn't for the faint of heart, but it's not like Florida or the Gulf Coast, nor is it as snowy as western NY or as cold as Michigan. In fact, it's not that bad, but it's not that nice either. Hell, I'd probably make this a pro if I was posting this in the summer.
So there you have it. Where I live. I'm one of those people who believe that where one lives can say a lot about what they are all about. I will, or course, be going into more detail, especially about the cons, as time goes on and events warrant.
The Pros of western Pennsylvania/Pittsburgh:
1. This is a family-oriented region. People are generally friendly and if you're in trouble, they're relatively eager to help out.
2. Excellent educational resources. Namely the universities, including, in order of prominence: Carnegie Mellon, Penn State (sorta western PA), Pitt, Duquesne, IUP and Robert Morris. That doesn't even include several small private colleges such as, Grove City, St. Vincent, St. Francis and Westminster.
3. Excellent cultural amenities. The Carnegie Museums, Symphony and Ballet are world-class. Falling Water is a national treasure and the Pittsburgh Zoo is a fun day out. Throw the sports teams here as well. The Steelers are one of the best-run organizations in sports, while the Penguins, assuming they stay in Pittsburgh, have the most promise. The Pirates....well....let's just say they have a long and storied history that, until 15 years ago, actually included winning seasons and championships once in awhile. *heh*
4. Scenery - This is beautiful country. A favorite, and cheap, way to spend time with my wife involves just going for a drive down a road we've never been on before. The farms are generally well-kept and even the burnt-out coal towns are interesting. Pittsburgh itself has a beautiful skyline, with Downtown and Squirrel Hill being the most attractive neighborhoods.
5. Cheap Living - Housing has not become outlandishly expensive like it has in much of the country. Having a declining population is a big reason for this. The same reasoning applies to most other necessities as well. Gasoline is usually below the national average.
6. Good Healthcare - I list this last, because I fear this may change as UPMC (that's University of Pittsburgh Medical Center) continues to gobble up hospitals and practices and the effects of PA's horrendous lawyer-driven malpractice laws further discourages doctors from opening practices in PA and drives others out of state. Despite this Pittsburgh, which is where many folks with serious illnesses end up, generally rates pretty well when it comes to the quality of its hospitals and doctors.
Now for the Cons. There aren't as many, but they're still very important.
1. Economy - Since the steel mills began shutting down in the 1970s, western PA's economy has been either contracting or lagging behind most of the rest of the nation. Diversification has begun to happen in fits and starts, as banking, finance, health care and high tech have assumed greater importance. Some manufacturing has returned as well in recent years, attracted by the educated, hard-working workforce. I have some ideas to improve the area's economic prospects, but as this is supposed to be a summary, I'll move on.
2. Government - This covers a lot. In large part, I blame government interference in the economy for the region's inability to sustain economic growth. High taxes, excessive business regulation and a lack of will to do the things that make the most sense are all pervasive on the state level as well as on the local level in Pittsburgh proper. A lack of political will to change PA into a right-to-work state has hurt the region's economic prospects more than anything else. It's why so many businesses move to the Southern US or overseas. But again, this is a summary so I'll move on.
3. Government Corruption - Ok, maybe I'm not moving on just yet. It's one thing to support economically-flawed policy and projects, which #2 basically covers, but it's a whole other ballgame when you consider the rampant corruption that is endemic at various state agencies (PennDOT, Turnpike Commission, anyone?) and in certain municipalities (City of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County; do I hear a second on that motion?) The amount of government waste in this state is unbelievable. But let's move on. (I'm not kidding this time.)
4. Roads - PA's roads are notoriously bad. And western PA's are generally worse. Much of this is weather-related and I respect that, however #3 comes into play here as well. (Ok I lied again, so sue me. At least this is a nice segue way to #5.)
5. Weather - Depending on where you live, the typical PA resident has to deal with floods, tornadoes, hurricanes (in the Phillie area), hail, blizzards (the whole state) and, yes, even earthquakes (NE PA gets them every so often.) The weather isn't for the faint of heart, but it's not like Florida or the Gulf Coast, nor is it as snowy as western NY or as cold as Michigan. In fact, it's not that bad, but it's not that nice either. Hell, I'd probably make this a pro if I was posting this in the summer.
So there you have it. Where I live. I'm one of those people who believe that where one lives can say a lot about what they are all about. I will, or course, be going into more detail, especially about the cons, as time goes on and events warrant.
Sunday, January 14, 2007
Why I believe what I believe...
My random question in my profile asks why you believe what you believe. I feel it is only fair to answer that question myself.
Like most people, my family has played an important part in shaping my beliefs, both from a political and cultural standpoint. From an early age, I was taught that hard work and discipline would/could lead to success in life. Duty, both to family and to country, was a concept that was placed at the highest point on the pedestal of ideals.
But before a conclusion can be made that I am simply marching in lockstep with my elders, I want to emphasize that my family, especially my grandparents, taught me how to think, not just what to think. Thinking logically, in concert with established principles, forms the basis for my beliefs and opinions on most topics. I suppose that's why.
So what do I believe? Politically, that limited government can be most easily controlled by its citizens (that's you and me, folks) and that government expansion gradually erodes, directly and indirectly, our freedoms as guaranteed in the Constitution. Culturally, while I am not a prude, I do believe in basic parameters on how we should treat one another and it's when those parameters start to break down that society follows. The American media does a fantastic job in not only breaking down these parameters and blaming other people and concepts for the results of their actions BUT ALSO passing judgment on those who *ahem* try to pass judgment (i.e. say something is wrong or not as good as it could/should be.)
But most importantly, I believe in humanity. Not in the sense that everybody is a good person, and they're just "misunderstood." There is evil in this world and I will spend considerable time on this blog discussing that. I believe that humanity is resilient and will, over time, do the right thing. And the most important things necessary for humanity to do the right thing (which is always subject to debate I suppose) is to a. be free and b. have incentive. Over time I hope to define a. and b., which should cause much teeth-gnashing.
Like most people, my family has played an important part in shaping my beliefs, both from a political and cultural standpoint. From an early age, I was taught that hard work and discipline would/could lead to success in life. Duty, both to family and to country, was a concept that was placed at the highest point on the pedestal of ideals.
But before a conclusion can be made that I am simply marching in lockstep with my elders, I want to emphasize that my family, especially my grandparents, taught me how to think, not just what to think. Thinking logically, in concert with established principles, forms the basis for my beliefs and opinions on most topics. I suppose that's why.
So what do I believe? Politically, that limited government can be most easily controlled by its citizens (that's you and me, folks) and that government expansion gradually erodes, directly and indirectly, our freedoms as guaranteed in the Constitution. Culturally, while I am not a prude, I do believe in basic parameters on how we should treat one another and it's when those parameters start to break down that society follows. The American media does a fantastic job in not only breaking down these parameters and blaming other people and concepts for the results of their actions BUT ALSO passing judgment on those who *ahem* try to pass judgment (i.e. say something is wrong or not as good as it could/should be.)
But most importantly, I believe in humanity. Not in the sense that everybody is a good person, and they're just "misunderstood." There is evil in this world and I will spend considerable time on this blog discussing that. I believe that humanity is resilient and will, over time, do the right thing. And the most important things necessary for humanity to do the right thing (which is always subject to debate I suppose) is to a. be free and b. have incentive. Over time I hope to define a. and b., which should cause much teeth-gnashing.
This is NOT a Star Wars blog.
Current Events – anything that’s happening in the here and now. (No big surprise there.)
DISCLAIMER THE SEQUEL: I’m also going to avoid mentioning much about my personal life as well. Thankfully I have a supportive wife and come from a very supportive family. However, I don’t want this to turn into some sort of online diary about the dramas in my life. If you blog and enjoy that sort of thing, that’s fine. It’s just not my thing.
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