Author: opinionstogo

Nostalgia Not Quite Enough

For one year I lived in Indiana — Evansville — and experienced that state’s famed high school hoops first hand. It was that rabid — and that good.

I’ve also seen the movie “Hoosiers” — often. Then ESPN Classic recently showed a replay of that David-and-Goliath, 1954 championship game between tiny Milan High School and Muncie Central, a perennial big school power, which was the “Hoosiers” inspiration. Milan wins at the buzzer.

The replay — with original play-by-play — held up reasonably well, with allowances for skill levels and real shorts. It was a nostalgic rush with one significant exception. We’re reminded that there was no 35-second shot clock then. Dramatic upsets could be the product of tedious stalling tactics.

In those days, smaller, less-talented teams, such as Milan, could hold the ball for long periods of time without even attempting a shot. The shorter the game, the better the underdog’s chances. That was a key part of Milan’s successful, championship game strategy, one that wasn’t so evident in “Hoosiers.” Even when it was behind in the fourth quarter, Milan held the ball and ran off four minutes without so much as a look at the basket.

It made for drama and an upset of near mythical proportion. But it can still be boring to sit through.

“Hoosiers” was better.

JoePa Successor?

Sources in less-than-Happy Valley, PA, say that there is now a favorite to replace Penn State football icon Joe Paterno. Probably in one or two years. Max.

It’s Mike Munchak, who is currently on the staff of the Tennessee Titans. Munchak is a former All-American guard at Penn State. He went on to a Hall of Fame career in the NFL with the Houston Oilers.

Vietnam-Era Subplots Now Part Of Campaign

We’re not yet out of February, but already the presidential election seems too much with us. The Democratic cavalcade of candidates never ganged up on front-running John Kerry, so the well-heeled, GOP re-election machine is starting to fill the void. The John and (“Hanoi”) Jane refrain was the predictable, lame response to the cheap-shot Alabama National Guard imputations. It will only get nastier.

These thoughts on a campaign that is already top-heavy in disarming,Vietnam rhetoric and analogies.

*However self-serving and calculating John Forbes Kerry — JFK — was and is, his military service warrants a bye on Vietnam criticism. Even if he were thinking “PT 109” political kick-start, he put it on the line. End of issue.

*Anyone who lived through the Vietnam period — or at least read the minutes from those meetings — knows the reality of that era. Ho Chi Minh was no Osama bin Laden. The United States hadn’t been attacked. The bifurcated, Cold War world was filled with sinister scenarios, “red scares” and tremulous dominoes.

“If Vietnam falls, there goes Burma.” Not exactly rallying-cry material for G.I. draftees, who were doing what most Americans do when given government orders: follow ’em. Like it or not. Mostly not. Most young Americans weren’t saluting Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara’s priorities, which were typically vilified. History has been no kinder.

In fact, here’s McNamara’s take — “the unwisdom of our intervention” — from his 1995 mea culpa, “In Retrospect”:

“I concede with painful candor and a heavy heart that the adage (hindsight is always better than foresight) applies to me and my generation of American leadership regarding Vietnam.” admitted McNamara. “Hindsight proves us wrong.”

Patriotic young Americans didn’t see any moral abdication in seeking deferments, Canadian sanctuary or National Guard status. They were acknowledged ways, some more extreme than others, of avoiding — or LIKELY avoiding — service in Vietnam. It improved immensely one’s chances of staying alive. Can’t we all just acknowledge that reality and let it go? Especially after having given a pass to George W. Bush’s immediate predecessor?

*So suppose President Bush hadn’t opted to take advantage of family connections and join the Guard. Any doubt that there would be political partisans now saying that only underscores that he isn’t a very bright fellow. How dumb would that have been in 1968?

*In his criticism of the president’s Iraqi policy, Senator Kerry has accused Bush of repeating Vietnam-era, quagmire-plunging mistakes. Of having “not learned some of the lessons” of that “very difficult war.” Hardly an invalid point of discussion.

For what it’s worth in haunting coincidence, these further reminders of Vietnam’s context and irony. By the fall of 1963, the United Nations — with no encouragement from the U.S. — was working toward a political settlement in Vietnam. UN Secretary General U Thant had called for a coalition government in South Vietnam. The U.S. was not pleased.

Moreover, France — in the person of President Charles de Gaulle — was enraging the Kennedy Administration by announcing support for neutralization of the South and the eventual reunification of Vietnam. The White House also suspected the French were trying to broker a deal on their own.

*As the primary process has proceeded, it seems that more and more polls are pointing to the economy — in all its regional manifestations — as the top priority for voters. Americans voting their pocketbooks is, of course, nothing new. But it’s still surprising — and scary — that an exception wouldn’t occur during war — one that has cost us more than 500 soldiers in Iraq and 3,000 civilians at home. Has Sept. 11 faded that fast?

Whether it’s lost jobs, a huge deficit, Bush’s tax cuts or even John Ashcroft-as-Mephistopheles, the point can’t be underscored enough. We’re in a civilizational war with the worst kind of enemy, one that values its cause more than life itself. Including its own. What’s at stake is survival.

Just ask yourself this. How important will “tax cuts for the rich” or “outsourcing” seem if a “dirty bomb” explodes at a major port or if dozens of suicide bombers detonate themselves and murder countless shoppers in selected shopping malls throughout the U.S.?

Without a vanquished enemy and security that must scrutinize and profile, we have an economy that’s more hostage to perverted Islam than subject to Democratic or Republican policy and manipulation. If we get hit again, we can be assured of this: It will be worse, and it will render discussions about entitlement programs, drugs from Canada and Patriot Act Nazis moot.

Bush’s Florida Connections

*President Bush has raised more than $11 million in Florida since June for his re-election campaign. His war chest is expected to approach $200 million by November.

Put into context, this will be approximately twice as much as his Democratic opponent will raise. But no more than George Steinbrenner’s New York Yankee payroll this season.

*Former Tampa Mayor Dick Greco was part of that presidential party of seven that dined at Bern’s Steak House two Sundays ago. According to Greco, the president seemed like he enjoyed getting away from the office, and there wasn’t a lot of shoptalk.

“I’m still sort of taken aback, I guess, that the most powerful person in the world can be so informal and wanting to talk about the quail crop in Texas and stocking a lake with bass,” said Greco. “He’s a warm, nice man.

“I don’t know how they do it,” he added. “It can’t be an easy way to live. Everywhere the president and Mrs. Bush go, they have all those armed guards. They were only a few feet away at dinner. I think it’s harder on Laura Bush. The president gets immersed in the job. But she sees him when he’s down and hears the criticism and the belittling. I made it a point when we were leaving to thank her for her contribution.”

Dean’s Last-Stand Strategy

So what was really behind Howard Dean’s make-or-break strategy in Wisconsin? Some — OK, me — suspect it might have been the old “student council” gambit. Sometimes American voters — especially in primaries — just delight in casting a vote that will, well, screw things up. If nothing else, such perverse fun would delay the anointing of John Kerry with a prankish, contrarian vote. As we know, there are worse motivations behind some votes.

Taking Doug’s Word

Bringing back Doug Williams made eminently good sense for the Bucs. It was a major PR coup for an organization that is increasingly looking like the House That Jon Built. And a front office personnel job for Williams, who had been head coach at Grambling University, was a good career move for the controversial, former Buc quarterback.

What was baffling, however, was what happened after Williams signed his contract. He allowed a University of Louisiana System contingent, including President Sally Clausen, to fly down here and try to get his contract voided. Williams apparently had misgivings after an emotional meeting with his players and coaches.

Clausen’s account only added to the confusion. She reportedly had Williams’ permission to try and get him out of his Buc contract. According to local reports, Clausen initially suggested Williams call Buc General Manager Bruce Allen and tell him he had changed his mind.

Williams’ bizarre response, according to Clausen: “I can’t do that. I gave them my word.”

But now he’s a Buc again. And the curse is officially history.

Says Williams

Chris Thomas: A Pro’s Pro

This community — and this market — lost an invaluable asset with the passing of Chris Thomas. As so many have said, he was certainly witty, knowledgeable and fun. Listeners to WDAE-620 felt better for having been privy to his insights and antics.

Conversely, viewers of Channel 8 felt worse for having been deprived of his presence since WFLA-TV cut him loose in 2000. Management still bears the responsibility — borne of cost-cutting — for having ratcheted down its on-air quality and chemistry after Thomas’s firing.

One other thing. Thomas saw sports for what they are. He was never defined by the sports celebrities in his orbit, nor was he a “homer.” Athletes were assuredly not “warriors.” Sports could be fun and exciting, but they — especially at the professional level — were also part of a parallel universe that was more like the theater of the absurd. Ultimately they were just about games.

Thomas called it as he saw it — through his prism of knowledge and surrealism.

But in so calling, he manifested a depth of understanding and frame of reference that surpassed anyone else in this market. He was the only on-air, sports personality in Tampa Bay who could have made it in any market — a pro’s pro who made it fun.

He leaves both a legacy — and a void.

USF’s New Provost : More Than A Diversity Role Model

The University of South Florida can venerate diversity with the best. Not the ideological kind, mind you, but that which can be most easily quantified by favored color-and-hue groups — as well as gender, sexual orientation and international cachet. The usual short list.

It is what it is. They are what they are — American university campuses.

But USF should be commended for its most visible foray into diversity with the selection of Renu Khator as provost and vice president for academic affairs. The native of India is the first female provost in USF history. It’s a very important position for a formidable university facing some critical issues — such as increasing faculty salaries and expanding graduate programs — in times of enrollment growth and increasing financial uncertainty.

It’s also the right move for all the right reasons.

Khator, who had been interim provost since July, should be seen as a symbol of diversity and inclusiveness gone right — not righteous. There was good cause to choose her from an outstanding group of finalists.

Khator, who has a doctorate in political science/public administration from Purdue University, has the requisite academic background, including the authorship of four books on environmental policy. But by all accounts, she brings an objective temperament, organizational prowess, solid people skills and scholastic enthusiasm to the provost’s office. She understands the value of — and complement between — research and instruction. She’s a good listener, prioritizes well, solicits input and favors an open-door policy.

Moreover, the 48-year-old Khator can make the tough decisions, including personnel. She will not be mistaken for a rubber stamp.

Khator’s appointment further validates a program under former President Betty Castor that enabled notably bright, ambitious faculty members, especially minorities, to gain administrative experience. Khator, who had been director of graduate programs for the department of governmental and international affairs, was faculty assistant to the president in 1995-97. From there she became chairwoman for the environmental science and policy department, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, and then interim provost.

Khator, after nearly two decades at USF, has significant history with the university. She obviously saw something 19 years ago other than “just a commuter school.” USF is now recognized as a player among national urban-based, research-oriented institutions that are key, synergistic partners with their surrounding metropolitan communities.

She has played an influential part — actually a number of parts — in USF’s metamorphosis. Now she plays an even more important role.

Her ascendance to provost can be called a win for diversity, and she can — and will be –labeled a role model for all who aren’t white males. But that diminishes her accomplishment. Her selection as provost is a fitting testimonial to ability and hard work — not identity politics.

Yes, we live in politically correct times. But call Provost Khator’s achievement an old-fashioned success story with an interesting subcontinent subplot.

Reflections On Gasparilla’s Centennial

The centennial edition of Gasparilla has come and gone wildly into the night. These follow-up thoughts:

1– A signature parade for the city — not the region — is still cool.

2– Out of Bamboleo came something better.

3– The hassle and cost is still worth the three-day, $20-million economic infusion and national, uh, exposure.

4– (Pirate) hats off to the city’s Krewe of Klean-Up. Once again they win best in show for working around the clock to remove 40 tons of garbage.

5– The line between acceptably bawdy and downright disgusting isn’t exactly razor thin.

6– Best line: “Hey, miss, please don’t do that in front of the children. But if you must, here’s my (plastic surgeon/breast augmentation) card.” Next best line: “Yo, lady, here’s some (beads) if you just put that back on.”

7– We’re all familiar with the orange, Home Depot wrap-around fencing many homeowners use to discourage parade revelers from using their property as urinals. Add another deterrent, this one observed near the intersection of Orleans and Bayshore. Call it the Tangerine Toss. Alas, most trespissers seemed more deterred by long Port-o-let lines than incoming citrus.

8– Teen-aged drunkenness is deplorable enough. But what, if anything, happens to these kids when they get home in a state that has all the telltale signs of boozing and vomiting? At best, their parents are unbelievably clueless; at worst, they are derelict. At any rate, they are at fault. Thanks for nothing.

Blue Chip/Cow Chip

If ever there was a poster boy for the sometimes sordid business of recruiting “blue chip” high school athletes, it is Willie Williams, the nationally acclaimed linebacker out of Miami Carol City High School. After milking the system for free visits to other campuses, he surprised no one and chose his home town school, the University of Miami.

The weekend before he signed, however, was spent at the University of Florida in Gainesville. In addition to grousing about his free meals — chicken not lobster — he managed to physically accost a woman, hit a guy in a bar and set off three fire extinguishers in his hotel. He is charged with misdemeanor battery involving the woman. That Gator hat trick, however, also has resulted in a violation-of-probation charge. Less than 18 months earlier he had pleaded no contest to felony burglary.

Moreover, this “cow chip” athlete has a record that includes 10 prior arrests. UM said it didn’t know that. Ditto for the other schools that were recruiting him, including UF and Florida State University.

That strains credulity. Nationally prominent prospects with rap sheets are not state secrets. What doesn’t strain credulity is that so much rides on a successful football program –read money — that schools yield to the temptation to simply do whatever it takes to bring in talent, however tainted or thuggish. Because of Williams’ high profile, this case is now notorious. What it isn’t, however, is rare — just worse than most.