Offensive Names

I kills me how Corporate America freaks out over the smallest thing. The Almighty Dollar has seduced everyone into thinking if they can just find the lowest common denominator, they can please everyone and enjoy a greater profit margin because of it.

Sports teams are one of the worst when it comes to dollars and sensitivity. Millions of fans pack into Whatsitworthtoya Stadium and feed off of hotdogs, beer and ice cream that cost Joe Fan a second mortgage and his firstborn.

Teams are constantly selling the latest style of jersey for top dollar. For a price, fans of all ages can enjoy the privelege of showing off the latest jersey of their favorite team and, for an additional charge, they can have the name of their favorite player on the back. Teams of every sport are always ready to take advantage of the next oppurtunity for appeasing fans and bringing in more profits, even if it means changing the name of their team just in case the mascot may be offensive to a group.

The 1997-98 season was historic for the NBA franchise in Washington D.C. It marked the first time the team was known as the "Wizards". The move was part of an anti-violence policy practiced by the team. Washington Bullets somehow would inspire someone to entertain thoughts of violent acts. To date, the Golden State Warriors have yet to change their name.

Every team in sports offends one group or another. Who could forget the tomahawk chop in Atlanta and Florida that offended American Indians. The Cleveland Indians and Washington Redskins continue to receive criticism for their mascots.

With the baseball pennant races starting up, I thought I would take this time to expose every team for their insensitive choosing of names. In this era of ever-increasing political correctness, I give you the franchises who fly under the radar with their blatant exploitation of groups regardless of gender, orientation and even occupation. Teams named after an American Indian or an animal will be skipped over. Everyone is well aware of the violations it already brings to animal rights.


Boston Red Sox - The defending world champions promote discriminating with their name. How could you not see it? Red Sox? White Sox? Why do we need to distinguish colors?

Chicago White Sox - See Boston Red Sox.

Cincinnati Reds - History says they were originally known as the Red Stockings (ripping off another team perhaps?) Others say they were known as the Red Legs. If you stay out in the sun too long, you get red legs. This is promoting sakin cancer. The team shortened it's name in another cover-up.

Colorado Rockies - As in tap the Rockies? Like Coors Beer? This team is promoting drinking to all ages. Don't the Rockies play in Coors Field? Hmm....

Houston Astros - I'm guessing they mean Astronauts. This insults anyone with a fear of flying.

Kansas City Royals - What message are we sending to people when America promotes a team named Royal? What was the American Revolution all about? It's amazing our children aren't confused.

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim - This one is almost too easy. First, are they from Los Angeles or are they from Anaheim? Atheists must feel slapped in the face having a biblical figure forced into their radio and television sets. The team doesn't even know what city they're in. Now they are promoting a figure some people don't even believe in.

Los Angeles Dodgers - Why Dodge? Stand up for yourself? Be proud of who you are! By the way, Los Angeles Dodgers of what? I'm so confused.

Milwaukee Brewers - Children watch this team play! What does a Brewer do? SHAME ON THEM!

Minnesota Twins - Why exploit the Twins when the triplets, quadruplets, etc. are left alone.

New York Mets - The closest thing I could find for "Met" was "Metropolis" or capital city. The Washington Capitals have some explaining to do ripping off a team that was there first. Do the Mets play in the Capital City?

New York Yankees - I know what you're thinking: How could this team offend anyone? Anyone study the Civil War? How does this team get away with offending Americans south of the Mason-Dixon Line?

Oakland A's - The name sounds innocent enough. Right? WRONG! the A's stand for "Athletics". This spits in the face of everyone who was picked last in gym class.

Pittsburgh Pirates - Pirates? Looting? Kidnapping? What message are they trying to send here?

Philadelphia Phillies - There is no definition of "Phillie" in the dictionary. What is a Phillie? This team is obviously hiding something.

San Diego Padres - Why not the Madres? Why not hermanos?

San Fransisco Giants - This offends the short people of the world.

Seattle Mariners - Mariners travel by sea. They fish. Animal rights violaters.

Texas Rangers - The Texas Rangers were originally formed in the 1800's to protect people from harm (insert Kenny Rogers joke here). These men carried firearms. Another blatant exploitation and glorification of violence.

Washington Nationals - This offends states and cities.

Democrats vs. Republicans vs. Everyone Else

Let me begin with this: I do not consider myself a Democrat or a Republican.

I have grown somewhat disenchanted with the whole political process. I would like to think that everyone does have a say in the process but I begin to question that each time another candidate drops out of a race becuase they have run out of money.

All of the candidates look the same: They are dressed up in these nice-looking suits, bleached white teeth, well-mannered and seeming to appeal to the lowest common demoniator.

I understand they are all trying to appeal to the masses. With so many people out there with differing views on religion, money and how to address various situations both domestic and abroad, it is difficult to appeal to everyone in this country at the same time.

With all of this being said, why must one party constantly lash out and attack the other over the smallest things? Nothing in this country can seem to get done without representatives from one party geting together and criticizing the other side. Nothing is ever good enough. One side isn't fiscally responsible. The other side isn't telling the whole story. One has more skeletons in the closet than the other.

The president of the United States can't even give a State of the Union speech anymore without having the other side get up immediately after, put on this huge smile for the cameras and explain to the American People why he is so off base. The State of the union seems to be nothing more than some contest to see which side can clap the loudest. Which member of the opposing party can seem the most supportive without looking phony?

Does anyone else wonder if anything really gets done? If this country is so wealthy, why does everyone keep talking about a defecit? Why does Social Security seem like an endangered species rather than a commodity? What's the big gripe about healthcare?

What's with the political Party System anyways and why does it always have to be an "Us vs. Them" mentality?

Most of the public isn't as educated as those in Senate or the House, that is true. However, that doesn't mean everyone here is stupid and they are willing to buy into everything that Congress is saying. It makes me wonder how this country has lasted as long as it has while elected officials get into these outrageous spitting contests.

There is no scoreboard in politics. History will not care which party was able to do the most with their power and influence. All that we will care about is that the country is safe and prospering, and the American representatives have truly taken care of their own.

Greetings (Who is this guy?)

I've heard so much about the whole "Blog" thing and I have shrugged it off. I figured it was just a bunch of people who don't bother to venture beyond their houses and sit in front of a computer all day.

Then again, I do have a lot on my mind. Some of it is intellectual, some political, and some just gibberish that may entertain you or may waste your time. Whatever it is, you'll read about it here.

I don't want claim to be an authority on what's on this blog. I don't mean to imply that I'm right, you're wrong, or we're both right and everyone else is wrong. These are my thoughts and opinions on a wide range of topics that happen to be on the docket on a given day.

I've worked in journalism for over 20 years. I tried to present the facts as they happened and let people decide for themselves. I tried hard to leave my opinion out of it as I believe all journalists should do when covering a story no matter how close to home the topic they are covering may be. This blog is different. I give you my opinion and I tell you why I have that opinion. You may agree. You may not agree. Wherever you stand on the matter, wherever you are when you are reading, please let me know how you feel. I want your opinion. I feel there's been too much suppression and shouting-down when it comes to a difference of opinions. As Dan Rea of "Nightside" likes to say, "To people can disagree and still be reasonable."

Thank you for reading and I hope to hear from you.


Greg