Thursday, January 30, 2014

Say it ain't so!

U.S. Intends To Make 2024 Olympic Bid, Seven Cities On Radar The seven cities include Boston, Dallas, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, San Diego, San Francisco and Washington

http://www.eveningsun.com/sports/ci_25025865/u-s-intends-make-2024-olympic-bid-seven

The world doesn't need another US Olympics - the last one in Atlanta was bad enough to last several lifetimes! - It is generally recognised as the worst of any modern Games. At the closing IOC President Samaranch referred to an "exceptional" Games rather than the traditional "best Games ever". Interestingly the opening ceremony, which was roundly criticised for many things (including not even mentioning Atlanta!) was produced by Danny Boyle who received so much praise for his London production.
One aspect that always gives a USA bid some legs is their ability to raise enough financial guarantees privately, to obviate the need for the usual government guarantees required by the IOC.
And of course the cynical side of me can never forget that the Olympic main sponsors McDonald's and Coca Cola are US companies.

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

This may be the least of their problems

Russia: Anger over Olympic city's roaming cattle

Cows loiter in the streets of Olympic host city Sochi

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-news-from-elsewhere-25946479

Monday, January 27, 2014

Oh yeah?

From the Hartford (Conn.) Courant;

"BODY IN DUFFEL BAG; MAY BE HOMICIDE"

Sunday, January 19, 2014

Saying goodbye to childhood heroes

As a boy who thought he was a goalkeeper,  Bert Williams together with Sam Bartram ( who apart from playing for my beloved 'Robins', was probably kept from many more England "caps" by the sheer brilliance of Williams),
Arguably England's greatest ever goalkeeper Gordon Banks, described Williams as "my hero"

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/25801618

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bert_Williams_(footballer)

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=bert+williams++MBE&qpvt=bert+williams++MBE&FORM=IGRE

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Lee McConnell returns to training nine weeks after new baby

I think the baby should have been given a bigger start!
(I want credit for the fact that I am resisting the obvious comment re: Ms. McConnell's ability)

Thursday, January 2, 2014

Say what!!

Many people agree with Stevie Wonder that it is "crazy" to let people like him carry guns but some State law seem ambiguous!

From the Des Moines Register;

"Some Iowa sheriffs believe that Federal anti-discrimination law limits their discretion (though they can deny permits for lack of physical or mental ability to handle the gun). The National Federation of the Blind generally trusts its members never to use guns recklessly, a spokesman said, and blind Iowa activist Michael Barber emphasised his right "You take it out and point and shoot" he said, "and I don't necessarily think eyesight is necessary. ... For me, the inspiration is just to see if I run into any difficulties." "