outside line

Jonald Drump has praised Saddam Hussein, is pro Vladimir Putin, anti nato, for the legalization of discrimination against women & the LBGTQ community, anti freedom of religion & calls for his political opponents to be imprisoned. The GOP is now calling for an investigation into the fbi's investigation of the investigation of Hillary's emails because they are unhappy with the findings, accusing FBI director James Comey (a republican and the deputy Attorney General under George W Bush) of partisanship and bias. The first day of the RNC saw Scott Baio defend a meme calling Hillary a cunt, Antonio Sabato Jr call Obama a Muslim (think about what that does; Obama is not a Muslim just bc these idiots think he is, but there's also nothing wrong with being a Muslim but now, if he denies it, it seems like being a Muslim is something derogatory) and Congressman Steve King said white people have done more for civilization than any other "sub group," and melania copied a speech. And they claim Obama has ripped the country apart. What the fuck? Where's the logic? There is none. Even George W Bush thinks Drump would be a bad choice. The GOP has been dividing this country since 1992. Look at it. This is the bullshit they do since they can't make liberalism as an ideal illegal. Fuck the GOP. Fuck Drump. You should all be ashamed of yourselves.

Upon reflection, I rewrote last night's rant. I am not Batman. Are you a comedian? Do you host a show? Have you ever said, “your next comedian is a girl?” Why? 
Have you ever said, “your next comedian is a guy?” 
Have you ever said, “your next comedian is black?” 
Why would you say, “your next comedian is hot?” Why would you say, “your next comedian is fuckable?” 
How about “your next comedian is a comedian?” 
Why marginalize someone based on gender? What if your next comedian was a girl, but not someone you found attractive? Would you say “your next comedian is gross?” Who do you think you are? How dare you?
 We are all comedians. If these arguments still do not make sense to you, then maybe this one will. It's been done already. You're a hack if you do it. We are here because we’ve been marginalized by society to some degree already. We have all sought our refuge inside comedy. It's our safest place. None of us has the right to take that from another. It’s not easy being a comedian. Even the most successful deal with loneliness and the day to day road life that isn’t fun, no matter how much money is in your pocket. We shouldn’t make it harder for other comics to be comics. It’s hard enough already. I understand comedians like to bust balls and shit talk and whatever but I’m talking about real shit. Groping. Making moves on girls after being asked not to. Never referring to a female comedian as anything except female comedian. Marginalizing and dismissing other fucking comedians out of hand based on personal prejudices. We are all just comics. It's all garbage we wrote into a notebook. We aren’t entitled shit. We certainly don’t get to victimize another comedian just because she’s a girl, or a guy if you’re a predatory lady. (Understand you can’t do this to anyone, but comedy is where I have influence, at least with some who have influence.) We are on the same team and if you aren’t, you’re not on the fucking team anymore. It has to end. Louis isn’t a threat anymore because it’s as public as it’s gonna get, most likely. But other comics are a threat. If you are sexually predatory, you should get help. Find a therapist. Seek treatment. Perhaps, leaving the the scene for awhile will aid in your recovery. Sometimes it's better to avoid the temptation. Avoid the triggers. However, if you don’t get treatment, you seek retribution on someone because you think he/she "ratted" you out or you go after someone you've victimized, or you continue to engage in predatory behavior, your name and actions will be so public so fast you won’t even have a life outside comedy. It will all go away. A comedian's power comes from the microphone. This is how we deal with things. So, no one is gonna fight anyone. No one is getting thrown down stairs. No one is getting victimized back. Those of us in the community who find this behavior disgusting should no longer be silent. It is kinda our business, too. Same team or off the team. Your next comedian is a comedian. 
I’m reaching out to comedians with this. There’s not a lot of predatory creeps, but they do exist and they shouldn’t anymore in our scene. We are all comedians. Same team. If this type of behavior is occurring in your scene, let people know. People care. Other comics care. You aren't the only one this has happened to. There are, unfortunately, too many to list. If you don't know who to talk to, feel free to reach out to me. My email is [email protected]. I'm a good listener and I might even know someone in your town who's a decent human who would be glad to help you out. We need to work together. Same team. The options are clear. Stop being a predator. Get help. Seek treatment. Make a real life change.

That’s why she lost this exchange. Maybe she wanted the ball for a grandchild. Maybe she’s been to hundreds of games and this was the first time she was even close to a baseball. The fact is, it wasn’t important enough to her. She does not live by the Cardinal Way. She should know better. She’s a Phillies fan at a Phillies game in Philadelphia. That town has one of the more self important fan bases in all of Sports. They know Sports is not inconsequential. They threw batteries at Santa Claus. They welcomed a dog killer into the hearts because he could help them win football games. This fan base exemplifies the Cardinal Way. The victor here exemplifies the Cardinal Way. He knows exactly how important Sports is. He pushes aside an older lady for a baseball because Baseball is important.

When looking for a filmmaker that follows the Cardinal Way, look no further than Christopher Nolan.

Derrick Rose is an unlikely hero. After blowing out his knees a record 14 times (on 14 consecutive attempts to support his own weight, no less!), most people who follow the NBA assumed he’d never have a chance at a shot like this again. He probably assumed the same thing, despite what those Powerade commercials would have us believe. Does this show in his reaction? Not at all. He does begrudgingly allow Joacim Noah a chance to celebrate but you can tell by Rose’s expression he does not care for this. He’s just doing his job. The improbability of the outcome never crossed his mind. Now, that’s the Cardinal Way!

Most people don’t know this, but Jaws was made into a movie in the 1970′s. The movie was fairly well received and a number of sequels were produced as well. But, this is where it all started: Peter Benchley’s groundbreaking, possibly debut, novel, Jaws. The title character is a shark with as many teeth as a shark normally has but it’s nicknamed Jaws because of his giant mouth. Now, we do not see the shark until the book is almost over, but that doesn’t mean the book lacks suspense! It has suspense to spare! Where’s the shark now? Is it near me? Should I think twice before going swimming? What’s that? These are all things that cross the mind of the harrowed reader. This book captures the adversarial nature of man’s relationship with nature. The shark, “Jaws”, has made his home just off the coast of Amity, a seaside town whose sole industry is tourism and the only attraction is the beach! What’s to be done? This is the thesis of the book. How do you weigh loss of revenue against human lives? Benchley does a good job with the subject while not quite giving us the answer. I guess we’re gonna need a bigger book!

His head coach, David Blatt, drew up another play where James was the inbound and the shot would be taken by a teammate. James found this unacceptable. Coach the team, then, I say. Just because Blatt drew up a play with a lower probability of success doesn’t give James the right to change the play call. He’s a player, not a coach. Blatt is the coach. Continual insubordination like this should not be tolerated, no matter the result. You have have won the game, LeBron, but you’ve lost my (and every true sports fan’s) respect. I hope it was worth it.

THE CARDINAL WAY David Blatt is new to the NBA but he is not new to basketball. He has coached for 60 years in the European League and won 42 consecutive titles. That's not nothing! Albeit, the rules are different and the game strategy isn't remotely similar and the talent level is significantly lesser, this man knows a thing or two about basketball. That is not up for debate. What has been lacking so far is whether or not Blatt understands the importance of sports in America. Does he follow the Cardinal Way? Does basketballing hold a high enough place in his life? Those questions have been answered loudly with a yes over the weekend. Above is a Blatt quote where he proves beyond a doubt that he understands the importance of what he does. Coaching a basketball game is akin to being a fighter pilot. Similar risk of failure. Similar reward for success. Similar stakes all around. David Blatt deserves to be an NBA head coach, if for no other reason than the example he sets to all the other coaches. So what if the pace of the game baffles him? So what if his offensive schemes are predictable and rudimentary? This man "gets" sports. This man "gets" the Cardinal Way. This man "gets" my support.

While his self aggrandizing celebration seems to be against the Cardinal Way, he should not be punished for this. The overall scene here is very much the Cardinal Way. His baby learned a valuable lesson this day. While a weaker man might have ducked or attempted to shield his baby from the baseball, this man did not. To do so would be admitting this baby is more important than sports, and that is blasphemous behavior. Nothing is more important than sports. Not your baby. Not your beer. Not your rioting town under martial law. Nothing sports will happen whether you’re prepared or not and this baby knows that now. Maybe the kid should bring a glove next time.

Bryant has learned the most important lesson of the Cardinal Way. Do what’s expected while expecting nothing in return. No accolades. No contract extensions. Perhaps he was excited after his first homer? Maybe there was a chance he’d like to say to a teammate, “hey, that’s pretty neat.” or “did you see me hit that homerun?” The rest of his team wouldn’t stand for that sort of bush league behavior. Like true professionals, they scattered so as not to make Bryant look bad by rebuffing his celebratory behavior to his face. The ultimate in professionalism. The Cardinal Way. Instead of giving him the chance to embarrass himself (and the team)(and baseball, for that matter), they took the decision out of the youngster’s hands. No celebration, Bryant. Do what’s expected, on a team friendly deal or take that shit out of baseball.

Steve Bisciotti, majority owner of the Ravens and noted Ray Rice apologist, were so furious the Patriots used trickery against them, they levied a complaint with the NFL and the rule the Patriots did not break has been changed! Now, if that’s not the Cardinal Way, I don’t know what is. 

Bill Simmons is/was a longtime ESPN online personality who occasionally dabbles in broadcasting. He was valuable to the company as a writer and innovator but also valuable as a recruiter. He was the touchstone for when someone felt ESPN wouldn’t let them grow. “They let Simmons do whatever he wants. Maybe they’ll let me.” Simmons worked for ESPN for going on 15 years. He thought up 30 For 30. He was at the forefront of podcasting, and sports podcasting especially. He developed Grantland and oversaw its conception and realization. But then he made his fatal error. He wanted a raise. That’s where you fucked up, Simmons. Have you learned nothing of teams even as you consume team sports relentlessly? The organization is tantamount to your success. Dirk Nowitzki knows this. Tim Duncan knows this. Kirby Puckett, Cal Ripken Jr, Ryne Sandberg. The list of team players goes on and on. Maybe you felt you should be paid for what you had done already, “The Kobe Bryant Situation.” Well, guess what? You’re not Kobe Bryant. And ESPN isn’t the Lakers. ESPN and John Skipper had to cut Simmons loose. It’s the Cardinal Way. Simmons forgot that sports is what’s important. Not who’s talking about them. Only what’s being talked about. ESPN and John Skipper know this. That’s why they continue to employ Skip Bayless, Stephen A. Smith and Colin Cowherd. They know no one gives a shit who talking. Only what’s being talked about. Cleverness and free thinking are detriments in the business, Simmons. Please try to get your perspective back and maybe some other sports and entertainment conglomerate bordering on monopoly will give you a chance. Don't waste it. Don’t speak badly of those above you or the ones they do business with. This is not what sports is about. It’s almost as if you think opinions matter. They don’t. Unless they’re against the company ethos. In which case they really, really do.

Baltimore was aflame. The death of Freddie Gray while in the custody of the Baltimore police had enraged the city. A curfew was put in place. The National Guard was brought in to keep the peace. History was being made. Should sports take a backseat to this? If sports doesn’t matter, then yes. If sports was entertainment, the audience would be integral to the process. Sports was done with no audience, therefore sports is not entertainment. It is something necessary and important, that happens to be watched by many and some even find it entertaining. The entertainment is secondary to the sports itself. The Cardinal Way.

Also, a usual exhibitor of the Cardinal Way, Yadier Molina, has an un Cardinal Way like reaction to this. He puts his hands on his head and fully acknowledges what has happened. Come on, Yadi! Of all people, Molina should appreciate the joyless way the Pirates went about their business most of all. Instead he looks shocked that baseball has just happened to him.

Also, blunders of this magnitude should never be acknowledged. That is against every fabric of the Cardinal Way. Take a cue from Pujols. Did he smile? Did he start racing back towards first in the hopes that maybe he’d not be doubled up? Did he give any indication whatsoever that he knew what he did? No, he did none of those things. He didn’t react at all. To react is to acknowledge your mistake and acknowledging mistakes is against the Cardinal Way. Straight faced, stoic and joyless (as always), Pujols behaved as if that was the most routine double play of all time. Ho hum. Nothing to see here. Just important sports.

My favorite part of this video is when Blake Griffin tries to high five Chris Paul and Paul does not give it to him. Paul has some teaching to do here. In a very un Cardinal Way move, Griffin tries to “celebrate” Paul’s made shot. Come on, Blake! Would you celebrate if your car starts? Would you celebrate if your coffee maker makes coffee? No. Focus, Blake. Head in the game. Paul making that shot is no more unexpected or celebration worthy than my refrigerator making things colder than they were before I fridge them. It’s just expected that he do his job. Same as you, Blake. Save the high fives for when you’re playing around with your friends. This is sports. This is important. 

Maybe the announcers don’t know about the Cardinal Way or maybe they’re just immature broadcasters who think it’s appropriate to have a laugh at the expense of a young man just trying to do right by his ethos. Jeers to you, announcers! Jeers.