You cant be forever young, but you can be forever f...
Friday, January 30, 2009
New SI.com Columns
Over the last day, I have written three new columns on SI.com -- I hope you have a chance to check them out:Testimony by Bobby Estalella, Giambis Brothers could spell trouble for Barry BondsYankees' Potential Silence Clauses could have Broad Effects on PlayersLatest Barry Bonds Development may not be as Damming as you thinkHope you all enjoy the weeke...
University of Baltimore Law School Sports Law Symposium: "From Rookie to Retirement"
The University of Baltimore School of Law has schedules what looks to be an excellent sports law symposium on February 26, 2009. Congrats to Professor Dionne Koller and others for putting the event together. Below are the details.* * *The University of Baltimore School of Law invites you to attend its first annual Sports Law Symposium. This year's event will focus on the...
RIP Kismet Farm Storm
It seems that my lovely old Silent Hunter mare, Ears (Alliance II) was not destined to have her children outlive her. Her first foal, bred by John & Gaye Meyer at Mamaku Stud died as a foal. Her second foal, my beautiful Hippy, was put to sleep last year when it became apparent that the autoimmune disease she had developed was incurable. She was 5 years old. And now, her last foal, Kismet Farm Storm, a lovely little grey yearling filly has also been laid to rest well before her time.My thoughts go out to Kay and Pete at this difficult time....
Thursday, January 29, 2009
There are rules for Blogging?
According to an extreme left wing New Zealand blog, there are rules for blogging. I never knew this, I just thought there was one rule, no plagiarism.But alas, there are rules according to them. You cant reveal sources , and since I don't have any, that one should be easy.No viral marketing. I agree with this, I hate viral marketing, it's the most manipulative type of advertising...
Quick Update on Retired NFL Players vs. NFLPA
The Sports Business Daily reports that U.S. District Judge William Alsup upheld the jury’s verdict awarding a class of NFL retired players $28.1 million in its suit against the NFLPA We discussed the case back in November here (as is often the case, the meat of the discussion is contained in the comment...
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
A Clarification of My Last Post on Salary Arbitration
The two anonymous comments to my January 23 posting offered good observations and questions, and they point out my need to be more precise about my last sentence -“One of my arguments has been that salary arbitration usually works because most of the time the parties agree to a figure at the midpoint or slightly below the midpoint.” Thank you for forcing me to apply more rigor to my statement. This reply to the first anonymous response became so long that I decided to move it up to the main page because I wanted more readers to see it. Plus,...
Obama Wants Some Stimulation
There is only one good thing I can say about the bailouts and the stimulus packages. We are going to see the empirical failure of Keynesian economics. Once and for all, the economists will have the data they need to finally discredit this stupidity once and for all. Unfortunately, socialism still lives, and I suspect the same will be true for Keynes.The key to Obama's success on this is ramrodding it through Congress as quickly as possible without reflection or consideration. We don't have time to think. Thinking makes it worse.The reality is that...
Media ethics and law prof blogging
I am quoted today in an op-ed in the Daily Tar Heel. (H/T: My former colleague Joel Goldstein). The op-ed discusses the motion filed by former Durham District Attorney Mike Nifong, the main culprit in the Duke lacrosse mess, seeking to dismiss the § 1983 actions against him on absolute prosecutorial immunity grounds (and without seeing the motion, I have argued previously that he has a pretty strong argument). The op-ed, clearly not coming close to understanding what prosecutorial immunity is all about, argues that Nifong should not have immunity...
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
What is wrong with TVNZ?
Why would any news network, put on a smart ass ten year old kid who stole his parent's car, drove it at double the speed limit and then have a reporter, ask him, "How fast did you go?"They interviewed him behind the wheel of his parents car and basically made him out to be some sort of anti hero, the kid was getting off on it.Hasn't anyone told the journalist that you don't...
The good stuff
Grabbed Nick and the camera and went out to handle the feral foals for some photos earlier. Was particularly proud of Aine who, I must admit, has had little handling in recent weeks. Rory is such an 'in yer face' character I don't have to worry about doing anything much with him as he is so chilled out. Aine is not bad, just a little more thoroughbreddy (for want of a better...
"Flyer" Goes Down: Wisconsin Supreme Court Finds Cheerleading to be a Contact Sport
Today, the Wisconsin Supreme Court issued its opinion in Brittany L. Noffke v. Kevin Bakke. Howard Wasserman discussed this matter on this Blog last month. Also, check my post on the Sports Law Blog for cheerleader injuries from 2006, and discussions on sports injuries from myself and Geoffrey Rapp here, here, and here. Also, see Geoffrey's recent law review piece on the reckless...
Optimal Pay
In these econimically troubled times, people think about what they are paid and a "fair" wage and all that. I have thought about it as well. When are employees underpaid? And when are they overpaid?THE OVERPAIDThese are union workers. Union guys will line up in the hopes of getting work because it pays so well. They even forfeit the chance to work at paying jobs in order to wait for some union guy to call off sick or something. The upside for the employer is that he never worries about filling a spot. The downside is that he is probably getting...
Monday, January 26, 2009
New SI.com Sports Law Column on Kirk Radomski's New Book
I have a new column on SI.com on potential legal implications for Roger Clemens relating to Kirk Radomski's new book, Bases Loaded: The Inside Story of the Steroid Era in Baseball by the Central Figure in the Mitchell Report. Here is an excerpt from the column:* * *The inconsistency over specific information shared by McNamee to Radomski may seem to be on the periphery of...
Sunday, January 25, 2009
True Kiwis
Meet two true Kiwis.Khaled Masroujeh (left) and business partner Yael Shochat.They both run a cafe together, one is a Israeli the other is a Palestinian. They meet while studying and decided to run a business together.Unlike a couple of racist Cafe owners who illegally refuse to serve Israeli's, these cafe owners serve everybody, they don't care about the colour of someone's...
Ouch, the bill is here
It's been a financially and emotionally painful couple of days. It started on Saturday when we received the bill for burying Silas. Somehow in all of the mess, we completely forgot to pay the digger operator. I feel awful about it but my head was all over the place so I am not entirely surprised. Then, today, the vet bill for the last couple of months arrived. Not really a shock as we knew it would be big but it's still scary to see so many zeros on a bill. Somehow November's statement never arrived so we have November and December in one hit....
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Meg practising being a grown up girl
So boring, very little worth writing about and too hot to get out much and take photos so all I have is these three little offerings of Meg practising being a grown up 'pony' with her sheet and tail bag on. This week she has had two introductions to the hosepipe, a brief reintroduction to the horse float, a reintroduction to hard feed (her absolute favourite!), a hoof trim,...
IUKL: Vasilis Ginko coming to Sweden!
Ginko is coming to Sweden in October 2008. It is Spartan Kettlebells that arranges a two day instructor course. I think it will take place in the town of Motala. I am not involved in any way with Spartan kettlebells, so I do not know the details. But, contact them if you want more information. LINK to SPARTANFor more information also visit the IUKL page, the link of which you find here to the right.Ginko is a very good lifter and teacher, so you might not want to miss his visit. I am very happy that he is coming here and also hope that it will...
Friday, January 23, 2009
Cubs Suing Former Sponsor Underarmour
The Wall Street Journal Law Blog reports a suit filed on Thursday by the Chicago Cubs for breach of contract and promissory estoppel against Underarmour. Driven to abandon the sponsorship due to the effect of the economic climate on overpriced polyester sports clothing, the company now faces this $10 million suit. As more sponsors abandon pricey sports team deals in the face of economic tumult and public criticism, such lawsuits may multip...
The Tampa Bay Rays and the "File-and-go Strategy"
Bill Chastain, an MLB.com reporter covering the Tampa Bay Rays, wrote an informative piece on January 20 about Willy Aybar and Dioner Navarro’s salary arbitration negotiations with the Rays. (“Aybar, Navarro will go to arbitration; Pair of players unable to come to terms with Rays before deadline). The article outlines the Rays’ “file-and-go strategy,” and it contains a number of quotations about the team’s philosophy from Gerry Hunsicker, Senior Vice President, Baseball Operations. It is worth reading if you are interested in baseball labor...
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Bailed-out AIG to drop pricey sports team sponsorships
One of the reasons I've been blogging relatively lightly in the past few weeks is that I've discovered the Fox Soccer Channel is part of my digital cable package. Although I've been enjoying a number of great soccer games, it is always a bit jarring to see a team of millionaire soccer players running around in jerseys that proudly display the name of a corporation that has...
The New Presidential Fuckhead
The bulk of my political commentary these days can be found over at the SC Liberty Blog, but this is still a political blog, too. I just mishmash it with all the other shit I am interested in.I was a bit sickened to watch the inaugural spectacle yesterday. It is more like a coronation of a king or something. Makes me want to puke. I also thought Obama's speech was an utter...
Baseball Salary Arbitration - Players and Teams Exchange Figures
Over the past few days there has been a flurry of activity between baseball teams and player agents negotiating contracts for players eligible for salary arbitration. On Thursday, January 15, 111 players filed for arbitration. Between last Thursday and yesterday’s deadline for exchanging numbers, 65 deals were finalized leaving 46 players and teams involved in exchanging numbers yesterday.The big buzz is about Ryan Howard who went to a hearing with the Phillies last year and beat his team. Of course, most of you are aware of his effort last...
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
President Obama
Has a nice ring to it. The world has its fingers crossed that Obama can bring his change to the world, he has such high expectations on him, people aren't expecting a mediocre president, they are expecting something special, can he live up to it?Well hes come a long way, just forty years ago his father wasn't allowed to eat in a restaurant, can you imagine that? Can you imagine...
Masterton Show - Feb 13, 14 and 15th
Yesterday I decided, a little at the last minute, that we will take Meg to the Masterton Show this year. I figure it will be a great outing for her and we really should try to support our local show as we have not been able to do so for a couple of years. Meg has a turnout title her mum won to defend although I think we might be pushing the proverbial uphill if we aim for...
Monday, January 19, 2009
A full brother or sister for Aine
I have just realised, after receiving an email from Maude's owner in the UK, that I have not blogged the most recent stud news. Maude is in foal to Reilly again, yay! She conceived on her first cycle giving us a LDOS of 18 December and an expected arrival date of 23 November. Good girl Maude! Minty came back for a second try on Saturday (came straight into season and has been served) and Girl is proving to be a bit of an enigma having been here for a couple of months and silent cycling. I have convinced her owner to have the vet out to look at...
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Garth Steals the show at Obama Concert
Was there any doubt?That the greatest entertainer in USA history would steal the show, the crowd had already been pumped, but when Garth started singing "Shout" the whole atmosphere turned electric, he had everybody including the Obama's dancing and clapping, he was backed by a delightful children's choir, and showed even in retirement, there is no one who can touch him or...
CARDS MAKE THE SUPERBOWL
WAHOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!60 YEARS IS A LONG TIME TO WAIT, BUT IT'S WORTH IT FOR THE CARDINALS!!!!!!!!!AS A CARDS FAN SINCE 1994, I HAVE PUT UP WITH THE BUDDY RYAN YEARS, I HAVE PUT UP WITH THE DISAPPOINTMENT OF JAKE PLUMBER, NOW LONG TERM CARDS FANS HAVE OUR MOMENT IN THE SUN, THE CARDS HAVE MADE THE SUPERBOWL.THANK YOU FITZGERALD,...
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Weaning time?
Ah well actually, no, it is NOT weaning time just yet although it seems perhaps Rory has other ideas?And what are you doing in THIS paddock young man? And are your legs ok??? Legs, check, all good Catching the ratbag Mum and Uncle B in the correct paddock!Now do not do that again young man, d'ya hear me?Reunited at last...
SW Sale
Today Amy, Karen and I went to Palmerston North. A girlie road trip! And what trip to Palmerston North is complete without a visit to 'The Saddlery Warehouse', especially when they have a sale on?! The sale was a pretty good one, 20% of everything not already discounted and 10% of veterinary supplies. I needed a few bits and bobs for my medicine kit and Amy needed a new helmet...
Friday, January 16, 2009
Endowed college coaching positions
Something I just discovered this week: The head coaching positions for Stanford's football and men's basketball teams are endowed. Football coach Jim Harbaugh is the Bradford M. Freeman Director of Football; Basketball coach Johnny Dawkins is the Anne and Tony Joseph Director of Men's Basketball.It seems like a good idea for everyone involved. The endowment presumably pays or helps pay salaries that probably are in the mid- or high-six figures. It seems like the type of naming opportunity a sports-minded donor would jump at--after all, the donor's...
DVD-Eagle Eye
This movie sucks. Why? Stupid plot.Here's the gist. From now on, I am going to spoil every movie I review here. Deal with it. I am going to spoil this one for you. It's a computer. Both of them are set up and will die, but Shia and Billy Bob save the day. But you won't give a fuck.Eagle Eye is just a slick action flick that tries to be a bit sophisticated but ends up being...
Thursday, January 15, 2009
The Hypocrisy of Feminists and Peace Groups in New Zealand
Hypocrisy (or the state of being a hypocrite) is the act of preaching a certain belief, religion or way of life, but not, in fact, holding these same virtues oneself. For example, if a person were to tell one to repent for his sins yet he never repents himself this is hypocrisy.In other languages, including French, a hypocrite is one who hides his intentions and true personality....
The Salary Cap, a Rookie Pay Scale and the NFLPA
The week leading up to the Conference Championships, with all of its corresponding movement of coaches and executives, is a good time to take stock of two important bargaining points for the new NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA): 1) a rookie salary cap and 2) the traditional salary cap. Both of these issues relate to a more fundamental question—who are the union’s constituents when negotiating the CBA? Does the NFLPA represent each individual member, or “the players” as a group, and how does the group it represents affect the NFLPA’s negotiating...
Reality Distortion Field
Steve Jobs is dying. Those opaque press releases might satisfy him, but everyone knows the truth now. Jobs is a goner. I predict he will be gone by the end of the year.When Jobs dies, Apple will die. They won't die immediately, but they are done as a company. It will become bureaucratized and quaint sort of like AOL is these days. Probably be bought out by Microsoft or Google. And so it goes. ....
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Robbie the Rotund
Rob got a new paddock today - well an old paddock really, an area that we cut a few bales off but there is a lot of standing hay around the outside. I took the camera out with me and took the opportunity to take some photos. He's quite, er, well covered at present but he needed moving and there can't be too much goodness in the standing hay .. can there?? The good news is...
