Bob Costas and Seth Meyers: Gun Culture (Video)

Bob Costas lectures the audience during sports broadcasts.

He lectures the audience during late night talk shows.

In my opinion, Costas has become a real blowhard. It's boring when he yaps about issues peripheral to sports, acting like it's brave to speak out. It's not. It's just boring. I don't care about Costas and his crusades.

Blah, blah, blah.

Jason Whitlock, the NRA, and the KKK (Audio)

Jason Whitlock, that sage Bob Costas quoted when pontificating during halftime on Sunday Night Football, decided to take things up a notch and blame the NRA for the crime committed by Jovan Belcher.

This much is clear: BELCHER is a murderer. He's a criminal.

He shot and killed himself after he shot the mother of his infant daughter nine times, murdering her.

Because there will be no trial, no judgement, no sentence, the criminal nature of this case is being neglected.

This notion that Belcher deserves some sympathy for his suffering, for being a tortured soul, must not displace his merciless act.

Belcher chose to kill a woman in cold blood.

A gun didn't do that. A gun doesn't do anything. Belcher used a gun to commit murder.

The discussion should be about the criminal, not his weapon of choice. Belcher, though dead, still needs to be declared what he is - a cold-blooded killer.

Instead of focusing on that reality, Whitlock is exploiting a woman's murder. He's using his "fame" to make outrageous statements about the NRA. Whitlock clearly wants to stay in the spotlight. It's a sick little dance.

From NewsBusters:

Kansas City sportswriter Jason Whitlock loves to stoke controversy. So after he blamed Jovan Belcher's murder-suicide on the "gun culture" -- inspiring NBC Sports lecturer Bob Costas -- in an interview with Roland Martin, he added fuel to the fire by claiming "the NRA is the new KKK."

...

JASON WHITLOCK: Sports gets so much attention, and people tune out the real world, that I try to take advantage of the opportunity to talk about the real world when sports lends itself to that and try to open people’s eyes. You know, I did not go as far as I’d like to go because my thoughts on the NRA and America’s gun culture – I believe the NRA is the new KKK. And that the arming of so many black youths, uh, and loading up our community with drugs, and then just having an open shooting gallery, is the work of people who obviously don’t have our best interests [at heart].

I think it’s obvious if you’ve traveled abroad, and traveled to countries where they have legitimate gun laws, that we don’t have to have what we have in America, where people somehow think a gun enhances their liberty, and that people somehow think a gun makes them safer. It just doesn’t. A gun turns some kids listening to music into a murder scene. And uh, you know, if you don’t have a gun, you drive home. You know, kids listening to some loud music, you don’t like it, you go home and complain to your wife. But when you have a gun, you open fire, potentially, and take the life of a child.

Here's the audio:



"I believe the NRA is the new KKK."

"A gun turns some kids listening to music into a murder scene."

Whitlock's statements are absolutely ludicrous.

I wonder if Costas agrees that the NRA is the new KKK. Does Costas believe the NRA is arming black young people?

I wonder if Costas thinks that a gun, an inanimate object, actually turns kids listening to music into a murder scene.

Gee, how would that work?

A gun crashes a group of kids innocently listening to music and commits murder?

A gun cannot do that.

Whitlock made a fool of himself. Costas went along for the ride.

Bob Costas and Gun Control (Video)

Bob Costas felt it was appropriate to promote gun control during halftime of the Eagles-Cowboys game on Sunday Night.

From the Associated Press:

NBC broadcaster Bob Costas used his halftime segment on "Sunday Night Football" to advocate for gun control following this weekend's murder-suicide involving Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Jovan Belcher....

In a segment about 90 seconds long, Costas paraphrased and quoted extensively from a piece by Fox Sports columnist Jason Whitlock.

After praising the column, Costas said: "In the coming days, Jovan Belcher's actions and their possible connection to football will be analyzed. Who knows? But here, wrote Jason Whitlock, is what I believe. If Jovan Belcher didn't possess a gun, he and Kasandra Perkins would both be alive today."

Belcher shot and killed Perkins, the mother of his 3-month daughter, on Saturday morning, then drove to Arrowhead Stadium and committed suicide in the parking lot of the team's practice facility.

Here's video:



"If Jovan Belcher didn't possess a gun, he and Kasandra Perkins would both be alive today."

That's a ridiculous statement. Murders and suicides are committed without the use of guns. It can't be assumed that Belcher chose to commit murder and then kill himself because he had guns. It can't be assumed he and Perkins would be alive today if he didn't possess a gun.

Of course, Costas is entitled to his opinion. He has the right to hold a misguided view.

But should Costas have used the platform of Sunday Night Football to blindside viewers with an editorial about the 2nd Amendment during halftime? Should Costas have preached to the audience and concluded that an inanimate object was at fault for Belcher's acts?

No.

Belcher is responsible, not a gun.

I think it would have been wrong for Costas to speak in favor of gun ownership and to highlight Belcher's culpability.

Wrong time, wrong place.

Tom Brokaw, Ambien

Tom Brokaw seems to have a problem.

Everyone by now is probably familiar with Brokaw being rushed to a hospital in Charlotte.

From the Los Angeles Times:

NBC News special correspondent Tom Brokaw was hospitalized Thursday morning after he said he mistakenly took Ambien.

Brokaw was taken to a Charlotte, N.C., hospital following an appearance on MSNBC's “Morning Joe.”

NBC reported that Brokaw felt "lightheaded" on the set. "Out of an abundance of caution, he was taken to a hospital. He is being evaluated, is in good spirits, and is expected to be released shortly," NBC News President Steve Capus said in a statement released to the media.

For his part, Brokaw appeared to sheepishly joke about the incident.

He tweeted: "All is well. Early AM I mistakenly took a half dose of Ambien and made less sense than usual. Made a better comeback than Giants..."

But the newsman didn't explain: How do you "mistakenly" take an Ambien? (Ambien is a prescription medication typically used to treat insomnia.)

It's good news that Brokaw is in good health, and this scare was due to his personal negligence.

However, the incident is rather embarrassing.

"Mistakenly" taking an Ambien before a TV appearance is weird.

What did he think he was taking?

Does he have a bowl of pills and picked the wrong one?

If one takes a number of prescription medications, one certainly is familiar with their color and shape. One doesn't just grab an Ambien getting ready to go to work in the morning.

Brokaw's carelessness is a bit strange.

When I heard the news yesterday of Brokaw's Ambien "mishap," I was reminded of an appearance he did with Bob Costas for the London Olympics. Brokaw was in the studio with Costas to introduce a taped piece. I think it was something related to World War II, London, and an athlete. Whatever, the segment was historical in nature.

As Brokaw introduced it, we thought something was terribly wrong with him. He looked pale and frail. His speech was slurred beyond his normal way of speaking. We thought maybe he was drunk.

Yet when they cut to the tape, Brokaw seemed more like his usual self.

We were concerned that Brokaw was having some sort of serious health problem because the contrast was so stark.

Upon hearing of Brokaw's Ambien mix-up, I thought his London behavior now made sense.

Brokaw needs to be more careful with his drug use, especially when he's on the job.

The Who, Closing Ceremony, NBC

Animal Practice?

NBC, YOU CANNOT BE SERIOUS!

Instead of showing the closing ceremony of the London Olympics in full, NBC abruptly left to air an episode of NBC's new series, Animal Practice.

Considering the ceremony was taped, there was no excuse for this.

I was waiting to see The Who.

Didn't happen.

It was weird. No closing credits. No real sign-off.

Bob Costas didn't say, "Stay tuned for The Who after your late local news." There was no indication there would be anything other than a rerun of the evening's coverage.

After the news, TMJ4 didn't say, "Stay tuned for the continuation of the closing ceremony program."

Nothing.

But, instead of the listed rerun, after the news, Ryan Seacrest comes on and introduces The Who.

Then, there were some interviews with athletes on the field.

And, then came NBC's promotion of the 2014 winter olympics.

Costas wrapped things up with some final remarks and the credits.

It couldn't have been more awkward.

It was such a fitting way for NBC's coverage to end - screwed up.

Gabby Douglas, NBC, Racist Monkey Commercial

I think this is an absolutely ridiculous controversy.

NBC has become the centre of a race storm after airing an ad featuring a monkey performing gymnastics, right after showing the performance of Gabby Douglas, the first African-American to win Olympic gold.

The network has since apologised for the advert's poor timing, explaining: 'No offense was intended.'

The controversy ignited as sportscaster Bob Costas wrapped his analysis of her incredible routine during the all-around competition last night.

Costas said: 'There are some African American girls out there who tonight are saying to themselves: "Hey, I’d like to try that too." More from London in a moment.'

The broadcast then went to a commercial break, showing an advertisement featuring a monkey wearing a gymnastics uniform and performing a rings gymnastics event.

The unintentional, but poorly-timed ad was for Animal Practice, an upcoming NBC sitcom.

...In a statement to MailOnline, NBC Sports said: 'Gabby Douglas' gold medal performance last night was an historic and inspiring achievement.

'This spot promoting ’Animal Practice,’ which has run three times previously, is one in a series with an Olympic theme which have been scheduled for maximum exposure. Certainly no offense was intended.'

I'm no fan of NBC, but the criticism the network has received over this is completely unwarranted.

The commerical had already aired repeatedly without complaints. There was no reason whatsoever to connect the monkey with Gabby Douglas. None.

Other commercials promoting Animal Practice use a dog and a penguin as Olympic athletes.

So what?

Some of the most popular commercials during the Super Bowl use monkeys. I've never heard any complaints about those ads and their juxtaposition with the football players.

The monkey in the NBC promo was in no way meant to be an insult to Gabby or any other gymnast.

Good grief.

People get bent of out of shape over such silly things.

Remember, Gabby's nickname is the "Flying Squirrel." She seems to enjoy it. She doesn't consider it degrading. It's cute.

She's a champion, earning two Olympic gold medals so far, representing the United States.

Why would anyone think NBC's commercial was some sort of racial insult?

Is NBC getting complaints about the swimming dog and the diving penguin?

There are plenty of things to complain about when it comes to NBC.

This isn't one of them.

Here's the video:

Michael McPhail

Wisconsin Olympian Michael McPhail was a millimeter away from making the finals in the 50m Rifle, Prone.

From Ed Klajman, Madison.com:

Whether it’s football, baseball, hockey or basketball, describing a sport as a “game of inches” is a well-worn cliché.

For Michael McPhail, the difference between fighting for an Olympic medal and early elimination Friday was even more minute — more like a millimeter. And unfortunately for the Darlington native, he came out on the wrong side of that mark.

McPhail was one of 50 marksmen vying for a spot in the final round of the men’s 50-meter rifle in prone position, where the top eight qualifiers battle for medals.

He ended with a score of 595, which means he hit a target 10.4 millimeters in diameter from 50 meters away 595 times out of 600 attempts. That was good enough to tie for fourth place along with eight other shooters. So there was a nine-way shoot-off for five spots.

In the shoot-off, it’s not just enough to hit the target. What matters is where the bullet strikes, down to the millimeter. Each shooter took five shots, with a cumulative total tallied. McPhail ended with a score of 51.3, placing him sixth, just one spot out of the final. A score of 51.6 would have been good enough to stay alive.

“You’re looking at a millimeter and I’m in the final, easy,” said the staff sergeant with the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit at Fort Benning, Ga. “I’m not disappointed with how I shot. Of those 65 shots I had, maybe one I would shoot again. I mean, I shot 64 great shots. There’s not a whole lot more you can ask for.

"I’ve been beaten before. And if I stay in this, I’m going to be beaten again. I did everything I wanted to do at the level I wanted to do it. I can sleep.”

...McPhail said becoming an Olympian was the fulfillment of a dream he’s had since he was 14 years old. He got emotional when describing his Olympic experience.

“It’s just surreal. For a lot of people, this is the biggest thing in their life that will ever happen. And you know, it’s cool just to be a part of that; walking into opening ceremonies, it’s incredible.

McPhail would like to participate in the 2016 Olympics in Rio. I hope he does.

He didn't medal in London, but he made Wisconsin and the USA proud.

The media focus so much on winning and the Olympic "stars." Winning in a particular competition doesn't necessarily define athletic or personal greatness.

Read more about Michael McPhail.

Darlington native Michael McPhail began target shooting for fun as a teen, traveling to competitions around southwestern Wisconsin, not knowing he was honing skills that would one day take him around the world.

Today McPhail is a fiercely competitive Army staff sergeant who is headed for the Olympics in London with his sights set on a gold medal in the 50-meter men's prone rifle marksmanship event.

"I love to compete," McPhail said Wednesday. "I live for the competition, the feeling of being nervous and excited."

McPhail, 30, won the event in the 2011 Pan-American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico, and has taken home medals in several international shooting World Cup matches, but this is his first trip to the Olympics.

...McPhail enlisted in 2004. After training he was assigned to the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit, whose members have won hundreds of individual and team honors including 23 Olympic medals, more than half of all U.S. shooting medals won since the unit formed in 1956.

Created to raise Army marksmanship standards, the unit is used as a recruiting tool and training resource. It also develops and tests new firearms with gunsmiths who make and customize the team's weapons.

McPhail and another unit member, 1st Sgt. Eric Uptagrafft, are the U.S. team for the 50-meter event.

I didn't know active military members are on Team USA.

Hey, Bob Costas and NBC! That deserves some prime time coverage.
_______________

Congratulations, Michael McPhail!

Hope to see you in Rio.

London Olympics Opening Ceremony

The opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games was absolutely breathtaking.

I can't say the same for the opening ceremony of the London Olympic Games.

It was so politically charged. It wasn't a celebration of London's history or culture OR ATHLETIC COMPETITION. It was a celebration of Leftist policies, heaped with big helpings of liberal guilt.

The Beijing ceremony was so spectacular it would be impossible to match. It's a lot easier to pull off an incredible show when you have well over one billion people and you don't care about human rights abuses.

From Norway's Aftenposten:

The Kung Fu pupils in the opening ceremony of the Olympics have spent the last year cooped up in a military camp outside Beijing. Conditions have been bad. "They weren't even given enough food," says their trainer. This news adds to the criticism of the Beijing Organizing Committee.

Viewers from around the globe marvelled at the Opening Ceremony last Friday. One of the most spectacular features was the martial arts display by 2008 pupils from the famous Shaolin Centre in Henan province. With coordinated movements, they showed the Tai Chi variant of Kung Fu; a popular way to relax for many Chinese people.

The skilful and well-executed show took a severe toll on many of the participants; both those who took part and the performers who were held in reserve.

Many of the martial arts performers feel abused and ignored by the Olympic organizers. For the last year, they have been housed 50 to a room, more than 70 kilometres from the ‘Bird’s Nest’ National arena. This is where they have slept, eaten and spent all their time.

Leaving the compound around the barracks was strictly forbidden. The dormitories are crammed with bunk beds. Between 30 and 50 of the teenagers spent the night in each room. Only a few of the showers work and the toilet facilities have been bad. The winter was icy and in summer, the pupils had to battle against mosquitoes and the heat.

"After repeated complaints they finally installed air-conditioning in the sleeping quarters. However, most of the equipment was so old that it didn't work," says one of the pupils.

Most of the 2500 performers have been sent home after the opening ceremony. The few that remain in order to take part in the closing ceremony are extremely angry about the treatment they have received from the Olympic organizers.

"The food is the worst thing. We’ve had the same two courses for dinner for a year. Sometimes there hasn't been enough for everyone. Those who have arrived last haven't got anything to eat," says a pupil.

He adds that he "wants to throw up," when the food is served.

"We never get noodles or dumplings. All we get is rice," he says.

...Conditions have been so bad that their trainer, Kung Fu master Liu Haike, has sent a series of complaints to the Olympic organizers. The complaints did have some effect.

"In the end, the pupils got enough to eat, even if the diet was extremely monotonous," he says to daily newspaper Aftenposten.

Liu describes pressure from the organizers as extreme. Everything had to be perfect. As result the performers had to practice up to 16 hours a day. "The test performance of the opening ceremony was worst of all. The pupils had to remain in the stadium for 51 hours. They were hardly fed. There was nowhere to sleep. Some managed to sleep on the seats, but they didn't get more than a couple of hours at most," says Liu.

He adds that several of the pupils got heatstroke, but their physical training meant that they got better again relatively quickly. Liu says that he felt very sorry for his pupils and the way that they were treated.

"But the organizers have promised them an Olympic certificate thanking them for their effort. They will not receive pay. Nevertheless I think that the majority will think that it was good to do what they did for the Olympics and their country," says Liu.

I'm sure London didn't torture the participants in its opening ceremony the way Beijing did.

London gets points for that.

The pageantry of the Olympics opening ceremonies always have an impressive element. That was present in London. There were good moments and memorable images.

I liked the children singing "Jerusalem."

But, the Leftist political stuff was unbearable.

Meredith Vieira and Matt Lauer were the hosts. That didn't help matters. (I did get a Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade vibe listening to them.)

The focus on the negative aspects of the Industrial Revolution and the resulting creation of new weapons to be used in war was really weird.

The repeated shots of Kenneth Branagh in his top hat and chewing on a cigar were so odd.

Celebrating socialized medicine???

What the hell was that????

Hospital beds on the field, along with dancing doctors and nurses and sick children bouncing around?

How strange!

There was James Bond and the Queen parachuting into the stadium.

There was a bizarre "girl loses her cell phone and finds love" vignette, "Frankie and June say... Thanks Tim."

Rowan Atkinson did a "Chariots of Fire" bit.

So, there was comedy mixed in with the Leftist spectacle.

The parade of nations was nearly two hours. The prattling of Bob Costas and Matt Lauer was absolutely hellish.

There was some relief when it was time for the Olympic traditions. The Olympic flag entered the stadium, always a highlight. The lighting of the torch is always a big moment.

Paul McCartney ended the ceremony, getting the tens of thousands at the stadium and the athletes to sing along to "Hey Jude."

This would have been the time for Paul and Ringo to reunite.

Then came the fireworks.

It's unfortunate that the ceremony included the weird Leftist propaganda. It was divisive. It didn't belong.

Glad it's time for the competition.

Go Team USA!
___________________

Disgracefully, NBC omits a 6-minute tribute in the opening ceremony to the 7/7 bombing victims. Video of what NBC cut from the ceremony here.

NBC's slideshow of the opening ceremony does not include any image of the tribute.

Aaron Rodgers, Faith, and St. Francis of Assisi

In many ways, Aaron Rodgers is not an average NFL quarterback.

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers usually has some interesting, informative, amusing or unexpected to say during his weekly radio spot with Jason Wilde of WAUK-AM (540) and Tuesday's interview was no exception....

On whether Rodgers takes into account, given what some see as the backlash Denver quarterback Tim Tebow has gotten for his way of expressing his beliefs, when considering how much of his own religious beliefs to share publicly: "Well I started playing before Tim, so these are things I’ve thought about for a long time, and I think one thing that I try to look at when I was a younger player, and I mean, in high school, junior college, and Division I, I was always interested in seeing how guys talked in their interviews, talked about their faith, or didn’t talk about their faith. And then the reactions at time, I know Bob Costas at one point was critical about a player thanking Jesus Christ after a win, questioning what would happen if that player had lost, or do you really think God cares about winning and losing. That's all to say that I feel like my stance and my desire has always been to follow a quote from St. Francis of Assisi, who said, 'Preach the gospel at all times. If necessary, use words.' So basically, I’m not an over-the-top, or an in-your-face kind of guy with my faith. I would rather people have questions about why I act the way I act, whether they view it as positive or not, and ask questions, and then given an opportunity at some point, then you can talk about your faith a little bit. I firmly believe, just personally, what works for me, and what I enjoy doing is letting my actions speak about the kind of character that I want to have, and following that quote from St. Francis."

That's a great quote.

Listen to the podcast of the November 29, 2011, "Tuesdays with Aaron" here.

Joannie Rochette and Bob Costas (Video)

On NBC's Friday prime time coverage of the Olympics, Bob Costas interviewed figure skating bronze medalist Joannie Rochette.

Part of the interview aired in prime time and more footage was shown on the late night program.

Watch video of the interview, Part 1.

Watch video of the interview, Part 2.

There's no question that Joannie Rochette's story is very compelling.

The fact that she was able to maintain her composure and concentration and win a medal speaks to what a tremendous, gifted athlete she is.

When she broke down after she completed her short program on Tuesday night, I'm sure viewers all over the world were brought to tears. I was.

I congratulate her for her accomplishments on Olympic ice, and I wish her the best as she deals with the sudden loss of her beloved mom. My heart goes out to her and her family.

Now, I'm beginning to find the way NBC is dwelling on her story, calling it the stuff of Olympic legend, to be a bit too much.

Rochette was on the Today Show Friday morning. Her story merited time on Friday's NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams. Then, Costas told her story again, the same one we've been hearing for days. He asked many of the same questions she answered on Today and elsewhere in the media.

Apparently, Rochette is such ratings gold that NBC ran the interview with Costas in two parts. It's beginning to feel like exploitation to me.

Want drama? Does anyone remember the name Nodar Kumaritashvili?

I guess a 21-year-old athlete dying during a training run just hours before the Vancouver opening ceremony isn't the sort of drama that brings in viewers.

Want a story of courage and determination, teamwork and friendship?

Mary Carillo did an interview with Nordic Combined athletes and medalists Johnny Spillane and Billy Demong. It aired in the wee small hours of the morning.

Watch the interview that should have been on the prime time program here.

They are such great role models and such good guys.

After Billy won the gold on Thursday and after the medal ceremony, he proposed to his girlfriend, Katie. It's a very sweet story, though not quite good enough for prime time. Better to keep the camera on Lindsey Vonn I guess.

Bottom line: There have been incredible tragedies and triumphs at the Vancouver Olympics, just like in life outside the Olympic bubble and the TV ratings race.

Some of those tragic and triumphant Olympic moments are magnified because of media attention. Some happen quietly, but are no less significant.
__________________

I'm really happy that Team USA chose Billy to be the flag bearer for the closing ceremony.

It's an honor he's earned.

Olympic Nordic combined gold medalist Billy Demong will be flag bearer for the U.S. Olympic team at the closing ceremony on Sunday.

The 29-year-old from Vermontville, N.Y., won a gold medal and proposed to his girlfriend on Thursday before being chosen by his teammates to carry the flag.

"Being chosen as flag bearer is a phenomenal honor," Demong said. "It could have been any one of my teammates, and it is meaningful that our peers are taking notice of what we've achieved."

Bill Demong and Johnny Spillane - GOLD and SILVER

WOO HOO!


Nordic Combined Team USA continues its historic run at Vancouver.

NBC has to give these fantastic athletes their due now.

Demong wins Nordic combined gold

Spillane wins third silver medal; U.S. Nordic combi team wins four medals at Games

Billy Demong and Johnny Spillane have given the Americans a 1-2 finish in the Nordic combined large hill competition that was marred by bad weather.

Demong, of Vermontville, N.Y. ended America's golden goose egg in Nordic sports at the Winter Games by winning the 10-kilometer cross-country leg in 25 minutes, 32.9 seconds Thursday.

Spillane won his third silver of these games, finishing four seconds behind.

Bernhard Gruber of Austria, who had a 34-second head start after jumping the farthest off the large hill after a restart, took the bronze 10.8 seconds back.

Demong, of Vermontville, N.Y., started in sixth place and 46 seconds back, but quickly caught his teammate and Gruber for a three-man race the rest of the way.

They didn't have to worry about some of the best World Cup athletes catching them after worsening weather hampered the top jumpers on the large hill, relegating them too far back in the field to be a factor.

The cross-country race was run in much better weather, but the soft, sometimes choppy snow put a premium on the proper wax and ski setup. Unlike the team relay when Demong was done in by bad skis, he had the perfect combination to put the Americans atop the podium.

But the damage had been done to the sport's better athletes.

"It's a joke," Norway's Magnus Moan fumed of the final Nordic combined race at the Winter Games after managing to jump just 112.5 meters in a driving, wet snow and tail wind that pushed him down early.

That had him starting 2 minutes, 21 seconds behind Gruber, who jumped in much better conditions after a restart earlier in the morning.

Gruber, ranked 22nd in the World Cup standings, capitalized on a rogue headwind that helped him stay aloft for a top jump of 134 meters.

"It's like a lottery. Some guys got good conditions, some others terrible conditions," shrugged World Cup leader Jason Lamy Chappuis, of France, who won the gold in the normal hill 10K but started this race in 29th and finished in 18th.

Todd Lodwick, America's only five-time Olympic skier, did his part to help his teammates.

"Once I saw those two guys pull away, I jumped in front (of the chase group) and tried to slow down the pace," Lodwick said.

It worked perfectly.

By the halfway point, it was Spillane in front, Demong and Gruber within a second and the chase group 41 seconds behind. Demong was in the lead at the three-quarters turn with the chase pack now 49 seconds back.

Skiing in Demong's slipstream, Spillane slipped and fell going around a curve on the eighth kilometer, and Gruber moved briefly into second. But Spillane zipped past the Austrian on the final kilometer and quickly assured the U.S. of an unprecedented 1-2 finish.

He smiled as he watched Demong win gold, then cruised across the finish line with his third silver medal, thrusting both arms into the air as Demong had done.

Spillane's silver medal in the normal hill competition on Feb. 14 was the first U.S. Olympic medal in Nordic combined _ a ski jump followed by a brutal race of speed around a cross-country track. He grabbed another silver in the team relay Tuesday.

Quit whining and moaning, Magnus Moan of Norway!

The Americans have shown throughout the Games that they're great athletes, a great team.

Sure, the weather was a factor, but getting the gold and silver was no fluke. It's an accomplishment born of years of grueling hard work. It's truly historic and deserves recognition.

Congratulations, Bill Demong and Johnny Spillane!


_________________

Note to NBC: Show the full medal ceremony in PRIME TIME. Bob Costas should do an interview with the Nordic Combined team in the Vancouver studio in PRIME TIME.

Men's Hockey: USA Defeats Canada

What a thrilling hockey game!

Team USA defeated Canada, 5-3.

Ryan Miller was incredible.

VANCOUVER -- Youth dominates this American national team, but it found its identity for the 2010 Olympics in the three former Olympians it brought back for another shot at gold.

Sunday night, it was those three wily veterans -- defenseman Brian Rafalski, winger Jamie Langenbrunner and center Chris Drury -- and goaltender Ryan Miller (who many believe should have played at the 2006 Olympics) -- that navigated the Americans through their most difficult test to date, a winner-take-all Group A finale against the host Canadians.

When the final buzzer sounded on a raucous 60 minutes of the marquee game of Showdown Sunday -- the Russians beat the Czechs in the afternoon and the Swedes played the Finns in the nightcap -- the young and brash Americans had silenced not only the capacity CHP crowd, but an entire nation with a gritty 5-3 win that featured two goals by Rafalski, single strikes from both Langenbrunner and Drury and 42 saves from Miller.

Video.


The U.S. hadn't beaten Canada in the Olympics in 50 years.

What was really bizarre was that NBC elected not to carry any of the game during its prime time coverage until just seconds remained in the 3rd period.

Bob Costas broke in abruptly and breathlessly announced that they were going to join the game. Too little, too late. The audience was treated to all of 35 SECONDS of play.

Later, Al Michaels and Chris Collinsworth were talking about what a huge game it was, how it was so highly anticipated.

So why didn't NBC show more of the game live on its network coverage?

That was a major blunder on NBC's part.

But that makes the victory no less sweet.

Congratulations, Team USA!

Evan Lysacek, Plushenko, and Putin

Evan Lysacek is an Olympic champion, a gold medalist. He's also a real class act.

Watch this interview: Evan Lysacek talks to Bob Costas.

Yevgeny Plushenko is also an Olympic champion, a gold medalist in 2006. But when it comes to being a class act, he is a complete loser.

From the Washington Post:

U.S. figure skater Evan Lysacek just wanted to enjoy the Olympic gold medal he never expected -- but always wanted -- hours after his upset victory over Russian Evgeni Plushenko in the Olympic men's figure skating competition Thursday.

Instead, Lysacek spent Friday enduring attacks on the legitimacy of his title from Russians and others upset both with his tactical approach and the judges' decision to give him a narrow victory over the 2006 gold medal winner.

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin sent Plushenko, who claimed the silver medal, a telegram telling him his "silver was as good as gold" and he "performed the most accomplished program on the Vancouver ice." Russian commentators decried the result, and two-time Olympic silver medal winner Elvis Stojko said in a column for Yahoo that Lysacek's skate wasn't "Olympic champion material" and "the judges made a mockery" of the event by rewarding Lysacek.

The debate centered solely around the fact Plushenko executed a quadruple jump and Lysacek did not. Bronze medal winner Daisuke Takahashi tried one, but fell attempting it and fell out of contention for the gold.

Lysacek contends that his nearly perfect program featuring eight triple jumps and complex spins, footwork and transitions topped Plushenko's more-wobbly effort with the quad and seven triples.

Plushenko fueled the controversy by wagging his index fingers in the air when he finished Thursday, then complaining about the judges' decision to put him 1.31 points behind Lysacek.

"You can't be considered a true men's champion without a quad," Plushenko told Russian state television, according to Reuters.

That's absolutely ridiculous.

If landing a quad was all that mattered, then Lysacek would never have been able to earn enough points to beat Plushenko.

That jump is just one element.

Plushenko is really being a poor sport.

..."Nobody likes to lose," Lysacek said. "Plushenko is a great guy, a great skater. I've admired him for years. I thought he did an outstanding job . . . For him to discredit the field, though, that's not right. It's probably the strongest men's field there's ever been, and I was honored to be" in the field.

Added Lysacek: "I guess I was a little disappointed that someone who is my role model would take a hit at me in what is probably one of the most special moments of my life."

...Asked what he would like to do now that he has won a gold medal -- meet the president? go to Disney World? -- Lysacek offered an uncustomary response.

"This last year, I've been really selfish preparing for this Olympics," he said. "I'd like to work with [charities] a lot more, to spend some time, some real time. I guess that's one goal."

What a great guy!

I feel awful for Lysacek.

He wins the gold and he has to put up with this whining from Plushenko?

Plushenko is acting like a child.

And then there's Putin. Putin!

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin climbed into the controversy surrounding Yevgeny Plushenko's surprise defeat in the Olympics figure skating by claiming on Friday that he should have been awarded gold.

..."I would like to sincerely congratulate you on the wonderful Olympic performance -- your silver is worth gold," Putin said in a telegram addressed to the skater.

"You were able to overcome all the obstacles in your brave comeback and performed the most accomplished program on the Vancouver ice."

"All Russian figure skating fans admire your brilliance, true fighting spirit, courage and the will to win. Well done!"

I think it's great for Putin to speak highly of Plushenko's accomplishments.

It's not cool for Putin to trash Lysacek in the process.

I call on Obama to get involved. He shouldn't slam Plushenko, but he should commend Lysacek for his brilliant performance and grace both on and off the ice. Obama should talk to Putin about this controversy.

That, of course, would never happen. If Obama called up Putin, he'd probably end up apologizing for Lysacek's victory. Obama would probably even apologize for Team USA pulling off that stunning upset victory in ice hockey against the USSR at Lake Placid in 1980. Then Obama might apologize for the implosion of the Soviet Union and the U.S. winning the Cold War.

On second thought, I think it's best if Obama doesn't get involved.

Bottom line: Plushenko is badly tarnishing his image as an Olympian and as a human being.

Lysacek, on the other hand, personifies the spirit of the Olympics, pushing himself and working to achieve greatness in his sport. And, more importantly, competing with dignity and conducting himself with such class. He's everything Plushenko is not.

Not cool, Plushenko. Not cool.

The Russian scampered cheekily across the top podium, pulled cheesy faces and gave a thumbs-up to the cameras, was a diva-like 10 minutes late for the news conference and gave a lengthy lecture on how figure skating needs to change.

..."Obviously, Evan needs the medal more than me, maybe because I've got one already," said Plushenko, who took off his medal when he left the ice after the victory lap long before Lysacek and bronze medalist Daisuke Takahashi made their exits.

Stephen Colbert, Bob Costas, and the Fireplace

On NBC's latenight Olympic coverage Wednesday, Stephen Colbert, the assistant sports psychologist for the U.S. speed skating team, visited with Bob Costas at the NBC Vancouver studio.

They were seated in those comfy chairs in front of that lovely fireplace.



At the end of the interview, Colbert got up from his chair to warm himself by the fire.

STEPHEN COLBERT: Do you mind if I warm up by the fire?

BOB COSTAS: Why don't you toast some marshmallows back there?

Colbert didn't just warm himself at hearth's edge. He crawled into the fire.

COLBERT: Oh! Oh, oh, this is so nice.

Costas and the crew were laughing hysterically.

COLBERT: It's really lovely in here. You know, it's the authenticity. Yeah, that's what I really appreciate about NBC.

COSTAS: That's what we strive for. Completely authentic.

COLBERT: Everything's real.

_________________

NBC video of Stephen Colbert with Bob Costas here.

Obama: "COMINSKEY FIELD"

Obama, Obama, Obama.

White Sox fan, speaking of his love for the old COMINSKEY FIELD....

Back when the Brewers were in the American League, I went to games at Comiskey Park.

Poor Obama. Does he know that it's COMISKEY? What's the problem? Is it that he can't pronounce the name correctly? Did Obama flub up because he's without his teleprompter?

Do White Sox fans typically mispronounce it?

I don't know, but I would never say that the Brewers play at MILLNER FIELD.

by krs601

Transcript

BOB COSTAS:

That Sox windbreaker -- Make no bones about it. You're a south sider. You're a White Sox guy, not a Cubs guy.

OBAMA: Look, listen, I'm not a Cubs hater. You know, there's a certain type of White Sox fan that actively roots against the Cubs. So, when, when the Bart-, the Bartman, uh....

COSTAS: Right.

OBAMA: There were people who celebrated on the south side. I'm not one of those guys. I wish them well, unless they're playing the White Sox. Um, but, I do think that there's a different quality to what used to be COMINSKEY FIELD versus Wrigley. You know, you've got to really love baseball, you know, when you used to go into that old field....

COSTAS: (Interrupting Obama) The old Comiskey Park.

OBAMA: Right. In the nosebleed seats, it looked like you were about to fall into the park. You'd get vertigo. You know, Wrigley is so civilized. You know, there's white wine interspersed with the....

COSTAS: It's a little gentrified.

OBAMA: (Laughing) It's gentrified.

Costas is funny, not correcting Obama but making a point to say COMISKEY PARK. It seems Costas doesn't want to be criticized for giving Obama a complete pass on the screw-up by accepting Obama's new name for the "old field." Costas looks like he's thinking, "YouTube, YouTube, YouTube...."

Spitz to Phelps: "The Best Olympian of All Time"

Oh my God!

It couldn't have been any closer than it was.

I thought Phelps' golden streak at Beijing had ended.

I'm so glad I was wrong. Phelps won gold by less than a heartbeat.

BEIJING -- Move over Mark Spitz.

Michael Phelps won his seventh gold medal of the Beijing Olympics on Saturday, edging Milorad Cavic by a fingernail, .01 of second in the 100m butterfly on Saturday at the Water Cube.

Phelps, who was seventh out of eight swimmers at the first wall but made up ground with his turn, still looked to be behind Cavic in the final meters but got to the wall first in 50.58 to Cavic's 50.59.

Spitz won his seven gold medals at the 1972 Munich Games. Phelps will try to beat the record in the 4x100m medley relay Sunday in the final day of swimming in Beijing.

...Phelps said tying Spitz has been a longtime goal.

"In my dreams I always wanted it," he said. "I thought in the perfect circumstances I could do it."

Spitz marveled at the way Phelps has dealt with all the media attention and pre-Beijing hype since Phelps won six golds in Athens.

"I've always marveled at the fact that in the last four years, he has had to live with a lot more expectations and anxiety that I had to deal with," Spitz said.

It was closer than a photo finish.

History by a hundredth of a second.

After the race, Bob Costas interviewed Michael Phelps and the Munich Games' 7-time gold medalist Mark Spitz. With Costas in the NBC Beijing studio, Michael Phelps was at the Water Cube, and Mark Spitz was speaking via satellite from Detroit.

It was quite a moment to witness Spitz in the U.S. talking to Phelps in China shortly after he tied Spitz's record for gold medals won at a single Olympics.

After Costas asked Phelps a few questions, he turned to Spitz for his comments.

Spitz was more than gracious to Phelps. He drenched him with praise.

SPITZ: You know, Bob and Michael, I wondered what I was going to say at this monumental time, when it would happen and who I would say it to. And of course, I thought I was going to say it to you for some time now; but the word comes to mind: Epic.

What you did tonight was epic and it was epic for the whole world to see how great you really are.

I never thought for one moment that you were out of that race and contention because I've watched you in Athens win the race by similar margins, and 18 months ago at the Worlds by similar margins, and, you know, that is a tribute to your greatness.

Now the whole world knows. We're so proud of you here, Michael, in America. And we're so proud of you and the way you've handled yourself. And you represent such an inspiration to all the youngsters around the world.

You know, you weren't born when I did what I did. And I'm sure that I was a part of your inspiration, and I take that as a full compliment.

They say that you judge one's character by the company you keep and I'm happy to keep company with you.

You have a tremendous responsibility for all those people that you're going to inspire over the next number of years. And I know that you'll wear the crown well. Congratulations, Michael.

PHELPS: Thank you, Mark.

COSTAS: What do those words mean to you, Michael? Heartfelt words from Mark Spitz.

PHELPS: You know, for so many years, you know, everyone dreams about becoming an Olympian. And, you know, from the past, people who competed in the Olympic Games and, you know, you're an Olympian for life just like they are.
There have been so many greats that have come before me. And what Mark did is still amazing. You know, it's incredible. It's a very, very hard thing to accomplish. You know, I think it shows, you know, whatever you put your mind to you really can accomplish.

When Mark won seven, he put his mind to something and he did everything he could to get there and it's the same thing with me. I've tried to stay as positive as I could, and stay rested and recover. There's so much that goes into it. But I've tried to stay positive and dream big. You know, it's gotten me here, so I'm very, very thankful.

Costas asked Spitz two questions:

A. Is Michael the greatest swimmer of all time?

B. Can he be called the greatest Olympian of all time?

SPITZ: I would say that it's hard to compare somebody from one era to the next and one sport to the next. But one thing that we definitely all have is this common thread of knowing how to win against our competitors and always maintain ourself in top form. And Michael has been very successful at doing that. I mean, in one way I think that what Michael did was more difficult than what I had done because the swim teams now are a lot more diversified and it's harder for the Americans to win the relays...

I think that he can be called, Michael, the best Olympian of all time, more so, not because of the fact he's got more gold medals than anybody, but in the way he's handled himself and in the way he's actually won under tremendous amount of pressure...

Phelps still seemed to be in a daze. He didn't seem to grasp the weight of Spitz's words. Maybe Phelps was still in shock about the margin of his victory.

In any event, Spitz showed a lot of class.

If Phelps can win his 8th gold medal of the Beijing Olympics in the 4x100m medley relay, Spitz seems prepared to give up his 36-year-old record.