Category Archives: Olympics

Morning News Report; Feb. 22, 2010

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Before I start the MNR, a note: I will have a UWDOB wrap-up, with a picture of the student section champions.

FACING FORECLOSURE, MAN BULLDOZES HOME

An Ohio man who was on the verge of having his $350,000 home foreclosed, bulldozed it instead.

My take: I’m not the smartest money person in the world (as my credit report will attest), but this isn’t the smartest thing in the world to do, either. Still, a VERY interesting read (and a great multimedia package of video and still pictures, too) and it makes me wonder: will this cause more people to do the same thing?

TIGER WOODS: THE APOLOGY

Tiger Woods issued his scripted apology to his wife, his children, his sponsors and to the rest of the world on Friday.

ESPN’s Bill Simmons has a pretty awesome breakdown of the 13-minute speech here.

My take: I’m not going to spend a lot of time here on this, because there are about 1,000 opinions out there on the ‘net  — and I’ve read about 500 of them in the past three days.

Call me a sucker, but I felt like he was really sincere. He didn’t have to do what he did, baring his soul in front of the unwashed masses, so that took some guts.

But if he thinks this is over, he is WAY wrong. Friday was a good start, but until he’s back in front of the public eye every week winning tournaments, the media is still going to feed on this.

Simmons had the best point, though: Tiger should’ve used this in his opening (this is part of the above link):

I would have played the “I became a celebrity too soon, I had too many people kissing my butt too soon, I had everything handed to me, I began to think I was invincible and that my behavior had no consequences” card right here. Hell, I even would have compared myself to a child actor or a musician who becomes too famous too young.  

Awesome — and something I didn’t hear any other commentators make. THAT’S why Bill Simmons is one of the best in the business.

U.S. HOCKEY TEAM UPSETS CANADA

The United States hockey team downed Canada, 5-3, in an Olympic prelim last night.

My take: First, a confession — I didn’t tune over to the game until the Americans were skating off the ice with the victory. As you guys know, the HB is a Dook fanatic and wouldn’t let me touch the remote control. Sigh.

Still, a very good win for the Americans, who take a top seed into the next round.

The iPod shuffle

Paradise City — Guns N’ Roses

Don’t Stand So Close To Me ’86 — The Police

Everytime — Britney Spears

Vasoline — Stone Temple Pilots

Wicked Garden — Stone Temple Pilots

P.S.: UNC is 2-11 in its last 13 games; those two wins are against N.C. State. Just sayin’ …

Morning News Report; Oct. 2, 2009

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LETTERMAN REVEALS EXTORTION SCHEME

“The Late Show With David Letterman” took a different turn last night when the host told his audience about an extortion attempt made against him three weeks ago.

Letterman — who admitted to affairs with some of his co-workers — said a man tried to extort $2 million from him to keep the would-be extortionist quiet. Letterman went to the cops and the man was arrested.

My take: Wow, what a story! At least they caught the guy.

And I knew I didn’t like Letterman for more than just the fact that he’s not funny…

HALF OF TODAY’S BABIES MAY LIVE TO BE 100

Thanks to advances in modern medicine, more than 50 percent of today’s babies could live to be 100 years old.

My take: But do you really want to live that long?

2016 OLYMPICS HOST SELECTED TODAY

With President Obama and the first lady, along with Oprah, pitching hard for the 2016 Summer Olympics to be in Chicago, today is D-Day: the International Olympics Committee decides whether it will be the Windy City, Madrid, Rio de Janeiro or Tokyo.

My take: I think it’s Chicago, although Rio could be the upset winner. 

The iPod shuffle

In honor of U2 rocking out with their socks out in Raleigh tomorrow night, here are my top 10 favorite songs by the best rock band to ever grace this planet (in alphabetical order and with album in parentheses):

All I Want Is You (Rattle and Hum)

Beautiful Day (All That You Can’t Leave Behind)

City Of Blinding Lights (How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb)

Elevation (All That You Can’t Leave Behind)

The Fly (Achtung Baby)

The Hands That Built America (“Gangs of New York” soundtrack)

Heartland (Rattle and Hum)

Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me (“Batman Forever” soundtrack)

Kite (All That You Can’t Leave Behind)

One (Achtung Baby)

Sunday Bloody Sunday (War)

Until The End Of The World (Achtung Baby)

With Or Without You (The Joshua Tree)

Morning Sports Report; Oct. 1, 2009

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VICK DOES NOT HAVE AN ENDORSEMENT CONTRACT WITH NIKE

Contrary to a slew of reports that came out late yesterday, Nike has confirmed that it is not signing an endorsement contract with Michael Vick.

My take: Good! There is no bigger Nike whore than me, but this situation had me re-accessing my allegiance to the swoosh. Even our good friend Randy Capps had blogged his disapproval (although it’s been updated).

But good for Nike; I’m not saying it’s the most ethical organization, but it knew this would be suicide to align itself with Vick.

CHICAGO FAVORED FOR 2016 OLYMPICS

The International Olympic Committee will decide Friday which city — Chicago, Rio de Janeiro, Madrid or Tokyo — will host the 2016 Summer Olympics. British bookmakers have Chicago as the favorite, followed by Rio.

My take: I had the pleasure of attending several events at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta and would love the chance to see the Games in Chicago.

And with President Obama and Oprah being in Copenhagen for the vote tomorrow, how can’t the IOC select Chicago?

KIMBO SLICE GETS BEAT … AGAIN

Mixed martial arts “star” Kimbo Slice was beat by my twin, Roy Nelson, last night.

My take: I’m yet to get on the MMA bandwagon, but has Kimbo won a single bout in his career? I know he was an Internet “sensation”, but it seems every fight he’s been in, he loses.

Morning news report, Hanks for the memories edition; May 18, 2009

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Alright folks, Bryan Hanks is out of the country for a week, and he’s asked us to keep his blog updated. I (Jon Dawson), personally think he’s at home, curled up on the couch, watching a Facts of Life marathon, but I’ll play along.

Gov. Bev Perdue visits Kinston today.

Michael Phelps returns

Michael Phelps gets smoked in Charlotte, losing to Frenchman Fred Bousquet. According to the story, Phelps won 2 of 5 events that he competed in, but apparently weed and strippers has slowed him down from his 2008 Olympics peak.

“Angels and Demons” tops the box office

The new Ron Howard flick, “Angels and Demons”, topped the box office last week with $48 million.

My take: The last Tom Hanks movie I saw was “Forest Gump”, so I don’t know if this new film is any good or not. The only chance I’ll have of seeing it is when it’s cut down for network TV after its run on cable.

Dungy says Michael Vick wants second chance.

I know virtually nothing about pro sports, but I’m thinking it’s going to be hard for Michael Vick to play in the NFL again. On the other hand, if they start banning players for being jerks, half of the league may disappear overnight.

Also, remember the rumors of Vick possibly doing public service announcements for PETA?

Now I’m off to compile the Eye Candy of the Day. Wish me luck.

Jon

Morning News Report; Feb. 6, 2009

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SENATE ON THRESHOLD OF VOTING FOR STIMULUS PACKAGE

The U.S. Senate quit working on President Obama’s $900 billion stimulus package last night, but are back at work this morning on it. According to this CNN report, Obama and his team realize they are three votes short of the 60 they need in the Senate for it to pass, so they’re trying to trim $100 billion from it.

My take: I’ll be interested to see how the voting goes when it happens today. Obama is already firing up House Democrats in an attempt to get it through there; it appears his biggest hurdle is in the Senate.

Flagan, break this down for us.

(Also — glad to see you back, dude!)

USA SWIMMING SUSPENDS PHELPS FOR THREE MONTHS

After viewing a picture of Olympian Michael Phelps surfaced of him inhaling from a marijuana bong, USA Swimming decided to suspend Phelps for three months. That means Phelps can’t use USA Swimming facilities and that he loses his training stipend, which totals $5,250 in the three months he’ll be suspended.

Although he makes millions of dollars in endorsements, he will not be sponsored by Kellogg’s when his contract with the corporation expires at the end of the month because of this incident.

My take: How do you go from the top of the world to becoming a footnote in sports history? By letting someone take a picture of you hitting a bong.

Stupid, just stupid.

ETTA JAMES: MAD AT OBAMA, NOT SO MUCH AT BEYONCE

Here we go again with reversals — Etta James, who a day earlier said she wanted to kick Beyonce’s bootie, said she was just joking about that. However, she’s still miffed about not being asked to perform at President Obama’s inauguration.

My take: She might not have meant it, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t funny. Ms. James, like Mr. Phelps in the story above this one, needs to realize that we are in an information age in which things circle the globe in a very, very quick fashion.

The iPod shuffle

Original Of The Species — U2

Gotta Serve Somebody — Bob Dylan

I Want To Take You Higher — Ike & Tina Turner

E.I. — Nelly

Don’t Let Me Down — The Beatles

Morning News Report; Feb. 2, 2009

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GROUNDHOG DAY: 6 MORE WEEKS OF WINTER

Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow this morning, meaning there will be six more weeks of winter.

My take: Doggone it. I was hoping it’d be time to put the top down on the old girl.

By the way: one of my favorite movies of all time…

IOC FORGIVES PHELPS AFTER BONG PICS HIT THE NET

The International Olympic Committee has forgiven U.S. Olympic swimming superstar Michael Phelps after photos of the swimmer hitting a bong surfaced on the Internet.

My take: This is the second such charge for Phelps; the 23-year-old also had a DWI charge four years ago. Hope this isn’t something that ends up taking him down.

Ironically, the picture of Phelps hitting the pipe was taken at the University of South Carolina. They do that down there?

LIP-SYNC ALERT: JENNIFER HUDSON AND FAITH HILL

Yet another lip-syncing took place at a public event — Jennifer Hudson, of American Idol fame, faked the National Anthem at last night’s Super Bowl, while country music legend Faith Hill did the same with “America The Beautiful”.

However, the Boss — Bruce Springsteen — did his 12-minute set live.

My take: You know, it’s not that big of a deal to me other than I just wish they’d admit it before the performance (remember the inauguration?).

On a more serious note, though, serious props to Ms. Hudson on her first appearance since three members of her family were murdered. It took a lot of moxie to get up in front of 100 million people, whether she was really singing it at the time or not.

PANTHERS’ OWNER GETS A NEW HEART

Carolina Panthers’ owner Jerry Richardson received a heart transplant Sunday in Charlotte.

My take: Good luck to Mr. Richardson. I’ve had the opportunity to interview/talk with him a few times and he’s a consummate gentleman. Here’s hoping everything goes well for him.

The iPod shuffle

Together Again — Janet Jackson

I Still Believe — Mariah Carey

Drive — REM

Big Girls Don’t Cry — Fergie

Train, Train — Blackfoot

Morning News Report; Aug. 25, 2008

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OBAMA CHOOSES BIDEN

This isn’t exactly news, since it happened late Friday night, but Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama finally made his decision for his vice president — six-term Delaware Senator Joseph Biden. Also, the Democratic National Convention begins today in Denver.

My take: Instead of going into why I think this was a mistake for Obama here, I’ll send you here or here to read my Sunday column (the first is at Kinston.com, the other is at ENCToday.com). I guess you have to give Obama credit for one thing — he is either going to win or lose doing it his way. He could’ve had the “dream team”, but chose to go his own way. Good (or bad?) for him.

By the way, I love some of the comments in both places my column was placed. Can’t wait to see yours.

USA WINS GOLD IN MEN’S BASKETBALL

The United States “Redeem Team” lived up to its moniker and defeated Spain to win the gold medal in men’s basketball at the Olympics Sunday.

My take: The game started at 2:30 a.m. Sunday, but I stayed up to watch it. I’m not saying I watched every minute, as I dozed off a couple of times, but I saw the final 8 minutes of the game.

It was a very well-played game by both teams. A couple of things stand out to me:

  • It’s amazing how dependent the European teams are on the jump shot, particularly the 3-point shot. I haven’t seen a box score of the game, but it blows my mind how every European player — regardless of height — isn’t afraid to shoot.
  • The American players seemed genuinely excited to win the gold. I hope I’m not being too cynical here, but I wonder if they were as sincere as they were trying to come across. It was refreshing, though, to see Kobe, LeBron and Carmelo acting like kids.
  • My favorite moment? When Kobe scuffed up Krzyzewski’s hair by squirting water on his head; Did you notice how Coach K spent the next 5 minutes trying to fix his hair? Every time a camera panned over to the bench, K was freaking out, trying to get his hair back into its position

IT’S GOING TO BE COLD THIS WINTER

The Farmer’s Almanac has predicted that the winter of 2008-09 is going to be a cold one.

My take: Good. Being a Western North Carolina guy, I wouldn’t mind a little snow this winter; when is the last time we had a legitimate snow storm?

The iPod shuffle

What Have I Done To Deserve This? — Pet Shop Boys

The Waiting — Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers

What’s Going On — Marvin Gaye

Hey Nineteen — Steely Dan

A Day Without Me — U2

Morning News Report; Aug. 22, 2008

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FIRE CAUSED WORLD TRADE CENTER 7 TO COLLAPSE

Conspiracy theorists take note: Investigators have determined that fireballs from the collapse of the World Trade Center North building caused WTC7 to collapse. Theorists had opined that bombs had been set at WTC7.

My take: This won’t shut the conspiracy geeks up, but it sounds like it makes sense to me.

I’ve never understood how someone could think America could/would kill thousands of their own people in an act like this, so that’s my biggest problem with the conspiracy theorists.

CATFIGHT! CATFIGHT!

Oh, to be Tony Romo. You’ve got Jessica Simpson on your arm and now you have Carrie Underwood claiming you’re calling her. What a tough life.

My take: You know, I hate the Cowboys anyway. This just makes the hatred burn a little hotter.

Speaking of a little hotter, how about some Friday eye candy (Jessica vs. Carrie):

082208-simpson.jpg

082208-underwood.jpg 

Doesn’t that make your Friday just a little bit better?

U.S. HUMILIATED BY CUBA, 10-2

The Americans won’t win the gold medal in its national pastime again as they lost 10-2 to the blasted Cubans this morning.

My take: This I don’t understand — we have a nation of 300 million people (maybe more?) and we can’t beat an island nation that has a few million on it — IN OUR SPORT? Come on, baseball people, explain this one to me.

The iPod shuffle

Dancing In The Dark — Bruce Springsteen

She’s Crafty — Beastie Boys

If I Should Die — Jay-Z

Red Rain — Peter Gabriel

Cherish — Madonna

P.S. — Don’t forget to get your football picks in! They’re due by 7:30 p.m. today.

Morning News Report; Aug. 19, 2008

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OBAMA RETURNS TO TAR HEEL STATE TODAY

Presumptive Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama comes back to North Carolina for the 10th time in his campaign today. He is scheduled to speak in Raleigh at 6:30 p.m. 

Additionally, Obama is said to have already selected his vice-presidential candidate – and could announce the pick as early as tomorrow. The above report states that it will likely be Sen. Evan Bayh of Indiana, Gov. Tim Kaine of Virginia or Sen. Joseph Biden of Delaware. N.Y. Sen. Hillary Clinton appears to be out of the running.

My take: Obama really thinks he can win North Carolina, a state that has gone the way of the Republican presidential candidate every year since 1976. The polls seem to back it up, too; in the Rocky Mount story above, Obama is only 4 percentage points behind McCain in N.C. — a virtual tie.

SHOULD DRINKING AGE BE LOWERED TO 18?

More than 100 college and university presidents think so. They’ve signed a petition asking that the drinking age be dropped from 21 to 18.

My take: And why shouldn’t it be? We send soldiers to fight — and possibly die! — for our country at 18, but they can’t legally drink for three more years? This is long, long overdue and I hope it’s something that happens soon.

BEANBALLS MAR U.S. OLYMPIC BASEBALL VICTORY

Baseball isn’t doing itself any favors in trying to come back as an Olympic sport in 2016 following Monday’s 9-1 USA victory over China. The game featured three ejections, two home-plate collisions and one intentional beaning (including seven hit batsmen).

My take: The game won’t be an Olympic sport in 2012 for reasons beyond my comprehension, but Monday’s game won’t help its’ cause. I didn’t see the game, so I can’t really give good analysis here, but it sounds like it got out of hand. Anyone see it?

The iPod shuffle

Carolina In My Mind — James Taylor

Somewhere In The Night — Barry Manilow

Country Grammar — Nelly

Compton’s In The House — NWA

Yer So Bad — Tom Petty