Since 1985, in various formats, SLANT -- an independent voice based in the heart of Richmond, Virginia -- has offered its readers original commentary on politics and popular culture. Warning: Occasionally, that means wiseass cartoons and satirical content. Naturally, all rights are reserved.
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Saturday, March 10, 2007
VCU's Roland on CBS tomorrow
This March Madness item just came in from Phil Stanton, VCU Director of Athletic Communications:
"Senior center Calvin Roland will be featured on 'The Road to the Final Four' on CBS on Sunday, March 11, at 12 p.m."
Roland, who came off the bench to score 12 points in the Rams victory over George Mason to win the CAA’s tournament championship, was named to the conference’s all-academic team for his accomplishments in the classroom.
"Senior center Calvin Roland will be featured on 'The Road to the Final Four' on CBS on Sunday, March 11, at 12 p.m."
Roland, who came off the bench to score 12 points in the Rams victory over George Mason to win the CAA’s tournament championship, was named to the conference’s all-academic team for his accomplishments in the classroom.
Richmond bloggers meeting report
On what was a beautiful afternoon in the Fan District the Richmond bloggers’ meeting at the Baja Bean went quite well. About half of those who showed up to talk and listen were folks who publish blogs that are generally seen as at least somewhat political, the other half fell into a category that might be called other-than-political -- meaning blogs about community, food, girls, or whatever.
The discussion ranged from what we all have in common to what to do next. The spirit of the meeting was informal and collegial. It was decided that the group will meet again next month, to continue discussing what undertakings we might pursue together. Unanimous agreement was reached over the importance of having inexpensive beer available at the next meeting, too, unless we can figure a way to make it free.
The group seemed happy to entertain the notion that we could ban together to perform a community service, the nature of which will be determined down the road. The possibility of staging a full-fledged blog convention, with workshops and speakers, seemed to have some traction, but no firm decisions were made on that front.
Out of this meeting. we can expect to see a new eclectic Richmond Blog Carnival appearing on the horizon of the blogosphere, which Jason Kenney, of J’s Notes, will be telling us more about in the near future. The group apparently liked the idea that it would focus on quality posts, and seek out original material, rather than be centered around politics or any other limited category.
Among the other blogs that were represented were: Awkward Things I Say To Girls, Church Hill People’s News, River City Food and Wine, River City Rapids, RVA blogs, Save Richmond, The Shambling Darkness Project, Sisyphus, SLANTblog, West of Shockoe and West of the Boulevard News.
Mark Holmberg (formerly of the Richmond Times-Dispatch) showed up with his notepad and a camera man to cover the event for WTVR Channel 6.
At this point the ad hoc group of local bloggers has not named itself, nor has it elected officers. But something new is underway in Richmond. So far ... so good. We’ll see what happens next.
The discussion ranged from what we all have in common to what to do next. The spirit of the meeting was informal and collegial. It was decided that the group will meet again next month, to continue discussing what undertakings we might pursue together. Unanimous agreement was reached over the importance of having inexpensive beer available at the next meeting, too, unless we can figure a way to make it free.
The group seemed happy to entertain the notion that we could ban together to perform a community service, the nature of which will be determined down the road. The possibility of staging a full-fledged blog convention, with workshops and speakers, seemed to have some traction, but no firm decisions were made on that front.
Out of this meeting. we can expect to see a new eclectic Richmond Blog Carnival appearing on the horizon of the blogosphere, which Jason Kenney, of J’s Notes, will be telling us more about in the near future. The group apparently liked the idea that it would focus on quality posts, and seek out original material, rather than be centered around politics or any other limited category.
Among the other blogs that were represented were: Awkward Things I Say To Girls, Church Hill People’s News, River City Food and Wine, River City Rapids, RVA blogs, Save Richmond, The Shambling Darkness Project, Sisyphus, SLANTblog, West of Shockoe and West of the Boulevard News.
Mark Holmberg (formerly of the Richmond Times-Dispatch) showed up with his notepad and a camera man to cover the event for WTVR Channel 6.
At this point the ad hoc group of local bloggers has not named itself, nor has it elected officers. But something new is underway in Richmond. So far ... so good. We’ll see what happens next.
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Richmond bloggers to converge on the Bean
As previously mentioned here at SLANTblog, on Saturday, March 10, there will be an informal meeting at the Baja Bean to discuss putting together what would amount to a local blog convention, or “summit,” if you prefer that term. The gathering is open to all, but the point of it is for local bloggers to meet one another and air out their ideas on that topic.
Hopefully, we will leave the restaurant with a better sense of what we bloggers have in common, and what the agenda and format of a Richmond bloggers’ convention ought to be. If we’re lucky we’ll have formed a consensus on some matters. And, we should have a better idea who would be willing to give some of their time to the project.
As we all know, there are many motivations to blog. Some bloggers focus on politics and current events, others on their family pets. Some blogs are about art, or a hobby, others are about a neighborhood. Still others cover a variety of topics. What they all have in common is the desire on the part of the blogger to document some aspect of what they care about.
Accordingly, I see no reason for any Richmond blogger to feel unwelcome at this meeting. Please know, this call for a bloggers meeting hasn’t been made by corporate interests, or any existing group. No sticky name tags will be handed out, so if you want to wear one, make your own.
The Baja Bean is located at 1520 W. Main St. (across the street from Main Art), in Richmond’s Fan District. The meeting is set to begin at 1 p.m. and last until approximately 4 p.m., or as long as the spirit is willing. By the way, cold beer will be on sale at Happy Hour prices.
Update: The Bean has a WiFi system on the premises. So for anyone who wants to bring a laptop and blog the bloggers meeting, the opportunity is there. And, yes, in case anybody is wondering, elements of the working press will be covering the event.
Hopefully, we will leave the restaurant with a better sense of what we bloggers have in common, and what the agenda and format of a Richmond bloggers’ convention ought to be. If we’re lucky we’ll have formed a consensus on some matters. And, we should have a better idea who would be willing to give some of their time to the project.
As we all know, there are many motivations to blog. Some bloggers focus on politics and current events, others on their family pets. Some blogs are about art, or a hobby, others are about a neighborhood. Still others cover a variety of topics. What they all have in common is the desire on the part of the blogger to document some aspect of what they care about.
Accordingly, I see no reason for any Richmond blogger to feel unwelcome at this meeting. Please know, this call for a bloggers meeting hasn’t been made by corporate interests, or any existing group. No sticky name tags will be handed out, so if you want to wear one, make your own.
The Baja Bean is located at 1520 W. Main St. (across the street from Main Art), in Richmond’s Fan District. The meeting is set to begin at 1 p.m. and last until approximately 4 p.m., or as long as the spirit is willing. By the way, cold beer will be on sale at Happy Hour prices.
Update: The Bean has a WiFi system on the premises. So for anyone who wants to bring a laptop and blog the bloggers meeting, the opportunity is there. And, yes, in case anybody is wondering, elements of the working press will be covering the event.
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
The VBC ... unfiltered
The history of the Virginia Blog Carnival is something this scribbler doesn’t really know much about. It popped up on my radar about a year ago, maybe a little bit longer than that.
Originally, it struck me as a thing designed by, and for, a clique of young well-intentioned bloggers who wanted to promote their efforts and build an Internet community. The participants seemed to know one another, personally, and I saw it as something for them. Northern Virginia appeared to be the epicenter of it, but I was just guessing.
Significantly, what the VBC didn’t strike me as was being much about encouraging excellence in the craft of writing. Yet, as I remember it then, the VBC wasn’t focused only on politics, and it didn’t seem to have a radioactive partisan tilt.
You see, dear reader, being older than most political bloggers, I’m not into hanging out at the campaign parties, or trying to be a political insider. Nor do I see establishing an acronym that other bloggers will use to refer to my blog as a sign of success. I’m the quintessential starving artist/writer, a time refugee from when that was supposed to be cool.
For me, blogging was a way for me to keep writing and reach new readers, even when I couldn’t sell my work. (As it’s turned out, I spend too much time with it.) It was also a way to keep in touch with a Richmond audience built by previous publishing endeavors, which I won’t slow up now to detail.
In the last couple of years I’ve become somewhat more aware of the computer geek etiquette of the blogosphere, something I have come late to. Some of what comes under that heading I try to adhere to, some of it is too silly or twisted for me to care about. For instance, the conformist notion that bloggers should always be part of promoting other blogs, with obligatory linking, etc. -- all for some greater magnificence of the blogosphere -- flies in the face of what I know about freedom of choice.
Hey, if I ever posted one of those sideways smiley faces, at the end of a sentence of mine meant to be funny, my daughter would never let me forget it. So, I won’t. The vernacular and symbols of chat-rooms are not part of my repertoire. To those of you who know printing, I still paste-up flats for print jobs.
However, out of the blue, last summer I was invited to sit on the Blogging and Journalism panel at the Sorensen Blog Summit. Even though I chuckled at the use of the word “summit” to label a convention of self-publishers, nonetheless, I was flattered to be asked. Out of curiosity, I decided to do it, even though I suspected there was a good chance I’d feel sort of out of place.
As it happened, my fears weren’t justified and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. From it I took a fresh sense of being a part of something that was going to be important -- a modern breed of pamphleteers. The idealism and collegial spirit of the confab impressed me.
Since then I have taken more interest in the so-called “blogosphere.” I’ve even taken to writing about it, which I rarely used to do ... perhaps some of my readers wish I’d go back to not writing about it so much.
Back to the carnival: For whatever reason, over the last few months, from what I’ve seen it has drifted toward being all political, and rightwing for the most part. But I am not saying that was part of any sort of conspiracy. I agree with the recently expressed thought that in Virginia, for whatever reason, lefties have turned away from the carnival concept.
However, in the last year, occasionally, one of the rotating VBC hosts went beyond what had been submitted and displayed a link to a post at SLANTblog. Again, I felt glad to be picked, but that didn’t make me want to get into being involved, or host the carnival, etc. Putting a link to the VBC on SLANTblog’s blogroll didn’t occur to me until I wrote these words.
Why?
To me, the concept was always about promoting blogs and getting hits. I’m not saying that’s evil, I’m just saying that doesn’t interest me. The VBC certainly has not about promoting the best writing of the blogosphere. Or being creative.
Please know, I’m not at all against the Virginia Blog Carnival. I know some of those who’ve worked on it have tried much harder than others to make it an institution which commands respect. But unless the Virginia Blog Carnival changes its way of operating, I think it will fade into obscurity, to be replace by aggregators and other ways of gathering posts from various sources.
Perhaps the carnival concept is on its way out, no matter what is done to make it more interesting to readers beyond those who have their posts listed on it. Things like that happen fast these days, or so I’m told.
If I wanted to establish a new Virginia blog-driven carnival, or a Richmond carnival, or whatever, I certainly would make sure the material presented was not limited to those who submit something. Part of the job, as an editor/talent scout, would be to seek out the unusual and the excellent.
Nor would I focus on politics, only. Instead, it would focus on quality and present the best stuff that could be found, however it’s found. There ought to be a theme for each separate edition, too.
Such are my thoughts on this matter. Either do it right, or don’t do it.
Since there have been so many angry words slung around the Virginia blogosphere in the last week on this hot topic, and my own rather bland comments were grabbed and used to inflame some of those who seem to enjoy staying perpetually inflamed, I wanted to go on record -- Terry Rea is not the VBC’s enemy.
Nothing I have written here is meant to put anyone down. Likewise, I hope those who disagree with anything I’ve said won’t take offense, none is intended. Your comments are welcome. I don’t claim to have any more insight into these matters than the next guy. What you’ve just read is my opinion, and mine alone.
Unfiltered.
Like Elvis Costello says -- “My aim is true.”
Originally, it struck me as a thing designed by, and for, a clique of young well-intentioned bloggers who wanted to promote their efforts and build an Internet community. The participants seemed to know one another, personally, and I saw it as something for them. Northern Virginia appeared to be the epicenter of it, but I was just guessing.
Significantly, what the VBC didn’t strike me as was being much about encouraging excellence in the craft of writing. Yet, as I remember it then, the VBC wasn’t focused only on politics, and it didn’t seem to have a radioactive partisan tilt.
You see, dear reader, being older than most political bloggers, I’m not into hanging out at the campaign parties, or trying to be a political insider. Nor do I see establishing an acronym that other bloggers will use to refer to my blog as a sign of success. I’m the quintessential starving artist/writer, a time refugee from when that was supposed to be cool.
For me, blogging was a way for me to keep writing and reach new readers, even when I couldn’t sell my work. (As it’s turned out, I spend too much time with it.) It was also a way to keep in touch with a Richmond audience built by previous publishing endeavors, which I won’t slow up now to detail.
In the last couple of years I’ve become somewhat more aware of the computer geek etiquette of the blogosphere, something I have come late to. Some of what comes under that heading I try to adhere to, some of it is too silly or twisted for me to care about. For instance, the conformist notion that bloggers should always be part of promoting other blogs, with obligatory linking, etc. -- all for some greater magnificence of the blogosphere -- flies in the face of what I know about freedom of choice.
Hey, if I ever posted one of those sideways smiley faces, at the end of a sentence of mine meant to be funny, my daughter would never let me forget it. So, I won’t. The vernacular and symbols of chat-rooms are not part of my repertoire. To those of you who know printing, I still paste-up flats for print jobs.
However, out of the blue, last summer I was invited to sit on the Blogging and Journalism panel at the Sorensen Blog Summit. Even though I chuckled at the use of the word “summit” to label a convention of self-publishers, nonetheless, I was flattered to be asked. Out of curiosity, I decided to do it, even though I suspected there was a good chance I’d feel sort of out of place.
As it happened, my fears weren’t justified and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. From it I took a fresh sense of being a part of something that was going to be important -- a modern breed of pamphleteers. The idealism and collegial spirit of the confab impressed me.
Since then I have taken more interest in the so-called “blogosphere.” I’ve even taken to writing about it, which I rarely used to do ... perhaps some of my readers wish I’d go back to not writing about it so much.
Back to the carnival: For whatever reason, over the last few months, from what I’ve seen it has drifted toward being all political, and rightwing for the most part. But I am not saying that was part of any sort of conspiracy. I agree with the recently expressed thought that in Virginia, for whatever reason, lefties have turned away from the carnival concept.
However, in the last year, occasionally, one of the rotating VBC hosts went beyond what had been submitted and displayed a link to a post at SLANTblog. Again, I felt glad to be picked, but that didn’t make me want to get into being involved, or host the carnival, etc. Putting a link to the VBC on SLANTblog’s blogroll didn’t occur to me until I wrote these words.
Why?
To me, the concept was always about promoting blogs and getting hits. I’m not saying that’s evil, I’m just saying that doesn’t interest me. The VBC certainly has not about promoting the best writing of the blogosphere. Or being creative.
Please know, I’m not at all against the Virginia Blog Carnival. I know some of those who’ve worked on it have tried much harder than others to make it an institution which commands respect. But unless the Virginia Blog Carnival changes its way of operating, I think it will fade into obscurity, to be replace by aggregators and other ways of gathering posts from various sources.
Perhaps the carnival concept is on its way out, no matter what is done to make it more interesting to readers beyond those who have their posts listed on it. Things like that happen fast these days, or so I’m told.
If I wanted to establish a new Virginia blog-driven carnival, or a Richmond carnival, or whatever, I certainly would make sure the material presented was not limited to those who submit something. Part of the job, as an editor/talent scout, would be to seek out the unusual and the excellent.
Nor would I focus on politics, only. Instead, it would focus on quality and present the best stuff that could be found, however it’s found. There ought to be a theme for each separate edition, too.
Such are my thoughts on this matter. Either do it right, or don’t do it.
Since there have been so many angry words slung around the Virginia blogosphere in the last week on this hot topic, and my own rather bland comments were grabbed and used to inflame some of those who seem to enjoy staying perpetually inflamed, I wanted to go on record -- Terry Rea is not the VBC’s enemy.
Nothing I have written here is meant to put anyone down. Likewise, I hope those who disagree with anything I’ve said won’t take offense, none is intended. Your comments are welcome. I don’t claim to have any more insight into these matters than the next guy. What you’ve just read is my opinion, and mine alone.
Unfiltered.
Like Elvis Costello says -- “My aim is true.”
-- 30 --
The Veep reacts to the verdict
The Veep reacts to the verdict: Pardon me ...Scooter might kid around, sometimes, but we don’t call that lying. That’s just patriotic levity.
Disclaimer: Please don't take the caption seriously, it's just a cartoon. Art by F.T. Rea.
Click here to find out how to get the image above on a T-shirt.
Click here to find out how to get the image above on a T-shirt.
Wheels and words, ride together
No doubt, traveling is broadening, whether one moves across the landscape literally, or within the mind, via literature. So, why not cobble the two concepts together by pushing wheels and words, bikes and books?
At least that’s how bicycle aficionado Shelley Briggs, and bookstore owner Ward Tefft apparently see it, according to a story -- “Mo’Books Mo’Bikes bus touts reading and riding” -- penned by Lindsay Kastner for the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
Tired of news about violence? Tired of reading about official malfeasance and celebrity shenanigans? Here’s a good news story about two gentle Richmonders who aren’t waiting for somebody else to put things right.
“...Meanwhile, Briggs was looking for a way to take her bicycle philanthropy on the road. She decided to buy an old school bus, stock it with bikes and bike parts and drive around town, dispensing free repairs -- and the occasional complete ride.
“Tefft got on board and the Mo'Books Mo'Bikes Mobile was born.
“‘Both books and bikes are really liberating as far as education and transportation,’ Briggs said.
“What’s more, distributing them out of an old bus is a lot cheaper than paying rent on another store.”
Click here to read the whole story.
At least that’s how bicycle aficionado Shelley Briggs, and bookstore owner Ward Tefft apparently see it, according to a story -- “Mo’Books Mo’Bikes bus touts reading and riding” -- penned by Lindsay Kastner for the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
Tired of news about violence? Tired of reading about official malfeasance and celebrity shenanigans? Here’s a good news story about two gentle Richmonders who aren’t waiting for somebody else to put things right.
“...Meanwhile, Briggs was looking for a way to take her bicycle philanthropy on the road. She decided to buy an old school bus, stock it with bikes and bike parts and drive around town, dispensing free repairs -- and the occasional complete ride.
“Tefft got on board and the Mo'Books Mo'Bikes Mobile was born.
“‘Both books and bikes are really liberating as far as education and transportation,’ Briggs said.
“What’s more, distributing them out of an old bus is a lot cheaper than paying rent on another store.”
Click here to read the whole story.
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Thanks to Ann Coulter's fans
Ann Coulter doesn’t bother me much. Neither does Rush Limbaugh. I consider them both to be entertainers. To me, they are rightwing comedians, so I laugh when one of them says something funny, which doesn’t seem all that often. But to their most avid fans, they are modern Dorothy Parkers and William F. Buckleys, brilliant and witty wordsmiths.
Well, I disagree. I say they are closer to being wannabe Roseanne Barrs and Sam Kinisons, but not as funny.
Still, Coulter manages to promote herself so effectively that she stays in the news. And, I have to say that I‘m glad. What follows is an open thank you note to Coulter’s noisy groupies telling them why:
Convinced that Republicans are right and Democrats are wrong, no matter what, you resent it when anyone even challenges that premise. So, you admire Ann Coulter for her lowbrow commentary on matters political. No matter what she says, you back her up. You even find her attractive!
Convinced that Americans are somehow better than people who live in other countries, you resent it when their leaders don’t just accept that premise, shut up and do as they are told. You loathe Palestinians, Iranians and Syrians, but somehow, Saudis are cool. At least for Muslims, they’re cool.
You happily forgive members of the Bush administration -- including President George Bush -- for their lies during the run-up to the invasion of Iraq, and for their subsequent lies to cover-up the falsified evidence of weapons of mass destruction, etc. You think Vice President Dick Cheney and his aide, convicted liar Scooter Libby, are patriots who are entitled to prevaricate, because they do so to win a war.
You loathe Sen. John McCain and Sen. John Warner for being disloyal RINOs (Republicans in name only), because they won’t stick with the failed neoconservative program in every way. That, in spite of the widespread respect they command
You loathe Sen. Jim Webb for having opposed the invasion of Iraq, and for having the temerity to suggest there’s a better way to deal with the civil war now underway in Iraq. You happily chirp that he and other vets opposing the Bush war policy are total sissies.
You want to teach creationism in public schools, as if it is equal in weight to science. You suspect New Orleans might have gotten what it deserved from Hurricane Katrina, a la Pat Robertson, for having too many homosexuals living there.
You loathe former Vice President Al Gore for agreeing with the scientists saying pollution is changing the climate. You believe he is just saying all that because he hates capitalism and wants to raise your taxes.
So I have to say thanks. The Big Tent that Ronald Reagan built with his charm and optimism has finally been pulled apart. Last year Coulter certainly did her part to help turn control of Congress over to the Democrats, as her blind-to-reality, attack dog style grossed out many young first-time voters. They will probably remain Democrats for a long time.
Since you believe that changing your mind is a sign of weakness, I know you’ll keep helping. Thanks, again.
Well, I disagree. I say they are closer to being wannabe Roseanne Barrs and Sam Kinisons, but not as funny.
Still, Coulter manages to promote herself so effectively that she stays in the news. And, I have to say that I‘m glad. What follows is an open thank you note to Coulter’s noisy groupies telling them why:
Convinced that Republicans are right and Democrats are wrong, no matter what, you resent it when anyone even challenges that premise. So, you admire Ann Coulter for her lowbrow commentary on matters political. No matter what she says, you back her up. You even find her attractive!
Convinced that Americans are somehow better than people who live in other countries, you resent it when their leaders don’t just accept that premise, shut up and do as they are told. You loathe Palestinians, Iranians and Syrians, but somehow, Saudis are cool. At least for Muslims, they’re cool.
You happily forgive members of the Bush administration -- including President George Bush -- for their lies during the run-up to the invasion of Iraq, and for their subsequent lies to cover-up the falsified evidence of weapons of mass destruction, etc. You think Vice President Dick Cheney and his aide, convicted liar Scooter Libby, are patriots who are entitled to prevaricate, because they do so to win a war.
You loathe Sen. John McCain and Sen. John Warner for being disloyal RINOs (Republicans in name only), because they won’t stick with the failed neoconservative program in every way. That, in spite of the widespread respect they command
You loathe Sen. Jim Webb for having opposed the invasion of Iraq, and for having the temerity to suggest there’s a better way to deal with the civil war now underway in Iraq. You happily chirp that he and other vets opposing the Bush war policy are total sissies.
You want to teach creationism in public schools, as if it is equal in weight to science. You suspect New Orleans might have gotten what it deserved from Hurricane Katrina, a la Pat Robertson, for having too many homosexuals living there.
You loathe former Vice President Al Gore for agreeing with the scientists saying pollution is changing the climate. You believe he is just saying all that because he hates capitalism and wants to raise your taxes.
So I have to say thanks. The Big Tent that Ronald Reagan built with his charm and optimism has finally been pulled apart. Last year Coulter certainly did her part to help turn control of Congress over to the Democrats, as her blind-to-reality, attack dog style grossed out many young first-time voters. They will probably remain Democrats for a long time.
Since you believe that changing your mind is a sign of weakness, I know you’ll keep helping. Thanks, again.
The Bounce on postseason state hoops
On the heels of VCU’s dramatic comeback win last night over George Mason, this week’s sports column at Richmond.com, The Bounce, looks at the developing postseason picture for Division I schools in the commonwealth.
“...At this writing, VCU is among the nine teams which have punched their own tickets to the NCAA tournament by wining their conference tournaments. After the 31 conference championships have been claimed, the NCAA will then hand out 34 at-large bids. The bulk of which will be awarded to the top six conferences, which include the Atlantic Coast, Southeastern, Pacific-10, Big Ten, Big East and Big 12.
“A quick look at the standings of all 31 conferences tells me that once the top six conferences get their supposedly deserving teams in, there won't be more than six, maybe seven other spots available for the other 25 leagues. Then a second glance suggests the Missouri Valley, the Atlantic 10 and Conference USA are very likely to get at least one extra bid, each. At best, that leaves just three or four more slots for the remaining 22 conferences.
“Which puts the CAA's Old Dominion (24-8) on the March Madness bubble.”
Click here to read The Bounce.
“...At this writing, VCU is among the nine teams which have punched their own tickets to the NCAA tournament by wining their conference tournaments. After the 31 conference championships have been claimed, the NCAA will then hand out 34 at-large bids. The bulk of which will be awarded to the top six conferences, which include the Atlantic Coast, Southeastern, Pacific-10, Big Ten, Big East and Big 12.
“A quick look at the standings of all 31 conferences tells me that once the top six conferences get their supposedly deserving teams in, there won't be more than six, maybe seven other spots available for the other 25 leagues. Then a second glance suggests the Missouri Valley, the Atlantic 10 and Conference USA are very likely to get at least one extra bid, each. At best, that leaves just three or four more slots for the remaining 22 conferences.
“Which puts the CAA's Old Dominion (24-8) on the March Madness bubble.”
Click here to read The Bounce.
Jury: Scooter is guilty
Lewis “Scooter” Libby has been found guilty on four of five counts. Sentencing is three months away, unless the judge gives Libby’s attorneys more time to maneuver -- which they have already asked for -- to prepare a request for a new trial. When/If that fails, no doubt, Libby will appeal today’s verdicts.
AP has the breaking story here.
The White House will probably continue to say it can’t comment on an on-going legal process. Facing 25 years, pundits see prison time for Libby, more likely a couple of years.
However, it has taken three-and-a-half years to get from the beginning of this legal process to this point. Libby’s lawyers kept kicking the can down the road. Now, all they have to do is keep filing papers, to keep Libby out of jail, until we get past the presidential election of 2008.
In January of 2009, I see a presidential pardon waiting for Scooter, unless he turns on President George Bush and/or Vice President Dick Cheney between now and then. If Libby stays loyal, like a character in a Mafia movie, I doubt he’ll ever serve a day behind bars.
AP has the breaking story here.
The White House will probably continue to say it can’t comment on an on-going legal process. Facing 25 years, pundits see prison time for Libby, more likely a couple of years.
However, it has taken three-and-a-half years to get from the beginning of this legal process to this point. Libby’s lawyers kept kicking the can down the road. Now, all they have to do is keep filing papers, to keep Libby out of jail, until we get past the presidential election of 2008.
In January of 2009, I see a presidential pardon waiting for Scooter, unless he turns on President George Bush and/or Vice President Dick Cheney between now and then. If Libby stays loyal, like a character in a Mafia movie, I doubt he’ll ever serve a day behind bars.
Monday, March 05, 2007
VCU 65, Mason 59
Mason led for most of the game, but VCU‘s sophomore point guard Eric Maynor wouldn‘t let his Rams lose. In short, he stole the tournament by scoring nine straight points in the last two minutes: VCU 65, Mason 59.
The following report on the championship game just came in from CAA assistant commissioner Rob Washburn. Since I have a pressing deadline on another story, I'll let him tell how it happened.
VCU Rallies Past George Mason
Top-seeded VCU staged a dramatic comeback in the final two minutes and defeated George Mason 65-59 in the title game of the 2007 Aeropostale CAA Men’s Basketball Championship before a sell-out crowd of 11,200 at the Richmond Coliseum Monday night.
One year after capturing the imagination of the college basketball world with a miraculous run to the Final Four, Mason [the sixth seed] looked primed to become the first team in league history to win four games in four days by taking a 57-52 advantage with just 2:22 remaining.
However, the Rams’ Eric Maynor would have no part of it. The first-team All-CAA guard single-handedly spurred a 9-0 run all by himself on his way to a 20-point, championship Most Outstanding Player-performance.
The Rams (27-6) earned the CAA’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament with the win, which was its second in the past four years. George Mason fell to 18-15, despite nearly pulling off its third upset in three days. Monday’s final was played before a sell-out crowd and the battle between the cheering contingents in the stands was just as intense as the action on the court.
The first half was a see-saw physical battle, as the two squads slugged it out to an intermission score of 31-27 in Mason’s favor. Although the teams shot a combined 50 percent in the half, the score was tied at just 13 with under eight minutes to go after VCU used its full-court defense to hurry the Patriots, and Mason forced the Rams to settle for a 1-7 performance from the arc due to an in-your-jersey style of defense.
The [entire] game was a back-and-forth physical battle, one that was tied at 52 apiece with just over three minutes remaining. At the 2:57 mark [of the second half], Mason’s Will Thomas muscled home an improbable dunk while getting fouled, and converted the ensuing free throw to complete the three-point play. Teammate Folarin Campbell drained a pair of his own free throws at 2:22 to give the Patriots a five-point lead, and seemingly, the game’s final momentum swing.
It was then that Maynor took over the show. The sophomore made a steal in the backcourt and converted a lay-up while getting fouled by Mason’s Gabe Norwood with 1:54 remaining. As Norwood began to dribble up the floor on the next possession, Maynor quickly snatched the ball again, and tied the game at 57 with a lay-up.
Following a Mason timeout, the VCU defense forced Campbell into an errant three-point attempt as the shot clock expired - a miss that Maynor gathered in as part of his seven rebounds on the night. He then drove the lane to hit an off-balance jumper with 45 seconds remaining, putting VCU up 59-57.
Mason had a chance to tie on a Campbell layup, but Wil Fameni swatted it into the Patriots’ student-section with 30 ticks left. Dre Smith then missed a three-pointer off the inbounds pass, and Maynor grabbed the board before being intentionally fouled.
For the game, Maynor tallied four assists and three steals to go with his 20 points and seven rebounds. He was joined by three other Rams in double-figures, and Fameni tallied 13 – including 11 in the first half – to go with eight rebounds. Fellow big-man Calvin Roland picked up the slack in the second stanza, netting 10 of his 12 after the half. Walker chipped in 10 including a 6-of-6 performance from the free throw line.
George Mason was paced by Smith, who had 12 points on 5-of-13 shooting. He drained a pair of three-pointers to total 14 in the Patriots’ four-games, a mark that stands as the new tournament record. Thomas and Norwood each tallied 10 points apiece.
Joining Maynor on the All-Tournament Team were teammates Michael Anderson and Jesse Pellot-Rosa, in addition to Mason’s Campbell and Smith, and Drexel’s Frank Elegar.
Click here to read the AP story by Howard Kurtz, Jr.
The following report on the championship game just came in from CAA assistant commissioner Rob Washburn. Since I have a pressing deadline on another story, I'll let him tell how it happened.
VCU Rallies Past George Mason
Top-seeded VCU staged a dramatic comeback in the final two minutes and defeated George Mason 65-59 in the title game of the 2007 Aeropostale CAA Men’s Basketball Championship before a sell-out crowd of 11,200 at the Richmond Coliseum Monday night.
One year after capturing the imagination of the college basketball world with a miraculous run to the Final Four, Mason [the sixth seed] looked primed to become the first team in league history to win four games in four days by taking a 57-52 advantage with just 2:22 remaining.
However, the Rams’ Eric Maynor would have no part of it. The first-team All-CAA guard single-handedly spurred a 9-0 run all by himself on his way to a 20-point, championship Most Outstanding Player-performance.
The Rams (27-6) earned the CAA’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament with the win, which was its second in the past four years. George Mason fell to 18-15, despite nearly pulling off its third upset in three days. Monday’s final was played before a sell-out crowd and the battle between the cheering contingents in the stands was just as intense as the action on the court.
The first half was a see-saw physical battle, as the two squads slugged it out to an intermission score of 31-27 in Mason’s favor. Although the teams shot a combined 50 percent in the half, the score was tied at just 13 with under eight minutes to go after VCU used its full-court defense to hurry the Patriots, and Mason forced the Rams to settle for a 1-7 performance from the arc due to an in-your-jersey style of defense.
The [entire] game was a back-and-forth physical battle, one that was tied at 52 apiece with just over three minutes remaining. At the 2:57 mark [of the second half], Mason’s Will Thomas muscled home an improbable dunk while getting fouled, and converted the ensuing free throw to complete the three-point play. Teammate Folarin Campbell drained a pair of his own free throws at 2:22 to give the Patriots a five-point lead, and seemingly, the game’s final momentum swing.
It was then that Maynor took over the show. The sophomore made a steal in the backcourt and converted a lay-up while getting fouled by Mason’s Gabe Norwood with 1:54 remaining. As Norwood began to dribble up the floor on the next possession, Maynor quickly snatched the ball again, and tied the game at 57 with a lay-up.
Following a Mason timeout, the VCU defense forced Campbell into an errant three-point attempt as the shot clock expired - a miss that Maynor gathered in as part of his seven rebounds on the night. He then drove the lane to hit an off-balance jumper with 45 seconds remaining, putting VCU up 59-57.
Mason had a chance to tie on a Campbell layup, but Wil Fameni swatted it into the Patriots’ student-section with 30 ticks left. Dre Smith then missed a three-pointer off the inbounds pass, and Maynor grabbed the board before being intentionally fouled.
For the game, Maynor tallied four assists and three steals to go with his 20 points and seven rebounds. He was joined by three other Rams in double-figures, and Fameni tallied 13 – including 11 in the first half – to go with eight rebounds. Fellow big-man Calvin Roland picked up the slack in the second stanza, netting 10 of his 12 after the half. Walker chipped in 10 including a 6-of-6 performance from the free throw line.
George Mason was paced by Smith, who had 12 points on 5-of-13 shooting. He drained a pair of three-pointers to total 14 in the Patriots’ four-games, a mark that stands as the new tournament record. Thomas and Norwood each tallied 10 points apiece.
Joining Maynor on the All-Tournament Team were teammates Michael Anderson and Jesse Pellot-Rosa, in addition to Mason’s Campbell and Smith, and Drexel’s Frank Elegar.
Click here to read the AP story by Howard Kurtz, Jr.
VA Top Five
Virginia Top Five
It’s not easy to pick between Virginia and Va. Tech. Although Tech has the better RPI at the moment, Virginia won their most recent match-up and stands higher in the ACC.
Virginia (20-9, 11-5 in ACC); RPI: No. 43
Va. Tech (20-10, 10-6 in ACC); RPI: No. 31
VCU (26-6, 16-2 in CAA, 2-0 in postseason); RPI: No. 50
ODU (24-8, 15-3 in CAA, 1-1 in postseason); RPI: No. 37
George Mason (18-14, 9-9 in CAA, 3-0 in postseason), RPI: No. 115
The RPI numbers cited come from RealTime RPI.
It’s not easy to pick between Virginia and Va. Tech. Although Tech has the better RPI at the moment, Virginia won their most recent match-up and stands higher in the ACC.
Virginia (20-9, 11-5 in ACC); RPI: No. 43
Va. Tech (20-10, 10-6 in ACC); RPI: No. 31
VCU (26-6, 16-2 in CAA, 2-0 in postseason); RPI: No. 50
ODU (24-8, 15-3 in CAA, 1-1 in postseason); RPI: No. 37
George Mason (18-14, 9-9 in CAA, 3-0 in postseason), RPI: No. 115
The RPI numbers cited come from RealTime RPI.
CAA title tilt sold out
This just came in from Rob Washburn, assistant commissioner of the CAA:"Tonight's CAA men's basketball championship game at the Richmond Coliseum between top-seeded VCU and sixth-seeded George Mason is sold out.
"Effective immediately, no ticket vouchers will be redeemed. The game will be telecast nationally by ESPN starting at 7 p.m. It is the first time in league history that the championship game will be played before a sell-out crowd. The CAA thanks all of its fans for their support."
The total attendance for the four-day tournament will exceed 42,000. Even though it might have been nice for the conference to have ODU on television for the title tilt -- to showcase a strong CAA contender for an at-large bid -- Mason may actually bring more national viewers to the broadcast, due to the Patriots’ higher profile from last year’s Final Four run.
Sunday, March 04, 2007
VCU out-toughs Drexel; Mason sinks ODU
VCU used a swarming defense and a gutsy 31-minute performance by senior swingman Jesse Pellot-Rosa -- who played hurt (right foot) and scored 16 points -- to get past a gritty Drexel team, which puts the Rams in the championship game tomorrow (Monday) night: VCU 63, Drexel 56.
Michael Anderson, the Rams junior forward, picked a good afternoon to play the game of his life. He, too, scored 16 points, plus he grabbed eight rebounds. His work on defense against the Drexel big men was huge.
In the nightcap George Mason provided the Richmond Coliseum crowd with a second upset in as many nights: Mason 79, ODU 63.
The Patriots never let the Monarchs into the second semi-final, as ODU played a remarkably weak game with all the marbles on the line. In a run reminiscent of last year’s charmed Final Four-performance Mason has won three consecutive games on the Coliseum floor.
Tomorrow night’s championship game will feature a rematch of the schools that met in the 2004 CAA championship final; on Mar. 8, of that year, VCU defeated Mason by a score of 55-54. The margin of victory was a free throw by Pellot-Rosa, then a freshman.
At this writing, the Realtime RPI site has revivified CAA regular season winner VCU (26-6) perched at No. 48, while resurgent George Mason (18-14) is at No. 115. Ironically, today’s losers are both still seen as stronger on the RPI scale, at least they are right now. Sagging ODU (24-8) is checking in at No. 36, and Drexel (22-8) is sitting at No. 46.
By comparison, Va. Tech (20-10) is No. 31 on the same RPI scale and Virginia (20-9) is No. 43. Both are widely seen as locks to receive bids to the NCAAs.
With Mason Nation descending on Downtown Richmond as you read this, the old Coliseum should be rocking tomorrow night. The 7:30 p.m. title tilt, good for an automatic bid in the NCAA tournament, will be carried nationally by ESPN.
Michael Anderson, the Rams junior forward, picked a good afternoon to play the game of his life. He, too, scored 16 points, plus he grabbed eight rebounds. His work on defense against the Drexel big men was huge.
In the nightcap George Mason provided the Richmond Coliseum crowd with a second upset in as many nights: Mason 79, ODU 63.
The Patriots never let the Monarchs into the second semi-final, as ODU played a remarkably weak game with all the marbles on the line. In a run reminiscent of last year’s charmed Final Four-performance Mason has won three consecutive games on the Coliseum floor.
Tomorrow night’s championship game will feature a rematch of the schools that met in the 2004 CAA championship final; on Mar. 8, of that year, VCU defeated Mason by a score of 55-54. The margin of victory was a free throw by Pellot-Rosa, then a freshman.
At this writing, the Realtime RPI site has revivified CAA regular season winner VCU (26-6) perched at No. 48, while resurgent George Mason (18-14) is at No. 115. Ironically, today’s losers are both still seen as stronger on the RPI scale, at least they are right now. Sagging ODU (24-8) is checking in at No. 36, and Drexel (22-8) is sitting at No. 46.
By comparison, Va. Tech (20-10) is No. 31 on the same RPI scale and Virginia (20-9) is No. 43. Both are widely seen as locks to receive bids to the NCAAs.
With Mason Nation descending on Downtown Richmond as you read this, the old Coliseum should be rocking tomorrow night. The 7:30 p.m. title tilt, good for an automatic bid in the NCAA tournament, will be carried nationally by ESPN.
Saturday, March 03, 2007
VCU advances; Pellot-Rosa injured
Can Jesse Pellot-Rosa play in the Rams' next game? In today’s action VCU (seeded first) advanced to the semi-final round by beating Georgia St.: VCU 73, Georgia St. 60. Then, in the second game of the afternoon, Drexel (seeded fourth) sent Northeastern packing: Drexel 64, Northeastern 50.
Tomorrow at 3 p.m., Drexel and VCU will meet to determine which school will play in the championship tilt on Monday night.
With the unbalanced 18-game conference schedule the teams play in the CAA, the Rams (25-6) and Dragons (23-7) met only once this season. On Jan. 27 VCU won that contest in Philadelphia, 75-68.
At this writing, according to RealTime RPI, Drexel is sitting at No. 40; VCU is way down at No. 55. The only teams with a better current RPI better than VCU’s that the Rams have defeated are Drexel and ODU (No 33). Whereas, Drexel owes its better RPI somewhat to back-to-back December wins over Villanova (No. 16) and Syracuse (No. 46), and its ESPN BracketBuster victory over Creighton. (No. 28).
The math suggests that in spite VCU’s regular season CAA title the Rams need to beat the Dragons to move past them on the NCAA’s list of teams on the bubble. But head coach Anthony Grant probably isn’t interested in such speculation. He’s busy right now figuring out how VCU can beat Drexel even if Jess Pellot-Rosa, the Rams toughest defensive player, can’t play tomorrow.
Due to a foot injury, Pellot-Rosa only played only eight minutes in today’s game, all in the first half. Freshman T.J. Gywnn picked up the slack and led the Rams in scoring with 14 points, coming off the bench. After the game, Grant said the injury was new -- not an aggrevation of an old injury -- and he thought it was in the arch of Pellot-Rosa’s foot. Later, the scuttlebutt in the media room was that it was a bruise on the bottom of his foot.
Seeming in good spirits, Pellot-Rosa told me he will be ready to go tomorrow. But he was sitting down when he said it.
Updates:
- The Monarchs (seeded second) advance: ODU 58, Towson 55.
- Finally, an upset, as the third seed falls. The Patriots (seeded sixth) are ba-a-ack: Mason 64, Hofstra 62. So, the second game on Sunday, at 5:30 p.m., will pit Mason against ODU.
- For more coverage of CAA tournament action, and a guide for background information, go to Richmond.com.
Photo: SLANT
Thursday, March 01, 2007
'Hoos rule the ACC
Roll over Barry Parkhill, make way for the one and only, Sean Singletary.What about Jeff Lamp? Wally Walker?
Well, we’ll see...
As a result of tonight’s ACC action, Virginia (20-8, 11-4 in ACC) is now alone in first place in the top-rated conference in Division I basketball. That, with only one game left in regular season play. Singletary (pictured above), the Cavaliers amazing-but-true junior point guard, scored 17 points tonight in leading Virginia to an easy win in Charlottesville over arch rival Va. Tech: Virginia 69, Va. Tech 56.
Later in the evening fading North Carolina (24-6, 10-5 in ACC) lost to surging Georgia Tech (19-10, 7-8 in ACC), dropping the Tar Heels into a three-way tie for second place with Va. Tech (21-9, 10-5 in ACC) and Boston College (19-9, 10-5 in ACC).
Picked to finish in eighth place in the ACC by the preseason pundits, this year’s ‘Hoos are still a work-in-progress. If Virginia can beat Wake Forest (13-15, 4-11 in ACC), there, on Saturday, it will capture the ACC regular season title for the first time since 1995.
Ralph who?
Photo: SLANT
VCU's Grant named as CAA's top coach
CAA Coach of the Year Anthony Grant"Hofstra University senior guard Loren Stokes was selected as the 2007 Colonial Athletic Association men’s basketball Player of the Year in voting by the league’s head coaches, sports information directors and members of the media. The announcement was made Thursday night at the league’s pre-tournament awards banquet in Richmond, Va. Also receiving top honors were VCU’s Anthony Grant as the CAA Coach of the Year, Northeastern freshman guard Matt Janning as the CAA Rookie of the Year, Drexel senior forward Chaz Crawford as the CAA Defensive Player of the Year..."
"...Joining Stokes on the All-CAA first team were Towson senior guard Gary Neal, Old Dominion senior forward Valdas Vasylius, Hofstra junior guard Antoine Agudio and VCU sophomore guard Eric Maynor."
Click here to see the second and third teams, plus more CAA news.
Click here to read my preview of VCU's prospects in the CAA tournament at Richmond.com.
Photo: SLANT
CAA All-Star Team
SLANTblog first-team selection Eric Maynor(at the 2006 CAA tournament in the Richmond Coliseum)
My choice for Coach of the Year is easy. In his first year in the role of a Division I head coach Anthony Grant led his VCU players to a first-place finish in the league (16-2). No CAA team has won as many as 16 games in a regular season before. Grant should win the league’s coaching award unanimously.
All-Star First Team
Frank Elegar, 6-8 junior center (Drexel)
Eric Maynor, 6-2 sophomore guard (VCU)
Gary Neal, 6-4 senior guard (Towson)
Loren Stokes, 6-3 senior guard (Hofstra)
Valdas Vasylius, 6-7 senior forward (ODU)
All-Star Second Team
Antoine Agudio, 6-3 junior guard (Hofstra)
Herb Courtney, 6-7 junior foward (Delaware)
Bennet Davis, 6-9 senior forward Northeastern)
Jesse Pellot-Rosa, 6-4 senior g/f (VCU)
Will Thomas, 6-7 junior forward (Mason)
B.A. Walker, 6-3 senior guard (VCU)
Drew Williamson, 6-0 senior guard (ODU)
Player of the Year
Towson's Gary Neal, whose stats include: 25.6 points per game; 4.1 rebounds per game; 3.6 assists per game; 1.4 steals per game; 83.6 percent of free throws
Photo: SLANT
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