VicVal

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Date	Title	Body
34 weeks 10 hours ago	It's not that they make the right calls	I don't know that I agree--I mean, I recall complaining plenty often of bs/missed calls by the regular officials. But I don't recall ever once complaining that they didn't know the rules. So there's that.
1 year 31 weeks ago	Why can't we?	I think that's a sensible idea.  It would give everyone time to read the book, throw it across the room, re-read it, use up a box of kleenex, and by April maybe come to their senses and be ready to have a rational discussion over it, with the bonus of having some perspective from a year-plus under a new regime. Maybe I speak only for myself, but from 03 Blue 07's excellent reviews I'm pretty sure I'm going to find the book fascinating, enraging, and horrifying.  Maybe by April I'll be sufficiently recovered from the trauma of reliving the last three years to discuss it. (I should clarify--I think that no matter which side, if any, one was on for the past 3 years, they were beyond painful.  So that comment was not an indication of where I stand on anything.) /disclaimer
1 year 31 weeks ago	I wondered the same	In camera review seems likely to me if the court doesn't rule directly for ESPN--just from what's been reported, er, relayed, here, there seem to be ample grounds to demand that the court at least have an opportunity to review the documents and force the university to justify its calls.  Every document sent to Sarniak (or received from him) sets off red flags for me. I'm wondering if the university is putting far too much weight on FERPA.  Their arguments consistently strike me as over-reaching, especially given the genuine public interest in the information.  And not just popcorn-loving Michigan fan interest; any taxpayer in that state (hi Mom and Dad, tell me again why you moved there?) should care about the fact that the university would more efficiently use its funds by setting fire to them instead of paying its compliance staff. Or its AD.  Or its president, come to think of it.
1 year 32 weeks ago	Make that 4 cents for spoilation	Defying an order of the state supreme court and destroying evidence--that would make every NCAA violation that school ever committed pale into the realm of jay walking across a dirt road.  The mind reels.  I cannot imagine any attorney risking literally everything with such a stunt, or anything more likely to get everyone within a million miles of it fired instantly (only faster). You're so right on the legislature getting involved too. That said... some people put the crazy in fanatics.  It's not beyond the realm of possibility that some deluded fan with access to the emails would try to scrub them in some fatally misguided notion that they were protecting the almightyand ever-true football program.  I'm a little cynical and a little willing to believe that sometimes people do phenomenally stupid things.  And so are ESPN's lawyers, which is why they WILL check for missing documents.
1 year 32 weeks ago	Oh yes Pixar	I knew I had forgotten key components of his career.  Pixar did indeed revolutionize animated film.
1 year 32 weeks ago	I learned of Jobs' death from an MZone tweet	which I read while skimming Twitter on my iphone. Jobs revolutionized laptops (and likely much more) with the creation of the iPad. Before that he revolutionized cell phones with the creation of the iPhone. Before that he revolutionized the entire music industry with the creation of the iPod and iTunes. Before that he revolutionized laptops with thinner than thin, beautiful laptops. Before that he revolutionized *everything* by making computers personal--usable, affordable, and actually personal.  Without that? No internet used by everyone, no Google, no Amazon, no Twitter, no global sea change in communications and the use of computing power in everyday lives.  Or perhaps it all would have happened eventually, but it would have happened less efficiently, and with less care for the technology user's experience. Jobs fully integrated technology and design.  His effect on our world is profound without measure.  May he rest in peace, and condolences to his friends and relations.
1 year 32 weeks ago	Mildly persuasive, perhaps	The Ohio Supreme Court can totally ignore any other court's opinion on state laws, and it only has to follow the US Supreme Court if it says something about FERPA itself.  It is otherwise the boss of its own state's laws, if you will. Nevertheless, it's likely to look at the other court's ruling and at least consider it, especially if it was that state's supreme court.  It may reach the same conclusion if it makes sense and if the state laws at issue are similar.  The laws don't have to be identical, but they have to be in the same ballpark.  (They likely are, especially if both are modeled on the federal law.) Please note that absolutely no research was done to draft this answer, and heed it accordingly. Edit: this answer was ony as to your second point.  Next step for OSU lawyers?  Suck it.  (I haven't followed the litigation closely, sorry, and the answer could vary, but it will be some variation of suck it.)
1 year 33 weeks ago	My only quibble is Mattison	I don't know that it's going to take him a few years to turn this defense into the defense that strikes fear and trembling into every OC's heart.  Mabye one or two.  I have been happily astounded by the progress I've seen already--fundamentals are back! This is me being all Hokeful.
1 year 33 weeks ago	Ryan Fitzpatrick?	Went to Harvard, just handed Tom Brady a loss, maybe will prove to be the real deal. Or, you know, any given Michigan QB.
1 year 33 weeks ago	Missed teaching opportunity	You're exactly right, it's up to the coach to involve the other players, and also to teach all the kids that no matter how good one player is, they still need the other 10 on the field.  Teaching good sportsmanship means teaching how to be a good team player, as well as how to win and lose with equal grace. That said, if he's big enough then moving the kid up a level makes a lot of sense. It would give him more competition and maybe better resources for improving his technique, and he wouldn't be held back this way. On the other hand, I think it's okay to let kids see someone their age being spectacular at something.  Maybe they'll never score the touchdowns he does, but maybe they'll be spectacular at something else--football-related or not.  And yeah--when they win every kid on that team can understand they're a part of that win, because it's the team, the team, the team...
1 year 33 weeks ago	Clearly	But will there be roses?
1 year 33 weeks ago	I hoped for it	But I didn't expect it.  Welcome to the Big Ten, Nebraska.  Wisconsin looks legitimately good, imo, even if they haven't faced any killer opponents yet.  They played smart, fast, tough ball.  And jeez o petes their QB can play. So yeah, Wisky should move up.  Don't know if it will, but it should.  Michigan will go up a bit, I'm guessing, but we're still not going to get major respect.
1 year 33 weeks ago	I was hoping the same	but Wisky didn't look as good as I would hope on that first drive.  I'd take a respectable win by Wisky.
1 year 33 weeks ago	Fair, I was overbroad.	Gallon did fine, and field goals today blew my tiny little mind.  Coverage on kickoffs returns still left a lot to be desired, though.  It's a very small concern on a very good day.
1 year 33 weeks ago	In all seriousness...	It was very telling, that Hoke is a class act.  Nicely done, I thought.  Otherwise, special teams continue to lack improvement but everything else verged on stellar.
1 year 34 weeks ago	As it should be.	The world is returning to its natural order. What I liked about the D today?  They had one honestly horrible drive in the second half (that's not what I liked, wait for it) and then they came back and just stuffed SDSU for the rest of the game.  Now the horrible drives are the exception instead of the rule. As they should be.
1 year 34 weeks ago	Oh please no	Please don't remind me.  I can only shudder and weep when I remember.  I never got over the trauma, I think I never shall. But to respond to the OP--quite.  By happenstance, I had just finished reading "Lasting Lessons" when Hoke gave his first press conference.  Bo always struck me as one highly effective leader, and Hoke seems to be in that mold.   That trait of taking all the blame but pushing off all the glory, in particular, is brilliant and develops considerable loyalty. As others have pointed out, he's also been incredibly adept at handling difficult questions and hasn't really put a foot wrong.  What's amazing to me about that is that he comes off as 100% genuine, not even a shade rehearsed.  If anything, he's an awkward speaker (diagramming his sentences would be a nightmare unless it's "This is Michigan!") yet he always manages to give a response that, if not, er,  tremendous, is completely appropriate and does no harm. I like it. I hope it translates to nothing but winning seasons, and beating That School.
1 year 35 weeks ago	Get Your Kids Hooked for Cheap	Agreed.  That's how I got to go to games growing up--so I remember beating Wisconsin by a gazillion points (way back in the day, yeah), and watching cheerleaders do so many backflips off the wall they were getting dizzy, and hearing the roar of Go! Blue! and singing The Victors and cheering until I lost my voice. I never recovered, hope I never do.
1 year 35 weeks ago	Nice essay	It's fun to see it from that perspective.
1 year 35 weeks ago	Interesting Comparison	Actually--I agree.  I think it would be really interesting to see the 1st/2d half comparison. The defense was . . . suboptimal . . . the first half, and maybe the second half too, but much less suboptimal.  Especially before ND's last drive.  (Personally I think ND's offense (FLOYDFLOYDFLOYD) deserves some credit here and I am thrilled, but thrilled to my tippytoes, that our defense is now making more tackles than they miss.  It makes such a refreshing change.)  I'd like to see how the defense makes 2d half adjustments over the season.  Or doesn't. The UFR is awesome either way.
1 year 36 weeks ago	You could be describing	Michigan fans:  "polite and knowledgeable with a side of undeserved entitlement." Except for the "undeserved," of course. /arrogance For the last few years, Domer friends and I have exchanged condolences for horrible seasons.  I'm hoping to resume offering smug and insincere "condolences" soon, though I admit to some nervousness about this game.
1 year 36 weeks ago	Forecasting the rosy future	I think you're right on 2014--looking at the upcoming recruiting classes, and considering the time that gives the coaches to settle in and do what they do, I suspect 2014 and the next couple years are going to be killer. But I'm hoping for a thoroughly respectable 2011-2013.
1 year 40 weeks ago	Anecdotal evidence, but some kickers can	I used to watch a kid in the Chicago area, he'd kick field goals from the 50 yard line during half time.  He never had to kick from that far away during the game--his team was pretty good--but he sure enough kicked it straight through from the 40.  Just high school, but it was in front of a packed house. Iirc he got a full ride to Iowa or some such, very respectable. That combination of bionic leg and ice-water for blood is so rare I think it's worth the scholarship for most teams, most of the time.
1 year 41 weeks ago	Also better for Stonum	A not insignificant point, imo.  To me this was one of Hoke's first real tests, and I think he passed it.  It's a balanced and fair response to a very serious situation, and gives a kid who clearly needs it a chance to grow up and get his head on straight.  Kicking Stonum off the team would have been a loss for everyone, though not an unreasonable reaction to two DUIs.  On the other hand, not punishing him at all was (for Michigan) out of the question. Hoke found a third way, and fingers crossed it will work out well for everyone.
1 year 41 weeks ago	Well if you're going old-school	I would have to suggest Panic in Detroit.  Bowie captures a certain something about the city...
1 year 41 weeks ago	Correct	South Detroit can only be Windsor, geographically speaking.
1 year 43 weeks ago	The South Park Coda	I need to remember to add ? and profit to the end of all my lists. And, thank you for your many helpful tips.
1 year 44 weeks ago	Generally, non-personal facts aren't redacted	So, no.  I can't think of any basis for redacting the number of football players who purchased cars.  Names, social security numbers?  Sure, depending on the circumstances.  Total number--no.
1 year 47 weeks ago	Quis custodiet ipsos custodes	That might be the phrase you're thinking of, who will guard the guards themselves?  (It's also a Star Trek episode, of course.) Juvenal coined the phrase.  He would have been unimpressed and unsurprised by the current Ohio debacle, imo.
1 year 48 weeks ago	Best Possible Guidance	"Wolverines are ugly, mean little sacks of atomic rage."  If Brandon takes this to heart when reviewing designs for a possible mascot, he probably won't go wrong. Frankly, I can't imagine any plush animal conveying "ugly, mean little sacks of atomic rage" but I've never seen a better description of a wolverine.

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