Now we'll see what it means to be a "great American."For nearly eight years, anyone who dared to criticize President George W. Bush risked being called unpatriotic. The people doing this name calling are mourning John McCain's loss today.We'll soon see if it's about country or party. Remember, if you need to support the president to be a "great American," critics must get behind Barack Obama or risk total hypocrisy.
America gets a new president. The Lions get a new quarterback. Quick. Which of these events happens every other week?Right you are! The Lions' new quarterback is 31-year-old Daunte Culpepper, who, simply by signing a contract just became the most famous player on the team. That's sad enough. He also became the biggest attraction on the team, the most recognizable name on the team and, to hear some people tell it, the best player on the team. He also may start Sunday's game. Heck. By Monday, he could own Ford Field.
Say this about Joe Dumars' Pistons: They're more interesting when they're not playing than the Lions are when they are.Dumars, criticized by some for standing pat over the summer, just shot a cannon through the Detroit roster, and nothing is standing pat anymore. Out goes Chauncey Billups and crowd favorite Antonio McDyess. In comes Allen Iverson.Yes, THE Allen Iverson. But before anyone hyperventilates, let's take a breath and look at it two ways: the basketball way and the business way.
He wore a gray-striped suit with the stripes going both directions, a white dress shirt and a stylish print tie. Still, when they called his name, the crowd barely noticed, because the music was blasting and fire was shooting and the fans were busy watching the players do their jump-and-slam moves.But make no mistake. This Pistons opener was about one man more than the rest. Those long pants have been a long time coming.Michael Curry is on the board.
MITCH ALBOM The tune you'll hearExperience will carry them. But inexperience will factor in, too - with some of the young guys in the postseason.Who'll top the chartsRasheed WallaceIt's his contract year. And he's the MVP half the time already.The Pistons will finish in the:Division: Second. Conference: Third.Playoffs: East semis.The finals:East: Cleveland over Boston.West: L.A. Lakers over San Antonio.NBA: Cleveland over L.A. Lakers.VINCE ELLISThe tune you'll hear
They were supposed to be different. Not the same old Fab Four. Either Chauncey or Tayshaun, maybe Rasheed, maybe Rip. Someone was going. That's what fans figured this summer. Joe Dumars, the team president, said it publicly and loudly - after the Pistons fell short of the NBA Finals yet again - he would trade one or more of his Mt. Rushmore faces if the right deal came along.What happened?"It didn't come along," he says.
Tickets remain. That was the story Sunday. For the first time at Ford Field, the Lions couldn't sell out; the game was not televised. Some called this sad. Others called it merciful. Many didn't notice.But as one of the lucky 54,312 in attendance, I feel obliged to report to you what you missed.Not much.Detroit actually scored in the first quarter for the first time all season. A touchdown with 13 seconds left. That makes the year-to-date first-quarter total: Opponents 57, Lions 7. Yay!
Last week, Colin Powell said that he was going to vote for Barack Obama.He said it in a long, thoughtful interview on "Meet the Press." He paid tribute to John McCain, said it was close, said he'd waited months to decide, but in the end, he was going with Obama for numerous reasons.Nobody heard the reasons.
Mitch Albom writes about running an orphanage in impoverished Port-au-Prince, Haiti, his kids, their hardships, laughs and challenges, and the life lessons he’s learned there every day.
