tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post4289162557494906122..comments2024-03-17T03:18:56.070-04:00Comments on Dan Shanoff: Is Barack Obama Politics' Gibert Arenas?(Or Perhaps Arenas Is the NBA's Obama?)Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-32422737081976914212007-02-18T21:18:00.000-05:002007-02-18T21:18:00.000-05:00was Barack's campaign announcement video the polit...was Barack's campaign announcement video the politics equivalent of that buzzer-beater Gil didn't even bother to watch swish in?samhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10746421628968601021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-68879320786407263862007-02-12T11:05:00.000-05:002007-02-12T11:05:00.000-05:00I don't think Eddie Jordan would go on and on abou...I don't think Eddie Jordan would go on and on about what a bad leader Obama is ... and I hope my feeling for Obama doesn't fade as quickly as my belief in Gilbert Arenas's ability has in the last couple of days . . .A. J. Simonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12310462012236757100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-67662400167864731432007-02-10T19:45:00.000-05:002007-02-10T19:45:00.000-05:00Hillary = Tim DuncanUninspiring, yes, but do you w...Hillary = Tim Duncan<BR/><BR/>Uninspiring, yes, but do you want to fucking win or not? <BR/><BR/>Personally, I'm like an old veteran at the stage where I just want to win, and the only Democrat who has won in the past 32 years-their name is Clinton (or in Gore's case-that's right-has been closely affiliated with Clinton).Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12847507314320926577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-59283673412085228162007-02-10T17:40:00.000-05:002007-02-10T17:40:00.000-05:00• I'm not sure whether the "universally loved and ...• I'm not sure whether the "universally loved and respected" comparison is supposed to be sarcastic or not. Both Obama and Arenas have many, many detractors, many of whom do so vehemently.<BR/>• "Yes, I'm with you!"? What? Everything Gilbert Arenas does has people asking eachother if he is crazy!<BR/>• "Both are grassroots, blogosphere sensations". Wrong, sorry. Barack Obama, like it or not, is NOT a grassroots or blogosphere sensation. His address at the DNC and subsequent media appearances have been engineered by the Democratic Party. This same point applies to the "aura of accessibility". Obama didn't go "YouTube style" because he WANTED to - he did it because his campaign knows that it will speak to young voters.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14582502677805108746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-20684405162333498422007-02-10T09:36:00.000-05:002007-02-10T09:36:00.000-05:00cmfost...not sure if anyone else mentioned this......cmfost...not sure if anyone else mentioned this...don't forget that though diverse, the Democratic candidates are all also extremely wealthy. Politics is not a game for the fiscally challenged. It is mostly egos and has been for quite some time.dennishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02350878242630040563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-87431538179167307512007-02-09T18:38:00.000-05:002007-02-09T18:38:00.000-05:00A distinction between Obama and Gilbert...Obama is...A distinction between Obama and Gilbert...<BR/><BR/>Obama is not universally loved by the "hip-hop"/Black population. Even the mainstream media has started to pick up that Obama has little to no traction amongst Black voters.<BR/><BR/>Doesn't this make you suspicious as to the extent of his appeal?The HCIChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17417163486828431486noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-84576875857251462922007-02-09T18:22:00.000-05:002007-02-09T18:22:00.000-05:00I also like how you didn't include the Cubs fans. ...<I>I also like how you didn't include the Cubs fans. Diversity doesn't apply to their fanbase.</I><BR/><BR/>Well, I didn't precisely mean to slight any Cubs people. Or maybe I did.<BR/><BR/>--Mark, season-ticket-holding White Sox fanmarkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02367754765898020281noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-29352227389906992742007-02-09T18:21:00.000-05:002007-02-09T18:21:00.000-05:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.chitown italianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05005966579859344446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-25297732173180098472007-02-09T18:10:00.000-05:002007-02-09T18:10:00.000-05:00cmfrost wrote:>>Has anyone else notice the differe...cmfrost wrote:<BR/>>>Has anyone else notice the differences in diversity when it comes to the candidates from each parties.<BR/><BR/>The Democrats<BR/>Have an African American, A women, and a hispanic currently running for nomination<BR/><BR/>the republicans<BR/>All rich older white men. >><BR/><BR/>On the first note, yeah, basically because nobody knows how to keep minorities on the plantation (what a brutha know) and subservient to the federal teat like the Dems.<BR/><BR/>Re. the second slam posing as a point, it may be wise to remember that age brings a better understanding of how to run a country (in theory), as well as being in one's 50s and 60s isn't exactly considered old in this country much these days. The GOP wants to throw a female hat into the ring to make you happy, I've always thought Elizabeth Dole was far more suitable for the Oval Office than her husband. Oh, you also have to have the dough-re-mi to run a campaign, n'est-ce pas? 9 of the top wealthiest US senators also happen to have a (D) after their names, too...so ya know.<BR/><BR/>To the topic Dan introduced, Obama may have been co-author of the legislation to enforce full disclosure, but the guy's still a little green to run the country (maybe he's watching too many episodes of 24, who knows).<BR/><BR/>Oh, Dan, you may consider yourself a political junkie, but you do realize that, regardless of familial ties, you've got to get your nose out of the NY Times, right? I could be wrong, but the nod for universal health care leads me to believe that you don't. Please don't counter with something related to Fox News for me, either, because I don't watch that one any more than I do any of the alphabet newscasts.EPorvaznikhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12653412963180740901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-46984914580629875932007-02-09T18:00:00.000-05:002007-02-09T18:00:00.000-05:00I love Edwards. I hate Clinton. I like Obama. B...I love Edwards. I hate Clinton. I like Obama. But honestly... I'm not sure if I want any of those people as President. I am a pretty strong Democrat, but I do not vote straight party lines. I think McCain might be the best option.Rogehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08588687231104700516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-73276568086090766472007-02-09T17:32:00.000-05:002007-02-09T17:32:00.000-05:00Is Obama really a "grassroots, blogospheric sensat...Is Obama really a "grassroots, blogospheric sensation"? He's definitely got the grassroots background, but I feel like his cult following comes from his telegenic personality. Seems like the rapture over him comes from the press and the swing-vote-middle, not the blogs/roots.JCNhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05832013633241617649noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-34570060144191243192007-02-09T17:28:00.000-05:002007-02-09T17:28:00.000-05:00I agree with Eileen. Romney has no chance of winn...I agree with Eileen. Romney has no chance of winning the GOP nomination. Republicans will point to his flip flopping views (he was pro-choice and pro-gay marriage when he was governor of Massachusetts) and now that he's trying to appeal to his conservative base he's suddenly pro-life and speaking out against gays. Massachusetts should ban that fraud.Kurthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14615862536072857322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-46899312451699715272007-02-09T16:55:00.000-05:002007-02-09T16:55:00.000-05:00Wouldn't Bill Clinton make an awesome First Gentle...<I>Wouldn't Bill Clinton make an awesome First Gentleman?</I><BR/><BR/>Yes and will make a great Supreme Court Justice on the first opening of Hillary Clintons Presidency.Travishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01676482582616039215noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-26270244713306416572007-02-09T16:47:00.000-05:002007-02-09T16:47:00.000-05:00quote from mark "And why shouldn't it: when your t...quote from <B>mark</B> <I>"And why shouldn't it: when your team walks out on that field, you don't see black or white, liberal or conservative, guys from the ghetto or guys from the farm. You see people wearing the colors of your team, working together to win."</I><BR/><BR/>I agree. I also like how you didn't include the Cubs fans. Diversity doesn't apply to their fanbase.Megahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14407561625097289402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-31498122721847257282007-02-09T16:45:00.000-05:002007-02-09T16:45:00.000-05:00As Homer Simpson said:"Don't blame me, I voted for...As Homer Simpson said:<BR/><BR/>"Don't blame me, I voted for Kodos!"<BR/><BR/>In any case Shanoff, I linked this topic over to my own blog. I like the Obama/Arenas comparison.<BR/><BR/>And did anyone else see the picture of Joe Torre on http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/? MAN, that guy looks OLD.Megahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14407561625097289402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-51875610464337531162007-02-09T16:32:00.000-05:002007-02-09T16:32:00.000-05:00Well, the comparison is pretty good except for one...Well, the comparison is pretty good except for one big area...<BR/><BR/>With Arenas I've seen enough of what he can do to know he's a real talent...<BR/><BR/>With Obama I wouldn't say that's close to the case. Most people love him not for what he's done, but what they assume he'll be (he's like a high school kid who's drafted #1 - lots of promise that leaves everyone starry eyed).<BR/><BR/>When you can come back and tell me that you love Obama and tick off all of his policy stands that make you feel that way (besides just his "I'm against Iraq" stand)...then I'll concede my point.Hack33308https://www.blogger.com/profile/10578274563402061555noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-67899695048982672072007-02-09T16:00:00.000-05:002007-02-09T16:00:00.000-05:00As an aside--how long do you think it'll be before...As an aside--how long do you think it'll be before Washington renames its basketball venue Gilbert Arena?markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02367754765898020281noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-4136444179775591492007-02-09T15:56:00.001-05:002007-02-09T15:56:00.001-05:00Romney wouldn't even carry the state he governed. ...Romney wouldn't even carry the state he governed. There's no way he gets the Republican nom over McCain or Guiliani.<BR/><BR/>I think the Dems will end up with Clinton/Obama, but not sure in which order. Wouldn't Bill Clinton make an awesome First Gentleman?eileenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15435132755332951836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-65526228623609976122007-02-09T15:48:00.000-05:002007-02-09T15:48:00.000-05:00What I enjoy most about all of this is that this b...<I>What I enjoy most about all of this is that this blog attracts fans from such a wide ideological spectrum. Sports has a way of either muting political leanings -- or creating new, sports-centric leanings that may or may not have anything to do with your political leanings. Interesting.</I><BR/><BR/>Sports has a way of uniting rather than dividing. <BR/><BR/>And why shouldn't it: when your team walks out on that field, you don't see black or white, liberal or conservative, guys from the ghetto or guys from the farm. You see people wearing the colors of your team, working together to win. <BR/><BR/>And it's something that's easy for everyone to unite behind, too. Once the fans themselves put on their Bears or White Sox or Bulls hats and jerseys, they too stop being, for the time they're inside the arena or stadium, Democrats or Republicans or whatever--they become, alike, Chicagoans.<BR/><BR/>The rules inside the arena are simple, and univesally known. The playing field is inherently level (let's ignore those rumors about what the groundskeepers do to the third-base line). Winning is joyous, but even if you lose, life goes on. In short, the cruel rules that apply out in the part of the world where there aren't referees and shot clocks and penalty boxes, where nice guys usually finish last, are checked at the door, to a certain extent. Sports, then, is a wonderful proxy for how everyone thinks the ideal world should wind up being. So it's no wonder that it unifies.<BR/><BR/>Also, it's a celebration of the best in all of us, isn't it?markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02367754765898020281noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-91320649846626132062007-02-09T15:36:00.000-05:002007-02-09T15:36:00.000-05:00Carl are any of those people running for president...Carl are any of those people running for president?<BR/><BR/>And did you forget that the Dems had Al Sharpton running, and there was actually a women running but I forget her name.<BR/><BR/>And let us not forget the Democrats where also the first to put a female on the ticket or did you forget geraldine ferraro?CMFosthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05291296862033162143noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-35589162368790472832007-02-09T15:33:00.000-05:002007-02-09T15:33:00.000-05:00Man, this is going to get ugly, last political pos...Man, this is going to get ugly, last political post Dan? <BR/><BR/>How about I change subjects....Religon; which one is right?<BR/><BR/>Discuss...Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08120083970489937881noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-30775134800902280402007-02-09T15:29:00.000-05:002007-02-09T15:29:00.000-05:00You're missing the point. The average person does...You're missing the point. The average person doesn't even know what team he is on. It's not that he isn't popular... for a basketball player. For a blog subject... It's that he isn't a celebrity for the common person. He isn't Kobe, Shaq, Jordan, LeBron, AI or Barkley. He could very well get there, but certainly not yet.<BR/><BR/>Sports blogs and ESPN just aren't enough. He's arrived as a player, but he's not a household name. That's what titles, big trades, media feuding and scandals do for you.solomonrexhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03422035530978145136noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-66441742236760355262007-02-09T15:10:00.000-05:002007-02-09T15:10:00.000-05:00Uh, Gil was featured in the Wall Street Journal to...Uh, Gil was featured in the Wall Street Journal today and Time Magazine this week. And those publications are WAY behind. <BR/><BR/>I think All-Star Weekend will be a Gilbert-fest.<BR/><BR/>It's not a question of whether Gilbert "has arrived" or "is huge." <BR/><BR/>It's when the inevitable backlash will start.<BR/><BR/>But as long as he continues to top himself, he'll be OK. The challenge will be to accomplish exactly that.<BR/><BR/>Then again, anyone who thought Gil couldn't get hotter couldn't have seen last week's YouTube clip of the $20,000 3-point contest after practice coming.<BR/><BR/>Gilbert's originality is organic. Nothing about it is forced; it's all a part of his personality. That's why fans will continue to flock to him and why he'll continue to do such endearing things.Dan Shanoffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08126386161198401693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-30527477221519798152007-02-09T15:06:00.000-05:002007-02-09T15:06:00.000-05:00Switching topics for a second, I don't think Gilbe...Switching topics for a second, I don't think Gilbert Arenas is a big deal yet. It's not fair, but only hardcore basketball fans really know about him. He's like John Daly, John Kruk, tony stewart, shannon sharpe, they're great, colorful characters who weren't quite good enough or colorful enough to hit the mainstream. <BR/><BR/>If he can make it to the finals, with all the attendant hype and exposure, then he's a big deal.solomonrexhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03422035530978145136noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-83624968124715572812007-02-09T15:05:00.000-05:002007-02-09T15:05:00.000-05:00Doesn't it seem like a lot of things are up in the...Doesn't it seem like a lot of things are up in the air this year? The NBA MVP, the NBA Playoffs, the Oscar race, the 2008 election, March Madness. I don't - maybe it's just me, but it seems like this year (and next) is filled with a lot of uncertainty both in sports and our culture.<BR/><BR/>But on an entirely different subject - Dan - I appreciate your unabashed honesty and passion for the things you love. Whether it be for Arenas, Obama, your MySpace page or even Florida - I enjoy coming here to hear your thoughts and just to read from someone who's actually excited about what he's talking about.<BR/><BR/>Oh and please tell me you're going to do some coverage on the Oscars, right?Lowlifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01009250887625614397noreply@blogger.com