Is Kevin Garnett Happy?

http://www.esquire.com/blogs/culture/kevin-garnett-crosses-line-with-carmelo-anthony-14958811

I watched the 2nd half of the Clippers vs. Celtics game on Sunday February 3rd. The Celtics were victorious 106-104 after losing a double digit lead. As players of the opposing teams exchanged hugs and semi-elaborate handshakes Kevin Garnett walked alone to the locker room. This made me ponder, is Kevin Garnett happy?

During the 2nd quarter Garnett was involved in two physical plays. Drawing a foul on Matt Barnes, by over-acting. And he earned a technical foul for elbowing Blake Griffin. In both of these situations his teammates came to assist him, but he seemed to not let the issue go. While Griffin and Barnes talked to teammates, Garnett just stood angrily staring into the distance.

The Boston Celtics won, but this did not seem to make him happy. Much has been made lately about his trash talking and how he is a player that you want on your team, but hate if he is on your opponent. Regardless of this, is he happy? It sure does not seem like it. Garnett's playing days are numbered and he will journey into the next stage of his life with a lot of money (close to $300 million in salary), but with how many good memories while playing? Will he be a secluded ex-player or turn into a lovable legend for his dedication to the game...see Bill Russell, Michael Jordan?

I doubt that he will be remembered as well as Russell or Jordan because he has been involved in more drama on the court. Plus, he has not won as much as those two players. If he will not be remember that way then it will be as a over-reacting trash-talking fierce competitor that many fans hate.

We idolize these fierce competitors that will do anything to win. But, is this the message that we want to send to future generations. Do you want your son or daughter to grow up and be like Kevin Garnett?

Perhaps you might, from a athletic standpoint. But what about as a person?

Kevin Garnett legacy will be as great basketball player and ....... the rest is still up to him and I hope it is not too late for him to become a person that future generations should strive to become.

http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2010/09/25/nba-to-crack-down-on-overt-complaining/

President Taft

I love the National Presidential Race, even though it is a copy of the Sausage Race in Milwaukee. There was the excitement when Teddy Roosevelt won for the 1st time EVER. The most recent story line in the Presidential Race is that a new President will partake in the race. 27th President William Howard Taft. 

Susan Walsh

Congratulations to William Howard Taft's family, he deserves to be idolized in a way that isn't for getting stuck in the White House bathtub only to be removed by aides using butter for lubrication. William Howard Taft was a great lawyer and a less accomplished President, losing a bid for re-election. He was the only President to later serve on the Supreme Court. 

 But, does Taft deserve this honor? The four other participants of the race are Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, and Teddy Roosevelt. These four presidents have their flaws, but are very highly regarded. Taft's accomplishments do not compare to winning the Revolutionary War, writing the Declaration of Independence, signing the 13 Amendment, or establishing the National Park System.  

 The argument for Taft is that he has strong connections to baseball, he was the first President to throw out a first pitch. Other President's might have done this if the game had been more popular at his time. We are giving credit for a ceremonial duty. What about F.D.R.? A popular president, was elected 4 times. Plus we could show some diversity by including a President in a wheelchair.

C-SPAN Presidential Rankings 

President's Name	2009 Final Score	Overall Ranking
		2009	2000
Abraham Lincoln	902	1	1
George Washington	854	2	3
Franklin D. Roosevelt	837	3	2
Theodore Roosevelt	781	4	4
Harry S. Truman	708	5	5
John F. Kennedy	701	6	8
Thomas Jefferson	698	7	7
Dwight D. Eisenhower	689	8	9
Woodrow Wilson	683	9	6
Ronald Reagan	671	10	11
Lyndon B. Johnson	641	11	10
James K. Polk	606	12	12
Andrew Jackson	606	13	13
James Monroe	605	14	14
Bill Clinton	605	15	21
William McKinley	599	16	15
John Adams	545	17	16
George H. W. Bush	542	18	20
John Quincy Adams	542	19	19
James Madison	535	20	18
Grover Cleveland	523	21	17
Gerald R. Ford	509	22	23
Ulysses S. Grant	490	23	33
William Howard Taft	485	24	24

Historians would agree with me about other Presidents being more deserving of this honor. In a C-SPAN poll completed by historians in 2009 and 2000 ranked Taft 24th. Notable Presidents I would have chosen are F.D.R.(in the wheelchair), J.F.K.(because I love initials, in a convertible), Ronald Reagan (demented and always running the wrong direction), or Andrew Jackson. Jackson, noted Native-American slayer, could be included now that the Nationals do not play in the same park as the Redskins.

Nationals you had marketing gold with Teddy Roosevelt last year and you could have ridden that train longer. Including, Taft is a attention grab that lacks good judgement on your choice of a President. Overall, I applaud the Nationals' effort in adding excitement to the ballpark experience, but choose more wisely.