The Middlesboro Daily News
4 years ago | 201 views | 0
|
4 
|
|
I've written this before, but there are times when coming up with a single column idea is tough. It's difficult for a know-it-all editor like me to have several opinions and only one opportunity a week to express a single opinion. So instead of focusing on one subject this week, I'm offering a few random thoughts. Please excuse my rambling.
When the announcement was made last week that Al Gore had won the Nobel Peace Prize, I couldn't understand all of the negative comments about his selection. I still don't. I suspect part of it is fear - from top politicos in both parties - that he will run for president again. I think he could have a huge impact but now it appears as though he's not going to run. There's also the issue of global warming. There are plenty of people that don't agree with him on that issue - I know, because I'm one of them. Still, I have to ask, how was anyone harmed by Gore winning a Nobel Prize? I'm glad an American was honored. I'm glad a Tennessean was honored. And yes, he is a Tennessean. If Fred Thompson is a Tennessean, then Al Gore is as well. Has my opinion on global warming changed? No. It didn't change when Gore won an Academy Award and yes, I was happy to see him win that award too. It is possible to disagree with someone on an issue and still wish that person the best. We don't have to hate people to disagree with them. Unfortunately, too many people missed the memo on that. Let Gore have his moment in the sun with the Nobel Peace Prize. Like it or not, it is a positive historical accomplishment. If I'm going to disagree with someone winning an award, it's going to be something important, like a Heisman Trophy.
Speaking of the Heisman Trophy, I'm reminded of college football. This season might be the evidence Gore needs to convince everyone about the effects of global warming. Make no mistake, I'm a Kentucky fan and I'm with their success, but this is one of the strangest college football seasons I've ever seen. While I'm delighted at some of the developments, I'm bothered by some as well. I'm disappointed that the SEC decided to fine Kentucky $50,000 for its fans rushing the field and tearing down the goalposts in the wake of the win over (former) number one LSU. The SEC fined Tennessee $25,000 last year for rushing the court following a win over the Florida basketball team. I can see their logic. Allowing fans to celebrate a win might cause them to actually enjoy a game and perhaps even engender some kind of team loyalty beyond buying officially licensed merchandise. Here's an idea: with the purchase of each season ticket, a fan has the option of buying a celebration permit from the SEC. That way, when the home team does pull off an upset, there will officially licensed fans allowed to rush the field/court. While they're at it, they could impose an SEC "cheering tax," charging fans to cheer for their favorite team because everyone knows there's no money to be made in major college sports.
The Tennessee Department of Revenue made headlines recently when they announced they were cracking down on people crossing the state line to buy cigarettes. Yet when asked how many cartons or packs of cigarettes they've actually seized, revenue officials declined to make that information public. What gives? That should be public knowledge. Anytime a government agency declines to release information my first response is to ask what they're hiding. That's what I wonder now. I would think that they would want people to know what kind of impact they're having on tax dollars leaving the state. It makes no sense to keep it quiet.
Maybe they're afraid the SEC will find out and fine them too, and use that money to congratulate Al Gore who will then decide to run for president.
Then again, maybe the crackdown is a flop and they don't want to admit it. Just a thought.
Richard Evans is Editor of the Claiborne Progress. He can be reached at via e-mail at revans@claiborneprogress.net.
Post a Comment
