Guestblogger Kristy says…

I have a challenge for anyone who is up for it: I started a new position this week and will be in charge of all sales and new business accounts for the also-new video and collateral print production arm of our marketing company. This new Division is in need of a new name! The previous name got shot down, and now I’m charged with brainstorming ideas for a new one. SO, your mission should you choose to accept it, is to come up with the name of my company! (Know, however, that your suggestions become the property of myself and TEO, Inc. and the only thing you win is the satisfaction of knowing that you came up with the name of a new video prod outfit in NH.) Keep in mind I am currently the only employee of said business.

Fire away! Sky’s the limit…

Guestblogger: Kristy LaPlante

The NY Times published an article yesterday revealing the Pentagon’s involvement in planting “pro-American” articles/advertisements in Iraqi publications, and in paying Iraqi journalists monthly stipends to do so as well. The result, I think, is completely detrimental to our mission. One publication’s thirst for a juicy story could - and maybe has - sabotage any credibility we have overseas with those pro-freedom Iraqi’s we are supposed to defend. Am I the only one who thinks that passive, propoganda warfare is better than, I don’t know, the very aggressive battlefield warfare that everyone has been protesting so ferociously? And if journalists here going to question the ethics behind publishing biased materials, why not argue the same for war in general? Surely shooting someone is worse than printing an ad. I’m disappointed in the people who exposed this story. There are better causes to take up.

[& I know I’m not the only one. Hat tip: ECD3]

Next time someone tells you that, you might want to introduce them to Miranda McOsker. In a varsity football game this past week she threw 4 out of 5 passes, 3 of which were touchdowns. Not bad for a 15 year old who hadn’t played quarterback before this year.

McOsker is one of about 250 girls playing high school football out of 100,000+ total according to the California Interscholastic Foundation.

My hero in life, Kerri Walsh, and Misty May-Treanor won the gold in the Portugal Open this weekend, their 17th Swatch-FIVB championship as a team. They breezed past the Greeks 21-12 and 21-13 in a match that only lasted a half hour…and still thought they played sloppy.

Just another excuse to post these wonderful photos on bloy.com. Check for updates on the 2005 Pro Tour at avp.com.

Michelle “Wie Youngin” shot for 70 at the Deere Classic yesterday, on her way to making the cut for the (traditionally men’s) PGA Tour. Wie competed in her first LPGA major in 2003, at age 13; and began competing in the amateur tournaments at age 10. She says she is older, wiser, and more mature now.

From the Wall Street Journal:
“The Vatican issued a paper underpinning denial of Communion to divorced people who remarry Catholic politicians who support abortion.”

Okay, so the real rundown says “..who remarry AND Catholic politicans..” but at first glance, that looked ridiculously specific…”

Be careful lady, it looks like this guy is trying to sling-shot you outta the tournament.

Spain passed nationwide approval of gay marriage today, beating out Canada as the third country in the world to approve it!! Sorry Canucks, you’re shooting for #4.

Pirates ahoy! Tsunami relief booty was siezed off the coast of Nairobi.

Drown em like puppies!

It’s been a while since I could post my pro-female sports rhetoric! But no worries, fans; I’m back in the game.

Kicking off today’s post is a WONDERFUL article courtesy of ESPN/Golf Digest about Augusta’s proposed facelift, making it the second longest course in Championship golf history. Note how the article boasts Augusta’s proclivity to change with the times. Let women play, and maybe I’ll start to believe it.

In Wimbledon news, it’s Davenport vs. Mauresmo and Williams vs. Sharapova on Thursday, in what I think is the most exciting semifinal in a decade. Plus they’re all fairly young and pretty cute. So seriously, ya’ll should watch.

I have more, but there’s a wicked lightning storm currently. Computer’s getting shut down til it passes, lest I get electrocuted like Brendan!

Clearly on top of their game, Canada’s House of Commons voted on Tuesday to legalize gay marriage across their entire northern nation. They’ve joined Belgium and The Netherlands as one of three nations in the world to do so. This isn’t a huge change; 7 of their 10 provinces had already adopted the policy. Talk about moral victory.

The fun part is that a bunch of Roman Catholics (the dominant religious affiliation in Canada) even said that despite their personal beliefs on gay marriage, no law should prevent any Canadian the right to marriage. While the clergy - and the conservative arm - still oppose it, the law should go into effect within the next month. Of course, no change without controversy: the Cabinet minister for economic development in Ontario resigned b/c of this legislation. But who needs him?

Canucks rule, n’est pas?

I know it’s not my usual pro-female athletes post, but any good Lakers fan will appreciate the news:

Phil Jackson is back!

He’s crass, but he’s good.

You- yes, YOU- can decide who will go to the WNBA All-Star game this year and who doesn’t by voting on your favorite players. You can vote once per day until the polls close on June 23rd. So sign on and drop it like it’s hot!

As you probably know by now, basketball legend George Mikan passsed away this week in Scottsdale, AZ at the age of 80. George was the original NBA superstar, winning 4 of the Association’s first 5 championship titles with the Minneapolis Lakers.

Today, Shaquille O’Neal offered to pay for George’s funeral. Yahoo sports reported:

O’Neal credits Mikan as someone who helped lay the framework for what the NBA is today.

“Without No. 99, there is no me,” said O’Neal, referring to Mikan by his jersey number.

I never thought I’d say it, but god bless Shaq. Even though the family has yet to formally accept the offer, it was an overwhelmingly touching thing for an NBA player to do.

This article has it all: Red Sox, publicity for a burgeoning organization, and the following phrase:

The Greater Manchester Sports Council, made up of civic leaders and executives of some local sports teams, is still working on the date and location.

Yup, that’s right folks. Kristy LaPlante is a “civic leader.” Never thought we’d see the day. :)

ps-When the Manchester Sports Council’s webpage goes live, I’ll post a link.