Since Congress left town watching the news has been more enjoyable with the exception of the conservative news media. With congressional leaders at home they are not in the news with their usual ranting and raving about every thing they can think of. The news on the current situation in Iraq has been calm.
Just think how it would be so much more enjoyable if congress had done their work and job on those pressing issues the country faces before they went home. That would have been ideal but congress thinks we ask too much of them.
The real sad part about when they return to Washington is the U.S. House has very few work days scheduled before the November elections and they are on record as saying they do not plan on taking up any major legislation until after the elections.
There was a time when congress would give the President an up or down vote on his agenda. After all, the President is elected by the people in all 50 states, no so members of congress who represent only one state and in the case of the U.S.House, only one or more districts. That all changed with the newly found unAmerican conservative ideology of the republicn party and has gotten worse with the advent of the Tea Party republicans.
And make no mistake, the people have not yet heard the last talk about impeachment or shutting down the federal government again.
This commentary written by John Lucia
Friday, August 15, 2014
Thursday, August 14, 2014
Will The Southeastern Conference Continue Its Dominance?
Probably not much longer because of the recent expansion of the SEC and if there is any additional expansion that will make its decline more severe. SEC teams have contributed at times 5 or 6 teams in the playoffs in basketball and baseball and several football teams in the top 10 and the bowl games. And that has been going on for some time.
But the fact is expansion has hurt pro ball and college ball and the play off system is bloated. Major league baseball started its decline when it expanded in 1961. Pro basketball and football declined also after expansion. The two teams that were recently added, Missouri and Texas A&M will now be able to recruit those high school prospects from their own states who in the past went to other SEC schools in order to play in the SEC. They will also be able to recruit players from SEC schools who want to go out of state to Missouri or Texas A&M but still be able to play in the SEC. The problem will multiply if more expansion comes about.
Expansion delutes talent and does nothing to make teams competative. It is good for the pocket books of the SEC and the schools but what does that have to do with competition? And the kicker that has to be added is college players leaving early to turn pro. There is only so much top talent out there and when you have to fill your roster with marginal players, that is trouble.
The coaching staffs in the SEC have complained how scheduling SEC games among its teams have become a big problem. Expansion will make that problem worse. LSU's coach Les Miles thinks the SEC scheduling is unfair. There is so much money in college sports that the powers to be has lost sight of the sport itself. That is why the NFL is thinking about adding two more teams to their playoff system.
College sports deserve a better fate.
Note: More than half of the teams in pro football and basketball finish the season with a loosing record and that has been going on for many years now thanks to expansion.
This commentary written by John Lucia.
But the fact is expansion has hurt pro ball and college ball and the play off system is bloated. Major league baseball started its decline when it expanded in 1961. Pro basketball and football declined also after expansion. The two teams that were recently added, Missouri and Texas A&M will now be able to recruit those high school prospects from their own states who in the past went to other SEC schools in order to play in the SEC. They will also be able to recruit players from SEC schools who want to go out of state to Missouri or Texas A&M but still be able to play in the SEC. The problem will multiply if more expansion comes about.
Expansion delutes talent and does nothing to make teams competative. It is good for the pocket books of the SEC and the schools but what does that have to do with competition? And the kicker that has to be added is college players leaving early to turn pro. There is only so much top talent out there and when you have to fill your roster with marginal players, that is trouble.
The coaching staffs in the SEC have complained how scheduling SEC games among its teams have become a big problem. Expansion will make that problem worse. LSU's coach Les Miles thinks the SEC scheduling is unfair. There is so much money in college sports that the powers to be has lost sight of the sport itself. That is why the NFL is thinking about adding two more teams to their playoff system.
College sports deserve a better fate.
Note: More than half of the teams in pro football and basketball finish the season with a loosing record and that has been going on for many years now thanks to expansion.
This commentary written by John Lucia.
Monday, August 11, 2014
The Destabilization Of Iraq Continues Eleven Years Later
The invasion and occupation of Iraq in 2003 over WMD that did not exist and the over throw of Saddam broke that country and it was President George W. Bush who gave the order to do so. That left the problem to fix Iraq to the next President who happened to be Barack Obama. There was no more Saddam to keep the terrorist groups out of Iraq like he did and now those terror groups are stronger than ever.
The recent decision by President Obama to drop needed aid to those civilians in Iraq that are being punished by ISIS, the worst of the terror groups in Iraq was the right thing to do. I also think Obama's decision to use American air power and support the formation of a new government in Iraq and urging the Iraq military forces to stand up and fight for their country was the right thing to do.
The President's reluctance to commit American ground forces to the middle east is a sound policy decision. We have been there in the past, done that, suffered heavy casulties by terrorists and not the country's military who were supposed to be the threat. Terrorists can always fade out, then come back in at their own choosing and keep American's ground forces there forever.
The solution is a political one in Iraq and the middle east. We know that because two thousand years of war has not brought security to that troubled land. The leaders of Israel have yet to learn that. Bush did not and he is still in denial. So far President Obama has learned that and that troubled countries have to step up to the plate and be willing to do all they can to resolve their own problems.
American leaders have to rethink how our country reacts to trouble spots in the middle east, especially when our military trains other countries military like we did in Iraq and are still doing in Afghanistan only to see their military cut and run when challenged by the terrorists, even to the point of given up their weapons. How many times or how long should Americans be expected to sacrifice for another country and its people that are not willing to sacrifice themselves for their own country and its people.
The final chapter on Iraq has yet to be written after 11 years and how much longer it takes is anyones guess. Hopefully President Obama will continue to seek the wisdom necessary to make future decisions concerning our country and our men and women in uniform who have been at war long enough.
This commentary written by John Lucia
The recent decision by President Obama to drop needed aid to those civilians in Iraq that are being punished by ISIS, the worst of the terror groups in Iraq was the right thing to do. I also think Obama's decision to use American air power and support the formation of a new government in Iraq and urging the Iraq military forces to stand up and fight for their country was the right thing to do.
The President's reluctance to commit American ground forces to the middle east is a sound policy decision. We have been there in the past, done that, suffered heavy casulties by terrorists and not the country's military who were supposed to be the threat. Terrorists can always fade out, then come back in at their own choosing and keep American's ground forces there forever.
The solution is a political one in Iraq and the middle east. We know that because two thousand years of war has not brought security to that troubled land. The leaders of Israel have yet to learn that. Bush did not and he is still in denial. So far President Obama has learned that and that troubled countries have to step up to the plate and be willing to do all they can to resolve their own problems.
American leaders have to rethink how our country reacts to trouble spots in the middle east, especially when our military trains other countries military like we did in Iraq and are still doing in Afghanistan only to see their military cut and run when challenged by the terrorists, even to the point of given up their weapons. How many times or how long should Americans be expected to sacrifice for another country and its people that are not willing to sacrifice themselves for their own country and its people.
The final chapter on Iraq has yet to be written after 11 years and how much longer it takes is anyones guess. Hopefully President Obama will continue to seek the wisdom necessary to make future decisions concerning our country and our men and women in uniform who have been at war long enough.
This commentary written by John Lucia
Sunday, August 10, 2014
The Upcoming Congressional Elections
In less than three months voters in America will vote on members in both houses of congress. Conservative journalists and the republican party in Louisiana are predicting the republican party will elect enough republican members in the U.S.House and Senate to give them control of both houses of congress. Therefore it will be the republican party who will controll the political agenda in 2015 and 2016, the last two years of Obama's Presidency.
The last time both houses of congress was controlled by the party occured during the first six years of the George W. Bush administration. For those in Louisiana and the nation that remember the past, those first six years was a prelude to the great depression of 2008. It was a time when President Clinton's balanced budgets and surpluses were turned into deficit spending and debt in Bush's very first fiscal year and for all 8 years he was in office. It also reversed the greatest economy of the 20th century. It was also a time that gave the country and its people the invasion and occupation of Iraq over WMD that did not exist and destablized the country. It was also a time when Bush and the republicans tried to privatize social security. It was a time when the worst foreign terror attack on U.S. soil happened in 2001.
It was a time of no action on health care for the uninsured and no action on immigration reform. It was a time that republicans passed a $400 billion prescription drug benefit that ended up costing the taxpayers over $1 trillion and was paid for with deficit spending. It was a time when ideology trumped policy and facts and where personal attacks replaced civility.
Voters would do well to remember the failed past of the republican party, especially since the economy and job creation is back on track and federal deficit spending is being reduced in a reasonable manner. The country and people of Louisiana do not need another republican party in control of both houses of congress
that govern by ideology and who are already on record of saying they would not balance the federal budget for another 10 years. And Louisiana does not need a republican party who is always trying to pass blame off to someone else. Yes my fellow Americans, understanding the mistakes of the past is still the key to a better future.
This commentary written by John Lucia
The last time both houses of congress was controlled by the party occured during the first six years of the George W. Bush administration. For those in Louisiana and the nation that remember the past, those first six years was a prelude to the great depression of 2008. It was a time when President Clinton's balanced budgets and surpluses were turned into deficit spending and debt in Bush's very first fiscal year and for all 8 years he was in office. It also reversed the greatest economy of the 20th century. It was also a time that gave the country and its people the invasion and occupation of Iraq over WMD that did not exist and destablized the country. It was also a time when Bush and the republicans tried to privatize social security. It was a time when the worst foreign terror attack on U.S. soil happened in 2001.
It was a time of no action on health care for the uninsured and no action on immigration reform. It was a time that republicans passed a $400 billion prescription drug benefit that ended up costing the taxpayers over $1 trillion and was paid for with deficit spending. It was a time when ideology trumped policy and facts and where personal attacks replaced civility.
Voters would do well to remember the failed past of the republican party, especially since the economy and job creation is back on track and federal deficit spending is being reduced in a reasonable manner. The country and people of Louisiana do not need another republican party in control of both houses of congress
that govern by ideology and who are already on record of saying they would not balance the federal budget for another 10 years. And Louisiana does not need a republican party who is always trying to pass blame off to someone else. Yes my fellow Americans, understanding the mistakes of the past is still the key to a better future.
This commentary written by John Lucia
Tuesday, August 5, 2014
The Louisiana Republican Doctors In The U.S. House: Do They Really Make Any HOUSE Calls?
Every time I hear a republican repeat their call to defund and or kill the Affordable Care Act, especially when it comes from a member of Louisiana's delegation that serves in the U.S. House, I am reminded of a Times Picayune article published in November 2008 (almost 6 years ago) by staff writer Bruce Alpert.
Part of the article is about Louisiana Reps. Bill Cassidy and Charles Boustany's strong views on how to reduce the number of uninsured Americans and want to share them with President Obama before he unveils his legislative package. Cassidy and Boustany are doctors and are presumed to know a little about health care especially the way they talk. Cassidy is running for Mary Landrieu's Senate seat and his commercials show him in his doctors coat.
After going back and reading the article I wonder if those two doctor republicans have ever made a call on their majority party in the House and give them specific examples how their party could come up with a health care plan of their own to introduce to the people. As of this writing they and their party still have no health care plan to replace the ACA. So as doctors, Cassidy and Boustany are batting zero for their own party.
In fact Louisiana's representative John Fleming also serves in the U.S. House and is also a doctor. Thats three Louisiana doctors serving republicans in the U.S. House who have not been able to articulate a health care plan for their party to rally around and introduce to the people. How many years does it take?
This writer would like to see Mr. Alpert write a follow up article and ask the three doctors what they specifically recommended to their own party concerning a health care plan for the uninsured. If they did talk, their republican house members must have not listened.
Or is it the doctors did not even make HOUSE calls?
This commentary written by John Lucia
Part of the article is about Louisiana Reps. Bill Cassidy and Charles Boustany's strong views on how to reduce the number of uninsured Americans and want to share them with President Obama before he unveils his legislative package. Cassidy and Boustany are doctors and are presumed to know a little about health care especially the way they talk. Cassidy is running for Mary Landrieu's Senate seat and his commercials show him in his doctors coat.
After going back and reading the article I wonder if those two doctor republicans have ever made a call on their majority party in the House and give them specific examples how their party could come up with a health care plan of their own to introduce to the people. As of this writing they and their party still have no health care plan to replace the ACA. So as doctors, Cassidy and Boustany are batting zero for their own party.
In fact Louisiana's representative John Fleming also serves in the U.S. House and is also a doctor. Thats three Louisiana doctors serving republicans in the U.S. House who have not been able to articulate a health care plan for their party to rally around and introduce to the people. How many years does it take?
This writer would like to see Mr. Alpert write a follow up article and ask the three doctors what they specifically recommended to their own party concerning a health care plan for the uninsured. If they did talk, their republican house members must have not listened.
Or is it the doctors did not even make HOUSE calls?
This commentary written by John Lucia
Monday, August 4, 2014
Louisiana's Steve Scalise, The New House Whip But The Same Republican Party Failure.
The republican controlled U.S. House passed a $694 million bill for additional funding to deal with the influx of immigrants from Central America. That was less than the $3.7 billion request from the President and the $2.7 billion proposed in the Senate that was blocked by the republican's in that chamber. The first bill the House took up was pulled from the floor because of the republicans own opposition to passage.
Washington Post columnist Chris Cillizza wrote Scalise had the worst week in Washington for having the first major bill he was in charge of fail. Scalise tried to put his best face on with self serving comments that has become the trademark of he and his party. The legislation that finally passed will go no where and Scalise knows it. He also knows it does not address the problem and is just another piece of proof how the republican party continues to oppose anything the President proposes.
Scalise is still trying to sell the notion that the immigrants from Central America means the border need to be secure. But as pointed out the border is more secure under the Obama administration with more Border Patrol Agents than any time in the past 30 years. It is also a fact that the immigrants from Central America are turning themselves in at the border to the Border Patrol and are entering mainly thru one check point along the border in the Rio Grande area.
Contrary to what Scalise and his party says, the President did not ask for a blank check to handle the problem, he asked for $3.7 billion. The democrats in the Senate were willing to scale that back to $2.7 billion but republicans in that chamber blocked the vote. The $694 million passed by the house confirms what the President said, "The House wanted to check off any block so they could go home."
The bill the House passed also cancells the 2008 legislation which provides for an orderly way to process immigrants from Central America. President George W. Bush signed that bill because he thought it was a good bill and did not use his veto power. Scalise after being elected Whip of the U.S. House said he and his party were ready to work with the President. That he did not do with his very first piece of legislation. In a previous commentary I said Sincerity was always subject to proof. Well, so far nothing has changed.
This commentary written by John Lucia.
Washington Post columnist Chris Cillizza wrote Scalise had the worst week in Washington for having the first major bill he was in charge of fail. Scalise tried to put his best face on with self serving comments that has become the trademark of he and his party. The legislation that finally passed will go no where and Scalise knows it. He also knows it does not address the problem and is just another piece of proof how the republican party continues to oppose anything the President proposes.
Scalise is still trying to sell the notion that the immigrants from Central America means the border need to be secure. But as pointed out the border is more secure under the Obama administration with more Border Patrol Agents than any time in the past 30 years. It is also a fact that the immigrants from Central America are turning themselves in at the border to the Border Patrol and are entering mainly thru one check point along the border in the Rio Grande area.
Contrary to what Scalise and his party says, the President did not ask for a blank check to handle the problem, he asked for $3.7 billion. The democrats in the Senate were willing to scale that back to $2.7 billion but republicans in that chamber blocked the vote. The $694 million passed by the house confirms what the President said, "The House wanted to check off any block so they could go home."
The bill the House passed also cancells the 2008 legislation which provides for an orderly way to process immigrants from Central America. President George W. Bush signed that bill because he thought it was a good bill and did not use his veto power. Scalise after being elected Whip of the U.S. House said he and his party were ready to work with the President. That he did not do with his very first piece of legislation. In a previous commentary I said Sincerity was always subject to proof. Well, so far nothing has changed.
This commentary written by John Lucia.
Sunday, August 3, 2014
The U.S. Economy, Job Creation and Outlook For The Future
The U.S. Labor Department announced that the economy created 209,000 jobs in July, the sixth straight month of job creation over 200,000. The unemployment rate ticked up to 6.2% from June's 6.1%. The increase was attributed to the fact that 329,000 who were without jobs reentered the job market and was seeking employment once again. The Labor Department does not count any one as unemployed if they drop out of the labor market. Those that reentered the job market is seen as a positive for the economy.
The department also said the economy is expected to sustain its strength into 2015. The economy expanded 4% in the second quarter and is expected to grow 3% in the second half of the year. Manufacturing is expanding and consumer spending is rising.
The positive signs of steady growth is strenghtening and President Obama said our engines are rivving a little bit louder. The stimulus passed by the democratic controlled congress in 2009 is working and moved the economy forward once it took hold. And five and half years after the great economic meltdown of 2008, the republican party in congress is still sitting on their hands doing nothing and keeping their promise of opposing every thing President Obama puts forth to continue the recovery.
The progress being made comes as no suprise to this writer because of precedent. Some thing I wrote about here in "PolitiDose" since the President was elected.
This commentary written by John Lucia.
The department also said the economy is expected to sustain its strength into 2015. The economy expanded 4% in the second quarter and is expected to grow 3% in the second half of the year. Manufacturing is expanding and consumer spending is rising.
The positive signs of steady growth is strenghtening and President Obama said our engines are rivving a little bit louder. The stimulus passed by the democratic controlled congress in 2009 is working and moved the economy forward once it took hold. And five and half years after the great economic meltdown of 2008, the republican party in congress is still sitting on their hands doing nothing and keeping their promise of opposing every thing President Obama puts forth to continue the recovery.
The progress being made comes as no suprise to this writer because of precedent. Some thing I wrote about here in "PolitiDose" since the President was elected.
This commentary written by John Lucia.
Israel, Palestine And Hamas: Will This War Be Any Different?
The present war between the three is a repeat of the past, attacks and retallation from all sides and the placing of blame on each other. It is a rerun with no end in sight because their wars have never produced a political settlement that all party's could live with and in peace with defined boundaries.
The fact that Israel can and does use its military might with impunity and has not brought Palestine or Hamas to the peace table leads one to believe a political settlement is the best and only option. Everyone knows that but has to be reminded. There are so many innocent men, woman and children being killed in their wars one would think that alone is a battle cry to come to the peace table and resolve never to let that happen again.
President Obama needs to rethink the United States relationship with Israel and Palestine. It should not stay on the same track it is on now. The leaders of Israel and Palestine can not be trusted and both are capable of drawing our country into a conflict of their own making. One thing is for sure, America should never again send our troops over there as peacekeepers and should for ever remember the Marines that were killed in Beirut in 1983 in a massive truck bombing. 241 Marines died that day.
This writer has written several commentaries in the past concerning both the subject matter and how learning from the mistakes of the past is still the key to a better future but the party's in the bible lands have yet to learn. The mentality of those who use innocent civilians as human shields and those who believe there is no distinction both wear black hats. Leaders are expected to have moral courage even during war. Is there any wonder why there has been no political settlement?
President Kennedy always thought about the innocent children who paid the ultimate price in war and who never had a say in the matter. Too bad there are so few leaders today who feel the same way. President Obama needs to speak out against the lack of commitment from both sides to take the first step necessary for peace. It should not be business as usual and the extension of the status quo.
This commentary written by John Lucia
The fact that Israel can and does use its military might with impunity and has not brought Palestine or Hamas to the peace table leads one to believe a political settlement is the best and only option. Everyone knows that but has to be reminded. There are so many innocent men, woman and children being killed in their wars one would think that alone is a battle cry to come to the peace table and resolve never to let that happen again.
President Obama needs to rethink the United States relationship with Israel and Palestine. It should not stay on the same track it is on now. The leaders of Israel and Palestine can not be trusted and both are capable of drawing our country into a conflict of their own making. One thing is for sure, America should never again send our troops over there as peacekeepers and should for ever remember the Marines that were killed in Beirut in 1983 in a massive truck bombing. 241 Marines died that day.
This writer has written several commentaries in the past concerning both the subject matter and how learning from the mistakes of the past is still the key to a better future but the party's in the bible lands have yet to learn. The mentality of those who use innocent civilians as human shields and those who believe there is no distinction both wear black hats. Leaders are expected to have moral courage even during war. Is there any wonder why there has been no political settlement?
President Kennedy always thought about the innocent children who paid the ultimate price in war and who never had a say in the matter. Too bad there are so few leaders today who feel the same way. President Obama needs to speak out against the lack of commitment from both sides to take the first step necessary for peace. It should not be business as usual and the extension of the status quo.
This commentary written by John Lucia
Thursday, July 31, 2014
New Orleans Saints Quarterback Drew Brees Is Aging Fast.
According to a Times Picayune article dated 7/20/14 by staff writer Evan Woodbery, Brees said he was serious when he said he planned to play for another 10 years until he was 45 years old. Then says he is not delusional and that would be extremely difficult to do.
That subject matter seems to be out of place at training camp time. It is jumping the gun it seems to this writer at a time Brees should be talking about how he expects his team and himself to improve on last seasons failures.
Brees trys to justify his statement by talking about milestones through out his career then proceeds to list his accomplishments for 13 seasons in the NFL. It is a stretch to think that any 35 year old quarter back would try and project what he will be doing 10 years down the road. It may drum up a lot of media attention but that in its self has no value. Professional ball players get a little carried waway with their hero status and often cross over into their fairy tale world.
All sport fans would love to see their favorite players be productive and play forever. This writer was a Mickey Mantle fan and his retirement was a personal loss. Mantle played at a time when players played for the love of the game and never complained.
If Brees is able to play until he is 45 it will be a real story at that time and not before. The real story now is, "how well Drew Brees plays this season." After the last two seasons of observation I have come to two conclusions: Payton and Brees have already had their best years with the Saints. Secondly, I also believe Alabama has already had its best years under Nick Saban. Time will tell how that works out and I do not expect many sport fans will agree. I also know I may be wrong but that is my observation.
In professional sports it is not the player who decides how long he will play regardless what he says. Brees will find that out in do time.
This commentary written by John Lucia.
That subject matter seems to be out of place at training camp time. It is jumping the gun it seems to this writer at a time Brees should be talking about how he expects his team and himself to improve on last seasons failures.
Brees trys to justify his statement by talking about milestones through out his career then proceeds to list his accomplishments for 13 seasons in the NFL. It is a stretch to think that any 35 year old quarter back would try and project what he will be doing 10 years down the road. It may drum up a lot of media attention but that in its self has no value. Professional ball players get a little carried waway with their hero status and often cross over into their fairy tale world.
All sport fans would love to see their favorite players be productive and play forever. This writer was a Mickey Mantle fan and his retirement was a personal loss. Mantle played at a time when players played for the love of the game and never complained.
If Brees is able to play until he is 45 it will be a real story at that time and not before. The real story now is, "how well Drew Brees plays this season." After the last two seasons of observation I have come to two conclusions: Payton and Brees have already had their best years with the Saints. Secondly, I also believe Alabama has already had its best years under Nick Saban. Time will tell how that works out and I do not expect many sport fans will agree. I also know I may be wrong but that is my observation.
In professional sports it is not the player who decides how long he will play regardless what he says. Brees will find that out in do time.
This commentary written by John Lucia.
Sunday, July 27, 2014
Jeff Duncan: His Remarks on Tony Dungy Were Unprofessional And Childish.
In a Times Picayune story dated 7/25/14 sports journalist Jeff Duncan said former Colts head coach Tony Dungy's remarks about St. Louis Rams rookie draft player Michael Sam were cowardly. Duncan reported Dungy said, "I wouldn't have taken him. I wouldn't want to deal with all of it. It's not going to be totally smooth."
Dungy was a winning Super Bowl head coach and coached in the NFL for a number of years prior to becoming a sports commentator covering NFL football. As a former head coach, Dungy knew the news media would use Sam as a distraction and create a lot of hype that the team would have to deal with. Duncan has never walked in the football shoes of Tony Dungy so when it comes to Duncan's comment, one has only to consider the source.
Instead, Duncan trys to justify his cowardly remark by saying the media attention is now a part of the whole NFL. Then goes on to say, "the media circuses are unavoidable. They're as much a part of today's NFL as ankle tape and smelling salts." Of course the media circuses are very much avoidable and Duncan knows that because he is one of many in the news media who perpetuate that circus.
Dungy made an hosest comment based on his experience as a head coach. Duncan, on the other hand had an opportunity to make an honest comment as a sports journalist during Bountygate and failed the test by not reporting the true story. The true story was the Saints head coach Sean Payton allowed bountygate to happen and was suspended for one full season. That irresponsible act by Payton left the team without its regular head coach and put his own team in jeopardy. That was not only an irresponsible act concerning the team, but also concerning the assistant coaches and more importantly, the fans. And Duncan was silent and never told the true story.
In this writers judgement, reasonable people can determine for them selves what words were cowardly. Those that were spoken by Tony Dungy, or those that were not by Jeff Duncan.
This commentary written by John Lucia
Dungy was a winning Super Bowl head coach and coached in the NFL for a number of years prior to becoming a sports commentator covering NFL football. As a former head coach, Dungy knew the news media would use Sam as a distraction and create a lot of hype that the team would have to deal with. Duncan has never walked in the football shoes of Tony Dungy so when it comes to Duncan's comment, one has only to consider the source.
Instead, Duncan trys to justify his cowardly remark by saying the media attention is now a part of the whole NFL. Then goes on to say, "the media circuses are unavoidable. They're as much a part of today's NFL as ankle tape and smelling salts." Of course the media circuses are very much avoidable and Duncan knows that because he is one of many in the news media who perpetuate that circus.
Dungy made an hosest comment based on his experience as a head coach. Duncan, on the other hand had an opportunity to make an honest comment as a sports journalist during Bountygate and failed the test by not reporting the true story. The true story was the Saints head coach Sean Payton allowed bountygate to happen and was suspended for one full season. That irresponsible act by Payton left the team without its regular head coach and put his own team in jeopardy. That was not only an irresponsible act concerning the team, but also concerning the assistant coaches and more importantly, the fans. And Duncan was silent and never told the true story.
In this writers judgement, reasonable people can determine for them selves what words were cowardly. Those that were spoken by Tony Dungy, or those that were not by Jeff Duncan.
This commentary written by John Lucia
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