George Mitchell went as far as he could in compiling his report on steroid usage in baseball and he should be applauded for it, not criticized. But it's wrong to confine an investigation into performance enhancing drug usage just to baseball. It should be done for all sports and under one umbrella. Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill), the chairman of a House Energy and Commerce subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection has the right idea, "We won't confine it to Major League Baseball. We will also look at football and the NBA. We all know what's going on at the professional level, so we should look at the NCAA too." Rush's staff will finalize a witness list and consider "everybody associated with the Mitchell Report and all these individuals can possibly be called as witnesses." Now back to the big picture. This past Sunday, Rush announced that he would introduce legislation requiring frequent testing of players by an independent body. Rush said the organization could be the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency which coordinates drug policy for the Olympics. Rush added, "they are the gold standard for drug testing. We want to work closely with USADA." This is no 'Rush to judgement', this is a very sound idea that deserves to move forward and succeed...
Here's another wrong that needs to be made right. On Tuesday, U.S. lawmakers introduced legislation to undo a half-century old exemption that lets big radio companies like Clear Channel Inc. and CBS Corp. to air songs without paying record labels or performers any royalties. These two major corporations pay publisher royalties along with everyone else, what we're talking about now are royalties to labels and performers. The argument that radio airplay was invaluable promotion for the labels and radio should not pay for it just doesn't wash anymore. The playing field has been leveled by new types of broadcasters including those on satellite and the Web and music sales that continue to spiral downward. Earlier this month, U.S. copyright authorities set new royalty rates for Sirius and XM, requiring them to pay 8 percent of gross revenues by 2012. The free ride is over for Clear Channel and CBS. Terrestrial radio should not get a free pass...
Both of these 'wrongs' now have an opportunity to be made right. Let's hope the legislator's do the right thing...
10 Timeline Memories:
- 1879] Blinded by the light: Thomas A. Edison privately demonstrates his incandescent light at Menlo Park (NJ)...
- 1880] Premiered on this date: Broadway officially becomes 'The Great White Way' when the lights go on for the first time. This is what Times Square looks like these days: http://youtube.com/watch?v=tmKTwsdM2q0&feature=related ...1946] Frank Capra's "It's A Wonderful Life" starring James Stewart and Donna Reed is previewed for charity at the Globe Theatre in Times Square. The next day is the official world premiere. The movie won't become a hit until it's shown on TV. Here's the last 9 minutes of the classic: http://youtube.com/watch?v=ErrzjGCi3gY ..1950] Jimmy Stewart stars in another big movie, "Harvey" which opens in Times Square...1967] "The Graduate" starring Anne Bancroft and introducing Dustin Hoffman premieres...1981] "Dream Girls" opens at the Imperial Theater on Broadway and 25 years later (2006) the movie opens...
- 1957] Merry Christmas Elvis: Elvis Presley gets an early Christmas present - a draft notice from the U.S. Army. 'The King' reports to the Memphis draft board for a physical, seen here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=UiU5Rxrcx20&feature=related ...
- 1963] A crack in the wall: The Berlin Wall opens for the first time, allowing West Berliners to visit relatives on the east side for the holidays. It re-closes January 6th...
- 1968] "Happy Trails": Author John Steinbeck dies of a heart attack at 66...1973] Bobby Darin passes away following surgery to repair a faulty heart valve at 37. Here's a tribute to Bobby and Sandra Dee, both gone before their time: http://youtube.com/watch?v=7gtXvk0eGfs ...1976] Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley is the victim of a heart attack at 74...1996] Astronomer Carl Sagan goes to a galaxy, billions and billions of light years away at 62. Sagan suffered from a rare bone marrow disease...1999] Legendary Country star Hank Snow dies of natural causes at 85...
- 1980] Announcers banned: No announcers are allowed in a Don Ohlmeyer experiment during the Jets-Dolphins game on NBC-TV, won by the Jets 24-17. I remember how refreshing this was and they kept the parabolic crowd mics open so you felt like you were at the game. To me, hearing the non-stop blabber is the equivalent of sitting next to an annoying fan at a game...
- 1985] Record breaking: New York Islander Denis Potvin breaks the NHL record for a defenseman with his 916th point. The previous record was held by the greatest defenseman I ever saw - #4, the immortal Bobby Orr...
- 1993] Wedding Bells: Donald Trump makes Marla Maples his apprentice for 6 years before the marriage ends in divorce...
- 2002] Lott trots: Trent Lott resigns as Senate Republican leader two weeks after making racially charged remarks...
- 2005] Walking the walk: New York City transit workers walk out on strike, shutting down subways and buses for 3 days. And it was freezing then too...
Music Memories:
- 1969] Number One on this date: "Leaving on a Jet Plane" - Peter, Paul & Mary. This is a great clip featuring the trio and the writer of the song - John Denver: http://youtube.com/watch?v=4LvtDb0ZPwQ ...
- 1975] Musical Eagles: Joe Walsh replaces Bernie Leadon in the Eagles...
Commentary:
On the subject of deregulation of Newspaper-TV-Radio ownership, Ed Pyle remembers the separate operations of the Tampa Tribune, Channel 8 and WFLA AM & FM: "I never encountered any involvement in what I was doing in the news department from the newspaper or TV station. I never had anyone in radio, TV or the Tribune even suggest a guest for my 'Ask the Expert' radio show." ... From Frank Kingston Smith: "As you know I worked at WFIL, Triangle Publications, which owned the full complement at the time -7, 7 and 7. Of course Triangle owned two Philadelphia newspapers - The Inquirer and the Daily News, in addition to TV Guide and The Daily Racing Form. I made history of sorts one Sunday morning as the Daily News spot ended with the jingle, 'Read the Daily News'. I followed that with, "It's also great for wrapping fish." Word is that moments before GM Roger Clipp had a heart attack, he shouted to his wife, "I"LL KILL HIM". Oddly enough I never heard anything about it but Jim Hilliard, the PD, still chuckles about it today." On the subject of the first super station, WTBS, Gordon Brown comments: "WTBS originally belonged to MIT (Tech. Broadcasting System or School, I believe it stood for). One day someone from Turner's org. called the school and asked if the call letters could be purchased and for how much. The person who took the call, taken by complete surprise, threw out a number, more than a million I believe. That's how TBS became Turner Broadcasting." Thanks for all that interesting info guys...
"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":
Jo Jo (Levesque) (17), The Mets' David Wright (25), Dick Wolf (61), Uri Geller (61), Blood, Sweat & Tears drummer & record exec. Bobby Colomby (63), John Hillerman (75) and Charlie Callas (80)...
Timeline Countdown: 3 days until winter, 4 days until Festivus, 5 shopping daze until Christmas, 6 days until 'The Good, The Bad, The Ugly of 2007', 11 nights until New Year's Eve, 14 down with 2 to go for the Patriots and 16 days until the NFL Wild Card Playoffs...
