Those that read my blog on a regular basis know my thoughts on the NBA. Last year I stated that the draft was the equivalent of a funeral for the players I enjoyed watching in college. It was one last chance to see them before they faded into the nothingness of the NBA.

This year’s draft is like a funeral for a long-lost great aunt I haven’t seen in a decade and almost forgot was alive to start with. The passing requires my attention, but in the end I really don’t care that much. Maybe it’s because of the problems the NBA has had over the last year (which I will talk about in more detail later). Maybe it’s because very few of my favorite players from favorite will probably be drafted. Maybe the fact the draft is so pathetically weak except for the top two players.

Whatever the case may be, I’m about as excited about this as a fried liver sandwich. I guess I’ll just close my eyes and eat it. Here comes the first bite.

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I can’t believe it took this long.

After living here for almost two years, I’ve determined it is necessary to add an “Only in Madison” section to this website.

In a Cap Times article,  Eric Sundquist, a member of the Madison Plan Commission and former Atlanta newspaper reporter proposes restricting or banning the drive through in Madison.  Quoting:

“Given the concern about all the carbon going into the atmosphere, I’m not sure we should be building more places for people to sit idling in their cars,” says Eric Sundquist, who was appointed to the citizen panel by Mayor Dave Cieslewicz this spring.

A former newspaper reporter in Atlanta now working as a researcher at the UW-Madison’s Center on Wisconsin Strategy, Sundquist notes that several cities in Canada have recently moved to ban the drive-through coffee shop or stand-alone fast food restaurant.

Seriously, what happened to American ingenuity?  Are we now forced to copy  bad ideas from Canada?
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An editorial today on The Capital Times site suggests that Madison should embrace Alderman Mike Verveer’s proposal to restrict sales of cheap alcohol downtown. The CT says:

The truth is that sales of cheap booze should be regulated. It is unlikely that Verveer’s proposal will address every social ill or challenge associated with such sales, but it is the beginning of a rational response — a response that can be tinkered with, extended or otherwise altered as evidence suggests is wise.

I’m sorry, I thought prohibition was overturned in 1933.

For a city that is supposed to be open and liberal, an ordinance governing what types of alcohol can and cannot be sold seems extremely hypocritical.

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A great discussion from “Countdown” about the possibility of impeachment of President Bush as brought up by Representative Dennis Kucinich.

I’m currently having issues with the latest version of Wordpres (2.5) publishing anything with images and videos.  I am working to correct the problem, and plan to have some fresh posts once this is working correctly.  If anyone has any suggestions, please post them in the comments.

July 4th — day synonymous with independence and revolution.  A day we remember the rebels that created a new country and basis of government.

It seems fitting that “Gonzo,” a documentary about journalist Hunter S. Thompson opens on Independence Day.  Thompson was a true rebel, reinforcing “new journalism,” and adding his own spin.  Gonzo journalism involves first-person accounts of stories, and mixes in drugs, vulgarity and fictional elements to make standard stories more appealing and interesting.

Like many writers over the past two decades, Thompson is the reason I became interested in journalism and chose to pursue it as a career.   A synopsis of the film provided by Apple Trailers:

From Oscar-wining director Alex Gibney and producer Graydon Carter comes a probing look into the uncanny life of national treasure and gonzo journalism inventor Dr. Hunter S. Thompson. A fast moving, wildly entertaining documentary with an iconic soundtrack, the film addresses the major touchstones in Thompson’s life-his intense and ill fated relationship with the Hell’s Angels, his near-successful bid for the office of sheriff in Aspen in 1970, the notorious story behind the landmark Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, his deep involvement in Senator George McGovern’s 1972 presidential campaign, and much more. Narrated by Johnny Depp.

Watch the trailer:

Since I graduated with my journalism master’s three weeks ago, I’ve indulged my creative side by writing fiction.  Novels, short stories, and movie scripts have consumed my time recently.  I’ve enjoyed the break from blogging/journalism, but plan to get back to it within the next week.  Updates coming soon – I thank you for your patience – JD.