Packers, White House, August 12

The Green Bay Packers, Super Bowl XLV Champions, are finally getting recognized for their achievement by the White House.

Charles Woodson vowed to visit, and now it's going to happen.

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

President Barack Obama will host the Packers on Friday, Aug. 12 to the White House to celebrate their Super Bowl XLV victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Packers announced.

“I’m really excited that we were able to find a date to visit the White House,” said Packers President/CEO Mark Murphy. “The labor situation this spring made it a little challenging for us to set up a visit, but I think it is going to work out great. We’re very appreciative that President Obama invited us, and I’m thrilled that our players and coaches will get to enjoy this unique opportunity.”

I hope this invitation to the White House is followed by another one, after the Packers' Super Bowl XLVI victory.


_______________

Statement from the White House:

President Obama to Honor Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers at the White House

WASHINGTON--On Friday, August 12, President Obama will welcome the Super Bowl XLV Champion Green Bay Packers to the White House to honor the team and their Super Bowl victory. The President will also continue his tradition of honoring sports teams for their efforts both on and off the field by recognizing the efforts by the Packers to give back to their community as part of their visit.

Nick Barnett

Linebacker Nick Barnett is no longer a Packer.

From WBAY:

Among the first Packers to return to Lambeau Field Tuesday morning was Nick Barnett, but he might not be with the Packers for long.

Barnett was well aware that his fate in Green Bay would be determined shortly after the conclusion of the lockout. He and everybody else knew the handwriting was on the wall when both Desmond Bishop and Hawk received large, lucrative contract extensions in the last year.

Barnett did not wait long to find out what the team's plans were for him, being among the first to arrive when facilities opened at 9 A.M.

At that time he was keeping an open mind about his future in Green Bay.

"At this point, all I have heard has come from you guys and no one here. I'm sure they will talk to me or talk to my agent. I am just concentrating on being ready to play and not worry about rumors," he said before the meeting.

Less than an hour later, Barnett left. He did not stop to talk to reporters. He wrote on his Twitter account, "Just talked to Ted. Thanks for the great 8 years. Very blessed to be part of a great tradition and fans.

"Happy I was able to be here for the great (Super Bowl) XLV run. I will always keep a special place in my heart for this team and city."

Barnett says he was told the Packers will try to trade him, but if not, they will release him -- a move that will save the team about $5 million of salary cap space.

Nick Barnett is a class act, expressing thanks to the team and fans at what has to be a difficult time for him.

Packer fans owe Barnett thanks for his contributions to the team.

He won't be forgotten.

Best of luck in the next jungle!

Aaron Rodgers and Obama

Aaron Rodgers tweets:

Watching Obama on tv talking about the debt ceiling, hope he hasn't forgotten about the SB. Still waiting on the invite... #budgetcut??

Super Bowl champs - the Green Bay Packers!

I'm so happy the NFL mess is resolved.
______________________

Video of Charles Woodson's NFC Championship locker room speech here.

WHITE HOUSE!!!

Brett Favre: Philadelphia

He can't be serious!

Unretiring is a sickness with Brett Favre.

Someone stage an intervention. He needs to enter rehab for the affliction.



Eagles may want to sign Brett Favre; Vick would be ‘honored’

Folks, we're really sorry for this. We really are. But it's our duty to keep our Spidey-Senses up for NFL news, and we've caught wind of a … well, we're searching for the right word to describe it … rumor. Howard Eskin of 610 WIP Sports Radio in Philadelphia has it out there that the Eagles are interested in possibly procuring the services of ...

Br…

Bre…

Brett Fa…

Oh hell, we can't even write it.

...Right now, this is just Eskin's rumor, though he's fairly dialed in. The Eagles can't talk to free agents or draft picks, but there's nothing in the lockout rules we're aware of preventing them from talking to retired players. If Favre is interested in coming back to a team able to challenge for a Super Bowl, in a media hotbed, behind a vulnerable quarterback, which a staff he knows, and talented targets all over the place … well, there would be few better places for him to go.

Then, there's the intangible argument. The lockout has taken the attention of the NFL media through the spring and summer; very few people have made Favre the primary subject of their attention, and we all know how he reacts to that.

It's tempting to ask the owners and players to put some sort of "Anti-Favre" provision in the new CBA before the NFLPA signs off on it, but we suppose we'll have to see how this plays out.

...UPDATE: Here's Vick's take on the whole thing; he's pretty clearly setting the terms of such a deal by mentioning Favre as a 'backup.'

I can't wait for training camp to begin in Green Bay. I love the atmosphere.

I wonder if Super Bowl MVP Aaron Rodgers would be "honored" to have Favre as his backup.

I crack myself up.

Aaron Rodgers: ESPY Award - Best NFL Player

Congratulations, Aaron Rodgers!

From the Green Bay Press-Gazette:

Rodgers was the lone Packer to win an award despite several players making the trip. Rodgers, Matthews, Greg Jennings, A.J. Hawk, Desmond Bishop and Tramon Williams were all filmed in the crowd.

Rodgers won the Best NFL Player award, but that was announced during the “pregame” show on the red carpet and was not shown on stage. The Super Bowl MVP was also nominated for Best Male Athlete, but was beaten by Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki.

Rodgers made his lone televised appearance on stage when he and entertainer Justin Timberlake, who made another Favre reference, to present the Best Male Collegiate Athlete award to BYU point guard Jimmer Fredette.

The Packers were also nominated for the Best Team honor, but were beaten out by the NBA champion Dallas Mavericks.

Singer Justin Timberlake (R) and Green Bay Packers NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers present an award at the 2011 ESPY Awards in Los Angeles, California, July 13, 2011. (REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni)

Seth Meyers Monologue, ESPYs (Video)

SETH MEYERS: The biggest story in football was the Green Bay Packers beating the Steelers 31-25 in the Super Bowl. The Green Bay Packers became the first team since 1962 to go an entire season without trailing more than 7 points, proving once and for all that not every statistic is interesting.

And finally, give it up for Aaron Rodgers!



Aaron Rodgers, who won the Super Bowl and finally got out of the shadow of Brett Favre, which we learned, thanks to cell phone technology, is not as big a shadow as we originally thought.

Rob Cowles Threatened

According to an unnamed prominent Green Bay-area business leader, Republican Wisconsin State Senator Rob Cowles was "threatened" by Gov. Scott Walker's office.

Cowles was told that if he didn't vote for the Budget Repair Bill, the administration would run a Tea Party candidate against him.

This was reported by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Dan Bice, union member.

He tosses out charges against the Governor's office without naming the accuser.

Bice provides quotes from the "prominent business leader" that literally puts words in Cowles' mouth.

Bice makes the case that although he doesn't name the "prominent business leader," he's not anonymous.

The Green Bay-area business leader, who has not given campaign money to Democrats or Republicans, contacted No Quarter last week and spoke on background, meaning the paper knows the individual's identity. But the leader asked not to be identified by name in the Journal Sentinel because doing so would hurt the person's business and industry relationships.

Poor baby!

Being identified would hurt the leader's business and industry relationships.

Then why contact Bice?

The leader probably was confident that Bice would run the story that puts Walker's office in a negative light without expecting the leader to go on the record.

The Journal Sentinel knows the leader's identity.

So what?

Let the public know who is making the accusations or don't run the story. This is just gossip.

Very Bice.
__________________

UPDATE: Cowles fires back at Milwaukee report of intimidation

State Senator Rob Cowles is firing back at a story in the Milwaukee-Journal Sentinel which alleges Governor Walker threatened to put up a Tea Party candidate against him, if he didn’t vote for Walker’s bill to limit public union bargaining.

"There was never any effort by the governor's office to intimidate any of us," the Allouez Republican says. "There were some aspects of the process that some of us didn't like, but there was never any effort to threaten us with any primaries, the whole story is a fabrication."

The paper says Cowles made the remark when he called a prominent Green Bay area business leader to seek support in his recall election next month.

Columnist Dan Bice said the business leader asked to stay anonymous. But the person quoted Cowles as saying “I didn’t like this bill, either … I didn’t like being put in this position … but the governor’s office told us if we didn’t give them our support, they would run a Tea Party candidate against us.”

...Cowles says it's an effort by national unions to smear him to try and defeat him in the August 9th recall election. He maintains his long-time support for the budget repair bill.

"When the private sector has been bludgeoned by this difficult recession, the public sector has to be part of the solution," Cowles says. "That bill brought some fairness between the government sector and the private sector."

Cowles rips Bice's story to shreds.

That's gotta hurt.

Brett Favre: Itch

I hoped we'd be spared the Brett Favre UN-retirement talk this year.

Alas, it was too much to hope for.

From NFL.com:

Almost time to fire up Favre Watch 2011? On one hand, says NFL.com’s Gil Brandt, yes. Then again, Brandt says, NFL teams might not be all that interested.

When asked about a possible return of Brett Favre to Minnesota during his live chat Tuesday, Brandt indicated that he believes the NFL’s all-time leader in passing yards and touchdowns is indeed getting back that itch. The only catch is that, while the Vikings put on the full-court press to have Favre return last summer, Brandt doesn’t see Minnesota or any other team sending its private jet down to Hattiesburg, Miss., this summer.

“I do think Favre would be interested in talking to a team about returning,” Brandt said. “But I don’t see a team out there right now that would bring him back as a starter.”

Brandt noted that the Vikings need to get first-round draft pick Christian Ponder in the starting lineup as soon as possible, and Favre isn’t the right QB to be grooming — and giving way to — a young player.

“Brett is still a good quarterback, but I’d consider him a descending quarterback,” Brandt said. “It’s awfully hard for him to go to a team and be a backup. The Vikings must start Christian Ponder this season to get him some experience. And they’re not going to get Favre in there to babysit Ponder.”

After Favre's meltdown last year, on and off the field, wouldn't you think the guy would finally want to step out of the spotlight and stay out?

Favre is a joke.

The "itchy" Favre has made such awful choices.

I hope the reigning Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers retire Super Bowl XLV MVP Aaron Rodgers' jersey before Favre gets that honor.

Aaron Rodgers and Jimmy Kimmel

Aaron Rodgers was Jimmy Kimmel's guest on Thursday night.

Aaron shows off his Super Bowl ring.

He tells a story about two photographers, speaking "European," having an altercation on the field before the Super Bowl coin toss.

Here's video:



It's great to be the reigning Super Bowl champs!

I love saying it: THE PACKERS WON THE SUPER BOWL!

Walker Signs Budget

Yesterday, at a private ceremony in Green Bay, Governor Scott Walker made good on his promise to balance the budget, eliminating a $3.6 billion deficit without raising taxes.

It's not perfect. Nothing is. But it's good.

Of course, the Leftists are saying it's a disaster.

I think that's the clearest indication that the budget is good for the state, putting Wisconsin on a path to prosperity.

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

Gov. Scott Walker signed a two-year $66 billion budget Sunday that will cut nearly $800 million from public schools, expand taxpayer support for private voucher schools, cut taxes for investors and businesses, clamp down on property taxes and put the state's finances in better shape than they've been in for more than a decade.

Using the vast veto powers of Wisconsin governors, Walker struck out dozens of budget provisions, including one that would have allowed bail bondsmen in Wisconsin. He also used his veto pen to bar public employees from collecting pensions unless they work for a state or local government for five years or more, set up new possible limits on a family-planning program and allow state officials to do more no-bid contracts.

As previously announced, the GOP governor also vetoed a provision that would have allowed most fired Milwaukee police officers to continue to receive pay while they appealed their dismissals.

Walker's 50 vetoes were less extensive compared with those issued by previous governors, but that's due largely to the fact that Walker's fellow Republicans run both houses of the Legislature and worked closely with the governor in crafting the legislation. Walker has the broadest veto powers of any governor nationwide, allowing him to strike out entire provisions of the budget or rewrite sections by selectively crossing out words.

Wearing khakis, a blue shirt and no tie, Walker signed the budget Sunday afternoon before a crowd of about 100 at Fox Valley Metal-Tech - a site chosen to highlight a tax cut for manufacturers included in the budget.

...A few hundred protesters gathered outside Fox Valley Metal-Tech, chanting "Shame!" as Walker's guests drove into the parking lot. They held signs decrying budget cuts and chanted, "Recall Walker!"

The budget - Walker's first since taking office in January - closes a $3 billion shortfall over the next two years largely without relying on tax increases. It raises spending by $1.1 billion, or 1.8% over two years, and leaves the state with an estimated $300 million surplus in its main account by June 2013. Republicans in the Legislature passed the budget earlier this month on party-line votes.

"Our balanced budget makes tough choices while also providing a path to prosperity for our state and our people," Walker said in a 20-minute speech. "Through honest budgeting, we are providing an alternative to the reckless tricks and gimmicks of the past. To move forward together, we are acknowledging that we have to make sacrifices to protect the next generation by decreasing the serious debt that they would otherwise inherit."

Fiscal responsibility.

What a concept!

Video from FOX 6 News:

 

Packers: Super Bowl Rings

There has been so much bitterness and divisiveness and general weirdness in Wisconsin for months and months now.

Instead of politics and protests and recalls, it's nice to recall the Packers' Super Bowl victory.

Yesterday was a celebration of that tremendous accomplishment. The team received their Super Bowl XLV championship rings.

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

"They wanted big and they wanted bling," Packers President Mark Murphy said. "We were successful in that."

Look, I don't know Tiffany the jeweler from Tiffany the singer, so I'll have to take Woodson's word for it when he said, "It's the best ring I've ever seen and I'm not saying it because it's our night. It's an incredible ring."

For the record, I'll quote from the Packers' official release on the monstrosity, even if it does read like a game-show announcer talking about what's behind Door No. 3.

"The crest of the ring features the Green Bay "G" logo crest in 18-karat yellow gold placed on a green stone tablet. Thirteen diamonds are embedded in the logo, each one representing the team's NFL-record 13 championships. The iconic logo is illuminated by round, brilliant-cut diamonds and four marquis-cut diamonds representing the Packers' four Super Bowl triumphs. Surrounding the crest are 92 diamonds which recognize the 92-year history of Green Bay Packers football."

...It's made of platinum, with 18-karat gold. It's got 3.35 carats of diamonds, for all you Kardashian followers out there.

As for the cost, the Packers are standing behind the company line: They say the NFL "pays for up to 150 rings at $5,000 per ring. Further information about the rings was not disclosed."

...[T]he players who got one had their names and numbers engraved. Their numbers were circled, just like on the Green Bay jerseys from the 1929 championship season. The ring also has an engraving of the Lombardi Trophy and Lambeau Field.

The ring has the scores of all four postseason games and the number "1" flanked by the words, "Mind, Goal, Purpose, Heart."

That's pretty cool, because those were Woodson's words to the team just before the Packers took the field against the Chicago Bears in the NFC Championship Game.

The Packers deserved to have those words inscribed as much as Woodson deserved to win his first championship.

"It's all about getting the ring," Woodson said. "This seals the deal."

Green Bay Packers' Donald Driver shows off his Super Bowl ring, Thursday, June. 16, 2011, after the Packers ring ceremony at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers in the NFL Super Bowl football championship game Feb. 6. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

Very nice.


Video.

Canadians Riot, Stanley Cup Loss (Video)

I don't understand why some sports fans riot.

They riot in celebration.

They riot in defeat.

When the Packers won Super Bowl XXXI and Super Bowl XLV, I didn't riot. When the team lost Super Bowl XXXII, I didn't riot.

It makes absolutely no sense to me. Get a grip!

From the Canadian Press:

Parts of downtown Vancouver erupted in flames, explosive booms thundered through the air and looters smashed windows and ran amok inside department stores Wednesday after the city's Stanley Cup run ended in bitter defeat.

Weeks of well-behaved crowds watching the Vancouver Canucks march toward Game 7 of the NHL final ended abruptly in violence and vandalism that erupted even before the 4-0 loss to the Boston Bruins was officially over.

Police said they had reports of four stabbings, though spokeswoman Const. Jana McGuinness said she couldn't confirm them.

The riot shattered the wholesome legacy of the nightly parties hosted on the same streets during the 2010 Olympics — an experience that had the city's mayor and police chief confidently proclaiming Vancouver had "matured" since similar riots in 1994.

"It's terrible," said Canucks captain Henrik Sedin, shaking his head, in an interview after the game.

"This city and province has a lot to be proud of, the team we have and the guys we have in here. It's too bad."

Police officers from around the region flooded into downtown and Mayor Gregor Robertson said things were getting under control, but the images and atmosphere that lingered late into the night suggested otherwise.

Robertson said there had been no fatalities, though he had to be asked the question twice.

Fights broke out and people were seen falling on broken glass.

At the flagship Bay store, looters jumped inside and were seen grabbing T-shirts and anything else they could get their hands on. Young women were seen escaping with MAC cosmetics. One girl carried out part of a mannequin.

The landmark building was filling with smoke as rioters, their faces covered in bandannas, continued the violence. Almost none were wearing hockey jerseys.

The looters turned their attention next on a Future Shop a few blocks away, smashing windows and flooding up the stairs to the second-floor store, only to turn around quickly. One witness said police were at the top of the stairs.

Sears and Chapters stores were also looted, their glass fronts smashed.

For many, the ugly chaos made the Cup loss an afterthought.

"Tonight, what I've seen is a complete disgrace," said Beth Hope, 28, who is originally from England but has lived in Vancouver for the past two years.

"I'm a Canucks fan but my jersey's in my bag — I'm ashamed to be a fan right now."

She said she saw a parkade on fire, cars ablaze.

"It's insane, it's absolutely insane. What's the point? Our team lost — why destroy your own city? I'm afraid."

It is insane.

I don't believe this sort of rioting is tied to the outcome of the sporting event at all. The rioters are just thugs looking for an excuse to do damage.

Here's video of the insanity:

Vince Lombardi: 98

Vince Lombardi was born 98 years ago today.

Aaron Rodgers: First Pitch, Miller Park

On Thursday afternoon, Aaron Rodgers went to Twitter to share his plans for Thursday evening:

Check me out on the mound tonight @millerpark and also support the crew

Here's Rodgers on the mound:



Green Bay Packers NFL football quarterback Aaron Rodgers throws out the ceremonial first pitch at a baseball game between the New York Mets and the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday, June 9, 2011, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)

Here's Rodgers and Ryan Braun during batting practice:


Green Bay Packers football quarterback Aaron Rodgers, left, and Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun speak during batting practice before their baseball game against the New York Mets, Thursday, June 9, 2011, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)

From the Associated Press, via the Green Bay Press-Gazette:

Super Bowl MVP Aaron Rodgers threw out the first pitch at Miller Park before the Milwaukee Brewers took on the New York Mets on Thursday night.

The Green Bay Packers quarterback wore a No. 12 Brewers jersey and toss a perfect pitch to good friend, Ryan Braun.

Rodgers declined to speak to reporters, but the Packers will receive their Super Bowl rings in a private ceremony next Thursday.

Although Rodgers didn't talk to reporters, he was in the booth with Bill Schroeder and Brian Anderson.

From OnMilwaukee:

Rodgers declined the opportunity to talk to reporters but did stop by the FS Wisconsin booth in the fourth inning. Brewers play-by-play announcer Brian Anderson asked whether or not Rodgers had any plans to organize team workouts during the ongoing NFL lockout.

"We're going to put something together here because it looks like it's going to go a little bit longer, so it's going to be important for us to get together," Rodgers told Anderson, adding that he would discuss the matter with teammate Charles Woodson at an upcoming charity event.

"If this lockout persists, we're going to get together. Guys have gotten some great work individually, some have gotten together in groups of two or three," Rodgers said. "There's a lot of guys kind of in the same area working out, but at some point we're going to have to get together."

Jason Wilde writes:

His arm looked to be in good shape Thursday night, when he threw a strike to his good friend Ryan Braun, the Brewers’ all-star left fielder.

“I wanted to throw a four-seamer. When I pitched in high school, I threw a two-seamer. But I had a little too much movement,” Rodgers said. “I haven't pitched in forever, and I was super nervous. I didn't want to bounce it to Braun. He said he wasn't wearing a cup.”

Rodgers said he played a lot of baseball as a kid but didn’t play his first three years of high school before returning to the game as a senior.

“I was actually a pretty good pitcher for a while, then took a break my freshman, sophomore and junior year of high school and played football. That didn't work out, so I decided to play baseball my senior year and was a pitcher and a below-average hitter,” Rodgers said. “You never know about these (radar) guns, but I was told that I hit the low 90s, and I like to run with that. In about 10 years, I'll be saying 95.”

Rodgers said he and Braun became friends “a couple years ago” after he came to a game and met Braun.

“I'm a fan of Wisconsin sports. This is home for me nine months out of the year. I pull for the Brewers and Bucks and Marquette basketball and Wisconsin basketball and UWM basketball,” Rodgers said. “So it's been fun to pull for them and get to know Ryan. He's a California guy like myself. We're two weeks apart. He's two weeks older than I am, and we've really become good friends."

I like the loyalty to Wisconsin exhibited by both Rodgers and Braun.

Here's audio of Rodgers in the booth:



He was nervous to throw out the first pitch?

Super Bowl XLV MVP nervous?

Rodgers is so poised that it's hard to imagine him being nervous about anything, but I understand.

Think of Obama's performance on the mound. Disaster.

Al Harris, Super Bowl Ring

This makes me happy.

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

The agent for former Packers cornerback Al Harris confirmed Thursday night that Harris would receive a Super Bowl XLV ring.

Team president Mark Murphy, answering a question from a fan during a stop in Eau Claire on the team's Tailgate Tour, indicated Harris would get a ring, according to a report in the Green Bay Press-Gazette. But he did not elaborate and there was no official confirmation from the team.

However, Harris' agent, Jack Bechta said in a story on National Football Post, of which he is a founder, that Harris "has been told that he would get a ring."

Harris did not play for the Packers last year, but he was on the physically unable to perform list for nine weeks while trying to come back from a devastating knee injury suffered during the 2009 season. Harris was allowed to practice during the final three weeks before the team decided he was not ready to play.

…Soon after being released, Harris paid for an advertisement in the Journal Sentinel thanking fans for their support during his seven-plus seasons with the Packers.

…Many fans were wondering whether Harris would receive the ring he desperately wanted, but it wasn't until Thursday that Murphy let the cat out of the bag.

“I would expect nothing less of the Packers organization," Bechta said. "Al was one of their dedicated warriors for many years and over half of the Super Bowl season.”

Al Harris is a class act.

He deserves that Super Bowl ring.

Greg Jennings: Parody "Broken Leg" Video

Greg Jennings and his family star in a parody of this YouTube hit:

*Warning: Explicit and offensive language*



Here's the Jennings family parody:



Greg Jennings put the team on his back!

Nicole Jennings - one of the hardest hitting wives in the league!

Such a beautiful family!

Ryan Braun, Aaron Rodgers, and Wisconsin

Ryan Braun said he wanted to spend his entire career as a Milwaukee Brewer.

He will. At least that's the plan.

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

The all-star outfielder still had four years remaining beyond the 2011 season on an eight-year, $45 million extension signed after his rookie season, so there certainly was no rush to do another deal. But when a 27-year-old player on Braun's career path says he wants to stay with the club into the next decade, you have to listen.

"Especially a player of his stature, and a player who grew up in southern California," said Attanasio. "It was a very big idea and an enormous commitment. We had to get our heads around that."

Both sides did so, leading to the announcement Thursday that Braun and the club had agreed to a five-year extension worth $105 million, a historic deal in many ways. The extension, which runs from 2016 though 2020, also includes a mutual option for 2021 worth up to $20 million with a $4 million buyout.

As further proof that Braun wants to be a career Brewer, a no-trade provision was included in the deal. To help the club stay competitive and have the financial wherewithal to sign other players, Braun agreed to defer an unspecified amount of the money.

...Braun, whose $45 million extension signed in 2008 already was the biggest contract in franchise history, said there were many reasons for wanting to make the commitment at this early stage of his career. Chief among them, he said, was the tremendous support of Brewers fans.

"I'm proud to be a Milwaukee Brewer, I really am," he said. "I'm going to be for the next 10 years. It's an exciting day for me, my family, the organization. It's like being part of a family.

"It's truly special to me to come to work here every day, and I'm excited about being able to do that for the next 10 years. Thanks to the fans - that was the single biggest reason I wanted to stay here. To be in one of the smallest media markets in baseball and to have 3 million people to come watch us every year is incredibly special.

"The more time we spend in other cities, the more we recognize how special it is here. The fans are the single biggest factor. I'm excited, man, truly excited to be able to say I'm a Milwaukee Brewer from this point forward."

Ryan Braun isn't the only athlete on a Wisconsin team wanting to make his career here.

Aaron Rodgers tweets congratulations to his friend:

Really happy for my buddy braun getting locked up for the next 10 years. Great guy and great player. Hope we are both in WI till then

Rodgers then goes on to say that he wants to retire as a Packer:

I wanna retire as a packer then live in CA RT @G_Caruana1 @AaronRodgers12 do you want to play in cali? Or just go back after your retired?

Sounds good to me!

Eric Thompson: The Green Bay Connection

One of the guns that Cho Seung-Hui used in the Virginia Tech shootings was purchased from The Gun Source, an online gun store based in Green Bay.

It's no surprise that the site couldn't handle the traffic.

Here's what visitors find:



Maybe my perception is skewed, but it seems that Wisconsin always figures into national stories. So often, there's some sort of connection.

So one of the murder weapons used in the worst act of gun violence in American history was purchased from a Wisconsin store.

Watch a raw interview of store owner Eric Thompson here.

From Milwaukee's NBC affiliate, TMJ4:

Eric Thompson, owner of TheGunSource.com said the ATF agents who came to interview him were friendly and non-threatening. He said everyone is "on the same page" in terms of keeping people safe and following the letter of the law.

He said Cho sent an email with two questions. “What they were basically was just asking a little bit more detail about the firearm and and how new it was," Thompson said.."The second question was about where he would like us to send it."

TEXT OF EMAILS FROM VA TECH SHOOTER TO THEGUNSOURCE.COM IN GREEN BAY:

“IS WALTHER P22, PRODUCT 10632, SECOND GENERATION? WHAT YEAR WAS THE ASSEMBLY DATE?”

“THE DEALER THAT I CHOSE DON'T FAX THEIR FFL, THEY ONLY MAIL IT, SO I THINK I WANT MY ORDER PUT ON HOLD & SEE IF I CAN FIND ANOTHER DEALER.”

Thompson said that when he sends out a firearm he has to send it to a federally licensed dealer, to comply with all state and federal laws.

“We sell about 400 weapons a month at this point right now, and it is 100 percent legal," he said. "We never ship guns directly to a customer."

Thompson said Cho ordered the weapon on Feb. 2, and GunSource shipped it out on Feb. 5. Thompson said the dealer in Virginia received it on Feb. 8.

"It’s just absolutely tragic. I’ve got three small children myself, and I can’t even fathom something like this happening," Thompson said. "And it’s just an unbelievable tragedy."

It's really an incredible interview.

In spite of learning that Cho used his store to purchase one of the murder weapons, Thompson is remarkably poised.

This has to be a nightmare for him. Nonetheless, he seems to be in complete control. He doesn't fit that maniac, gun crazy stereotype that the Left likes to employ.

When he says that he feels sick to his stomach about selling Cho a gun, I believe him. I believe that he's really hurting.

From The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

"I just feel completely terrible about this," [Thompson] said.

Thompson's Web site linked Thursday to a site where donations could be made for the victims' families. Thompson said he has donated but declined to say how much.

He also said one of his employees late Thursday received a threatening phone call from a person angry about the gun sale.

Thompson, 34, launched the online shop in 1999. He said handgun sales make up about 30% of his business. He said the Virginia Tech shootings were tragic but would not shut down his company.

"There are 1,000 laws in place. Everybody did what was right from a legal standpoint," he said. "How can you ever know the mind of a madman?"

It's kind of ironic that one of Thompson's employees would be threatened by a person angry about the sale. So much for non-violence.

I feel sorry for Thompson. What are the odds that he would find himself in the center of this?

He shouldn't even consider shutting down his business. Does a car dealer shut down when a fatal accident occurs involving a vehicle bought off his lot?

I hope hateful people don't blame and harass Thompson for the bloodshed. He had absolutely nothing to do with it. There is no blood on his hands.

It should be remembered that a gun is an inanimate object. It can't do anything. It didn't kill anyone.

Cho was the killer, not the gun.
_________________________

This isn't Thompson's fault.

A judge's ruling on Cho Seung-Hui's mental health should have barred him from purchasing the handguns he used in the Virginia Tech massacre, according to federal regulations. But it was unclear Thursday whether anybody had an obligation to inform federal authorities about Cho's mental status because of loopholes in the law that governs background checks.

Cho purchased two handguns in February and March, and was subject to federal and state background checks both times. The checks turned up no problems, despite a judge's ruling in December 2005 that Cho "presents an imminent danger to himself as a result of mental illness."

...Virginia State Police send information on prohibited buyers to the federal government. They maintain that the sale was legal under state law and would have been barred only if the justice had committed Cho to a psychiatric hospital. Barnett ordered outpatient treatment instead.

..."The law is very confused about this," said Richard Bonnie, a professor of law and psychiatry at the University of Virginia who heads a state commission on mental-health reform. "The source of the confusion is the relation between federal and state law."

All of this is hindsight.

Cho wasn't committed to a hospital so no laws were broken in the sale of the gun to him.

I wouldn't call it a background check "loophole."

"Loophole" implies that the evil gun lobby found an underhanded way to get guns into the hands of nutcases.

That's just not true. It's not fair.

Absolutely no one wants mentally ill people to purchase guns.

Super Bowl XLI Observations

Indianapolis Colts' quarterback Peyton Manning (R) hugs his head coach Tony Dungy, while holding the Vince Lombardi Trophy, after defeating the Chicago Bears to win the NFL's Super Bowl XLI football game in Miami, Florida, February 4, 2007. Manning was named MVP of the game. REUTERS/Mike Blake (UNITED STATES)

The champs of Super Bowl XLI are the Colts!

There's no joy in Bearville tonight.

As a Packer fan, I'm happy.

Super Bowl titles:

Minnesota -- 0

Chicago -- 1

Green Bay -- 3

Here is an account of the game from the Associated Press.

Also from AP, here is a review of the Super Bowl entertainment.

I wasn't able to watch every moment of the broadcast. Someone has to feed and clean up after those who do.

So, from what I did see, here are a few random observations:

-- I couldn't believe that CBS trotted out Katie Couric during the pre-game show. Super Bowl viewers should not be ambushed and forced to put up with Couric.

Katie Couric, who can chant "We're No. 3" about CBS News, joined the guys, for yet another "very touching story indeed," as Brown put it after introducing the high-priced "Evening News" anchorwoman by citing her sports reporting credibility. ("She brings a sports background to the desk. She ran track — an outstanding cheerleader").

HAHAHA

(Photo/mediabistro)

-- When the coverage of the game began, around 5:00 pm CT, there was a taped intro with a montage of Colts and Bears players talking about the game being "60 Minutes." The players said things like: I have "60 Minutes" to become a champion. I have "60 Minutes" to do what I've spent a lifetime dreaming about. For "60 Minutes" I will give it all I've got. The one thing that linked the players' comments together was "60 Minutes."

I thought it was a cheap move by CBS to promote 60 Minutes. If one or two players referenced the "60 Minutes" of an NFL game, I wouldn't call it that. I'd consider it just a coincidence, but this seemed like a commercial. I expected Morley Safer to pop up.

-- I give Billy Joel's version of the National Anthem a passing mark. It was a straight forward rendition, nothing special. Actually, I liked that. He didn't showcase himself like some singers do when given that assignment. He sang the Anthem without a lot of added flourish. That was a nice change.


REUTERS/Pierre Ducharme (UNITED STATES)

-- While the rain had to be a nightmare for the crowd and tough on the players, the difficult conditions made the game more exciting. The sloppy play could be chalked up to the elements.

-- Half time was great. I really liked Prince's performance and I don't consider myself a diehard fan by any means. It had an energy and electricity that's been missing recently. Paul McCartney was so boring. Even the Rolling Stones were dull.


REUTERS/Shaun Best (UNITED STATES)

The New York Times declared Prince to be an "American treasure" and called his performance "noncontroversial." Hmmm -- American treasure? True, there was no Janet Jackson-style wardrobe malfunction, but there was one sort of risqué image. At one point, Prince was behind a billowing sheet. Because of the shape of his guitar, a certain angle of his silhouette was...let's say eye-catching.

It was very brief, but I wasn't the only one to notice.

It's not just my mind that travels in that direction.

This photo gives you an idea, but it's not the specific image that drew our attention. It's close, but no cigar.


REUTERS/Shaun Best (UNITED STATES)

While watching the broadcast, I didn't notice Prince striking this pose, gesturing during his performance. I'm sure it was a split second move captured by a quick shutter.


REUTERS/Mike Blake (UNITED STATES)

Anyway, Prince put on an impressive show. Very well done.

-- The commercials were a disappointment. This wasn't a good year. No standouts.

-- Lovie Smith is a class act. He was so gracious in his post-game interview. I hope kids watching noted how he acted in defeat. He's a great role model.

-- Tony Dungy is also a class act. I have such respect for him. His life has been far from perfect, yet his faith in God remains strong and he's not afraid to say it. He said he was proud to be the first African-American coach to win a Super Bowl. He also wanted to make it clear that he's a Christian coach. What a great role model! What a humble man! Like Smith, Dungy's style should be noted and copied.

-- MVP Peyton Manning is a good winner, too. He reminds me of Brett Favre.

Bears v. Colts: In the Beginning...

Super Bowl XLI -- That's a lot of Super Bowls!

This year's model is special. It's being called historic because Colts Coach Tony Dungy and Bears Coach Lovie Smith are African-Americans.

Good luck to both of them.

Since we're talking history and football coaches, let's go back to the beginning.




Generally speaking, I don't think the first one is necessarily the best, but it always does have a special significance, by virtue of the fact that it is the first.

On January 15, 1967, the Green Bay Packers won the first Super Bowl, beating the Kansas City Chiefs, 35-10.





The Green Bay Dynasty also took home the Super Bowl II title. After winning their third consecutive NFL Championship, the Pack defeated the Oakland Raiders, 33-14, on January 14, 1968.





Super Bowl II was Vince Lombardi's last game as the head coach of the Packers. It was the last time his players carried him off the field, victorious.

In his nine years at Green Bay, the Glory Years, Coach Lombardi won six Western Conference championships, five NFL championships, and two Super Bowls.

A Glorious Chapter in Packer History

Likable Ray "Scooter" McLean moved up from being an outstanding assistant coach to guide the destiny of the Packers for 1958. McLean resigned in December after a 1-10-1 record, the worst in Packer history in his lone season as head coach.

The Packers took their time after McLean's resignation. [Jack] Vainisi conducted Phase II of the '59 draft by himself, as the team debated whether to hire a general manager as well as a coach, or one person for both positions. The search spanned from the CFL to the college ranks, and even included a GM application from Curly Lambeau.

On. Jan. 28, when team president Dominic Olejniczak recommended to the committee a little-known Giants assistant, longtime committee member John Torinus replied, "Who the hell is Vince Lombardi?"

The committee, and the world, quickly found out. Within hours after his arrival on Feb. 2, Lombardi told the committee, "I want it understood that I am in complete command here." Two days later the Packers officially gave Lombardi both titles.

I've always considered it to be an especially fitting tribute to Vince Lombardi that the Super Bowl trophy bears his name.

The Lombardi Trophy, the NFL's most prestigious award, signifies hard work, strong will, character, pride, and dedication to excellence. It embodies not only the skills but also the values that Coach Lombardi instilled in his players.

As Coach Lombardi said, "The quality of a person's life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor."

As he did so often, he wasn't just talking about football; he was talking about life.

In perhaps his most famous speech, Coach Lombardi's eloquence goes far beyond the typical rhetoric used to encourage a football team to win a game.

It speaks to the possibilities within every person, encouraging one to strive to achieve and live to the fullest.

Winning is not a sometime thing; it's an all the time thing. You don't win once in a while; you don't do things right once in a while; you do them right all the time. Winning is a habit. Unfortunately, so is losing.

There is no room for second place. There is only one place in my game, and that's first place. I have finished second twice in my time at Green Bay, and I don't ever want to finish second again. There is a second place bowl game, but it is a game for losers played by losers. It is and always has been an American zeal to be first in anything we do, and to win, and to win, and to win.

Every time a football player goes to play his trade he's got to play from the ground up -- from the soles of his feet right up to his head. Every inch of him has to play. Some guys play with their heads. That's O.K. You've got to be smart to be number one in any business. But more importantly, you've got to play with your heart, with every fiber of your body. If you're lucky enough to find a guy with a lot of head and a lot of heart, he's never going to come off the field second.

Running a football team is no different than running any other kind of organization -- an army, a political party or a business. The principles are the same. The object is to win -- to beat the other guy. Maybe that sounds hard or cruel. I don't think it is.

It is a reality of life that men are competitive and the most competitive games draw the most competitive men. That's why they are there -- to compete. To know the rules and objectives when they get in the game. The object is to win fairly, squarely, by the rules -- but to win.

And in truth, I've never known a man worth his salt who in the long run, deep down in his heart, didn't appreciate the grind, the discipline. There is something in good men that really yearns for discipline and the harsh reality of head to head combat.

I don't say these things because I believe in the "brute" nature of man or that men must be brutalized to be combative. I believe in God, and I believe in human decency. But I firmly believe that any man's finest hour, the greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear, is that moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle -- victorious.

GO COLTS!!!