The Sports Illustrated jinx may be alive and well, as the New Orleans Saints learned last week. The Saints’ 10-game winning streak and chatter about QB Drew Brees being the hands-down favorite to win the NFL MVP award prompted the magazine to put Brees on the cover. Well, we all know the peculiar things that happen to athletes or teams that are featured on the magazine’s cover. Most of us say we don’t believe in jinxes, but we are the same folks who avoid walking under ladders or who turn the other way after a black cat crosses our path. But then there is this …
If your buddy in a bar asked you to name the top offensive teams in the NFL, you would probably press the bet, get the stakes as high as you could and then figure out how you were going to spend your winnings. It’s an easy question when you consider the Saints and QB Drew Brees seem to be setting new standards at scoring points while the Rams and Chiefs are as proficient in their own schemes as evidenced by last Monday night’s 115-110 Rams victory. Excuse me, that was the Warriors and Lakers score, but whatever the final tally (54-51), both teams proved they are right up there with New Orleans offensively.
For those recovering from Turkey stuffed with family invasions, Black Friday’s, Cyber Monday’s and who looking for some sanity, albeit brief until Christmas and Hanukkah start spreading good cheer and gifts, you’re in luck.
There is always time to get “Punched”
A ho-hum election day. That’s what Louisiana voters experienced a few weeks back. Now a runoff election is scheduled for December 8th with just a few choices for voters on the ballot. At the top of the ticket is the race to fill the void left by former Secretary of state Tom Scheduler who resigned from office under a cloud. And many political pundits and reporters were surprised over the first primary results.
The President has made illegal immigrants who have moved in to what are called “sanctuary cities a major issue in recent months, even signing an executive order cutting off funds to municipalities that ignore federal law. The Crescent City is in the forefront of ignoring federal law and protecting those there illegally.
Remember the 1970 song by Chicago; “Does anybody know what time it is, does anybody really care?” Well it’s close to Election Day in Louisiana, and it would seem by early voting projections and general lack of interest that Louisianans are not holding their breath to cast their ballot. Why the lack of attention to an event that affects the future of the state and the entire nation? There are a number of reasons.
For many years, New Orleans has been known for many things, some very positive and some very negative, such as being a hotbed of violent crime. Currently, the city has the nation’s 4th highest murder rate per capita, ranking #1 in the South. Primarily due to New Orleans and the other major urban areas in the state, Louisiana has been ranked as the most violent state in nation.
For generations, New Orleans residents have heard politicians make promises to fight violent crime. Usually, the results have been pathetic, especially in the last administration. Former Mayor Mitch Landrieu left his successor with an understaffed police department, a dysfunctional criminal justice system and a high murder rate.
New Orleans, one of the top winter wonderlands, worldwide?
Sounds like a tourism snowjob if i ever heard one. But wait. In one great sense, It's true.
When you hear players and coaches say it takes individuals to make a team, you probably think they are talking about the various personalities who man critical playing positions.But those who are fortunate enough to be around a professional sports franchise know that many anonymous individuals help make up the team. Like Glennon “Silky” Powell, the Saints long-time assistant equipment manager who died last week a few days before his 72nd birthday.
Brees’ story must include the man who drafted him
Question: What do you get when a Fried Chicken, two New Orleans City Councilpersons, a Louisiana State legislator, a Jefferson Parish Coroner, a New Orleans music and TV personality and a New Orleans TV sports commentator cross the road?
Answer: You'll have to check it out Thursday night at Politics with a Punch.
After all, with mid-term elections in the air, and footballs flying around the dome, and chicken frying becoming a New Orleans fall festival, and with local politics always percolating and crime in the street always in the news, what’s more is there to do?
In the aftermath of Kenner Mayor Ben Zahn’s decision to ban city booster clubs using municipal playgrounds from spending tax dollars to purchase Nike products there has been a torrent of criticism. He was bashed online as a racist and bigot, while others said his actions were typical of so-called intolerance from Republicans.
In his response on Monday, Zahn said he did not want Kenner citizens to be used as pawns in Nike’s “political campaign.” This characterization is totally accurate for Nike’s decision to highlight unemployed quarterback Colin Kaepernick as the “face” of their new advertising campaign is clearly political.
Kentucky win calmed an aggravated Saints fan
Yeah, I watched the Saints get pulverized Sunday by Tulane – or was it Nicholls? - but I wasn’t devastated. Why? Two reasons. Reason One, it was the first game of a long season, and how many times have we seen the better teams at the end of the season sleepwalking in September? In fact, last year the Saints lost their first two games, and Who Dat Nation was about to second-line off the Crescent City Connection when the team rocketed back into contention.
As Labor Day approaches, Monday, and if you are a Louisiana resident, why not start the month of September 2018 off with a family outing--at The National WWII Museum in New Orleans.
Here is a press release from one of the greatest museums in the world:
The National WWII Museum is again showing its appreciation to local supporters by offering discounted admission to Louisiana residents. For the fourth consecutive year — during the entire month of September — locals will have the opportunity to enjoy the Museum’s exhibits and galleries for only half the price of a regular Museum Campus Pass.