liberaldemdave's Comments (837)

“no, but i'm also tired of the "go to" being to play the race card when people have legitimate policy difference with the President.”

“breaking a plethora of campaign promises has consequences.”

“sad, but true... some people can't accept that policy disagreements have nothing to do with the color of the man's skin.”

“indeed.

politico = faux gnews lite”

“thanks. it's not a popular position around here to be supportive of leach...meanwhile, in the vast majority of the universe (sans here and ESPN) the exact opposite seems to be true.

either way, it's a sad time for those of us in the "red raider nation".

IMHO, the bottom line is that gerald meyers was feeling too threatened because the tech fanbase LOVES leach...meyers, not so much.”

“yeah, and as soon as the "insubordination" balloon was floated by the tech administration, holtz leached (no pun intended) onto that meme and swallowed the craig james/ESPN bait.”

“fanned and co-signed.”

“i really shouldn't engage someone that doesn't know squat about the situation, but let me try (i've said this already in this thread).

adam was not recruited by a single division I football program, so he took his best offer...a BASEBALL scholarship. after one season on the team, he had already earned the reputation as a slacker and someone that would use his father's name as a threat at the drop of a hat. he eventually just stopped showing up to baseball practice before quitting.

leach felt sorry for the kid (he really does care for the students, btw), reviewed a highlight tape and against the advice of his fellow coaches offered adam a scholarship. he wasn't a walk on.”

“let me attempt to explain:

in the world of television sports media, there is ONE universal source for 24-hour sports programming, analysis, journalism...that would be ESPN.

just as cnn, msnbc and fox "news" are television political networks that are very influential in the world of politics.

when the sports network covers a story like this, with one of their most recognizable celebrities close to the center of the controversy, they should be held to a higher standard. unfortunately, they've provided a platform for the university chancellor, the student and the student's daddy to come out as the "good guys" and put the "black hat" on leach.”

“the kid was merely asked to walk around until he was released to practice.

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/colleges/texastech/stories/010209dnspotechstatements.3782a3a5.html

part of head trainer, adam pincock's, statement about what actually happened:

"Normally, injured players are asked to perform exercises, however Adam could not participate in these drills, and was originally asked to walk around the field during practice. Adam showed up to practice in street clothes, no team gear, and dark sunglasses. Adam walked about 40 to 50 yards, very slowly and with a non-caring attitude. Coach Leach noticed Adam’s poor effort and non-team attire, and asked that Adam be placed in a location where sunlight could not bother him as he was wearing sunglasses. Two trainers, including myself, monitored Adam at all times. I instructed Adam to stay in the garage and out of the sun, so the light would not worsen his condition. While in the garage, Adam was walking around, eating ice, sitting on the ground, and, at one point, sleeping; at no point was there any enforcement to make Adam stand up. Adam was checked by doctors every day."

the rest of his statement is also worth reading.”

“"Absolutely, as Lou Holtz said regarding Leach"

what wasn't added is that he said this on an ESPN broadcast (where he is a co-worker with adam's dad)...no conflict of interest there, nosiree!”

“there are also statements in the dallas morning news (not a fan site) from trainers, both about adam's treatment and the location he was sent to after showing up for practice in "street clothes" (not tech "gear" and in this case "gear" would be university emblazoned sweats or the like) and "dark sunglasses".

what has been completely overlooked in this is that adam was NEVER ONCE asked to participate in any activity that could have worsened his MILD concussion.”

“"According to the information given to me, no additional risks or harm were imposed on Adam by what he was asked to do."

information given to him by a UNIVERSITY REPRESENTATIVE.

there's nothing in the doctor's statement about being locked anywhere.

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/colleges/texastech/stories/010209dnspotechstatements.3782a3a5.html

Statement from Texas Tech team physician Michael Phy, dated Dec. 25:
[an error occurred while processing this directive]

I saw Adam James as a patient on December 17th. At that visit I diagnosed him with a mild concussion. I made recommendations regarding level of activity and treatment. These were shared with Adam and the athletic training staff and are documented in Adam's medical record. I was not aware of any incident until I was contacted by (Tech representative) Charlotte Bingham. She provided details of a complaint, and I completed a short phone interview and answered questions for her. According to the information given to me, no additional risks or harm were imposed on Adam by what he was asked to do.

Sincerely,

Michael Phy

(note: the dallas morning news is not a TTU "fan site")”

“kinda like he quit the baseball team...

for the same reason: "those mean old coaches don't respect my awesome talent. if they did, they would play me more."”

“since you've called me out, the links provided have been from a VARIETY of sources, including one of the lubbock network affiliates.

do i think leach is perfect? not by a long shot.

do i think "baby james" deserves the label? i sure do, based on the comments of his fellow team mates and his actions since he set foot on the texas tech campus with a BASEBALL scholarship.”

“only moot if not factual...the tech chancellor, hance, was a big time bush supporter (going back to his days as texas gov.). the chancellor hired gonzalez. the state's attorney general is a right wing republican and was set to represent the university at the hearing wednesday morning...NOT a university attorney.”

“'85”

“yeah, right. after 3 days of being bashed in the media and not opening his mouth ONCE until after he was terminated.”

“just ran across this:

"All I know is what Mike Leach has done for that school," said former Dallas Cowboys executive Gil Brandt. "When he came there they were drawing 35,000 fans, and they sell out now with about 20,000 more fans. They’ve gone to 10 consecutive bowl games with Leach, and he ran a clean program. I’m devastated because I think he [Leach] is not only a great football coach, I think he’s a heck of a good person."

LEACH, not 2nd team JAMES increased attendance.”

“you asked for it....here's the "cool dark place/s"

http://www.kcbd.com/global/Category.asp?C=151146&clipId=&topVideoCatNo=108431&topVideoCatNoB=108535&topVideoCatNoC=111448&topVideoCatNoD=108536&topVideoCatNoE=111449&autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=4421239&flvUri=&partnerclipid

make sure you stay with it so you can see the so-called "electrical closet", which is a MEDIA room, not a closet. oh, the humility of opposing coaches having to do post game interviews in that HORRIBLE "electrical closet".”

“thanks for keeping an open mind, not knowing that much about both sides of the story.

the vast majority of the current reporting is favorable to the coach.

adam's dad abused his "celebrity" status to have access to the team and workouts that no other player's family member could ever hope to have...more than that, people in positions of power would take his calls because of his celebrity.

it wasn't like "john smith, second string underclassman receiver's" dad was calling (that is basically adam's status on the team, by the way...it's not like his last name is crabtree or anything...)”

“not to worry...PASteelers...adam will have transferred to smu by that time.”

“...the students have stopped throwing tortillas and bringing whistles.

tech does require adequate spelling and sentence construction skills for admission. under coach leach, tech has one of the highest student athlete (football) graduation rates in division I.

oh, in closing, it's adam james and craig james...you really show your depth of knowledge on this subject.”

“unless you factor in other back-scene shenanigans by the administration...they never thought leach would call their bluff:

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/img/12-09/1231newleach.pdf

whether or not he was a cash-cow wasn't that important to the administration. leach built a winning reputation for the university but was a thorn in gerald myers' side from day one. the mindset of the administration (if you'll read the pdf) is that he was expendable and another coach more "compatible" with myers could be hired with minimal/no impact to the football team's cash cow status to tech.

just so i know, do you have a dog in this hunt? did you play for another big twelve team?”

“it was adam's doctor, iirc, according to media reports. he was sent back to the athletic department with a letter from the doctor with recommendations (which were followed to a T).”