William K. Wolfrum Chronicles

I’ve written several times in the past about Jack Johnson, the first black heavyweight champion who was chased out of the United States and eventually jailed for a violation of the Mann Act. Or, put more simply and honestly, Johnson was jailed for being a a confident black man. Johnson committed no crime, but his name was dragged through the mud for his audacious behavior, that included marrying white women.

Now the House of Representatives have started the ball rolling to clear Johnson’s name.

WASHINGTON — The first black heavyweight champion should be granted a presidential pardon for a racially motivated conviction 75 years ago that blemished his reputation and hurt his boxing career, the House of Representatives recommended Friday.

Jack Johnson became world heavyweight champion in 1908, sparking a search for a white boxer, dubbed “the Great White Hope,” who could beat him.

In 1913, Johnson was convicted of violating the Mann Act, which outlawed the transportation of women across state lines for immoral purposes.

Authorities had first unsuccessfully tried to charge Johnson over his relationship with a white woman, who later became his wife. They then found another white woman who testified that Johnson had transported her across state lines in violation of the Mann Act.

Jack Johnson was convicted of transporting a woman across state lines for immoral purposes and served nearly a year in prison.
Johnson fled the country, returning in 1920 to serve nearly one year in prison in Leavenworth, Kan. He tried to renew his boxing career after leaving prison, but never regained his title.

The House resolution, passed by voice, states that Johnson paved the way for black athletes to participate and succeed in integrated professional sports and that he was “wronged by a racially motivated conviction prompted by his success in the boxing ring and his relationships with white women.”

The resolution urged President Bush to grant Johnson, who died in 1946, a posthumous pardon.

“He was a victim of the times and we need to set the record straight — clear his name — and recognize him for his groundbreaking contribution to the sport of boxing,” said Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., author of the resolution.

Jack Johnson is revered in boxing circles. As a fighter, he changed the game. And as an American, he showed millions that a black man could be successful and have self-esteem. Johnson is a vital piece in America’s history. A pardon for him is long overdo. Let’s hope this passes. Johnson deserves honor, not designation as a felon.

–WKW

Some insights from an occasional sports writer:

• The Detroit Lions gave Matt Millen every opportunity to fail, and he took advantage of every one of them.
• The Tampa Bay Rays made the playoffs, eh? Well, looks like I picked a good time to stop caring about Major League Baseball.
• By getting Robinho, Manchester City is officially in the big leagues. After Manchester United spent the last two years making the Premeir League more offense-oriented, the Brazilian star may finally be ready to take his place among the greats of today’s game.

America 2.0: You used to enjoy a hot dog at the ballgame. Now, you blow up unattended hot dogs in front of the stadium.

• Ok, I admit it, I want to see Manny Pacquiao knock Oscar de La Hoya into retirement.
• It’s kind of fun hearing Europeans whine about losing to the U.S. in the Ryder Cup.
• The biggest upcoming sporting event? Why, Reality Rumble II, of course, More on that to come.

–WKW

Manchester United - heretofore to be known as “America’s Team” - has gone to intermission in its Champions League Match with Villareal with the score tied 0-0.

For America’s Team, a good start to the Champions League is vital, and they’ve gotten a much stiffer test than teams like Chelsea, Real Madrid and Barcelona.

Why “America’s Team,” you ask? Well, that’s easy. This year, American tax payers will be picking up the tab for AIG’s spot as a main sponsor to Man U:

So congratulations, Americans. You own AIG, and now you’re the main sponsor of an impressive British soccer squad. So say it with me, Go Manchester United! Win one for America!

Update: Sadly, unlike AIG, Manchester United was unable to score today.

–WKW

Government business is far too complex for you to understand. All you need to know is that the grown ups are handling it. So when you hear about government officials conducting blow-filled orgies of illegal sex and graft, it’s really none of your business.

Of course, as far as golfers go, one wonders how their sport somehow always becomes a big part of these types of high-level negotiations.

From the International Herald-Tribune:

As Congress prepares to debate expansion of drilling in taxpayer-owned coastal waters, the Interior Department agency that collects oil and gas royalties has been caught up in a wide-ranging ethics scandal - including allegations of financial self-dealing, accepting gifts from energy companies, cocaine use and sexual misconduct.

In three reports delivered to Congress on Wednesday, the department’s inspector general, Earl Devaney, found wrongdoing by a dozen current and former employees of the Minerals Management Service, which collects about $10 billion in royalties annually and is one of the government’s largest sources of revenue other than taxes.

“A culture of ethical failure” pervades the agency, Devaney wrote in a cover memo.

The reports portray a dysfunctional organization riddled with conflicts of interest, unprofessional behavior and a free-for-all atmosphere for much of the Bush administration’s watch. …

… The report alleges that eight officials in the royalty program accepted gifts from energy companies whose value exceeded limits set by ethics rules. These included golf and ski outings; meals and drinks; and tickets to a Toby Keith concert, a Houston Texans football game and a Colorado Rockies baseball game.

Really, why is golf the only sport that legitimately corrupt U.S. officials play when jacked up on cocaine and illegal donations? Notice they watch baseball and football. They play golf. None of these respected corrupt officials get together for drug-addled game of illicit catch. No, they grab their clubs.

And don’t even get me started on the skiing part. These respected government criminals don’t ski. They hang out in the lodge, mainlining coke, having illicit and illegal orgies while stuffing each others pockets full of cash. They don’t actually ski. Occasionally they listen to Toby Keith, but they sure as hell don’t ski.

Seriously, golf needs to address this issue. We understand golf is a valuable business tool, but could the criminals conducting business on behalf of the United States at least wipe the snow from under their noses before they tee off?

–WKW

Hey Kids, this is your pal Bill! Being a writer on the Internet, my life is a non-stop battle to keep my keyboard crumb free and keep my blood pressure under 275/190. It’s also a life of hustle and shameless self-promotion.

So, if you don’t mind, let me self-promote a bit. I am still a golf writer of some note, which is impressive considering how rarely I actually write about golf. Here are a few recent golf-related submissions that I believe will resonate with those that love golf and sports, as well as those who don’t:

“John McCain leads Barack Obama in official poll of golf-club throwers”

“Over the past several months of campaigning, voters have been vetted on all categories and demographics. Polls have been conducted that have examined the voting preference of citizens based on race, sex, earnings, religious beliefs and numerous other seemingly random demographics.

A recent BadGolfer.com survey takes this polling to the golf courses of America, and finds that John McCain has a substantial lead over Barack Obama among one important demographic - golf-club throwers.

According to the poll, McCain won big with voters prone to hurling their golf clubs in fits of on-course rage, with 82 percent saying, or shouting, that they supported McCain, compared with just 12 percent supporting Obama. The remaining 6 percent chased away the pollsters and threatened physical violence.”

Read More.

“Barack Obama to team with Tiger Woods Design in building ultra-exclusive golf resorts”

“Early this week, however, Obama campaign spokesman Bill Burton unleashed a bombshell strategy that promises to not just shake up the 2008 U.S. Presidential campaign but also the entire United States economy.

Barack Obama has signed a long-term contract with Tiger Woods Design to design golf courses around the globe.

“This was the next logical step for Sen. Obama,” said Burton. “We saw exactly how much money Dubai was paying Tiger Woods to design a golf course, and we knew that with Sen. Obama’s international popularity this was something we needed to do.”

While the announcement that Obama will simultaneously design golf courses while continuing to campaign for the presidency - and continue afterward either as the President or Senator - will likely be met with skepticism, Burton pointed out all the positives.

“The numbers being tossed around for Sen. Obama to create his own signature golf courses are mind-boggling,” said Burton. “And every cent he earns will be used to offset the national debt, as well as create a national healthcare system.”

Read More.

“Taking my cue from the LPGA: Speak the language or get lost”

“De acordo com a GolfWeek, membros do LGPA serão obrigados a dar entrevistas em inglês sem auxílio de tradutores. Quem não conseguir, terá sua associação suspendida.

Essa nova regra é direcionada aos jogadores sul-coreanos do LGPA. Atualmente, existem 45 sul-coreanos jogando golfe no LPGA Tour.

Então, graças a essas novas normas, que somente enfatizam fatores que nadam tem haver com habilidades referentes ao golfe, o LPGA está se colocando em uma posição que excluirá as melhores jogadoras de golfe do mundo.”

Read More.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

–WKW

Random thoughts from an occasional sports writer:

• When Serena Williams won the U.S. Open, you would have thought it was her first career victory or a grand upset. Such exuberance is not supposed to emanate from a grand champion like Serena. It was a beautiful thing to watch, though. And as I have said before, we’re all lucky to be able to witness the amazing Sisters Williams.
• Speaking as a Pittsburgh Steelers fan, Opening Day couldn’t have gone any better. And the Steelers got a nice win, to boot.
• Player to watch: WR Eddie Royal of the Denver Broncos. In his first game in the NFL, Royal caught 9 passes for 146 yards and a touchdown. Royal has a football IQ that is off the charts.
• Daniel Dias has become the Michael Phelps of Brazil. His dramatic win in the 100m freestyle at the Paralympics in Beijing gives him a pair of golds. While Dias is way off of Phelps pace for eight, one must remember that Brazil won just three gold medals in the entire Beijing Summer Olympics. Dias getting two is nearly an achievement on par with anything Alberto Santos Dumont did.
• This probably doesn’t say anything good about me, but I could repeatedly watch the tape of British lightweight Amir Khan being knocked out in 54 seconds by Colombian Breidis Prescott. There’s just something about watching an overinflated fighter get thumped in front of his adoring fans.
• Why the U.S. will never win a World Cup: Tonight, the U.S. plays Trinidad & Tobago in World Cup Qualifying. Yeah, that’ll get them ready. I’ll be watching Brazil lay waste to Bolivia later, by the way.

Today, the true Olympic spirit is stronger than ever. The Paralympics Opening Ceremony is taking place in Beijing.

The opening ceremony of the Paralympic Games is under way in Beijing, with more than 4,000 athletes taking part.

Tonight’s opening ceremony, according to its director Zhang Yimou, is a surreal journey in space and time which celebrates the courage and spirit of athletes with disabilities.

He says the themes being played out at the Bird’s Nest stadium are dedicated to the Paralympians who inspire the whole world.

Organisers of the Paralympics have promised that these Games will be equal to the main Olympics and the opening ceremony has kicked off with a massive display of light and colour in front of some 90,000 spectators at the Bird’s Nest Stadium.

I support the Paralympics 100 percent. And I’m pleased to see them in China. Because those with disabilities in China truly need some positive news and actions from their government.

From the Washington Post:

BEIJING — In recent weeks, Beijing’s brand-new airport has been able to give a special welcome to thousands of Paralympic athletes from around the world because the government spent $1.7 million to lower washbasins and handrails, add Braille signs and transform 214 toilets into the accessible variety.

But in south Beijing, a former coal miner needs a nurse to help push him up a too-steep ramp leading to his apartment building. He has trouble boarding taxis and buses and finding restaurants without steps. He can’t use a public toilet.

China is trumpeting the Paralympics as a way to improve awareness and better integrate its more than 83 million disabled citizens, almost a million of whom live in Beijing. But the reality is that China’s disabled are largely invisible, dissuaded from going out in public by a lack of physical access, a deficit of jobs and routine discrimination.

“I need someone to lift me into a taxi and fold the wheelchair, or carry me on his back onto a bus,” said Zhi Fumao, 48, whose legs were paralyzed in a mining accident a few years ago. “Public toilets have no arm rests; I can’t squat.”

Every city in the world could improve its facilities for the disabled, but in China, a traditional respect for the elderly and the weak has been eroded by Communist political campaigns and an overall lack of awareness of civil rights, according to advocates for the disabled.

It was kind of hard to escape my opinion on the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. It was terribly unsettling to see how the corporate world could care less about anything a nation does so long as they have open markets. And while I didn’t believe the athletes should have boycotted, I was yet again struck with how the vast majority of modern-day athletes completely refuse to get involved in any type political activism. The days of Tommie Smith and Juan Carlos are gone, and we were left with China being able to ban Joey Cheeks from the games for having strong convictions, with few making much a fuss of it. If there were 100 athletes that protested China’s enabling of the Sudanese government or its human rights violations, China wouldn’t have been able to ban them all.

And while the Olympic athletes put on a great show, viewers were stuck with coverage that was frighteningly sexist and that cared mostly about the world-altering controversy over small Chinese gymnasts.

But that’s for another day. The Paralympics and the positive changes they can bring to China are to be celebrated. I plan on marveling at the athletic prowess the 4,000 athletes bring to the field of play. And, ok, I admit it - I’m really hoping they televise some Murderball.

–WKW

Well, this is an odd report if I ever saw one:

Early this week, however, Obama campaign spokesman Bill Burton unleashed a bombshell strategy that promises to not just shake up the 2008 U.S. Presidential campaign but also the entire United States economy.

Barack Obama has signed a long-term contract with Tiger Woods Design to design golf courses around the globe.

“This was the next logical step for Sen. Obama,” said Burton. “We saw exactly how much money Dubai was paying Tiger Woods to design a golf course, and we knew that with Sen. Obama’s international popularity this was something we needed to do.”

While the announcement that Obama will simultaneously design golf courses while continuing to campaign for the presidency - and continue afterward either as the President or Senator - will likely be met with skepticism, Burton pointed out all the positives.

“The numbers being tossed around for Sen. Obama to create his own signature golf courses are mind-boggling,” said Burton. “And every cent he earns will be used to offset the national debt, as well as create a national healthcare system.”

As I said, strange. Of course, it could just be coming from a bad golf web site desperately looking for some attention.

;)

–WKW

Yet more evidence that Thierry Henry is one of the most dangerous offensive players of his generation.

–WKW

Hello everyone and welcome to the premiere edition of “Is This a Lesbian Kiss?” In this episode, we’ll look at several instances of women kissing other women, and help the uninitiated understand better what’s a “lesbian kiss” and what isn’t a “lesbian kiss.”

This episode is sponsored by BuzzFeed, where the idea of any two females kissing each other translates to “Every Parents’ Nightmare.” So let us begin:

Not a Lesbian Kiss

–
Not a Lesbian Kiss

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A Lesbian Kiss

That’s all for this edition of “Is This a Lesbian Kiss?” Be sure to come back next week when we’ll be joined by several men who get all giggly watching women’s wrestling at the Olympics.

–WKW

Nothing holds a mirror to a nation’s psyche like its athletics. Take the U.S., for example, where a look at athletics shows off America’s lust for capitalism (Michelle Wie, every male athlete that’s skipped college for the pros, Tiger Woods’ naked ambition to be the first billion-dollar athlete, etc.) as well as its often cavalier attitude toward violence against women (if a male athlete wasn’t arrested today on some type of violence against women charge, two will be tomorrow), among other things.

In Spain, athletics show one thing more than anything, it seems - that Spain has a serious problem with racism. Take the picture below, which was used in an advertisement by Spain’s Basketball Federation:

Yes, they are all slanting their eyes in tribute to their Chinese hosts.

If you follow Spanish soccer, it’s impossible to miss seeing the racism fans project toward black players. So it’s pretty easy to see that there are racial problems in Spain. But this advertisement takes it to a whole other level. That the basketball federation, the players and the newspaper didn’t see this a racial slur - leading into the biggest sporting event of the year - is truly remarkable.

So Spaniards or those living in Spain or with knowledge of the country, what say you? Are the racial problems of Spain as bad as its athletics convey?

–WKW

This week, corporations, politicians and athletes from around the globe are getting together to congratulate the Chinese government for being twisted murderers. In honor of all those supporting China and it’s hatred of human rights, let me just say this:

Fuck the Olympics.

Fuck the Chinese Government.

Fuck George W. Bush for attending and supporting the murderous Chinese government.

Fuck sportswriters who think holding the Olympics in a totalitarian nation makes it more interesting.

Fuck China’s Nazi-esque obsession with winning gold medals.

Fuck China for refusing a visa to an outspoken U.S. gold medallist.

Fuck Coca-Cola, GE, Johnson & Johnson, Kodak, Atos Origin, Lenovo, McDonalds, Manulife, Omega, Panasonic, Visa, Samsung, Omega, UPS, Haier, Budweiser, adidas, Staples and all the other soul-less corporations sponsoring this phony festival in a nation that murders more of its own citizens than anywhere else.

The “Olympic Movement” is a sham and the next three weeks in Beijing will be little more than a long commercial with athletes in it.

Fuck the Olympics.

–WKW

What do get when you combine lesbians, soccer, parties, social activism, camaraderie and assorted other ingredients? The Festival of the Babes.

Yes, the Festival of the Babes, the annual gala of lesbians soccer is set to kick off on August 29 in Seattle, and they are still looking for lesbians - or women who aren’t afraid to be mistaken for one - to both fill out the teams and to fill volunteer rolls and referee.

Kristina Armenakis, a long-time soccer player and an experienced FOBBER (that’s what they call themselves), is leading the charge to organize the event, the 18th annual Festival of the Babes. For Armenakis, the zany fun attitude will remain, but this year she wants to focus also on the pioneers of FOB.

“It’s really about coming together as a community in soccer,” said Armenakis, 28. “There are early Fobbers and we want to recognize their efforts.”

The Festival of the Babes was created in 1991 in response to the Gay Games. Since then FOB has been hosted in Seattle, San Francisco and Portland. The Labor Day tournament runs two days and three nights with parties held every night. This year there will be 24 teams competing in three different divisions, with more than 350 players competing. And partying. And partying while competing.

Players drink beer on the pitch, celebrate halftime with body shots and should a team take a five-goal lead, every subsequent goal requires the leading players to doff an article of clothing. It is a festival that transcends being a soccer tournament, and is instead a celebration of soccer, lesbians and women in a safe and positive setting.

Of course, Armenakis is quick to point out that the matches aren’t all fun and games.

“I think for some folks it’s a party event and for some it’s a soccer event,” said Armenakis, who noted that pride was the main prize the winner’s will take home. “For each division there is a championship game, with the winners taking home the grand prize. I don’t think there will be trophies.”

This year, FOB has several sponsors, but has one main sponsor - Sweet, an Eco-friendly lesbian travel company. Other sponsors include boxer Clara de la Torre and Babeland Sex Toys.

Having a travel company, boxer and sex toy company as three of its sponsors is almost poetic for FOB, which features an eclectic mix of teams from around the nation and world. Some of the teams competing this year will be: The Beavs, 5 Point Spread Eagles, Corporate Whores, and Dinah Shore is Gay.

Also, FOB will be donating money to and working to help out Seattle Scores, the only after-school program that uses soccer to inspire literacy in school children, and striving to help it get as many donations as possible.

So if any ladies out there feel that spending your Labor Day weekend with a bunch of sweating, partying and blissful lesbians sounds like a fine idea, head over to the Festival of Babes Web site by clicking here.

If you’d like to volunteer for the Festival of Babes, head over to their Volunteer page, which lists the jobs that need filled. Also, while registration for teams is now closed, players can still sign up individually and will be placed on teams in need.

Just one piece of advice: Should you decide to go to the Festival of the Babes, be aware that you will likely find that you have plans on Labor Day for many years to come.

–WKW

Crossposted at Shakesville

Remember when Wilt Chamberlain wrote that he had been with 25,000 women and how it just seemed mathematically impossible, but heck, it was Wilt Chamberlain so maybe he was telling what he believed to be true?

Well, in Brazil, they’ve recently uncovered their own Wilt the Stilt in Fluminese coach Renato Gaúcho, who in a recent interview let it be known that he had slept with 5,000 women.

“I am the true phenomenon,” said Gaúcho.

Gaúcho, whose career as a player was highlighted by more than 40 appearance with the Brazilian National Team, while his coaching career has brought him a Brazil Cup title, has said that he’s managed to sleep that number of women even while being married for 15 years. Gaúcho also admitted to having had sex with numerous Brazilian stars, including model and Carnival legend Luma de Oliveira.

Sadly for Gaúcho, the Brazilian media isn’t really buying it, pointing out that to achieve such a number, Gaúcho would have had to have slept with three different women every week of the year every year since he was 13. And despite his charisma and charms, most find that dubious. Not that it matters to Gaúcho, of course, who, even by Brazilian standards has a ridiculously high opinion of himself.

–WKW

Josh Hamilton of the Texas Rangers had captured baseball’s imagination at the Major League Baseball Home Run Derby. Hamilton had lived up to the grandiose setting at what will be the final All-Star game and season for Yankee Stadium. By hitting 28 home runs in a single round, Hamilton obliterated the previous record, and thrilled fans with three home runs of more than 500 feet and several other tape-measure jobs.

Afterward, Hamilton - who has credited Jesus Christ for his return from drug addiction - thanked Jesus and spoke of his many blessings.

“It’s bad night for Atheists,” ESPN announcer Rick Reilly said.* **

And so it was. Christ had led Hamilton to a great triumph. Atheists throughout the lands felt the sting of this blow. It was unexpected. Jesus had seemingly shied away from Major League Baseball due to it haphazard handling of the steroids epidemic. But he was back, filling Hamilton’s muscular, tattooed arms (that he truly regrets) and bat with Christpower that emblazoned across the land and then across the land yet again, a truly impressive feat. Christ stood victorious. Atheists were in ruins, such is our unquenchable hatred for Christ and all things his miserable hands would touch.

And then, after his 28-home run round, Hamilton failed to hit a home run to win some guy a truck. Atheists stirred, still wounded from the loss at the majestic hands of Jesus Christ, but somewhat awoken.

And the Hamilton came apart in the final round, hitting only three home runs before making 10 outs. That made Minnesota Twins’ star Justin Morneau - who had already hit five in his round - the winner. Christ had won the battle but lost the war. Like the big failure that he is, thought Atheists around the globe.

It was a good night for Atheists.

*Seriously, he said that.

**Thanks to Shaker cy for making me aware it was Reilly.

–WKW