The Decline and Fall of the NFL, part 2

I received some interesting comments on my blog from yesterday. I felt the need to continue the exploration into the Decline and Fall of the NFL.

Today is written from a personal and family perspective.

My family used to be huge NFL Sunday football fans. We would gather every weekend to watch the games. We routinely cheer for and support four teams: Steelers, Redskins, Cowboys, and Ravens. 


The NFL, in its effort to saturate the market has made gathering together on a Sunday afternoon to barbecue and enjoy the games almost impossible.

This season the Steelers have been playing in primetime almost every game--especially the latter part of the season. The Redskins and the Ravens have been moving around the dial as well.

Primetime games are terrible for East Coast residents. They do not end until well after 11:00 PM and many of us, myself included have to get up early in the morning. I almost never see the end of a primetime game. Perhaps that is why the recent Monday Night Football game in Baltimore saw low attendance. The games end too late.

Through the magic of selling its soul to television, the NFL is actually reducing our opportunity to watch the teams we care about. Even with Fantasy Football, the product being presented is not compelling enough to watch unless our favorite is playing.

Empty Seats in Seattle

Seriously, who wants to see New England crush some hapless AFC East team again? Or Watch the Panthers and the Titans unless they live i the home cities? I admit, I like to watch the Packers when Aaron Rogers is playing, but he is hurt.

Because of the jumbled television schedule, including too many primetime games, our family does not routinely gather anymore for the Sunday games. I am sure we are not the only ones. 

The NFL just isn't fun and when watching with young, impressionable pre-teens, all too often there has to be an explanation about sportsmanship and the caution "don't do this on the playground."

The NFL is at a crossroads, it can change and rework its image and interpretation of the game of football, or it will die within a decade after the over-generous TV contracts expire.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

The Decline and Fall of the NFL

The demise of the biggest sports league on the planet may be upon us.

The fall from supreme status has begun. The Chicago Tribune is carrying an article about the demise of the NFL. 

Stadiums are not full, TV ratings are down and the fan base seems to be eroding.

I am told that tickets to the Sunday Ravens gam could be had for $15. I think the face value of the tickets were $85. And the Ravens are in the playoff hunt.

Why?

The answer may be that the play on the field no longer reflects the norms of society. Or, in short, the NFL has ruined the game of football by allowing it to grow into a sport where the violence and lack of sportsmanship shock the fans and cause them to turn elsewhere.

Add to this that the ticket prices to attend the games in person are out of sight expensive and the fan experience is less than enjoyable and you have a recipe for failure.

The NFL has to do many things to recover from the death spiral.

First, focus on the game. Stop catering to television which often interrupts the flow of the game with unnecessary timeouts. Return the game to its roots.

Second, stop the wanton and unnecessary violence. This weekend's games are an example of violence run amok. Wanton hits designed to hurt opponents. While one game suspensions are a start, why weren't the perpetrators of the violence immediately ejected? They were not ejected because fundamentally the NFL sees the violence as improving ratings, I believe.

Third, improve the in stadium fan experience. Do not tolerate violence in the stand and taunting of opposing team's fans. 

Fourth, remove the "thuggishness" from the game. That is an example of poor sportsmanship and should not be tolerated. 

Fifth, make the game safer so that parents will let their boys play it again. I played high school football, and I was injured. Injuries happen, but fundamentally the game is not safe and needs to be reworked. 

Sixth, get rid of Thursday football, except on Thanksgiving. there is too much of a poor product.

Seventh, focus on product improvement. Improve the pace of play. Right now there is about 10 minutes of action in a 60 minute game that takes 3 1/2 hours to play. What is wrong with this picture?

Eighth, enforce a no tolerance policy for PEDs. The current policy almost encourages players to use PEDs because of the slap on the had for the first offenses. Implement a season long suspension and that will stop the abuse of PEDs and may ultimately make the game safer by reducing the bulk and strength of the players. 

These, however are just my thoughts.

I feel that the NFL has lost its fan base and may not recover.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

National Monument or Park?

What is in a name? 

Quite a bit it turns out. 

I learned something this morning that I didn't fully understand before. National Parks are established by Congress. National Monuments are established by the President.

This was not so clear before the current concern about Bears Ears National Monument.

The discussion about reducing the size of a National Monument really is a decision left to the President. There are a lot of issues involved. 

In terms of background, The New York Times reports that: 

President Obama created Bears Ears National Monument in December 2016, after years of lobbying by five tribes in the region: the Navajo, the Hopi, the Ute Mountain Ute, the Ute Indian Tribe of the Uintah and Ouray Reservation, and the Zuni. It is named for a pair of towering buttes — the Bears Ears — that dominate much of the landscape.

There are a lot of issues surrounding this relatively new National Monument. The good that will come from the current discussion, and through the judicial process, is to determine how far a President can go in determining the relative size of a National Monument. In this case, there apparently are five Native American Tribes also involved in the planning and definition of the monument.

Do not misunderstand me here, I am not against National Monuments and land preservation, but some of the writers have suggested that President Obama may have been a bit too generous when establishing the monument using the Antiquities Act.

It should make for another interesting day in court.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - December 4, 2017

1. The first Monday of December has arrived. There are only three Mondays left this year. 

Riordin under the Tree Skirt

2. There are 21 shopping days until Christmas. 

3. I think we finally have all of the seasonal decorations out of their storage boxes and on display to brighten the otherwise dark season.

4. Riordin, the cat, uses the tree skirt as a means to hide from and then attack Finnegan, our Yorkie. They play very well together.

5. Beautiful December weather has been evident the past few days, however, the impending weather report is full of cold and even ac mention of snow. And so it begins . . . 

6. We have been doing a lot of shopping on line again this year. We have been driven to it because the "brick and mortar" stores seem to be out of everything we are looking for.

7. We did get ourselves and early Christmas present. We are not the proud owners of a GE Sol. We are still unlocking its features, but we like it.

8. I am way behind in my racquetball league--I think I have to play three games this week to get back on schedule.

Headlines

What happened when North Carolina cut taxes like the GOP plans to for the country - The Washington Post
G.O.P. Pushes to Avoid Government Shutdown, but the Path Is Tricky - The New York Times

The Lure of a Better Life, Amid Cold and Darkness - The New York Times

Ravens, NFL scramble as fans stay home - The Baltimore Sun

Ronald Reagan Quote for the Week

"Let's not go back. Our choice must be to keep our nation strong, free, and full of hope. America is a great and generous nation. We are the beacon of liberty and freedom to all the world. Together you and I, with the help of the Republican team, can finish the job. We can realize the dreams our critics said were not possible."

Address to the Nation on the Congressional and Gubernatorial Elections, November 2, 1986

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

December Musings

The season continues to race by. 

Finnegan Admiring the Tree

Chris and I have finally, mostly, completed decorating the house for the season. The second tree was completed yesterday and the boxes of decorations are now empty. 

Although it should be time to relax and enjoy the season, the buying and gifting is now ramping up to a fevered pitch. And then there is the issue of the Christmas cards, or are we sending New Year's cards this year. I guess we still haven't decided. 

Moon over Elkridge
December 2, 2017

In the exciting news department at least we have a new tax plan. Sadly, I expect to pay more. I firmly believe that I am in the group targeted to pay more in order that the truly rich can get a tax break. Perhaps people who actually pay taxes should write the tax laws. Now if Congress can pass a Continuing Resolution, or a budget, to keep the government running past next Friday it will be the best Christmas gift.

Finally, I admired the moon last evening as Chris and I walked the dogs. It was hanging there in the sky peeking out between the bare branches of the trees. I guess it was supposed to be a supermoon or something. It looked like the moon that I have been viewing for the past 62 years. Actually, the supermoon is tonight and that is when it is at perigee. Wow. Weirdly, the next supermoon occurs on New Year's Day.

And so, December is off and running.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Enjoying the Season

And so it is December. 

Lakefront Columbia, MD
December 1, 2017

That, of course, means events and activities. Last evening we were part of two events. We attended a Craft Cocktail Crawl on the waterfront in Columbia and then went into Ellicott City for Midnight Madness.

On the Street Corner - Midnight Madness
Ellicott City, MD
December 1, 2017

It was a beautiful and unseasonably warm evening on the lake. We enjoyed some revelry with our friends and started the weekend off with some unique and creative cocktails. 

Following the enjoyment on the waterfront, it was off to Ellicott City for the Midnight Madness shopping experience. I personally love Midnight Madness because it reminds me of life before shopping malls when people went out into the town to shop. 

The added benefit for Midnight Madness is that many of the stores offer light munchies and beverages. It helps to "make the season bright!"

The shopping can also be fun. I always find interesting things. For instance, the coaster above carrying the witty, and true, statement.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

December Arrives

Overnight, the last month of the year arrived.

In the heads of most children it is the best month of the year, but for many adults it falls well below that.

I look forward to the holiday parties and revelry. 

I remember that when I was a kid, December was divided into shopping days left until Christmas. I'm not sure that applies anymore. Shopping days until Christmas excluded Sundays, but now with the magic of computers and the stores being open seven days a week, the number of shopping days is really the same as the number of days remaining until Christmas. That number is 24 today.

Does anything other than Christmas happened during December?

USS Arizona Memorial
Pearl Harbor, Hawai'i

Certainly. Our family has birthdays to celebrate and then there is New Year's Eve (which is a December event). 

There is also Pearl Harbor Day on December 7th.

Don't forget the Solstice. Winter begins at 11:28 AM EST on December 21st. Brrrrr.

A busy month is fully underway!

Let's try to keep our heads about us!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

The Petulant Child (er Dog)

Finn with Shoe

I am not sure whether it is an excessive amount of energy, but the new puppy, Finnegan, who is not new anymore, had a rough ending to the night. 

That meant sleep ended at 4AM because we confined him to his cage and he cried for 45 minutes. Ugh.

Finn with Shoe Part 2 

It is hard to sleep with a petulant dog howling, barking, racing around and generally being a problem child.

It is part of the "growing" pains, but it surely is a pain.

Right now he is busy eating a shoe. It is not my shoe. At least he is quiet. Given that he is not creating a nuisance by barking or harassing Makayla, I am going to let him enjoy Chris' shoe. 

Tomorrow will be better!

Promise?

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Winter Around the Corner

As autumn slides into winter, I found an unsettling prediction in this morning's The Washington Post. 

Washington, DC, Regional Snow Forecast

The winter snow forecast is in. The coming winter is predicted to be more normal--which means a lot more snow than last year's mild winter. I added a star to the map to indicate the approximate area where I am located in relation to the rest of the region.

Snow, or the threat of snow, tends to shut down the entire region. It is a a bit comical, coming as I do from a place where snow is just one of the seasons and they are equipped to deal with it. Here are the seasons in Upstate NY: Snow, Spring, Rain, Harvest.
I do write that a bit tongue-in-cheek, but it is not far from the truth.

Well, since the forecast is in I need to be ready for the coming season. I wonder how much snow we will actually receive. At least the season is beginning mildly. Temperatures today are expected to be in the 60's. 

I wish I could play hooky and go golfing.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Welcome to the Land of Insults

Yesterday was a banner day for the United States--and not in a good way.

The President began the day by obliterating the First Amendment in his personal and unreasonable attacks  on CNN and ended the day by insulting native Americans and using a racial slur while denigrating a member of Congress.

It is almost scary to consider what "off-the-cuff" utterance will be next. 

Regarding the news media, President Trump tweeted the following:

We should have a contest as to which of the Networks, plus CNN and not including Fox, is the most dishonest, corrupt and/or distorted in its political coverage of your favorite President (me). They are all bad. Winner to receive the FAKE NEWS TROPHY!

President Trump at Code Talker Ceremony
Image by Getty images 

It is OK to have a favorite network, but any effort to interfere with the freedom of the press is specifically against the First Amendment to the Constitution. 

And then later in the day, according to NPR, at a ceremony honoring surviving Navajo WW2 code talkers, the President destroyed the solemnity of the ceremony by making insults and using what is considered a racial slur against a U.S. Senator. What possessed him to tangentially add such comments into the ceremony?

Where does it stop? When will ethics and decorum be restored to the highest office in the land? When again will we have a leader that we can be proud of and rally behind rather than shudder every time he opens his mouth or makes another tweet?

Perhaps Lord Action was correct:

"Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men."

In this case, I might substitute the word money for power.

--Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - November 27, 2017

Before the Christmas Decorations

1. The last Monday in November has arrived. The Christmas shopping season is in full swing.

2. The best way to avoid the holiday traffic is not to drive anywhere in the Sunday after Thanksgiving!

After the Christmas Decorations 

3. Winners and Losers: Winners: Steelers, Redskins, Penguins. Losers: Cowboys. DNP (yet) Ravens.

4. When the leftovers are gone, we can make soup.

5. Christmas is arriving in the house. Did I mention that the tree has changing lights on it? White or multi-color or alternating! I should have started a fire in the fireplace for additional ambiance. 

After Christmas Decorations Part 2

6. If you survived Black Friday with your wallet in tact, congratulations. According to one source, the term originated about 1952 to describe the shopping frenzy on the day after Thanksgiving. 

7. December dawns on Friday, and with it the final month of 2017. There is just enough time to make good on all of those unkept New Year's resolutions.

8. My 2018 New Year's resolution list:
    a. I resolve to make no New Year's resolutions
    b. If I start to make a resolution, see the previous resolution.
    c. If I resolve to make no resolutions, have I then made a resolution? 

Headlines

The jihadist plan to use women to launch the next incarnation of ISIS - The Washington Post

Congress Returns to Intense Pressure to End Secrecy Over Sex Harassment - The New York Times

Iran in Europe MISSILE threat warning of WW3 rocket attack - The Daily Star

Ronald Reagan Quote for the Week

"I'm talking about principles that begin with the sacred worth of human life; the cherished place of the family; the responsibility of parents and schools to be teachers of truth, tolerance, hard work, cooperation, and love; and the role of our major institutions -- government, industry, and labor -- to provide the opportunities and security -- opportunities and security free people need to build and leave behind a better world for their children and their children's children." Address Before the Japanese Diet in Tokyo, November 11, 1983

- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

The Trip Home

It is the trip home that signals the end of a vacation or time away.

Mom and Dad with E and Jax
Nicole's photo

Often the trip home is the hardest because I know that at the end of it, the daily routine will kick in again.

Yesterday, I took Mom and Dad halfway home. I was met at that point by my brother Tim who helped them to complete the journey back to their house in the frozen hinterland that is often referred to as Upstate New York.

The Family at Thanksgiving

It was sad to see them leave after such a short visit, but it was the quality of the visit which was the most important aspect. 

It was great to have them join us for Thanksgiving, but their departure signaled the return to the daily routine.

Even though the trip home signaled the end of one holiday, there are more holidays ahead and more opportunities to get together and celebrate.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Black Friday 2017

The craziest shopping day of the year is over!

Setting the Game Board
Axis and Allies 2017

I can state, emphatically, that I did not leave the comfort of my house to brave the crowds and chaos. 

Why?

Black Friday is Axis and Allies day for the men of the family. It is a Black Friday tradition that we gather around a table for 8 hours or more and recreate World War II. Although we have played the WWI version of the game.

Axis and Allies in Progress

Yesterday, the Axis defeated the Allies after routing the Russian forces defending Moscow while the Japanese were running roughshod through Asia although the Americans had soundly defeated their Navy during the Battle of Tokyo Bay. 

While the world was a war, I am told, by the family members that went shopping, that the crowds were ferocious. It seems that retailers of brick and mortar stores have not figured out yet that they are driving people online if the shopping experience is not a pleasant one. For instance, waiting in line to check out for over 30 minutes is not a good plan.

I'm glad that I was safe and warm at home while losing the world to the bad guys.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

In the Rearview

Thanksgiving is in the rearview mirror.

Thanksgiving Day 2017
Elkridge, MD

The football games are over and today is the day of leftovers as we struggle to eat everything that was not consumed yesterday. The turkey carcass is safely in the refrigerator waiting to be made into sandwiches and then into soup.

But it was a grand day. 

When the Reflection in the Spoon Reminds
me of Somewhere Else

Santa arrived at the end of the Macy's parade. I remember as a kid that was a significant moment. It meant that the Christmas season was upon us with all of its magic. 

The weather yesterday was fabulous. The sky was clear blue and the remaining leaves on the trees provided a beautiful mixture of color and contrast before the season fully passes into the grays of winter. 

In an trivial interesting thought, as I was about to pick up my spoon during the meal yesterday, the reflection of the fan in the metal made me think of being somewhere else, like on a beach. I though, just for a moment, that I saw a starfish, rather than the blades of the fan above me.

But no, I was still in Maryland enjoying dinner with my family--four generations of family. 

Family, after all, is where it is at. Here's hoping that you had a great Thanksgiving and that you survive Black Friday.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Happy Thanksgiving - 2017

Happy Thanksgiving 2017

I hope that you are well, no matter where you are reading this and whether you celebrate the holiday or not.

It is always good to pause and give thanks for the blessings that we have received. 

I am blessed this year to have my parents here to celebrate the holiday with us. I rescued them from the winter wonderland that became Central New York yesterday and brought them a bit south to enjoy blue skies and 50 degree temperatures. 

Today will be filled with parades, football, food, but most importantly joy and interaction with family. 

If you are interested in a bit of history, The New York Times published an article two days ago describing how Most Everything You Learned About Thanksgiving is Wrong. 

Sometimes I just don't want the myth busted, however. 

Enjoy the day and may your blessings overflow.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Pre-Holiday Activity

My Turkey Revving up for the Holiday!

Did you ever notice how much activity has to happen before a holiday to make the day special?

This year, I am happy to have my parents present for Thanksgiving. I completed the round-trip to Ithaca to retrieve them just before noon. 

While driving back today I experienced my first snowfall of the season. Ugh! It was already snowing in Central New York.

I am glad to be back in Maryland where the temperatures are in the 50's and the sun is shining.

Looking forward to Turkey Day.

Remember--eat a turkey, don't be one!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Worship the Fire

Riordin, the Fire Loving Cat

Riordin is a great cat. He is unusually loving and attentive. He also has some very unique personality traits. 

Riordin on the Chair

Last evening I built a fire to warm the room and while Chris and I were enjoying dinner, Riordin found a new way to enjoy the fire. Yes, he was hanging over the arm of my chair soaking up the heat from the fire. 

I have not seen him do this before and I found it amusing. He was quite content and didn't even move when he saw me coming in for a picture. 

I finally had to disturb him to sit down in my chair and resume the evening.

What an awesome cat!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - November 20, 2017

Blanks Snow Village Canvass

1. I do not fully understand why I cleaned the leaves from the yard on Saturday. The cold and winds of the overnight made the yard look as if I had not done anything by Sunday morning.

2. I decided not to play golf yesterday was the temperatures were falling through the 40's and the wind was gusting to 50 mph. I have enough trouble with my game without adding extreme weather conditions into the equation.

2017 Snow Village Display

3. Winners and Losers: Winners: Ravens, Steelers. Losers: Cowboys, Redskins, Penguins

4. Attention! Christmas is arriving. Yesterday was Snow Village Day and the 2017 edition is on display!

Close-up of the City Portion of the Snow Village Display

5. It seems there is always more to do than time to complete the projects.

6. Thanksgiving is Thursday. Take a moment to be thankful for the many blessings that we all have.

7. As the season of the turkey draws to a close, the holiday season will get into full swing.

8. Be safe as you travel this holiday season.


Headlines

The U.S. must prepare for Iran’s next move in Syria - The Washington Post
Search for Missing Argentine Submarine Raises Grim Scenarios - The New York Times

'Stop saying Christmas' Priest warns Christians to abandon the word - Express

Ronald Reagan Quote for the Week

"There is no reason why people in any part of the world should have to live in permanent fear of war or its spectre. I believe the time has come for all nations to act in a responsible spirit that doesn't threaten other states. I believe the time is right to move forward on arms control and the resolution of critical regional disputes at the conference table." Remarks to Members of the National Press Club on Arms Reduction and Nuclear Weapons, November 18, 1981

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Taking the Dog for a Ride

Taking the Dog for a Ride

As Chris and I were returning home yesterday after a shopping trip, we came upon a scene that just made us laugh.

At a light, the driver opened the sun roof and out came the head of a large dog. We thought the dog would go back inside the cabin of the car once the light turned, but that did not happen. The car proceeded down the road with the dogs head sticking out.

Chris took my cell phone and snapped an image because we were just fascinated by the scene.

It was a really big dog and it seemed to be really enjoying the ride.

It was a nice afternoon for the dog to enjoy.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Friday Night Politics

Friday evenings mark the beginning of the weekend for Chris and I and our group of friends.

Friday Night Appetizers

Last evening was no exception. We gathered together at a friend's house to enjoy the end of the workweek and reconnect our lives. 

The food was sumptuous and enjoyable while the wine freely flowed.

The discussion centered on the politics of the week with two topics taking center stage: taxes and elephants.

Taxes have been in the news and we all agreed that the plans being presented by the Congress do not represent wins for the middle class. Robert Reich wrote and article titled The GOP Tax Bill is Everything That's Wrong with Our Democracy and in it spells out the problems and inconsistencies.

And then there was the discussion of elephant trophies. We were collectively appalled that the government was going to allow the importation of elephant trophies. Clearly, every middle class household has room for an elephant trophy and we are all big game hunters on the side. Wile were were having an excited discussion a headline came across my phone which indicated that the President had reversed the decision and the ban will remain in place while he reviews the conservation facts.

Our group could solve the problems of the world, if only . . . 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Taxes?

Taxes have been in the news. 

My view is that if a politician's lips are moving, they are lying. 

The tax reform appears to be an attempt to buy the American populace by trying to proposing a tax plan that appears to offer something for nothing.

As I dig into the plans out there, I find that true middle Americans are likely lose under the plans. Those of us who own our homes and try to pay our bills on time are going to be expected to fund the tax deductions for everyone else.

Some of the real problems in the bills:

Loss of the ability to deduct state income taxes--that is a 7 percent hit here in Maryland. 

Fortunately, the Representatives realized that home ownership is the bedrock of our economy and kept in deductions for mortgage interest and taxes--albeit reduced, the reductions should not affect most middle class Americans.

Here is a summary from The Washington Post:

About 30 percent of filers itemize. Most of the people who itemize claim the state and local tax deduction (SALT) where they deduct their state and local sales, income and property taxes. Under the House bill, only the property deduction would remain. This hurts people living in high-tax (and often blue) states like New Jersey, New York and California. Several GOP representatives from these states plan to vote no on the bill in protest.

The adoption credit stays. The 401(k) exemption stays. But . . .

Say goodbye to the tax credits for plug-in motor vehicles. It gets repealed in 2018.

Say goodbye to the deduction for medical expenses. It goes away in 2018.

Say goodbye to being able to write off the costs of your tax preparer. That goes away in 2018.

Say goodbye to the deduction for moving expenses. It goes away in 2018, except for members of the military.

Say goodbye to most tax benefits for college. 

I am not sure how this is going to be a tax reduction. And i clearly am not going to be buying a Tesla in the future.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD  

How Much?

2017 Silverado

I was watching TV and noticed an advertisement for a Chevy truck. 

Save $12,000 the big letters were displayed across the screen.

It dawned upon me then that we don't see the real prices anymore. Just the savings.

In 1968, the MSRP (manufacturer's suggested retail price) for a Chevy C10 pick-up with basic configuration was $2,333 according to a website I checked out. 

1968 C10

I could have bought almost 6 trucks with the savings on just one Silverado.

I remember the ads for Volkswagen: $1995! Yea. A complete car for less than $2,000.

In 1975, Chris and I considered buying a Chevy Camaro. The MSRP is listed at about $3,685. And that seemed like a lot of money!

I wonder how much the Silverado is that is being advertised for a savings of $12,000. According to the ad I found on line, the MSRP is $56,785.

Wow! No wonder we need to start dealing with $12,000 off.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD