This picture from Hezbollah TV (yes they have their own television station) shows Israeli positions under Hezbollah attack.

Again, this ...   more »

Don't blame responsible beer lovers for rowdiness.

On Sunday a wrote an ill tempered article "Screaming and Yelling Down to Defeat" about the Redskins ignominious defeat Sunday at the hand of the woeful Oakland Raiders.  This occurred after the Washington Post ran a piece on how FED EX Field was becoming a difficult and hostile venue for visiting teams.  Previously, I'd written a piece complaining about the WWF-like attempts to whip up the crowd "I'll Cheer if I Want To".   In any event, certainly the crowd noise didn't help Sunday. 

As if tracking with my posts, the W. Post ran a different article Monday, critically examining the rowdy and sometimes violent behavior of fans at recent games, and predictably, blamed beer.  Now there is no doubt that a lot of beer is sold at FED EX, even at $6 or $7 dollars a pop.  FED EX officials say the concession company is responsible for the beer sale policy enforcement (limits on numbers sold at once, no selling to obvious drunks, etc.)  But other than a brief comment in the article mentioning the WWF like atmosphere, without noting the stadiums massive role encouraging the whole thing, the reporter placed the blame on drinking.

Here's my take.  I like drinking beer at football games.  Excessive drinking is bad.  But when stadium officials from beginning to end of the game attempt to whip up the crowd in the blatant WWF way that they do, people will drink in response.  Why?  Because it's a lot easier to act like a complete jerk when you are drunk--and that is what the Redskins are now encouraging--boorishness and its helpmate, drunkenness.  So let's not blame poor old beer.  It is just a bubbly fluid with a modest percentage of alcohol.  Blame the stadium and the folks who can't control themselves. 

Solution--stop with the freakish attempts to whip up the crowds.  Don't sell to obvious drunks.  Kick out the jerks and don't let them back.