A Course Correction

by Slate Quicksilver

This site is not, believe it not, try to adhere to a political philosophy. Yes, one party usually is attacked more than the other, but this site is composed of multiple political stances. We have, and won't name names, two democrats and two republicans on staff representing a nice cross section of politics in the post-modern world. A "moderate Republican", a "centrist Democrat", an "almost libertarian" and a "I only get political news from the Daily Show."

We remain balanced and although the soup-du-jour is to either slash/laud at "wasteful/progressive" Democrats or deride/praise "obstructionist/stalwart" Republicans, we do not want to tip our hand to a certain political party. Red mentioned Michael Jordan's truthfully funny admission that "Republicans buy shoes too" and that is an excellent point.
From Muhammad Ali refusing to go to Vietnam to Gerald Ford playing football at Michigan and going on to be President to Richard Nixon calling to the Miami Dolphins sideline to call a pass play in an important game (2 WR left slant and slot drag... incomplete pass) to Lynn Swann, Hall of Fame WR for the Steelers, running for Gov. of Pennsylvania. Sports and politics have a touch and go relationship.

These days, most sports players hold their political thoughts to their heads. It was called "refreshing" when Injured Reserve All-Star Greg Oden openly supported Barack Obama in 2008 and Jay Feely was crushed just for walking on to a FOXnews set. Is it fair? Probably not. But to this person, politics and sports should not be included. Sports is an exit for many millions of people and rehashing things of a political nature just brings up things that those many millions are trying to escape from. Unfortunately, this country is very divided... politically. We entered the Century riding an economic bubble (yes, I am aware it was about 60% artificially created) and a feeling of invincibility. After a decade of terrible issues, circumstances and in some cases decisions coupled with political infighting and a lack of admission that things were getting worse, this country has been splintered.

Whether or not you support or oppose Roe v. Wade, it is this person's opinion that we don't need to talk about it during the Super Bowl. Abortions are, and always will be, controversial. It is one of those issues that both sides are unmovable and will not convince the other side just by showing a commercial. It will require logical talks between both sides and some form of compassion. Sadly, logic and compassion rarely touch this particular debate on the American landscape. "Don't have an abortion" to most levelheaded Americans is a statement with gravity, yet passiveness. But in other cases, it will just splinter and fracture.

Tebow is doing what he thinks is right. That is, without question, commendable. Even if you wish for an abortion clinic in every garage, it would take a soul of stone to not be able to tip your hat to someone who is willing to stand up for their beliefs in the face losing face in multiple facets of society. Some will applaud. Some will demean. Some will turn the other cheek and some will just hit the mute button.

We must mention however CBS's curious decision to not air an ad promoting a gay dating website. The ad includes two gentlemen making out at the end of the commercial and that in itself would cause an uproar. CBS made a conscious decision that two gay men kissing is not OK, but bringing up a divisive topic is OK. Whether or not CBS made the decision on the grounds of politics or discretion, we don't know. We do know that CBS has shown godaddy.com commercials involving two women kissing. This, the same CBS which had a full 2 minutes of delay tape to edit out the Janet Jackson "wardrobe malfunction" and did not do so.

The "Obama Backs Saints" post was done as a political satire making fun of borderline childish state of politics that plagues the nation. Digs at both political parties were made. Previous posts with slight political spin (re: The one where an attempt to imitate Glenn Beck/the one where Alabama Gov. Bob Riley was put to the hot coals over a stupid bet) were done either by poking at sillyness that has invaded the political scene: In the "Doomsday Scenario" it was done to poke at his wild accusation throwing craziness that even most ardent Republicans shy away from but put into a college football context. In "Because It's the South... That's Why" we were making fun of the "ticky-tack" issues that bog down the political system.

Anyway, we here at PLS will back off politics for a while. We are here to demean Lane Kiffin... among other things... but we are not here to talk politics. From someone whose facebook page states that his political view is "National League" and his religious view is "SEC Football", I apologize for the political spin that have poured from this site. We are still in our infancy as a site and we will not pull a deadspin.com and fly too close to the sun and effectively get stuck being TMZsports (in our case... politicosports.com).

So, allow me to bridge a gap. Here is something we all can agree on: The new PLS stance on aquatic mammals.