There was a story in The Washington Post about Ivan Gulanov, a Russian investigative reporter on alleged drug possession charges. Some of the circumstances were eerily similar to the book Red Notice, I had just finished reading. This 2015 book is the true story about a lawyer who took on corruption in corporate Russia. It was recommended to me by a Russian emigre to the US, … [Read more...] about Why “Red Notice” Is More Relevant Than Ever
Entertainment
2019 Prime Time Emmys Fail to Deliver Viewers
The annual broadcast celebrating the small screen was dull, dumb, and sunk to new viewership lows. A story in Variety today reports that the telecast drew a paltry 6.9 million viewers for a 1.6 rating and represents a one-third drop in the number of viewers from 2018 and 2017. Furthermore, the story says that figure is sixty-six percent lower than a mere six years ago, when … [Read more...] about 2019 Prime Time Emmys Fail to Deliver Viewers
Book Report – Court Justice by Ed O’Bannon
The NCAA is a multi-billion dollar enterprise with a very vested interest in maintaining the status quo. Decades after Curt Flood and Oscar Robertson sued their respective leagues to gain free agency, the college system is still operating under a set of archaic rules governing "amateurism," even as young stars in hockey, tennis, and Olympic sports are reaping the benefits of … [Read more...] about Book Report – Court Justice by Ed O’Bannon
Charlotte grows up, hosts PGA Championship
It's been at least thirty years since I spent any quality time in Charlotte, North Carolina. The largest city in the Tar Heel state has undergone a tremendous amount of growth since then. Back in those days, the only major sports were NASCAR races. The addition of the NBA Hornets in 1988 and the Carolina Panthers in 1995 brought major league sports to town. The last time I … [Read more...] about Charlotte grows up, hosts PGA Championship
UNC – Kentucky and Las Vegas, Quite A Combo
Normally, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, or so says the clever marketing campaign. Unless that happens to be one of the best non-conference college basketball games that didn't take place in a March tournament setting. I had waffled on attending this game, but finally decided to cover it and secured a credential, flight, and hotel for the weekend. A friend and UNC … [Read more...] about UNC – Kentucky and Las Vegas, Quite A Combo