Afternoon Blogdome: Zirin's Reasoned Defense of Josh Howard

It should come as little surprise that Dave Zirin has come forth with the most well-reasoned defense of the media's new favorite NBA punching bag, Josh Howard. "Dallas Mavericks All-Star Josh Howard has been raked over the coals of public opinion this week for daring to say what more than a few athletes think. He was caught on someone’s cell phone camera saying that he doesn’t stand for the National Anthem because “I don’t celebrate this [expletive]. I’m black.” Judging by fan and media reaction, you would have thought he was barbecuing a bald eagle over a flaming pit of American flags. You would, given the peals of outrage, never know that there’s been perhaps some more pressing news in the papers this week." [ SLAM Online] • Orson is a poet.You know what else is in that eyebrow? A man unafraid to show up buck naked outside your door with a bottle of Andre Cold Duck, some discounted day-old supermarket sushi, and his trusty Sidekick in that arched eyebrow. [ EDSBS] And here's the poet on camera! [ CSTV] • Yes it's long, just read it. An excellent, and extensive look at the great Clint Dempsey. Yes he's great. Because I said so, that's why, asshole! [ This Is American Soccer] • Examining the possibility of restructuring the MLS Season. "On BBC's World Football Phone-In, Sean Wheelock reported MLS is considering moving its schedule to an Apertura/Clausura format in order to better cooperate with players' national team duties. Under the proposed structure, the Apertura would run from August to November and the Clausura would run from February to May." [ Federation Soccer]