en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/618179 Comments by Scoty http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/blogs/the-hlog/2009/12/01/wednesday-reading-room-penn-state-putting-on-a-fiesta-bowl-blitz#IDComment45633323 Las Vegas Sports Consultants seem to base their ratings on name recognition more than anything else. Ranking USC number 13 is plain ridiculous, (especially since Stanford is ranked only 17th). Ranking Arkansas above Iowa also isn't something that can be defended very easily. In terms of PSU's outside consultant D'Elia, it is disappointing to me that a learning institution like Penn State feels the need to spend money on something that they have more than enough talented and skilled people to do themselves. In the end, D'Elia's efforts will have little to do with whether or not PSU makes the BCS, (maybe he is hiring people to talk trash on various sports blogs about Iowa....half kidding). Thu, 3 Dec 2009 03:33:49 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/blogs/the-hlog/2009/12/01/wednesday-reading-room-penn-state-putting-on-a-fiesta-bowl-blitz#IDComment45633323 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2009/12/01/christian-fong-suspends-his-campaign-for-governor#IDComment45632104 In my eyes, Branstad becoming a talking point in the race upped the ante too much. Likely it dried up lots of potential funds as well. Fong's campaign seemed to lack energy from the start. He came off as the archetypical conservative Republican, falling way to the right on both social and economic issues, while his talk about keeping young people in the state and looking for pragmatic solutions seemed like window dressing. He focused way too much on the pr angle. He was a style candidate and once Branstad became part of the campaign, he lost the attention of the press. He may play some role in Branstad's campaign. I doubt he will end up with a position in state government this time around. Thu, 3 Dec 2009 03:15:20 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2009/12/01/christian-fong-suspends-his-campaign-for-governor#IDComment45632104 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/sports/iowa-hawkeyes/hawkeye-football/2009/11/15/it-was-a-terrific-loss#IDComment43677887 I didn't like the outcome, but I was proud of how well we played. Vandenberg compared favorable to Barkley at USC. DJK came through in the clutch. McNutt had two td receptions. We tied OSU, despite forcing no turnovers and we pulled off a great comeback in the fourth quarter. This was the Big 10 at its best. Next year, I think Iowa knocks off OSU. Wed, 18 Nov 2009 02:35:54 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/sports/iowa-hawkeyes/hawkeye-football/2009/11/15/it-was-a-terrific-loss#IDComment43677887 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/sports/iowa-hawkeyes/hawkeye-football/2009/11/15/it-was-a-terrific-loss#IDComment43677197 Belichick's decision Sunday was a bad one. Fourth and one on your own 28. You lead. No timeouts so no review available. The decision is automatic. You punt. So automatic that not punting shows a lack of confidence in your defense. Tedy Bruschi wasn't too happy with Belichick after that decision. It is a decision that people will talk about for a long time to come. Ferentz's decision, (like it or hate it), showed faith that his offense and defense could get them through the overtime. The way Ferentz played it is the way most NFL coaches would handle the same situation. The chance of a pick six may have been low, (although it had just happened on Iowa's last drive...it was nullified by an offsides call on OSU). What wasn't so low percentage is that Iowa might have ended up turning the ball over and allowing the Buckeyes into field goal territory. As a fan, I was hoping we might win it in regulation, but I understand and can live with Ferentz's decision. He was going with what he thought was the best opportunity to win. Wed, 18 Nov 2009 02:27:14 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/sports/iowa-hawkeyes/hawkeye-football/2009/11/15/it-was-a-terrific-loss#IDComment43677197 http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/on-iowa/2009/11/16/stross-apology#IDComment43676030 I would agree that Stross was aware that it wasn't his best game. He also seems to have a great ability to understand people's feelings and emotions after a tough game. To me, that is all the more reason why sending him an email is ludicrous. He already knows he didn't play his best and sending him an email expressing anger or disappointment is just sort of silly. I'm sure his position coach had something to say in the film room on Sunday. Most of us wish we could play the game as well as Stross. Most of us wouldn't have much patience if our work was commented on by paid experts, (maybe retirees would be invited to man the mikes) and then our peers sent us emails full of profanity and anger when we weren't at our best: "Missing that deadline by fifteen minutes sure as **** is your fault and you know it. It better not blankety-blank happen again!!!" "Nice font choice...idiot!" Wed, 18 Nov 2009 02:13:12 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/on-iowa/2009/11/16/stross-apology#IDComment43676030 http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/on-iowa/2009/11/16/stross-apology#IDComment43535859 It has become a culture where any emotion or opinion can immediately be broadcast and with a great degree of annoynmity. Twenty or thirty years ago, to speak directly with Stross, fans would have had to have been in Iowa City and would have to have run into him somewhere. It is far more difficult to be so bold and open to someone face to face. Going to college is the starting point of adulthood. College athletes are looked at more critically than they ever have been in their lives. Stross became the butt of comments throughout the telecast. His drops were part of the motif of the play by play. It is sad to me that Stross felt the need to apologize to fans on a Facebook page. I doubt his teammates were as critical as some of the fans were. Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:47:06 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/on-iowa/2009/11/16/stross-apology#IDComment43535859 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2009/11/10/duck-stoning-defendant-makes-public-apology#IDComment42804476 None of us is truly in a position to know the motivation of this young man in apologizing. Some have taken him at his word and others have looked for other reasons and rationale for the timing of the apology. I don't think he is asking for sympathy. An apology is act of contrition, not an act of trying to get others to see something through your eyes. It is an admission of a wrong, (when sincere, it is an act of sympathy by the person apologizing). We all have a choice as to whether or not we accept the apology. I'm fairly sure that the Marines are aware of his actions. It would not surprise me if someone in the Corps had come to him with the idea of doing this. As to the timing, it is rare that an apology occurs in a timely manner. A good apology only occurs when someone has thought about their actions and decisions and determined in their own mind that they were wrong. A bad apology is one that is based solely on the initial reaction to something. These tend to be related more to public relations than to actual contrition. Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:35:11 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2009/11/10/duck-stoning-defendant-makes-public-apology#IDComment42804476 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/blogs/on-iowa/2009/11/07/cost-us-a-td-and-a-qb#IDComment42556471 All the Sunday morning, armchair stuff in the world accomplishes little. Football is a game where little things matter. This play has been very successful for Iowa's offense this year and in the past. Northwestern had likely prepared for it. Our blocking could have been better on the play, but these things happen in football. I know another Big 10 team that lost unexpectedly a few weeks ago. They haven't lost since and improved every week afterwards. Iowa can learn and grow from this game. If there was ever a time that I liked our chances in Columbus, it is now. No one expects much. Past experience tells me Iowa will be ready for this game. Mon, 9 Nov 2009 12:22:59 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/blogs/on-iowa/2009/11/07/cost-us-a-td-and-a-qb#IDComment42556471 http://gazetteonline.com/sports/2009/11/07/being-mortal-finally-brings-hawks-to-earth#IDComment42510965 Mike - I have to say that this was a great essay. I know that in covering the Hawkeyes that you've had your ups and downs in dealing with the athletic department. This year, I believe that your columns on Sunday morning have provided an apt narrative to what has been a great season. When and if a book is published about this season, your columns should frame the chapter about each game. Mon, 9 Nov 2009 01:41:58 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/sports/2009/11/07/being-mortal-finally-brings-hawks-to-earth#IDComment42510965 http://gazetteonline.com/sports/2009/11/07/being-mortal-finally-brings-hawks-to-earth#IDComment42510276 It has already been a season that I will remember for a long time for a number of reasons. I'm thinking there are still things to look forward to. Next week we play Ohio State in a game that will decide the conference's BCS qualifier. I'm thinking that will be a great game. More than that, this has been a season that has shown the power of a unified team. I've seen too many posts in other outlets where the Hawkeyes have been completely written off. Adam Rittenberg has announced that Ohio State is now in the driver's seat in the Big 10 Race. In my eyes, we have the Buckeyes right where we want them. They are sitting pretty and we are the underdog team coming to the horseshoe. I still like the odds. Mon, 9 Nov 2009 01:33:10 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/sports/2009/11/07/being-mortal-finally-brings-hawks-to-earth#IDComment42510276 http://gazetteonline.com/sports/2009/11/02/if-iowa-wins-out-should-they-play-for-a-title#IDComment41618893 Going undefeated is just a small part of the equation. The poll question here, really isn't all that relevant, because the national championship game is set based on a standard criteria. Iowa could go undefeated and end up not making it in. I think Iowa is worthy of consideration and wouldn't embarrass the state if things worked out that we made it through the season undefeated and were considered strong enough to be amongst the top two. Having the 18th toughest schedule in the country is nothing to sneeze at. I'm not sure I'd say that Florida's was tougher than ours. Florida has played the likes of Charleston Southern, Troy, and will play a weak Vanderbilt team Saturday. Three weeks remain in the regular season. If it is meant to be, it will be. Tue, 3 Nov 2009 12:32:02 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/sports/2009/11/02/if-iowa-wins-out-should-they-play-for-a-title#IDComment41618893 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/blogs/on-iowa/2009/11/01/luck-as-in-yuck#IDComment41471406 You make a good point. I think at some point, Angerer and Sash will both get the recognition they deserve, (as will Claiborne). In terms of the offense, besides Stanzi, the names that get bandied about in the national media the most are Hampton and Brinson. Part of me thinks this team wouldn't have fared as well if there had been a marquee offensive player. As for Stanzi, he has proven himself to be quite articulate and approachable. I think he'd make a great talk show guest, (he may get the opportunity). Mon, 2 Nov 2009 03:12:51 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/blogs/on-iowa/2009/11/01/luck-as-in-yuck#IDComment41471406 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/blogs/on-iowa/2009/11/01/luck-as-in-yuck#IDComment41411408 The problem, in part, is that Iowa falls outside of the conventional wisdom. Iowa is winning despite not doing anything in a dominating way offensively. We have a great defense and play disciplined football. There is a tendency to wait for the balloon to pop in terms of surprise teams. In 2002, no expert thought Ohio State would win the national title. No one thought Boise State could stay with Oklahoma that year in the Sugar Bowl, let alone win. Sun, 1 Nov 2009 14:00:14 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/blogs/on-iowa/2009/11/01/luck-as-in-yuck#IDComment41411408 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/government/2009/10/30/mayoral-candidates-lash-out-against-city-manager-in-final-debate#IDComment41288307 Corbett is correct that the city manager has been allowed to much leeway and power in the decision making process in Cedar Rapids. A 90 day assessment would be a good starting point. Replacing Prosser with a different city manager might be an even better decision. However, the issue is with the type of government the city is currently governed under. Replacing Prosser with someone new will lead to the same issues. A city manager is unelected. Not being the choice of the people, the decisions they arrive at lack the validation of being from someone elected to office. The council members don't have specific areas to focus on. Thus, certain elements of city governance don't receive the attention they deserve and others get too much attention. For this type of government to work effectively, time needs to be taken to make sure all elements of the city are prioritized and receive appropriate focus. Until that happens, the City Manager will inevitably dominate the decision making process. Sat, 31 Oct 2009 14:20:47 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/government/2009/10/30/mayoral-candidates-lash-out-against-city-manager-in-final-debate#IDComment41288307 http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/the-hlog/2009/10/26/coaching-legend-says-hawkeyes-lack-speed-athleticism#IDComment40788337 We are 2/3 of the way through the season. It has been memorable thus far, but tough games remain to be played. Iowa will be without Robinson and Richardson against Indiana. Wegher is going to need to step it up against Indiana this week. Iowa needs to remain focused on the game to be played in a given week. In terms of experts, be they former coaches, BCS guru's, journalists, etc.; they are merely using conventional wisdom. Iowa does not get the top notch recruits other school's get. However, the big intangible is how well coached and how disciplined our team has been this year. It easily could have ended up being like last year with several close losses, (that's the kind of season MSU is having). Tue, 27 Oct 2009 02:30:14 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/the-hlog/2009/10/26/coaching-legend-says-hawkeyes-lack-speed-athleticism#IDComment40788337 http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/the-hlog/2009/10/26/coaching-legend-says-hawkeyes-lack-speed-athleticism#IDComment40787882 Cooper's comment was sort of a compliment. The 2002 Buckeyes won the national championship. There games were similar to Iowa's in that they didn't blow anyone out and didn't always look elegant winning. In terms of FBS schools letting FCS schools hang around, Northern Iowa has beaten Iowa State two or three times, Kansas twice, Northern Illinois as well. Appalachian St defeated Michigan last year. William and Mary defeated Virginia this year. A championship caliber FCS school is not always a guaranteed win. Plus, UNI-Iowa was an in state matchup. Northern Iowa is always highly motivated to play Iowa or ISU in any sport. Tue, 27 Oct 2009 02:25:00 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/the-hlog/2009/10/26/coaching-legend-says-hawkeyes-lack-speed-athleticism#IDComment40787882 http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/docs-office/2009/10/26/likely-starting-time-for-iowa-ohio-state-football-is#IDComment40786909 The starting time will be decided by how both Iowa and Ohio State play in the two weeks leading up to this game. Night games in November in the Big 10 would not be a great idea, (the risk of frigidly cold weather would be too great...look how cold last year's Iowa - Penn St game was and that started at 2:30). If both teams win both games, we will be starting at 2:30. Ironically, an 11 am start on ESPN would garner a nationwide audience, while a 2:30 start would mean only about 20% of people watching the game on cable or antenna would see it. Tue, 27 Oct 2009 02:14:49 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/docs-office/2009/10/26/likely-starting-time-for-iowa-ohio-state-football-is#IDComment40786909 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/2009/10/22/car-train-collission-reported-near-42nd-street#IDComment40358606 The Gazette often will post an article about an accident and people will draw conclusions based on almost no information related to the accident. An example is the Marion rollover accident that occurred in late September. People surmised that the driver was speeding and that they were careless. The driver in that accident was never identified and only the photo appeared in the paper version of the Gazette. The lack of any id indicates that no charges were filed. If this hadn't hampered traffic in Marion, I'm not sure it would've been newsworthy at all. My concern is that at times we are too quick to draw judgements about people and that at times people are quick to condemn others on the basis of two or three sentences. Sat, 24 Oct 2009 03:00:37 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/2009/10/22/car-train-collission-reported-near-42nd-street#IDComment40358606 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/2009/10/22/car-train-collission-reported-near-42nd-street#IDComment40356008 In reading KGAN's write-up, there is more information as to what happened and the driver is identified. However, most of the posts here were made prior to the additional information that appeared in another media outlet. I believed the driver was distracted based on what I read. However, I didn't think the very brief write-up opened the door to conclusions about what the driver was distracted by or conclusions about what sort of driver they were. Sat, 24 Oct 2009 02:50:28 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/2009/10/22/car-train-collission-reported-near-42nd-street#IDComment40356008 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/2009/10/22/car-train-collission-reported-near-42nd-street#IDComment40346900 CRNATIVE and Hugs4u. You both completely miss my point. It may well be that this person was inattentive, (they likely were). My reaction would've been quite different if others had been injured or life had been lost. The article would also have had more detail and more time would've been taken to get all related facts. Read this article again. There is very little information about what happened or who was involved. Certainly not enough to make a judgement about this person's driving history, habits, or even what may have distracted them. Every time an article about an accident comes out where very little real information is reported, the reaction in these forums is like this. Sat, 24 Oct 2009 02:17:14 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/2009/10/22/car-train-collission-reported-near-42nd-street#IDComment40346900