Super Bowl Harbinger of Problem Drinking Written by David Westbrook
Super Bowl Harbinger of Problem Drinking 17.6 million American adults are either alcohol dependent or abuse alcohol. Super Bowl Sunday has long been associated with over consumption of alcohol and drunk driving. 17.6 million American adults are either alcohol dependent or abuse alcohol. According to recently released 2001-2002 National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions, alcohol dependence - particularly among men - has decreased; however, rates of alcohol abuse have increased. Super Bowl Sunday has long been associated with over consumption of alcohol and problems of alcohol abuse. Mothers Against Drunk Driving has compiled statistics for Super Bowl day alcohol related driving fatalities every year since 1999. These statistics show that an average Super Bowl Sundays see 55.4% increase in alcohol related traffic fatalities over other days of year. Part of problem may be that imbibing alcohol is encouraged during Super Bowl. Nearly 20% of commercials, 10 out of 58, aired during Super Bowl XXXIX will advertise Anheuser-Busch products. Last year Anheuser-Busch's commercials were among both most controversial and popular.
| | 3-Pointer by Gary Whittaker (Feb 1)Written by Gary Whittaker
Point 1: Rudy T steps down Let me get this straight. Rudy T, whose Lakers right now are still maintaining 7th place in conference...WITHOUT their star player....says he is stepping down on Tuesday for both health reasons and dissatisfaction with Lakers performance??? This two-time NBA championship team head coach, in first year of a five year 30 million dollar deal, who has earned respect and love of his players needs to retire only halfway through first season because of a tummy ache?? Read between lines people. While Kobe is out with an injury, he is not actually out of picture. Here is a man that is really running Lakers and everyone knows it. He most likely was doing that on court during game time and off court in terms of being a general manager. Rudy, as long as he kept his smile on, was probably allowed to run practices and develop a Kobe playbook. With Kobe on sidelines, Rudy most likely had enough of Kobe intruding himself on what little areas he still actually had control. Folks, tummy pains are in indication of stress in workplace. Kobe Bryant is an indication of a stress induced. Sure, we were going to give Kobe another chance, but Rudy Tomjanovich smells way to fishy. In fact, it just plain stinks. Point 2: Sam Mitchell on Point with Alston The Raptors are looking for heir apparent to Vince Carter's legacy. Looks like may have found him...at least dark version...in Rafer Alston. We love fact that Mitchell is intent on running Raptors his way. From taken out Jalen Rose from starting line up, to benching Alston for his conduct on court and in practice, Mitchell is showing he is all about business. A lot of coaches in professional level have a lot of difficulty trying to manage a group of players that all make substantially more money than them. It is a known fact in corporate world that you always pay employees more than what their direct reports are paid. A certain amount of respect is gained when your job has a higher paid. It is one of reasons why some men would hate their wives making more money than them. Sam is not letting himself be intimidated by players, regardless of status. From established superstars (Vince Carter), to role player veterans (Jalen Rose), to emerging stars (Alston and Bosh), Sam Mitchell is making Raptors his own. Hopefully he will continue to be supported by GM and above, as Raptors will struggle through mediocrity for next few years.
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