NFL enhances pat-downs
Published 12:01 am Monday, September 19, 2011
It’s not fall until Friday. Happy Autumnal Equinox early! But keep that leaf blower holstered for now, please. Let’s look at the seasonal headlines:
•”NFL wants pat-downs from ankles up at all stadiums“: Current regulations mean pat-downs from the waist up for all spectators. The newly enhanced, all-over pat-down will affect 16.6 million fans expected to attend regular season games this year, USA Today reported. Screeners look for alcohol, weapons or other banned items, such as snacks.
The policy comes after a South Carolina man was arrested for using a stun gun on other fans at a New York Jets-Dallas Cowboys game last Sunday, USA Today reported.
If there’s been an outcry from fans about the pat-down policy, it hasn’t been widely reported, like people upset at the airport.
Perhaps football fans find a little manhandling a good way to get them into the frenzied spectator mode.
And if your upper garment consists of a big “S” painted on your chest/beer belly, it might be the screener who protests.
•”How single stars lost their companions“: How else? By being selfish and only talking about themselves.
•”Did Bachmann wound front-runner Perry at CNN/Tea Party Debate?”: Oh, for the love of responsible journalism. With wars in the Middle East, and the shooting rampage in Arizona that left six dead, and several seriously injured, including the target, Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, can’t we finally drop the violent imagery from political writing, sports writing and headline writing?
•”Study says half of drivers will divert from SR-520 bridge when tolls begin“: Yes, they would rather protest by travelling farther and therefore pay more for gas, than fork over for that darn toll.
•”Retailers are starting the holidays even earlier this year“: Earlier? Is that possible? Santa in September is the new standard, according to the report.
Hmmm. So what is Santa going to be for Halloween? A pilgrim? Then he would ready for Thanksgiving, too. Back-to-school must have been in June. Now it’s time to skip the leaf blower and go straight for the snow blower. Skip the regular season and go straight to the Super Bowl. Does this mean Easter will be in December? Is it too early to declare the holiday shopping season a disappointment for retailers? You know, so they can get ready for next year, which starts in November.
•”California high school orders cheerleading squad to cover skirts up during class“: The revealing outfits are too distracting in class, say school officials. But jumping up and down in them during a football game is just fine.
Happy Monday.
