K-9

That sound you hear? That's PA sharpening his pencils. GO SABRES!!!

Circles indeed! Ali moved like no other heavyweight before or since. Tyson would have been no match for Ali's speed, quickness, and reach. Not to mention fight knowledge. For all his superior physical traits, Ali was an even greater tactician. He thought a fight like nobody else. All that, and he was robbed of three of his best prime years as a boxer.

N'eo, that was perhaps the most eloquent post I've ever read in this forum. Thanks. RIP, champ.

No one cheered, just applauded. I see. Spontaneous or not, it was out of line for the occasion. I'm not saying they are evil people; I get they felt great affection for the man and wanted to show it. But that wasn't the time or place. Nothing more to say than that.

It's not maudlin, it's solemn. As befits the occasion. Maudlin is what sad people crying in their beer are. People cheering for an old Jewish veteran laying a wreath and saluting are out of line. They would probably cheer at the changing of the guard ceremony I mentioned earlier. There's a time and a place for that. Solemn occasions such as remembering our war dead is not that time or place.

To me, that has more of the funereal feel I think the solemnity of the occasion demands. Perhaps I'm too fixated on the word "parade" and the hoopla I attach to it. You know, marching bands, etc. That just ain't right.

If the only music heard during the procession were 'Taps' played on a bugle, I might condone the idea of a "parade" on Memorial Day. That might even be powerful. How soon before the spectators grow tired of it though?

Great speech, thanks for posting the link.

It is also a must to see the changing of the guard ceremony at the tomb of the unknown soldier in Arlington. Any day of the year, rain or shine. I cry every time. Parades on Memorial Day are downright disrespectful, IMO, and couldn't miss the mark by a wider margin. Then again, these types of ceremonies are about us, the living, far more than they are about the departed.

Memorial Day parades? Parades? Really?

Hoo boy, indeed. The military chose the NFL as an advertising avenue, not the other way around. And the NFL isn't the only big business that wraps itself in the flag. Everybody from Coke to Coors to Chevy likes to trumpet the same tune with waving flags and syrupy Sam Elliot voice overs. Why do you think that is?

Good question. Sure seemed like people didn't know when they castigated the NFL for having the audacity to accept money from the military in exchange for pregame tributes, etc. I think it's because we found out it wasn't genuine or organic which tells me we thought it was which further tells me we just can't stand the thought of devoting all that affection, otherwise.

Why was it deceptive and misleading? Would knowing that the military paid for these exhibitions before hand impact anything? If so, what and how? The NFL never should have felt ashamed in the first place. Why did they feel ashamed? I submit it's because we all know it's not an organic outpouring of appreciation, that it's manufactured, and the league didn't trust is with that knowledge.

The NFL, TV networks, movie theaters, etc, nor the countless other media outlets shouldn't feel bad for receiving part of the ~ $700m the military spends on advertising each year. Why should they? Perhaps we should feel bad for the phony sense of "honor" we bestow before sporting events. We just can't stand the thought that somehow our deep show of appreciation and honor was bought and paid for by the military. This isn't directed at you Smell, but this phony sense of outrage is symptomatic of the phony exhibits of appreciation we partake in to make ourselves feel good about how much we honor our service men and women.

Amen to Lt. Colonel Duffy. His is a much appreciated perspective, especially his thoughts on the collective post-Viet Nam guilt.

I hear that. But in the interest of moving the story along in a limited media form, I can understand. I'm hoping we will get to see some Ironborn raids as they go inland up the various rivers.

Chicago implemented similar restrictions last year and took similar criticism from the media, so it's not like the Bills are the first to do it. In reality, they are just rolling back to what media policy was in the past. Social media has changed the playing field. These aren't reports so much as op/ed offerings in real time. And if reporters have a bone to pick or an ax to grind with a particular player, it gets ugly. Just witness Joe Buscaglia's hatchet jobs on Manuel the last couple years. GO BILLS!!!

You keep focusing on the financial motivation for his decision to play in a top pro league in Europe. Did you ever consider he may have wanted the best chance to improve his game against better competition? Is there a better motivation for a player than wanting to improve? I will never understand your indictment of the kid and, by extension, his family who made selfless decisions to support his dream. GO SABRES!!!

Does PA know you are openly courting Toronto fans? GO SABRES!!!

I, for one, won't miss the stream of consciousness "reporting" that the twittersphere engenders. The league mandates a certain portion of practices be open to the media, but we will see more teams adopt stricter guidelines moving forward. It may not be readily apparent, but there are competitive reasons for adopting tighter rules. GO BILLS!!!

Agree entirely, another fast-paced dynamic episode. Seems we get fewer and fewer light moments in the GoT universe, but the flirtatious look that Tormund Giantsbane gave to Brienne and her reaction to it last night was pretty funny.

Hoe-dee-doe, hoe-dee-doe, hoe-dee-doe.

I'll be worried when Gilmore doesn't report for mandatory team activities. GO BILLS!!!

Tears of Buffalo fans as a fracking liquid. That is inspired humor right there. Well done, PA. GO SABRES!!!

I think he was nicked up the latter part of the season while playing through minor, nagging injuries. It's my bet he was strongly advised by the organization to take the time off, heal up, and get serious with an offseason nutrition and training program. I think the rest will have done him good. GO SABRES!!!