It took us 50 years to get this gig. It was easier to get in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame than to get this gig.
— David Lee Roth NEW YORK — They
crowd
from the the-internet-awakens? dept
Following its ability to build up enough grassroots support to get GoDaddy to change its position (if not its mind) on SOPA & PIPA, it appears the Reddit community wants to see if it can do the same thing with some politicians. Earlier this week, we had asked who would be the first politician to be “GoDaddy’d” and it appears that the Reddit community has already jumped onto that challenge. It’s been rather fascinating to watch over the past few days as the amorphous crowd self-organized and set up its own rules over who to focus on and why. They’ve decided to focus on politicians who supported both NDAA (the controversial bill that crystallizes the government’s ability to detain Americans without trial) and SOPA/PIPA. they also want to pick one politician from each major party, to keep this from being a partisan thing. Separately, they’ve been seeking out politicians who may actually be vulnerable… and trying to vet their opponents to make sure who gets elected in their place isn’t even worse. so far, the community has focused in on Senator Bob Corker of Tennessee as its main Republican target (there have been a few others listed as well), but doesn’t seem to have settled on a Democratic target yet. I still think that a lot of this will depend heavily on who is challenging these politicians, and if they’re willing to make a campaign issue out of these free speech/civil liberties issues. It’ll definitely be tough to unseat incumbents, but even if the internet community can make it into an actual fight, politicians will start to take notice. And, even if it fails this time around, watch out for what comes next. Like many “open” systems, the first version may not be pretty, the second version may be a little buggy, but once you get around to the third version and beyond, they often start being a lot more powerful than anyone expects. Politicians who underestimate the community of folks at Reddit and similar sites may be in for a surprise before too long…
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Reddit Turns Its Attention To Politics: Seeking Supporters Of SOPA & NDAA To Unseat
LOS ANGELES – Chris Paul guaranteed the Staples Center crowd before Friday’s game that this would be a fun season. Blake Griffin promised to make this a season they wouldn’t forget.
And for the opening 12 minutes, the Clippers did their best to make the Clipper faithful — those wearing the free “Game On” red T-shirts — forget the previous bad seasons with electric passes and spectacular dunks.
Yet, there were plenty of highlights to tide Clippers fans over until the next game Sunday. Griffin scored 34 points, including several of his trademark high-flying dunks off of passes from Paul. three other Clippers scored in double figures.
Paul, who came to L.a. in a trade with the New Orleans Hornets, made his home Clippers debut with 15 points and 14 assists. He struggled in his first two games in a Clippers uniform, shooting less than 40 percent against Golden State and San Antonio. on Friday, he stepped up his offense, hitting 7 of 14 field goals.
Coach Vinny Del Negro said the Clippers simply made too many mistakes on defense, committed too many turnovers (11) and were outrebounded, 45-31, by the more experienced Bulls.
“Statistically, we shot the ball well enough, but rebounding is an issue,” Del Negro said. “DeAndre (Jordan) got into foul trouble and that hurts right now with our depth there, but other guys stepped in.
“Then in the fourth quarter, they jumped on us and we were playing catch-up.”
The Clippers, who lost to San Antonio on Wednesday by 15 points, appeared ready to take on the road-weary Bulls, who have been on the West Coast for six days. Feeding off the energy inside the packed arena, they jumped out to 7-0 lead.
But they couldn’t sustain that high, as the Bulls eventually took a 29-28 lead on a hook shot by reigning MVP Derrick Rose with 31 seconds in the first quarter.
Rose finished with 29 points and 16 assists and eight rebounds, while teammate Luol Deng and Joakim Noah each added 19 points and eight rebounds.
The Clippers managed to stay with the Bulls for the next two-plus quarters. But with Caron Butler, Brian Cook and Jordan in foul trouble for most of the game, they succumbed in the fourth quarter as the Bulls pulled away.
SEATTLE — The release of Nike’s new Air Jordan basketball shoes caused a frenzy at stores across the nation Friday as scuffles broke out and police were brought in to stamp out unrest that nearly turned into riots in some places.
Shoppers stood in long lines through the night to get their hands on a retro version of one of the most popular models of Air Jordans ever made. The fights were reminiscent of violence that broke out in the early 1990s on streets across America as the shoes became popular targets for thieves.
Disturbances were reported Friday at shopping centers from Washington state to Georgia.
In suburban Seattle, police used pepper spray on about 20 customers who started fighting at the Westfield Southcenter mall.
The crowd started gathering at four stores in the mall around midnight and had grown to more than 1,000 people by 4 a.m., when the stores opened, Tukwila police Officer Mike Murphy said.
“
it was not a nice, orderly group of shoppers. There were a lot of hostile and disorderly people.
” — Tukwila, Wash., policeOfficer Mike Murphy
“Around 3 (a.m.) there started to be some fighting and pushing among the customers,” he said. “Around 4, it started to get pretty unruly and officers sprayed pepper spray on a few people who were fighting, and that seemed to do the trick to break them up.”
Murphy said no injuries were reported, although some people suffered cuts or scrapes from fights. An 18-year-old man was arrested for assault after authorities say he punched an officer.
“He did not get his shoes; he went to jail,” Murphy said. Shoppers also broke two doors.
In Richmond, Calif., police say crowds waiting to buy the Air Jordan 11 Retro Concords at the Hilltop Mall were turned away after a gunshot rang out around 7 a.m.
No injuries were reported, but police said a 24-year-old suspect was taken into custody. The gun apparently went off inadvertently, the Contra Costa Times reported.
The frenzy over Air Jordans — the new pair retails for about $180 — has been dangerous in the past. Some people were mugged or even killed for early versions of the shoe, created by Nike inc. in 1985.
The Air Jordan has since been a consistent hit with sneaker fans. A new edition was launched each year, and release dates had to be moved to the weekends at some points to keep kids from skipping school to get a pair.
No one anticipated the hysteria around the original Air Jordan, which spawned a subculture of collectors willing to wait hours to buy the latest pair. Some collectors save the shoes for special occasions or never take them out of the box.
But the uproar over the shoe had died down in recent years. These latest incidents seem to be part of trend of increasing acts of violence at retailers this holiday shopping season, such as the shopper who pepper-sprayed others at a Wal-Mart in Los Angeles on Black Friday and crowds looting a clothing store in New York.
A representative for Nike, based in Beaverton, Ore., was not immediately available to comment.
Other disturbances reported at stores across the country over the new Air Jordans ranged from shoving and threats to property damage and attempted robbery.
In Taylor, Mich., about 100 people forced their way into a shopping center around 5:30 a.m., damaging decorations and overturning benches. Police say a 21-year-old man was arrested.
In Lithonia, Ga., at least four people were arrested after customers broke down a door at a store selling the shoes. DeKalb County police said up to 20 squad cars responded.
Officers escorted most of the people outside but took four into custody, WAGA-TV in Atlanta reported.
In Northern California, two men were arrested at a Fairfield mall after crowds shoved each other to get in position for the Nikes, police said.
In Stockton, Detective Joe Silva said a person was taken into custody at Weberstown Mall on suspicion of making criminal threats involving the shoes. Police also were investigating an attempted robbery in the mall’s parking lot. The victim was wrongly believed to have just purchased Air Jordans.
Police also were called to malls in Nebraska, Ohio and Kentucky over reports of large crowds, fights and broken doors.
In Tukwila, Officer Murphy said the crowd was on the verge of a riot and would have gotten even more out of hand if the police hadn’t intervened.
About 25 officers from Tukwila and surrounding areas responded. Murphy said police smelled marijuana and found alcohol containers at the scene.
“It was not a nice, orderly group of shoppers,” Murphy said. “There were a lot of hostile and disorderly people.”
The Southcenter mall’s stores sold out of the Air Jordan 11 Retro Concords, and all but about 50 people got their Nikes, Murphy said.
Shoppers described the scene as chaotic and at times dangerous.
Carlisa Williams said she joined the crowd at the Southcenter for the experience and ended up buying two pairs of shoes — one for her and one for her brother. But she said she’ll never do anything like it again.
“I don’t understand why they’re so important to people,” Williams told KING-TV. “They’re just shoes at the end of the day. It’s not worth risking your life over.”
Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press
UC Davis Chancellor Linda P.B. Katehi on Monday apologized to students and faculty after campus police officers pepper-sprayed a group of student protesters, an incident that has cast the university in the national spotlight.
"I am here to apologize," Katehi told hundreds of students and faculty who gathered for a rally on the campus quad. "I feel horrible for what happened on Friday."
Campus police sprayed a group of students who were sitting down and protesting peacefully as part of the Occupy Wall Street movement. eleven students were treated for the effects of pepper spray, including two who were taken to an area hospital, where they were treated and released.
"I don't want to be chancellor of the university we had on Friday," Katehi told the crowd. "our university has to be better than it is. and we need all of the community to come together to do that. we need to work together. … I know you may not believe anything that I'm telling you today, and you don't have to. it is my responsibility to earn your trust."
Katehi left the podium to chants of "Resign, Resign!" and "Not enough!"
A UC Davis professor who started an online petition calling for Katehi to resign said he has so far collected 60,000 signatures.
Since Friday's incident, two campus police officers and Police Chief Annette Spicuzza have been placed on leave while UC officials investigate the officers' actions.
ALSO:
Flood advisory issued for parts of L.a. County
Voters think teachers unions are too powerful, new poll finds
Woman wounded in police shooting at Baldwin Village apartment
– Maria L. La Ganga at UC Davis
Watch it live on CNBC and join the conversation at Daily Kos
5:24 PM PT: John Harwood followed up on the Cain question, asking Mitt Romney whether he’d fire Herman Cain if Herman Cain were a CEO of a company that he owned. the crowd booed, and I think a candidate almost said “Oh shit.” Romney said it’s up voters to decide about Cain.
5:25 PM PT: question about OWS and wealth inequality to Jon Huntsman. he says he’s glad that OWS has the right to speak, but mostly turns the answer into a chance to bash bailouts.
5:29 PM PT: Cramer, calling Milton Friedman the most important economist of the 20th century, asks whether companies have a social responsibility to create jobs, or whether they should solely focus on jobsprofits. Romney, Perry, and Gingrich all say it’s a false choice, and that they should do both. Gingrich says it’s “sad” that the media doesn’t “report accurately” about how corporations have made America the richest country in the world. the crowd erupts into a big cheer. I’m waiting for them to pledge allegiance to Exxon.
5:32 PM PT: Herman Cain gets his chance to talk about his 9-9-9 plan. Let’s see if any of his fellow candidates criticize it.
5:34 PM PT: question is to Romney about why he hasn’t proposed a flat tax and why he supports a progressive tax. his answer: I want to see a flatter tax code. And then he says he wants to help middle-class people. Because he wants their votes. He’s running for office, for Pete’s sake.
Daily Kos: Republican debate night, featuring Herman Cain and the GOP gang #3
Bruins win a Dramatic Game at Fenway
A New Year and What a way to celebrate it with a hockey game out doors.
In the best weather yet so far in the 3rd annual Winter Classic it was a clear cool 32 degrees. for all those who played hockey out doors, on ponds and street hockey you know it was a perfect atmosphere for the game.
Two Legendary Bobby’s from Boston and Philadelphia’s past dropped the puck in the ceremonial face-off. Orr and Clarke would also lead the two teams out on the ice.
Moments later the two teams would face off for real in the much anticipated game and Bruins S. Thorton and Flyers D. Carcillo would christen the Classic with the first fight ever during the classic event. Carcillo would get the edge in the fight as he would lift his hands in the penalty box to let the crowd know and he was serenaded with boos from his act.
After a scoreless opening period the Flyers would get on the board first when Bruins goalie T. Thomas took his eyes off the puck to clear away S. Hartnell from the front of the net and D. Syvret took a shot from the point that would sail in. it was Syvret first NHL goal of his career.
The Flyers and their goalie M. Leighton would take that 1-0 lead deep into period three until M. Recchi would redirect a D. Morris pass to the back of the net with only 2:08 remaining in the game. The goal would be Leighton’s first goal against in 134:07 of play. The packed Fenway ball park waited a long time for their team to put one past the goal crease and the crowd of 38,000 plus responded with an eruption.
Period three would end tied at one and the Classic needed and extra session to decide this Winter Game.
Marco Strum would feed off the Bruins momentum going into the over time as he deflected a pass from P. Bergeron that would hit mesh and ended the game at the 1:57 mark in the extra session of play.
What a great day for the sport of Hockey in the first Winter Classic that left it’s fans leaving with a smile as the Bruins were the first home team to win the game.
Last year Detroit won in Chicago and the inaugural Winter Classic game was won by Pittsburgh Penguins in Buffalo.
New Years Day now belongs to Hockey and makes me wonder which city will be blessed to host this wonderful event in 2011.
Making no secret of his disdain for Tea Party ideals and ideas, ex-White House adviser Van Jones on Monday nonetheless urged liberal activists to “steal” the Tea Party’s playbook. the former “green jobs” adviser, speaking at the top of a three-day conference in the nation’s capital designed to galvanize liberal activists, spoke interchangeably in harsh and glowing terms about the Tea Party movement. he described their cause as “the worst” and “silly” and other unflattering adjectives. at the same time, he said progressives can learn from what the Tea Party has accomplished, as he tried to steer the crowd toward his own umbrella group which he’s been working on since the summer. using the pick-yourself-up-by-the-bootstraps tone President Obama has employed in recent days, Jones pointed to the Tea Party movement as an example of grassroots activism done right. he suggested liberals have relied too much on one person, Obama, to fix everything. only instead of taking to the streets in the name of lower taxes and less regulation, he urged the crowd to model its own Tea Party-style movement in the name of the middle class. “If we can just be as warm and sharing and kind as the Tea Party, which one might suspect is a relatively low bar, we might be able to do something for our country,” Jones said Monday. Obama has stirred controversy in recent days by urging the base to quit complaining, take off their “bedroom slippers” and march with him. Jones used similar language, as the three-day Take back the American Dream Conference got underway. “We went from hopey to mopey and forgot to build a movement in the middle,” Jones said. he credited the Tea Party with building a “network” that operates without any individual leader. ”There is no Tea Party. You can’t land at the airport here in D.C., and get in the cab and say ‘take me to Tea Party headquarters’,” he said. Jones described the movement as an “upgrade” over what progressives had done. “They use their charismatic leaders to build something bigger than any leader,” he said. “They talk rugged individualism, but they act collectively.” By contrast, he said, “we talk collectively … but we have enacted the most individualistic strategy in the republic.” Jones, at several points in the speech, referred to the emergence of a new “movement.” he claimed the so-called American Dream Movement, which he launched over the summer, has attracted more interest from supporters than the Tea Party did in 2009. he and other progressive groups are trying to rally that sentiment into something more cohesive at the spirit-building conference in Washington. But it also coincided with the more raucous anti-corporate protests on Wall Street and in cities across the country. the speakers with the Take back the American Dream Conference tried to show some solidarity with those protesters — Jones applauded them for going to the “scene of the crime.” the message of those protesters, though, is not quite as cohesive as the message in Washington. Some of the protesters in New York, while organizing under the banner of combating corporate greed, talk about demolishing the capitalist system altogether. Tea Party Express strategist Sal Russo described the various demonstrations as unfounded. “The direction of the county has been decidedly to the left,” he said. “The policies have been so far left they don’t have anything to be unhappy about.” But with unemployment topping 9 percent, Jones urged activists to focus on unemployment and standing up for those unable to find work. While protesters are calling for the abolition of capitalism on Wall Street, Jones urged activists to organize under a message that is both “positive” and “portable.” “You can’t just have a principle that’ll work in Berkeley,” he said, adding that it has to resonate in “red states.” the conference is being co-sponsored by the Campaign for America’s Future. the opening day of the conference featured several prominent speakers, including former Labor Secretary Robert Reich and Rep. Donna Edwards, D-Md. Jones’ group plans to take the event a step further Wednesday, organizing a “rally for jobs not cuts” outside the U.S. Capitol. Jones is the former “green jobs” adviser for Obama. he resigned following controversy over some of his public comments and his signing on a years-old petition from a group that suggests the U.S. government was complicit in the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. Jones disavowed the so-called Sept. 11 “truth” group when the petition came out. Jones referenced the incident on stage Monday in Washington. “You can get knocked down, that happens in politics. ask me how I know,” Jones said, as the crowd chuckled.
By Peter Schwartz» More Columns
Sometimes, you can go home again.
As far as the Jets go, they can never return to their former homes like the Polo Grounds, Shea Stadium or Giants Stadium, but they do have the ability to turn back the clock and return to their roots.
On Thursday night, the Jets will hold their annual training camp practice at Shuart Stadium on the campus of Hofstra University on Long Island.
Last year’s practice at Hofstra drew a crowd of over 10,000 fans creating an exciting atmosphere for a workout. a similar evening is expected on Thursday.
“It’s great,” said quarterback Mark Sanchez. “You get a lot of fans on Twitter and people you see in passing in the city or in new Jersey, wherever, ‘I’m from Long Island, I wish you guys were still out here.’ so this is kind of us paying respect to them and thanking them for being great fans for such a long time. sure, we moved to new Jersey, but that’s still our home over there too, so we’re excited to go back.”
After training camp in 2008, the Jets said goodbye to Hofstra and packed their bags for the Atlantic Health Training Center in Florham Park, NJ. they may have relocated to a bigger and more spectacular home, but they left behind a lifetime of memories.
Training camps at Hofstra were special to those Jets fans that call Long Island home. Even after moving from Shea Stadium in Queens to Giants Stadium in new Jersey after the 1983 season, the Jets still conducted business, held training camp and practiced at a site that still connected to them to the biggest part of their fan base.
So for one night, the Jets get to go back to the future!
“I think it’s going to be great,” said head coach Rex Ryan. “We’re excited about it, it’s something that we want to do, for the next 20 years or something go back in there. It’s just one day. It’s a little inconvenient, but so what. It’s a big group of our fans, we’re proud of that and it just gives an opportunity for us to go in there and maybe some of the fans can’t get to games but they can see us at a practice. We enjoy it, it’s what we do. It’s one of the things we’ll do now. “
While Ryan is excited about the night at Hofstra, he’s also taking some measures to make sure that an embarrassing moment from last year doesn’t take place again. HBO’s “Hard Knocks” caught several Jets eating cheeseburgers on the field during the practice at Shuart Stadium and Ryan wasn’t happy about it.
How does he make sure it doesn’t happen Thursday?
“We will be traveling with our cheeseburgers on the bus this year,” joked Ryan. “If I have to go down here and buy them myself, there will not be that issue. at least there better not be.”
There’s no doubt that Long Island Jets fans will be hungry to see their team in person on Thursday.
One Jets player is really looking forward to the Hofstra practice and that’s left tackle D’Brickashaw Ferguson. the Long Island native played his high school football at Freeport and used to watch the Jets practice at Hofstra all of the time. I had a chance to chat with “Brick” this week out in Florham Park.
For the fans, the dynamic of training camps at Hofstra changed over the years. There was a time where you could go up to a fence in between the field and Weeb Ewbank Hall and wait for the Jets players to come over and sign autographs.
As time went on, fans figured out that they had to make their way over to the cafeteria after the morning practice to try and meet their favorite Jets. the Gang Green faithful quickly learned that it was at the cafeteria where the players had to stop and talk to the media so they would line up along Oak Street waiting for them to arrive.
Jets training camp really became one of the most anticipated events on Long Island. There’s nothing better than something for free and if you were a Jets fan on Long Island, training camp was the place to be.
So it was appropriate that when the Jets left for new Jersey, they agreed to return to Hofstra for one night each summer.
“That’s where our fan base is,” said linebacker Bart Scott. “Being that this team was originally from Long Island, I think it’s good to not forget about the people out there and have them go out and see their team and interact with their players.”
The festivities begin at 4 p.m. with Jets Fest in the stadium parking lot. Practice begins at 6 p.m. and runs till about 8:15. after practice, players and coaches will sign autographs.
PRESSED INTO MORE ACTION
With backup quarterback Mark Brunell nursing a calf injury, 7th round pick Greg McElroy has seen an increased workload. he saw plenty of action in the victory over the Bengals and will be the #2 quarterback on Saturday against the Giants. This week at training camp, I caught up with the former Alabama star…
McElroy has shown a lot of poise playing behind the second and third string offensive lines. There’s no question that he has a chance to be a good quarterback in this league. My hunch is that he will be the backup to Mark Sanchez in 2012.
That’s all for now! Check back on Friday for a preview of Saturday’s Jets-Giants game.
Will you be there Thursday? let us know in the comments below…
DAEGU, South Korea (AP) — Stepping out onto the big stage, Usain Bolt instantly transforms into the ultimate showman.
The Jamaican sensation played to the adoring crowd again Saturday at the world championships, blowing on his fingers as if to cool off the tips of his imaginary pistols and mugging for the camera at every opportunity.
Once he settled into the starting blocks, Bolt put on a show in the 100 meters. He was well out in front of the field after his first step and so far ahead by the midway point that he looked back at the pack with a big, you-can’t-catch-me grin on his face, easily winning his heat in 10.10 seconds.
"it was a good run," Bolt said, nonchalantly.
Meanwhile, Ashton Eaton of the United States leads the decathlon after five events, 53 points ahead of teammate and defending world champion Trey Hardee.
In the first round of the women’s 400, Americans Sanya Richards-Ross and Allyson Felix had little trouble advancing out of their heats. Richards-Ross won her race easily, while Felix started off strong, only to be passed near the finish as she eased up to conserve energy.
After all, she has a long week in front of her.
Felix began her quest to capture the 200 and 400 titles in Daegu, a difficult task given all the rounds and not much of a break in between events.
"I feel good, excited to finally get started," Felix said.
The Kenyan women were perfect twice on the opening day of the championships. the African nation swept both the women’s marathon and 10,000 to finish the day six-for-six in medals, an unprecedented feat for the first day in the 28 years of the championships.
Former Olympic gold medalist Justin Gatlin advanced to the next round of the 100 – bad feet and all. the American recently got frostbite after stepping into a cryogenic chamber with wet socks. He didn’t lose any toes, but his wounds have hardly healed.
The 29-year-old Gatlin is running to repair his reputation as well. He’s been waiting for this moment since returning to competition last season after serving a four-year doping ban.
"it feels good," Gatlin said. "One thing I learned going through championships throughout my career is it’s not about what you do in first round. A lot of people like to throw out good times."
Reigning world pole vault champion Steve Hooker of Australia failed to clear a height in qualifying and was eliminated. Later, Olympic 400 champion Christine Ohuruogu of Britain was disqualified for a false start.
Bolt has been hearing about how he’s lost a step this season and runners such as Trinidad and Tobago’s Richard Thompson or Jamaican teammate Yohan Blake are ready to take away his title at the worlds.
The always affable Bolt was better than both Saturday night and barely even broke a sweat. Thompson was third in his heat (10.34), while Blake had little trouble winning in 10.12.
"People are always going to say what they want," Bolt said. "I’m focused on what I want. my focus is to go out there and win, execute and show the world I’m still the best."
Bolt was out in front of the field so fast that it looked like he was given a head start.
British runner Dwain Chambers had to try to play catch-up from the moment the gun sounded. And he, along with every other sprinter, has come to realize there’s simply no catching up to Bolt when he’s at his best.
Chambers finished second and advanced to the semifinals on Sunday. the finals are Sunday night.
With Tyson Gay sidelined because of a surgically repaired hip and world leader Asafa Powell withdrawing two days ago because of a groin injury, Bolt’s main rivals aren’t there to give him a nudge.
That’s all right – he still has the clock. And at major events, that’s become his biggest competitor.
In the marathon, Edna Kiplagat crashed on the street late in the race only to recover and lead her nation to an unprecedented sweep in 2:28:43 and earn the first gold medal of the competition. Kiplagat got tangled up with teammate Sharon Cherop at one of the last water stations and suddenly was on all fours.
"I was a little shocked," Kiplagat said. "What was in my mind was I wasn’t sure if I was going to pick up the pace again."
Vivian Cheruiyot led a Kenyan sweep in the 10,000 in 30:48.98.
"we were inspired by the marathon girls and we wanted to achieve the same," Cheruiyot said.
World-record holder Bolt is picking up where he left off at the last world championships two years ago in Berlin, where he dominated the field. Bolt broke his own 100 mark in Berlin with a time of 9.58.
He’s already acknowledged he’s not in record-breaking shape this season. but judging by his performance in the first round, Bolt may want to adjust that thinking.
He did his best to rev up the crowd Saturday, constantly clowning around and running his fingers through his hair while looking up at himself on the stadium’s big screen. even his uniform looked special. the daughter of reggae great Bob Marley was hired to design the team’s gear.
Bolt hummed down the lane, too, until he shut it down a good 40 meters before the finish. That’s all he needed as he planted this thought into everyone’s mind: when he runs like this, can Bolt be beat?
"That’s a good question," Thompson said. "I’ll have to figure it out."
For as good as Bolt looked, this might not be a cakewalk. Two-time Olympics bronze medalist Walter Dix captured his preliminary heat in 10.25 and, just like Bolt, did so in easy fashion. After crossing the line, Dix did a little strut and puffed out his chest, knowing he ran the way he envisioned.
"I wanted to come out and win the race easily," Dix said.
Before the start of the 100, former world champions Maurice Greene and Gay chatted at a get-together to discuss track’s signature event. they stated their favorites in the 100, among other events.
Gay’s favorite wasn’t a surprise — Bolt. but Greene chose Blake, Bolt’s up-and-coming teammate.
"In championships, stars are born and stars are made," Greene said. "He’s young, talented and doesn’t know any better than to just go out there and run fast."
Go ahead, doubt Bolt. He enjoys proving people wrong.
Even more, he enjoys celebrating in front of them.
Copyright 2011 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
