by John Walters

Starting Five

Dallas

Five police officers murdered last night by a sniper who said he was angry about the recent deaths of Alton Sterling and Philander Castile, that he wanted “to kill white people, especially white officers.”

Sad, but not surprising. I saw someone tweet out yesterday words to the effect that “America should feel lucky that black people only want justice, and not revenge.” Well, some want revenge.

And another infamous Dallas sniper (Texas, if you want to include Austin) is added to the list.

I’m not about to be so reductive as to say that every incident is, pardon the expression, black and white. But the Sterling and Castile videos show the huge gulf in how officers often treat black men as opposed to whites. I offer, again, this photo taken only last summer from suburban Atlanta. The white cop simply puts his hand out to a white man who has reached to draw his sidearm on a peaceful protester.

Anyway, a true tragedy, all seven of these unnecessary deaths. And of course, as always, guns are not to blame. Even though, incidentally, Sterling and Castile are still alive today if they’re not packing. Which doesn’t mean I oppose your or their second amendment rights. I’m just stating a fact.

There’s so much going on here (racial tension, America’s obsessions with guns and violence, etc., etc.) but I like to pull out this monologue that Bill Maher delivered in July of 2014, a few weeks before Ferguson. It was oddly prescient, and it’s part of the problem: the militarization of American police forces has created an Us vs. Them mentality in urban areas, and while I’m not about to spew that every citizen is a good guy who just wants a Sheriff Taylor walking the beat in his neighborhood, this RoboCop ‘tude has only widened the gulf between cops and citizens in the more crime-ridden areas of America.

Also, someoene (me) will write a think piece suggesting that maybe a state that allows open-carry laws  for hand guns and where tens

2. Les Bleus By You

France was completely dominated in the first half by reigning world champs Germany, then in stoppage time Bastian SCHWEINSTEIGER!!!! committed a hand ball foul (faux pas!) in the penalty box, Antoine Griezmann converted the PK, and it was 1-0 at half.

In the second half France came out emboldened, Paul Pogba stole a ball from a Deutcsh defender in the penalty box, faked him out of his jock using a stanky leg move, and delivered a cross that Griezmann converted for a second goal. France last played Germany nine months earlier in a friendly in Paris, the night of the Bataclan terrorist attacks. Now they’re headed back to that same stadium to face Portugal in the final.

3. RIO Speed Wagon

A terrific, although soggy, day at the U.S. Olympic Trials yesterday as MH-endorsed steeplechaser Emma Coburn wins the 3000 final and punches her ticket to Rio. Finishing third was American Track & Field’s Top Model, Carol Quigley of Florida State. So she will be competing in an Olympics below the equator, and thus I am authorized at some future point to employ a “Quigley Down Under” headline (but not today).

Elsewhere, Notre Dame’s Molly Huddle had the fastest time in the first round of the 5000M, while Alaska’s Allie Ostrander finished 4th and also advanced. In the women’s 1500 meters, Jenny Simpson and Mary Cain advanced to today’s semis.

4. His and Hers

Lord, this footage is perfect. And another thing, Stephen A., not to sound braggadocios, but if you knew so much about what was going down with Dwyane Wade on Wednesday evening, why didn’t you break the story? Why did Adrian Wojnarowski do so (again?). Anyway, classic reaction from Lindsay Czarniak here and surely Sage Steele can appreciate it.

Well done, Awful Announcing. Take the rest of the day off.

5. Wake/Hail Up/To The/The Echoes/Victors

Notre Dame and Michigan. Catholics versus Khakis. It’s back on!

September 1, 2018 at Notre Dame Stadium

October 26, 2019 at Michigan Stadium

Most Wins, All-Time: Michigan, 915 (1st), Notre Dame, 882 (3rd; Texas has 884)

Highest Win %, All-Time: Notre Dame, .734 (1st), Michigan .730 (2nd)

Michigan leads the all-time series, 24-17-1, and the Wolverines were Notre Dame’s inaugural opponent back on Thanksgiving morning, 1887 (I remember it well).

 

Music 101

Little Willy

Really? Another song by Sweet (here, in 1972, known as “The Sweet”)? Yes, this is the same buried treasure 70s glam band that gave us “Fox On The Run” and “Love Is Like Oxygen.” Completely under appreciated. This tune hit No. 3 on the Billboard charts in the spring of 1973.

Remote Patrol

Sunday

Euro Final: Portugal vs. France

3 p.m. ESPN

Les Bleus won the World Cup in 1998 when they were hosts and have a chance to win this tournament in the same role. Portugal has the world’s top striker and arguably player in Ronaldo, who already led his Spanish club team, Real Madrid, to the UEFA Champions League title just six weeks ago (in Milan). Been a good spring and summer for the petulant microphone tosser thus far.

Also, The Night Of, Sunday night on HBO, is excellent.