Rhubarb Report 068

Here I was thinking that Section 215 was in the Alamodome or some other large Texas football stadium. Boy, was I wrong. Little did I know that it's the section of the US Patriot Act that seems to be getting everyone's attention these days.

It's funny that if you are an NFL team, you can't videotape an opposing team's practices - but you want my phone records? Go ahead, take a look. Email? No worries. Web searches? Welcome to Section 215.

Oh, the razor's edge of freedom that we live on. On a day when we remember D-Day, many can somehow turn a blind eye to this sort of thing. Incredible.

Just another snippet of rhubarb to start off Episode 068.

1. Let's stay on the political theme for a moment. A few weeks ago, I caught a very intriguing interview of former Senator Olympia Snowe by Jon Stewart. He asked her about the issue of gun control and background checks, noting that 90% of Americans supported mandatory background checks and that 70 senators were prepared to support the bill. That is, until the NRA managed to get the number down to 54.

Debate the pros or cons of the issue all you want. That isn't what was important. It was her response that was telling: "Did the 10% speak louder than the 90%?"

I will be the first to agree with "speaking up" and having your voice heard. But the reality that she nonchalantly and overtly avoided was that the 10% who were "speaking louder" were putting significantly more money into the situation. Money has a way of getting really loud, really quickly.

It gets better though. "Politics is too important for the politicians" she said.

So just who is politics appropriate for then? I can't even keep a straight face typing this right now.

2. For all of the naysayers, I present to you the 2012 United States Grand Prix in Austin - winner of the coveted ‘Sports Event of the Year’ award at the 2013 SportsBusiness Journal/Daily Business awards. That is an impressive achievement for the first-time event, which  beat out the 2012 Ryder Cup, the 2012 Stanley Cup Finals and the 2012 U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials along the way to victory.

I am sure that the real test lies ahead in years 2 and beyond.

3. Speaking of Austin events, I have to admit I am a little confused by the new-and-improved Austin City Limits Music Festival format this year. It has been extended to two weekends, which I first thought was an intriguing idea. But what makes it odd to me is that the majority of bands are playing both weekends. At least that is the way I understand it.

I guess I don't see the point.

Here's an idea: earmark weekend one as "central TX residents weekend", and the next as "all the others" weekend. In weekend one, we could truly Keep Austin Weird. And in weekend two, we could exist like any other rapidly-growing metropolitan area with a music festival. Oh yeah.

With any luck, the X Games will take residence in Austin from 2014 - 2016. It seems that would do a great job of Keeping Austin Weird, wouldn't it? If it happens, come find me at the skateboarding half pipe competition, revisiting my youth.

Photo credits: Wikipedia

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