Thursday, July 16, 2009

Its The Sears Tower! Naming rights gone amuck

Today Chicago will unveil the Willis Tower, since the British concern that now own the former Sears Tower also acquired the naming rights to the property. They appear serious when they say they hope the Willis Tower will be as familiar to Chicagoans as the Sears is.

Good luck. This whole naming thing has gone on unchecked for far too long. In my hometown of Boston, the naming thing has ruined what used to be the Boston Garden. We were all hurt and confused, and some of us cried, as our beloved Garden, with its multiple levels, its close seating to the action, no corporate suites, no air conditioning and its acoustics that made the fan noise a roar, was peeled apart like an onion and summarily destroyed. A new arena was built in its place, first called the Shawmut Center, then the Fleet Center [who names their palace after an enema company?], then the TD Banknorth Garden, and now simply the TD Garden. Why not just shorten it to the T Garden, and we can all call it the Tea Garden? How much crazier does this naming rights thing get, aside from the blasphemy of using Garden in any name for the new place, which will never be confused with the old place.

Sports fans are confused. Which team plays where nowadays? Can you imagine if this naming rights thing extended to Fenway Park in Boston? Red Sox fans already endure the heresy of having corporate logos splashed across the Green Monster. How about Wrigley Field in Chicago? Imagine how ugly Cubs fans would become if their hallowed home's name was sold off to some bank or corporate concern? Most sports venue across the country now have names of banks or insurance companies or airlines. How do you know who plays where anymore?

Its confusing, its silly, it needs to stop.

Friday, July 3, 2009

Sarah Palin leaving? Thank goodness!

Now please don't even HINT about the idea that she may run for higher office. I think we have heard enough, and we have certainly seen enough. In some circles she is the MILF you love to hate; in others she is nothing more than a housewife gone public. Forget what she knows or doesn't know; she simply doesn't have the bearing, or the carriage, to make it in national office. Besides, there are five kids and a husband at home, clamoring for her attention. The very best thing she can do is fade away.