Enough "Is" Enough

Coach Marty Raymond said it best; enough is enough.

He was referring to the call in Sunday's loss to Fresno that set him off, triggering a tirade on the bench that resulted in a dry erase board, dozens of sticks and one Gatorade cooler being flung, tossed or kicked onto the ice.

It's what followed his outburst that made me stop and think hard.

Coach Raymond's fire storm also triggered a rain storm inside Rabobank, in the form of rubber pucks, drinks and even cow bells to come raining down on the ice.

The onslaught was aimed at the referee, for what the crowd and Raymond believe were some bad calls by T.J. throughout the game, culminating with the downpour.

Let me stop for a moment to say this.

I love Condorstown. It's a family.

I've been to other arena's in this state, and a few in Minnesota, and have yet to find a franchise that gets the kind of support (minus a championship) that this club has received in it's 10 years of existence.

However, with all families, there are a few knuckleheads that do stupid things, but you still love them and hope someday they'll straighten out.

No more waiting, somebody needs a timeout.

The objects that rained down on the ice included a souvenir cow bell that slammed against the Plexiglas about two inches above the head of my com padre, and official scorer, Fred Olague.

It hit with such force, I briefly thought the glass had shattered.

It came from the upper deck, flung by a disgruntled fan.

I'm assuming the person was disgruntled, I'd hate to think it was hurled for fun.

I hopped up on my seat and scanned the audience for some help.

Who threw it? A couple of points led me to the upper deck, where a couple season ticket holders I'm familiar with seemed to believe one loud gentlemen was the possible culprit.

He denied it.

I wanted to find the person that was responsible, but it didn't appear likely.

Either people didn't get a good look, or no one was willing to speak up.

Condors fans this behavior has to stop and we need you to step up and get involved.

Even Brett Lutes can be seen in the video shot by ABC23, motioning to the crowd NOT to throw anything onto the ice.

His attempt at peacemaker was in vain.

I talked to a season ticket holder who said their child was terrified and crying when the barrage began.

But it's not the first time, not by a long shot.

There's a person who throws coins onto the ice at the north end of the arena and has been doing so for most of the season.

The coins freeze and create a hazard for the players from BOTH teams.

We've put up with the obscenity-laden screams and throwing of paraphernalia for too long.

Please give security a hand in identifying and removing these few clowns so we can yell at the referee's in peace.

Also, if you happen to know who threw the cowbell that crashed into the announcer's booth, please let me know.

I'd like to return it to them personally.

Don't forget the video originally posted on the Bobblehead on Condors blog.

Bombs Bursting In Air

Talk about a slow news day.

I can't believe the asinine commentary being slung around town regarding a photo of a Cal State Bakersfield player during the national anthem.

Nikki, I hope you're not taking this too seriously.

I'm not going to rehash the entire debate up to this point, but some self-absorbed types are slinging mud at a CSUB women's basketball player, who they believe was observing the playing of the National Anthem inappropriately.

Hands behind the back and not over the heart.

Anyone who's ever played organized sports knows the athlete's pose all too well.

Hands clasped behind the back, facing the flag, chin up.

I've done it before, while singing along, never thinking for one moment that it was showing disrespect.

Now, I put my hand over my heart. (Any Condors fan who's ever looked at the booth during a game I'm working can attest to that.)

Nikki did nothing wrong and the torment that she's probably been put through is shameful.

Anyone remember Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf?

The former Denver Nugget who converted to Islam and refused to stand or face the flag during the Anthem back in March 1996?

He took a beating for it and was even suspended for one game while the league worked out a compromise.

For those of you who've lashed out in the paper and blogs, get a life.

To the paper, give it a rest.

*Although they did add a nice photo of Bill Thomas to keep the debate going.

Locked In The Car

I had to do a double take as I pulled into a parking space at the Costco on Rosedale Highway Monday afternoon.

The little girl, probably 3 or 4, was asleep inside a Volvo station wagon in the parking lot.

An employee of Costco was walking up to the car as my wife and I got out of ours right next door.
The child never stirred or seemed to even realize three adults were staring at her through the glass.

The mom was no where in sight.

Before I get too carried away with how wrong and dangerous this is, I've left my 2-yr old son buckled in his car seat twice as I ran inside a store for something.

Once to grab a receipt for gas at the pump, and another time to tell the clerk at the AMPM that the gas pump was not working.

Both times I was inside for about 15 seconds, and both times I never stopped staring at my car as I talked to the clerks.

A combination of paranoia and guilt about leaving my son in the car that I tried to compensate by the fact that he was never out of my sight.

I know, I ran inside for just a second, and that's all it takes sometimes.

But running inside the Costco?

I've been inside Costco for 1 item before and it usually takes about 15 minutes at the very least.

Plus, there's no way to see your child.

The manager walked out as we stood there, and checked the scene before he called the police and CPS.

A quick reaction?

Maybe, but he's thinking of the child's safety, not to mention, the store's responsibility.

The mother reappeared a couple minutes later, carrying a portable car seat with an infant in it.

I was already inside the store, when the manager found me and said the police wanted to get a statement from me.

I went outside and saw the mom sitting in her back seat with both kids.

Officers had talked with their superiors and were going to give her a ticket.

They didn't need my statement after all, since they were not taking the child into protective custody.

I didn't have a camera with me at the time.

I then wondered if I did, how that might help put an end to such a dangerous practice by many American's by picking on one mother.

It's not fair.

She's not the only one.

Then I realized what an effect it had on me, watching the scene unfold.

Especially when informed by the Costco manager that it's not the first time this has happened in their parking lot.

Talk about a double take.