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Petition Tag - playoffs
1. Free Shane 
Visit freeshane.com for details.
Dear Alain Vigneault and Mike Gillis,
I was moved to write you this letter in hopes that my words can save a young man from the proverbial doghouse. I never thought of myself as much of a public servant and, truth be told, if somebody told me earlier in the season that I would be starting a campaign to get Shane O'Brien into the lineup I would tell them they are insane. You know, because after all it is Shane O'Brien. Prior to this season Shane was prone to mistakes and bad penalties but I think we can all agree that he has worked hard to improve on his SOBesque behavior on the ice.
However, we all know that it's not because of Shane's play that I want to see him in the lineup because, after all, we are talking about Shane O'Brien. There are bigger issues here. Issues like Aaron Rome and Andrew Alberts gobbling up minutes. This sort of thing is alright in these mean-nothing games down the stretch but I live in horror thinking this could carry over into the playoffs. Horror I say.
Look, I get it. There weren't many options available prior to the trade deadline. Nobody in their right mind would want Dion Phaneuf in their dressing room and the rest of the pickings were slim at best as evident by the fact we were only able to bring in Andrew Alberts. I know you tried to do your best Mike so as a former Canuck great once said, "it is what it is".
However, with the Willie Mitchell health status clouded in a mystery that would make Woodward and Bernstein salivate, we must tread carefully with our defencemen. We are "this close" to having Nolan Baumgartner hit the ice in the playoffs and I for one don't want to see that. I'm sure you guys feel the same way.
I know that the Mathieu Schneider divorce was sudden and over quickly. I understand that there may still be some lingering feelings where you guys feel like you need to flex your muscles and keep your players in line. I get it. But guys, we really need Shane fu#$ing O'Brien in the playoffs. Wow, did I just write that? Shiiiiiiiit........
So I ask you to free Shane O'Brien from the doghouse. I know there were issues. Rumors swirling about him being late for practice and other things. But I ask you guys to put yourself in Shane's shoes. Picture yourself being a 26-year-old athlete in the city, drinks are flowing, the intoxicating sound of country music fills the air. It's easy to get caught up in such an atmosphere. And really, what did Shane really do? Have a little to much to drink and sleep in. Heck, 75% of the workforce would be unemployed if this was such a crime.
Instead of looking at the bad, please look at the good that Shane did. He went on country music night where the worst thing that could happen is a bit too much alchohol getting consumed. If it was hip hop night then somebody could have very well gotten shot. Don't like the black-eye that Shane has brought to the organization? Well things could be worse. As you can see by the last time a Canuck was featured prominently on DeadSpin.
So just chill out guys. Enjoy the last week of the season and the fact that we've made the playoffs. And let Shane O'Brien be Shane O'Brien. Because we really *gulp* need him heading into the playoffs.
2. Fox Sports to broadcast Leeds Utd FC playoff games LIVE
Leeds United FC are once again this year vying for a position to move up a division. Leeds currently play in the Coca Cola League 1 and are in the playoffs to move up to the Coca Cola Championship, a league in which Fox Sports already broadcast certain games through the Sky Sports (UK) feed.
Fox Sports have secured the rights for these playoffs but, currently, will not be showing the LEAGUE ONE games (which includes the dismissal of the mighty Leeds United). Leeds are widely supported in Australia and these playoff games would gain a MUCH bigger audience then the Championship games. Last year their highest audience in the playoffs was Leeds United vs Doncaster Rovers - even though this was delayed by an hour!!!!!!!!
Just to take a step back...Leeds United is a massively popular football club in Australia and all around the World and even though they currently play 3rd tier football, they are still arguably among the top 10 most popular football clubs from England and definitely one of the most popular clubs within Australia.
Australia has had a massive connection to Leeds United in the past, with Australian Players such as Harry Kewell, Mark Viduka, Paul Okon, Jacob Burns and Tony Dorigo, who all played for the club. They also have current Socceroo Neil Kilkenny playing for them at the moment who represented Australia at the 2008 Olympic games.
This time last year, Leeds United fans from all around Australia, swarmed to show their support for the club they love as they were in the same position as they are now. Unfortunately Leeds were unsuccessful in the play-off campaign. As Fox Sports are aware, alot of fans last year emailed Fox Sports to demand these matches be shown. To their credit, they did show the Play-off Final, even though it was delayed by 1 hour. As mentioned above, this game got a larger audience than ALL other playoff games from the Championship. Fox Sports have already said that if enough interest is shown then they may reconsider the matter!!! I think last year that we proved it was viable for these League One playoff matches (especially Leeds) to be shown in Australia, LIVE and DIRECT on Fox Sports. I am sure, it would be in the best interests of all Leeds United Fans and Football fans in general and yourselves as an entity for these matches to be shown Live and Direct.
It's a proven fact that these games broadcast live would be a big hit for Fox Sports and their customers will no doubt continue supporting them if they support us...
Im certain that when Leeds go up to the Championship, more Leeds United fans will be jumping on the Foxtel bandwagon, to watch the mighty Whites next year.
3. Curt Schilling for Baseball Hall of Fame
With a 216-146 record a 3.46 ERA 3,116 Strikeouts. Four League Titles 1993, 2001, 2004, 2007. Three World Championships 2001, 2004, 2007.
NLCS MVP 1993, World Series Co-MVP 2001.
Member of six All Star Teams.
11-2 Post Season Record
Only the 4th pitcher to get 3,000 strikeouts with under 1,000 walks.
Highest Strikeout/Walk ratio of any pitcher with 3,000+ K's.
Twice set the Major League Record for most consecutive games pitched with out an unearned run.
Only man to win Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year twice. 2001 and 2004
2001 Sporting News Pitcher of the Year (voted on by the MLB players).
Finished 2nd to teammate Randy Johnson for Cy Young award in 2001 and 2002. Finished second to Johan Santana in 2004.
....And the Bloody Sock... Facing elimination down 3-2 Schilling pitched Game # 6 of the ALCS in Yankee Stadium on and injured ankle that bled through out the game....the Red Sox won Schilling gave up only 1 run and 4 hits over 7 innings. That was part of the greatest comeback in baseball history down 3-0 and winning 4-3.
This 20 year career deserves a plaque in Cooperstown, NY.
The NHL has issued a new rule that bans Al Sabotka from picking up and swinging the octopus around on the ice before the start of Red Wings games.
5. Fans for the Revision of Division-I Football Championship (BCS)
This petition was developed to demand the revision of the current BCS system by replacing it with a 16 -team playoff.
Whereas the BCS is an exclusionary and unfair system that only allows pre-determined teams from certain conferences to participate in revenue making events.
Whereas certain conferences within the NCAA corporate umbrella have become autonymous and are self-regulating beyond the rules of the NCAA.
Whereas the BCS is a subjective system designed to pit the top 2 ranked teams in the country despite not having a democratic system which allows a larger sample size to participate.
Whereas a 16 team playoff would be a true representation of the larger sample size of the 119 teams.
Whereas a playoff would eliminate the possibility of more than 1 team finishing the season undefeated and making claim to national championship.
Whereas a playoff would preserve the integrity of bowl games by incoporating them into playoff venues.
Whereas the educational impact of a playoff would not be compromised due to the event occurring during fall break.
As you may or may not be aware, the Football League and the FA are not regulated by anyone, meaning what they say goes. This allows alot of Dodgy stuff to go on. As in Clubs Breaking rules. Bad Referee's being able to get away with it. And when Clubs Complain they get fined.
It's all a joke. They know they can get away with it. And now its time the FA and Football League was Regulated. We dont Pay to watch the Referee have a bad day, we pay to watch Football. Fans are being ignored and any other industry this would be deal with by goverments and watchdogs.
What a season of utter disappointment. In the 35 plus years of watching the Miami Dolphins I have never witnessed such lackluster, uninspired performances from quality athletes. Six Pro Bowlers on the 2002 team and the Phins still went 9 and 7 and missed the playoffs. WellÂ….. Just like most businesses in the World, if your company is failing then you've got to look at the top.
We Dolphin fans are starting to look at the top. Dave Wannstedt's record as the Chicago Bears coach went from Good to very bad during his 6 years at the helm and his record at Miami is taking on a similar decline.
11-5 in 2000 and a playoff loss in the second round
11-5 in 2001 with a Wildcard playoff loss
9-7 in 2002 (Missed the playoffs)
This petition is simply meant to be another voice for Dolphin fans to let Mr. Wannstedt know that he better get his act together and light a fire under his coaching staff, his team and most certainly himself!
PS: Feel free to leave comments in the discussion board down below.
