Nick Bollea (aka Nick Hogan, son of Hulk Hogan) was sentenced to 8 months in jail for reckless driving that left his friend in a coma.  Hogan will also be on probation for 5 years as part of his “no contest” plea. 

The charges stem from an accident in August 2007 where Hogan totaled his Toyota Supra after losing control at a reported 100mph and slamming into a palm tree. 

With his friend now likely to spend the rest of his life in a nursing home, do you think the sentence is harsh enough?  Or should the post-crash circumstances not play a role in the judge's decision?  

Traditionally, students who enroll at Army, Navy, and Air Force spend at least their first two years after college in the armed services. However, a new rule makes an exception for students with an opportunity to play professional sports, as they can now postpone their service instead of serving immediately after graduation.

Last week, the policy received its first test, as Caleb Campbell, a football player from Army, was drafted by the Detroit Lions. Hence, instead of heading to Iraq as a platoon leader, he will be headed to mini-camp to try and earn a spot on the Lions’ roster. Under the program, Campbell will still be on active duty for the Army, as a recruiter, presumably using his star power to help promote goodwill with the Detroit community.

However, he’ll be out of harm’s way and not fulfilling the same obligations as 99%+ of his classmates. Do you think that’s fair? Is the benefit of Campbell playing in the NFL a bigger win for the Army than having a well-educated and trained soldier in Iraq?

It began with the suggestive pictures of her at a friends sleepover.  Then she showed up on the red carpet with jet-black-hair and heavy make-up.  Her outfits became shorter and her tops appeared more low cut.  Recently racier photos surfaced on the web of her laying in a boys lap, showing off her green bra, and then the final shocker hit the press of 15 year-old Disney star, Miley Cyrus, posing almost nude for an upcoming Vanity Fair Edition.

In trying to mitigate against the steady media circus attacking Miley’s once portrayed good-girl imagine, the pop-idol promptly released a statement to People declaring, “My goal in my music and my acting is always to make people happy. For Vanity Fair, I was so honored and thrilled to work with Annie [Leibovitz]. I took part in a photo shoot that was supposed to be 'artistic' and now, seeing the photographs and reading the story, I feel so embarrassed”.

In Miley’s defense Disney responded by supporting their star and pointing the finger at the irresponsibleness of the magazine stating, "Unfortunately, as the article suggests, a situation was created to deliberately manipulate a 15-year-old in order to sell magazines”.

Vanity Fair quickly rebutted Disney and Miley’s comments by making the public aware of the presence of both her parents, grandparent, and teacher on set during the shoot.

So who is to blame?  Is Miley old enough to be responsible for her actions and decision to pose a certain way with or without clothing?

Do you think Miley is just a few short years behind becoming the next has- been pop idol disaster?

This report was contributed by Danielle Morrison

When walking through DC this past weekend I saw a group of middle school children wearing shirts that read “I am college bound”.  I instinctively thought the shirt was a bit odd as these kids are yet a decade away from having to decide where and what college they will attend.  Then I thought “AH HA!” these shirts are for those who may never consider going to college – following unfortunate family trends or lacking financial resources – these shirts were sending a powerful message to not only those children wearing them, but to society and all others who may eventually impact their educational future.

So it is with no surprise that today in the paper, an article highlighted the measures being taken in Boston, Massachusetts to introduce college concepts, choices, dorm room life, and financial aid assistance to middle school children.  The program is targeted amongst low income, minority schools where parents and grandparents were not college graduates:

”Seventh-graders learn about types of colleges -- junior, undergraduate and graduate -- and how much schooling they would need for different careers…In eighth grade, students learn about how they can finance their education, about dorm life and how to manage money and time. They make campus visits to colleges…”.

Do you think this program will impact children at such an early age when higher education choices and decisions are made further down the road at ages 17 and 18?  Will the information and helpful assistance that they gain early on, be lost by the time it matters?

This report was contributed by Danielle Morrison

swanginbajingo alerts us to news of the merger of Wendy’s and Arby’s.  While you can read all of the juicy (pun intended) financial details in USA Today, we’re more curious as to what your dream Wendy’s-Arby’s combo meal would consist of.

Personally, I want a Spicy Chicken Sandwich and Cup of Chili from Wendy’s, with Curly Fries from Arby’s.  And, maybe a Diet Coke from Wendy’s, since Arby’s serves Pepsi products.  

What is your dream Wendy’s-Arby’s combo meal?

It is with a very heavy heart that we mourn the loss of one of MindSay's own, John Marzano.

"Johnny Marz" was a passionate fellow.  Best known for his love of the Phillies, (as well as the rest of teams surrounding his Philadelphia neighborhood) Marz was a catcher for the Boston RedSox, the Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners.  He also was an Olympic Gold Medal winner in 1984.

Marz brought his love of sports via Marz.Mindsay.com.  To the rest of the world he showed his love on TV's Comcast SportsNet, Radio's WIP-AM (610) and the Internet's MLB.com with witty insights and experienced fandom.
 
Marz died after falling down a flight of stairs (after suffering a heart attack) in his home in Philadelphia.  He was 45.  He leaves behind his wife, Terri, his daughters, Dominique and Danielle, and two grandchildren, Jayden and Ariana.
 
Donations in Marzano's memory (for his grandkids college education) can be made to the Jayden Brady and Ariana Marzano College Fund, c/o PNC Bank, 1544 Packer Ave., Philadelphia, Pa., 19145.

A viewing is scheduled for Thursday, April 24th, 5-9 p.m., and Friday April 25th, 8:15 to 9:15 a.m., at Baldi Funeral Home, 1331 S. Broad Street. A Funeral Mass will be held Friday, April 25th, at 10 a.m. at Annunciation BVM Church, 10th and Dickinson streets. Burial will be at Holy Cross Cemetery, Yeadon.

Several great tributes have run in Newspapers and Baseball websites.  Please check out:  http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/news/tributes/obit_john_marzano.jsp.  Especially the video segments.  Also go to http://www.philly.com/philly/hp/sports/17965649.html

Johnny loved talking baseball and sports.  He was opinionated but always respectful (even if you were a Mets or Braves fan).  He was a tremendous guy who loved the game deelply and made everyone around him smile.  He once remarked that he was proud that he was only caught stealing twice in his ML career.  "Of course," he added, "Those were the only two bases I tried to swipe." 

MindSay expresses its heartfelt sympathies to John's family and friends at this very difficult time.  

tribute from tootboy

A student at the University of Maine is at the center of controversy after laying American flags all over the floor of one of the school’s main buildings.  According to FOX News:

“Susan Crane … placed hundreds of flags on the floor of the school's student center Tuesday for an art class assignment. She set down the flags in a maze-like pattern to document whether students and staff would step on them.”

The plan was to keep the flags on the floor for 24 hours to document how people would react, but they were removed after 10 at the request of a fire marshal.

Veterans and others are calling the experiment unpatriotic, while Crane contests that it did its job by starting conversation about how people feel about the American flag.  Your thoughts?