BREAKING NEWS: The Canes Roll Out the "Welcome (Back) Matt!"

Ladies and gentlemen, *her voice suddenly gets deeper and takes on a Carribean accent* it is a beautiful day...yes, a beautiful day!! And that is because...as if one could not tell from the title...MATT CULLEN IS RETURNING TO THE HURRICANES!!!

"Jim Rutherford, President and General Manager of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team has acquired center Matt Cullen from the New York Rangers in exchange for defenseman Andrew Hutchinson, forward Joe Barnes and a third round pick in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft."

As much as I have knocked Mr. Rutherford around for "reunion moves/trades" since last year, *this* is a good reunion move. As opposed to the others being for guys from 2002-03, this one is not only for a guy from the FAR BETTER 2005-06 season, but also a guy who is EASILY the best thing the Canes have ever had going for them shootout-wise thus far.

God, it feels good to finally laud Jimmy for a GREAT move instead of the complete opposite...'cause really, I am not *that bad* a fan AND person. I just want to see some good moves made and/or players coming to my most beloved NHL team. And I certainly know I am not the only one...
_____________________________________________________

Speaking of former Canes players returning...you know it is a slow news day at the Raleigh News and Observer when they decide to touch upon the fact that the Raleigh/Durham/general Triangle area is, *gasp*, home to celebrities!! As I found out from here.

It is certainly one of those 'don't get me wrong' sort of things...while I am glad to be informed on and off of how my birth/original home area has become quite the hotbed for my most favorite of sports, at the same time, I think articles like the one I've linked to are unnecessary. Especially in regards to celebs, like the ones mentioned in that particular article, having a hard enough time finding at least a little privacy as it is.

Though, despite my saying that, I cannot help but touch upon something I read at that Score Boards link...

"I think Tom Barrasso can be added to the list. He was in town looking for a house around Wake Forest. He wants his kids to go to school here."

I certainly hope Mr. Barrasso is looking into sending his kids to a private school or two instead of what Wake Forest has to offer on the public school route. Being a former Wake Forest area public school pupil, I know of what I speak...and you more prudish readers may want to briefly look away because I just cannot say this in a mild manner: Wake Forest area public schools SUCK. With maybe, MAYBE an exception or two or three, since I am talking about AND went to WF Elementary, WF-Rolesville Middle, and WF-R High...never had the opportunity to attend the Wakefield complex, despite the fact that it was closer to my family and I's house. But anyway, from what I have heard lately, at least one of the schools I attended is not getting any better...specifically WF Elementary, which is possibly getting ready to lose its Magnet School status (scroll down to "You have to pull in magnet status debate").

Current Music: "Es Solo Musica" by Mamborama

"Welcome To Politically Incorrect With...Your Carolina Hurricanes!"

Before I go any further, let me state that I have never been all that fond of politics being brought up in public places and entertainment outside of election venues, newspapers/magazines, news channels/shows, and the local/world morning/afternoon/evening news. And really, not only political ads, BUT ALSO people who try to insert political references into posts at boards and LiveJournal groups I visit really, *really* burn my grits.

So, I hope that makes my stance on the following somewhat clear...

http://www.thescoreboards.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5858

As someone brought up in the above linked Score Boards thread, Cory Stillman is in an ad barracking the Wake County school bonds proposal.

When I first read that, I had an uneasy feeling. I knew the Stanley Cup victory would open up the Canes to a ton of promotions and such. But of the political kind? Damn...

Cory's saving grace on this front is that he's in an ad for something most political minds could probably get behind, especially with all of the growth that Wake County is experiencing AND more than likely will for sometime. And even though I really don't like Cory's being in a political ad overall, I rather the ad be for something like a proposal than a living, breathing candidate. Which leads to my big beef with current athletes in political ads...

The last thing any of the current Canes people need to do is upset a large group of fans. And I fear that Cory's decision to be in a political ad could lead to one or more of the boys ending up in an ad or two backing a candidate the next time around instead of a proposal. AND because of that, a nice number of fans, specifically those from the opposing political party, being turned off of the team because of such ads AND the players/coaches/front office crew barracking their party's opponent.

Ten years ago, this wouldn't concern me like it does now...'cause ten years ago, people weren't as crazily obsessed with politics to the point where everything, even escapes from such mess, was associated with them.

Current Music: "Just Got Paid Today" by ZZ Top

Edit as of 9:00 PM: Going back to that Score Boards thread, I see that people have taken to b*tching and moaning about public schools vs. private schools. Two things about that...

1. I really hate seeing Ronnie Francis' children, and really, any player's kids being the focus of such an argument.

and

2. After the riff-raff I've dealt with during my career as a public school student, if I had kids of my own and the money, I'd put my children in a private school. Either that, or homeschool them.

And to be honest, that depends on the area. Around here in Bluefield, I probably wouldn't be as afraid of public schools. But, in somewhere like Wake Forest/Raleigh, I would definitely do the private school/homeschool thing, especially with the state of public schools not getting any better from what I know in my experience AND what I have read over the last few years.