There are more upsets, more close finishes, more stellar individual performances, fewer prima donnas, more continuity of tradition, and far more localism.

You saw the Bednarik-Gifford hit! I’m so jealous. But think of how many people saw that live. On strictly popular grounds, the game is enjoyed by so many more people today.

However, that probably doesn’t soothe your anger. It’s just a fact of life that things you love change, and rarely for the better in your own eyes. To get even more philosophical, accepting change has always been a difficult point for conservatives, doomed to fight a rear-guard action that will eventually lose on many points. Kinda makes you wonder.

I will agree on the terrible mawkish jingoism. I went to a couple sports events the last two weeks, and “supporting the troops” by clapping seems to be the required observance of Veteran’s Day. I got an idea, instead of honoring our military families, why don’t we shame the rest of us who haven’t sacrificed anything? Take a moment and think about how little you have lost in the War on Terror. Puts things in perspective, at least.

Which leads back to this rant. On fines, you should know that the money is donated to charity. So there is some good out of it. And thanks for not blaming Obama and the Democrats. They really aren’t skilled enough to ruin everything.