What's next???

Check out the linked story here:

Teacher to possibly get axe for expressing opinion

It kind of makes me mad and angry and, well downright infuriated when I see stories like this. Why? Because what the hell is next on the agenda? Thought control? Big Brother ala 1984? Revocation of freedom of speech? You have these high and mighty law makers, who hear something that they don't like, or isn't what the mainstream view of the world might be, and what is their reaction? Fire this guy! This is stupid. And again, it is another slippery slope that we as a nation don't want to go down don't you think? If you start getting fired for expressing an opinion, whether or not it is something that you agree with or don't agree with, where do you go from there? We've already had the Congress of the United States try to ban desecration of the US flag, which is an invasion of our freedom of speech (please bear in mind it is an act that I wouldn't encourage or participate in, but still), and now these fine folks in Wisconsin want this guy fired for expressing an opinion about something? What the hell is going on in this country? The craziest thing about this though, is that this guy expressed his opinion on a talk show, not during his class that he teaches at the University. It's a good thing that the State assembly in Wisconsin refused to take up a resolution/law calling for this guy to be fired. At least someone in Wisconsin has some damn common sense. Now it doesn't say in the story, but I'm willing to bet that every representative and senator who signed the letter were all Republicans. I almost have no doubt really. Attack Cheney and throw out some looney theory about 9/11, and all of a sudden he deserves to be fired. It does look like he is not going to get the axe, but even for the mere fact that it has gone this far is silly. Absolutely silly. Remember, don't go contrary to the prevailing opinions, because your job, your career, and maybe even your life could be in danger. Again, it's just infuriating. Again, I don't agree with this guy's opinion, but hey, he should be able to say it if he wants to without fear of reprisal.

Then of course we have le Tour going on right now as well. It has been a crazy race thus far, and well, it all comes down to the TT today in France. There are 3 guys within 30 some odd seconds of one another, and several more just a couple of minutes back. Floyd Landis rode his rednecked ass off the other day on Stage 17 after cracking badly the day before. The man lost 8 minutes to the leader on stage 16, and his Tour looked to be over for this year, but, the phoenix will rise again. The very next day, the man attacks 70km into a 200km stage, rides over the 7 minute gap to the early breakaway, passes them like they're standing still, and keeps on motoring up the road. He catches the early guys, and only one man could stay with him for any length of time, and then he gets to the Joux Plane, and almost immediately, Sinkewicktz goes off the back, and he's done. Floyd climbs that last col by himself, comes over the top and uses his very good descending skills to put even more time on his pursuers. Down in Morzine, he crosses the line, and the next guy doesn't come across for another almost 6 minutes. Floyd makes up most of the 8 minutes he was down at the start of the day, and lo and behold, we have a new race.

I've got to say, this has been one of the best, if not THE best Tours de France that I have ever seen. The exception of course being the 1989 Tour final TT with Fignon and Lemond, but that is about the only exception. This race has been incredible this year, with the outcome still far from decided. Today, again, we have the final TT, and whoever comes out on the top of this one, is probably going to roll into Paris the winner this year (by top I mean, whoever finishes on top of the top 3). I'm basically disavowing the TV today, until this evening so I can watch the taped coverage from this morning, and see it shake out in front of me. So if anyone is reading this, and watching the Tour, don't call me with any results. I need to be "surprised" by what happens today. I am thinking though, after Landis' ride the other day, the man cannot be stopped. He will not be denied. But, I will add a caveat. It's been a wild Tour de France this year, and really, just about anything could happen.