Most of my friends are quite politically active. One of them just invited me to a "Watch Party" for election night. (I live in New York City. Apparently people do that kind of thing here.) I sent her, and all of my politically-minded friends, this reply: <i>"November 2nd is indeed a big day. There are two important things happening. The second most important event is the Presidential Election. And that has its place. The most important event, however, is the start of the NBA regular season: at 8:00 eastern, Yao Ming, Tracy McGrady, and the rest of your Houston Rockets take on the world champion Detroit Pistons. I'm having a watch-party at my place: anyone who wants to watch some basketball is welcome. lol. The sad thing is, I'm not joking. I really am watching the Rockets game. Yes, I realize that my priorities and values are distorted. In fact, here's a confession. If I could wave a magic wand and choose one thing to happen, either: 1) I guarantee that [XXXOMITTED TO STAY CLEAR OF D&DXXX] wins the Presidency; or 2) I guarantee that the Rockets win the championship . . . I choose Option 2 in a heartbeat. I'm not proud of this---just thought I'd share how shallow I really am.</i> It's been over a day, and I still haven't heard back from them. They're in shock. So if you could wave your magic wand . . . Regardless of which candidate you choose--I don't want this to creep into the land of D&D-- would you do it? If you could have it your way to either elect your president, or assure that the Rockets win the championship, which do you do? Also, please put aside the whole issue of "If I know for certain that the Rockets will win, then there's no fun in watching the games." If that's a concern, pretend that as soon as your wish is granted, you'll also have the memory of waving the wand erased, a la "Eternal Sunshine." (Clutch, Jeff, DoD and crew, if this is already too close to D&D territory, feel free to delete. thx!)
if the rockets win 4 straight championships. ok if not, i have to live with the BS going on in the oval office for 3 more years.....ehhh....
LOL! That's one way to look at it. Who could you stomach in the White House if the Rockets won? Moochie Norris w/ Eddie Griffin as VP Karl Malone w/ Stockton as VP -- politically effective, but they would take cheap shots at their opponents. and they can get their legislation through the House, but they always just fall short in the Senate. Steve Francis w/ Mobley as VP (potentially would have a foreign policy that is too unilateral, or isolationist.) Charles Barkley w/ Kenny Smith as VP -- come to think of it, there's no downside there. Barkley and the Jet in '08!
Although I am a huge basketball fan and love my hometown Houston Rockets. I have to say that this is a sad thread, nothing is more important then voting for your president, regardless of your political views. Its the very foundation of this country. ROCK THE VOTE ON SUPER TUESDAY!!!
I fully agree that my priorities are weird and even, yes, sad. But I find the thread fascinating--an interesting cultural study, almost. For every "Rock the Vote!" sentiment there's also a "White House be damned--go Rox!" viewpoint. So far the vote's about 50/50 with a slight edge to basketball....
it doesn't matter who's in the whitehouse. the only thing that matters is that the Rockets win a championship. geez, where are you people from anyway???
I dont think either candidate is that great, so Rockets! Now if we had someone like Clinton running then yeah, i might be temepted to go the political route. But then again he wouldnt need a magic wand to win against these guys.
Because I have such mixed feelings and agree with both candidates on some issues -- I'd rather see the Rockets win!!! I think the presidency is more important than the NBA championship (by a little bit), if my candidate (whoever that ends up being) loses I won't be that upset.
He never said you wouldn't be allowed to vote at all, just that you alone couldn't pick the winner. I would go with the championship. Mainly because I don't like either person running too much and would probably choose a third party candidate. That would be great for me, but would make democracy a joke since that isn't what the majority want. So for the sake of democracy I would have to go with the Rockets.
The guy I'd have for president would make sure the NBA season was rigged to let the Rockets win the championship. Slightly more seriously, I think only a fool would pick the presidency over the NBA champioship in this poll. How do you know that your guy is the right guy? Would you really want to undermine the whole democratic process, disenfranchise 265 million citizens just so you have your druthers? And what if the guy you picked ended up sucking? It'd be on your head. You have none of those concerns when picking the NBA champ. The identity of the winner has far less in repercussions on the world. One champ isn't really any better than any other. Besides that, you're pretty much screwed regardless of who is in office, so you may as well enjoy a Rox championship in the process.
I want the rockets to earn their Championships (and they will). I would choose the President, they already don't earn that spot anyway.
It is more likely that the Rockets will win a championship (odds aren't astronomical) than American citizens get any other choice than the two party choices (no way will we get any other choice given to us). Does anyone in the world believe anyone other than a republican party candidate or a democratic party candidate can be president? There's not much difference in neo-cons or neo-libs. Just different means to justify the ends.
Considering that John Kerry guaranteed me the Rockets would win the championship if he became President, I can not answer this question in a manner that I understand.
Presidents come and go. Championships are forever. Easy choice. Seriously, as some already pointed out, choosing between candidates is pretty much choosing between the (slightly) lesser evil. I'd rather choose the champioin. But if my magic wand could make me the president and give me anyone I want in the congress and in the court, I'd consider abandoning the Rockets.
Are you kidding me? I consider myself a huge Rox fan, but if it meant getting rid of Bush and the "my way or the highway twins" (Rumsfeld and Cheaney), I'd be willing to suffer through an 0-82 season.
Not even close. The Rockets. our government is far bigger than one man. and i have no confidence that either one of these guys will do a better job than the other. i'll take the downtown victory parades.
