Terry Cowgill

The Great Showdown

June 5, 2008 on 2:19 pm | In Main, Oddball, Sports |

Two things: I wanted to thank my readers who contributed comments on this blog for use in my story in this week’s print edition on rising fuel prices. I wasn’t able to include everyone’s words but there were some valuable quotes and words of wisdom for which I am grateful.

Clearly, something needs to be done. I am not for a government mandated price freeze of the sort Richard Nixon imposed in the 1970s. After all, we’re in a global economy and that sort of micromanaging will not work.

However, for what earthly reason are energy trades exempted from the kind of regulatory scrutiny that bond and stock traders must routinely cope with? Perhaps former Texas Sen. Phil Gramm, who helped lobbyists craft the so-called Enron Loophole, could explain why energy traders need such a comparatively unregulated environment. Note: Evidently, McCain is a defender of the loophole.

Second: I don’t write much about sports on this blog, even though I’m a fan. But tonight marks the return of one of the great rivalries in sport. We’re talking Celtics vs. Lakers in the NBA finals, folks.

It’s hard for me to get to worked up because I haven’t been following the Celts for years. When I think of those two teams, it conjures up images of Magic, Kareem and Worthy going up against the best front-court in history of basketball: Bird, Parrish and McHale.

But I will still be watching with interest. It’s gratifying to see the Celtics doing so well again. Looks like the maneuvering that gave them Garnett and Allen to support Pierce has worked like a charm. I’ve got one question: why do all the games (even those on the weekends) start at 9 p.m.?

I understand the need to give people in southern California the time to get home from the office for a 6 p.m. start, but is it necessary to make East Coasters stay up until the wee hours on a Sunday? I am demanding action! Where’s Dick Blumenthal when you need him?