A Chronicle of my Changing Times.

Rant: Voices of DC

I recently moved to Washington, DC (the DC is there for those random people out there from British Columbia or Namibia - "Jackass!" - who are confused) to pursue higher education at The George Washington University.  GW, as it was pointed out this past week in one of the free weekly papers being handed out at Metro Stops across the area, is now the most expensive undergraduate university in the country even though it's ranks a paltry 54th (tied!) in the US News rankings – tuition  rests at a cool $50,300 per year.  Besides being a reminder that I must immediately forgo all other activities to begin college savings for my as-of-yet-unborn children (as well as causing me to reconsider just how many kids I might not have), this makes me happy to be attending the graduate school which is decidedly cheaper.  I am, however, glad to all the rich youngsters and CI Spirit Nazis running around campus for helping to subsidize my education and gym membership.

But being in DC I couldn't help but notice something else from a cross-creek brethren institution.  This bastion of higher education, polo shirts and common snootiness has a newspaper which, according to its own website, offers “Top Sports Coverage”.  Apparently the bar for “Top Sports Coverage” is set at 4 meandering editorial pieces per week.  I’m not being critical, just amused by titles such as “Georgetown Sailing: No Scurvy Here.”  Aren’t we all grateful?

You see, whilst I most recently spent my time in Bulgaria, Spain, or generally gallivanting about Europe – I do originally hail from a place called Cleveland.   Now in this town it is said that professional athletes play sports such as Basketball, American Football, and Baseball - albeit rather unsuccessfully for the last 40 years or so.  Please, don’t let the levels of sad play and fan misery fool you, these are paid athletes attempting to win something – maybe just a larger contract.

However what surprised me was this past week issue of the esteemed Georgetown Voice contained two articles regarding Cleveland sports.  One discusses whether rookie Brady Quinn, future stud quarterback extraordinaire, should start the first game of the season for the Browns – Cleveland’s supposed football team.  Detailed history of the Brown’s last first round quarterback draft pick, Tim Couch, is given.  Why a newspaper in a city with its own football franchise, that is 6 hours by car away from Cleveland, and has a local readership made up of students from around the globe would do a story on this puzzles me.  But not as much as the other story on Cleveland sports in this weeks issue.  Terry Pluto, the much beloved (deservingly so) sports writer in Northeast, Ohio is moving from one local paper to another.  Mind you, he’s the only readable journalist in the area for those with discerning tastes – but does this deserve an article here in DC?  Especially with an article whose sole purpose is to say that grounded feel good stories are… well… good.

I tell you, this place has its quirks.

Posted by: mjmarble at September 02, 2007 09:44 | link | comments (1)
rant, contemplation

Comments:

#1  07 October 2007 - 17:21

 

Hey the Indians are in the playoffs, and the Browns are breaking even right now. My Buckeyes won last night as well. Rock on Ohio sports.

BTW, I seriously need addresses right now. Don't make me go bridezilla on you.

Anonymous

Comments: