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Three topics for the price of one (of course, the price of one is pretty much free, so it’s not as great a bargain as it theoretically might be):
Some of us go to great lengths — OK, distances in the case of traveling sometimes — to bring you the finest in comprehensive coverage of such compelling subjects as bikini-clad females in various competitions.
Jennifer Hugunin with a nice pair of trophies from Fitness Midwest.
Such was the case Saturday (Oct. 1) in journeying to Harper College in Palatine, Ill., for Fitness Midwest, which featured a variety of events. Included were a Fitness America contest, Ms. Bikini and a model search.
Among those taking home trophies was Jennifer Hugunin of Iowa. Once upon a time (all right, more like a few months ago), your humble correspondent wrote about her in the Chicago Sun-Times. Jennifer listed that item (accompanied by a photo from Don Bersano) as among the highlights of her life.
All of which helps explain why Jennifer is the leading figure in today’s posting. With photo, of course. And video.
If things go according to plan (and occasionally they do), there will be more video and photos from the event later in the week.
OK, cue some video:
Comcast SportsNet Chicago has a day of Blackhawks-themed programming on Tuesday. And the season doesn’t even start till Friday.
Highlighting “Blackhawks Day” will be two “Classic” telecasts from the team’s 2011 first-round Stanley Cup Playoff series against the Vancouver Canucks; the games will air at 3 p.m. Nx 7 p.m.
“Blackhawks Day” begins with “The Dan Patrick Show” at 8 a.m. with an appearance by Hawks star Patrick Kane.
CSNChicago.com also will have additional material, including a live chat with players.
There are limits to freedom of speech. One is yelling “fire” in a crowded theater. Another apparently is being so uncivil for Fox New Channel’s “Fox & Friends” hosts that they recoil at the words.
Such is the case with singer (not to be confused with great thinker) Hank Williams Jr. Appearing on Monday’s show, he compared President Barack Obama to Adolf Hitler. Subsequently, ESPN pulled his “Monday Night Football” anthem from Monday’s pregame.
Without anyone prompting him, Williams said of Obama golfing with House Speaker John Boehner: ”It’d be like Hitler playing golf with (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu.”
Asked to clarify, Williams said, ”They’re the enemy.” He said by ”they” he meant Obama and Vice President Joe Biden.
Anchor Gretchen Carlson told Williams he used the name of one of history’s most hated men in describing Obama.
“Well that’s true,” Williams responded. “But I’m telling you like it is.”
Or is in his head.
”While Hank Williams Jr. is not an ESPN employee, we recognize that he is closely linked to our company through the open to ‘Monday Night Football,”’ ESPN said in a statement. ”We are extremely disappointed with his comments, and as a result we have decided to pull the open from tonight’s telecast.”
Through his publicist, Williams released a statement: ”Some of us have strong opinions and are often misunderstood. My analogy was extreme — but it was to make a point. I was simply trying to explain how stupid it seemed to me — how ludicrous that pairing was. They’re polar opposites and it made no sense. They don’t see eye-to-eye and never will. I have always respected the office of the president.”
It’s unclear whether ESPN will reinstate Williams’ tune.
”Every time the media brings up the tea party it’s painted as racist and extremists — but there’s never a backlash — no outrage to those comparisons,” Williams’ statement continued. ”Working-class people are hurting — and it doesn’t seem like anybody cares. When both sides are high-fiving it on the ninth hole when everybody else is without a job — it makes a whole lot of us angry. Something has to change. The policies have to change.”
And so does the lack of civility.