Leave it to The Oregonian’s version of Debbie Downer to address the very serious issues of human rights in his column on the day the Ducks dominate the Bulls in the Sun Bowl.
If you want to read his column and his post on the column, go right ahead. It is a real human issue.
Casting light on dark side of Sun Bowl
What’s happening to the women of Juarez?
But here’s my question for Mr. Canzano: where is this not the case? Is there crime, corruption, and human rights issues within spitting distance of the Rose Garden? What about Safeco Field? AT&T Ballpark? The Coliseum? The Staples Center? Mr. Canzano, where in the wide, wide world of sports are these evils you speak of not within a stone’s throw of sporting events?
So, here’s my question to Mr. Canzano: other than write your column raising awareness of the issue, what have you done? Or is that it?
Up until the last year or so, I was a fairly political person. Actually, I’ve been interested in politics for most of my life. I haven’t always been politically active or involved, but I enjoyed them. That is until the last year.
After going on a short term mission trip to Thailand, my opinion on how you affect change in your sphere of influence dramatically shifted. I used to believe that most change happened through governments, elected officials, institutions, committees, and legislation. Can those things affect change? Absolutely. But that power rests in the hands of so few. And I don’t believe that any longer.
While in Thailand, and confirmed when I returned home, I learned that it’s what people do on a daily basis that affects the most change. And it’s not in the big things. It’s in the small things. Do I do something everyday that makes a difference? Probably not. But at least now I know I can.
Do you, Mr. Canzano?
- Jay Jones
Bryan Says:
December 31st, 2007 at 6:36 pm
Apparently when JC was in El Paso last year covering the Beavers, he was too busy partying with the boys in Orange to crank out this manifesto. What were you doing to help the situation last year, JC? Did Missouri and OSU spend a day across the border volunteering to help things out? I must of missed that article. -BB
wheaton4prez Says:
December 31st, 2007 at 6:52 pm
What else is he going to write about? Having egg on his face for painting the picture of a Ducks disappointing loss before the first snap was even taken?
MFRDuckFan Says:
December 31st, 2007 at 7:26 pm
Perhaps he can list all of the US Companies in Juarez so we can all stop doing business with them. Instead of trying to be a “deep” thinker, do something about it! Is a sports column the spot to make us all feel like dirt? Some of us make the choices on a daily basis to NOT do business with certain companies due to their location, so Canzano needs to understand that all of us are not stupid and NOT bad Duck fans. Some of us could not afford to make the trip, but have sent our support via many different avenues. I would actually prefer HE move on to a different location instead of being on the Ducks beat. It’s obvious he hates Bellotti and I for one am tired of listening to his rhetoric.
admin Says:
December 31st, 2007 at 7:30 pm
Bryan, good point. I missed that column, as well.
Here’s the deal. From a creative point of view, I understand his professional need to try to write something different. He figures everyone else is writing about A. So, he’ll write about Z. Got that.
What I don’t understand is such a non-specific column filled with details culled from the vetted web pages of Wikipedia. Upton Sinclair, you are not, Mr. Canzano.
And I also do not understand the guilt. Is what he is describing a human tragedy? Yes. Does it need more attention? Probably. But now? I know what his response would be: “Now is the perfect, only time.”
Unfortunately, there is a disconnect between the story and the ability of those who read the story to affect the story. So, why now?
Wheaton4Prez, honestly, I think he’s probably tired of just writing about football. But doesn’t The Oregonian have a PR department? Couldn’t they have helped him out and suggested that he write about this before the day of the game?
So, do any of you think he’ll be addressing the social issues facing San Antonio when the Ducks make a run to the Final Four?
JJ
underduck Says:
January 1st, 2008 at 2:01 am
Mr.Canzano is simply more than a shallow jock and able to view things beyond the game that football is and apply them and their contradictions to real life. Open your minds and view the big picture. there is much more to life than winning or losing. The Dark Side was brilliant.
wheaton4prez Says:
January 1st, 2008 at 2:58 am
Yeah. I would think that the day of the bowl game wouldn’t be the day to be tired of football. But, anyway, he did write a positive Duck article posted recently. So, he’s giving credit where it’s due here. Can’t ask much more of a person.
admin Says:
January 1st, 2008 at 10:36 am
Underduck, you’re right. I do believe that Mr. Canzano has a larger world view beyond athletics. However, the problem is that I don’t think anyone has a good idea as to what core values make up that world view.
Actually, I’ve talked to someone in the media about this. He admitted that he didn’t know him, but he thinks he’s probably an OK guy. But the problem he thinks Mr. Canzano has is that by reading his columns you can’t get a sense of his values.
Topically, I think it’s fine to be unpredictable. But when it comes to someone’s perspective, I think people like to know where someone is coming from. With him, you just don’t know.
- JJ
admin Says:
January 1st, 2008 at 10:53 am
Wheaton4Prez -
You’re response is not unlike a number of responses we have recieved in the last 12 hours or so.
Here’s how it goes:
Step 1:
Canzano: Blah, blah, negative, blah, critical, blah, Ducks.
DSN Visitors: He hates the Ducks! I’m never reading his stuff again. Why do you guys post his stuff?
Step 2: The next day…
Canzano: Blah, blah, positive, blah, good, blah, Ducks.
DSN Visitors: OK. I read the column you linked to. And he gives the Ducks credit. So, I guess I’ll read his next column.
Repeat Step 1
There’s a saying in the film industry, “Make one for the studio so you can make one for yourself.” For every Ocean’s 11, 12, & 13, there’s going to be a “Bubble”, “Good German”, or “Solaris”.
I think that’s what he’s doing. He’s toying with Duck fans. It’s this push-pull thing. He writes one that grabs your attention, gets a response from you. Then, he follows up with something that will pull you back. And I think he might be really smart in doing so.
John Canzano is that accident on the side of the road (or the one you want to see at the Indy 500). And he’s got Duck fans repulsed, and rubber-necking all at the same time.
- JJ
underduck Says:
January 1st, 2008 at 1:12 pm
Admin
Of course speaking to the “media” one would question Mr.Canzano’s core values which I, for one, am completely comfortable with. It is ESPN’s and the Sean Salisbury’s of the worlds core values which I question. The means justifying the ends, winning at all costs, validating cheating, east coast bias money mongering, minimizing and justifying steroid use, etc., etc., etc. If those are the core values that “everyone” is not sure of in regards to JC… count me out. Peace and GO DUCKS!
underduck
underduck Says:
January 1st, 2008 at 1:37 pm
correction-
I meant the ends justifying the means.
wheaton4prez Says:
January 1st, 2008 at 5:53 pm
JJ,
I’ve had that exact impression that that is what he is doing. If so, it is pretty impressive on some level. But, it’s also calculating and dishonest. I just couldn’t understand the mentality of wanting to have a career that way. So, I want to consider that it’s something other than some writers trick.
I think you’re on to something regarding readers not knowing where he stands. In fact, I posted a comment about that on his Ducks-didn’t-show-up post. It would somehow be more comforting to learn that there really is some reason he is typically more negative on the Ducks than to continue guessing whether or not it’s all just a big game.