The I Love Jim Calhoun Thread

[Strange Brew]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xokthY5zuPU

Couple of thoughts:

1) This reporter is a clown
2) Why are people against people EARNING an extravagant living. They work hard, they win, they reap the rewards. End of story. PERIOD. If you don't like it, go out, beat them, make more money and give it to whomever you think is a victim of some social injustice.
3) Jim Calhoun is now my third favorite coach. He is just behind Miller and Lou the Legend.
4) IF THE REPORTER DOESN'T LIKE THE FACT THAT JIMMY MAKES TOO MUCH MONEY THEN HE NEEDS TO GO OUT AND BEAT HIM.

deep breath, ok, sorry for the rant but the video is good.:)

[golfitup]

2) Why are people against people EARNING an extravagant living. They work hard, they win, they reap the rewards. End of story. PERIOD. If you don't like it, go out, beat them, make more money and give it to whomever you think is a victim of some social injustice.


Could not agree with you more. I've never been a big fan of Calhoun, but he definitely jumped up a few notches in my book after this incident. Did you see the cover of Newsweek when it said, "We are all socialists now." When did it become a crime for people to be rich? It's almost like smoking to me. We vilify smokers now like they are the bane of society. Drives me nuts. Anyways, it's not like Jim Calhoun caused Connecticut to be in debt.

[GuyFawkes38]

This story has received a lot of attention on sports talk radio and ESPN. Everyone supports Calhoun.

I swear to god, if anyone on this thread talks about how teachers and fire fighters should be paid more, and sports stars less, I'm going to flip out.

Especially teachers. Fire fighters typically don't bitch about their salaries. Teachers do so shamelessly. Yes, somehow I don't think my 5th grade teacher could have made it big in the business world like she always claimed.

Edit: yeah, I think i was wrong about fire fighters.

[Juice]

I am on Calhoun's side in this and I don't like him at all. You hit the nail on the head about poor people bitching about what rich people make. Why should they have to defend what they earned? The only person I have seen or heard who thinks that Calhoun makes a ridiculous salary is Paul Daugherty.

Of course no one mentions this either:


In addition to his busy schedule as head coach of the Connecticut basketball program, Jim Calhoun and his family are heavily involved in a number of regional and national charitable and educational efforts.

In November of 1998, Jim Calhoun and his wife Pat began a wide- ranging commitment to the cardiology program at the University of Connecticut Health Center, establishing the Calhoun Cardiology Research Fund with a $125,000 gift. In 1999, the Jim Calhoun Celebrity Classic Golf Tournament was launched and during the past eight years more than $2.75 million has been raised in support of the Jim and Pat Calhoun Cardiology Research Endowment Fund.

In recognition of the dedication and commitment of Jim Calhoun and his family to cardiology research, the entire cardiology program at the University of Connecticut Health Center has been named the "Pat and Jim Calhoun Cardiology Center". A formal naming ceremony recognizing the on-going work of the Calhoun family was held in the spring of 2004.

In 2006, Jim and Pat Calhoun became actively involved with raising public awareness and research funding for Autism Speaks. The effort seeks to expand services for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ADS) and their families.

Since 1999, the Jim Calhoun Holiday Food Drive has supported food assistance agencies that serve the State of Connecticut. Nearly $1 million has been raised to help families in need throughout Connecticut and the food drive culminates each year with Jim Calhoun, his family, and his players personally delivering meals to hundreds of families in the Hartford area.

In both 2003 and 2004, Jim Calhoun served as celebrity host of Coaches versus Cancer events called "Hoops For Hope". The black-tie galas raised in excess of $400,000 for the American Cancer Society.

In June of 2007, The Big Y Jim Calhoun Cancer Challenge Ride celebrated its first year as an annual statewide event to benefit The Carole and Ray Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Connecticut Health Center and Coaches vs. Cancer, a program established in 1993 by the American Cancer Society. The ride raised over $225,000 in the fight against cancer.

For the past 13 years, Jim Calhoun has served as Honorary Chairman of the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, helping generate in excess of $4.5 million to fund diabetes research.

Jim and Pat Calhoun have a long-standing involvement with the Franciscan Life Center, counseling and education center operated in Meriden, CT by the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist. The Calhoun family has been involved annually in fund-raising activities by the Franciscan Sisters. Jim Calhoun has been honored with the "Saint Francis Award" for his dedication to Christian values and outstanding athletic achievements and in 1998 the Franciscan Sisters dedicated an outdoor basketball area, "Calhoun’s Court", in honor of the UConn head coach at the Franciscan Life Center in Meriden.

Coach Calhoun has also served as an Honorary Chairperson/Director for several other charitable programs including the Ronald McDonald House Kids Classic Golf Tournament, the Ray of Hope Foundation Golf Tournament, the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center and Children’s Miracle Network, and the "Character Counts" program in the state of Connecticut.

In 2004, Jim Calhoun was the first recipient of an award by the Swim Across The Sound Prostate Cancer Institute and he now serves as the Honorary Chairman for that group’s fund-raising efforts.

That is from his bio on UConn's site. I am not trying to paint him as a saint but the reporter acts like he is just stealing money from the state of Connecticut.

[Strange Brew]

Could not agree with you more. I've never been a big fan of Calhoun, but he definitely jumped up a few notches in my book after this incident. Did you see the cover of Newsweek when it said, "We are all socialists now." When did it become a crime for people to be rich? It's almost like smoking to me. We vilify smokers now like they are the bane of society. Drives me nuts. Anyways, it's not like Jim Calhoun caused Connecticut to be in debt.

Yes I saw it (Newsweek) and seriously I shed a tear for Washington, Jefferson, Hancock, Madison, and the rest of the great men who put their life, liberty and sacred honor on the line to provide the one piece of land on God's Earth in which a man can be free to be lazy and reap those meager results or a man can work hard and collect a large harvest. The travesty of what has transpired over the last month has enraged me like no other day since 09/11/01.

Anyway, sorry, no not sorry, it is a rant and it needs to be said.

[bobbyboucher]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xokthY5zuPU

Couple of thoughts:

1) This reporter is a clown
2) Why are people against people EARNING an extravagant living. They work hard, they win, they reap the rewards. End of story. PERIOD. If you don't like it, go out, beat them, make more money and give it to whomever you think is a victim of some social injustice.
3) Jim Calhoun is now my third favorite coach. He is just behind Miller and Lou the Legend.
4) IF THE REPORTER DOESN'T LIKE THE FACT THAT JIMMY MAKES TOO MUCH MONEY THEN HE NEEDS TO GO OUT AND BEAT HIM.

deep breath, ok, sorry for the rant but the video is good.:)

I like Calhoun as much as I like anyone that lived at 1421 Dana in 2001-2002 (not much by the way) but I agree with the rant. Good Call!

[Strange Brew]

I like Calhoun as much as I like anyone that lived at 1421 Dana in 2001-2002 (not much by the way) but I agree with the rant. Good Call!

We still own beer guy, I don't care what any wannabes think.:D

[gladdenguy]

I'm with Gary Williams as far as Jim Calhoun. Rudy Gay wanted to go to Maryland his whole life.....well, until he got paid fat cash to attend UConn.
He is on my hate list with Coach K. Actually, I hate every Big East coach, especially that ugly little muskrat bic cronin.

[ATL Muskie]

This story has received a lot of attention on sports talk radio and ESPN. Everyone supports Calhoun.

I swear to god, if anyone on this thread talks about how teachers and fire fighters should be paid more, and sports stars less, I'm going to flip out.

Especially teachers. Fire fighters typically don't bitch about their salaries. Teachers do so shamelessly. Yes, somehow I don't think my 5th grade teacher could have made it big in the business world like she always claimed.

Edit: yeah, I think i was wrong about fire fighters.


You come do what I do every day and then tell me I'm paid what i'm worth. Something tells me you wouldn't last very long.

[The Artist]

You come do what I do every day and then tell me I'm paid what i'm worth. Something tells me you wouldn't last very long.

You beat me to it ATL, and I'm glad you did, especially since I'm not a teacher.

I cracked up laughing when Strange Brew mentioned the "TRAVESTY" that has happened over the last month. I don't even recognize the world I live in compared to a month ago! Comparing it to 9-11. Man, that's great stuff. Here's some advice: get the hell out.

I'm surprised this is getting so much attention, and while Calhoun is a sleeze, I'm on his side. It was one single free-lance reporter, everybody else in the world disagrees with him, and it got blown up for some reason.

[DC Muskie]

Yes I saw it (Newsweek) and seriously I shed a tear for Washington, Jefferson, Hancock, Madison, and the rest of the great men who put their life, liberty and sacred honor on the line to provide the one piece of land on God's Earth in which a man can be free to be lazy and reap those meager results or a man can work hard and collect a large harvest.


I like reading people who think they know what the Founding Fathers would be thinking in this day and age. It's like Pastors who get on television and say they want to return this country to being a Christain country.

And that "large harvest" was reaped on the back of slaves don't forget.

Anyway, not sure why this is a big deal. But in this day and age where everything needs 25 minutes of attention, it gets some play.

[danaandvictory]

Especially teachers. Fire fighters typically don't bitch about their salaries. Teachers do so shamelessly. Yes, somehow I don't think my 5th grade teacher could have made it big in the business world like she always claimed.

You are a complete cretin.

[Strange Brew]

You beat me to it ATL, and I'm glad you did, especially since I don't even recognize the world I live in compared to a month ago! Comparing it to 9-11. Man, that's great stuff. Here's some advice: get the hell out.


Yes, Artist it is a travesty to pass a massive spending bill in the middle of the night that no one had the time to read before the vote. That is not American. Period. Don't bother to argue because I refuse to debate something that is fact.

I didn't compare it to 9/11, I said it is the maddest I've been since 9/11. Reading comprehension is a great thing. By the way, I thought dissent was patriotic?

DC, if you read the words (federalist papers, letters they wrote) of the founders you can get a pretty clear understanding of their views/values and it becomes clear that they did not believe that the role of gov't was to be the great provider to the people.

[Muskie]

Let's get back to Calhoun and keep the social commentary for another topic.

[Strange Brew]

Let's get back to Calhoun and keep the social commentary for another topic.

ok, I'll agree. :o

[Snipe]

Could not agree with you more. I've never been a big fan of Calhoun, but he definitely jumped up a few notches in my book after this incident. Did you see the cover of Newsweek when it said, "We are all socialists now." When did it become a crime for people to be rich? It's almost like smoking to me. We vilify smokers now like they are the bane of society. Drives me nuts. Anyways, it's not like Jim Calhoun caused Connecticut to be in debt.

During the campaign calling something sociatist was considered a smear, a code word or just lazy name calling by some. Since the corrination "we are all socialists now". I don't want to be a socialist.



Yes I saw it (Newsweek) and seriously I shed a tear for Washington, Jefferson, Hancock, Madison, and the rest of the great men who put their life, liberty and sacred honor on the line to provide the one piece of land on God's Earth in which a man can be free to be lazy and reap those meager results or a man can work hard and collect a large harvest. The travesty of what has transpired over the last month has enraged me like no other day since 09/11/01.

It has been going on for well over a month, Bush expanded big government like no President since LBJ's "Great Society". The bank bailouts at the end of his eight years really take the cake. I have been feeling ill ever since bailout mania took hold in Washington.





I cracked up laughing when Strange Brew mentioned the "TRAVESTY" that has happened over the last month. I don't even recognize the world I live in compared to a month ago! Comparing it to 9-11. Man, that's great stuff. Here's some advice: get the hell out.



"Get the hell out" That is classic. "America, love it or leave it."

The last month has been quite remarkable. I don't think any Congress has spent money faster. If you look at Reid and Pelosi's record since they took over the purse in 2006 is scares the daylights out of me. And more is coming. The end is not even in sight. I fear the end will be a complete crash of the dollar.

What I don't think people realize is the opportunity cost of all the money our goverment is currently spending. What I also can't stand is that people on Wall Street and Detroit get rewarded for taking bad risks and pepetuating bad business models, and people on the bottom rung get more government handouts. The people on the middle get F'ed both coming and going and have to pay for it all.

We worry about concentration of power in corporations. What we should be worried about is concentration of power in Washington. They are going to screw things up on a grand scale. They already have.

[Snipe]

Let's get back to Calhoun and keep the social commentary for another topic.

Didn't realize that before I posted. Sorry.

Hard to address the Calhoun affair without commenting on the underlying premise of the question. Does Calhoun deserve that money? Why? Shouldn't he give it back? Why? Is his worth determined in a free market? Should people be allowed to make "obscene" amounts of money? Should Sean Miller give back some of his salary?

It is a loaded question that leads to the social commentary. It is impossible to seperate one from the other.

[danaandvictory]

Hard to address the Calhoun affair without commenting on the underlying premise of the question. Does Calhoun deserve that money? Why? Shouldn't he give it back? Why? Is his worth determined in a free market? Should people be allowed to make "obscene" amounts of money? Should Sean Miller give back some of his salary?


I disagree with your premises here. The question was asked against the backdrop of a budget deficit in the state of Connecticut that could lead to staff cutbacks and salary reductions. The reporter's insinuation is why should a basketball coach's salary be untouched when a fireman in Norwich or a prosecutor in Hartford has to take a pay cut or lose his job. On the surface that's a fair question about the priorities of local government.

But of course that's now how it works in big-time athletics. I'm willing to guess that the lion's share--if not all--of Jim Calhoun's salary comes from private funds. With X, it's the All For One club, and radio show payments, and endorsement deals. I'm sure UConn has even more elaborate parallels.

So at the end of the day the reporter is posing a false dilemma. He's asking why the state should protect the salary of a basketball coach and not another state employee. But it's not really a zero-sum game. And that's why the reporter is wrong.

[DC Muskie]

DC, if you read the words (federalist papers, letters they wrote) of the founders you can get a pretty clear understanding of their views/values and it becomes clear that they did not believe that the role of gov't was to be the great provider to the people.

Well, I guess it just depends on what you consider a "great provider" is.

And just to let you know, Alexander Hamilton, the guy who wrote most of the Federalist papers you like to quote as knowing what the founding fathers really wanted, issued two things:

The Federal Government assuming all state debt from the Revloutionalry War.

The Establishment of the First National Bank.

He also liked to tax people.

But I guess it's clear to you that the Founding Fathers would think about what is going on right now, what 220 years later?

Like I said, I enjoy reading what you write. It makes me laugh.

[Strange Brew]

Well, I guess it just depends on what you consider a "great provider" is.

And just to let you know, Alexander Hamilton, the guy who wrote most of the Federalist papers you like to quote as knowing what the founding fathers really wanted, issued two things:

The Federal Government assuming all state debt from the Revloutionalry War.

The Establishment of the First National Bank.

He also liked to tax people.

But I guess it's clear to you that the Founding Fathers would think about what is going on right now, what 220 years later?

Like I said, I enjoy reading what you write. It makes me laugh.

Yes, taxes were apart of his lexicon but it was money was intended to be used to protect an promote commerce i.e. pay off war debt, fund a navy to protect American commercial interests, provide an adequate infrastructure. Nowhere, do the founders believe that taxes should be taken from some and given to those who do not pay. They also believed that only those who owned land (because that meant they paid property taxes, income tax did not exist at that time)should vote specifically to keep free loaders in society from voting to themselves money from the state which is exactly the issue that is going on now. Those who receive gov't handouts are becoming an ever larger voting block (especially once the "stimulus" bill is implemented) and will continue to not produce and vote themelves a larger portion of the tax bill paid for by an ever shrinking minority of tax payers.

Eventually, the base of tax payers begins to shrink as they are taxed to the point where it doesn't matter how hard they work they will only receive as much in income as the free loader receives in handouts. Thus, the system collaspes as the gov't prints more and more money to cover the handout commitments. For examples please see every socialist/communist nation throughout history.

[American X]

Jim Calhoun's coaching ability probably generates revenue that is a multiple of his salary. He does not take away a dime from the school or state and is more likely a net contributor to the bottom line.

That reporter needs to go back to covering cat fashion shows.

[xuflash]

Eventually, the base of tax payers begins to shrink as they are taxed to the point where it doesn't matter how hard they work they will only receive as much in income as the free loader receives in handouts. Thus, the system collaspes as the gov't prints more and more money to cover the handout commitments. For examples please see every socialist/communist nation throughout history.


We are getting closer every day to Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged. Everyone wants something but does nothing to get it. We're real close to 50% of the population doesn't pay anything for taxes. Once we go over that, the US is in real trouble.

It bothers me that everyone feels that the US is a Democracy. As was stated earlier in the thread, our Founding Fathers would be rolling over in their graves.

[MHettel]

I cant wait for basketball season to start.

[DC Muskie]

Yes, taxes were apart of his lexicon but it was money was intended to be used to protect an promote commerce i.e. pay off war debt, fund a navy to protect American commercial interests, provide an adequate infrastructure. Nowhere, do the founders believe that taxes should be taken from some and given to those who do not pay. They also believed that only those who owned land (because that meant they paid property taxes, income tax did not exist at that time)should vote specifically to keep free loaders in society from voting to themselves money from the state which is exactly the issue that is going on now. Those who receive gov't handouts are becoming an ever larger voting block (especially once the "stimulus" bill is implemented) and will continue to not produce and vote themelves a larger portion of the tax bill paid for by an ever shrinking minority of tax payers.

Eventually, the base of tax payers begins to shrink as they are taxed to the point where it doesn't matter how hard they work they will only receive as much in income as the free loader receives in handouts. Thus, the system collaspes as the gov't prints more and more money to cover the handout commitments. For examples please see every socialist/communist nation throughout history.


Keep it coming, this is great stuff. I enjoy the entire continued perception that only people who "produce" are going to give it those who don't produce, who will continue to get larger and vote more. Especially when quoting people who beleived only white males who owned land should vote.

Please continue. If you may, please let me know what Peyton Randolph thought of all of this.

[Strange Brew]

Keep it coming, this is great stuff. I enjoy the entire continued perception that only people who "produce" are going to give it those who don't produce, who will continue to get larger and vote more. Especially when quoting people who beleived only white males who owned land should vote.

Please continue. If you may, please let me know what Peyton Randolph thought of all of this.

I firmly disagree with the "white males" portion of the above statement. However, requirement of land ownership meant that only those who have a stake (pay taxes) in the gov't should have a voice in how it is speant. Not saying it's 100% correct but it is a way to ensure that the masses do not vote the country in bankruptcy.

Sorry Snipe, your right I should have said the past 6 months not 1 month. The initial bailout in Oct was kneejerk and wrongheaded as well. Same goes for the auto bailout. Companies need to understand that there are consequences to making bad, high risk decisions.

Keep laughing DC, eventually their won't be a large enough tax base to pay salaries for gov't employees, including teachers. It's already happening by the way.

with that, I'm done with this thread. DC you may have the last word.

[DC Muskie]

DC you may have the last word.

Thanks. Remember, I was just commenting and how you know exactly what people who have been dead for over 200 years would think about our current situation. You're the one who went off on the tangent that we will eliminate our tax base.

Also, I thought it was a good thing not to have so many government workers, and that teacher's salaries are highly paid unqualified freeloaders.

If Madison were alive today he'd be John Kerry. That guy flip flopped more on major issues than anyone.

[ATL Muskie]

All I ask is that you don't lump me and other teachers in with your rants on "gov't employees." I've had a lot of jobs, and this is EASILY the toughest one I have ever had. It seems the people who gripe about teachers have no clue what we go through day in and day out. It is a highly stressful, often thankless job. But we still do it. You'd be hard pressed to find a single post on this board from me whining about my pay. (until now) But you'd also be foolish to try and argue that we are overpaid for what we do. I'm not a fan of the unions, but that's another issue. Do I think I'm fairly compensated for what I do and for the crap I put up with every day? Hell no. But people like GF see "government employee" and they think it's all cushy BS and that we're rolling around like pigs in slop. You have no clue. And I stand by the earlier statement that you couldn't handle it.