Paid-for patriotism

[Craig Arko]

Just as many of us have suspected. Thanks, Senators McCain and Flake.

 

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/14173360/mlbs-nfl-paid-showings-patriotism-cost-fans-more-ways-one

[TheLeviathan]

There is no deeper pit of waste and corruption in spending than our military.

[drjim]

There is no deeper pit of waste and corruption in spending than our military.

Without question. Military is the living, breathing example in our country of the dangers of bloated bureaucracy.

 

On this issue specifically the Twins actually deserve some credit. They do nice things for soldiers and veterans and aren't compensated (from what I remember reading).

 

The Vikings are bad and the Wild are the worst.

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

There is no deeper pit of waste and corruption in spending than our military.

 

As someone who has spent most of the last 3 years in various DoD environments, I must simply say "I concur".

[DaveW]

 

On this issue specifically the Twins actually deserve some credit. They do nice things for soldiers and veterans and aren't compensated (from what I remember reading).

The Vikings are bad and the Wild are the worst.

Dude what? Why would you blame the Vikings and the Wild, do you know how advertising and sponsorships work? It often goes to whoever will "pay the asking price". I don't blame the Vkkings or the Wild from "taking the money" from the DoD, they are offering up the money, and the team are accepting it. If Target, Budweiser or the Sham wow offered up the same amount of money for a promotion I would expect any of the teams to accept those as well. In fact, if the Wild or Vikings refused their money it would be a significantly larger issue IMO

 

I blame the DoD for wasting so much damn money on this garbage, not the teams, sales people etc from accepting the money.

[diehardtwinsfan]

Honestly, this is likely just a means for connected individuals to send easy tax dollars to their friends.  It wasn't an accident that a guy like Jerry Jones was collecting the bulk of it.  I do and don't agree about the teams accepting it.  If it's a fair market price, that's one thing I guess, but at the same time, it's tax dollars and everyone knows this. 

 

But yeah, the ultimate responsibility lies with  the DoD.  Unfortunately, like most things, someone might get a slap on the wrist and that will be about it.  The DoD desperately needs an overhaul from the top down.

[DaveW]

 

  I do and don't agree about the teams accepting it.  If it's a fair market price, that's one thing I guess, but at the same time, it's tax dollars and everyone knows this. 

 

 

Not their problem IMO, Leopold and company own a private business and it's in their best interest to make money.

 

I have ran ad campaigns for the armed services before, those are "tax dollars" but I think on average they need to spend something like $25,000 in advertising for every one "recruit" to make it work out. So it does make SOME sense for them to spend some of this money, since it is needed and does work in getting new recruits, however a lot of this DoD stuff to the teams etc is just a waste of money, for a small % they could be much more effective by sponsoring high school athletics (where they would be able to attract a lot more eligible potential future soldiers)

[TheLeviathan]

There is still some blame for these teams for the manner in which they conducted themselves.  You still have a responsibility to think about what money you take.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

I'm curious why McCain is front man for this. Isn't he the front man for not questioning anything about the military?

[DaveW]

 

I'm curious why McCain is front man for this. Isn't he the front man for not questioning anything about the military?

I'm going to have to disagree with you completely on that, McCain has time and time again questioned the military and many of their tactics, especially when it comes to "torture" tactics etc as he has time and time again went against his own party to admonish the military for their actions.

 

Congress as a whole could use a lot more John McCain's IMO

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

I'm going to have to disagree with you completely on that, McCain has time and time again questioned the military and many of their tactics, especially when it comes to "torture" tactics etc as he has time and time again went against his own party to admonish the military for their actions.

 

Congress as a whole could use a lot more John McCain's IMO

Actually you have a good point about that.

 

But I was thinking of the McCain-Graham-Lieberman troika who constantly argued to send troops and more troops into every possible corner of the Mideast. That strategy would have required an unlimited recruiting budget, which naturally led recruiters to pay sports teams to maximize visibility. So something about McCain still doesn't quite add up for me.

[DaveW]

Actually you have a good point about that.

 

But I was thinking of the McCain-Graham-Lieberman troika who constantly argued to send troops and more troops into every possible corner of the Mideast. That strategy would have required an unlimited recruiting budget, which naturally led recruiters to pay sports teams to maximize visibility. So something about McCain still doesn't quite add up for me.

I'm not super familiar about part that so I apologize if I missed it earlier/missed your argument, but yeah that is certainly a valid criticism towards him. (I'd actually be curious to learn more about his thoughts on that so if you have a link handy I would be appreciative)

 

Though, while recruitment would remain important in that scenario regardless I have to imagine that there is a far better use of money to recruit as at least 80% of the NFL fan base fall outside the "target market" for recruits.

 

Even if he is being somewhat hypocritical in some ways on this I still applaud him from crossing political lines to point out this seemingly waste of money.

 

I still don't fault the teams from taking the money, if it's legal and an advertiser is willing to pay it I don't think they should turn it down. If you draw the line on this, then teams probably shouldn't take alcohol sponsorships etc as well.