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Well, here’s an interesting local story. According to the Can Gamble site, two betting tele-theatres have been robbed in recent weeks. The vile criminal’s absconded with money from the betting tills but also, big gulp, from the patrons in attendance. Yep, they were cleaned out. The two troubling incidents have not been publicized and Can Gamble pointedly suggests horseplayers are in danger until the perpetrators are arrested. No other details were provided. The Meridian looks danger in the eyes and slips inconspicuously out the back door so, no, we won’t be changing our habits…wait, the hockey season hasn’t even begun and new Chicago Blackhawk Marian Hossa is hurt? And may require surgery? And the injury may involve the rotator cuff?  Splendid. The worst NHL signing of all time is now vying for the title of worst sports signing of all time…the sexual assault allegations made against Pittsburgh Steeler quarterback Ben Roethlisberger are troubling. The complainant has opted for a civil remedy and did not pursue a criminal complaint. It is an approach which speaks dramatically to her credibility. A police investigation would have been thorough and included comprehensive interviews with staff, other hotel guests, Roethlisberger and the complainant herself. The allegations are devastating for the Super Bowl winning athlete and should be met with a counter suit. Look, you know the deal and so do I. Consensual sex and then the big brush off by the star athlete. Yes, feelings are bruised when a human being is wantonly used to satisfy the carnal urges of another. I sincerely wish pro athletes could conduct themselves in a more civilized and gentlemanly fashion. But their rudeness and abruptness constitute bad behaviour, not criminal activity, nor actions requiring mediation in a civil procedure…Detroit Red Wing back-up goalie Jimmy Howard is, according to the Sporting News, 1-5 with a .896 save percentage while backstopping for the former champs. The plan, at the moment, is to give Howard 20-30 starts this year in an effort to determine if he is a legitimate NHL player. Why do I think I know the answer to that question already? Could the Red Wings be seriously undermined by their goaltenders this year?…after all the bitching and whining it appears Anquan Boldin will remain an Arizona Cardinal. With his sidekick Larry Fitzgerald manning the other wideout position, it can be expected Kurt Warner will have another stellar year. But I’m chomping at the bit to bet against these Cardinals. An aggressive and confident defensive coordinator knows the book on Warner; put pressure on him and his bullets become wobbling ducks. It takes courage to bring six against the praised gunslinger but evidence incontrovertibly proclaims it as the way to turn his cannons into water pistols…ex Bill pivot J P Losman, a man of swagger and confidence, was surely stunned when not a single team in the NFL showed any interest in bringing him onboard. Losman will be playing in the UFL for the Las Vegas team. Nope, I have no idea what the UFL is, I thought you might know…Usain Bolt and Asafa Powell contest the 100 metres in the London Grand Prix Friday night. It should be a classic. Powell thrives in these type of under-the-radar events and remains the last man to beat Bolt…Manny Pacquiao has opened as a solid 2-1 pick over Miguel Cotto as the two prepare for a Nov 14^th classic…the Meridian has written the lyrics for five songs on rapper McClin’s new album. The final song was completed this morning and is a fantastic party song entitled “Too Tense in Here”. Working with a rap artist has been challenging but lots of fun. I tell him we’re the new Bernie Taupin and Elton John. Strange, young people today just don’t get that Elton John reference…I finished Shakespeare’s Titus Andronicus this weekend past. A bloodbath of epic proportions, Titus reveals the Bard as a writer of 16^th century “pulp fiction”. I could not put this spectacle of gore down and recommend you pick this up and spend a little time with the yummy “Queen of the Goths”…