Our nation is facing an unprecedented array of problems, with a broken health care delivery system, a tanking economy and rising unemployment, a coup in Central America, Iranian intransigence re: nukes, the resurgence of the Taliban in Afghanistan, Somalian pirates (on the back burner for now), efforts to remake our relations with Russia as well as repair our tattered reputation with our own allies, and of course North Korea's insistence that they want to start something with somebody somewhere, an much more. Into this turgid mix we now must add another pressing issue, identified by no less a statesman as Utah Senator Orrin Hatch as being of utmost importance to the nation.
I am speaking of course of college football's Bowl Championship Series, used each year to determine the best college team in the nation. That's right, to the threats of economic ruin and terrorist attacks we must now add the possibility that this vital system is fatally flawed, and that the rightful champions are denied recognition.
More below.
The AP reports that Hatch, in his capacity as ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, has had enough:
"Frankly, there’s an arrogance about the BCS that just drives me nuts," he told reporters. "Hopefully this hearing will open the door to have some people reconsider their positions. And if nothing else, the Justice Department ought to be looking at this." He said that it’s clear to him that the BCS is in violation of antitrust laws.
But the wheels of justice will soon begin to turn:
Justice Department spokeswoman Gina Talamona said: "We're aware of his request and will respond as appropriate."
At this point you may be wondering what all the fuss is about. Well, here's the money quote:
Hatch's comments followed up on testimony by a lawyer for the Mountain West Conference, which does not get an automatic bid and has pressed for changes to the BCS. Utah, which is in the Mountain West, was bypassed for last year's national championship despite going undefeated in the regular season. The title game pitted Florida against Oklahoma — each with one loss.
Aha! So that's it! Orrin's homeboys were dissed, and he's gonna make it right!
Now, the Mountain West, with such perennial football "powers" as Wyoming, San Diego State, Air Force, and New Mexico, isn't exactly a powerhouse conference, but Orrin doesn't care. He wants, nay he demands, justice!
Of course, he also gets his column-inches in the Washington Times and the Deseret News with this nonsense, but that has nothing to do with his true motivation. Right?
And republicans wonder why they are viewed as irrelevant...