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First the bad news: The Maryland Terrapins lost to Clemson on Sunday night.
Now the good news: One student attending the game won a free Lasik eye surgery. We all accept that advertising is inextricably linked to sporting events, but isn’t this going just a little too far?
Time-outs at College Park basketball games have always been injected with some good old capitalism. There’s a “Deal or No Deal” game sponsored by a local pizza company. There’s a basket shootout for students hoping to win a car. There’s even a dance-for-your-dinner contest. But a free Lasik eye surgery? This has taken it to a whole new level.
First of all, what if the contest winner has 20/20 vision? What if she just prefers wearing contacts or glasses? In either case, is the prize transferable? I could use it. For the first time all season, I lost the shell game on the screen Sunday night.
You have to wonder whether this is just the beginning. What might be next? A free angioplasty, stomach stapling or knee replacement? Even better, how about a free nose job or breast implants? Maybe drugmakers can get in on the act. They could give away anti-anxiety medication to the student who looks most stressed out on the JumboTron at exam time.
Most Terps fans would probably find another item more useful: Something to make them forget. Forget that the team blew a 20-point lead in the second half and then lost to Clemson 73-70. Forget that the season, which looked so full of promise just a few weeks ago, seems to have crumbled to dust. Forget that the NCAA Tournament may once again be out of reach. My husband says the only thing that could wipe out those memories is a lobotomy. I imagine no student will be excited to win that.
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3:35 AM MST on Thu., Jul. 10, 2008 re: "Aggressive drivers zoning out"
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6:53 PM MST on Thu., May. 29, 2008
re: "‘New Kids’ stir up a lot of old feelings"
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2:32 PM MST on Tue., Mar. 25, 2008
re: "Hold the cream cheese. It’s Saturday"
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2:46 AM MST on Tue., Mar. 25, 2008
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7:30 PM MST on Mon., Mar. 24, 2008
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8:53 AM MST on Fri., Feb. 15, 2008
re: "Welcome, as long as you’re not smoking"
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7:37 AM MST on Fri., Aug. 24, 2007
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Examiner Reader said:
The bottom line? If you drive down Reisterstown Road, fear not. You’re in an Aggressive Driving Enforcement Zone. But pull into a parking lot, and I’m afraid you’re on your own
2 agree | 3 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Gee, do you think she doesn't like NKOTB? I thoght reporters were supposed to be objective. I was am and will always be a NKOTB fan, and I can't wait to go to the concert!
4 agree | 3 disagree
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Former Examiner Fan said:
I am not Jewish.. but, what is wrong in these days of instant gratification that a buisness, such as Goldberg's bagels (which the author did not name in her piece) be closed to observe a religious tradition (or should I say.. "law")?? Next thing, Ms. Stone is going to complain that the bakery closes at 3pm during the week, and she had to go get chinese food to cure her 8pm hunger pangs. Honey, you should know that you can buy a dozen .. or more, and put them in the freezer and they'll be good for a long time..
6 agree | 3 disagree
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Michael St. Louis, MO said:
I have to say that this is one of the dumbest articles I have ever read. No really, wait one day and have all the bagels you want. How about buying a vagel on Friday, keeping it in a cool dark place in your kitchen and then having it on Saturday...or better, yet, trying going to shul, any shul (Reform, Conserv. Ortho.) I am sure they will have a bagel or two for you at kiddush. You can even stand around and share your witty banter with an audience.
5 agree | 4 disagree
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Eric Weill said:
Did the author of this piece actually get paid for such drivel? No wonder this paper is a freebie, I wouldn't pay a penny for such idiocy. I'll spell this out for those that may not get the point. Spaghetti is a traditionally Italian artifact, and spanakopita is such for Greek culture. Similarly, bagels being associated with Jewish cuisine, there is an associated Jewish tradition of being closed on Saturday. If the author could have mustered as much respect for Jewish tradition as for other cultures, we would have been spared this dose of wimpy whining.
3 agree | 4 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
This is just stupid at this point. FIrst the author uses the term, addicts, as though all cigarette smokers just need a fix of nicotine and don't enjoy cigarettes at all. Then, Suzzy Soccer Mom, in the comments section, thinks the world is wonderful, now, because everywhere under the Sun is smoke free. Before this ban, Sly Flox, Odools, and Richard's were all SMOKER FREE BARs in Baltimore. You mentioned you have kids, well, it's not like we could ever smoke in the Aquarium or even the ESPN Zone. I guess your places weren't good enough, so you wanted everywhere in the city to convert, kicking the regulars out, just for the sanity of your kids. Whatever, sweetheart.
32 agree | 29 disagree
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Union Man said:
I've been a smoker for most of my life. Smoked un-filtered Lucky Strikes or Pall Malls, then switched to Winstons in high school. I remember when butts were 30 cents a pack and a coke was a nickle. I used to smoke 2 or 3 packs a day but I've cut way back because of my emphysema and high BP. Not smoking in a bar is just stupid. If God didn't want us to smoke why did he make tabacco? I know a little bar in Brooklyn where you can still smoke but you got to know the secret password to get in. I would tell you more but I'm a little out of breath from typing...(wheeze, wheeze, cough...)
35 agree | 30 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
I'm so happy that I can breath clean air now and eat. I can't wait until they pass the law where people can't smoke in vehicles with children. If you want to smoke do it away from everyone else that way you can die of cancer and everyone else will be healthy.
46 agree | 27 disagree
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Jeff, an Independent said:
I am not a smoker, but this is a crime against personal freedom. I understand the health implications of second hand smoke, but this legislation should not have been left to Big Brother. Instead of taking more freedom, the goverment could mandate the use of smoke eater(s). They now want to ban trans fats, what's next? Citizens, you do not need a nanny state. It is all about personal resposnsibility. My only caveat: if you do smoke, drink, eat un-healthy food, etc, don't expect my taxes to take care of your hospital bills.
44 agree | 22 disagree
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BA said:
Here's an example of why liberals are ruining the foundation of this country. The more you make decisions for people and take responsibility from them, the more dependent and non self thinking they become. Last time I checked, adults make decisions for themselves and that's why you can get charged as an adult: you're supposed to think and act like one. If owners don't want smoking in their bar: forbid it! If you don't want to inhale tobacco smoke, don't go to a location where it's allowed. Just as you can choose a social gathering because you like the people or drink deals there, you can also do it by whether they allow smoking there or not! Get a brain you mollycoddling liberals!
33 agree | 41 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Maybe you shouldn't be having that martini? Cyrhosis (sp?) ain't too cool, either? Plus what if you kill another driver under the influence of that martini? Maybe it's time to outlaw all pleasureable sins? After all, the government is here to protect us from ourselves.
48 agree | 18 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
I'm 40 and smoked for 23 years. It is still a struggle but I will find easier to stay away from starting again if it's not around me. I really hate to admit it but I have NOT been as sick and I can not believe how bad I used to smell.
27 agree | 18 disagree
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John L said:
Smoked for over 20 years and quit 20 years ago. I still think this incredable PC bandwagon riding over smokers is a pile of nanny state crap. But of course this a blue state where useful idiots abound.New target transfats, next target, fat people followed by________ (fill in the blank). Go ahead you blue state lefties your favorite ox will be gored soon enough.
47 agree | 43 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
If our legislators feel so strongly about smoking, why not outlaw tabaco all together? It's all about the money. As a smoker and a bar owner I have my rights under the Constitution, Liberty and persuit of Happines. Something most lawmakers do not remember anymore. It is your choice to smoke or not, to favor a smoking bar or not, but do not tell me where I can use a legal and highly taxed product!
46 agree | 44 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Hey, Deborah, just wait until you get to my age. But even though I have a lot more mileage than you, I just keep fighting and keep going. Ironically, my brain thinks young but my body thinks old. I'm fighting with those two all the time. Just enjoy life and you're fine.
420 agree | 152 disagree
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