When it comes to summer evenings in Fargo …
- There’s nothing that rivals Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks baseball games. I’ve attended dozens of them, and enjoyed every one. RedHawks games consistently deliver great baseball, fun between-innings entertainment and tasty food – all at a very reasonable price.
So I’m sorry to say there is a cloud hanging over the team now. It came to light in the case of Russell Thompson. Thompson was pulled over by Fargo police last month and charged with driving under the influence and drug possession. According to court documents, the drug found in his glasses case was Adderall. That drug is a prescription stimulant that’s often abused recreationally, and is a performance-enhancing drug that’s banned by major professional sports leagues. Court records state that Thompson told the arresting police officer that he didn’t have a prescription, and got the pills from a teammate. The eye-opening part of all this is that Thompson reportedly told the police officer that he and other players have been taking these pills before the games. The RedHawks made the right decision to dismiss Thompson from the team and conduct an internal investigation. In a news release, the RedHawks said the investigation has concluded.
The unfortunate part is that the RedHawks won’t comment on what they found. All that does is raise suspicions. Perhaps the team can’t comment because there might be a criminal investigation going on. Still, for the sake of the integrity of the game, the public needs to be assured that the players are clean, and everything is being done to combat player abuse of amphetamines.
One major problem is that the league the RedHawks play in, the American Association, doesn’t have a drug-testing program. I assume that’s because of cost. However, without such a program, that cloud will remain overhead.
- Glad to see the U.S. will take in 10,000 refugees from Syria. Many other countries need to welcome the refugees, but some are not doing their part. These refugees are desperate, innocent people who had to flee their devastated country. Between the brutal regime of President Bashar al-Assad and the atrocities committed by ISIS, Syria is in ruins. It’s hard not to be moved by the video of the 3-year-old Syrian boy, whose body was found on a Turkish beach. His family was just trying to survive.
- When a football team is struggling, fans often clamor for the backup quarterback. With presidential candidate Hillary Clinton struggling, Vice President Joe Biden reminds me of that backup quarterback. The trouble is, Biden would have some difficulties of his own, and after watching his interview with Stephen Colbert, I’m not sure his heart is in it to run for president. Also, he would be way behind when it comes to organization and fundraising.
- My broker says buying stocks is “investing.” I say it’s more like legalized gambling.
Shaw, Fargo, is former WDAY TV reporter and former KVRR TV news director. He can be heard Fridays, 10 to 11 a.m., on WDAY AM radio. Email jimshawtv@gmail.com
