Michael Vick is an idiot. Even if he didn't personally hang and electrocute dogs, and he may have, it's beyond a stretch to think all this despicable criminal activity went down on his property without him knowing. The Feds don't indict unless they're sure they've got you, and I think Vick's headed to prison...

Kudos to Greg McDermott for booting team MVP Mike Taylor. Taylor never did anything violent---like Berryman---or truly awful---like Pierce, but he was one of those guys who just doesn't get it. How many second chances do you want? McDermott's not just talking a tough game, he's following through. The Cyclones will be better for it. I'm so sick of coaches who say they're disciplinarians, and are as long as it's a second or third team player in trouble, but once it's a star, we're treated to the same old speech about due process or second chances. Nice job, Greg...

For the first time in a long time, I'm encouraged that the sports culture is slowly changing. I think everybody has had it up to HERE with thugs. The NFL & NBA Commissioners seem to sense we're all sick of these pampered and spoiled athletes acting like they're entitled to whatever they want, laws be damned, and we're supposed to keep paying to watch them play. Enough already. They're blessed with a great opportunity. If they don't appreciate it, toss them out on their butts...

The Big Ten Network and Mediacom better figure this TV deal out soon. Does anyone want to hear more spin from each side? The one thing that should not happen, cannot happen, is no option. Put the channel somewhere. I sat in disbelief last January when KDSM went to color bars on my Mediacom cable, and couldn't believe I had to break out the tinfoil and rabbit ears for the BCS title game...

Some Major League players are not the most agreeable guys to deal with when they're sent to Des Moines for rehab or because they're demoted. I'm happy to report Cubs closer Ryan Dempster was really cool, couldn't have been nicer to Shawn Terrell & Chris Hassel...

My friend B-Ross loves to defend Barry Bonds. He knows I think Bonds is a jerk who cheated the game and (soon) sport's most hallowed record. Nothing will change my mind about that, but B-Ross makes a good point when he says "at least Bonds aint no phony". True. And "at least Barry didn't put the hurt on anyone else". Also true, unless you count the scores of people he's verbally abused, but point taken. Bonds is not a good guy, but there are far worse role models in sports (see first paragraph)...

Zach Johnson needs to find the joy in golf again. He's been pulled in so many directions since winning the Masters; he looks like he's carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders. He has trouble saying "no", and it's wearing him out...

Our other Johnson, Shawn, is going to go from star to superstar next summer. I think the West Des Moines dynamo will win the women's gymnastics all-around gold medal, which is the most watched night of television at the summer Olympics (think Mary Lou Retton). Shawn has the total package of appeal, and five medals (four gold) at the Pan Am Games proves she's a force...

Which Johnson is a bigger star? Vote on the whotv.com sports page...

As promised, took the kids to High School Musical at the Des Moines Playhouse. It was packed full of parents and grandparents with their kids, and I saw nothing buy smiling faces on the way out (I can't imagine how many hours the young and talented cast had to log to get all the choreography down). The story is beyond simple and G-rated right out of the 50's, but my boys loved it. The only problem is Cade (age 6) wanted to rent the movie, and it was checked out everywhere, so I had to splurge for the full $20. While shopping, Cade discovered this entire cottage industry of High School Musical stuff. I should never go in to Target...

Shawn Terrell keeps playing Go Cubs Go here in the office, and I can't get it out of my head. Not sure I want to either. They're on a roll...

Chris Hassel says mascots kind of freak him out. You know, the way they stare at you and never blink. We changed his screensaver to Cubbie Bear. Chris nearly had to go home sick...

Things I'm thankful for on TV this week: The incomparable Denis Leary is back on Rescue Me; Scott Baio is Single and 45 is actually entertaining and wise; The Bronx is Burning is not very good, but I still enjoy all things baseball. Well, not all. I tried to get a refund for Major League 3...

Can't wait to see Rescue Dawn. It looks awesome...