Winners, Losers

LOSER: I have always feared when a nominee is destined to enrish the U.S. Supreme Court. But, more than that, it will mean, in this case of President Obama's first choice, a Latino woman, will make Latinos have a warmer feel about the court's decisions.

Look, let's say it like it is: These choices are nothing more than political choices and vote-getters. Understand? Do you think Obama is just enamored because she is the greatest judge in the history of the Republic? Baloney.

My point is the law is the law and that's the driving force, or should be, for any nominee. We'll know more about Sonia Sotomayor in the coming weeks; I just hope we look at what she most likely will be as a Supreme Court justice, but without a doubt she will be loooked at first and foremost as a political aide to the current President.



LOSER: The current, explosive situation at the University of Memphis with its basketball program begs the question: Who gets the boot? Keeping the public document private that spells out whether Derrick Rose did or did not have someone take the ACT test for him is, in my opinion, a stupid move. Should President Shirley Raines, a weak President at that, go? Should athletics director R.C. Johnson head out the door? I say both should go. Their position of keeping it private for the betterment of the university was unfair to the supporters of the university, at the very least.

The NCAA looks at these academic shenanigans with a tougher eye than almost any other problem, with the exception of "lack of administrative controls." It doesn't appear to be the latter, but no matter what happens in the university's meeting with the NCAA, it has badly damaged the university's basketgball image.