Is there someone the media loves more than Barack Obama?
Believe it or not, the answer is "yes".
I've noticed a lot of traffic lately to a story we posted highlighting the new Fire Bret Bielema website. With Wisconsin's three game losing streak, coach Bielema's 7-7 record over his last 14 games, general poor, unfocused play and the University's increasing demand for fans' wallets, many Badger backers are mad as hell and they're not going to take it anymore.
The local media, however, have taken the hard line that the fans are unrealistic, ungrateful and unhinged. Fans are told that we're not Michigan, Ohio State or Penn State and that we shouldn't expect that kind of success. We should suck it up and be happy for a "nice" season every once in awhile. At the same time, however, fans should happily pay increased ticket prices, seat license fees, book trips to away games and be prepared to get tasered.
Why is the media protecting Bret Bielema and, by extension, Wisconsin athletic director Barry Alvarez? It's simple. The athletic department controls access. The local media need access. Therefore, the local media has its collective head up their you-know-what. Falling behind the party line makes their job easier. It's not ideology it's lazyology. But, much like in the political world, fans are finding it easier to get, if not a more balanced view, at least the other view online. Hence the popularity of sites like Fire Bret Bielema and the even more popular Fire Ned Yost.
Posted by kris at October 16, 2008 09:44 PM
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| # October 17th, 2008 10:50 AM kris |
| I wish I had some examples of the media disdain for fan concerns, but to be honest, about 90% of it is on the radio. |
| # October 17th, 2008 5:17 PM themandownthehall |
| I swore to myself that I wouldn't talk about the UM/UW game here out of respect. It really looked like after the three and out to start the second half, Wisconsin just said, "game over, let's go home." I don't think any coach can overcome that.
As for PSU and OSU come on. They are the best in conference and top 10 teams. I don't think UW was there just yet. On my side of the country, UM hasn't surprised me at all. In transition years you get those wins like the one at Wisconsin and losses like the one at Toledo. Talk about painful and sucky. I will say though, that I don't think Llyod Carr would have more than 3 wins and quite frankly would not have come back against UW. Welcome to the sucky crazy train UW fans. We have plenty of room. Just don't book those Motor City bowl tickets yet. We at UM want them... :) |
| # October 19th, 2008 10:07 AM kris |
| One interesting thing here is that both the Madison & Milwaukee beat writers give out grades after every game. The Madison writer, however, doesn't grade coaching.
I think one of the frustrations Badger fans have is that this team isn't especially young. There are at least a half dozen players who started for the 12-1 team. Those players haven't progressed, they've regressed. That's poor coaching. I'm almost at the point where I want a horrible season to shake things up. 6-6 and a rotten bowl game won't help the team as much as a 4-8 or hell, 3-9 season would in the long run. |
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