Man in the Hat media

I've been in college now going on three years. And I hate to tell freshman parents this...kids drink underage in college. It isn't like the old days when the drinking age was 18 and kegs were rolled in move-in day. Now, the alcohol is craftily concealed and transported to dorm rooms and parties, causing binge drinking, alcohol poisoning, unplanned pregnancies, and death. I believe it is time we go back to those old days, and lower the drink age from 21 back to 18. The basic reasons have all been heard. At 18 years old, and individual is given the responsibility to vote, own a gun, sign up for the armed forces, among others. So where is the logic? If an 18-year old kid has the mental capacity to decide who can run their governments--local, state, and national--own and responsibly use a firearm, and decide if they should or shouldn't join the Army/Navy/Air Force/Marines/Coast Guard/National Guard, then shouldn't he or she also have the mental capacity to decide if they sh...

The dry summer is nearly over. It is that time of year where the pigskin is back in play. Last year, the LakeReport took wild guesses at a wacky football season that could be called, "The Year of the Upsets." Now, the 2008-09 season is mere days away from kickoff, and so the Report will be giving guesses in some new and improved methods. Here, the focus will still be mainly on the SEC and ACC, but occasionally, big games will take precedent. First off, let's look at a big, inter-conference game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Clemson Tigers. Tigers The Clemson Tigers (#9) are coming off a 9-4 season, and a top recruiting class. On offense, the Tigers return quarterback Cullen Harper, along with his top target Aaron Kelly--who is on the verge of rewriting the receiving record books not only at Clemson, but in the ACC. Kelly is complimented by all-around guy Tyler Grisham and speedster Jacoby Ford--who is returning af ter his season was cut short due to injury. Als...

A staple in the summer months is baseball. It is something to keep a football crazy South at bay between the "dry months" (from spring ball to fall camp). Another staple in baseball happens in Williamsport, Pa., when the Little League World Series invades our televisions sets. I actually have enjoyed watching this spectacle in the past. For some reason it brings joy to my heart to see young ballplayers play the game the right way in an era where the icons are more doped up with horse steroids than, well, horses. But this year, I just haven't been able to get into it. I think it really all started a few years back when a team from New York won the series behind the super human arm of Danny Almonte . It was later revealed the "super human" arm was really that of a 14-year old, not a 12-year old. I like to call it Scandle in the Baby Bronx. Since then I started to mistrust any legitimate 12-year old that can hurl the ball 70 mph, and I have to question if they are ...

What in the world is happening in college athletics? Just this summer, the University of Georgia has had to suspend and kick off players; the University of South Carolina has had run ins with the law, and the trend is all over the country. There is one case in particular that is making my blood steam. Yep, I am way past the boiling point on this one. On June 23 it was reported in the Anderson Independent Mail that Clemson University safety/linebacker Deandre McDaniel was accused and arrested for assault charges against his then live in girlfriend. It was later reported that in a prior incident not reported to police that McDaniel allegedly hit the one time girlfriend and knocked out a tooth, and then begged her to not tell anyone. One would assume that this type of behavior and accusations would warrant either a suspension or expulsion from the team and university. But not McDaniel under head coach Tommy Bowden. Nope, the alleged abuser went in front of a university judiciary committee...

A few weeks ago, South Carolina state Representative Kevin Bryant gave the world this little gem on his blog page. Now, I understand what the guy was trying to do. He was just saying that Senator, and Democratic Presidential hopeful, Barack Obama is full of hot air, ideals, and no follow through. We get it Mr. Bryant. Anyone that can stand to watch FoxNews for more than 10 minutes, or have a mind of their own, realizes that Obama is a very powerful, charismatic speaker with some good ideas. Only problem is, it still isn't clear how he intends to do those things if elected. Yes Mr. Bryant. We here in South Carolina aren't as dumb as you take us for. And now, he can probably kiss his seat good-bye after this. Not only has nothing been done in his stay for the area (not all his fault in the Statehouse considering tightwad Governor Mark Sanford vetos just about everything that crosses his desk) but this just makes a bad reflection upon him and his constituents here in the Upstate....