March 2, 2006
SchwartzenWatcher Goes to the Human Cockfights
We admit it, it's been a slow couple of weeks here at SchwartzenWatcher HQ. Nothing much has been going on as the Governator has been pretty quiet lately being all wonky and acting all Governor-like. But then, like manna from heaven, we get word that after a few days in D.C. schmoozing with other Governors and enjoying the fact that the Chinese control our ports and not a bunch of A-rabs, we discover that from there, Arnie is off to Columbus for the Arnold Fitness Expo and Arnold Classic. And kicking things off will be a pay-per-view Mixed Martial Arts
Championship, the Gracie Fighting Championships actually, one that will be have as its master of ceremonies our Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Our Governor is SO not like your Governor.
This particular match is between Team Gracie and Team Hammerhouse and kicks off the "Arnold Martial Arts Festival," which is part of the whole Arnold Classic. Also included in the Classic is "Arnold Boxing, the Fitness and Figure International (check out the pictures. Seriously), and a
It should be said too that things like the ultimate fighting championships are actually banned in several states (Sen. John McCain called it "cockfighting with humans") and was banned in this state until a certain someone signed legislation last year legalizing it in the state. It was also these events that got the Governor in trouble last year when it was discovered he was still making money off of them despite rules against such things. This year, he won't be paid but will be going anyways.
But the best part of all of this is that while this is going on, the poor schlubs in the State Legislature are stuck trying to hammer out an agreement on Arnie's big bond initiative because the deadline to get this sucker on the ballot is next week. Arnie is totally the boss who dumps some huge project on the underlings then skips out for a week of golf and schmoozing (or in this case, kung fu and body building) and expects the project to be done when they get back. The Democrats are totally hemming and hawing about it too, something that is probably more political posturing than anything else. But wouldn't you be pissed off to that while you're working overtime and on weekends, your boss is off watching some kung-fu action?
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Human Cockfights, huh? Here we go. I'd be nice to see online
journalists do research on a topic like Mixed Martial Arts or "Human Cockfights", instead of quoting Sen. McCain when it's convenient and makes for an eye-catching headline. It's because of McCain's ignorance of MMA (and the incredible athletes that practice it), and more so the people who listen to him and not do their research, that some people actually still call it "Human Cockfighting".
There are far more injuries in boxing, football, and hockey than there are in MMA. There have been, I believe, only two deaths since its conception.The athletes are disciplined in 2,3, and sometimes 4 different sports.
They are examined and cleared by the State Athletic Commissions. A lot of times there isn't even any blood! The lighter gloves don't allow multiple blows over the course of a fight like boxing does.
Once you are hit cleanly a couple of times, you get KO'd or you quit. In fact quitting (or tapping) is stressed and quite common, to protect the athletes. Does that sound like a cockfight?
I guess my main problem with this piece is that you're choosing to quote McCain in that way. Are you trying to put more heat on Arnold because McCain says there is Human Cockfighting going on at his event? Aren't gay marriages banned in a lot of states too? Wow, something is banned in state. It must be evil.