Sonics and Pacers

Just throwing this out there - let's say your television only had two channels. One channel was broadcasting tonight's game between Indiana and Seattle, the other was airing a two-hour "Best of Airwolf" series. How often would you switch back to watch the Sonics' game? Because, obviously, you would be spending the majority of your time watching Airwolf, right?

Yes, it's been that kind of season, Sonic fans. You know sometimes you'll hear beat writers or people associated with professional basketball make comments to the effect of, "I can't believe they pay me to do this!"Well, I'm guessing nobody's saying anything like that tonight.In one corner, you have the Pacers, who, along with the Sonics and Timberwolves, are at a level of popularity only cushioned by Mike Gavel.

In the other, you have the Sonics, of whom we need not comment. It's truly sad that if this is the end of the Sonics in this city, that we must see them go out like this. For no other reason than to freshen the taste in our mouths, you ought to phone the governor and tell her to do something to keep this team around. Can't we qualify for disaster relief or something? Isn't what's going on right now as bad as Mt. St. Helens or the floods?

Your assignment for tonight's game is to come up with a metaphor to describe your interest level. For example: I'm about as excited to watch tonight's Sonics-Pacers game as Johnny Carson was to see Ed McMahon's name on his call-display screen.

Thursday's Getting Closer

As you have no doubt read in the PI, the governor and the state legislature have punted the arena issue back to the city of Seattle, asking the city to come up with the state's share of the $75 million on its own.

The city, naturally, is not interested in that scenario, meaning, of course, that this situation will require even more pressure on your representatives. Again, you can phone the state at 1.800.562.6000 to let them know you consider this to merit their involvement.

On a side note, much has been made of the fact that this week spells the end of this particular legislative session, and that if by Friday no bill has been passed regarding the arena, then that will be that. Which got me to thinking, what are the rules governing special sessions convened by the governor?

From what I have read, it appears that a special session may be called either by the governor, or by a 2/3 majority of the house. In this case, it would be Gov. Gregoire calling the session, because if the House could muster 2/3 majority to call a special sessions, they would just as likely use that majority to pass a bill.

However, I could find no information as to deadlines on when the governor can call the session. She could call it on Friday, she could call it on St. Patrick's Day, she could call it on Memorial Day, or she could call it during the upcoming trial between Seattle and Clay Bennett.

And one final side note, while sports fans only seem to care about the political process when it intrudes upon their turf (yes, awful pun, I know), there are those who are more in tune with this system. And, it seems, those people are about as thrilled with Frank Chopp as the rest of us.

Fed up with Chopp's stalling tactics? Join the club.

Deadline for Offer

There has been considerable words out of the legislature regarding the recent offer to purchase the team/renovate KeyArena. Now there are some words coming from the group of four interested in purchasing the team:

Now or never.

In a letter to Gov. Gregoire and published in the Seattle Times, the four men expressing interest in buying the team stated that their offer will expire on April 10, essentially rendering moot any argument from legislators that this scenario would be better considered during the next session.

So, have you made the call? If you're interested in keeping this team around, and you feel that this particular offer is a good one, then you better make it. Call the legislature and let them know that - as a voter - you feel they should act before it is too late.

1-800-562-6000