In another stunning display of how desperate Pittsburgh media outlets are for any Steeler oriented story, the Post-Gazette's very own fashion editor LaMont Jones evaluates the "manliness" of the Steelers' gold pants.

Apparently, the Steeler Nation is aghast at the thought that our hometown heros could be perceived as "girly men" in gold.  Their alternative? 

Yes, LaMont, because a bit of pizzazz will definitely quell any suspicions about their manliness. 

Dispelling any questions over his own manliness, LaMont goes on to wonder if black pants would make the Steelers look top heavy and voice his concern about the waddle-factor of the current bunchy gold material.

But the best of all is the last sentence ..

Yes, that does it for me. 

Sue

I found this little tidbit while idly surfing the net (and not watching the State of the Union address) on Women's Hoops Blog 

It would seem that our revered football coach has been a longtime defender of Portland's hate-policies. 

Rene Portland, coach of the PSU Lady Lions basketball team, is coming under increasing fire for her "no lesbians" policy.  This from Minnesota, site of weekend anti-Rene protests ....

NCLR lawyer Karen Doering calls Portland's discriminatory policy -- "No drinking, no drugs, no lesbians," the lawsuit terms it -- the "worst-kept secret" in NCAA athletics. She said about 20 former Penn State players or athletic department employees from three different decades have told the lesbian-rights advocacy group about experiences similar to those of Harris and Davies.

Students, former and current, are showing up at the games to protest Portland's pattern of discrimination. 

20 corroborating stories seems like quite a few.  Catch what the Big Gay Picture has to say about it.

My call?  Portland will retire between now and the beginning of next season.

My partner and PSU alum?  They won't touch her b/c she wins games.  Slap on the wrist. 

The only person who really benefits from all this hoopla is Joe Paterno.  His stupid comment, in light of an allegation that a college player raped a woman, about football players being unable to resist 'cute little girls' who knock on their doors was completely unacceptable.  But he'll just slide back under the radar. 

Sigh.

Penn State Women's Basketball Coach Rene Portland is seeking to have a lawsuit alleging "lesbian baiting' dismissed.  Go here for the story at 365gay.com

Here's what The Big Gay Picture has to say about the attempt of PSU to wiggle their way away from Portland ...

[T]hat didn't stop the school from publicly supporting her for the last several decades, despite receiving so many complaints about her that they actually had to pass a university policy banning sexual orientation discrimination in the 90s, and require all coaches to attend homophobia training. All because of Portland. (Read this overview on Women's Hoops blog for more info.)

There are A LOT of Penn State alumni here in Pittsburgh, including my lovely partner.  Most knew about Portland's "no lesbians" policy throughout her tenure. 

What a crock that Penn State is distancing themselves from her now ... what about the past 20 years?  And all the women who played ball for this homo-hater?  Or all the women who didn't because of her delusional policies? 

Maybe Rene is a sorority sister of Melissa Hart and Mary Cheney?

Sue

I have absolutely no thoughts on the retirement of Mario Lemieux.  Except for this weird recurring dream where I save his dog from a car accident and he gives me a really cheap tee-shirt in gratitude.  Whatever. 

This is the closest thing I've got on the penguin gay agenda

In my family, I am a freak.  Not for the obvious reason.  No, the fact that my girlfriend loves football almost compensates for the whole homo thing.  Because I don't really watch it.  I tune in once in awhile.  I know the tune to "Here we go" and I have vivid memories of lunchroom pep rallies during the Superbowl era of the Iron Curtain.  (see I know that reference!)  But I barely know the name of the quarterback.

In fact, one evening we were dining at PF Changs and in comes Ben with some other large hulking type guys.  They sat in a corner and the buzz around the room clued me into the fact that it was someone important.  My GF was scandalized that I didn't recognize Big Ben.  I was more fascinated by my Kung Pao Chicken frankly.  But once I saw Mario Lemieux at Tambellini's.  That was kind of cool. 

Anyway ... here we go ....

But I did something altruistic today and asked my boss to let us have a tailgate party on Feb 3.  Not only did he agree, but he is willing to give a prize to the staff member with the most Steeler spirit.

Now I guess I have to go buy a Steeler's shirt or hat or something.

Sue