Well this is damn annoying....

[MajGenl.Meade]

So who cares?

[Gob]

So who won?

Who won what?

[Sean]

So who won?

Who won what?

Shhh! I'm trying to make them feel like anyone cares...

[MajGenl.Meade]

... but this is really annoying...

The National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) spent close to R1 million of its budget for June 16 celebrations on berets (said) Performance, Monitoring, and Evaluation Minister Collins Chabane ... on Monday. Replying in writing to a parliamentary question, Chabane said a total of R2.8 million was given to the NYDA for the youth day celebrations, which were held in Port Elizabeth, in the Eastern Cape.

"The host province, which was the Eastern Cape, covered the infrastructure for the National Youth Day Celebrations," said Chabane. The presidency said it had spent, through the NYDA, an amount of R820,000 to show "opportunities available for young people". Most of the other money was spent on branding and entertainment. [which of course is exactly the opportunities young people enjoy]

"The NYDA further covered costs for T-shirts for R490,000, berets to the value of R969,000, artists for R262,000, R294,000 for stadium branding, and lanyards for R17,000," said Chabane. In addition to the funds provided by the presidency, Eastern Cape Premier Noxolo Kievit approved over R2 million from provincial coffers.

Opposition parties have criticised the spending at an event where President Jacob Zuma was not even present. Zuma cited his travel to Mexico for a G-20 leaders summit for not being able to address the event. The NYDA is no newcomer to accusations of overspending. In 2010, the agency hosted a World Youth Festival, which cost taxpayers over R100 million.

The NYDA was criticised when festival-goers complained of long queues, going hungry, and disorganisation. It was reported that some attendees played kissing games outside instead of attending scheduled sessions.

[oldr_n_wsr]

Congrats to the SF Giants

[Econoline]

Go Tigers!

[dales]

I wonder what the mayor of Detroit will put up as a wager.

SF ususally puts up a loaf of sourdough, crab and wine.

Detroit, a box of White Castle sliders?

[MajGenl.Meade]

...deeds to 37 downtown acres (to go)

[Crackpot]

You can have The Ex mayor

[Lord Jim]

You can have The Ex mayor

No thanks, he's all yours...

Hey, if the Nats had won, Detroit could have put up Kwame Kilpatrick, and DC could have put up Marion Barry...

[Lord Jim]

So who won?

Who won what?

Shhh! I'm trying to make them feel like anyone cares...

My my, looks like it was Open Mike Night at The Plan B Comedy Club last night....

Well, as folks who had the misfortune to be raised with the somnolent pseudo-sport of cricket, rather than the sublime pleasures of baseball, the way I look at it you are to be pitied rather than scorned....

[Guinevere]

Well, as folks who had the misfortune to be raised with the somnolent pseudo-sport of cricket, rather than the sublime pleasures of baseball, the way I look at it you are to be pitied rather than scorned....

Amen.

Go Les Tigres!!

[dales]

[MajGenl.Meade]

Any more of this cricket-abuse and I'm going to post a video of Geoff Boycott. In fact I will. Here's a very long and exciting video of one of Geoff's better at-bats:



Watch out for 8:37 - he moves

Meade

[Sue U]

Although my heart is with the NL (almost) regardless of who wins the pennant, I will be rooting for the Tigers in the Series. They have worked pretty damn hard to make it into the post-season at all, and considering their generally poor finishes over the last decade, it would be nice for them to come out on top for once. Plus, Detroit could really use a morale boost.

[Lord Jim]

Watch out for 8:37 - he moves

Great Gen'l! Another clip for the next Cricket Highlights edition...

[Long Run]

Do they play cricket in the rain?

That was the kind of series that could make baseball matter again.

[Long Run]

This is a baseball thread.

Yes Dave, it is....

He's still upset that Willie Mays could have been a Pirate, Mays and Clemente in the same outfield for his youth, and Barry Bonds abandoned the Pirates in his adulthood.

[Big RR]

Although my heart is with the NL (almost) regardless of who wins the pennant, I will be rooting for the Tigers in the Series. They have worked pretty damn hard to make it into the post-season at all, and considering their generally poor finishes over the last decade, it would be nice for them to come out on top for once. Plus, Detroit could really use a morale boost.

And just think of the bonfires we might see if their victory comes around Devil's Night.

[Lord Jim]

I will be rooting for the Tigers in the Series. They have worked pretty damn hard to make it into the post-season at all, and considering their generally poor finishes over the last decade, it would be nice for them to come out on top for once. Plus, Detroit could really use a morale boost.

I would certainly find that reasoning compelling, were they playing the Phillies....