OT - Globetrotter insults entire state

[Mark Padgett]

As I mentioned in another thread, the reruns of "Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader?" that were running on cable here in Portland this past week featured the Harlem Globetrotters playing for charity - the Make-A-Wish Foundation. On the Friday show, the bonus question was "What state has a beaver on its state flag?" Gee - do you think it might be Oregon? The Globetrotter deliberated out loud and said he knew that the University of Oregon's mascot was the beaver, so it must be Oregon.

Sure, he got it right, but saying the U of O has a beaver for a mascot would cut to the bone of every U of O and Oregon State University alumni and supporter. Here in this state, there is a huge level of animosity between the two schools to the point of having their annual Pac10 football game called "the Civil War". The only thing that modified the "insult" was that one of his teammates corrected him on the subject.

Actually, I'm surprised the local cable channel even let it on the air.

BTW - thanks to the Globetrotters for winning a lot of money for Make-A-Wish, a great organization of which my wife has been a long-time volunteer.