1. I think MADD would not like the name "Six Packers" any more than PETA likes "Packers". Should there be a compromise and name them the "Three Packers?"
2. Given the recent problems of ex-Packer tight end Mark Chmura, I don't think the team name "Peckers" is likely to be considered for more than a nanosecond.
3. Are there any more tedious people on Earth than PETA members? Wouldn't you like to join a counter-advocacy group with the same initials standing for "People Eating Tasty Animals"?
4. MADD members can be tedious but they compensate by doing something important - unlike PETA. Nonetheless, I'd love to form a counter-advocacy group called DAMM - Drunks Against Mad Mothers.

But worry not, Ralph Nader is on the campaign trail to become President and you can bet that if he formed an administration there would be no mergers of this kind - or any kind. Other than by Cisco Systems of course where Ralph holds about 20,000 shares and Cisco merges with and buys out about three small companies a month. In case you have not heard, here is the proposed campaign slogan for the Nader campaign:

A couple more observations about the NBA draft tonite.

Mike Miller (Florida) is projected by some to go as high as 6th (to Atlanta). I think he is a nice player with a nice shot, but I wonder if he is nearly quick enough to be a scorer in the mid-teens in the NBA. As I recall his play in the NCAA tournament, I do not remember thinking about the word "defense" at all.

The Clippers are supposedly interested in Kenyon Dooling (point guard from Missouri) with their second pick in the first round. If that is correct, you have just found the answer to why they Clippers are "Lottery Lifers". Mamadou N'daye (Auburn center) is projected to go in the top 20. The saying in the NBA is that if you are going to make a draft mistake, make it a mistake on a big man. This guy is about 6'10"; if you are looking for a historical similarity, remember the name Yinka Dare. That was "Dare" which rhymes with "can't get out of his own way".

Darius Miles is the high school phenom of the year who may go in the top three. He has VERY long arms and was a big time shot blocker in high school; at 6'9" he can probably scratch his ankles with just a shrug of the shoulders. In a "game" at the workouts, he blocked two shot attempts by Michael Jordan. Any bets that he would not have gotten within a foot of the ball if it had been a playoff game?

The Sixers are supposedly interested in Quentin Richardson from DePaul. He is a shooting guard; they have one named Iverson who plays a lot of minutes. Does this mean that Iverson may get traded??

Lucian Lauren who trained Riva Ridge and Secretariat and lots of other good horses died yesterday. He is probably saddling Secretariat in the Celestial Derby on Saturday.

Supposedly, Isiah Thomas has a deal to sell the CBA - he paid $10M for it about a year ago - and that sale is what has to happen in order for him to become coach of the Pacers. The NBA brass was not thrilled about him owning the league because the CBA could be a competitor to their developmental league which is scheduled to begin next year or maybe the year after. However, sometimes you have to be careful what you wish for. The potential buyer for the CBA is - hold your breath - the NBA Players Association.

Remember in the last strike, the players tried to put on exhibition games (Atlantic City was one of them) and they were disasters because they had no one who knew how to stage a game; all they did was play the game. Well, now they would have a league of their own - to coin a phrase. Granted the franchises are in cities like Albany and Rapid City and Billings and Buttmunch, but there are places to play exhibition games if they need to do that. And of course, the Players Association could attract some media folks to their product just to show a little muscle. Keep your ears open for the name Robert Johnson (CEO of Black Entertainment Television) with regard to this deal. He and David Falk are very tight.

And finally, one of the candidates for most sociopathic athletes of the decade - Lawrence Phillips - will stand trial in August for a medley of charges to include beating up on his girlfriend. Haven't we been here before? Maybe this guy needs prolonged estrogen therapy?

But don't get me wrong; I love sports...