Venezuelan soccer fans are using the Copa America to express political opposition to President Hugo Chavez:

The chants - which included "This government is going to fall!" - began shortly into the second half of Thursday's match between the U.S. and Argentina in the western city of Maracaibo, a stronghold of opposition to Chavez. Chavez opponents are hoping the arrival of thousands of tourists for the South American championship will draw attention to their protests against the president's refusal to renew the license of a popular opposition-aligned television channel.

TV can create some strong opinions.  I recall the violent tirades of my father after the White Sox signed with SportsVision (a regional cable outlet) in the early '80s — his 25% Dutch ancestry prevented him from paying for cable television. To soothe him, my mother would ply him with whiskey, and my siblings and I would re-enact the events of the game based on the radio descriptions.  It took us a few seasons to ascertain what amount of liquor coupled with the hapless play of the Pale Hose would appease him, so we slightly altered the results of the some contests as we saw fit.  Consequently, my father went to the Great Beyond believing the Sox were undefeated in 1987.

Bravo to the anti-Chavez protesters, but remember that the squeaky wheel gets the grease.  And by "grease", I mean a "hail of state-sponsored gunfire". -KD

Michelle Wie has withdrawn for the Women's U.S. Open:

Wie, who shot a first-round 82, was at 6-over through the back nine when she sent her tee shot on No. 1 into the left rough. Immediately after striking her second shot, she approached USGA personnel and walked off the course.

I can sympathize with Michelle, as I often withdraw myself after a poor stroke.  It's a good thing we all know Michelle is a mature young lady, or else this would smack of spoiled brat taking her ball and going home after she realizes she can't win.

"I just kind of woke up, and it was really sore," Wie said. "But it was OK. It held up. … I tweaked it. And then after that it kind of went downhill. I don't remember hurting this much again."

Huh?  You are unable to remember past recollections about present events accurately in the future?  This clarifies Wie's poor performance as it's obvious she's on LSD.  From her Vonnegutesque conception of the space-time continuum, I would wager she's sampling some White Fluff.  Ride it out kid, and remember the talking clouds are not your friends. -KD

Anucha Browne Sanders, a former New York Knicks executive who is suing Isiah Thomas for sexual harassment, has made a very interesting allegation:

In the papers, which were unsealed Friday, Browne Sanders alleges cheerleader Petra Pope told her Thomas encouraged Pope to flirt with officials before a game against the Nets in 2004, the Daily News reported.  "What she told me was that Isiah asked her to go into the referees' locker room and make them happy," Browne Sanders testified.

I believe Miss Pope may have misunderstood Isiah.  From what I know about strippers cheerleaders and NBA referees, one must do a lot more than flirt to make them happy.  The fine men and women in pinstripes who patrol the hardwood are deaf to any sort of verbal coercion whether it be a whiny "That was not a charge!" or a breathy "All that running has given you a fine ass, Mr. Hollins."  To make your message clear that you want your squad to receive some preferential treatment, only physical contact will suffice.  I'm thinking of a deep-tissue massage followed with a "happy sunshine" ending.  

Anyway, it appears that young Petra Pope went into the wrong locker room because she became an executive for the New Jersey Nets.  Brown Sanders went on to make more allegations, such as:

Sanders also claimed a member of her staff admitted to consensual drunken sex with [Stephon] Marbury after a night at a "gentlemen's club" and said "she did not believe she could say no because of who Marbury is."

Yeah, I wouldn't go bragging about that either.  I mean it's Stephon Marbury, that's just embarrassing. -KD

(Photo credit: SI.com.) 

What to watch for in this weekend's biggest match-ups. Home team in ALL CAPS. All times Eastern.

Batman over SPIDER-MAN — I respect Batman more because he's rich.  And a scientist.

Lucy Pinder over Michelle Marsh — I believe this photo is evidence enough.  But really, when these two face off we're all winners.

Short-shorts and Heels over SUNDRESS — That's my recommendation for the ladies this summer.  But what do I know, I just want to have sex with them.

NBA DRAFT over NFL Draft — Five minutes between picks versus 15 minutes.  Brilliant!

Twins over TIGERS (Friday, 7:05 p.m.) –  Great matchup of Santana and Verlander tonight.  I say Johan brings it.

Kevin's got the weekend shift, so stop by when you're not otherwise enjoying your pre-4th of July non-holiday weekend.  Try to stay out of jail, please.  Unless some bartender tries to cut you off, because what does that guy know about handling his liquor anyway?

Is there anything worse in the sports media than completely senseless weekly power rankings?  Well, yes: a conversation between Stephen A. Smith and Dick Vitale. And also people who actually have some kind of emotional investment in power rankings.

Do you care about other people's power rankings? If you answered yes, then you are a dipshit. If not, then these are the power rankings for you.

1. Scarlett.  A while back a German reader sent me a zip file with 50 photos of her.  He's my hero.  And probably in jail now.

2. Fishing.  Ow, my groin! 

3. Dice-K.  A no-decision as the Red Sox gets swept.  Doesn't sound like a big deal until you see the picture. 

4. Golf.  Gators and strippers, or drinking and driving?  Pretty good week for links links. 

5. New sheets.  So much better than sleeping on a bare mattress.  Or in an alley, depending on the day of the week.

6. Italian soccer.  Match-fixing and now this, the gayest thing ever. But hey, that World Cup last year was nice.

7. Kuwaiti basketball.  Somewhat tougher than you might imagine. 

8. Jon Kitna.  The Touchdown Assassin is coming for you, NFL.  Better hire a czar, like how the government hired a czar for Iraq. 

9. Mustard.  I prefer a glass of vintage Dijon with dinner, but I suppose I could chug some French's yellow at the ballpark.

10. Pneumatic pogo sticks.  How to get the ladies.

Random-ass video: you may have caught the link earlier in the week, but if not… episode 4 dropped, and the remix is HOT.

I, for one, downloaded it on iTunes so I can watch it on my video iPod.  I heard that's what the kids do these days. 

Daniela Hantuchova entered the fourth round of Wimbledon by beating Katarina Srebotnik 2-6, 6-3, 6-4.  Fascinating, I know.

And here she is yesterday at the All England Lawn Club or whatever the hell they call Wimbledon.  Lawn Clubs.  I think they have a lot of those in middle class suburban neighborhoods.  You know, the guys who use so much fertilizer on their lawns that they have to cut the grass two or three times a week?  What a bunch of fuckin losers.  They should watch me and see how cool it is to stay inside on a computer all day.

What was I talking about?  Oh right, tennis.  As you'll notice in these pics, Daniela has some semi-revealing faults in her clothing.  And thank me for not giving you ultra-high res photos of her face — she's got a little bit of Mauresmo fur and some acne.  But I think that's okay when your legs are as long as hers.  My God man.  Willow trees aren't that willowy.