Politics 2000

The Delaware Supreme Court ruled this week that the recently-passed law legalizing sports gambling is constitutional. Gov. Jack Markell has made bringing sports betting to his state a mission of his administration, despite the National Football League’s disapproval.

The NFL, plus the other major U.S. pro leagues and the NCAA, wants the public to believe betting is not a key reason for the high viewership. Markell knows the truth: lots of sports fans like to gamble. That watching a contest between two subpar squads isn’t enough to generate interest for some fans, unless they have “action” riding on the outcome.

I’ve not bet on sports. Mostly because, thanks to the point spread on each contest, consistently picking winners is next to impossible.

One doesn’t have to be a sports fan to want to know “what’s in it for me.” What’s more interactive than knowing you’ll win or lose $100 depending on whether the last shot is made or not?

The NCAA is threatening Delaware by talking about banning the state’s colleges from hosting postseason action. There wasn’t much chance Delaware or Delaware State would be hosting the Rose Bowl or the Final Four so there’s not much risk.

I don’t recommend you gamble. The system is built on losers. Just watch and be entertained. However, Delaware is wise to find revenue sources wherever it can.

In spite of near-universal condemnation, North Korea tested its newest long-range nuclear missile this week. The North Koreans said the test was a success, although the Japanese disagreed.

North Korea also announced it was no longer bound by the 1953 ceasefire agreement that halted the Korean War. No outright peace treaty was ever signed between North and South Korea. So the nations have been at war officially since 1950.

The U.S. would like China and Japan to pressure North Korea into stopping the upgrade of its nuclear program. North Korea has the fourth largest military in the world. Per capita, North Korea has easily the biggest armed forces. In addition, the country has nuclear capability although the extent of it is debated.

There were talks last year. Both North Korea and the U.S. blame the other for breaking promises. Perhaps diplomatic efforts will work now. Military action isn’t feasible. After protecting the De-Militarized Zone that divided the Korean Penisula for more than a half-century, doing nothing should fighting resume doesn’t seem feasible either.

President Obama selected Sonia Sotomayor, a judge on the U.S. Second District Court of Appeals, to replace retiring Supreme Court Justice David Souter. If confirmed by the Senate, Sotomayor would be the first Latina justice and would likely begin serving in October.

George H.W. Bush appointed Souter to the Supreme Court in 1991. Then-President Bush nominated Sotomayor to a federal judgeship in New York in 1992. Bill Clinton appointed Sotomayor to her current position in 1998.

Sotomayor turns 55 next month. Assuming good health, she could easily serve 20 years on the Supreme Court. She is considered a political centrist, as is Souter. That point is buoyed by the fact she received appointments from both Republican and Democratic presidents.