Off-Topic

SOMEWHERE IN BETWEEN on-topic and off-, I find the basketbrawl scandal fascinating for its lessons in how words sometimes don't mean what they mean. For instance, how you can deliberately hit someone in a non-contact sport and it's a foul, sure, but by no means a flagrant foul. (I sure hope no sports commentator ever does anything flagrant to me.) And then there's the slippery concept of disrespect that for some is second to nothing--nothing--in importance. Flagrantly fling me off a bridge if you must, but don't you dare disrespect me. Whatever I mean by that.