The Last Dance is appointment viewing for basketball fans and, in the first four installments, the vast majority of consumers have likely enjoyed the product. However, former Chicago Bulls general manager Jerry Krause isn’t painted in the best light during ESPN’s documentary, with the backstory setting Krause up as a significant villain and the central figure in bringing the dynasty to a close.

While there has already been some level of push-back on the notion that Krause was solely to blame for the unraveling of the legendary roster, a prominent figure came to Krause’s defense this week and, in doing so, shifted the focus instead to Chicago Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf.

In visiting with The Dan Patrick Show, Barkley indicated that it would be “asinine and absurd” to think that Krause was the impetus for the breakup, instead saying that Reinsdorf was the reason, citing financial reasons.

Along the way, Barkley cites Horace Grant leaving the Bulls in free agency as evidence of Reinsdorf’s unwillingness to pay top dollar and, even with the backdrop that Jordan was making unprecedented money in 1998, he asserts that the super-human shooting guard was only making that kind of money for a short period of time. Throw in the fact that Scottie Pippen was on a massive bargain and the chips seemingly fall into place.

Of course, Barkley is anything but shy about expressing his opinions, and the reference to Reinsdorf as a “silent assassin” in this case is a good example. It is also crucial to point out that Krause is not able to defend himself, passing away in 2017, while Reinsdorf was interviewed for the film and, of course, Jordan himself had a say in what made the air. Still, it is fair to point out that money is (very) often involved in high-profile decisions like this and, even if the Bulls were in the middle of a fantastic run, it is at least conceivable that Reinsdorf didn’t want to write the big check to keep Jordan, Pippen, Rodman, Phil Jackson and others on board for 1999 and beyond.

Sheriff Jim Neil, 61, and officer Charmaine McGuffey, 62, have known each other for a long time. They both attended the same high school in Cincinnati. They went to the same criminal justice program at University of Cincinnati, and both work at the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office.

Neil was eventually elected sheriff and McGuffey was promoted to Major in Command of jail and court services.

In 2017, Neil fired McGuffey although their reasons for the termination differ. McGuffey claims it happened because she raised concerns over abuse of force by fellow officers and the fact she’s an openly gay woman.

Neil claims he fired McGuffey for creating a hostile work environment. The lawsuit is still pending in federal court.

“The current sheriff and I got into a pretty serious disagreement about the practice of him not holding officers accountable for use of force and harassment of women, female officers, and female inmates,” McGuffey told LGBTQ Nation.

“He fired me. So after about a year or so of contemplating, I decided I can do a better job than him,” she continued. So she ran against him to be the Democratic nominee for Hamilton County Sheriff.

Both candidates are Democrats, however, Neil upset many in his party for appearing on stage with Donald Trump at a 2016 campaign rally. He later provided a sorry-not-sorry for his actions.

“It was selfish on my part because I didn’t take into consideration the other candidates on the Democratic ballot that are going to be running with me because this could not just impact my votes, but it could impact the votes on anyone on the Democratic ballot. I want to apologize for my actions,” Neil said according to Cincinnati.com.

“I’ve been a police officer since 1981,” he added. “I was elected as sheriff in 2012. I’m still performing as a peace officer. I’m not comfortable in the skin of a politician. What you get with Jim Neil is what you get. I’m a public servant… public safety is my priority.”

During the election, Neil was asked whether he acknowledged the disparities in how people of different races were treated in the criminal justice system.

“Sheriff Neil would only respond that he is color blind,” Britt Born, a Democratic Party leader said.

“Quite frankly, my opponent has pretended to be a Democrat for many years now, when he’s actually much more aligned with the Tea Party Republicans. He tells people what they want to hear and then doesn’t follow through,” McGuffey said.

In the Democratic primary held Tuesday, McGuffey beat Neil in a landslide. With about three-fourths of the final vote in, she has a 70% lead over Neil.

“[My election] would mean that our country is moving forward,” she said before election day, “that we really have moved away from the 1950s model of law enforcement, where not just women are embraced in the law enforcement world, but also LGBTQ members of the community can wear a uniform and be quite successful.”

McGuffey will face Republican nominee Bruce Hoffbauer in November and is expected to win.

View Entire Post ›

Chafed skin, frayed cords, chipped furniture, and other nuisances have no place in your life — no they do not.

View Entire Post ›

“I did not know this needed to be said until today, but can y’all not stan possible next-in-line dictators, please?”

View Entire Post ›

“We’re very excited, happy, and grateful for everyone’s well-wishes.”

View Entire Post ›