Maybe some of you have seen Uber-Patriot Darren Rovell's hit piece on the winner of the NYC Marathon, Bruin and American citizen Meb Keflezighi. If not, Deadspin has done a great job of listing the Patriotic (TM) talking points from Rovell:

Meb Keflezighi, who won yesterday in New York, is technically American by virtue of him becoming a citizen in 1998, but the fact that he's not American-born takes away from the magnitude of the achievement the headline implies.

[...]

Given our disappointing results, embracing Keflezighi is understandable. But Keflezighi's country of origin is Eritrea, a small country in Africa. He is an American citizen thanks to taking a test and living in our country.

The first point I'd like to make is that Meb did more than just "live" in the country. For the most part, he grew up here. Last time I checked, the University of California, Los Angeles contains three words that identify itself with the United States, so he was educated here. And being a citizen thanks to "taking a test" is no small feat, considering that there are reports circulating that a mere 3.5% of American High School students would be able to pass that same test. I'd like to know if Rovell could pass. I know I have my doubts.

Well, Deadspin, which does a great job of mocking all things stupid in sports and sports reporting, unloads with this gem:

That's right. An American by Scantron. Meb can run around with Old Glory all he wants. Won't change the fact he was born not just in Africa, but in an African country so damn un-American we made Ethiopia bomb the crap out of it for us. So, no, Rovell will not be waving the flag today, thank you very much. He's waiting for an American to win this goddamn race. Someone who really represents these United States of ours. Maybe someone more like that fellow who won way back in 1982, the last time an American broke the tape in New York. Now there was a real American. Guy by the name of Alberto Salazar.

Who was born in Havana.

Let's leave aside the fact that this is a country of immigrants for a second and concede that Rovell does have a point here. Clearly Eritrea is a part of the Axis of Evil (TM), and we should not be embracing this double agent as one of our own. I prefer our heroes to represent American values, like Alberto Salazar, hailing from the great beacon of Democracy (TM) and Freedom (TM); Havana, Cuba. Almost makes you wonder what that whole embargo business is about...

(No, I am not impugning Mr. Salazar's claim to citizenship)

Shamefully, Rovell's stupidity has even been picked up by our own host, SBNation. However, I do suggest clicking through to both and going to the comments where there is more comedy and well reasoned mockery to be had.

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Frontpaged On SBNation.com. GO BRUINS. -N

When the Cavs and Celtics tip off tonight, the 09-10 NBA season will officially be underway, and I'd like to take a moment to acknowledge the Bruins that have made it to the Big Show, and who help ensure the future success of the greatest collegiate basketball program in the country by reminding people across the Southland and nationwide that UCLA is Where Amazing Happens.

In addition to a premiere Eastern Conference matchup mentioned earlier, opening night will also be the night the Los Angeles Lakers receive their championship rings. The World Champions will have a Bruin on their roster this year in Jordan Farmar who will enter his fourth year with many questions to answer about his play. More after the jump.

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