MOODY: Saints need to shut up and accept their punishment

The New Orleans Saints need to sit down, shut up and take their penalties like men.

Did they realy think they would get lighter sentences or get off completely? I mean the league told the Saints to stop and they didn't, which is why Roger Goodell was so forceful with the punishments.

I know the union thinks that Goodell doesn't have the right to play judge and jury in these instances; it thinks that one person shouldn't wield so much power. I disagree. Goodell, no matter what, wants what's best for the league and he'll make his decisions based on that.

Strong leadership has made the NFL what it is today - the best-run organization in America. Pete Rozelle, Paul Tagliabue and now Goodell have done great jobs running the NFL.

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Former Carson High pole vaulter Mike Arnold has gone on to bigger and better things since leaving the Silver State to attend Idaho State University in Pocatello.

Arnold, a senior, hit an Olympic Trial B standard on June 1 when he vaulted 5.53 meters (18' 1 3/4") at the Idaho State pole vault mini-series.

The height provisionally qualifies him for the United States Olympic Trials June 22nd-July 1st in Eugene, Oregon.

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Nate White umpiring a Major League Baseball game in the near future? Don't bet against the Carson High grad, who was recently promoted from the California League to the Texas League. The move puts White just two steps away from the MLB.

A key could be whether White stays more than one full season in Double-A before moving up to the American Associaton or the PCL. Normally there is a bit of a logjam once you hit Triple-A, and good umpires have been known to spend five or six years at the Triple-A level. Hopefully Nate can continue to progress rapidly through the ranks.

White isn't the only Carson resident striving to make the big time.

Clint Vondrak is currently umpiring Rookie League ball in Arizona. He attended umpire school this past year.

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Another reminder, today is the day to help out one of our own.

WNC shortstop Melanie Pfeiffer, who was diagnosed with melanoma cancer back in late April and underwent surgery on June 1. Her WNC teammates and coaches have organized a walk-run event today at 4 p.m. The race starts and ends at El Charro Avitia. The cost is $25, and all monies go toward paying off Pfeiffer's medical bills. She currently has no insurance. There is a complementary buffet for the participants and donors.

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The U.S. Open starts Thursday at the Olympic Club in San Francisco. Tiger Woods, coming off a win at Memorial, would appear to be the favorite. He has won twice this year, and he put on an absolute clinic two weeks ago.

I'd love to see Tiger win and get one step closer to Jack Nicklaus for most majors won, but I don't think he'll do it.