Sports
The Case Against Sherman Alexie, by A. Birch Steen Attorney Paul Taylor
posted by on May 28 at 9:20 AM
I mentioned this briefly below, but the report in today’s P-I about a lawyer for the Sonics trying to bar Stranger columnist Sherman Alexie from testifying about the basketball team is hilarious—and doubly so for anyone familiar with the writings of A. Birch Steen, who Sonics lawyer Paul Taylor seems to be channeling.
The motion to U.S. District Court Judge Marsha Pechman says neither Levy nor Alexie “has any relevant testimonial knowledge” and requests both be removed from the city’s witness list…Alexie, a Spokane/Coeur d’Alene Indian and Seattle resident, is scheduled to testify on the “Sonics’ role in the Seattle metropolitan community from the perspective of a season ticket holder, the diverse nature of the Sonics’ crowds, the impact of the Sonics on minority communities and the impact of sports on family relationships.”
Tuesday’s motion, filed by attorney Paul Taylor, identified Alexie as a “writer known for his profanity-laced columns about the Sonics” …
“Other than being a season ticket holder, it is unclear what foundation or testimonial knowledge” he would bring. “What is clear are his biased, profanity-laden views about the PBC (Bennett’s Professional Basketball Club).”
The motion then quotes from several colorful Alexie writings in which he expresses hostility toward Bennett, Howard Schultz, Nick Licata and anyone who feels happy about the Sonics’ potential departure, punctuated with expressions not used in most family newspapers.
“The PBC will stipulate to Alexie’s passion,” the motion says. “But his passion proves nothing but an obvious bias and a lack of relevant testimonial knowledge.
Free Alexie!
Is this an indirect reference to his writings in the Stranger? If so, it would be the second time in two days that the trial seems to have brought up Bennett and Co getting defensive about the contents of the Stranger. The other incident is the revelation about emails between folks in OK City wondering whether bad press about their history of supporting anti-choice causes will help get them booted out of Seattle, which is exactly what they wanted.
It is going to be hilarious when he testifies. Go Sherman!
Go Sherman! Just finished Alexie's "flight" - wow.
They were talking about this on Sports Radio this morning as one of the morning DJ's is getting the same treatment. They they just kept referring to him as "a Stranger Writer" though, never calling him by name.
Eli, I think one of the reasons the whole Birch Steen thing works is its immediate proximity to reality; just like all the best satire.
hmmmm....i'd have to agree with the "PBC".
It's idiotic show-boating.
Sherman Alexie, Stranger columnist?
Yeah, I'm sure he prefers that to "National Book Award-winning author."
Funny, on his personal site, you have to dig like Eric Nalder to find the slightest mention of the Stranger.
Your uppity douchbaggery provided my morning chuckle. Thanks!
Yeah, all of his Stranger writing combined adds up to what, 0.5% of his output? No offense, but when The Stranger and Alexie meet, the honor flows from the latter to the former. But then KJR twits don't read books, do they?
I'd like to see the response brief, trying to qualify him as an "expert" on all those issues.
I like Sherman Alexie's writing. I wish the Sonics were the sentimental family pastime he described in his writing, but they aren't.
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