The sport of mixed martial arts (MMA) is growing rapidly in the U.S. Its increasing popularity through promotion companies such as the UFC and Strikeforce has reached fans everywhere. Three states however, including New York, deem professional mixed martial arts illegal.

It's really tempting to Fisk all the bone-headed mistakes and ritualistic tautology in yesterday's NY Post piece: LMDC NOW SHEL'S OWN 'PORK FARM', but I was overwhelmed and under-motivated.

The template here is simple enough though, its got 'Another Botched Post Hit-Piece' written all over it. Somebody needs to create a Wikipedia entry for this kind of thing.

My guess is that the Post's got some walkie-talkie on the LMDC board, maybe a Bloomberg-Sheekey appointee, griping about how Shelly Silver allocates his member item money. Which of course, is not only none of this board member's business, but also way out of line for him/her to express a personal view on how elected officials conduct their legislative business.

I give the chances of this happening as slim and none. Still, it's getting to be quite an editorial chorus. --B.P.

http://www.nydailynews.com/opinions/2008/09/07/2008-09-07_dump_sheldon_silver.html

Dump Sheldon Silver

Sunday, September 7th 2008, 4:00 AM

The time has come for the voters of lower Manhattan to turn Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver out of office.

Still the longest of longshots, but one can always hope. Change!

http://www.nypost.com/seven/08242008/postopinion/editorials/newell_for_assembly_125822.htm
NEWELL FOR ASSEMBLY

Posted: 3:21 am
August 24, 2008

Democratic voters in Lower Manhattan have a chance to send a dramatic message on Primary Day, Sept. 9: They can bring down Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver - and shake Albany's pay-to-play culture to its core.