Sez Me ...

San Diego. America’s Spineless City.

They all say they want the Chargers to stay. Check that. They want to stay in office.

If our politicians cared, they’d help find a way instead of bitching and complaining and running scared. Maybe they’d read something before defaming it. Maybe they wouldn’t leap head-long to conclusions before hearing people out.


And all of them have a better idea — except when they’re asked what it is and can’t come up with an answer.

Mayberry had more vision.

The Chargers have posted their 110-page downtown stadium/convention center initiative, and it’s as though they dusted the floors of City Hall with seed. That bastion of civic pride immediately became a chicken coop.

There obviously are powers that can’t be seen in this town, powers that frighten people who should have the ultimate muscle. I can’t say for sure that it’s the hoteliers, because I have no idea who they are and what exactly motivates them to believe what they do. But it is strong, and so many of the pols around here over the last few decades haven’t needed extra pressure to become weak, worrying about their next election campaign.


They’re collectively going to lay a massive egg on this one, but it was to be expected. Mention “stadium” to local politicians, and they see their wonderful futures in public office flash before their myopic eyes.

It happened before, when San Diego could have had a new stadium for 60 acres of land. It won’t happen again. Because this is their last chance. And this one isn’t even about a stadium by itself. It’s a way to combine two things San Diego needs, two things City Hallians have completely botched, from their willingness to turn Qualcomm Stadium into a slum to building the convention center too small (twice).

But nobody talks about that. They talk about giving Dean Spanos spending loot, although the only way they’re affected by this measure is if they stay in a local hotel. They all say we need a convention center addition, and it’s obvious now that the contiguous addition idea isn’t going to work. And yet this is all about the stadium and Spanos, which is sexy, but hardly entirely true.

But that’s San Diego for ya.


Just about every pol has had a negative slant. Mayor Kevin Faulconer is taking a cautious stance, but this is civics in a hurry. We need a yea or nay.

The cry: “Why should we give tax money to a billionaire?” — forgetting that Faulconer’s original Mission Valley plan had the city and county dishing out $350 million and the land.

But the Chargers know this: Without Faulconer’s backing, this long shot isn’t winning the race. As it is, if it takes a two-thirds vote to pass, it has no chance of working anyway.

The Chargers hardly are innocent, but in the two matters mentioned above, they are. If this doesn’t get done and they move on to Inglewood to become Rams caddies, that’s their prerogative. I’ll say they’ll never rise above subjects in L.A., which doesn’t want them there anyway. I won’t blame them if they leave. I’ll always blame the city. But when they flop in L.A., I won’t feel sorry for them, either.


It will be our loss, a terrible one for this community. But that’s OK. An MLS team will make up for it. …

The Patriots are edging closer to a roster with 52 tight ends. …

Because of free-agency restrictions, Texans coach Bill O’Brien and his staff never met quarterback Brock Osweiler before giving him a $72 million contract. What’s more stupid, the rule or the Texans? …

LaDainian Tomlinson: “There are no shut-down corners in the NFL.” Right. Under these rules? Not possible. …


Tim Tebow is “intrigued” by the idea of running for public office. OK. As long as he’s running and not passing. …

Laquon Treadwell, the Ole Miss receiver projected as a high draft choice, ran the shuttle in 4.25 at his pro day. He’s going to be hell at Sunday Elks picnics. …

Due to the expected yam famine in Jamaica, super sprinter Usain Bolt says the Rio Olympics will be his last. …

PredictionMachine.com has named 1971-72 UCLA, which went 30-0 with Bill Walton as a sophomore, the greatest college team of all time. Average win by 30 points. Best I ever saw. …


Don’t care how well it’s played or where it’s gone, Syracuse, for so many reasons, had no business being in the NCAA Tournament. The NCAA and its selection committee rank No. 2 behind the NFL in arrogance. …

Don’t remember the Aztecs ever losing to a president. But at least they lost to the first one. …

Malik Pope may have a chance one day, but he’s about as NBA-ready now as I am for the Badwater Ultramarathon. …

Mike McCoy celebrated a birthday Thursday. He knew the date he was born. He’s not sure about the time. …


If you expected Tiger to play in the Masters, please dial 9-1-1. Carefully. …

The biggest mistake of my life was allowing D’Angelo Russell to film my bachelor party.

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