This might just be the coolest thing I’ve seen all year. Auto racing is for wimps, rocket racing is for real men. The Rocket Racing League yesterday displayed its prototype “formula one” rocket powered aircraft that will be the vehicle the league will use to run its races. That is freakin cool.

How does one race rocket planes you ask? Well the planes will fly through a three dimensional course that shows up in the HUD (heads up display) of the pilots, and i assume on monitors for people on the ground. Think of it like that old nintendo video game Star Fox, only in real life…and without the dumbass animals talking to you the whole time.

If you want to watch an example of the racing, watch this video

Its about time that someone does something cool like this. I have never gotten into NASCAR or INDY or F1 racing at all, seemed too boring to me watching cars go around circles or closed loops, but this…this is different. It could be like watching a race scene out of a bad star wars movie in real life, only much better because that bastard Jar Jar Binks isn’t shucking and jiving all over the place. The only question is, which ESPN channel with this be on…or has Versus found something else to add to its programming besides the NHL?

Originally found via Space.com

So let me get this straight. Maybe I’m just a bit slow but I have a good reason. For some unknown and unjustifiable reason, I listened to Stephen A. Smith’s take on Stephon Marbury’s testimony on his radio show yesterday. I feel like I huffed enough glue to put down a gang of 50 Brazilian street kids. I’ve heard more rational thought from a mule.

Anyway, I digress. Roger Goodell has passed judgment. $500,000 for Belichick, $250,000 for the Patriots and a loss of a first-round draft pick only if the Pats don’t make the playoffs? How the hell is that fair? A larger fine would be a good start as well as a loss of a first, second and third round pick. A multi-game suspension would have been appropriate as well.

“I specifically considered whether to impose a suspension on Coach Belichick,” Goodell also wrote. “I have determined not to do so, largely because I believe that the discipline I am imposing of a maximum fine and forfeiture of a first-round draft choice, or multiple draft choices, is in fact more significant and long-lasting, and therefore more effective, than a suspension.”

Besides an out of pocket expense, the Pats have just gotten away with robbery. There’s no reason he couldn’t have added a suspension as well as taken away draft picks and fined Belichick and the club.

Perhaps the Commish should look to F1 for a guide on how to bring the hammer of justice down on perpetrators.

The World Motor Sports Council fined the McLaren team $100 million and took away all their constructors’ points after being nailed for spying on rival team Ferrari. McLaren may even face more punishment for the 2008 season.

Would a comparable punishment be warranted in the case of the Patriots and especially Belichick? It would. Maybe they could start the rest of their games this season 14 points down. I’d be fine with them being forced to start Junior Seau, the mascot or Ted Kennedy at QB for a half to be decided by the opposing team.