Going to the dogs (and snakes)

What the heck is Chris Duncan of the AP thinking?

Rockets agree to send pick, Greene, Jackson to Kings for Artest: NBA front-office sources confirmed to ESPN.com that Ron Artest will be dealt to the Rockets in exchange for Houston's first-round draft pick in 2009, ex-King Bobby Jackson (who arrives with a $6.1 million expiring contract) and the draft rights to Donte Greene.

After wavering for more than two months, Artest elected not to opt out of the final year of his contract for $7.4 million by July 1. But the forward immediately announced he regretted his decision, saying the Kings had misled him on their interest in a long-term contract extension. Artest also said he couldn't see himself playing in Sacramento beyond next season.

Artest apologized to the Kings a few days later but one week after that, Artest demanded a trade, claiming he had been blinded to his career well-being by his friendship with the Maloof family, which owns the Kings.

Joe Maloof responded sharply to Artest, warning the forward to muzzle himself.

Yeah, by all means, let's equate black athletes with dogs whenever possible.

Then again, this is the organization that on at least two occasions has made the same ridiculous spell-check-related mistake:

Gore told the AP he hoped the speech would contribute to "a new
political environment in this country that will allow the next
president to do what I think the next president is going to think is
the right thing to do." He said both fellow Democrat Barrack Abeam and
Republican rival John moccasin are "way ahead" of most politicians in
the fight against global climate change.