So I have been watching the U.S Open for the past two days, and I have found it a bit offensive that Long Island has been included in the typical New Yorker stereotype. ESPN runs a promo that features a middle aged guy with a thick Italian accent. You know the kind… the “Hey Yo I’m from Brooklyn Fuggedaboutit Ma Put the Sauce On it’s Gettin Late!” In other promos, the Empire State Building and Times Square are prominently shown. The last time I checked, the U.S. Open was being held at Bethpage State Park…in Farmingdale… on Long Island.

My point is, I think there is a difference between “Long Islanders” and “New Yorkers.” Now of course, Long Island is part of New York, but I don’t think we on Long Island need to be mashed into the tough guy New Yorker attitude that is usually associated with people from the city. Long Island has plenty of people and places that could have been used in the promos for ESPN. Instead of the Empire State Building 50 miles away in NYC, why not use The Big Duck in Flanders? Instead of hiring some loser actor from Staten Island, why not have a Long Island Legend like Christie Brinkley go on with the awesome Long Island accent (“Watch the boys hit the gawlf bawls and enjoy some soder or wawter.”)

I think Phil will win.