Ill-advised Facebook post lands rioter in jail

If you're going to insist on acting like a complete buffoon, a little advice: Don't broadcast your stupid intentions to the world. It might land you in jail.

In the wake of the Vancouver Canucks' 4-0 loss to the Boston Bruins on Wednesday in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals, hooliganism took over downtown Vancouver. Cars were set ablaze, store windows were smashed and general lawlessness prevailed until police took control.

One of the rioters was Brock Anton. He also decided it was a smart idea to boast of his involvement on his Facebook page. He admitted to participating in torching a car, assaulting a police officer and getting nailed with tear gas and Mace.

He also became the poster child for antisocial behavior across Canada. He has been ripped across the country on Facebook and Twitter, and in the mainstream media as well. Rumors circulated that Anton was a fictional character and his post was an elaborate hoax. But friends of Anton's confirmed his existence, and police reportedly took Anton into custody Thursday.

Anton had plenty of company. More than 150 rioters were arrested, and more arrests are expected in what authorities called an organized effort by anarchists and troublemakers.

■ BOORISH BEHAVIOR II -- The annual Royal Ascot horse racing meet in England usually is above hooliganism. It's about top hats and tails, designer dresses and fancy hats, a visit by Queen Elizabeth II and the most genteel of environments.

But on Thursday, punks -- some armed with champagne bottles and legs from wooden chairs -- crashed the party, with fistfights breaking out on the apron in front of the homestretch. At least two were arrested, and several others were removed from the grounds.

Ascot has a strict dress code, but that didn't prevent men and women from dressing down, many of them sporting tattoos and bare skin. Racing commentator Sir Peter O'Sullevan told the British tabloid Daily Mail, "It's disrespectful -- not just to the Queen, but to the horses."

■ WEINER ROAST -- Leave it to minor league sports to cash in on the misfortune of others.

In the wake of disgraced former U.S. congressman Anthony Weiner's resignation Thursday after sending photos of himself to young women through social media outlets, the St. Paul (Minn.) Saints are one of the first to exploit the situation.

The Saints have put together a promotion for July 23 -- which happens to be "National Hot Dog Day" -- in which they'll give away "Tweeting Weiner Boxer Shorts" to the first 1,501 fans in attendance. The white boxers feature an illustration of a blue bird taking a photo of a "weiner" with a cell phone.

The Saints, an independent minor league team, are owned by Mike Veeck, son of legendary owner Bill Veeck, and comedian Bill Murray. Known for their zany promotions, the Saints have a pink cow named Mudonna for a mascot and have a trained pig named Justin Bieboar deliver game balls to the umpires.

They weren't about to let the Weiner opportunity slip by.

COMPILED BY STEVE CARP
LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL