The Travel Gnome sold somebody a bill of goods

USA Volleyball has announced that Portland, Ore., and Green Bay, Wis., will host the first two weekends of domestic competition when the U.S. Men’s Volleyball Team plays in the 2007 FIVB World League.

I'm assuming Fargo, N.D., and Yuma, Ariz., were busy on those dates?

According to USA Volleyball grand poobah Doug Beal, Portland has hosted matches before, "including the sold-out matches"--Oh, I stand corrected. Perhaps Portland is a solid choi--"between the United States and the Soviet Union in 1985."

The Soviet Union in 1985? Pardon? Well, I'm sure not much has changed in Portland in the last 22 years...right?

As for Green Bay, Beal states that "Its support of the Packers is unmatched in any other NFL city." Yes, the Packers, not men's volleyball. Unless you can cite previous sellouts during the Eisenhower administration.

"We hope to get similar support for our team."

Yeah, and I hope Jennifer Love Hewitt moves in next door. This ain't "The Shawshank Redemption," Douglas, and you're not Morgan Freeman.