I have discussed this topic in the past, but it’s one of those things that never seems to fade in the minds of Miami Dolphins fans as a whole. As long as websites have been available on the internet, where people have been free to share any opinion they wish for the whole world to see, there has been a long-running complaint from many in our fan base that the media just flat-out disrespects or hates our Dolphins.

Many theories about why this happens center on the fact that most of the national media is based in the northeastern US. Many of the talking heads in this industry also come from places like New York, where, if they grew up as fans of one of the local teams, they probably grew up to hate the Dolphins, especially if they grew up in the 70’s or 80’s when the team was somewhere between great and at least good nearly every single season.

I, for one, have never really cared. First off, like many of you, I also grew up a diehard fan of the Miami Hurricanes football program. As such, I long ago learned to embrace the hate as I suspect it will always be there, even if most of their “reasoning” about the team being this way or another behavior-wise is tied to teams that are 30-40 years in the past. Ironically, many of those same players who were labeled as bad guys, thugs, etc., were then cheered and loved by the very same people once they joined their favorite NFL team. Funny how that works…

I can also remember a time, mostly because I am old, when this team was always good and, most years at least, a threat to get to the playoffs and do damage. In those days, and mind you, the media landscape was much different without the internet; the media was not so negative towards the team. In fact, I still have several old magazines, like Sports Illustrated, that had the Dolphins or Dan Marino on the front cover or in a positive featured story. Mind you, this was all during a time when the team was somewhat feared by other teams, not just the poster child for ineptitude.

So with that in mind, this evening’s Phinsider Question Of The Day is:

If you ever did in the first place, do you believe that the national media still shows utter disrespect for the Miami Dolphins, and if so, do you believe that this is deserved, earned, or just regional bias against a team that resides in a place that most of them wish they could actually live?

Please share your thoughts and answers in the comments section below-

ATLANTA – Zoo Atlanta was evacuated Saturday afternoon due to a hoax threat, according to Atlanta police.

What we know:

The Atlanta Police department said officers determined the call was “false.”

FOX 5’s Annie Mapp was at the zoo and spoke with visitors who said they were denied entry and told that the facility had been evacuated.

Mapp reported seeing staff members sitting outside the zoo gate and a heavy police presence in the area. K9 officers were also spotted outside Savannah Hall.

What they’re saying:

Zoo Atlanta released the following statement: 

“Zoo Atlanta received a bomb threat late this afternoon. While this may be the latest in a series of unsubstantiated threats made to organizations around the U.S. in recent weeks, out of an extreme abundance of caution, all Members, guests, and Zoo team members were safely evacuated from Zoo grounds. Law enforcement responded quickly and has confirmed the Zoo is safe.”

What we don’t know:

The exact nature of the hoax has not been released. 

FOX 5 is working to learn more about the situation and has reached out to officials for additional information.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The VA of Augusta held a hiring fair Saturday to recruit health care workers as part of efforts to improve veteran care.

Leaders said staffing has improved over the last two years, with the vacancy rate now down to 12%.

The hiring fair comes as medical students are graduating and the VA of Augusta works to rebuild trust and its workforce.

“So we want to afford them an opportunity to join our team, you know, as they enhance or start their new, embark on their new careers,” said James Doelling, interim executive director at VA Augusta Healthcare System. “But we’re also looking for seasoned people, somebody that’s looking for a change. And to me, be part of the most noble mission there is, caring for our nation’s heroes. Those people that have served us, it’s time for them to be served and get the best care anywhere.”

The Augusta VA has a four-star rating from Medicare.