Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck has taken some pretty hard hits during his career. But none have been so jarring as being blind-sided by Bush Derangement Syndrome (BDS) over a photo he took with President Bush last week at a $1000-a-plate fundraiser in Bellevue (across the lake from Seattle). The photo ran in the Seattle Post (Lack of) Intelligencer last week and apparently the "we hate you Matt!" liberal hate machine hasn't stopped filling his message machine.

Seattle fullback Mack Strong also appears in the photo, but it's Hasselbeck taking the beating.

PI sports columnist covers the entire story in today's PI here.

Some of the BDS spew directed at Hasselbeck:

"How dare Hasselbeck declare Bush an honorary Seahawk. Who is Matt speaking for? Bush is no Seahawk. He is the worst president of my lifetime, and I'm almost 60. Shame on you, Matt."

"I hate you, I'll never wear your jersey, I'll never like the Seahawks again."

"Just goes to show you that being a great athlete doesn't make you smart."

""To learn that two of the most popular Seahawks are strong (Bush) supporters ruins the season for me and my family."

To we seasoned veterans of BDS taunts and spew, we saw this blitz coming a mile away.

There are, however, several that things strike me as odd, funny, bizarre and secretly hypocritical.

1.) I didn't know liberals even watched football! Oh sure, I'd heard of it. But who knew they'd waste a perfectly good Sunday afternoon with beer-swilling, violence-loving, NeoCons such as myself. I'll be sure to look around the bar this Sunday and see if I spot any more.

2.) What? Liberals think a majority of God-fearing, million-dollar athletes are liberals/Democrats? No, no, my little blue friends. Ever seen guys point to the sky after a TD? Or gather in the center of the field for prayer after a game? Cash their paychecks at a local bank? Live in state-income tax-free states like Texas, Florida, Arizona and, yes, here in Washington?

This is not to say that every major sport athlete is a Republican, no. In fact, a very close and longtime family friend who is a MLB pitcher is a Democrat. The conversation often goes something like this:

Him: "How can you be a Republican?"

Me: "How can you not be after making $6 million last year."

Him: Silence.

Me: "Good. Now to stick to pitching. And enjoy your tax break."

3.) These are Seahawk fans saying this about THEIR quarterback. Nice team support there by the "12th man". (The fans in Seattle are known as the "12th man".)

4.) Mack Strong's mom used to work for GHWB and helped arrange the whole thing. But who takes it on the chin? Yup, the QB. That's football for you.

4.) Of course, no mention of BDS hurled at Strong made its way into Moore's article. That wouldn't be because he's a African American who said he " definitely leaning on the side of conservative views on a lot of things." I can hear the collective wails of liberals now. "A black NeoCon!? Noooooooo!"

5.) The Seahawks organization response has been perfect: No response. At all. Perfect!

6.) Of course "blue" Seahawk fans failed to note that Hasselbeck and Strong have also visited with Gov. Chris Gregoire (D) and former veep Al "We're all melttttting!" Gore.

But never mind all that! It's "let's ship Hasselbeck and Strong to some red state team like the Tennessee Titans for cash and some 5th and 6th round draft picks! I don't even care if they could bring us a Super Bowl! Get them out!"

Well, Matt and Mack, all I can say is, welcome to being a conservative in Seattle.