Two thoughts from the world cup
Watching Ghana vs. Czech Republic, something fairly normal for soccer occurred. An accidental collision occurred which left a Czech player down and Ghana with the ball. There was no foul, so play continued. Ghana intentionally kicked the ball out of bounds to stop play so the injured player could be attended to. After the stoppage, the Czech Republic intentionally gave the ball back to Ghana. The match was very physical and hard-fought, but the welfare of a player was more important.
Now, can you imagine such a display of sportsmanship from US major leagues? Where players with 7, 8 and even 9 digit contracts abandon their fans, whining about not being respected because somebody else got one more million dollars? Where teams threaten to move if cities don't build them free stadiums and exempt them from tax? Where owners and players would rather go on strike then merely be rich instead of a little more rich? Man, could the US major leagues learn a thing or two from international sports.
Secondly, before the US vs. Italy match, a couple of trivia tidbits were offered. For their own protection, the US team stays on the US air base in Ramstein, and they're the only team whose team bus has no designations on it. Rather than proudly display their country's colors like every other World Cup team, the US is forced to hide due to their leaders' desire to wage war for natural resources and corporate interests. This is the same country that in 2001 had a massive global outpouring of sympathy and support, all squandered for selfish interests of corrupt leaders. Sad.
Now, can you imagine such a display of sportsmanship from US major leagues? Where players with 7, 8 and even 9 digit contracts abandon their fans, whining about not being respected because somebody else got one more million dollars? Where teams threaten to move if cities don't build them free stadiums and exempt them from tax? Where owners and players would rather go on strike then merely be rich instead of a little more rich? Man, could the US major leagues learn a thing or two from international sports.
Secondly, before the US vs. Italy match, a couple of trivia tidbits were offered. For their own protection, the US team stays on the US air base in Ramstein, and they're the only team whose team bus has no designations on it. Rather than proudly display their country's colors like every other World Cup team, the US is forced to hide due to their leaders' desire to wage war for natural resources and corporate interests. This is the same country that in 2001 had a massive global outpouring of sympathy and support, all squandered for selfish interests of corrupt leaders. Sad.
posted by zblog | 3:00 PM
2 Comments:
That same sportmanship from the first game wasn't very visible in the second, don't you think? First an Italian almost rips out an American's nose with his elbow. Then two US players almost broke some Italian legs...
All sports can be virulent...
Regarding the entire "for their own safety part", I think you are missing the point.
The concern is not that the general public would hurt or abuse the Americans. The concern is potential terrorist activity against the team.
So the real complaint should be: and after all this, after squandering the world's good will and killing thousands and sending thousands to their deaths, WE ARE STILL a target.
Actually, the same thing happened in the US/Italy game, didn't it? The aggressive play was definitely there, along with the cheap shots, but when there was a potential injury, there was, albiet temporary, sportsmanship.
No, the actions of the administration haven't just made us remain a target, it has greatly increased global distrust and hatred. Those who were not quite bad enough to be terrorists can look to dubya's war for oil as inspiration to push them over the edge and become terrorists. The point is that in a post 9/11 and post Afghanistan world, a US team certainly could be considered a target, but in a post war for oil world, a US team is a more likely target.
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