One of those ashamed to be an American moments...
They happen for me from time to time. Like when we send our military off to fight unnecessary wars. Or when we meddle in the affairs of other countries to make sure democratic happenings go the way certain people in our country want them to. Or worse, when we support the most wicked and despotic regimes.
This time, it has to do with the World Cup. Last week, one of our players made a comment that playing in the world cup was like War. One of our forwards, Eddie Johnson, said that last Wednesday.
And I thought, "OK, yes, it's a battle, of sorts, and surely he was speaking metaphorically."
Italy's Giordano thought so as well, saying that he thought, "Johnson was only referring to the competitive aspect of war."
But when asked to clarify the comment, Johnson said, ""Yeah, whenever you put your jersey on and you look at your crest and the national anthem's going on, and you're playing against a different country, it's like you do or die, it's survival of the (fittest) over 90 minutes-plus. We're going to go out there and do whatever we've got to do, make tackles, do the things when the referee's not looking. ... to get three points."
Do the things when the referee's not looking? Is that what we have to do to win? What am I supposed to say to my boy about this? This guy is representing our country on the world stage? It's no wonder world opinion is turning against Americans, and not just our leaders and our foreign policy.
Incidentally, the U.S. team stayed at Rammstein Air Force base for security reasons. Hunkered down in the Green Zone, I guess. And I am speaking metaphorically.
If I was the referee, I would have stopped play right after the kickoff, and immediately shown Johnson a yellow card, and said, "You better make REAL sure I'm not looking."
As it turned out, the officiating was disastrous and we weren't able to see both teams play their best game. And there was some dirty playing by both sides.
But I don't think McBride should get a purple heart, do you?
This time, it has to do with the World Cup. Last week, one of our players made a comment that playing in the world cup was like War. One of our forwards, Eddie Johnson, said that last Wednesday.
And I thought, "OK, yes, it's a battle, of sorts, and surely he was speaking metaphorically."
Italy's Giordano thought so as well, saying that he thought, "Johnson was only referring to the competitive aspect of war."
But when asked to clarify the comment, Johnson said, ""Yeah, whenever you put your jersey on and you look at your crest and the national anthem's going on, and you're playing against a different country, it's like you do or die, it's survival of the (fittest) over 90 minutes-plus. We're going to go out there and do whatever we've got to do, make tackles, do the things when the referee's not looking. ... to get three points."
Do the things when the referee's not looking? Is that what we have to do to win? What am I supposed to say to my boy about this? This guy is representing our country on the world stage? It's no wonder world opinion is turning against Americans, and not just our leaders and our foreign policy.
Incidentally, the U.S. team stayed at Rammstein Air Force base for security reasons. Hunkered down in the Green Zone, I guess. And I am speaking metaphorically.
If I was the referee, I would have stopped play right after the kickoff, and immediately shown Johnson a yellow card, and said, "You better make REAL sure I'm not looking."
As it turned out, the officiating was disastrous and we weren't able to see both teams play their best game. And there was some dirty playing by both sides.
But I don't think McBride should get a purple heart, do you?
posted by Eric Soderstrom at 1:24 AM
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