So today's RVOTD is actually just audio rather than a full-on video clip, but after the big U.S. win in stoppage time and with this Reuters article, I had to post this clip of Glenn Beck's astonishingly bad (even for him) analogy between the World Cup and Pres. Obama's policies. Despite the fact that a record number of people in the U.S. are watching the World Cup, Beck insists "We don't want the World Cup! We don't like the World Cup!" Clearly, he can't mean everyone because that's just not true. What he must mean by "we" is "people who think like me." So yes, Glenn, people who think like you do think like you. Good point.
Showing posts with label World Cup. Show all posts
Showing posts with label World Cup. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Ridiculous Video of the Day
Building on yesterday's theme of stop motion animation and the world's current theme of soccer, here's today's RVOTD. With vuvuzelas buzzing (always, constantly, buzzing) here are the highlights of the US v. England match in Lego form. I have to say, their version of the US goal is pretty perfectly done. Enjoy.
Friday, June 4, 2010
A Case for the World Cup
In a little over a week, the U.S. will face England in its opening World Cup match in S. Africa, and yet, a lot of people just don't care. With three perfect games being pitched in a month, the NBA and NHL finals being played, primary elections and oil plumes galore, the American people have a lot on their minds. This, of course, is beside the fact that America has never really cared much about soccer. But we should.
The World Cup, perhaps even more than the Olympics, is an important endeavor exactly because every other country cares so much. In Europe, Africa, S. America and, to some extent, Asia, soccer is a religion unto itself, where emotions run (too) high and national and club teams are followed with utmost scrutiny. But we've all heard the argument that America should get on board with the rest of the world to be a good world citizen and have kind of ignored it.
For a long time I found soccer to be dull and slow- and it is, in some ways compared to American football, hockey and basketball. Some try to point out similarities between soccer and hockey (low scores, similar offside rules, etc.) but it's nowhere near the same, as the sheer size of the soccer pitch creates so much space in which to slow down the game.
Recently, I've found baseball to be the better analogy. When I was little I played baseball because every American kid plays baseball and I liked it o.k. but found it pretty slow to watch. The older I get and the more I watch it, however, I realize that the slow pace makes for great strategy and that when excitement comes, it's an experience. As is soccer. The goals may be few and far between (like runs), but the strategy necessary to move a ball into striking territory, the athleticism it takes to run for so long and control the ball and the excitement when a goal is actually scored is something to pay attention to.
So, yes, we should be watching the World Cup because everyone else does and it's good global relations. Yes, we should be watching the World Cup to support our national team even if we don't care much for the game otherwise (how many of us keep up on non-Olympic curling?). But most importantly, we should be watching the World Cup because soccer's just a good game we haven't yet gotten into. Give it a try- I don't think you'll be disappointed.
And this, for some inspiration.
The World Cup, perhaps even more than the Olympics, is an important endeavor exactly because every other country cares so much. In Europe, Africa, S. America and, to some extent, Asia, soccer is a religion unto itself, where emotions run (too) high and national and club teams are followed with utmost scrutiny. But we've all heard the argument that America should get on board with the rest of the world to be a good world citizen and have kind of ignored it.
For a long time I found soccer to be dull and slow- and it is, in some ways compared to American football, hockey and basketball. Some try to point out similarities between soccer and hockey (low scores, similar offside rules, etc.) but it's nowhere near the same, as the sheer size of the soccer pitch creates so much space in which to slow down the game.
Recently, I've found baseball to be the better analogy. When I was little I played baseball because every American kid plays baseball and I liked it o.k. but found it pretty slow to watch. The older I get and the more I watch it, however, I realize that the slow pace makes for great strategy and that when excitement comes, it's an experience. As is soccer. The goals may be few and far between (like runs), but the strategy necessary to move a ball into striking territory, the athleticism it takes to run for so long and control the ball and the excitement when a goal is actually scored is something to pay attention to.
So, yes, we should be watching the World Cup because everyone else does and it's good global relations. Yes, we should be watching the World Cup to support our national team even if we don't care much for the game otherwise (how many of us keep up on non-Olympic curling?). But most importantly, we should be watching the World Cup because soccer's just a good game we haven't yet gotten into. Give it a try- I don't think you'll be disappointed.
And this, for some inspiration.
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