This weekend I am heading down to Ocean City, Maryland to spend some time in a bad investment that Mrs. Field and I got into. I will have my trusted lap top with me so my blogging won't suffer.
Anywho, just for this post, I have some questions and some thoughts. Hey, it's Friday, I always get reflective on a Friday.
Like, for instance, why can't Charles Barkley take a broadcasting class or get a speech coach?
Does the fact that I like to watch Telemundo and speak very little Spanish mean that I am a misogynistic jerk?
If I were a white guy, would I recognize white privilege?
Does Dick Cheney ever get his freak on with Lynne? And do I need to seek help for even thinking such thoughts?
This is an old one, but true: Isn't it ironic that we drive on a Parkway, and park in a Driveway? I am just saying.
Why do black people spend so much money on bullshit? (Like shit for their cars, for instance)
Why do white people spend so much money on their pets?
Why is Texas even still here? (Oh, and governor good hair, you are welcome for that little stimulus money we gave you to fix up your crib.)
Why haven't we learned who killed Biggy and Tupac?
Am I the only one who thinks that Third World is the greatest band ever?
How long does Nancy Pelosi take to put on her makeup?
And speaking of learning to talk: Hey Roland, you might want to look up the speech coach Charles ends up getting.
There really ought to be a law against short sleeve dress shirts.
What the hell did we do before cell phones?
I don't ever want to see another pregnant woman standing at a bus stop by herself.
Speaking of buses; "Get On The Bus" by Spike Lee is a very underrated movie.
Is it just me, or do you all get the same feeling that [some] republicans are just praying that we get attacked before the reign of O is over?
Will we ever know how good Obama's b-ball game is? (Who wants to really body check the president of these divided states?)
Whatever happened to Stedman Graham? And why didn't that dumb Negro marry Oprah?
I miss being a troll, talking shit, and picking e-fights on wingnut blogs.
Why is Angela McGlowan afraid to take up my challenge?
I know she is 52, but Debbie Morgan could still cure my Lark, jones.
Why don't you A-merry-cans like soccer? I can't wait to get my season tickets to the new Philadelphia MSL team.
Am I the only one who thinks that Jamie Foxx had some good points about Miley Cyrus?
Whatever happened to Keith Washington?
And finally, why does it seem like it takes forever to drive across a little ass state like Delaware?
I am out.
57 comments:
Hey! How come I wasnt invited to OC?! I like the beach!
lol
Eh, the oceans too cold at this time, anyways.
We used to have a place down there too. Because I was young, I never really noticed the racial tensions infusing the place. When I went back in my 20s, it was all I could notice. Well, have fun!
:)
And bring me back some saltwater taffy!
L
Ever heard that Jimmy Buffet song "FINS"???... it sounds like its about sharks but listen to it sometime... its shorthand for "F-en I-gnorant N-words" how come y'all never get pissed and protest that????
Frank
I agree completely about Delaware, a state that small shouldn't take so long to drive through
Third World? They are good but Family Man Berrett and the other Wailers were and always will be number one... along with the Red Hot Chilli Peppers. No argument counsel, the judge has ruled.
As to soccer, that is easy. The best thing that ever happened to soccer was the day a boy named Webb Ellis got sick of it and just picked the ball up and ran with it. God bless that young student at Rugby school in England.
BEtter question than would you recognize white privelage would be, what would you DO after you recognizing it?
Charles Barklely? Maybe hes already had lessons? Thats as good as it gets.
White privilige? I dunno, explain it to me, or maybe to the white homeless man I just passed. If its the same schpeil as "post traumatic slavery syndrome", save it.
Whites and dogs? I understand your positions on pets. I think however it may be influenced by the fact that nearly nobody takes the time to properly train their dogs. A well behaved dog is a pleasure. A dog that runs around sticking his nose in your crotch, or tries to take shit off your plate is easily disliked. What is worse for me are people who speak to dogs in complete sentences. Like they understand. Dogs are cool, its usually the owners that are the problem.
How long does Nancy Pelosi take to put on her makeup?
Alot less since the invention of compressed air tools.
Steadman Graham? Probably like the Queen of Englands hubby. Always two steps behind, out of camera frame and silent.
Soccer sucks, it will always suck. Cant get into a game that can end 0-0. "What happened at the game today"? Nothing, not a goddamn thing.
Hey, I have a question bout something I've always wondered about.....Field, why is your logo or whatever a neck and shoulders? I don't get it. I don't see any whipmarks or anything. ???
If red meat is bad for our health, why do, uhhhhhhhh, " some " men eat pxxxy ? LOL...big time. Okay, time to get "something" to eat ;0)
Jamie Foxx needs to aim better than "We're the black Howard Stern." & stop referring to himself in the plural.
A guayabera is an excellent short sleeve dress shirt, but it's not office uniform.
Burning Spear.
White privilege? Most of my friends don't know what that is.
In their defense, it's very difficult as a White dude to see it. (We don't see male privilege either). I can understand it, but only at an abstract level. We're all enslaved to some extent by the false consciousness inherent in the structure of the system.
The Dick & Lynne Cheney question... ewwwwww... I'm actually contemplating celibacy now. Thanks a lot.
Like, for instance, why can't Charles Barkley take a broadcasting class or get a speech coach?
Someone has to speak Negro on TV with Magic
Does the fact that I like to watch Telemundo and speak very little Spanish mean that I am a misogynistic jerk?
No, Try Persian Dance TV or Korean TV or CCTV from China or the Africa channel and I barely speak and write Negro.
If I were a white guy, would I recognize white privilege?
White guys aren’t stupid
Why do black people spend so much money on bullshit? (Like shit for their cars, for instance)
What else would they talk about on the weekend the stock market?
Why do white people spend so much money on their pets? I’ll get back to you
Why is Texas even still here?
Because they don’t give out welfare checks in Mexico
Why haven't we learned who killed Biggy and Tupac?
We have the LAPD & Suge
Am I the only one who thinks that Third World is the greatest band ever? Yes
How long does Nancy Pelosi take to put on her makeup?
Zero time plaster never changes form
And speaking of learning to talk: Hey Roland, you might want to look up the speech coach Charles ends up getting.
Ask “Bla gah bitch”
Is it just me, or do you all get the same feeling that [some] republicans are just praying that we get attacked before the reign of O is over?
Ask Wanda Sykes
Whatever happened to Stedman Graham? And why didn't that dumb Negro marry Oprah?
Armstrong Williams can tell you that
I miss being a troll, talking shit, and picking e-fights on wingnut blogs.
Keep your blood pressure down, someone has to keep putting the smack down
I know she is 52, but Debbie Morgan could still cure my Lark, jones.
“You go Boy”
Why don't you A-merry-cans like soccer? I can't wait to get my season tickets to the new Philadelphia MSL team.
Somebody would ask if they were Mexican
Whatever happened to Keith Washington?
Hanging out with Keith Sweat
And finally, why does it seem like it takes forever to drive across a little ass state like Delaware? Don’t know I’m from Cali
Why am I spending Friday night answering all these questions? Because I don’t have anything else to do.
My "N" FN Rated # 1
1). that’s his folksy style (people relate to that)
2). no, creo que está por delante del juego. (no, i think you’re ahead of the game).
3). no
4). yes and no
5). ok
6). the civil rights act of 1964 and the civil rights act of 1968, was signed only 45 and 41 years ago .. as a group we’re working on understanding priorities and finance and as a group we’ll get to a point where 'stuff' is not that important.
7). they’re a part of the family.
8). governor goodhair and all of his distractions are out in 2010.
9). tupac is alive.
10). maybe
11). she has someone to do that for her. (15 minutes)
12). it's his midwest folksy ways.
13). i agree
14). we waited.
15). i agree .. may i add .. our mothers with grocery bags (take your mothers to the grocery store in your nice cars).
16). i agree
17). its not just you.
18). field negro’s would body check the potus in a game of basketball.
19). what’s the real value of marrying o, i’m certain steadman (what a great name steadman) gets whatever the hell he wants.. my grandmother (bless her soul) would say .. men do not buy the cow when they get the milk for free.
20). ok
21). it’s your reputation.
22). i want to look like debbie morgan at 52 (going to the gym)
23). soccer is civil sport, bloody americans love violence with their sports.
24). no
25). i’ve no idea
26). when i’m on the east coast .. i take the trains.
blogging while on holiday to the negro’s in the field is truly .. 4gen field negro behavior. have a great time.
East Austin those are classic comments.Braking down my post by numbers?Wow.You go on with that.
BTW,Austin is the only part of Tx.I would want to keep.
Anon.3:46AM did the same thing.Edgy,edgy,but I like that.
But you should be forced to listen to "96 degrees in the shade" and tell me if you feel the same way about Third World.The Pelosi comment was off the chain.I am stll laughing about that.
Lola,I feel you on the East Coast beacheas,I won't even swim in them until August.Hey,I am from Jamaica,remember?
BTW,I hate salt water taffy.
Brohammas,Thw original Wailers are a close second.But recognizing "Famiy Man"is FN behavior.I have a new found respect for you now.:)
Mr Whitey,good one about Nancy.(What is with you people and the Nancy jokes?)
Bob,Burnibg Spear is a GREAT artist,but he doesn't qualify as a band in my book.Still,the fact you even know about Burning Spear qualifies you for FN status.:)
GeorgeXXX, was that a trick question? To be a real FN that has to be a part of your lovemaking routine.(Except,to stay with the theme of your comments-when "red meat"is involved.)I know I am Jamaican,but only the Dreads don't believe in shopping down town if you get my drift.:)
Swiff,about the logo:I used to use the image a coopted from a certain university until my. Blog got bigger,and I became afraid of certain legal issues.So I started using my own image (yeah that. ''s me) I had my back turned because I didn't want to be outed(too late for that now).That image of my pic was done by James Collier of "Acting White" blog, and my man GW Priester hooked up the logo on the blog itself.It helps to have talented FN friends.As for the whip marks;I ran away from the plantation before my first whipping.:)
Gregoire!sorry about the Dick and Lynne imagery,clearly I need help.:)
Folks let me apologize now for what is going to ne even more misspelled words than my usual, I am on my Blackberry and my thumbs are waaaay too big for this thing.
As to why Oprah won't marry Steadman, one word:
"Half!"
My husband is a white guy and totally totally unaware. He never has to be. And even when he sometimes seems to get it intellectually, he never gets it viscerally. Never had to. And really if they could, wouldn't there be compassion and generosity in this world?
And Delaware takes so long, because there are so many cars out on the lawns, you think you must be driving through a much bigger place with lots of traffic!
FN you are funny. thanks for the laugh today - I needed it.
I am not a license therapist, but if the thought of Dick and Lynne Cheney bumping nasties keeps coming into your head, I urge you to seek help immediately!
Ha! These are great questions.
Regarding America's dislike of soccer, aka The Beautiful Game, I don't understand it. It's THE number one sport in the world. Is it because we didn't invent it?
I'm seeing ads constantly for the World Cup which will be in South Africa next year. How many Americans will be there?
This week the Champions League Final (Manchester United vs. Barcelona) will be in Rome. It's going to be bananas!
I'd trade my White Privelege in a nano second for a 14 inch Tallywhacker even with that 400 yr history of Slavery, Sickle Cell Gene, and propensity to violence...
Just kidding...
15 inches??? might have to think about it...
Frank, Whiter than pre-Civil War Vemont...
Maybe if Dick and Lynn were getting it on, he wouldn't be talk so much crap out of sexual frustration. But anyway, the soccer question stood out the most to me because...I think soccer is one of the most boring games to watch just over golf. Football ( and don't start with the whole "soccer is football" thing) was always more of my thing. You see a guy with the ball, you hit the guy with the ball. Hell, you hit a guy standing on the field close to the ball. Soccer basically seems like a long track event but with a ball. The guys just run back and forth kicking a ball without seeming to do to much. I don't know, I just think if a group of people are doing to be running around someone needs to be laid out every couple of minutes. No need in having basketball with no hands being played.
“Am I the only one who thinks that Third World is the greatest band ever?”
Yes, it’s just you. Although it must be said, their cover of ‘Slavery Days’ was 90% as good as the original. Higher praise, they don’t need.
**
“There really ought to be a law against short sleeve dress shirts.”
All people who wear a tie with a short-sleeve shirt should be executed. No mercy should be shown.
**
“Whatever happened to Stedman Graham? And why didn't that dumb Negro marry Oprah?”
Dunno what happened to him, but he didn’t marry her because she is a pillow muncher, and he was what’s known in the P.R. industry as “a beard”.
**
“I miss being a troll, talking shit, and picking e-fights on wingnut blogs.”
I still do it, it’s the most fun you can have with your clothes on. Before my life ban Debbie Schlussel was my favourite victim, because she is just so dumb, it was like kicking a puppy.
**
“Why don't you A-merry-cans like soccer?”
I don’t get that either. I was at the game where this goal was scored. If you can’t see the existential beauty of this goal, you are not alive.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgqsaDnsEq8
Yep. I don't feel you with that soccer jones, Field. Too much wasted energy. That's why people go nuts, and tear down the stadiums, and riot, after someone finally scores. Of course, we never loot or riot after college and professional sports championships ( wink, wink ).
G
It's Saturday, I was just about to fix myself lunch, and then I read that comment about Dickless and Lynne. Thank you, Field, for mental imagery that makes fasting for a few hours painless.
Delaware exists outside the normal space-time continuum. So does Rhode Island. They're both tiny, tiny states that seem to take several lifetimes to traverse.
Bigger mystery than white people and pets: humongous fat old ladies of all ethnicities and little tiny rat-like dogs.
hey, man, if you're getting season tickets, you should prolly know the league is MLS, not MSL, but I hear ticket sales are doing well. 7,000 season tickets sold a year before opening day.
Plus you should check out some of the crowds in Seattle this year. Averaging around 28K a game.
So, americans do like soccer, it's just not a part of the mainstream culture.
Go DCU
rhapsodyinbooks keep working with that man.
DuchessDee,you are welcome.
Nyc/caribbean...I can't wait to see Messi get his swere on against Man U.
Eddie and you folks who don't like the "beautiful. Game" need to reconsider your positions.Purple Cow thanks for that link. And I should have clarified my short sleeve dress shirts remark;it's when you add a tie to the mix that it becomes a crime.
FN George,like a true FN,your sarcastic wit is biting.:)
I love watching Telemundo ;-)
FN:
wow...great questions!
ditto to all
debbie morgan becomes more gorgeous each day!!!...she is sexier than janet jackson...
i love "get on the bus"...2 of the best gay characters ever on film therein...
and we do know who killed biggie and tupac...we just do not know why any of them have never been arrested:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFHXjUMwmgk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zs8ATtYNrvI
happy holiday!
ab
Americans and soccer. Where I grew up, far upstate NY, people played soccer. Sort of ethnic leagues, we're talking Germans and stuff, up through the 60s. So, kids learned to play, and I liked it.
But, we did not play a civilized game. When I went off to college I got involved in a not-too-serious team, the core being random foreign grad students. I was shocked to find out that you're not supposed to run people over, and there were RULES about tackling. At first I thought they were being babies, complaining after I knocked them down.
Anyway, US soccer is still a little backward, but I like it. To old to play now, hung up my cleat 10 years ago, at 48.
wow... i have to co-sign on so many of these, but none more than that Debbie Morgan point! haha, i thought i was the only one.
Ummmm....
Tupac is alive!!And he lives down the street from my house!!
i have a question for you.
can i rent your ocean city place?
Field, you would very likely recognize white privilege, though not all white men (or women) do. All it takes is willingness and a little introspection.
Two good sources: Peggy McIntosh's Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack and Robert Jensen's The Heart of Whiteness: Confronting Race, Racism and White PrivilegeAF
FN said: "Why don't you A-merry-cans like soccer? I can't wait to get my season tickets to the new Philadelphia MSL team."
We like soccer all right. Check out the Seattle vs. Denver game tonight. Great play. M
Anon @ 11:38
"Field, you would very likely recognize white privilege, though not all white men (or women) do. All it takes is willingness and a little introspection."
I am so down with what you said. Thank you. Thank you.
A little introspection goes a long way. A seasoning to life that smells oh-so-sweet. M
Brother Field.... This was an excellant day to be at the beach or anywhere close to water. Please visit our Virgina Beach...to you, it far away to be far and close enough to be close. Oh yeah, the water is very clean. Will tackle some of your musing.. I think Steadman got in a relationship where he was the numero uno by virtue of his looks/status then when Oparah bloomed to become Sister O maybe she didnt want him no longer. Me,not being a fly can only guessulate- my term- what went down. Being in the era of her youth, a lot of Negro lite took to "chocolate chippers". I hope my observations about Black life dont ignite some negative feedback. As far as the material baubles that our people surround themselves with; I think feelings of not looking "good enough" causes one to surround him/herself with things . Have you ever wondered how wearing hats is one of our trademarks. Are we hiding our hair or protecting our head from the elements. Previous commenter made a statement I can agree upon about the short time since the Civil Rights era and we will have to mature as a race. I also say we will have to set our own racial standards. I was a youth when the Afro qriginated. It was a large leap of pride when we started to wear thr Afro. This was a break from the debilitating mind=set society placed on our self image. America will always have rated looks and if you are below a certain point... watch out. About white priviledge..don't worry like time going forward Black pride is at the station. We have come a long way and should be very proud. So far our train is still at the station waiting for others who are on "colored people time". My theme is if we take care of our own circle... About the pregnebt women at the bus stop. That is high on my list of Black male betrayal. If you have not car...be out there to assist her. This Panther only knows that I see too,too many young Black females lugging babies and groceries. About Bro Charles... he is so affable that if he change one iota
StillaPanther2 said Have you ever wondered how wearing hats is one of our trademarks.
Please tell me Field that you packed your self a hat for the beach? No hair makes a great reason for wearing a hat. That little bitty paper umbrella will only cheer you up, no sun protection at all.
Have a good one!
what is to be done about the devastating impact on communities of color by drugs and alcohol/ addictions.
my man is in rehab this weekend (30 days) I am just blown away by the lack of support available and the lack of commitment by his immediate family. too much to talk about. to me this is the #1 problem faced by all of us.
Mr.D are u making fun of my dyslexia?Ofcourse I meant MLS.:)I hear Seattle gets a team soon,and they already have a great fan base.Should be fun.
As for DC United;I hope a nice friendly (well this is Philly,it can't be friendly)rivalry develops.
BTW,a little 411 on the field;soccer is the one sport I could have played for money.But my parents were having none of it.Education takes a back seat to nothing.
I am glad I am not the only one with an eye for Debbie Morgan.
Jim,that is so true,I found that American kids used to be much more physical on the pitch.
And go get some cleats,you are never too old for anything.
Maria,we might have to talk.I hope you don't mind the bay side view.
StillaPanther2,I got my ass kicked in Va.Beach once (don't worry my record is still like 40-3 :))so I know your spot well.I promise I will give you a shout the next time I am in your neck of the woods. BTW,I a. Feeling what u said about black folks and our self image.
Lady-Cracker,the dome is covered.:)
Anon.4:03 sorry to hear about your friend.
American's don't like Soccer cause its effin boring...10x worse than Baseball and I'm a Baseball fan...And this is from a guy who went to a German Bundesliga came back in April...thats the real reason everyone fights at the games...out of boredom...Only good part is if its tied and they have a shootout, but y'all real soccer fans don't even like those...
And whats with the "added time" at the end of the game?? Yeah, I know its for "injuries"...right... Soccer makes C-span look fast...
Frank
Not sure if you'll need therapy over the Cheney thought, but I do now that you brought it up.
Good list! Let's see before the advent of the cell phone we waited until we got home to dicuss the details of our day rather than sharing it with the world.
I like my technology just like anybody but sometimes its just too much.
Steadman Graham??? Good question, what didn't he marry Oprah? maybe he knew something the rest of us didn't.
Enjoy your time at the beach! Heading to the beach myself but I am further up the coast.
On the investment , Field... If it's a house or condo -
Hold.
Unless you got it at the peak in '05, it should come back in 2-3 years.
Sitting on a couple of things south of there in Chincoteague, which is a much smaller and quieter town.
Don't think we are at the bottom of the trough yet, unfortunately - in terms of job loss...
Anonymous: Field, you would very likely recognize white privilege, though not all white men (or women) do. All it takes is willingness and a little introspection.The trouble, speaking from my own experience at least, is that what's easy is to learn about white privilege and say, "Oh yes, of course! White people are privileged. I get it now." You know, like it's an easy fix. Just flick a switch in your brain from "racist" to "anti-racist".
Trouble is, racism is an unconscious series of habits as much as it is a conscious view of the world. In other words, even once the light bulb appears over your head, you're still going to around acting the same exact way you did before unless you also start the process of consciously deprogramming years of racist cultural osmosis. Recognizing white privilege means nothing if all I do is say "Well, will you look at that." Gotta start acting different, too. It'll require some humility, and you know, work, I think.
I'll let you know if I ever ascend to a higher anti-racist plane, but recent flash of understanding could end up just like that gym membership I tried once. Somehow other things just kept on coming up...
That's how privilege works. Makes you lazy and stupid, like a warm blanket in winter. If you're comfy under there, and you don't have to get up to do anything, how many people will actually bother getting up?
Thanks for the shout-out, Field!
@Quin - You said: The trouble, speaking from my own experience at least, is that what's easy is to learn about white privilege and say, "Oh yes, of course! White people are privileged. I get it now.". . .Recognizing white privilege means nothing if all I do is say "Well, will you look at that." Gotta start acting different, too. It'll require some humility, and you know, work, I think.Absolutely. You make some excellent points. I was not so much referring to recognizing white privilege as a concept, per se, but recognizing it in practice and calling it out when one sees and/or experiences it.
AF
This is for you, FN.
Have you heard of the Helen and Margaret blog?
Life’s a bitch… and so is Dick Cheney.Margaret, I am here to tell you that Dick Cheney is a bitch – a big one too. I mean I thought that Sarah Palin was a bitch, but even she can’t hold a candle to this guy. Have you been listening to him recently?
I would say that it takes some pretty big balls to go on national television again and again to justify torture, but Dick was too much of a wimp to serve his country in the military so I’m pretty sure there ain’t much hanging between his legs. But being a bitch myself, I can assure you that you don’t need balls to be a bitch. You just need to not give a damn what other people think of you… and Dick doesn’t even care what his family and friends think about him much less the rest of us.
I have to admit that I am more than a little perplexed by Dick’s rise to power. He flunked out of Yale – something even George W. Bush didn’t do – and has at least two DWI’s on his record – one more than Georgie Boy. So basically from 2001 to 2009 we had two dry-drunk idiots running the country. But only one of them has had the good sense to shut the hell up since leaving office.
Cheney came into politics as part of the Nixon administration and ended his politcal career with George W. Bush. Along the way he managed to skip the Reagan years opting instead to represent the least populous state in the Union. In fact, of the past five Republican presidents since Cheney got into politics, the only one that Dick didn’t work for was Ronald Reagan. Talk about a guy who can’t pick a winning horse. He works for Nixon, Ford, skips Reagan, and then comes back for the two Bushes. Four failed Presidencies and this guy still thinks his shit doesn’t stink. Of course this is the guy who headed up the vice presidential search for George W. Bush only to decide to pick himself as the candidate. I’d say he’s mastered the art of not smelling his own shit.
During his tenure as Secretary of Defense he actively worked to reduce the size of our military. And when asked about the FIVE deferments that kept him from serving in the military he responded by saying, “I had other priorities in the sixties than military service.” And yet today he wants us to listen to him pontificate on how best to protect our nation? He shot his friend in the face for goodness sakes. Too bad for his hunting buddies that he got those deferments because the military might have helped him with his aim.
And let’s not forget about his co-workers and family members. When someone manges to pull Scooter Libby out from under the bus, be sure to ask him what he thinks about his former boss. And then there’s his daughter, the lesbian. His own daughter is in a same sex relationship but Dick won’t stand up against his party’s stance on gay marriage. So in addition to shooting his friends in the face and pushing employees under the bus, he also eats his young. Now that, my friend, is one hell of a big bitch.
Hey Dick. Stick a cork in it you good for nothing jackass. You and George were elected with the narrowest of margins and you never looked back. Eight years later an overwhelming majority put Obama in office and as far as I am concerned, he has the green-light to put this country back on track. If you don’t like it, you can kiss my ass, because if I had to choose between liberating Iraq from Saddam or liberating us from you, there would be one more Hussein in the world and one less Cheney. Given the opportunity, I would have stuffed you down that hole in the ground with Saddam and sealed the door shut.
I mean it. Really.
'Mur-kans like Frank D don't like saw-ker (it's football, BTW) because they are stupid. Not all Americans, mind you, just the ones like Frank. However, he did stumble on a point, that if you don't understand the rules of the game or don't have a cultural affinity then you are not likely to enjoy it.
I support my local MLS club because they are local and I love the game. The quality of the play is highly variable but no MLS club would be considered competitive in first or second tier European leagues.
An entire blog could be devoted to examining why a country as large, rich and athletically talented as the US cannot field a competitive men's football side. The women seem to have cracked the code, no pun intended. Any ideas?
Sorry, Frank, but as usual your opinions on the matter don't count.
"An entire blog could be devoted to examining why a country as large, rich and athletically talented as the US cannot field a competitive men's football side. The women seem to have cracked the code, no pun intended. Any ideas?"
Gregory, you are in my wheelhouse here with this one. Let me try and explain what I think: I think great athletes come from environments where they have to work on their skills in extreme environments. Inner city basketball,poor kids in the DR playing baseball, is another one. In places like South America and Mexico you can see kids barefooted kicking around homemade balls in very small spaces and working on their ball skills. It's why the Latin American game (and poorer countries overal) is built around short passes and beating your man one on one. In Western Europe and here in North America, it's the long game with long passes, running on to the ball, and playing from the air.
Here in A-merry-ca you see mostly suburban kids playing soccer (I call if football, too. But when in Rome...)and because of the organization and proper coaching, we have decent teams here which can only carry us so far. To get to the next level we need those really skill players who can do magic with the ball like some of our atheltes do with a basketball or an ice puck.
We need a Lionel Messi, Christiano Ronaldo, or Thierry Henry, or more players closer to their level. Look at what some of the African countries have managed to do. Or even a poor country like Jamaica with the Reggae Boyz. No resources, but they have done well because of the skill level of individual players. The A-merry-can teams are better organized and coached, but we need to put the two things together. Whew! I swear I could go on and on about this stuff forever. :)
That's just my 2 cents.
Dude, what don't you like about Barkley's on-air commentary? I think he sounds great, and his analysis seems to be totally spot on (at least to me, not a b-ball expert). He is totally coherent and logical, and speaks very cleary and with an easy-to-listen-to cadence.
Is there something I'm not getting about this because I'm a white dude?
Field,
First, the "saw-ker" dig wasn't aimed at you, but Frank. Like yourself, I also follow the old Roman admonition, believing that one should be able to ask after sport, booze and prostitutes in the local language. People like Frank get tend to get their Underoos in a twist when reminded, so I confess to deliberately being an arsehole.
I learned long ago that it is a fool's game to argue the relative superiority of different sports. Our passion often blinds us to the fact that one man's beauty is another man's bore and such discussions almost always end with mutual accusations of ignorance and membership in NAMBLA. I love soccer and rugby but will happily watch baseball, football, basketball and hockey with friends who are fans of those games, because ultimately sport is all about the shared experience.
I think MLS might be more popular if the league tried to recruit more foreign stars (major and minor) who are reaching the end of their careers. There is something of a precedent for this, George Best comes to mind as a member of the San Jose Earthquakes in the late '70s. Beckham drew crowds for the Galaxy last year, succeeding in his main task of selling Galaxy jerseys.
It is my understanding that MLS owns all the franchises and determines who can play where, trying to maintain a level pitch. If this is is not the case then I stand corrected, but that would seem to be a self defeating policy,
Will footy ever be "big" in the US? There was a time when ice hockey was a regional game and a Don Rickles punchline, so the answer is a tentative "maybe". Until then we will have to endure dullards like Frank complaining of boredom or expressing barely disguised xenophobia about "furren" games.
Finally, and yes I could go on and on boring everyone, the Champions League final on Wednesday has the promise to be a classic finish. Go Barca.
fn
ps:
my fav book on white privilege =
EVERYTHING BUT THE BURDEN:
WHAT WHITE PEOPLE ARE TAKING FROM BLACK CULTURE
http://www.amazon.com/Everything-But-Burden-People-Culture/dp/076791497X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1243286319&sr=1-1
peace
ab
Gregory, no problem, I know that wasn't for me per se. And I feel your frustration. I love your remedy for what soc...ah football needs as well. (Don't forget Pele with the Cosmos)But I think more great A-merry-can born players are needed. A-merry-cans are too patriotic to truly embrace foreign born stars. And yes, you are right about MLS and their ownership structure. So unlike the other leagues they have a tremendous amount of control with what they can do. Although they do have to worry about transfer fees with foreign clubs. Oh my Gregory, I think we are boring all the folks with this soccer talk. :)
Quin, no problem, you have a great site going on there.
AB and rikyrah, thanks for the links.
Field said: "Why do white people spend so much money on their pets?"
You are soooo right! My daughter works in a pet store. I had assumed that the store was a money loser (maybe for laundering purposes) until she started working there. She said they are busy busy busy!. They make alot of money.
Even in these tough times, people spend tons of money on fancy dog food and goods.
Amazing.
Football used to be real big around here (da burgh does ethnic.) -- before TV came around. We had a lot of great teams.
"If I were a white guy, would I recognize white privilege?"
No, because you would be more likely to posses analytical skills to realize there is no such thing. What you describe as "privilege" is extended to a very small number of whites, usually those with the last or middle names of Kennedy, Vanderbilt, Rockefeller, etc.
All whites have strength in number, and that will not last forever with the hordes of invading Mestizos.
A few quick thoughts about soccer:
What you're describing the ownership structure in MLS is somewhat true. It used to be that two guys owned most of the league, Phil Anshutz and Lamar Hunt with maybe, I think 2 others. So you had these two guys who owned most of the teams. Now, it's a bit different. Most of the teams have their own owners and their own revenue (if they have their own stadium).
I think Chicago and LA are the only two teams who share an owner now. What is true is that player contracts are all done through the league. So, if Benfica comes and wants to buy Freddy Adu, MLS HQ is the place where the decision is made. Real Salt Lake has some say, but ultimately the decision is made by the league. Unfortunately, this does lead to a bit too much parity. One thing that makes international soccer fun is watching Arsenal line up against Man U. You know you're getting the best. A lot better than watching West Brom vs Charlton Athletic.
And for the record, Seattle already has a team and they are averaging around 30,000 a game. The only reasons you don't hear about it it the media is controlled by the old guard who still thinks baseball is king.
Black people. They call them black people because their skin is dark. Like the color of a hershey bar. Some chocolate is dark, some is light brown. And there is white chocolate too. So really we are all just a box of chocolates. I like chocolate, because it tastes good.
Oooh, you’re such an inspiration. I love this blog
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