All Europe: Germany, Netherlands, Spain, Italy.
A reader, John, has nailed me on a recent soccer post, where I echoed Kissinger’s statement that U.S. soccer needs “minorities.” Not sure if you’re agreeing fully with Kissinger here — I hope not, because his comment is effectively racist….
The Ghana victory over the U.S., catapulting their team into the second round, is of course big news in Africa. The Accra Daily Mail is calling the upcoming Brazil match “the mother of all matches.” And from the South Africa…
Did you catch Michaele Weissman’s piece on the front page of the Times Business section yesterday, about an idealistic Chicago coffee company that is paying double ordinary prices to Nicaraguan growers, willingly, to get connoisseur beans for discriminating drinkers here?…
So this morning I was trying to figure out what they mean. I think “loathe” is attractive because it’s a low-burning feeling, it isn’t pugilistic like hatred. Hatred really means you have to have hostilities. Loathing can come and go,…
Henry Kissinger was just talking about soccer on the (rebroadcast of last night’s) Charlie Rose. Why isn’t American soccer good? “There are not enough minorities.” The players tend to be “middle class, suburban children.” A similar point was made here….
Garrett Eisler, at Playgoer, led the New York theater community in its uprising a few months back over the cancellation of the play “My Name Is Rachel Corrie.” Today he offers a sharp interpretation of the news that the play…
Ghana are in orange, the U.S. is in discreet blue and white. Soccer uniforms are not supposed to be sober; There are six people in Times Square watching seven Jumbotrons. The entire country of Ghana has a half day off;…
I’m feeling the need to rationalize the fact that I’m pulling for Ghana this morning. It’s not anything I decided, I just want Ghana to win. Got to admit it. Feels a little unpatriotic. Especially when chinpullers on the left…