LightandFluffy, just had to correct you on one thing. You said our probes have either landed on or flown by every planet except Pluto. Well, Pioneer 10 left the Solar System in 1983. So you can take pride in that as well. Or did I misunderstand you and you meant the probes came within close proximity to every planet except Pluto?
“There really should be a minimum IQ requirement in order to post on this board you know….”
I agree. Where do all you idiots come from? What’s hapening to this forum?
Nick, I’m sorry to break it to you, but no one in Rome would have been able to craft such an eloquent response (except Cicero). Besides, a hundred years before Rome fell, the empire had already been fractured into several pieces. It was well on it’s way to collapse. All the danger signs were there. In America, however, we are united and strong. Our lead over our nearest competitors in various areans continues to grow. Remember how Japan was supposed to threaten us economically? Didn’t quite pan out. Remember how Kruschev predicted how he would crush us? Nope, not going to happen. Nick, which nationality are you? Shall we compare countries?
First im not German, dont know where you got that from, guess you just have a gift for reading what you think is there and not what really is. dont play, dont appreciate, dont give a shit?, wow, how did america get to the world cup then? by and large nothing wrong with not giving a hoot, if that all it is, but instead of not talking about soccer, not giving a hoot, americans tear it down, just look at the posts on this page. the first post was just and opinion, nothing offencive in it, unless people are insecure. nothing that great about beating america, its just one more country in the whole world that Germany beat to finish first. the government funding is a really little point of no importance, more like an excuse. i bet you didnt think along the same lines when america wins at or baseball, “gee, we have a rich baseball system here in america, those other guys have to work regular jobs, and pay their own way toooo” Yes yes yes my grammer and spelling arent perfect, a remedial class? gee i dont know maybe because its not my first laungage, tell you what type a post in one of your other languages and Ill see how you go, ok? im sure you speek read and write a couple. yeh i did mean to say that you arnt good at much outside your own country, you are what? willing to bet i didnt? it comes back to reading what is there not what you think is there, perhaps some remedial classes before graduation? lay of the wein, bier, und schnapps? i think i coverd that.
Yes america invented demoracy, your form of government has transformed the planet, i really envery america for that, yes you should be proud. and so should Greece where democracy was born, long before there was a country called america. yes Nick is right, and america is an empire, and like any empire it never thinks the day will come when it falls. it has happened to every empire in the histry of the world. by the way unless you personally made an effort to become an american you cant be proud, just happy, lucky and greatfull.
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAALLLL! Hearing that word is the most exciting and only interesting part of soccer. Hurricanes 3-2 in OT. Now that’s exciting and interesting. GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAALLLLLLL!
Nice going, 1-0 up against Portugal. You’re playing well at th moment, and Vicotr Baia is having a nightmare. I tried to bet in-running on USA next to score at +420 after the goal went in. didn’t work lol.
Fuck me! You’re destroying them! 3-0 in the 36th minute.
I don’t know what happened to this thread…it went from opinions of soccer to me not being allowed to be proud to be an american because i haven’t fought in a war. Viktor, I really love soccer(and yes, i really am American), and i wish i could say this in several languages for you…but you’re a fucking idiot.
My Spanish, Italian, Greek, and Latin, is much better than your English. Which country are you from? I can give you a sample in your mother tongue that is better than your English.
By the way, when I was floating around in ethereal bliss, I chose to be born American. I thought, hey, might as well be born a winner.
For those of us who like the sport, the US upset Portugal 3-2. Thats right, we won!
USA!! USA!!
I live on the West Coast and yes, I woke up to watch the game at 2:00 am
Alright this has gone far enough, my intiaial thread which started as a harmless soccer remark has turned into an over-patriotic, egotisical, stars and stripes underwear wearing mound of horse shit. A person makes a small remark about underfunding and we get a American history lesson coupled with ‘were the best’ bullshit mixed in. Jeez fragile ego or what, get a sense of humour guys this over-patriotic attitude is patheticly laughable. Whats next the star spangled banner?. Some of my pal’s saw this and they were pissing themselves laughing, were you saulooting the flag when you were writing this shit?? Go around saying your the best is why so many dislike Americans and until I saw this thread I thought it was unfair but this shit is genuine. Thanks for giving me a laugh but I can’t stomache anymore of this patriotic bollocks for the sake of your dignaty stop this the world is laughing.
P.S if you’d bothered to mention the facts about the American government you proably won’t be reading this, can’t have ‘commie’ opinions floating around now can we!!
And in the mean time the american team beat the
group favorites (portugal) in one of the best games on the championship.
USA STUNS PORTUGAL. That was the headline. Didn’t read the story. don’t dislike soccer,just indifferent to it. Hey, I don’t watch “Friends” either. That does not mean I hate it , it does not interest me that’s all.
Just listen to Jim Rome. He’ll tell you how Americans feel about soccer. That guy is great.
Viktor, I enjoy a good reasoned argument. However, to avoid confusion, may I suggest bablefish.altavista.com? It will automatically translate from a language that you are more comfortable with into English.
I will respond to the parts that I could decipher. Actually, I speak German and a little Spanish. But Viktor, I only do it as a conceit: to say that I can. There is quite literally no reason for me to do so. I can travel for thousands of miles in every direction, and still be in America. There is not a single job or career in which I have the slightest bit of interest, that cannot be found in its most lucrative and advanced forms right there in the USA. In fact, in light of my world travels, I can safely say that solid midwestern English is the single most useful and universal language for anyone to know. It’s on TV, it’s in print, it’s spoken all over the place. That is the reason YOU speak english and I probably don’t speak your language, not because you are intrinsically superior. It must really rankle you that “uncultured, ignorant” Americans are doing so damn well in everything (except soccer and slalom snow skiing).
Your contention that democracy was invented in ancient Greece is probably true in a technical sense. However, PRACTICAL, LONG-LASTING democracy was invented and established here. The voting, participating demos of ancient Greece was only a fraction of the population of the city states in question. Huge swaths of the population were disenfranchised. In fact, I would argue that ultimately the democracy as the Greeks knew it was as often a flaw as it was a strength (witness the underlying reasons for the fall of Athens to the Spartans, the destruction of Alcibyades, etc.). In any case Viktor, there is not nor will there ever be a functioning modern state which tries to copy the practice of the Greeks. As much as it must rankle you, they model themselves willingly or unwillingly after the US INNOVATIONS of the 18th century. Unique they are, although you could strongly tie them into other European governments of the day (England). We have the longest functioning constitution in history, regardless of the governmental form. You bet we’re proud of that.
As to us not being able to be proud of our US citizenship, why not? Here in the US, the lifeblood of the country is the “ordinary” citizen. Without the support, blood, and sweat of our citizenry, we are nothing. I am curious – how does this work in your country? Are you so separated from the functioning of your country that you have no stake in it, that you can not take pride in its glories and shame in its shortcomings?
Your statement that government support and funding of amateur athletes is inconsequential is so utterly, flabbergastingly stupid and incorrect that I outright refuse to debate it.
The idea that America is analagous to the Roman empire of the 3rd century AD is false in a broad sense and false in detail. We have had no revolutions, and our system of government is almost universally supported by our citizens. Our society is almost completely enfranchised, with the exception of felons. So don’t look for an internal uprising. Our military is comprised of volunteer citizens, and the military is totally under the control of the civilian government. The command structure is not as hopelessy entwined in the command structure of the government as it was in Rome – not interchangeable. So don’t look for Marius or Sulla Americanus any time soon. There are no “barbarian” hordes pushing on our borders, either. We maintain easily the most liberal and open policy of immigration and naturalization of any country anywhere. And swarming across the Atlantic or Pacific is a pretty hard thing to do. So don’t look for the Vandals or Visigoths to weaken us. Is it possible that we will fade from pre-eminence? Quite. I would guess when that happens, though, it will be because another people works harder or works better, not because we suffer some sort of Romanesque cataclysm.
Viktor, the idea that Americans are not successful at anything outside our country… That is a statement that is so silly that it is physically hurt-y. Please check the Olympic website history section and see piles of American medals in sports that most Americans have never heard of.
While people have their own personal opinion on soccer/football, the ultimate, real reason it has not taken off is due to commercialism. Baseball, Football, Basketball, and Hockey (to a lesser extent) have enough stoppage of play that allows for commericials. Corporations have got a hold of them and because of extensive promotion have pushed them on us and the world. Soccer does not have that so it’s not pushed.
Another reason is cultural. Americans have a rush/rush, do it now, fast food, instant gratification culture. The big four provide that. Soccer requires some patience which countries outside of US have. In business, this works well for US. (Although maybe not the fast food part.)
Americans don’t like soccer because soccer is gay.
Soccer = GAY
Since the US is not good in soccer, it probably follows that we’re not good at being gay either.
And how in the world to you construe the original guy’s post as “the first post was just and opinion, nothing offencive in it, unless people are insecure”. I quote: " have a therory that Americans hate soccer beacuse they are no damn good at it and only watch sporting events if they can win um, please correct me if i’m wrong. Anyway any soccer fans speak up it is the world cup you know and U.S.A are involved although not for very long as usual, ha ha." How is that not “offencive”, or if you really want to get saucy, how is that not “offensive” Viktor me lad?
To redman_vw:
You said: “We do not – our government has nothing to do with our Olympic teams.” Wrong.
http://huachuca-www.army.mil/usag/PAO/OLD%20STUFF/PDFs/t000713L.pdf
http://www.army.mil/usar/news/2002archives/March/hinestakessilver.html
http://www.chinfo.navy.mil/navpalib/news/navywire/nws00/nws000707.txt
http://www.af.mil/news/Jul1996/n19960726_960724.html
These are just a few examples pulled from the web. As you can see, the services spend money on developing their athletes, both for interservice competition, as well as international competition.
To Wolverine:
You said: “It certainly doesn’t take much intelligence to try and kick a ball in a net. Baseball, Football(the real one from the USA), Hockey and Basketball are sports that do take intelligence to play which is the reason they are so popular in the States.”
Well, since soccer is just kicking a ball in net, I guess it doesn’t take much intelligence. But since football is just carrying a ball over a line or kicking it through uprights is that somehow more intelligent? How about putting a ball through a hoop (basketball)? Or hitting a ball with a stick (baseball)? One thing’s for sure, and I think this is one everyone here can agree one, the sport that takes the least intelligence is lifting weights. I mean, come on, any idiot can pick a piece of metal off the ground, right?