Sunday, July 29, 2007

ANYONE FOR TENNIS?

I was driving with my friend Mark to go play some tennis today at around 1:00, and we were surprised to see a bunch of Middle Eastern men and women driving in their cars and SUVs, Middle Eastern music blaring and horns honking, people hanging out of the vehicles, waving banners and large flags of a country of what I assumed to be Iraq.

"What the hell is going on?" he asked.

I shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe their country just won the World Cup?"

"Soccer," he said. "What a gay sport."

"Well, the United States couldn't care less about it, sure," I said, "but the rest of the world really gets into it."

"Well the rest of the world is gay, then," he said.

We got to the park and played a few sets of tennis under the sweltering sun. I got my ass kicked, per usual, as I tried to go for the incredible shots and double-faulted more than I got my first serve in and, while we were playing, the Middle Easterners continued to pour into the parking lot, Arabian rap blaring and horns honking. It seemed, obviously, to be a celebration. But then, on the other hand, there was a definite police presence.

We started to wonder just exactly what had gone on. Was it an innocuous sports celebration? As my friend had mentioned, Beckham had just started playing for Los Angeles. Wouldn't he be over wherever they were playing the World Cup instead of kicking and heading in the United States? Had there been a terrorist attack? Had Bushie been popped? Were people celebrating the withdrawl of American troops in the Middle East? Was the "War on Terror" no more? (Right. We'll be fighting that "War on Terror" for the next 200 years.)

So I was definitely intrigued. I got home and turned on the news. There were no breaking stories. I went online and I found this. It had been soccer, after all. And it had been Iraq. And, instead of mayhem and terror, it had been a good story, a feel-good story. I say good on them. I say that Iraq needs more stories like this. I say that Iraq needs "beacons of hope." It is fantastic that the soccer team has done well after getting out from under Saddam's sons' sadistic thumbs.

It is unfortunate, though, that the Bush Adminstration will probably point to this feel-good story and somehow warp it into a pro-U.S.A. troops build-up. That they will look at this and say, "See? Give us more time. The "Surge" will work."

Politics aside, though, I'm quite happy for the Iraqi soccer team. And I'm glad that Iraqi-Americans have something over which to show their nationalistic pride. More sports, less war.

25 comments:

Heather said...

"The rest of the world is gay." WHat a lovely uniquely American sentiment :P

Adamity73 said...

I know, Heather. Isn't it? :-) I hasten to add, however, that my friend's outlooks do not reflect the views of every American.

Anonymous said...

Oi! It's called FOOTBALL and not soccer!!!

And as I suffered a lot during last years FOOTBALL world cup cause it was here in Germany and I had to tear off loads of Germany flags from cars and bear loads of drunk Germans who've finally found their national "pride", I... I...

...my god, the world cup hurt, FOOTBALL hurts... Rugby's better, at least England won the last world championship... :P

Laura said...

Football isn't even a proper sport! Rugby is so much better. Real men play rugby! :D

Also, sometimes American politics really suck ;)

Jay said...

I enjoy watching soccer. Well, good soccer as in the EPL and Euro Soccer. The MLS pretty much sucks.

Tennis sucks too. ;-)

Except for six-foot tall Russian women who play tennis. Then it doesn't suck. hahaha

I wonder if Lou Dobbs got pissed seeing Iraqi-Americans waving their country's flag like he does when Mexican-Americans do after soccer matches?

Sugar Kane said...

I've never thought about places like Iraq playing, let alone celebrating, major sports. Weird.

I'd like to kick Bush in his soccer balls.

Adamity73 said...

Corwin: Sorry, bro. But when i say "football" I think of Football, the most popular sport in the United States. And i'm sorry that you had such a sour experience from last year's SOCCER tournament. ;-)

L-sez: I agree with you on both points: Rugby is kick-ass (literally) and SOMETIMES American foreign politicies suck ass.

Jay: Kids..? Can you say "Maria Sharapova?" I *knew* you could. :-P <--what I would be doing ALL NIGHT LONG if I ever had an amorous encounter with the athletic vixen. :-O

Sugar Kane: With the blind stubborness the dude employs, I think you wouldn't have any problem finding the dude's balls. Aim low, swing high. :-\

Nanette said...

Um, you mentioned Beckham. Now I must go read again. ;)

Ok, done. You know how I feel about politics. Grrrrr.

Melissa said...

Your friend seems to have a way with words.

Always nice to see people celebrating!

Dan said...

Well the rest of the world is gay, then

yes, that's absolutely true. I agree 100%.

Adamity73 said...

I know. Slightly illogical, eh, Dan? By the way, welcome to the blog. Chips and sodas are to your right and the movie should be coming on in about 15, 20 minutes.

robkroese said...

The rest of the world may be gay, but at least they're not using their hands.

Adamity73 said...

That's one hell of a mental image, Deisel! LOL Thanks for stopping by. Chips to the left, beer and crack to the right.

Nanette said...

Hmmmm...you've never offered me any chips or crack! ;)

Adamity73 said...

I din't want to corrupt you, Nighthawk. But...you're right. I dropped the ball. So, to make it up to you, I offer you a smorgasborg of chrystal meth, smack and crack cocaine. Choose wisely. :-O

Anonymous said...

I personally despise soccer (or football - whatever you want to call it). Every time I see one of those guys get tapped by another player followed by a WW2 mortally injured soldier routine makes me roll my eyes...

But what really gets me is when they are carried off the field in a stretcher and are back on the field in 30 seconds... I want to take my fucking hockey stick to them.

Adamity73 said...

LOL, Nocturnal. I *knew* hockey was going to enter into the conversation at some time! And, yeah, I hear you about the "WW2" injured soldier who, miraculously (!), gets back into the game within the minute after last rites had been being read to him. ;-P

Anonymous said...

No chips and crack for me thanks. I'd be happy with the ice cream bar and some Alleve. (Im currently nursing tendonitis in my left foot and bum bladder. Can anything else go bad on my mere 38 yr old body?) Umm yeah back to the party.....

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