What an awful thing to have your child grow up accustomed to seeing his nation's flag being burned. The news shows show it. It's burned not only by citizens of countries that hate us but even those who are supposedly our allies. It's not all that uncommon here, wonder if those idiots know that this is one of the few places on Earth where they can pull off that shit. (BTW, I do not support banning the burning of the flag..as much as I abhor it, I support the right to this free expression) Everyone seems to do it; it's very much in vogue. To those people, the flag was a symbol of our govenment. To me, it was a symbol of my people...of me. I was shocked the first time I saw it, during the Vietnam war protests. I was a little girl, and I hated what they were doing to the flag I saluted every morning in school. Doesn't affect my son at all, he's used to it. It's a bit sad.

Here's another beauty from one of the 606 football message boards:

re: Beckham to America!!! .... - 28 Apr 2003 19:03
America doesn't even know what football is. They'd say it is rugby with shoulder pads and crash helmets. Why is it that America is about the only place on Earth that doesn't appreciate the beautiful game? This says a lot about the USA - ignorant and tasteless, come to mind. [reply]

talk about ignorant and tasteless, huh? (hell, I'll throw in snobbish for good measure) What a way to reply to what was an attempt at an intelligent discussion.

Mentioned earlier that one of the things I enjoy about British Football is the way the fans support their teams, particularly their songs. Each club (team) has particular songs that their supporters (fans) sing. One example is the "Greasy Chip Butty" song sung by the Sheffield United (the Blades) fans. As far as I can understand, a greasy chip butty is a french, er, freedom, fry sandwich. I don't understand what all of the words refer to, but I can just imagine thousands of people singing this song in a stadium. Must be really awesome!

I've been enjoying the banter on the 606 division 1 message board . I lurk (just read, not participate) because I honestly don't know alot about the clubs and their history..the club supporters that post there don't need to put up with my ignorance. There are some really good fans there - some of them pretty damn funny, but I came across one thread that made me sad. The topic was songs being played (rather than sung) during the games and how annoying that was. Almost from the start, there was American bashing. Since we play songs at games rather than sing songs we were found lacking. Okay, it is not a tradition we have; I wish it were, but it is not. Other negative comments were thrown in as added extras...not even related to football. Oh well. I have been saving up for a trip to London next spring; I want to take my 12 year old boy. Our priority is to go see a football game in person...we're not scheduling the trip till the 2003-2004 fixtures (schedules) are published. Now I'm concerned whether it is safe to go to a game. Not only because there'll just be the two of us (at 5'3" I'm not very imposing), but I now worry because we're Americans. I thought it would be alright, but now I'm not sure.

Another interesting thing about a message board is how a few posters (people who post opinions on the message board) can sway your feelings about a club you've never seen and had no opinions about prior to reading the posts. I find myself disliking the Leicester City (the foxes) club intensely, and hoping that Sheffield United club or Nottingham Forest gain promotion to the premier league through the playoffs. I'm sure that Leicester City is a great club, it must be since it's gained promotion, but I won't be inclined to cheer for it. (I'm also hoping that I've been able to straighten out the mess I made of trying to install my cable wiring so I can also have satellite by the time the new season starts in August; we'll be able to watch the premiere league games on Fox Sports World once we get satellite.)

There are only 10 professional soccer teams in the US; the nearest team is about a 14 hour drive from where I live (or an expensive 2+ hour flight). We have a professional basketball team (I'm not a basketball fan), and an arena football (I love arena football!) team close by. There is a hockey team about 2+ hours drive away, and our minor league hockey league went bust about 2 years ago (I miss them!) I'm a single Mom on a definite budget, so we can't go to the big budget games. It is pretty difficult to become an avid fan of one team, much less stay one. Have to stay satisfied by watching whichever game the networks choose to play.

Been spending alot of time watching the National Hockey League playoffs. Last night's game was a 5 OT match. I really enjoy hockey. It's a fast, physical contest...guess it provides everything short-attention span people love.

I've also been listening to soccer/football on-line broadcasts from BBC-Five-Live. They won't broadcast Premium league games over the internet, but you can usually listen to the last 30-45 mins if you keep trying to connect to the online show. I've decided to visit London next year. Hell, I've always wanted to visit...so, I'm going to take a long weekend and go. I'm planning to arrange it around a football match so that I'll be able to see one in person. I really love the way that the football fans sing at the matches!! We usually just chant or heckle..well, at least, I heckle.

Just a quick note. Amnesty Intl says that more blacks than whites have been executed in the USA. Then it goes on to pull out the race card. I don't think it is a racial issue, rather, a financial one. If you can afford to pay for a good lawyer, you'll be more likely to get off.

How much longer will we stand aside and let this happen? If we do not want to live up to the label of hypocrisy, we need to try to help. And, horrors are not just being inflicted on Zimbabweans. There are other African countries that are also suffering. Although there is a firm commitment by other African governments that Africa should take care of their own...it's not working.

I read an article yesterday that says that 11% of British consumers would boycott American items because of the Iraq operation....wonder how many of them will boycott British goods?

well, well, well. Seems the Anti-War sops have decided to re-channel their efforts; they'll still protest but guess since the war is about over, they're going to choose something else to protest over. Actually, they haven't decided it. The groups that have been organizing the anti-war rallies have decided to redirect the focus of the group. How about that. SHOCK!! You mean that the Anti-war rallies aren't grass roots events? Uh Uh. Funny how a couple of weeks ago the Guardian sneeringly implied that the pro-America rallies were being organized by ClearChannel entertainment which has a nebulous relationship with some of the Republicans. But, actually reported about the groups organizing the Anti-War movements quite benevolently. I wonder why they didn't do the same thing for the pro-America movement. I wonder how many of the anti-War protesters are Jewish...and if they knew that one of the organizing groups of the Anti-War is the Free Palestine organization? Wonder if they know that the Anti-War groups are making plans to use, er, redirect, the peace movements to other topics of their choice? Wonder if they know they are being used and by whom?

A listen to a local conservative radio talk show has re-affirmed my belief in myself as a liberal. I have been worried the last month that I've joined the unreasonable legion of conservative, business worshipping, born againers. About the only topic I agreed with on that radio station was that the Iraqi people now have a chance to live as they wish to (I don't believe USA is going to stay; we don't really want to run another country). Pretty much disagreed with everything else...at one point actually shouting at the radio during one of the host's stretched 'facts'. I am so relieved I'm getting back to 'normal'!!

Grubby, Greedy, Stupid, Blustering, Spineless. What a great show of standing against the Americans & Brits, eh? I hope we don't forget.

Wow, this is a disgusting piece of 'objective' journalism. Let's see, according to this, the Americans took over the taking down of Saddam's statue. We weren't helping the Iraqis do something they started, we pushed them aside and did it ourselves. We took over. Reading this, it sounds as if this was orchestrated by the Americans. It is absolutely amazing how someone can be so damned convinced in his point of view that he twists facts to accomodate it; wonder if Brian Whitaker ~ 'journalist' extraordinaire ~ has been taking lessons from Baghdad Bob?

Don't be heartened (or dismayed) by the videos of Iraqi's cheering Saddam's fall. The Iraqi people have been indoctrinated by Saddam's brutal regime to cheer the one in power; after decades of terror, this is how they have survived. Most of the fighting should soon be over, but we shouldn't be celebrating yet. The most difficult part is coming up: giving the Iraqis the power to rule themselves. Democracy is the aim, but, really it doesn't matter exactly what type of government as long as it respects their people and their neighbours. I'm a bit concerned that Bush & Rumsy are going to go on to their next project and leave Iraq in the lurch. It's going to take some time and a real commitment to rebuilding. Judging from Afghanistan, our government doesn't seem to have much of either. The UN isn't doing such a great job in Africa, either. Will the Arab nations step up and help their own? I somehow don't think they will.

Oh, for the anti-war ducks: do you really think the Iraqi people were better off living like this? How could you feel good, knowing you were supporting this? Oh, and don't "UN SANCTIONS" me. UN sanctions allowed 12 years of this crap to go on.

Now that we've at least reached the half-way point of our mission to save the Iraqi people, it's time that the Coalition of the Caring look for their next mission. If, based on past statements, we are interested in helping oppressed, tortured, people free themselves I suggest we go to Africa. Millions of Africans are starving. Tens of thousands are dying of diseases...most treatable. Thousands are caught in brutal civil wars where they find themselves mutilated, raped, enslaved. For the most part, Democracy is just a word in a dictionary rather than a reality. Tyrants abound. Surely, they deserve to be rescued, too, huh? And, if easing unbelievable suffering isn't enough of a reason, oil and diamonds are found in that region. There are also many African muslims. Wouldn't this be a wonderful opportunity for the Arab nations to show that they also care about their own...instead of waiting until the heathen westerners step in.

Was flying around the internet and found some new radio stations. Hallam FM airs from Sheffield, England. I can't stand the music (sorry) but the DJs' and callers' accents make my heart race and my brow sweat (this is good); incredibly sexy accent...makes me flutter. (Have to confess: they're playing something right now called "NY Sushi Sessions" which is awesome! Never heard this stuff before, but, DAMN!). Another station I've found is Liquid London. This music is more to my taste, but I keep going back to Hallam.