I have been reluctant to be one of those who follows soccer (futbol for all those who prefer the more authentic term) even after I played soccer for nine years as a child. I just never could get into it; they score so few goals, and it just looks like boredom punctuated by moments of sheer ecstasy (or pain, depending on which side you're on). I have just recently found the patience for soccer and now I'll never go back.
What changed my mind was the second half of the US-Spain match in the FIFA Confederation Cup. This was compounded today watching the Brazil-South Africa match.
IBM commercials will try to convince you that math is the only language that all cultures share. I call BS! Soccer will join that elite club as soon as it catches on further in the US. But I think changes need to be made, we need some cool teams to root for; I'm sorry, but I cannot get behind a team called "Galaxy" or "Chivas USA," forgive me Galaxy and Chivas fans. I can't even get behind a league called Major Leage Soccer. Take a look at the name of teams from abroad:
Fulham
Chelsea
AC Milan
and leagues named:
Premiere League
Champions League
I am sorry, but those named are just so cool! Galaxy just pales in comparison. Let's start naming our teams after where they're from, the Galaxy can be Los Angeles FC, that's WAY better.
But back to the topic at hand. Soccer has the power to unite war torn countries, Siera Leone is currently trying to unite the country behind their soccer team which will compete in the World Cup in 2010 (hosted by South Africa). I *believe* there was a mutual temporary cease fire in Sierra Leone during the last World Cup (hosted by Germany in 2006). Did you see those fans during the Confed Cup? They go NUTS for their team, this is nationalism manifesting itself through sport, it's beautiful. Jump on board America.
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Opinions of an innocent bystander in the world.
Restarting
Anybody who followed this blog for its brief lifetime saw its ups and downs. I AM still currently looking for guest writers if anyone would like to submit an article. The same guidelines apply:
1) At least 750 words long.
2) Must be relevant to the blog title and previous posts (this should be obvious). I will accept posts on subjects other than those provided but should be in the same guidelines of IR, Geopolitics, etc. I would be especially interested in seeing articles utilizing theories of Marxism and Critical Geopolitics.
3) I reserve the right to deny any article written for any reason. I also reserve the right to decide whether I will give you a reason for my decision. Along those lines, I will try and give you a reason why, but I like to keep my options open.
4) Any article accepted will be posted on Digg, and other social media websites.
Please email me your article at c.kirkland(at)sussex(dot)ac(dot)uk. Please make the subject "BLOG" (ensure all caps, I may just delete it otherwise). I look forward to restarting this blog and (hopefully) having a healthy, informed discussion of international politics.
Others to Watch
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2009
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June
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- Soccer: the World's Game
- How Twitter Saved Iran
- France Gets Religious
- The Lighter Side of IR
- Pictures from the Election
- North Korea Threatens the US
- More Thoughts On North Korea's Nuclear Tests
- Early Synopsis
- New Paper Ideas
- The Road to Hell
- The Nuclear Future
- North Korea names a successor...or not?
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About Me
- C.K.
- Finishing my MA in Geopolitics and Grand Strategy at University of Sussex. Interests: Marxism, Critical Geopolitics, Energy Security, Critical Theory (and those which intersect with IR, particularly critical security analysis), Russian foreign and security policy, Central Asia (particularly Kazakhstan), Caspian Sea politics. Sometimes I enjoy reading a bit about COIN.