This weekend might have been the end of the American soccer boom that many pundits and fans had predicted would result from a deep Yank run combined with a serious push by ESPN/ABC to market the matches. The ratings are up tremendously over 2006, which was played in essentially the same time-zone, over the same month. It is possible that Americans are growing to love soccer, but I doubt it. I had a conversation with a friend, who is a once-every-four-years viewer: Captain: You must be happy now that 2/3 of the World Cup audience in America...
Continue reading...June 2010
Morning Constitutional – Monday, 28 June 2010
Good morning, everybody. The U.S. and England are out. Now, your morning constitutional: Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia, the longest-serving senator in history, is dead at 92. FiveThirtyEight looks at how the W.V. senate seat will be filled. Elana Kagan\’s confirmation hearings begin today. How Republicans are struggling for a line of attack. Slate wonders: How many votes will Elena Kagan get? A new study shows that Supreme Court hearings do address real substance; also, women and minority nominees are more closely questioned than white males. The people of Kyrgyzstan voted to approve a new constitution...
Continue reading...Mea Copa: US v Ghana
With this morning’s methodical victory over Good Korea, Uruguay become the Cup’s first Quarterfinalist, and the US’s potential opponent should the Yanks get past Ghana’s Black Stars this afternoon (but more on that later). First we need to take a look at how the teams that got this far did so, and how some teams ended up watching this morning’s action from home. This tournament has been anything but pain-by-numbers, with upsets and intrigue galore. Having a group stage like the one just concluded — outside the first go-round where teams were still adjusting to each other,...
Continue reading...Poem of the Week
A friend suggested this week’s poetry pick, telling me that a) it is her favorite and b) she has it memorized. So did I! Said friend also offered me homemade baked goods today, so obviously I would have been obliged to post her favorite poem even if I did not also like it. Which I do. Point being, if anyone else would like to share a poem with the many, many readers of V&V, please note that I take well to bribery, especially when it involves food. If Rudyard Kipling If you can keep your head when...
Continue reading...Subjects of the drug cartel
Arizona Governor Jan Brewer believes that most undocumented aliens illegal immigrants er, Mex’cans are here to smuggle drugs. For real: “I believe today, under the circumstances that we’re facing, that the majority of the illegal trespassers that are coming into the state of Arizona are under the direction and control of organized drug cartels and they are bringing drugs in,” Brewer said. “There’s strong information to us that they come as illegal people wanting to come to work. Then they are accosted and they become subjects of the drug cartel,” she said. That are some serious sweet...
Continue reading...Church adopts local public elementary school for Jesus
This is going to end well: LAKELAND, Fla.—When his budget for pencils, paper, and other essential supplies was cut by a third this school year, the principal of Combee Elementary School worried children would suffer. Then, a local church stepped in and “adopted” the school. The First Baptist Church at the Mall stocked a resource room with $5,000 worth of supplies. It now caters spaghetti dinners at evening school events, buys sneakers for poor students, and sends in math and English tutors. The principal is delighted. So are church pastors. “We have inroads into public schools that...
Continue reading...Morning Constitutional – Thursday, 24 June 2010
Good morning, everyone. Eliot Spitzer and Kathleen Parker are going to bring you the news on CNN this fall. Now, your morning constitutional: Kevin Rudd has stepped down as Prime Minister of Australia after his deputy Julia Gillard secured enough votes to overthrow him. FiveThirtyEight looks into the downfall of Rudd, who was very recently Australia\’s most popular PM. Gillard becomes Australia\’s first female prime minister. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev is in Washington today to discuss the global economy with President Obama. Russia plans to resume supplying Belarus with natural gas after Belarus paid its debt to...
Continue reading...Let the Eagle Soar
The mighty United States today beat Algeria 1-0 with a goal in the 91st minute. Since England beat Slovenia (at the same time) 1-0, it means (based on goals scored) that the mighty United States won their group and advance to the next round (whoo!).
Continue reading...New York Times Columnist Line of the Day
If you’re one of the four-or-so frequent readers of this here blog, chances are you also occasionally check out the New York Times op-ed page. You may even know the names: Thomas “Friedman’s Just Another Word For Nothing Left to Lose” Friedman, Gail “The Colander” Collins, Nicholas “The Dark Crystal” Kristof, &c. Well, I’ve decided to devote a daily feature to these folks, by daily pointing out one line that is either awesome, funny, insightful, intelligent, ridiculous, or utterly divorced from reality. I hope you enjoy. Today\’s is from Thomas “Friedman’s Just Another Word For Nothing Left...
Continue reading...Morning Constitutional – Wednesday, 23 June 2010
Good morning, everybody. Jerry Seinfeld thinks Lady Gaga is a jerk. Now, your morning constitutional: Gen. Stanley McChrystal\’s fate, now unknown, will likely be determined today in his meeting with President Obama today. Some inside the White House may be suggesting he might be on his way out, which would not make Afghan leaders particularly happy. And how the debacle highlights, yet again, the split over Afghanistan between Gen. McChrystal and Vice President Biden. Regardless of what happens, the president is still stuck with the same counterinsurgency strategy in Afghanistan McChrystal put into place. Shady: U.S. District...
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