The American Spectator

Reader Mail

(Page 6 of 16)

I can also hardly believe that these well-conditioned athletes can't bear the pansy hits that send them into histrionics on the grass. I think they just get tired and milk the so-called "hits" for a break. In sixth grade, guys like that just stayed away from the ball, but at the level of the World Cup, that would hardly do, would it? Would it help to pad these guys more fully?

I could go on with some speculation about how the success of any country's soccer team seems to vary inversely with that nation's war record and leadership in the defense of freedom, but I don't feel like looking it up. However, seeing Italy and France playing for the championship raised the issue in my mind. I stand prepared to be corrected.

Americans aren't used to the imprecise, lollygagging style of soccer. We don't have hours long dinners, months long vacations or siestas at noon. We got to be the most productive nation on the planet by means of strategy, tactics and execution, and we didn't tie our hands behind our backs or reward those with thick skulls, except for boxers. Even then, how many of the great heavyweights have come from the rest of the world?

p>Sure, put the World Cup on TV. Take the kids to practice and games. Support your local high school or college soccer team. On the other hand, don't feel guilty because you 'just don't get it' about soccer at the 'highest levels'. After all, it looks pretty much like soccer at the lowest levels. br> -- Mark Fallert br> Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania /p>

Soccer is a waste of valuable real estate that would be better devoted to badminton or croquet.

As for the youth game, heading soccer balls has resulted in an epidemic of "young skulls full of mush."

p>Is there a sport more boring than World Cup soccer? Women's soccer! Even when the ladies rip their jerseys off, there's not much to get excited about. br> -- Dan Martin br> Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania /p>

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