Re: Ralph Nader

[bird <birdwl@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

> From: Kestutis.Kveraga@xxxxxxxxxxxxx (Kestutis Kveraga)
> Well, I "hear" you re: the ideals of our corporacracy and its faithful
> servants, but I have a serious allergy for the kind of class-struggle 
> rhetoric
> that Nader regularly employs in his periodic publicity stunts. It's an 
> allergy
> acquired by having lived under the conditions of "mature socialism" for 20
> years, by knowing where it comes from and where it leads. Consequently, my
> appreciation of what Nader has to say, if anything, is seriously impaired.
Well and good.  I applaud both your skepticism and your unwillingness to 
worship at the altar of personality that our political structure seems to 
promote.  However, if I couldn't listen to someone because he or she 
embodies a political view that I find distasteful, than I wouldn't even 
listen to the president of our country.  Oh, waitaminnit, I don't do that 
anyway.  Case in point.  Quid pro quo, and all that.  Moving along... .



> --- You wrote:
> Ah, well, lot's of soccer on TV right now.  I hate soccer.
> --- end of quote ---
>
> Doesn't even a thrilling victory by the unheralded Americans against the 
> hugely
> favored Portugal warm your heart? Soccer is one of the few arenas that 
> matter
> where the U.S. is often considered the underdog, where otherwise inferior
> countries get to exact some revenge on the big bad USA. It makes it so 
> much
> sweeter when we win. It's something a 70-point waxing of some 
> undernourished
> Angolans by the Dream Team can't quite replicate :)
I did, actually, enjoy that victory.  And when I say that, I mean I 
enjoyed and am enjoying the aftermath of that victory, because I wouldn't 
put myself through 3 or 4 hours of guys kicking a ball.  In sports, I 
allow myself a rabid prejudice: for the Celts, for the Red Sox, for a few 
other assorted teams, and for the good ol' US of A during world 
competition.  Oh, I whip out the "America -- Love it or Leave It!" banners,
 baby.  I parade them around.  I harangue whoever will listen about "them 
damn furriners".  But I put that all away after the competition.

Plus, being half-portuguese (and I know I'm not the only one -- shout out 
to the dagos!), I had a soft spot for those who live in the shadow of 
Espana.  Throw them a bone -- they haven't been masters of the world since 
the days of Henry the Navigator.  That's longer than the Celtics playoff 
drought... .


> [Celtics content:] Speaking of Dream Teams (not!), I think Pierce's
> participation in the World Championships this August/September will help 
> the
> Celtics a lot in terms of his season-opening form. I just wish Toine got
> selected alongside him.
Me, too.  I like how they were two peas in a pod, throughout this season.  
Co-players of the Month, both All-Stars, etc.  Walkerpierce deserve to be 
side-by-side.  They win or lose together.  Looking back, I think Walker 
deserved it just by himself, even.  He really had a great season.

Bird