On Steinbrenner, Lebron James, the World Cup

[nadinbrzezinski]

and other ahem sports stories that a few DU'ers might think are non stories.

First off, they matter to somebody... so if you really think it is a non story, don't look at them.

Now here is what they tell us though about our present condition.

Look at the Lebron James story... and the ECONOMIC EFFECT of him moving to another team. I could not care less if he played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, or the left handed widget, but the fact that his moving to the Heat is removing a calculated forty eight million from the Cleveland economy... that is your story if you are looking at politics.

The world cup... well to most Americans this will not make any sense since US Sport has not been used this way since oh WW II, perhaps. But Soccer has helped to unify South Africa, and believe it or not Spain. THAT is your story for the day... as well as a damn awful reffing, but that's another story.

Steinbrenner passing on... well his family cares but he also helped changed a whole industry, in my humble opinion for the worst. That had effects in real lives. So that is your story. And that is how his actions affected real people...

And for god sakes, politics is a form of very bloody sport, but that is another story, and Americans treat politics exactly that way. So if you are a fan of the Cleveland Cavaliers, and you get joy from it, remember, most Americans who actually vote, or pay attention to this team sport do so only during the world series, aka the last six weeks of any major campaign. (Yes I am missing sports metaphors on purpose)

And if you really think they are non stories... turn the TV off. But I learned a long time ago that at times having some sort of in common with others is a good idea, and most folks in this coutry still pay far more attention to the games and not the team sport called politics. So be it. But realize there are stories within those stories, and stories that tell us far more about our society, or other societies, than the actual act of playing a game. And those are the true social commentary in them...

Oh and good.. the NBA was critical of James doing that whole show...

[rpannier]

1. Agreed

I find it interesting when I read comments like
"Who cares about this sh*t?"
"I couldn't give a f*ck about (Name inserted here)."

Yet, they felt compelled to not only read the story, but to comment on it

[11 Bravo]

2. I agree. (But the "who gives a shit about sports" crew will be along directly.)

[AsahinaKimi]

3. Tonight is the MLB All Star game in Anaheim..

Anahiem hasn't had anything like this since they were in the World Series in 2002! The city can use the boost, and Disneyland isn't doing that great these days..

I am glad its there this year.. Not only because I am an Angels fan, but because I am sure the people there could use the revenue.

[rufus dog]

5. Interesting article in the Times last week about the game

And how Angel Stadium is now the gem Stadium in Southern Cal. Now I like the field and backdrop at Dodger stadium better, but do agree that the concourses BLOW at Dodger Stadium. Not sure why they just can't blow out the stadium and make friendlier concourses.

BTW, I am a Giant Fan, so it is hard to say anything good related to the Dodgers, as for the Angels, 2002 was a great run for them, all the high scoring come from behind wins. I realized in late July that it was going to be the Giants/Angels - made for a tough World Series.

[nadinbrzezinski]

7. And there will be some revenue

you are correct... why AZ is not happy of the talk of a boycott for the game next year.

[msanthrope]

8. Tip your beer vendor!! n/t

[panader0]

4. The economic effects of sports on a community cannot be denied

As for those who hate the amount of money made by sports figures--they take the best paycheck they can get. Is it their fault that the amount is quite high? Are these the same folks who cried when Lohan got sentenced? Actors make more. Do the cynics watch movies?
C'mon, lay off sports players. If someone offered you 10 million to play in one town, or 20 million to play in another, which offer would you take. The agents negociate the deals, the fans pay, the owners get rich, non more tha Steinbrenner.

[nadinbrzezinski]

6. If any of us was offered that money

we would... that's the truth. And why both sports figures and starlets get paid that much is also a commentary on society... it tells us about core values, and I am not so sure I like the message.

:-)

[theothersnippywshrub]

9. Dead, passé and over. n/t

[TheWatcher]

10. The Economic Effect of LeBron James leaving actually is a story.

There is also another story, and instead of rolling their eyes at the whole LeBron thing, people should actually be paying attention to it.

Because if there ever was a TEXTBOOK example of Modern Day, Roman Empire, Bread And Circus Propaganda THIS IT

It is only the latest example of how distraction is being used to dumb down, pacify, and brainwash the Public.

The way it is being used by the Media for hype and hyperbole to such extreme, ridiculous, and embarrassing heights to the point of absurdity is beyond belief, and very telling in it's purpose.

This is Propaganda Social Programming 101.

The Zombification of America on full display.

Orwell could not have constructed anything better than this in his wildest dreams.

And it's only a RECENT EXAMPLE of how the Bread and Circus Model is being used to completely numb The Public from paying attention to ANYTHING important.

This of course, has been going on for a long time, but rarely do you see an example this blatant, this brazen, this over-the-top, this "Yes, We Really DO Think You Are THAT Stupid."

Are there relevant applications to the LeBron James story?

As you so astutely pointed out, YES THERE ARE.

But the way this is being used to control Public perception and thinking is one that should definitely be discussed and recognized.

This is a very sick and disgusting time to be living in.

All 50 States should just get together and pass legislation to build a replica of The Roman Colosseum is every major City right now.

Because that is what we are becoming.

Terminally Entertained.