It's not often that we in the soccer world get to comment on world political systems.
It reminds me of my dusty Political Science degree in International Relations. It pops up occasionally, is fun to have a glass of wine and sit around talking about it, but ultimately serves to be fruitless at the end of most nights.
As a matter of discourse, I'm talking about the Rapids fans who were kicked out for doing exactly what other fans do at every MLS game ever held: they brought flags.
Not, you know, political statements. Just flags. Flags that are actually permitted in countries respected by and in alliance with the US. Not axis of evil flags. In some cases, political, economic, and military partner flags. Taiwan is a MASSIVE military aide recipient of America. $10 Billion a year for many, many years. A friend of ours, as they say.
Yet the fans were selectively picked on and kicked out. I have to question how Commerce City plans to run their stadium and, frankly, whether they truly have the option of selective enforcement of the rules of free speech.
Interesting question. The answer doesn't really matter, though. Kroenke and the Rapids tipped their hand as to how they feel. You can make up your own mind about that.
For some interesting reading that harkens back to my poli sci past, check out the idea of one country, two systems.
Also enjoy the article on Sino-US relations. (a.k.a. Chinese-US relations). It used to be called Soviet-Sino-US relations, the all-powerful triangle of politics in the 80s.
As for me? Here's my answer: I didn't attend. I want the Rapids to understand that bringing some crappy two-bit hack of a national farce of a team in here and calling it an "epic" exhibition is a joke. Chinese national team. Evs. I just couldn't care less.
Even Yahoo! has had dealings with Chinese free-speech issues recently.
And now? Having learned that we actually lost against these, ummm, yahoos?
Clavijo. Duuuude. You're a nice guy. Nice guys finish last. Step it up. We're playing like crap. Apparently it was even worse tonight.
Posted by BilFish at June 10, 2007 09:12 PM