Olympic anger and Olympic glory

[misscam]

Anti-Americanism erupts in Iraq face-off

The bit that got me was this:
Lopez claimed afterwards he was not surprised at the reception.

"I think that was expected," he said. "Too bad you can't keep politics outside of Olympics.

"The United States is the best country. It's the strongest country. It's the most powerful country and everyone's envious. It doesn't matter if it's Olympics, World Cup, World Championships. Everyone always wants the United States to lose.

"Who has the most medals? [The] United States. Who had them in 2000? [The] United States. So when you're that good and that successful everyone wants to see the top guy go down. It's natural. I've gone through it, and I just smile."

Yeah, we're all just enovious, you little git. I mean - booing, not so graceful. Stupid thing to do in a sports competition unless the athlete is actually doing something very insulting and provocative. Let silence speak instead and just cheer for the other guy. But the American's comments makes me ill. How about you keep politics out of sports yourself, Mr. Everyone-envies-us? (Of course, if he'd actually said something like 'it's natural to cheer for the underdog, so I didn't take it personally', I would actually have cheered him.)

*mutters darkly about arrogance getting its come-uppance*

In other Olympic news, Norway got one last gold tonight (a rather unexpected one at that) and thus ended on five golds and one bronze. Go tiny us! But what touched me the most this evening was the Russian winning the 800m sprint.Upon winning he started crying and kept on crying through the winning ceremony and the Russian national anthem. There's something very touching (and attractive!) about men daring to cry in joy. He was only 23, too. Come here and have a hug, cute Russian guy.

And apparently politicians go sports mad too. Blair's been visiting the Italian PM and the two had a little football friendly where reportedly Blair got a wee bit eager in a tackle and thus hurt Berlusconi's knee. *shakes head* Blair, Blair, Blair. You naughty man.

And finally, lutefisk attacks and Norwegian PM appear in Ernie.

I want that strip.

ETA:

If you were a cat!
Name / Username
Your age would be:	2 years
You would look like:
This QuickKwiz by schmeanna - Taken 16764 Times.

New - COOL Dating Tips and Romance Advice!

Comments

[roo2.livejournal.com]

The comic strip is available online at http://www.kingfeatures.com/features/comics/piranha/about.htm, and the storyline that culminates in the food fight begins on August 2. Enjoy!

[misscam.livejournal.com]

Ta muchly!

[kippurbird.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry, but I've seen Icons like yours all over the place, and I've been dying to know, where'd you get it?

[roo2.livejournal.com]

I made at it http://abi-station.com/. They have facilities for making several types of icons. It's lots of fun.

[kippurbird.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

[norwegianne.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the link. Quite useful ;)

[misscam.livejournal.com]

Ooooh, you did an icon! I saved the strips for possible future iconage, but seems you've saved me the trouble! *steals*

Goddamnit, I need more icon space.

[norwegianne.livejournal.com]

The only problem with this icon is that a lot of the text is so tiny. Luckily you can understand the important things... Like Lutefisk

[sinneahtes.livejournal.com]

Ah, the joys of "Yeah everyone hates us, but really they're jealous because we're better." I remember hearing a lot of it right after 9/11, to the tune of "They attacked us because their people want our T-shirts and our McDonald's and the conservative governments and members of their societies can't have that." Oh please. Maybe they hate us for other reasons that are... I dunno, dangerous to gloss over or ignore by trying to boost your own ego? :P

How about his blabbering, "Yeah, I was like - I'm glad to knock this guy out, but I don't think that would be any good. So I didn't." *face in palm* That sounds great to hear when there's a war going on where America is still trying to say it's the friend of the Iraqi people. What should be the Smacking Fish of the Day to go after Lopez with? Something smooth that stings from the force of the smack, or something spiney that would be painful to sit on? :P

ETA:

[sinneahtes.livejournal.com]

*dies of cuteness* Though that's a tiny kitten for being 2 years old :P And I like how the kitty meme comes with an ad link saying "New - COOL Dating Tips and Romance Advice!" :D *giggles and steals that kitten*

[misscam.livejournal.com]

I'm thinking... Mantra ray.

The saddest thing is that I think the dude won the gold.

[sinneahtes.livejournal.com]

Though I guess I should be fair and recognize that Americans are not the only egotistical atheletes here -- Svetlana Khorkina was a pretty sore loser in gymnastics (and she's a notorious "diva" in general), the Greek audience booed during the men's 200m track thing just because their player got kicked out for drugs (booing because your player did the wrong thing? Heh. :P), an Iranian refused to play against an Israeli (uh -- there's supposed to be a *truce* for the Olympics from my understanding, don't join if you can't handle that), and according to a friend of mine staying in Australia, the Aussies are angry over Norwegians who said some arrogant things while interviewing them. But still, saying that someone's angry with you or a crowd is booing you just because "everyone envies you" is obnoxious in a special way, especially with world politics recently. ;P

[lotus79.livejournal.com]

Australia is mad at Norway? I didn't hear about that... (am Australian, and quite sick of our own brand of Olympic wanking)

[sinneahtes.livejournal.com]

So said a reliable friend (an American) down there, though perhaps "the" was the wrong word to precede "Aussies." ^_^;

[mademoisellenon.livejournal.com]

Ah, good old American arrogance. How...unusual. Miss Cam, start getting that bucket of popcorn ready.

[misscam.livejournal.com]

Popcorn? *blinks*

[mademoisellenon.livejournal.com]

An infamous Miss Cam quote: "I shall bring a bucket of popcorn to watch America go down"

[misscam.livejournal.com]

When the heck did I say that?

But it does sound like something I would say when in a petty and vindictive mood, yes.

[mademoisellenon.livejournal.com]

*leafing through her datebook* Our very first conversation :) Oh yes, I'm a loser with no life...And you were pretty annoyed with something. You said Shrub 4 times in under 10 minutes. *goes off to look for her life, "It should be here somewhere..."*

[deesarrachi.livejournal.com]

Um, about the cat meme: Oddly enough, I'm the same cat, only much younger. O.o;

[misscam.livejournal.com]

Maybe we were twins in a past life.

[deesarrachi.livejournal.com]

Oo, I have a long-lost twin! Yay!

Welcome to the family. Don't expect much allowence. [/Dilbert quote]

[norwegianne.livejournal.com]

Methinks the newest Norwegian Olympic Champion was very cute. And just in my age-bracket. ;)

"Who has the most medals? [The] United States. Who had them in 2000? [The] United States. So when you're that good and that successful everyone wants to see the top guy go down. It's natural. I've gone through it, and I just smile."


Well, to put it this way: you have entered one of the biggest squads at the olympics as well. You also have a larger population to draw athletes from than say... Norway. A population of 4.5 million people don't produce a lot of excellent summer athletes. 5 golds is quite up to par with what we were expecting. (Okay, we could have had two more...)

Just smile away. It doesn't help when you make these kind of comments.

Okay, I'm done with that.

Look, new icon ;)

[reia.livejournal.com]

Well, to put it this way: you have entered one of the biggest squads at the olympics as well. You also have a larger population to draw athletes from than say... Norway. A population of 4.5 million people don't produce a lot of excellent summer athletes. 5 golds is quite up to par with what we were expecting.

I think that's a really good point.

And for the record, I'm an American and I don't think the way that idiot Lopez does. We're not all egotistical assholes. Though for some reason most of the Americans that land in front of a camera are! ;)

[misscam.livejournal.com]

And lets not forget how much money the US pumps into sports compared to many other countries.

Shame you've moved to Denmark so you can't stalk the hot new javelin tosser ;) Hmm, think we can get him to toss a javelin at Mr. Lopez?

The icon is fabelous. I wish it was a sticker so I could put it on the car.

[norwegianne.livejournal.com]

Of course not.

I know. Although living in Stavanger most of the time, I might not have been able to stalk him that much after all.

We could probably get him to throw the javelin at Mr. Lopez. He does seem to be a bit of a rebel.

Isn't it great? I adore it. ;)

[shadowbyrd.livejournal.com]

*raises eyebrows*

Re-ally? I thought people disliked Americans because they can be a little pompous every now and again. How silly of me.

I know not all Americans are that "patriotic". Shame it's usually the egotistical assholes that get the coverage isn't it?

[misscam.livejournal.com]

Yes. Shame Mr. Lopez doesn't realise that kind of comments increase the chancesof his fellow athletes being boo'ed. Nothing like arraogance to turn a crowd against you.

Forgive me for asking, but who are you?

[shadowbyrd.livejournal.com]

Sixteen year old Brit. I've commented here before, and I *think* I e-mailed once to ask about why they changed Oslo's name. If I did I will have been a different "byrd".

Sorry if you're offended or anything.

[misscam.livejournal.com]

No,no. I was just confused at to who you were (I got many people on my flist) and thought I better ask. My memory is terrible where names are concerned, I'm afraid. And yes, I do remember that e-mail.

*goes on mad meatball-throwing spree*

[ekwy.livejournal.com]

Wow. Bud Grace did a really good Göran Persson, IMHO.
"We also got fish that we bury for ten years until it turns into a steaming puddle of virulent putrescence. Delicious."
– Sven
Mmm... Surströmming. Or not. Because there's just no way I'm eating that. Scandinavian food is really weird.

Re: *goes on mad meatball-throwing spree*

[misscam.livejournal.com]

Our food is not for eating - it's for lobbing at our enemies!

(Cries)

[jocelyncs.livejournal.com]

My poor, messed-up country! I'm sitting in my new apartment, looking at the marvelous view of Washington's beautiful white skyline against the blue sky (I can see the White House from here!) and just so depressed.

Dubya's numbers are climbing again. When, when, WHEN are we going to wake up and see that he and his ilk are destroying US along with the rest of the world?

To truly love your country, you have to be prepared to acknowledge its weaknesses as well as its strengths. If we have one, all-encompassing, crippling weakness, it's our arrogance. Arrogance has been the downfall of every superpower nation in history, and I fear one day it will be ours as well. (Debates whether White House is too far away for a big glob of spit to land on Dubya's desk from my window.)

Re: (Cries)

[(Anonymous)]

I guess Bush has never heard the saying 'those who fail to learn history are doomed to repeat it', I mean history is full with super powers that's gone bye-bye.

Re: (Cries)

[misscam.livejournal.com]

Every empire falls in the end. Europe's stocked full with proof of that.

Re: (Cries)

[misscam.livejournal.com]

Republican convention is one this week, yes? I plan on watching some. I shall probably post rants about it.

Four more years of Bush. Joy. (Come join our planning before insanity takes you!)

And you're right about what true patriotism really is - loving your country for what it is, which is always somewhat flawed. No one country is perfect because humans are not perfect. No one country is the best because what criteria you would judge that by varies wildly.

Re: (Cries)

[jocelyncs.livejournal.com]

Watching the GOP Brag-Fest? You've got a stronger stomach than me! Just hearing the slimeball's voice makes me want to barf all over the nearest Republican!

I really am in despair. The situation's going from bad to worse over here.

Oh well, on a lighter note, first day of school is tomorrow. One of my classes is Election Law. I figured, being a Floridian, it was probably a good course to take!

[undeadgoat.livejournal.com]

Right. Remind me to never cheer for the Americans in tae kwon do. Because this guy is . . . very not nice.

Though international sporting events are the only places where chanting "USA!" does not make me facepalm myself into oblivion and wander off to move to Canada . . .

[misscam.livejournal.com]

It's somewhat assumed that everyone will be disgustingly patriotic at sport events. But rather there than in everyday life, I say.

[undeadgoat.livejournal.com]

Agreed.

[lotus79.livejournal.com]

"Who has the most medals? [The] United States. Who had them in 2000? [The] United States. So when you're that good and that successful everyone wants to see the top guy go down. It's natural. I've gone through it, and I just smile."

*bristles*

OK, you know I don't like my country's ridiculous obssession with sport. But let's look at that medal tally per capita, shall we? Now who's on top? Dumbass American. (that one in particular, not all of them, of course)

we finished up with 17 gold, I think.

*begins shaking with rage after two asshole callers in a row* 'Cause I can see why you feel the need to call up and yell "you're a dickhead!" and then hang up. Really. That's what I'm here for, to be random people's punching bags.

*sighs* Sorry 'bout that, I feel the mother of all bad days beginning... and I should be studying.

[misscam.livejournal.com]

Heh, we got more gold per capita than you lot did :P We rule!

Shall we kill all assholes, y'think? I got bats and bazookas.

[lotus79.livejournal.com]

Did you really? Good for you!

Now if we don't see Ian Thorpe for another four years (at least!) I'll be happy. Not much hope of that though...