I had just written a small article comparing our elections to a football game, noting that without the rules and the arbiters of the rules (refs, for example), there is no game. When I coached (soccer), I taught my kids to respect the refs and that losing is as much a part of the game as winning. If you lose, you shake it off and try harder/smarter the next time. But Republicans have simply said the rules don’t apply to them, and they don’t have to accept any ruling or outcome they don’t like. It is simply wrong.
“In soccer, we have rules everyone accepts and winners win, losers lose.” What do you think sports riots are if not people getting upset over their team not winning and refusing to accept it? At least 125 people DIED only a month ago in Indonesia at a soccer game riot. So it’s not just “crazy Americans” to blame for all the problems in the world, and the world of sports is no better than the world of politics. (I’m not an American, btw, just fyi.)
Yes, people get very passionate about soccer (and other sports), and yes, some people sometimes will cheat to win, but there are agreed-upon rules and consequences for getting caught breaking them. If your team loses the big game you (whether fans or players) might no doubt claim “We was robbed,” but you don’t get to claim that you’re the “real champions.” The Phillies might claim that they were the better team in this year’s World Series, but they’re not going to take the Astros to court trying to get the results overturned.
Of course, the reason why people (mostly) accept a game’s final score as a done deal is because, ultimately, sports have little practical consequence (unless you’re betting big money on them); nothing is at stake except bragging rights. With government elections, it actually matters who wins.
I am reading an article on how the ancient Greek city-state Athens voted on many issues. They would select a number of citizens AT RANDOM to decide the issue. These citizens are then prohibited from ever participating in the process again.
Automatic term limits. No re-election distractions. No political parties. No gerrymandering. No filibustering. No billion dollar TV Ad campaigns. Just the will of the people.
In the last 40 years the Republicans have won the popular vote for POTUS only twice. If it weren’t for the electoral college the will of the people would’ve been met without question. Ponder that.
Trump is indeed furious this morning, particularly about Mehmet Oz, and is blaming everyone who advised him to back Oz — including his wife, describing it as not her best decision, according to people close to him.
Night-Gaunt49[Bozo is Boffo] almost 2 years ago
A third of us are actively sabotaging our own country.
ncrist almost 2 years ago
love this comic! my sentiment!
robnvon Premium Member almost 2 years ago
Amen, Sister.
cdward almost 2 years ago
I had just written a small article comparing our elections to a football game, noting that without the rules and the arbiters of the rules (refs, for example), there is no game. When I coached (soccer), I taught my kids to respect the refs and that losing is as much a part of the game as winning. If you lose, you shake it off and try harder/smarter the next time. But Republicans have simply said the rules don’t apply to them, and they don’t have to accept any ruling or outcome they don’t like. It is simply wrong.
Patinphx Premium Member almost 2 years ago
Amen!
Wendy B. almost 2 years ago
“In soccer, we have rules everyone accepts and winners win, losers lose.” What do you think sports riots are if not people getting upset over their team not winning and refusing to accept it? At least 125 people DIED only a month ago in Indonesia at a soccer game riot. So it’s not just “crazy Americans” to blame for all the problems in the world, and the world of sports is no better than the world of politics. (I’m not an American, btw, just fyi.)
christineracine77 almost 2 years ago
I hate sports, but agree that they are definitely better than war, “civil” or otherwise . . .
Miguelito52 almost 2 years ago
Yeah! Go get ‘em. Hey Stacey you listening! Hilary! PJM is on a roll. Pontificate!
RonnieAThompson Premium Member almost 2 years ago
Vote the Trumplicans out this year and in 2024.
fritzoid Premium Member almost 2 years ago
Yes, people get very passionate about soccer (and other sports), and yes, some people sometimes will cheat to win, but there are agreed-upon rules and consequences for getting caught breaking them. If your team loses the big game you (whether fans or players) might no doubt claim “We was robbed,” but you don’t get to claim that you’re the “real champions.” The Phillies might claim that they were the better team in this year’s World Series, but they’re not going to take the Astros to court trying to get the results overturned.
Of course, the reason why people (mostly) accept a game’s final score as a done deal is because, ultimately, sports have little practical consequence (unless you’re betting big money on them); nothing is at stake except bragging rights. With government elections, it actually matters who wins.
FreyjaRN Premium Member almost 2 years ago
I’m with Leo.
Minor candidacies are vicious because there’s so little at stake.
dflak almost 2 years ago
I am reading an article on how the ancient Greek city-state Athens voted on many issues. They would select a number of citizens AT RANDOM to decide the issue. These citizens are then prohibited from ever participating in the process again.
Automatic term limits. No re-election distractions. No political parties. No gerrymandering. No filibustering. No billion dollar TV Ad campaigns. Just the will of the people.
jango almost 2 years ago
In the last 40 years the Republicans have won the popular vote for POTUS only twice. If it weren’t for the electoral college the will of the people would’ve been met without question. Ponder that.
Out of the Past almost 2 years ago
Uh…where’s the Pope?
TheWildSow almost 2 years ago
Trump is indeed furious this morning, particularly about Mehmet Oz, and is blaming everyone who advised him to back Oz — including his wife, describing it as not her best decision, according to people close to him.
Melania: Eh, not my worst, either….