The Beautiful Game Thread 10/11

[toonarmy]

Doesn't Kissinger avoid traveling out of the country because he might be hauled before an international court?

Even if Kissinger wasn't a controversial figure, what is he going to bring now, some 40 years after he had any kind of substantial clout?

Yeah, he can only travel to certain countries because he is literally a wanted man in many countries for what are regarded as war crimes. People can laugh all they want, but Kissinger is indeed regarded as a war criminal by a lot of people. Hitchens is certainly not the only person to propagate this idea, although he has been the most visible. Hell just this week a prominent Swiss politician, Dominique Baetigg, called upon the Swiss government to arrest Kissinger if he steps foot in Switzerland. This type of call for his arrest is not based on a few lunatics without much evidence. Read into the matter with some depth and you will see there is a mountain of evidence showing Kissinger was not exactly a follower of international law and morality.

[XXXIV]

[RobVarak]

I've read into the matter in great depth, actually.

Kissinger is a pinata for anyone with a grudge against post-war American policy. Whether it's the Cambodia bombing, Pinochet, Pakistan, East Timor or Rhodesia, the "case" is little more than fodder for opportunistic politicians who fail to understand the fundamentals of a polemic but sure as hell know how to read a poll.

I understand the Left's complaints about many of these policies and many of them were terrible. But indicting a cabinet member for them based on the facts that some of these courts have relied is a farce...fully appropriate given the fact that most of international criminal law is farcical, but ridiculous nonetheless.

Oh, and please pardon me if I'm nothing more than amused at the Swiss government's sudden virtue in matters of law and morality. A more venal and amoral government would be hard to find.

Keeping this still tied, however tenuously, to football: I think Kissinger deserves credit for embracing soccer in this country at a time when the pro game here was nearly non-existent. But he's definitely not the man for this job...which is of course exactly why Blatter wants him.

[toonarmy]

I've read into the matter in great depth, actually.

Kissinger is a pinata for anyone with a grudge against post-war American policy. Whether it's the Cambodia bombing, Pinochet, Pakistan, East Timor or Rhodesia, the "case" is little more than fodder for opportunistic politicians who fail to understand the fundamentals of a polemic but sure as hell know how to read a poll.

I understand the Left's complaints about many of these policies and many of them were terrible. But indicting a cabinet member for them based on the facts that some of these courts have relied is a farce...fully appropriate given the fact that most of international criminal law is farcical, but ridiculous nonetheless.

Oh, and please pardon me if I'm nothing more than amused at the Swiss government's sudden virtue in matters of law and morality. A more venal and amoral government would be hard to find.

Keeping this still tied, however tenuously, to football: I think Kissinger deserves credit for embracing soccer in this country at a time when the pro game here was nearly non-existent. But he's definitely not the man for this job...which is of course exactly why Blatter wants him.

I'm not disagreeing with your analysis. In fact, you make really solid points. My main point in poking fun of choosing Kissinger as an adviser is the international perception that he is a war criminal, thus putting him into a position with FIFA certainly adds little credibility to that organization in the minds of many. The facts are undeniable that he indeed violated international law, but then again so have any number of American and international presidents and policy makers, fully knowing they were violating international law. I'm not saying that is bad or good. As you point out, international criminal law is a farce and has very little teeth. That is why leaders could give two shits about it and make decisions based on national interest, as they should. I actually have read quite a few of Kissinger's writings and regard him highly. I thought my original post on the matter conveyed that I was criticizing the appointment based on international perception of Kissinger's past issues, but obviously I did not get the point across as intended and it came across as if I was indicting Kissinger from a personal point of view. I've heard Kissinger speak about football and he is clearly a knowledgeable and passionate fan of the sport. He is also a very smart person. I just don't know if it is wise to put a controversial figure into the current FIFA mix given the lack of trust in the organization as it currently stands. Hope that clarifies things a bit.

[Feanor]

(Yawn) Kissinger's status as a renegade war criminal stems from Christopher Hitchens' aggressive campaign to attribute to Kissinger every wrong ever perpetrated by a US ally. As appealing as this is for the "anti-imperialists" of the world (as well as other denizens of the idealogical wilderness like filmmakers, t-shirt manufacturers and the French judiciary), it's a case that has more gaping holes in it than a Kardashian family reunion.

War criminal? WOW. First Ive heard of this.

Maybe a quick google search would be a better use of your time than insulting people who have heard about it.

I understand the Left's complaints about many of these policies and many of them were terrible. But indicting a cabinet member for them based on the facts that some of these courts have relied is a farce...fully appropriate given the fact that most of international criminal law is farcical, but ridiculous nonetheless.

Indicting him is one thing, but Kissinger won't even provide information about Operation Condor as a witness. In any event, all having Kissinger at FIFA would do is tarnish Blatter's already terrible reputation.

[XXXIV]

(Yawn) Kissinger's status as a renegade war criminal stems from Christopher Hitchens' aggressive campaign to attribute to Kissinger every wrong ever perpetrated by a US ally. As appealing as this is for the "anti-imperialists" of the world (as well as other denizens of the idealogical wilderness like filmmakers, t-shirt manufacturers and the French judiciary), it's a case that has more gaping holes in it than a Kardashian family reunion.

War criminal? WOW. First Ive heard of this.

Maybe a quick google search would be a better use of your time than insulting people who have heard about it.

Perfect!

Now we have the three biggest political stooges on the board in formation.

[GB_Simo]

Surely the most pressing question, irrespective of political leanings, is this: if Henry Kissinger isn't the man for the job, is Placido Domingo? I've waited a day before bringing this up, mainly because I assumed I'd dreamt it.

[Feanor]

You have the poorest debating skills and the lamest collection of outdated .jpgs I've ever seen on an internet message board. I can't decide if you're 5 years old or 55. Either way, you're nothing but a sad joke to the rest of us who are actually having a reasonable conversation in this thread.

You don't even care about soccer/football, you're only here to show your ignorance and try and derail the thread. Do us a favor and f*** off.

[XXXIV]

Surely the most pressing question, irrespective of political leanings, is this: if Henry Kissinger isn't the man for the job, is Placido Domingo? I've waited a day before bringing this up, mainly because I assumed I'd dreamt it.

That would be the point but unfortunately we have these three clowns who only care about licking each others assholes.

[XXXIV]

You don't even care about soccer/football, you're only here to show your ignorance and try and derail the thread. Do us a favor and f*** off.

Dude really?

Ive been flamed far better than that by 4 year old monkeys.

[Feanor]

Or hang around posting in a thread you have no actual interest in until you get banned again. Truly a hero to internet trolls the world over.

[RobVarak]

Surely the most pressing question, irrespective of political leanings, is this: if Henry Kissinger isn't the man for the job, is Placido Domingo? I've waited a day before bringing this up, mainly because I assumed I'd dreamt it.

Sadly, he has the best credentials of the bunch. LMAO

[XXXIV]

If political threads are banned....I would guess tin foil hat wearing political bullshit in a soccer thread would also be banned.

[toonarmy]

Since Blatter wants to make this a circus I nominate Diego Maradona. At least we can have entertaining press conferences along with our side order of corruption.

[10spro]

Since Blatter wants to make this a circus I nominate Diego Maradona. At least we can have entertaining press conferences along with our side order of corruption.

Now you're talking.

[toonarmy]

If political threads are banned....I would guess tin foil hat wearing political bullshit in a soccer thread would also be banned.

There is nothing tin foil hat related here. The discussion is based upon well-known assertions and perceptions. You are doing nothing more than showing complete ignorance and childish behavior as usual. Quit trolling yet another thread and let the big boys have an adult conversation without being such a childish dick. I thought this forum was above such juvenile ignorant behavior.

[Feanor]

If political threads are banned....I would guess tin foil hat wearing political bullshit in a soccer thread would also be banned.

If you believe the political bullshit is that bad and you don't possess the ability to respond to it like RobVarak with an actual argument, then consider contacting Scoop directly to complain instead of acting shocked about something everyone else was aware of, hurling insults, overusing laughing smileys, posting old movie posters and generally f***in up our football thread.

[XXXIV]

If political threads are banned....I would guess tin foil hat wearing political bullshit in a soccer thread would also be banned.

There is nothing tin foil hat related here. The discussion is based upon well-known assertions and perceptions. You are doing nothing more than showing complete ignorance and childish behavior as usual. Quit trolling yet another thread and let the big boys have an adult conversation without being such a childish dick. I thought this forum was above such juvenile ignorant behavior.

I am on double secret probation so therefore I cannot respond in kind to the name calling...too bad cause Id eat you girls alive.

So with my hands tied behind my back....

I can only say to you and your two tin foil hat wearing political loonie comrades...and I do this say this with much assertation....

You are incorrect!

[toonarmy]

If political threads are banned....I would guess tin foil hat wearing political bullshit in a soccer thread would also be banned.

There is nothing tin foil hat related here. The discussion is based upon well-known assertions and perceptions. You are doing nothing more than showing complete ignorance and childish behavior as usual. Quit trolling yet another thread and let the big boys have an adult conversation without being such a childish dick. I thought this forum was above such juvenile ignorant behavior.

I am on double secret probation so therefore I cannot respond in kind to the name calling...too bad cause Id eat you girls alive.

So with my hands tied behind my back....

I can only say to you and your two tin foil hat wearing political loonie comrades...and I do this say this with much assertation....

You are incorrect!

This isn't a matter of eating anyone. It's a matter of behaving in a decent mature manner. You already polluted the hockey thread with your nonsense. All we are asking is that you don't pollute the football thread with similar juvenile foolishness. Everyone in this thread gets along fine without silly namecalling and trolling. If you have something productive to contribute, fine. If not, then stay out of the thread. s*** is getting old.

[XXXIV]

Again you may throw all your feces at me.

You are incorrect!

[Jared]

Back from a nice, long vacation.

Please stop the crap people. I'll go back to thread locks and bans quickly if people don't behave with more civility.

[fsquid]

US looked ok yesterday. what a horrible surface that was though. It was like they were playing on shag carpet.

[10spro]

US looked ok yesterday. what a horrible surface that was though. It was like they were playing on shag carpet.

When the game started it was so one sided at one point that the white and red team was blocking more shots than an NHL PK unit. That changed in the second half and Ali Gerba should have come into the game much sooner.

[fsquid]

gerba isn't a bad player. First time I've seen him play. He should have started.

[miget33]

This just broke

5 Mexico players test positive for banned clenbuterol, out of Gold Cup: Memo Ochoa, Zinha, Maza Rodríguez, Hobbit Bermúdez, Edgar Dueñas....tainted Chicken is the excuse