I am definitely not childless. I don't root for China, but I simply cannot stand the odious, "USA! USA!" type of mindless patriotism that comes along with America winning in the Olympics.
In fact, watching the well-funded American athletes compete against obviously inferior competition reminds me of the "wars" we are now perpetually involved in, all against Third World nations that have no chance to fight back against us.
America has become the world's bully. Individual athletes aside, I don't see how any citizen living through the nightmarish, Orwellian police state we have become can possibly have any trace of patriotism left. The present day America is nothing we should be cheering.
I was watching women’s beach volleyball last night, which featured Kerry Walsh-Jennings and Misty May-Treanor playing a team of Austrian sisters (Doris and Stefanie Schwaiger). The Austrians played very well and accomplished quite a feat, breaking the American team’s lengthy streak (dating back to Athens, 2004) of never losing a set at the Olympics. Eventually, the Austrian team yielded to the undeniably-talented duo in the 2[SUP]nd[/SUP] and 3[SUP]rd[/SUP] sets.
I found myself rooting for the Austrians to win…not because they were the “underdog,” not because I loathe America, not because Kerry and Misty both chose to hyphenate their husbands’ last names, and not because my ancestors dwelled in an area nearby Austria. No, it was the contrasting attitudes of the two squads that was most influential in “hoping” for a particular victor.
The Americans - Kerry Walsh-Jennings was called for a “4[SUP]th[/SUP] hit,” and subsequently burst into an angry tirade against the official, berating him like a nasty, spoiled brat. Misty May-Treanor, who undoubtedly played great during the match, was arrogantly “fist-pumping” and screaming like a red-shirt-sporting Tiger Woods at the end of a tournament. When the “hyphen twins” had finally secured the victory, they celebrated like absolute jerks and sauntered conceitedly towards the crowd, furrowing their brows, clenching their fists in victory and flashing silly hand gestures to the fans in attendance. Said fans, who must have been even more enebriated than usual, were chanting that all-too familiar corporate mantra:
“USA! USA! USA!” The uncouth dullards kept blathering those three meaningless letters for the entire match. Then, Misty, the childless 35 year old who looks 55, began randomly blathering into the camera about the “heroic” nature of the U.S. Armed Forces. Stick to volleyball, little girl. No humility. No sportsmanship. No congratulations for a young, unheralded team that took them to the brink. They won, and the bullies rubbed their noses in it…
The Austrians – The Schwaiger sisters played a great match and were administered several questionable “net touch” violations, but didn’t complain or question the official whatsoever. Unlike the Americans, they weren’t screaming with unbridled jubilee over every point…they barely even celebrated when they won the first set (which, as I mentioned, effectively broke a 30-set streak that spanned 12-years).
After the match, the Americans were seen chatting with some handsome countrymen…