Uncle Sam

Speaking of sports....Go USA...Go Britain...Go Germany...Go away France!<BR><BR>US

Zacharia

Message: "Sports provide people with an escape from their mundane, daily lives. It gives them an outlet for their agressions. In that sense, it really serves a valuable function in modern society..."<BR><BR>Yeah, like organized crime, school kids/coaches cheating on tests so the player can still be eligible...one parent beating another parent to death over a hockey practice(USA), a soccer mob beating a player to death...<BR><BR>I have no problem with sports, per se, but we've gone 'way beyond a game of stick ball in an empty lot. To me I really don't see all that much difference between the World Wrestling clowns and the NFL. Grown men behaving badly while making obscene amounts of money. I also doubt if there are any hurling champs out there making a million a season. Apples and oranges.

E. Nuff Alredi

Yeah, OhPlease, Seb is right! How could you be such a twit? Didn't you know that to travel nowadays you need to reconfirm your flight status, check the weather forecast, check the government website for terrorist alerts and, for god's sake, check for major disruptions in the area your travelling to due to mindless sporting events?<BR><BR>Sheesh! I'll bet you feel stoopid, now!

xxx

Simple solution for you Zach. If you don't like sports, don't watch and don't participate.

shayne

What a bunch of unbelievable snobs! The attitude here that anyone who enjoys sports cannot be intelligent, or capable of enjoying history, the arts, etc. is sad.<BR>

Butch

Why why why, would you want to escape from sports.<BR><BR>No matter where I go I take a television just so I can watch.<BR><BR>

gail

I do not know about English-speaking world, but there was limited sports coverage on Arabic-language TV in Cairo - although, there was some soccer coverage. My teenage son was unable, despite great efforts, to follow his favorite baseball team while we were in Egypt.

Jackie

Baseball is life

Joyce

Sports is a form of entertainment, and also gives many people a social outlet. <BR><BR>If seeing how other cultures entertain themselves is unpleasant for you, then you should not leave the USA.<BR><BR>Inside the USA, you have some control over the people with whom you associate. If you dislike hearing about sports all the time, then seek out people who have other interests. <BR><BR><BR>

Marsha

As usual, half of the responses miss the original point. Sure, it’s easy to say “ignore it, find people with other interests, etc.” but the reality is something altogether different<BR><BR>The post points out that sports are virtually inescapable in the Western world. I think it’s a bit overboard to suggest that someone stay home to escape sports (in the USA? Pu-lease!) or to make their travel plans around sporting events.<BR><BR>Another excuse I get a kick out of is how sports “brings people together.” Did any of you dead-heads notice how well soccer brought Moscow together a couple of days ago? Ah, wonderful! The brotherhood there was touching.<BR>

Jim

I think many of the posters here were the ones who were picked last when sides were chosen. I have a successful career in NYC and have become friendly with some former NHL players. They are happy, normal, confident adults. I still play hockey and tennis and it's great exercise. I also enjoy watching these sports. If you don't like sports, good for you -- don't watch them. Other people enjoy competition.

really

Marsha: Thank you for demonstrating how to be a "dead-head." People behave poorly in a variety of circumstances. A riot in the Moscow does not mean that sports do not bring people together. Geez, what logic. Next thing you'll be saying is that democracy is bad, because there is occaional hickups (and, even riots and demonstrations), or some other such "logic". I like when people who don't appreciate or like a pastime or performance, are critical of it. That's like me suggesting a particular ballet was performed poorly, or has no redeeming value. How would I know, if I don't know, appreciate, or like ballet? Funny, though, how I can travel to Europe and completely lose track of sports and current events, for that matter, while those of you who are not sports fans are somehow pestered by sports while abroad. Perchance you should turn of your hotel TVs and venture outside and visit the sites!

Gigi

Did you know there is a direct link to the rise of a man's testosterone level with the positive outcome of his chosen team? There is. And, conversly, the level drops when his team loses. <BR>

Uncle Sam

Marsha,<BR><BR>did you always get picked last for girls field hockey or did you get this attitude over somehting else?<BR><BR>US

dan woodlief

OK, a topic dear to my heart. I admit to being one who loves sports but is not obsessed with them. I have played on teams in baseball, basketball, football, volleyball, softball, and have played tennis, snow and water skiied, but rarely golfed. I think it is harder to have an appreciation for the great gifts pro athletes have unless you have played a lot of sports yourself. Sports is not just important for staying in shape; it also can teach valuable lessons if not taken too far. It is also fun to compete and challenge yourself to excel.<BR><BR>I paid scalper prices to see the 3rd game of the Stanley Cup finals recently, and it was worth way more than that. What an atmosphere and what a game!! If only Detroit hadn't won.<BR><BR>Still, I gladly miss watching sports anytime I can travel, go to my daughters' recitals, or attend family get togethers. If it means that much to me, I just tape it and watch later. <BR><BR>Certainly there is a lot wrong in sports today, but it also can be beautiful and provide a nice release from the trials and tribulations of everyday life too. As serious of a person as I can be (I like to think I have my priorities in place), I get almost amused when someone writes a letter to the editor complaining that some sports story made the front page. Well, I say enough of talking about auto wrecks, fires, and school shootings all the time. We need a break people!!

nosnob

Western civilization began in Greece and so did the Olympics. The ancient Greeks loved sports...would you call them "uncivilized" as well?? Oh please - you are a SNOB, there is just as much culture in sports as in literature, music or art.

Capo

If you like pro sports, fine. But I'll take music any day over pro sports. With a great rock 'n' roll show (or any kind of concert), everybody wins; there's no need to have a winner and a loser.

dan woodlief

That's just the thing Capo. It doesn't have to be one or the other. I have heard that Pavarotti is to sing in NC this year. I plan to get tickets to that event too, even if it costs a bit. In fact, some pro sports events could probably be compared to a rock concert - Stanley Cup Finals and World Cup come to mind - in regards to atmosphere. In fact some of the hooliganism that occurs is not that different from the craziness we have seen at famous Woodstock, Stones, and Who concerts. Also, at the hockey game I mentioned there was a lot of good natured ribbing and actual conversation between Detroit and Carolina fans. I do think all the fans were winners. To see an intense championship game go nearly four overtimes was something none of the participants or viewers will ever forget. It was very special to me, and my team lost in very dramatic fashion when it should have won.

Capo

Dan, I'm not saying it "has" to be one or the other. I'm merely saying what my preference is. <BR><BR>I used to love pro sports when I was younger, but I don't anymore. I'd much rather support music with my dollars.

Uncle Sam

I played college basketball and grew up enjoying sport for the fun and competitive nature of the games. IMHO, sports tell quite a bit about a person, who is selfish, who is a team player, who knows how to lead etc. <BR><BR>Sports in general are very good. A couple of exceptions:<BR><BR>1. Children's sports where Mom and Dad relive their miserable failed sports lives through their kids.<BR><BR>2. Sports where over paid professional athletes believe that because they can shoot or hit a ball that anyone should care about their opinions (I beleieve the same way about movie stars and their causes)<BR><BR>One of my favorite sports, and this from a red blooded American that grew up on baseball, basketball and football......is soccer.<BR><BR>You do not have ot be 6:8, 300 lbs and eat glass to play. It puts a premium on speed, coordination, stamina and tamwork.<BR><BR>Oh yes, it is the beautiful sport!<BR><BR>US