Barco!

First off, I hope your summer is going well! It's hard to believe that the break is almost halfway over, isn't it? I'm sure your summer is full of fantastic fun and you aren't even thinking about school. But, perchance you decided to check this blog, I'm obligated to update it.



My summer so far has been spent practicing guitar, walking my dog, playing a computer game, reading, and watching the FIFA Confederations Cup soccer tournament in South Africa, site of next year's World Cup! The US team has failed to impress, losing solidly to both Italy and, one of my faves, Brazil. Egypt shocked the world by becoming only the second African team to defeat a European one when they upset defending World Cup champs Italy 1-0 yesterday. Then there is Spain, without doubt the world's best national team right now. I'm hoping for a Spain-Brazil championship match. Now THAT would be entertaining soccer.






Speaking of soccer, I plan to devote some space in my room this fall to a World Cup display. However, the focus will also be on my favorite European club team, Barcelona. They recently accomplished a major triumph in European soccer, winning the Copa, the La Liga, and the Champions titles! Barco plays a free flowing, attack oriented style of soccer that is a delight to behold. If more teams played such a style, soccer might actually become popular in the US as a spectator sport.


But there is more to like about FCB than just players such as Messi, Xavi, Danny Alves, Henry, and Iniesta. There is the club's, and city's, history. Barcelona is the most modern of Spain's cities and the Catalonian people are a distinct ethnic group. Always a progressive-minded city, they resisted the Castilians of Madrid and the Inquisition. During the Spanish Civil War, Barcelona fought against Franco and his fascists. George Orwell, yes, of Animal Farm and 1984 fame, fought alongside Catalonian socialists in that war. Franco personally despised FCB (Football Club Barcelona) and gave all sorts of advantages to Real Madrid, Barco's hated rival. (Think Yankees vs. Red Sox) Though Franco is "still dead" (ask your parents about that joke), Real Madrid remains Barcelona's number one rival. Just like the Yankees, Real has been spending millions this summer to try and build a team capable of dethroning Barco.



Finally, Barcelona is the one European Football Club that does not wear corporate sponsoring on their jerseys. Instead, their jerseys advertise UNICEF! What's not to like about a club like that?



Speaking of soccer and politics, I hope you have been paying attention to what is happening in Iran. Millions have taken to the streets to protest the election results and the government in general. I fear a major crackdown is on the way, but it is moving to see such courage from people who feel they have been oppressed by a reactionary regime. Some of the players on Iran's National team wore green wristbands to show their support for the protesters. Check out the link below if you are interested in learning more:



http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1905213,00.html



That's it for this week! I may post again next week.... or perhaps not. Enjoy your vacation.