Comments on: Johnson’s War

By: lars

lars — Tue, 20 Jun 2006 13:16:00 +0000

Well, listening to the American commentator during the Iran Mexico game I couldn’t help myself switching the tv off. He constantly and repeatedly was talking about what was going in the Iranian players minds about what their presidents comments in world politics. Does he really believe a player on his way to a world cup game will think about these bulshit stuff called politics. Players have better things in their minds than politics.

By: Jon E.

Jon E. — Mon, 19 Jun 2006 11:12:35 +0000

I’ve always thought analogizing war to almost anything usually ends up trivializing war at the same time it makes whoever’s making the analogy sound like they have no sense of perspective. (Yeah, this sales meeting is going to be war. Just like Omaha Beach!)

But, yeah, Americans do it all the time without actually meaning that they think that the Timberwolves and the Nets will be using live ammo and protecting national security. And EJ’s a young man who hasn’t dealt with the media all that much. Tempest in a teapot.

And it definitely seems like the Italian media–which lord knows are hardly above reproach themselves–decided to use EJ as some sort of scapegoat for American foreign policy. I suspect that the stories about American jingoism and imperialism were already written before the World Cup started and just awaiting a pretext, which EJ supplied them.

I would rather EJ had said, “We’re going to come out here and fight hard, tackle tough, play smart, string together passes, and leave everything on the pitch. And if that doesn’t work, we’re going to have a bunch of our club presidents call the refs and tell them how to call our next game.” I mean, if the Italian media want to overreact, we might as well give them a good reason.

By: Alexander Wolfe

Alexander Wolfe — Mon, 19 Jun 2006 05:52:01 +0000

This is a controversy? I agree with Observer. Americans analogize sports to war and conflict all the time. I didn’t realize it was unique to Americans, and I’m sure neither does Eddie. I would’ve said something similar probably. And I encourage him to say it again. If some Italians want to be offended by that…oh well.

By: Rose Immortal

Rose Immortal — Mon, 19 Jun 2006 04:57:33 +0000

That was totally blown out of proportion by the Italians…it’s amazing how quickly many in Europe are to try to find any possible way to criticize America’s foreign policy–even by attacking people who have absolutely nothing to do with it.

Here’s my message to Italy: If you have a problem, at least have the guts to address it to our leadership, not to a young man who has never had to deal with the press before. It is WELL known that sports evolved out of practice for war. That’s undeniable history–get over it.

By: svampa

svampa — Sun, 18 Jun 2006 23:55:48 +0000

I’m forty, and as far as I can remember, I’ve never heard o read anyone one using the methaphore war=Football world cup.

It was a really unfortunated choice.

Next War=Olimpic games? Why not?

We all know that sports are competition, but they are also enjoying the game. Perhaps 20% enjoying the game, 80% competition. Using such militar terms, the attitude of players and public slowly moves to a 99.99% competition, 0.01% enjoying the game. And then you come to foul play, hooligans, riots etc.

Sad. Let’s just enjoy the game.

By: UC

UC — Sun, 18 Jun 2006 22:01:56 +0000

Johnson wasn’t too far off. That game sort of WAS a war.

By: Danny

Danny — Sun, 18 Jun 2006 19:33:31 +0000

MSN ENCARTA DICTIONARY

War: a serious struggle, argument, or conflict between people

Battle: a drawn-out conflict between adversaries, or against powerful forces

Struggle: a prolonged fight or conflict

Just consider the context of the word and stop behaving like Journalists whose aim is to bring up negative sides of issues.

Now lets see how we’re going to attack ghana.

or “attack” is also a dangerous word to use someone tell me

By: Observer

Observer — Sun, 18 Jun 2006 18:10:18 +0000

Johnson’s words were no different than what you hear on a regular basis from US sports stars and commentators. They refer to most things in militaristic terms whether its football (soccer), American football (NFL), basketball, etc. This language may be employed in other countries but I have only ever heard it from US-based commentators and athletes, and, to some extent, Canadian ones; but Canada is heavily influenced by the USA. So the whole uproar does seem to be a result of political-cultural differences/misunderstandings. That’s not to defend such comments isnce no sport is a war, and it’s not even close no matter how hard fought the game may be.

By: Jodido

Jodido — Sun, 18 Jun 2006 18:08:49 +0000

Maybe EJ can place a fatwa on Larrionda’s head.

By: Dave

Dave — Sun, 18 Jun 2006 17:43:47 +0000

Chill out people the context of the word “war” in this case was just a very competetive football match. EJ was right it this context. If you do not think so take a look at the pictures of Brian McBrides face. It was a great match betwee 2 very good sides, nothing political about it.