Yellow Card

Nothing better than a Soccer tournament to bring the world together as the 2006 World Cup from Germany works its magic on the people. On the one hand a vision of unity, equality and simple definitions of "us vs them". On the other, Nationalism at its most potent and jingoistic; the colours of the flag proudly displayed on the faces of every supporter.
 
The so-called beautiful game reminds us in the West that there are a lot of different nations in the world all trying to succeed at a sport where anyone can win. [Mind you the Brazilian team looks awfully good.] It's a game with a huge field-of-dreams and the possibility for upsets as independent nations beat their historic invaders.
 
In a sense, then, the World Cup tournament is the great equalizer. It breaks politics down to a simple premise: if we beat you at soccer, it's a victory from which you'll never be able to recover. Payback for the misdeeds of history.
 
If only it were that simple.
 
This week the Pentagon issued a notice indicating that 2,500 men and women of the American military have died in Iraq since 2003. The financial cost now topping $320 Billion US. The Pentagon also stated that at least 30,000 Iraqi people have been killed with about 4,800 Iraqi security forces listed as dead. [I've got a feeling it's much higher]
 
In soccer, "injury time" is added to the match to cover substitutions and injured players who have left the game. According to the rules, the amount of [injury or added] time is at the sole discretion of the referee, and the referee alone signals when the match has been completed. When it comes to the war in Iraq perhaps we need to change the referee or get him a new watch.
 
That's just my opinion. I could be wrong.