Paying Attention

Herein be random ruminations on politics, history, ideas, spirituality, religion, education, media, life, relationships, culture... and Boston sports when I really want to vent.

"If you're not outraged, you're not paying attention." (ubiquitous)

"Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never has and never will." (Frederick Douglass)

"I distrust those people who know so well what God wants them to do, because I notice it always coincides with their own desires." (Susan B. Anthony)

"Clearly the trick in life is to die young as late as possible." (William Sloane Coffin)

January 7, 2012 9:56 pm

THE POLITICS OF WILDCARD FOOTBALL

I’m a born and bred New Englander, so no matter what happens or where I live, I’m always a Patriots fan.  When I take an interest in another NFL game that my Pats are  not involved in, my allegiance is up for grabs.  There’s usually a political twist to who I like.

When the Saints went to the Super Bowl, I desperately wanted them to win.  Who didn’t?  Coming back from Katrina.  Coming back from the dead.  How the Saints team joined themselves to the situation and the city.  Even though they are an NFC club, I rejoiced when they won.

Tonight I want the Lions to beat these same Saints.  Why?  It’s political.  Yeah, the Bush administration screwed over New Orleans in 2005 and the media abandoned the continuing crisis there once the waters receded.  But the Saints got their Lombardi Trophy and it lifted the city when they did.  Awesome.

Meanwhile, the Lions represent a city that has been screwed over for decades.  But the corporate media don’t really cover that part of it.  New Orleans had a flood.  TV News loves it.  So do their advertisers.  Great photos and video.  Tune in at 11:00.  Detroit was an American city slowly but relentlessly gutted by capitalist disinvestment and government disinterest for generations.  Not so much corporate news media attention to explaining how that happened. This largely black, working class city has suffered ever since below the media radar screen.

So… go Lions!  Beat the Saints and keep winning until you play New England. :)      

  1. arewepayingattention posted this