Ta-Nehisi Coates is sort of right about why Conservatives hate soccer. He says it’s: “a kind of crude nationalism that resents having to compete in an international competition that we may not win.”
Well, it’s Nationalism, all right. But I don’t know that it’s because they think we won’t win so much as it is a continuing interest in “American exceptionalism”. Much of the rest of the world, especially Europe, likes soccer; the Conservatives want America to be different. (Can’t say I blame them, really.)
Also, of course, it’s partially a reaction against what they see as an Internationalist attempt to over-hype soccer here in America.
That's a good point. I didn't think of that.I guess when I talk about Nationalism, I mean that the "intellectual elite" of the Republican party (and yes, they have them, even though they claim to hate elitists) are Nationalists. But they're more than willing to compromise on issues like sports in order to get votes.
Wait a minute, aren't Soccer Mom's who drive those big gas guzzling RV's part of the Republican core?
That's a good point. I didn't think of that.I guess when I talk about Nationalism, I mean that the "intellectual elite" of the Republican party (and yes, they have them, even though they claim to hate elitists) are Nationalists. But they're more than willing to compromise on issues like sports in order to get votes.