LPiA-23 Nov. 5

[rayheinrich]

                                                < Hey Sports Fans! >
                               
                                Have we got a hot one for you tonight!
                                It's the Israelis against their arch-rivals: the Palestinians
                                An always much-anticipated matchup
                                for all you dedicated fans the world over.
                               
                                And if you're tuning in late:
                                The Israelis have scored a few thousand Palestinians.
                               
                                But don't worry,
                                we're not even finished with the first half yet.
                                The game is just heating up,
                                there'll be lots more scoring on both sides.
                               
                                So stay tuned,
                                there's been nothing but fast-paced excitement so far.
                                And no matter who you're rooting for,
                                there's lots of thrilling action yet to come.
                               
                                                                - - -




Same poem but with image can be found here


Sports as training in unquestioning acceptance of leaders, jingoism, war:

"Sports is another crucial example of the indoctrination system, in my view. For one thing because it offers people something to pay attention to that's of no importance. That keeps them from worrying about things that matter to their lives that they might have some idea of doing something about. It's striking to see the intelligence that's used by ordinary people in discussions of sports as opposed to political and social issues.

I remember in high school. I suddenly asked myself at one point, why do I care if my high school team wins the football game? I mean, I don't know anybody on the team, they have nothing to do with me. Why am I cheering for my team? It doesn't make sense. But the point is, it does make sense: It's a way of building up irrational attitudes of submission to authority, and unquestioning group acceptance of leaders -- in fact, it's training in irrational jingoism." - Noam Chomsky

http://www.chomsky.info/interviews/1992.htm