Brent Pulford

2016-08-31 12:58:31 -0400

Pathetic: miserably or contemptibly inadequate.

This was the fiercest definition of the word pathetic I could find because I know The Rebel likes to deal in absolutes. The most damning word in the definition is “inadequate” which simply means you’re incapable of achieving what you set out to do. So lets see who is inadequate in the situation being described. Hope Solo, goaltender for the US Women’s Olympic Soccer team, let in more goals than her Swedish counterpart. By comparison Solo was inadequate in defeat. Solo also had this to say about the Swedes; “It was a combative game. A physical game. Exactly what they wanted.” Wow, that doesn’t sound cowardly at all. In fact Solo herself says Swedish players were physically stronger, strong enough to assert themselves and play the style of game they knew they could win. Once again Solo herself undermines her assertion of cowardliness when, in describing their play, she effectively defines the word “Superior.”

Then we have the assertions of the writer, whose chosen to go nameless, claiming ten proof points that Sweden is “the most pathetic country on Earth.” There’s a lot to be said for that claim but last time I checked there was no scale for pathetic-ness because I checked. Sadly the writer has committed the cardinal sin of allowing his politics to infiltrate what essentially is a portrait of a sore loser. Maybe he knows what that feels like. Maybe he’s empathizing but on every meaningful scale, like GDP , quality of life, standard of living, employment, schooling, health care, Sweden ranks always in the top 10 but more often at the top rather than at position 10. So his hatred of Sweden’s very successful experiment in social democracy, has prevented him from hiding his xenophobic biases. That’s what happens when you allow politics to dictate every aspect of your life. So here, like on Fox News, we don’t get stories we get hate filled attempts at propaganda or the furthering of an unnamed, inarticulate conservatism.

If you’re going to be a successful communicator, regardless of what it is you’re trying to communicate, it helps to be tabula rasa, a clean slate. Because then you’re able to listen and learn. Those who adhere too vigorously to a philosophy, by definition, become hate filled because they just can’t convince enough others to see things their way. Then by way of their devotion to their beliefs are insulted by the idiots who can’t see what they see. It becomes irritating and they become angry. A great example of that is the campaign being run by Donald Trump. He’s full of hatred and anger, as are his supporters, so you get a sampling of how anger alone can fuel a massive campaign for POTUS .

Gosh I’ve strayed way far away from the beginning of the piece, the non politicized part. So to wrap things up I think Hope Solo is a sucky baby who doesn’t know how to give credit to the victors.

Thanks for indulging me. It felt great.

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