Comments on: Zidane a Son of a Terrorist Whore?

By: John Burgess

John Burgess — Wed, 12 Jul 2006 13:30:31 +0000

I cast no aspersions on the intellectual capability of professional athletes (well, maybe WWF, and sorry for the typo).

My point is that people with jobs that require maximum focus in one area rarely have the time to spend becoming any sort of expert on issue peripheral to that area. Sure, they know what terrorism is--as I'm sure Materazzi does--but I seriously doubt that they spend their time reading anti-terror blogs or think-tank reports on it. They get their information from the MSM, same as most people.

I'm also sure, that if you were to ask, you'd find Materazzi very up-to-date on the Italian soccer scandals.

And anyway, rather than claiming actual ignorance of terrorism, Materazzi was likely disclaiming any expertise on the matter, thus the unlikelihood that he'd use it as a slur.

By: Len

Len — Wed, 12 Jul 2006 01:38:13 +0000

Even in an MLB, NBA or NHL locker room I doubt you found many who in this day and age do not know what a terrorist is.

In fact, it may surprise you to learn that many MLB, NBA and NHL players are actually college educated and quite well informed as to current events.

Some can even spell "wrestling." (Sorry... uncalled for, but couldn't resist seeing as how James is kind enough to even provide a spell checker here.)

By: John Burgess

John Burgess — Wed, 12 Jul 2006 01:06:51 +0000

Hmmm... I bet if you went into an MLB locker room post-game you'd have a hard time finding a player who could give you any sort of nuance about any sort of political issue.

I won't even make you go into a "wresting" locker room... Or NBA or NHL...

By: Len

Len — Tue, 11 Jul 2006 23:08:19 +0000

I don't believe I would have said I was ignorant and did not even know what a terrorist was. You think that's clever? Then again, he can't really come out and say that he baited the guy, can he? Better, I guess, to profess ignorance.

By: edgardo

edgardo — Tue, 11 Jul 2006 22:00:45 +0000

Actually Zidane's temper is a much bigger problem than the 14 red cards he got in his career. In the past four or five years, while playing for Real Madrid in the Spanish League, too many times he was not ejected when he clearly deserved it for intentionally hitting an opponent. Everyone knew he had a problem, but I don't think the Italians took advantage of it (they could have done it much earlier in the game and certainly during regular time).
And please give Materazzi a break. He was quite clever. In his position, what have you said?

By: Len

Len — Tue, 11 Jul 2006 21:49:35 +0000

What I find amazing is Materazzi's statement that he is ignorant and does not even know what a terrorist is.

This man lives in a civilized country in the 21st century and is attending an international sporting event as a representative of his country, and he is ignorant and does not even know what a terrorist is?

I believe this would come under the heading of "Give Me a Break."

By: Herb Ely

Herb Ely — Tue, 11 Jul 2006 21:36:17 +0000

It turns out that Zidane had gotten 14 red cards during his career. It is easy to believe that the Italians knew this and goaded him, hoping that he would get thrown out of the game. Zidane had a character defect - his temper. I wonder if his coaches had worked with him on it. Under this scenario, he was tired and vulnerable and the Italians exploited his weakeness. This is not the best way to win - but this is the Worlds cup. The Italians, of course, will never admit that this was a deliberate tactic.