Soccer in the United States (Cause and Effect Essay)

         All around the world, from hungry countries deep in Africa to lavish ones in Europe, crowded cities in Asia to coastal paradises in the Pacific Islands, soccer is the uncontested top sport.  Known as “The World’s Game” and the most popular sport on the planet, this worldwide appeal has been attributed to it’s simple rules and fundamentals, the rivalries and passions it creates between teams, cities, and entire countries, and the hope it gives to the citizens of impoverished countries that would otherwise have none.  There is, however, one country that stands alone, refusing to elevate the sport to its near-universal throne.

            America.

            The most obvious answer may very well be the best one—football, basketball, and baseball.  These three sports have long dominated American sports culture, and show no signs of letting up.  Before soccer even had the chance to get a good foothold in America, it was swept away by the cornered markets of football, basketball, and baseball.  Though in recent years soccer has made a fair comeback, throughout the vast majority of American history, soccer has been heavily overshadowed.

            However, there are many other, smaller reasons why soccer just doesn’t seem to catch in the U.S.   

            To many U.S. citizens, soccer seems almost un-American.  Football, basketball, and baseball have their roots in America since their humble beginnings—soccer is comparatively foreign.  To watch or play soccer would be like sipping tea and eating crumpets, measuring in centimeters, walking a poodle, and visiting a famous art museum.  But the other three?  Well, they’re as American as apple pie!

            High school has also been a barrier to soccer’s success in the States.  Until the 1980’s, most high schools didn’t offer soccer as a sport, so all many athletes during that time period never had the chance to play.  This led to less national exposure and few very talented athletes, making it hard for soccer to become a national sport.  The effects of this still linger today, as athletes in many American schools must choose between wearing a pair of shin-guards and snapping up a helmet.  Unfortunately for the sport, football is the heavyweight in that fight.  Also, because soccer doesn’t have a strong financial foothold on the U.S. either, its athletes are paid far less than the athletes of major American sports; this doesn’t help attract premier athletes to the sport.

            American culture itself poses yet another threat to soccer’s growth in the country.  It is a well-known, and decidedly true, stereotype that Americans love violence.  This value of ours is reflected in the box office, on the television, and in our favorite sports.  The NFL has the highest net gain and average attendance of any American sport.  The fastest-growing sport in the country?  That’s MMA, short for Mixed Martial Arts.  Soccer, on the other hand, doesn’t have this appeal.  It’s more about stamina and finesse than beating up opponents, and, as a result, isn’t as attractive to the average American sports fanatic.  Americans also seem to value high-scoring, action-packed, juicy battles that leave one side flailing their arms in victory, and the other hanging their heads in defeat.  Soccer has none of the above.  55% of all soccer matches end in a tie, and in American culture, a tie is unacceptable.  Furthermore, common final scores like 2-1 just don’t seem to compare to the 124-114 feel of the NBA. 

            Finally, all of these causes combine to create a vicious circle effect.  Because America produces relatively few professional soccer players, the media chooses to cover sports with more meat more thoroughly.  As a result, soccer doesn’t get the attention that other major sports do.  American athletes in major sports, however, are chased down by the media like a cop to a donut shop—and with that attention comes extra exposure for their sport.  Young children look up to these athletes and follow in their footsteps, playing the more traditional sports of football, basketball, and baseball.  Year after year, the same dominant sports are reinforced by the culture, the media, parents, and peers.  Meanwhile, soccer falls by the wayside, an odd sport that only a few true diehards dare to try.

            But life goes on.  The typical American is fully satisfied with his diet of professional sports on the TV all year long, refusing to budge even an ounce away from tradition, firm in his ways.  Still, soccer remains a mystery, something yet to be discovered in America—and for that reason, it will remain.

Anymore

you seemed perfect, I couldn't believe
love had finally come to me
I fell for every single word you'd sing
I laughed with you, I talked to you
held your hand and I walked with you
when every word I said was kind and true
I couldn't believe, we could end so soon

I'm gone from you
on a train to Tuscaloo
or maybe runnin' west on Lincoln Avenue
ignore my old dreams
I don't want you here with me
hell, maybe this will open up a door
'cuz I don't need you anymore

so I grabbed your picture and all your notes
everything you ever wrote
a simple match and they were up in smoke
you aren't who you used to be
but that's just what you said to me
now you're nothing more than just another name
and I'm sick and tired of playing this old game

so I'm gone, I'm free
if you look, well, you might see
that your smile doesn't mean anything anymore to me
my heart, just flew
when I thought your words were true
but when I found out who you were, our love tore
but I don't need you anymore

you're not the same
you left me singing in the rain
and all my memories just bring more pain
so so long, goodbye
I don't care if you don't cry
but remember when you come knockin' at my door
I don't need you anymore

Forget What to Say

Across the room, I wish I could just stare
But that'd be weird, I wish you didn't care
All the things I want to say when you turn your head this way
And I see the sunlight shinin' in your hair


I see you then I'm out
You take the words right out my mouth
And I forget what I was ever gonna say
Your pretty eyes, your shiny smile
I want to sit and talk awhile
If I could just get out these words we'd make our day
But I forget what to say


The wind is blowin', but you're just standing there
Looking lost, looking like nobody cares
Please know that's not true, please know I really wish you knew
But I can't tell you when you're taking all my air


I see you then I'm out
You take the words right out my mouth
And I forget what I was ever gonna say
Your pretty eyes, your shiny smile
I want to sit and talk awhile
If I could just get out these words we'd make our day
But I forget what to say


I want to go and take my chance
But I'm drowning in your eminence
You will be my girl and I'll be your man
I'm not sure what to do
when I go dumb just seeing you
Maybe if I write it on my hand


I see you then I'm out
You take the words right out my mouth
And I forget what I was ever gonna say
Your pretty eyes, your shiny smile
I want to sit and talk awhile
If I could just get out these words we'd make our day
But I forget what to say

New Found Life (Sensory Overload Future Outlook 2009)

New Found Life

    Autumn gazed at the display. She couldn't believe her eyes. The thought of it captivated her mind, the very sight seemed to engulf her completely. This defied any explanation—far beyond comprehension. It apprehended her conscience, her thought process, her sense of existence. It shattered her senses, embraced her obsession, and blurred the once distinct line separating reality from the unknown. This was unlike anything ever imagined—the new Mirus 5. “Renovate. Regenerate. Revolutionize.”

…................................................................................................

    Autumn was different, but in the way that you wish everyone could be. Throughout her high school years, she was passionate about people—rarely stopping to think of herself. At lunchtime, she sat at all the wrong tables. It's not that she belonged there; she was beautiful—a smile like a camera flash, but warming, embracing. Her deep blue eyes sparkled, radiant and pure—a crisp, clear whirlpool drawing you in. But she was so much more. She was gentle, yet outgoing. Confident, but humble. She was real.

    After high school, Autumn enrolled at Texas Christian University. She had hopes of becoming a writer, of watching her words come to life on paper, expressing ideas thought of, journeys taken, choices made. She fit in well there; her closest friends were loyal and caring, like herself. They spent time together, making memories and dreaming of their future. They were close, attached, inseparable.

    Her first semester at TCU came and went, and late December turned the campus into a ghost town, Christmas having reunited families everywhere. This was Autumn's favorite time of the year. The sight of a bright Christmas tree, laced with ribbons and memories, took her breath away. And the snow, so pure—a soft blanket over the hard ground, rejecting all the sharp edges, layering the whole world in an endless sea of continuity. But more than anything, she was captivated by all the happiness. The warmth—family meals and stories. The carols, the messages of hope, of love. As the high speed passenger rail shot through the frigid winter night, she thought of her family. They were her inspiration, her first love—the ones she clung to in the hard times, the few she could never let go of. She laid her seat flat, shut the door of her personal, sound-proof cabin, and drifted off to sleep.

    The next day, the scene was stunning—the whole family gathered together by the dazzling tree, warmed by an electric fireplace, a comfort amidst the Minnesota snow. It was good to be home. She sat there, in a happy daze, reminiscing on her days right here, years ago, by the tree. All the wide eyes, the smiles. Pure joy, manifested on all the faces. She longed for more time here; two weeks were going to pass all too quickly.

   And they did. Before she had a chance to blink, she was back on campus, sitting through the lectures, living the routine life of a student. But she was overjoyed to be among her friends once again. They understood her, trusted her, embraced her with their open, caring attitudes. They began telling stories of each one's Christmas, the travel nightmares, the lovely gifts, the delicious meals. Autumn couldn't stop smiling.

   A few days later, a package arrived from her family. There was a note attached, definitely her dad's handwriting.

Sorry we couldn't give this to you on Christmas.

We were on a long waiting list to get it, but here it is!

The whole family agreed that this would be perfect for

you, becoming a writer and all. Hope you love it!

–The Family

….........................................................................................................

    “Renovate. Regenerate. Revolutionize.” The possibilities far surpassed “endless.” Controlled by the mere thought of the user, the Mirus 5 implant defined versatile. There were downloadable programs that could, by releasing chemicals and hormones into the mind and body, make the user feel happy or sad, warm or cold, relaxed or alert, and eliminate unwanted thoughts and memories from the mind. It enabled the consumer to view millions of multimedia collections—movies, pictures, songs, and books—all attainable by simple thought. The multimedia was then viewed by the user, projected onto the walls of their mind. All devices were interconnected, each with their own code in the vast network, further enhancing it's abilities. The user's mind could be made into a personal school—an education bliss—hearing the lesson, seeing the visuals, and answering the questions, all through the thoughts of the mind. The Mirus 5 also held a monetary balance, making buying and selling quick and simple, and could diagnose potential health problems. And that was just the genesis. One page in a library. A single drop of water in an ocean of possibilities.

    New apps and updates to the device were added daily, this new craze sweeping through the developed world. Each new addition was like a tree in a forest, a hair on a head, a grain of sand in a thirsty desert. The Mirus 5 was not only the must-have of 2036, but the foundational crux of the future. This was the last advancement—the final frontier. This device dealt the knockout blow to previous “cutting-edge” technologies.

    Autumn's life was immediately transformed. She always had something to do; every day was a new adventure, a unique path. Her schedule changed, now taking college courses through her thoughts. For her, paper currency was no longer needed, nor were libraries, theaters, or schools. She was the butterfly, possessing talents and abilities never dreamed of by the caterpillar—her old, less sophisticated self. Life was simple, peaceful, and good—for a while.

    But these changes led to more changes. As time passed, Autumn became increasingly enveloped in her new wonder. Day by day, she spent more and more of her time exploring it's endless potentials, bypassing some, digging deeper into others. There were some drawbacks, however. The vivid pictures, the crystal-clear sound, seemed to cloud her memory. Her eyes were becoming more and more obsolete, her vision itself taking backseat to her thoughts. She often felt tense, strained like an over-inflated balloon. Restlessness and anxiety were prevalent most nights, and clear thoughts turned muddy as pressure amplified. It was as though her mind was a cup, and the cup was overflowing. A small part of her, deep inside, wanted her to forget. To clear her head—to unweave her tangled mind. But there was no turning back—how could she abandon this intoxicating device which had so evolved, so transfigured every corner of her life? The tides of good far outweighed the glimmers of bad. It was an addiction, but it was more than that. It was her life. Her love. Her best friend.

    Days gave way to months, and months to years. Time fell like October leaves—years, like the spring rain. Only the rain never ceased, the sun never shined, and flowers never bloomed. Life blazed down it's winding road, it's foot sleeping on the gas. The Mirus 5 became her mind's crutch, demanding full attention. Her friends forgot her, and family overlooked her. Her obsession with the implant had corroded her mind—years of constant barrage had left her entire ability to reason in disarray. Confusion penetrated her thoughts, and her memory was fully depleted. The stress—the anxiety was excruciating, and clear thinking was virtually impossible. Still, it was her lifeblood—her confidant. The only truth—her only trust. It was the knife in her back, yet the healing physician. Her worst nightmare, and somehow, her greatest dream. Her biggest downfall, yet her highest glory.

    Nothing lasts forever. Grand as the Mirus 5 was, even it could not overcome the power of death. With the deterioration of her mind came the gradual descent of her body. Her blue eyes no longer shined. The power and energy of her youth had given way to frailty and wear. The candle of her life was now being snuffed out, cut short due to overuse. As her mind was now approaching complete exhaustion, no longer able to support it's own body's life functions, Autumn spent her last moments reflecting on her life. Any waves of regret evaporated amidst the shining light of the Mirus 5. It was the core of her life, her very soul. Without it, she had never lived. It defined her every action—the source of her every choice. She gazed at the display one last time. As her mind shut down, slain by it's savior, Autumn knew as sure as ever, that this was the life she'd always wanted.

Capital Punishment

Capital Punishment. It’s an issue that’s been debated for years. Both sides have a strong argument, and neither is willing to budge. The Supreme Court declared it unconstitutional in 1972, but reversed its decision in 1976.

So—capital punishment. Which way is up?

There’s a few things that I believe need to be considered before judging a criminal for his actions. A few of these are the severity of the crime committed, fairness to society, fairness to the victim and to his or her loved ones, and fairness to the criminal. With these four considerations in mind, is the death penalty just and fair, or is life imprisonment the better option?

Most pro-death penalty people agree that the death penalty should only be used in extreme cases—things like murder, rape and high treason, while most anti-death penalty citizens would put a very severe penalty on these kinds of crimes. Since murder seems to be the crime most associated with capital punishment, we’ll use it as an example. Should we follow the old adage, “An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth,” or adopt a more progressive, Euro-style policy?

We all know murder is a severe crime, but some other factors should be put into consideration. How many people were murdered by the accused? How brutal were the killings? What were the motives of the killer? Each case should be carefully evaluated, because crimes aren’t always black-and-white. Each case is unique and should be considered as such. For example, many believe the death penalty should be used in only certain murder cases, like serial killings and brutal murders, but not necessarily in offenses like vehicular homicide.

But is capital punishment fair? While many will point to it being hypocritical, savage, or barbarous, one could argue exactly the opposite. Over the years, many prison guards and fellow inmates have been killed by convicts who were serving life sentences, and even more innocent citizens’ lives have been cut short by convicts whose terms had been served or who had been released for their “good behavior.” So, in a way, capital punishment is more fair. It’s more fair to society as a whole—the world becomes a safer place, because the only sure way to keep a murderer from ever killing again is through the use of capital punishment. In the end, the irony of it all is that, through capital punishment, human life may actually be preserved by the future murders that were avoided because the killer was put to death.

Some may say that, by allowing capital punishment, we’re violating the murderer’s right to life. Maybe so, but should he still have that right to life after he has taken someone else’s? After all, the murderer does so out of his own free will—no one is forcing him to go out and commit these acts. Yet the murderer often gets the chance to avoid punishment—to preserve his own life by spending his remaining days in jail; his victim never gets that chance. What’s happened to them is history, and cannot be undone. Why are the perpetrator’s rights valued over the victim’s?

Still others will be quick to call out Romans 12:19, where the Lord says “Vengeance is mine.” But take a look at Numbers 35:16-18, where, through Moses, God repeatedly states, “The murderer must be put to death.” It appears that in a murder, specifically, capital punishment is just in the eyes of the Lord.

Both sides, however, make excellent points. In rare instances, the wrong person may be executed, and once that happens, it cannot be undone. Obviously, the suspect must be proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt before being sentenced to death.  Capital punishment still takes years off one’s life, which means it should only be supported in extreme circumstances.  The bottom line is that if we live our lives how we all know we should, this whole issue should never be a problem.

And let’s thank God that we live in a country where this issue is up for debate!

New Big Ten Divisions

The Big Ten has officially announced it's football divisions today--a highly anticipated move that brought about all sorts of speculation.  Here are the results:


Michigan
Nebraska
Iowa
Michigan State
Northwestern
Minnesota



Ohio State
Penn State
Wisconsin
Illinois
Purdue
Indiana



These divisions haven't yet been named--if you have any creative ones, send them in!


Each team also has one protected rival that they will play on a yearly basis.  They are as follows:


Ohio State-Michigan (surprise, surprise)
Penn State-Nebraska
Wisconsin-Minnesota
Indiana-Michigan State
Iowa-Purdue
Illinois-Northwestern


So, what do you think?