European Football Fans Still Living in the '50s...

I have never understood why certain people seem to be so in love with European countries. They seem to think we should emulate their crappy health care systems, and many of their other economically crippling socialist policies. I could go on and on about how many of the European countries have used illogical (and stupid) policies to attempt to solve very real problems. However, this post isn't about that. It appears that when it comes to racial issues, European countries may talk a good game, but in reality, they are basically still living in the 1950's.

Players and antiracism experts said they expected offensive behavior during the tournament, including monkey-like chanting; derisive singing; the hanging of banners that reflect neofascist and racist beliefs; and perhaps the tossing of bananas or banana peels, all familiar occurrences during matches in Spain, Italy, eastern Germany and eastern Europe.

I, thankfully, cannot remember racism like that in any American sports during my lifetime. Hank Aaron had to endure some stupid crap when he was chasing Babe Ruth's record, but that is really the last time I recall any real racism in sports here. Maybe if some black NASCAR driver was threatening to take the cup, we would see bullshit like this, but even that is a big maybe. Even the NASCAR fan base has changed a lot over the last 20 years or so.

While we are on the subject, I would like to call "bullshit" on Bono. Yeah, U2 is one of my all time favorite bands, and Soccer is my third favorite sport (right behind baseball and auto racing), but I am really getting sick of hearing the World Cup commercials with Bono talking about how a little ball can stop wars, bring people together, and otherwise solve all of the world's problems. Evidently, he never read this article...