England, Thanks and No Thanks

A few weeks back, I wrote a scathing commentary on soccer in England and how they kind of suck. I stand behind everything, which includes the remark I made about Dudley Moore. The blind leading the blind was my point and from the countless e-mail messages I received, it is clear I hit a nerve.

A review of recent British history reveals case after case of mediocre results from hat making to not qualifying for Euro 2008. Constantly settling seems to have made base camp in the marrow of England. Maybe they have been around so long they just don't have the strength to go on.

From my research, it appears the downward slide took place during the Revolutionary War with mistakes made by General Barry St. Leger(sounds like a name on the credits of an adult film). I don't remember how he dropped the ball, but he did, and we won. (I know it doesn't have anything to do with Lewis and Clark because they kicked ass.) General St. Leger set the tone for a downward slide from which they have never recovered.

Frankly, I am kind of sick of giving so much stick to the British for sending over coaches to spread their second place philosophy to our fans and more importantly our kids. We can ruin our kids faster and better anyway.

I must give credit where credit is due. The British can make music. I don't know how they do it, but they do, and consistently, it would be impossibe to argue. Band after band. Personal taste aside, they have placed forever in the consciousness of the world:  The Beatles, The Who, it makes no sense to continue the endless list,(The Style Council, The Smiths, Lloyd Cole, The Clash, Big Audio Dynamite, Graham Parker, Phoenix(French)Joe Jackson, Billy Bragg-except for the work he did with Wilco, I am not smart enough or cool enough to understand anything Wilco does.)

So England, keep bringing the music, thanks much, keep your footie and watch us win it all before you.