Let freedom ring, etc.

Now let's get things straight. I do like living in the good ole US of A. It's got amenities. The whole bill of rights thing is very appealing (not to mention those ammendments). I have opportunities I just wouldn't have access to elsewhere, like a Starbucks within 200 paces of my given position at any time. I'm safe, I'm -relatively- healthy , and even though I hate it, I have a job that pays me decently enough. Even with mediocre performance, I have a college education just sitting there waiting for me to take it. There's even the MLS for crying out loud. Which happens to forcibly transition into my point.

During the United States vs. Ecuador friendly soccer match that took place recently in Tampa Bay, there was a fan in the stands with a whistle. He (or she) was whistling often and repeatedly(in a cheering fashion), to the point where neither the players there nor I could tell when the referee was actually whistling. European fans would never stand for it. That whistle would have to be recovered by a liscensed doctor from a very private orifice. This after seeing soccer matches in Europe, where you get some of the best midgame fan interaction of any sport, brought me to a sad realization. Leave it to the United States to ruin a soccer match via an A-hole with a whistle.

P.S. Thank God for Landon Donovan. If it weren't for him, the States would have nary the proverbial snowball's chance in hell against the rest of the world at the Beautiful Game.