Soggy Soccer

Technical problems last night prevented me from posting this last night:

Tonight was the Mac men's home opener. The Fightin' Scots took on St. Mary's in a sopping game played in solidarity with Florida soccer teams. The first half ended 0-0, the rain ending quickly after. Mac came out strong and continued to dominate, putting 2 goals in when it should have put in 5. Should have is a funny word - as if the team you are rooting for shouldn't miss any opportunities.

In other news, CBS's 60 Minutes aired more evidence that Bush did not faithfully complete his Guard Duty even though he was Honorably Discharged as those of the right love to keep pointing out. They seem to miss the point that his being Honorably Discharged is a part of the problem.

At any rate, the partisans at places like the Powerline Blog act as though they have conclusively proven CBS doctored the documents themselves. Being totally unaccountable to anyone makes "proving" things quite easy. Not allowing comments or feedback on their site shows how sure of themselves they are. That is one of the reasons I love indymedia.

The Powerline blog and others like Drudge can easily build readership by attacking established media and government. Americans tend to be distrustful of those in power - though they do seem to fall for the wolf in sheep's clothing at most opportunities. Thus when Bush grabs that distrust by talking of government bureaucrat and uses it to radically expand Ashcroft's powers to limit everyone's freedom, they react slowly.

At any rate, attacking big media corporations and government is popular, but I don't see it doing anything constructive. Should Powerline blog publish their blueprint for a better society, I don't see them winning any converts. It takes longer to build something than it does to destroy it. Enjoy your moment in the sun right wing bloggers - it is fleeting. And thanks for weakening the strength of centralized news sources.

Over time, freedom wins out over tyranny. Kings and monarchies are now elected rather than inherited. It is a small step, but more will follow. I believe this a fundamental fact. Oppression spawns resistance and resistance creates progress. These things are not linear and we often repeat mistakes, but over time, we figure things out. The fact that bin Laden's ideas of a proper world are so strongly rejected bodes well for the future. Now we have to point out that Billy Graham's ideas are not so different from bin Laden. The Crusades were a dark time for the world and for Christianity. Let's not repeat them.