6/6/6: Six days until...

You'll know why I put this e-mail here:

tpowers@pioneerpress.com

 

No, this is the address you should write to:

letters@pioneerpress.com

(letters to the editor)

 

Glad the Chicago press was a little late in their articles questioning the Bridgeview stadium and it's financing situation. The shovels hit the dirt before there was a chance for the backlash!

 

I keep saying to myself "look at all the positive articles, look at allt he positive articles..."

I'm so tempted just to fire off the "F You arsehole" email

 

I got a response from the editor of the paper. My letter and response:



Dear MY REAL NAME:

I'm sorry that Tom Powers' column upset you. That's obviously not our goal with readers. I fail to see, however, how Powers' column was "racist...at its core" as you contest. It was a column about not liking soccer and about how soccer has failed to become a major sport in the United States, despite repeated attempts to push and market the sport. The reference to illegal immigrants, to me, was clearly an attempt at broad sarcasm, or parody. I didn't believe that readers would think Powers was serious about using the World Cup to enforce any illegal immigration crackdown.

All this said, I apologize if the column left that impression. Tom Powers is not a racist; nor does the Pioneer Press espouse such views.

Thanks very much for the feedback. I will keep it in mind. Thom






Dear Sir:

As the son of two immigrants and an immigrant myself ( I moved to US when I was 2 years old), I was appaled and frightened by the article by Tom Powers: Maybe non-fans do know soccer.

It's one thing to not like a sport but this was a racist article at its core and the writer of the article used soccer to spread a very racist message. I would suspect your paper would conform to values different from this individual. I personally do not feel that censure is enough and would suggest dismissing the indiviual from your paper.

Regards

MY REAL NAME

 

This is who I wrote to:

tfladung@pioneerpress.com

His name is Thom Fladung.

 

Interesting... Really look at the response. The purpose of the article was to attack soccer, obviously, but why is that even necessary?

It is arguable that soccer is not a major sport here in the US. No, it doesn't command the kind of viewership that other sports have. Nor do its players command the kinds of salaries other sports do. Does it matter? It's a great sport, and MLS certainly holds its own. There is just no respect given to the sport in that article--why does soccer have to earn its respect from these idiots? It exists, people like it, the World Cup is here, and many people will be tuned in. Isn't that enough to be positive about it, even if you, as a soccer columnist, don't like it all that much?

To be fair, there has been only one other down and out nasty article written about soccer and the world cup that I can think of in the past couple of weeks. Anyone remember 2002, or before? The number of negative articles completely outweighed any of substance. Now we have two, and about 300 positive articles. Times have changed. Who cares if the fossils don't get it?

But I also wrote him an e-mail, that has gone unanswered. I wrote:

Yeah, the first part doesn't make much sense--I think it was a commentary that his article, in the grand scheme of things, doesn't make much sense either.

 

http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/worldcup06/2006/06/06/get_ready_to_dislike_america.html

 

I didn't I sent a very creative e-mail. [AliG]Respect[/AliG]

A conversation between Tom Powers and fellow Twin City Columnist Patrick Reusse hovering over the writer's buffet at the dome conversing:

(air conditioning system at dome clearly audible above the baseball fans)

You: Pat, no one pays attention to my columns anymore it seems. I'm pouring my heart out here and nothing!!

Pat: I know what you mean. I had the same problem, but as luck would have it, you stars are finally aligning Tommy. You see the soccer ball world cup is coming up and I struck gold a year ago by getting the goat of soccer fans.

You: Wait, what? I'm confused.

Pat: See I knew you didn't know anything about this. That is the beauty of writing a column about soccer! You don't have to know anything about it!!! You can just pretend. (stuffs hot dog into face)

You: Like just say all the stuff I heard about soccer and their fans without ever actually experiencing?

Pat: BINGO!! Just come up with the most stereotypical, xenophobic junk you can throw on a page! You'll have these high minded bozo's writing in from across the country! It'll warm the heart!

You: Man! That does sound good, plus I could get it done in no time and still have time to watch the Feather Throwing on ESPN!!!! Sweet!!!!!

Was I off my much?????


(It is just that the Twin City coverage pisses me off so much given the size of the heart of the Thunder Team and their fans up there! And for the record I have notice the vast amount of positive coverage this year. The most telling statistic is the sheer amount of articles, positive or negative. The world cup is already on peoples minds in this country and that is a plus!!)

 

Whoops--can't edit...

I wanted to point out another article above from Tim Gutowski in the Milwaukee Sentinel, which is exactly what I have talked about--he doesn't sound like he knows or likes soccer all that much (he admits his preference is March Madness), but there is an undeniable respect in the article. And his preview was pretty substantial and pretty much error-free.

 

i normally wouldn't respond to this garbage but being a native minnesotan, i had to. for such a diverse and progressive area the sportswriters for both the dailies are such morons.

 

I didn't read the article, but the headline alone should pretty much end his career in LA. I'm tempted to guess he'll be gone before the USA is out of the WC, but he might get one more game with Landon...

And regarding all the stupid articles bashing soccer; I really wonder what would happen if everyone - just this summer - ignored them.

 

got that right... i sent a letter to the editor as well.

any other locals should send a quick note in and let the pioneer press know what a real asshole this guy is.

 

The Powers article is so far over the top it makes me gag. Amazing that such racist claptrap could be printed in a major metropolitan daily in a supposedly liberal city.

 

I like this letter writer's response to a hater's article in today's SF Examiner. Straight to the point in debunking their logic.

The last letter in this link.

 

i am kinda bored so sent the following re that st. paul article:





In reference to: http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/sports/14741693.htm


What were you thinking as you wrote?????

3 points -

Yes, i am an american, born and raised here.

Yes, I do love and follow soccer.

No, I will never pick up your newspaper again.

 

i hope to get a rely to the email i sent to both letters@pioneerpress.com and tpowers@pioneerpress.com --

-------------
Pioneer Press,

I was amazed by the "Maybe non-fans do know soccer" piece of Mon, Jun. 05, 2006.

That's some incredible writing and soccer is great.

Please keep the soccer stories coming. I'm sure your readers will continue to enjoy them and I'm sure you'll continue to learn about and appreciate the game along with your readers.

Soccer is awesome. Immigrants are cool, too. Keep up the good work. Thanks.

Best Regards,
(my name)
----------

 

hahaa yeah except powers might not "get it"-- you saw how well he does subtlety

 

Wow. I'm flabbergasted by all these posts.


Do you all know what's stupider than replying back to the editor/columnist of soccer-bashing articles?
Replying back to let them know how angry you are, and then, get this... actually telling the editor/columnist that you'll still read their collumns!!

Man, this one tops it all.

 

vmax71,
From reading the editor's response, I guarantee you, the editor is as much of a soccer hater as the columnist.

Or at best, his motives are the same as the columnist's. In other words, the more emails they get, the better for them.

 

And you neg-repped me just now for what exactly?
For trying to get the point across that replying to soccer-bashing articles is analogous to adding fuel to the editor's fire?

What are you, a kid?

 

There was an article on the World Cup, sort of, on today's editorial page of the Wall Street Journal, if anyone missed it.