Voice from the Rooftop

Blog of Vincent Augustine D'Souza

Tag: Football World Cup

Fall of USA

America, World
Comments

USA ceased to be a superpower in 2008. American dollar does not deserve to continue as reserve currency. American budget deficit continues to grow. Extension of Bush-era tax cuts means there is no hope of deficit coming down in the next two years. With 600 billion dollars being printed dollar will weaken further. USA may not remain a great power.

For USA to remain a great power it has to cut its expenses. It should stop fighting useless wars in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Yemen and Somalia and call back remaining troops in Iraq.

USA should open its borders to Mexicans. That will provide labour and demand for houses will go up.

Troubles in eurozone prevented euro from becoming an option as reserve currency. Russia and China have agreed to accept each other’s currency. Many countries are likely to follow suit and dump dollar.

Brazil is rising as a power. In Security Council it refused to vote against Iran. It has recognized Palestine. It won bids to host Olympics and Football World Cup.

China is a rival to USA. It has large presence in Africa. It supports North Korea.

Military might is not enough to be a superpower or great power. USSR had military might. With disintegration of USSR there was no rival to USA. In 1991 USA went to UN Security Council which voted 12-2 for Gulf War, with China abstaining. In 1999 there was no Security Council vote. USA led NATO in bombing Serbia. In 2003 there was no unanimity in NATO about Iraq War. USA attacked Iraq with few countries supporting it.

Empires rise and fall. No country can remain a superpower for ever. Fall of USA was inevitable.

Octopus predictions

Sports and Games
Comments

Paul, an octopus in Germany, is said to be making predictions about football matches. Somebody wrongly referred to the octopus as an astrologer. Astrologers make predictions based on stars and the octopus predictions are not based on stars. TV channels give publicity to the octopus. The predictions of Football World Cup 2010 matches are said to be right. I have some questions.

Who first came up with the idea that the octopus can predict the results of football matches?

Who were the bookies involved in betting on matches played by Germany?

How much money was involved in betting on matches played by Germany?

Germany lost to Serbia and Spain. Did the German players believe in the predictions? Did the coach or someone else convince the players that predictions can go wrong and they can win or left them demoralised?
Frank Lampard’s goal for England against Germany was disallowed. At that time it could have been 2-2. Was it a mistake by referee or deliberate?

Germany defeated Australia 4-0, England 4-1 and Argentina 4-0. How is that Germany could not score even one goal against Spain? Spain was said to be the favourite to win the World Cup but Switzerland had defeated Spain in a group match.

In India some channels have come up with parrot prediction for final which is opposite of what the octopus has predicted. India had its share of predictions during Cricket World Cups which were usually wrong.
If Germany auctions the octopus before the final there will be lot of bidders and it can make lot of money. After the final the demand will depend on the outcome of the match.

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France out of Football World Cup 2010

Sports and Games
Comments

France did not deserve to be in Football World Cup 2010. They qualified due to hand goal by Henry Thierry and Ireland was cheated its rightful place. FIFA does not use TV footage and correct wrong decisions by referees. Ireland had to pay for referee’s mistake.

France made news during World Cup for all the wrong reasons. One player, Nicolas Anelka, had to be sent back for indiscipline. Players refused to train. Director resigned. French coach Raymond Domenech refused to shake hands with South Africa’s coach Carlos Albert Parreira. France drew 0-0 with Uruguay, lost 0-2 to Mexico and 1-2 to South Africa.

There is talk of groupism in French team with players of West African origin, North African origin and local French players forming groups.

After the loss to South Africa French players flew back in standard (economy) class. There is a report that French President Nicolas Sarkozy will hold a cabinet meeting to discuss about the football team.
France had won Football World Cup 1998. They were out in the first round of Football World Cup 2002. France was runner up in Football World Cup 2006. Once again they are out in the first round.

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