World Cup 2010, written in Warsaw, Poland
Are we ready for Brazil v. N. Korea?
VS.
I was reading this article today about how the PRK wasn't springing for the broadcast of their own team's games in the World Cup. Alas, the Asian News Conglomerate or whatever (responsible for the international feeds throughout the landful continent) decided they couldn't in clear conscience deprive the people of that (or any) nation the rare chance to see their boys play some ball. Now it remains to be seen whether Kim Jong Idiot will let the broadcast actually reach his (probably not) blissfully ignorant constituents. It's possible he'll let it air a day late, advertently ensuring avoidance of any messages or just general rest-of-the-world's-normal-life-exposure he deems inappropriate for his herd of forcefully obedient sheep. All this brings up a life-long human rights issue that nobody I've ever met can imagine.....actually, that's not true because i went on a double date with a couple N. Korean chicks when I was in China, and surely they fathom this magnitude of deprivation.
If and when the North Koreans get to watch their guys, who miraculously qualified for the World Cup via the Asia qualifier tournament, despite being literally one of the worst rated teams on the planet, it well may be the very first time most of those people have ever seen the parallel universe/alien planet/what we call the real world--EVER! They will see the people in the stands happy and screaming; they will see a beautiful stadium; grass so green it looks fake; and the intro footage of the city around the stadium when they have the blimp-cam-view. Imagine being 16, 27, 35, 44, whatever; and seeing lush scenery, chic clothing, and crazy face-painted soccer hooligans for the first time. Who knows if they ever actually get to see anything--we'll probably never know.
So game time's inside a few minutes from now. Best team on Earth v. arguably the worst country on Earth. Ironic evil-government-regime-karma for the PRK: drawing Brazil in game 1 of their first World Cup appearance. I'd be shocked if we don't see people in the audience with human rights signs aimed at the PRK's government--it's a rare platform where you know EVERYONE is watching--especially North Korea.
Maybe we'll see a 10 - 0 game. Either way, this is as rare a matchup as it ever gets in sports and in life. Frankly, I'm shocked I haven't found this content all over the internet (believe me, I've scoured). I've been thinking about it for months and it absolutely merits our attention. This game just being played is extraordinarily significant. You should check it out.
If and when the North Koreans get to watch their guys, who miraculously qualified for the World Cup via the Asia qualifier tournament, despite being literally one of the worst rated teams on the planet, it well may be the very first time most of those people have ever seen the parallel universe/alien planet/what we call the real world--EVER! They will see the people in the stands happy and screaming; they will see a beautiful stadium; grass so green it looks fake; and the intro footage of the city around the stadium when they have the blimp-cam-view. Imagine being 16, 27, 35, 44, whatever; and seeing lush scenery, chic clothing, and crazy face-painted soccer hooligans for the first time. Who knows if they ever actually get to see anything--we'll probably never know.
So game time's inside a few minutes from now. Best team on Earth v. arguably the worst country on Earth. Ironic evil-government-regime-karma for the PRK: drawing Brazil in game 1 of their first World Cup appearance. I'd be shocked if we don't see people in the audience with human rights signs aimed at the PRK's government--it's a rare platform where you know EVERYONE is watching--especially North Korea.
Maybe we'll see a 10 - 0 game. Either way, this is as rare a matchup as it ever gets in sports and in life. Frankly, I'm shocked I haven't found this content all over the internet (believe me, I've scoured). I've been thinking about it for months and it absolutely merits our attention. This game just being played is extraordinarily significant. You should check it out.
