Western athletes attending the World Cup in Qatar are trying to send critical political messages to the local authorities. It might seem cute but it’s also rude. If you can’t stand the politics of another country, it might be best not to visit.
As If We Had All the Answers
Ted Rall
Ted Rall is a syndicated political cartoonist for Andrews McMeel Syndication, WhoWhatWhy.org and Counterpoint. He is a frequent contributor to The Wall Street Journal, a graphic novelist and author of many books of art and prose, and an occasional war correspondent. He is, recently, the author of the graphic novel "The Stringer."
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I watched in astonishment as John Oliver (he at least raises important issues, even if all he does is have his staff plagiarize Wikipedia and throw in some jokes) discussed all the workers who died building the various stadia and hotels for the people coming to Qatar for the World Cup, and then mentioned that FIFA was corrupt, and THEN mentioned that he was still going to watch.
Perhaps we can have one week a year we we’re all required to live our lives in a way the reflects how we pretend to care. …
I’ve been a fan for many years and have three books. This is a good comic, Ted. In your contrarian and often brilliant observations on popular bandwagon angst. Why do the general populations support these events. They cost billions of dollars, use public money and bonds to fund the giant structures that are then only used at select times for events that no one can afford to watch live. The events turn a few modern gladiators into religious icons and the viewers are effectively counted as eyeballs for delivery of ad messages. Political statements or not, the entire activity appears to be a way to turn love of a physical activity with some joy into a crass means to make billionaires wealthier.