Rising Hegemon
Sports columnist Furman Bisher of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution expressed much of the conventional wisdom of the sports page when he wrote, “What are we after, a race of Amazons? Do you want a companion or a broad that chews tobacco? What do you want for the darling daughter, a boudoir or a locker room full of cussing and bruises? A mother for your grandchildren or a hysterectomy?”That was stupid then, but stupid always sells for a while. Forty years on, the evidence is in and as always -- "thank goodness we passed this blessed piece of socialism", it's golden.
As of this moment the United States has won 39 gold medals -- and women account for 25 of them. From shooter Kim Rhode to tracks Allyson Felix to soccer's Alex Morgan; from gymnast Gabby Douglas to water polo player Maggie Stevens America's women are dominating -- thank goodness the men get to count dolphin hybrid Michael Phelps.
Particularly noteworthy is the dominance of women's team sports, sports that gained ground especially because of Title IX. The Women's basketball team, unlike the "dream team" of NBA stars has not lost an Olympic games in forever; the Women's soccer team has played in the gold-medal game every time it has been played and won the last 3 gold medals; the women's water polo team won it's first gold after being silver medalists the last two Olympics. [cross-posted at Firedoglake]
5 comments:
And the Spice Girls are going to wrap it up at the Closing Ceremonies on Sunday. Huzzah.
Anything worthwhile that advances the common good has been done despite the vehement opposition of conservatives.
Can you imagine what the reaction would be this very day if someone were proposing a minimum wage law? or a child labor law? or social security? or establishing public schools? or public libraries? or inspecting food and drugs? or abolishing slavery---?
"SOCIALISM!!!"
And rightwingers still to this day secretly oppose most of these measures, though they are prudent enough to generally keep their thoughts to themselves so they won't be mocked by their neighbors as the total wackaloons that they really are.
never mind more WOMEN won gold, not the mens teams.
I guess that's it then; American men, emasculated by Title IX, just don't have the to bring home the gold.
All I know is this: This blog is the only one to mention these very interesting facts. That medal count, especially the GOLD medals, is a complete fetish every two years. And counting the medals and ranking the countries...only here, because WE'RE NUMBER ONE!
And it turns out we're number one because of women Olympian athletes, and Title IX. Thank you , Dr. Fez, thank you very much indeed for that reminder.
--Daddy-O
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