Screw Super-Bowl Sunday

[Cyrano]

I know this will be unpopular, but, I really don't give a rat's ass about the Super Bowl.

Yeah, I know that sports are a great diversion and help people forget, at least for a day, about their problems.

But, in truth, I'd love to see the vast number of Americans who care about who wins the Super Bowl, care as much about those in our country who can't pay their electric bills, can't buy food, and can't pay their mortgages. Not to mention those who are living in utter desperation and don't know what to tell their kids.

And you just know that some of them must be considering suicide as a viable alternative.

Sorry, I didn't mean to screw up some day-long TV extravaganza (which is nothing more than a fucking football game that is supposed to last for only an hour.)

But what the hell. Enjoy, swill and munch. But at least on Monday morning, would you please try to care about those who didn't watch the game because they had no power, or because they no longer had a home?

[Dreamer Tatum]

1. Jesus, is this I Am Your Moral Superior Underground now?

But, in truth, I'd love to see the vast number of Americans who care about who wins the Super Bowl, care as much about those in our country who can't pay their electric bills, can't buy food, and can't pay their mortgages. Not to mention those who are living in utter desperation and don't know what to tell their kids.

How do you know they don't? How do you know they aren't working right now, and are looking forward to watching a once-a-year game tomorrow?

Don't be such a sourpuss over one stinking game, which is probably QUITE a diversion for people who are going through tough times now.

[dem629]

8. It was just an opportunity for the OP to advertise how earnest and caring they are.

I guess there's an award or something.

[Dreamer Tatum]

11. Reminds me of an old SNL skit where Alec Baldwin did Bono

Wish I could find the quote.

[liberalhistorian]

72. OMG, that woulda been hilarious!

I'll ask my son about that, he's the SNL expert.

[dem629]

2. ..........

[liberalhistorian]

66. LOL,

Bingo!

[flvegan]

3. Oh, goodie!

:popcorn:

[Tangerine LaBamba]

4. It's not a zero-sum world

Some of us care about both, although in different degrees, and try to do something about the one we can affect.

There really is no call to denigrate folks who might enjoy a football game, you know, because they're not living up to your expectations. That's kind of ugly on your part, and narrowminded as well.

[Captain Hilts]

10. So FDR shouldn't have set up World Series betting pools during the '30s?

And he shouldn't have given major league baseball the "green light" to continue play during WWII?

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/prz_lfr.shtml

[Tangerine LaBamba]

14. You responding to me?

Because I think you posted this in the wrong place.

But it's a grand post.

:toast:

[Captain Hilts]

15. Yeah, I changed my mind mid-post. Let me rephrase...."Yeah, what TLaBamba said!" nt

[bluestateguy]

5. Even in the worst of times, people need diversions

We didn't shut down the movie industry during the Great Depression. In fact the 30's was a golden age for movies and theater.

If you disapprove, don't watch the game.

[truedelphi]

6. Ironically one of the things I loved about SBS was that on that day the

Stores and streets were empty and you could go anywhere and do anything you wanted without traffic or large crowds.

Now the economy is so stinky, that scenario is true most days.

[LSparkle]

7. I agree with you ... I plan to do grocery shopping and other errands

during the time the Super Bowel is on, because I'm
expecting there won't be many people out (thankfully).
I may watch the Lauer/Obama interview beforehand but
even though I love Bruce Springsteen, I'll probably
take a pass on the entire game (including halftime).

[Tangerine LaBamba]

16. You agree with the OP?

Well, then, your selfish and self-involved plans certainly fall into the same area of Hell the OP has designated for those who aren't using that time to do good deeds for those less fortunate.

You don't read very well, do you?

[lunatica]

84. Or just sitting around thinking about the plight of those in need

Why do anything when you can just gripe and worry and be depressed 100% of the time. One Sunday afternoon to just enjoy yourself is taking time away from WORRYING!

[LSparkle]

103. His original post said "Screw Super Bowel Sunday" -- that I agree with

I have NEVER understood all his holy folderol over
a fucking FOOTBALL GAME. We can't even have election
day be a holiday but EVERYTHING STOPS for a game ...
I think our priorities are screwed up.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

107. What's your problem with it?

We have the World Series, we have the NBA playoffs, we have the Bowl games at the end of the collegiate football season.

We have the Olympics.

You don't understand it, so you decide "our priorities are screwed up."

And you think "everything stops." Where the hell are you living and this phenomenon takes place? What a stupid thing to say.

Given your admission of ignorance, I'd say it's your priorities that are in need of adjusting.

What is it with you people who live in such narrow little worlds that you feel the need to bitch at people who don't share your tender and blighted sensibilities? So other people enjoy something you can't understand. Well, I can't understand your ignorance or what might better be termed your intolerance.

Friggin' boors, all of you.

[leftstreet]

9. We need a SuperBowl with Wall Street Bankers vs The Unemployed

No rules.

Maybe some Mixed Martial Arts and shit.

Put it on the Big Screen!

[Tangerine LaBamba]

17. To the death

I'd pay to see that.

[cobalt1999]

12. You can stay on that high horse UNLESS...

You spend any time or money on entertainment yourself that includes:

Movies,
Cable T.V.,
Sailing,
Swimming,
Biking,
Running,
Computer games,
other sports,
etc.

All take time and money and are diversions.

Using your logic, instead of spending time pursuing your favorite diversion (even if it's posting on DU), you should care more about those going without.

When you give up all your personal entertainment time and money, come back and preach. Otherwise you're just another hypocrite.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

18. You forgot one

"Posting your pissy little notions on an Internet message board"

[liberalhistorian]

69. I remember a line in a Dolly Parton movie,

the one with James Woods where he was a radio manager who insisted that all of his DJ's have Ph.D's or some stupid contrived shit. Stupid movie, but there was one great line she had. "Get down off your cross, honey. Someone else needs the wood." I think that fits the OP perfectly.

[whoneedstickets]

13. Religion is the opiate of the masses....Sports are the secular alternative.

Marx was right about religion and its anti-progressive influence. But the Romans had already figured out sports long before Marx. For those not caught up by that lie of God, they'll distract you with guys in uniforms jumping around for your amusement. Bring us spectacle!!!

[Tangerine LaBamba]

Right

You've had far too much Kool..............oh, never mind. You're too thick, obviously, to get it.

[conscious evolution]

38. Good observation

[Joe the Liberal]

19. I find it boring..............

as with a lot of other spectator sports, I just don't care. I don't see what is so interesting about watching a couple of guys run around a field throwing around a ball.

[liberalhistorian]

71. I don't really give much of a shit about sports, either,

(that's one of the things I hated about living in Cleveland for thirty years, if you didn't absolutely worship the Browns, Indians and/or Cavaliers, then you weren't a true American). But I also don't care if other people do and if that's their escape or their fun. It's no different from my enjoying reading, music, movies and the arts, which I couldn't live without no matter how bad things get for hubby and I economically and they're pretty bad right now. I wouldn't even consider wanting to put others down for their own diversions and interests.

[aikoaiko]

20. you do know that a lot of the unfortunate folks you listed will have a nice day watching the SB

:shrug:

[Ezlivin]

21. Ah, but you don't know what's in my bowl

The bowl I'll be loading and smoking...uh, wait a second.... You're talking about sports?

Oh, never mind.

[Missy Vixen]

22. I don't care about anything else than football

:sarcasm:

Truly. That's right. I sit on the couch and watch till my eyeballs fry. After all, I can't hold more than one thought in my head at a time.

:sarcasm:

You know what? It's been pretty rugged around our house for a year now. If there's anything that brings me a little joy, I'm doing it. If you don't like it, you're free to take yourself off and do all the things you believe not one other person on this site are doing, Sunday or any other day.

>But at least on Monday morning, would you please try to care about those who didn't watch the game because they had no power, or because they no longer had a home?<

Interestingly enough, the Seattle Seahawks conducted a season-long campaign to call attention (and donations) to family homelessness. IIRC, the team is donating $75 million to the United Way as well. The NFL is jumping on the "kids' fitness" bandwagon, as well as highlighting players who are active in charity work in their communities. That really messes up your broad brush generalizations, doesn't it?

[MineralMan]

23. Damn Straight! So, you'll be out working at the homeless shelter

tomorrow, right? That's a good thing to do. And you could loan your neighbor some money, too, if you get a chance.

[MineralMan]

24. Hmm...it's been an hour, and it doesn't look like

the OP is going to revisit this thread. Oh, well...

[cobalt1999]

28. Add coward to the hypocrite label. n/t

[Cyrano]

30. Ahh, MineralMan, you left less than a minute between your last two posts.

Did you really think I wasn't reading the expected "Cyrano is an asshole" posts on this thread? I expected at least a hundred or more.

What I was really looking for was DUers who felt the way that I did about the relative unimportance of a football game.

If you want to watch the Super Bowl, go ahead. Enjoy.

All I'm asking is that, on Monday, you don't forget your fellow Americans who didn't have the luxury of enjoying tomorrows game.

[MineralMan]

50. That's true, and you left over an hour

between your posts. I commented on that fact.

I never forget my fellow Americans. Just today, my wife and I took the kid we mentor through Big Brothers/Big Sisters out for a movie and some food and gave him a pretty cool t-shirt we found for him. We also discussed how much the monthly check we would write to the local rescue mission should be. We have to discuss that because our income is down sharply right now and we have to pinch our pennies a bit.

Tomorrow, we'll watch the Super Bowl, as we have every year since we got married, 17 years ago. We'll eat a couple of hot dogs, along with some pasta salad, if you don't mind too much.

Then, it'll be Monday, and we'll be back at work, trying to keep our heads above water. I'll take that check to the rescue mission up to the post office and mail it.

It's not supposed to snow here this week. That's good, because I threw my back out on Thursday, so it would make it harder to clear my driveway and the driveway of my next door neighbors, who are over 80 years old and living on Social Security. They can't do it, and they can't afford to have it done, so I do theirs in exchange for some oatmeal cookies.

You presume too much. People may watch the Super Bowl, if they wish, without stinting on their service to others less fortunate than they are. Again, I'm certain you are busy with your volunteer work, and don't have time for such frivolous activities. That's very good, and I'm sure those you help are thankful for your service.

[Cyrano]

86. Good for you, MineralMan. And that's not sarcasm, it's appreciation.

I have nothing but respect and admiration for your big brother/big sister activities.

[Warren DeMontague]

36. Oh, I'm sure he's down at the soup kitchen, as we speak.

... :eyes:

[givemebackmycountry]

25. Two words....

PUPPY BOWL!
Animal Planet.
All puppies, all the time.

Followed by the kitten bowl!
All kittens doing what kittens do.
Being cute.

Me, I'm watching the freaking football game.
I'll deal with reality come Monday morning.

[Mari333]

26. I ignore all sports but if people enjoy them

let them. I have zero interest in anything sport related.

[Raine]

51. Same here

what I like about SBS is that people are inside watching it and it's a great day for those like myself who are not interested to do stuff without crowds. :-)

[MillieJo]

111. In the UK FA Cup finals day or The World Cup

are great days for Mother and Daughter shopping trips...

[Avalux]

27. What would life be like without little pleasures like the Super Bowl?

You make some good points, but there's nothing wrong with having some fun, especially for people who are struggling right now. I grew up near Pittsburgh in the 70s; when all the steel mills were closing and so many people were out of work experiencing hard times. That Steelers team was something to be proud of; something to celebrate, even when there wasn't much else to celebrate. Such things can get people through hard times and I'd argue are necessary.

[Urban Prairie]

29. I am not a huge football fan..

But the Superbowl is the closest thing to an undeclared national holiday, and I have had to sleep during the game in the past, due to working the graveyard shift. It was not an easy thing to do, even on an average Sunday afternoon, especially in the summertime, but knowing that I might have to work 10-12 hours straight was enough. In the dead of winter, especially here in the North, I really do look forward to it. After 9/11 happened, I will never forget the roar that went up in the crowd when the first televised football game was played afterward, two weeks later, and the first player came out of the team tunnel, waving a large US flag. We need our traditions even more during times of uncertainty and difficulty, IMO.

[Cyrano]

34. I understand your viewpoint, Urban Prairie. Enjoy.

[Vinca]

31. I hate Super Bowl Sunday. It's probably the most boring day of the year

for television watching. I'll be going to bed early and catching up on sleep.

[liberalhistorian]

73. It used to be until the advent and

ascendence of cable, now there are plenty of other things to watch.

[tomp]

81. yeah, 'cause there's so much good tv on other days, right?.

you draw the line at the superbowl? sheesh!

[RedEarth]

32. I care about the game.... who's playing?

Frankly, I'm more of a college sports fan, but I do plan on watching the game tomorrow. However, I do know what you're saying...it can be a little much.

[FloridaJudy]

33. I couldn't care less about football

But that's okay. Most Americans have zero interest in watching long black and white movies in Polish with convoluted plots (though a few must: I waited for it on Neflix for a long time). To each his or her own. That's what makes life interesting.

Personally, I love Super-Bowl Sundays: I practically have the whole movie theater to myself.

[Cyrano]

95. "... black and white movies in Polish..."? "Waited for it on Netflix for a long time."?

LOL can't possibly cover your post. It's funny, witty and insightful.

I love it. Thanks for sharing it with us.

[FloridaJudy]

108. The movie is "The Saragossa Manuscript"

Neflix has it, but there's usually "long wait" after it. Particularly today - I have it now.

[Warren DeMontague]

35. I don't care about the super bowl, either. Does that make me a humanitarian?

I couldn't give a flying fuck about pretty much any professional sport, not even basketball anymore.

That must mean I'm fucking Ghandi, huh?





Geesus, some of these DU rants are just beyond nonsensical. :rant:

:crazy:

[4lbs]

37. I enjoy football quite immensely. However, I do agree that SBS has become quite commercialized

and is often not much about the teams playing.

More interest is given to the commercials, pre-game parties and activities, and the corporate promotions. Then there are the multiple "media day" events where the players wind up answering the same questions day after day all week long.

After all, most of the tickets to the game itself aren't even made available to the fans.

Approximately 70,000 tickets, and only 15,000 of those are made available to the general public. In addition, the two teams playing only get about 5,000 tickets each, which are then usually allocated via some lottery selection for the season ticket holders first. The other ~45,000 tickets are given to private entities, commercial interests, and employees of the NFL.

However, knowing full well the rabid loyalty of Steelers fans, I have no doubt that there will be 50,000+ Steeler fans there, as they always have a knack for finding and buying all those tickets from those non-fan interests.

[Ocracoker16]

39. All of the homeless guys I work with are really excited about it

I am not much of a fan myself, but I know that many of them love the Super Bowl. On Monday, I will get to hear all about the game, the commercials, and the halftime show. They find family and friends that have a small tv in the room they rent.

[acmavm]

90. Of course they do. The homeless care about a lot of things. Just like you

and me. People don't give them credit for being PEOPLE!

Sheesh.

[BlooInBloo]

40. Fuck all of those who criticize people merely because they're able to take pleasure in something....

I'll be swiggin an extra one just for you, tiger.

[NutmegYankee]

96. Second that!

This beer's for you OP

[marions ghost]

41. I won't be watching the Stupor Bowl

nothing I hate worse than seeing pile-ups and hearing amplified crunching sounds. I have no problem at all with sports competitions but football in America is a brutal game accompanied by ridiculous & excessive hype. Give me basketball any day (but I still couldn't be a rabid fan...I don't really care enough who wins).

But different strokes for different folks. I've just never understood the attraction. I'd rather watch any other legitimate sport in the world.

The big picture here:

The OP didn't say it very diplomatically when he poked the sacred superbowl cow. But don't you know what he means? We don't show the same enthusiasm for anything that really matters in this country. Our senses are dulled, our brains are on auto, our "free" time filled with trivia. If the Superbowl is the highlight of your year, it's probably time to shake it up somehow. So I do know what he's trying to say, although I also know that you don't persuade anybody by guilt-tripping them.

[Fireweed247]

48. I understand the OP

and sure the Superbowl is a much needed diversion, but one in a long list of diversions. After football season, basketball, baseball, hockey, soccer and on and on. And people will not be talking about the homeless on monday, they'll be talking about the freaking game. Sports are what dominate many conversations of men (and women) and at a time when we need to examine our politics in this country, everyone is too afraid to discuss and disagree with their coworkers and families, so they focus on sports and other meaningless activities because it is easier and it feels good. But look at what has happened to our country while everyone has been so busy distracting themselves...

[Political Heretic]

42. Welcome to elitist prick underground!

No one gives a fat fuck about you or you looking down your nose at other people's fun.

[petronius]

43. Good idea! I'm going to be busy eating and drinking and socializing and watching

the game, but I bet I could make time for a screw as well. I'll check with my wife...

As for this self-righteous OP - how much time have you spent posting and reading on DU today, when you could be out helping people? :shrug:

[alarimer]

44. It is a great time to go to the gym.

No one else is there hardly.

[Cash_thatswhatiwant]

45. don't steal my sunshine.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwtTOxouD5Q

[jmg257]

46. Just not the same without the Giants, but it will be fun anyway.

[TZ]

47. yay lets all be miserable and try not to enjoy anything!

Cause you know not watching the SuperBowl is gonna solve all our problems! sheesh. don't like it..don't watch it. But don't berate people who find it fun and a chance to hang with friends and forget for awhile their difficulties.

[Texasgal]

49. Are you serious?

Really?

[Skittles]

52. I multi-task

I care very much about other people's problems while still being able to organize the Superbowl Potluck at work

[ChazII]

53. My church has a food pantry

and for the past 3 weeks we have been collecting food for Souper Bowl Sunday. More families in the surrounding community come to my church to get a box of food to help feed them. We have also collecting clothing for a free clothes store so please, get off your soap box. Some of us do actually walk our talk so let us enjoy our Super Bowl. (especially since our Cards are playing. :D) Sorry for my rant and now stepping down from my soap box.

[liberalhistorian]

75. My church back in Ohio did that as well

for the SB, as well as having us bring people we knew who weren't having an easy time of things to the church-hosted SB party, and as well as coordinating a "SB collections" with other churches for food pantries and other charities. So it was both much-needed fellowship and fun socializing and help for others at the same time. And I know a lot of churches that have done and are doing that. Nothing wrong with fun and diversions, last time I checked, especially when so many people are having such a hard time and need the escape.

[ChazII]

78. Thanks for posting this and for

understanding my view point. There are congregations all over the Phoenix metro area who do something similar to help the food banks in their area.:toast: :hi:

[Cyrano]

99. Good for you. That's not sarcasm. I admire what you've done and are doing.

[ChazII]

106. Thank you.

We are a lower middle class neighborhood and doing what we can to help our community. We gave away 60 family sized food boxes in January.

[VOX]

54. Way back when there were two distinct separate leagues (NFL & AFL), it was fun and unpredictable...

And it wasn't yet officially called the Superbowl -- just the AFL-NFL Championship. You had games between leagues that each used very different styles of play, strategy, etc. Other pluses: You had only two announcers calling the game, not the entire swing shift of McDonnell-Douglas all spouting into microphones at once; and the championship game was played no later than mid-January, not the near-February set-up used now.

Once the leagues merged in 1970, the Super Bowl became more craptastic with each passing year. There is no joy in these overhyped games any longer. Baseball's held up pretty well, but the NFL is a corpse.

[liberalhistorian]

76. Really? 'Cause it sure makes a helluva

lot of money for being a "corpse." I think the NFL is doing a lot better than baseball right now.

[hack89]

55. Can't take the hair shirt off for a day or two? nt

[The Gunslinger]

56. Go Steelers!!!!!

[AZBlue]

57. If any company had said they were skipping a SB ad & instead donated that money,

they would have gotten more PR & business from that gesture than any ad could ever give them.

[AndrewP]

58. But......I have all of these chips and cups!

Yeah, I know what you are saying. But people are generally too fucking thick to get the point you are trying to make. So, get ready for the flaming.

[Telly Savalas]

60. His "point" wasn't exactly rocket science. I think we get it.

And I think most of us agree that it's sanctimonious tripe.

[madokie]

59. We'll be partying down around here tomorrow evening

No matter who wins there will be some here liking it and some that wont. Be lots of beer, eats, cheering and some cussing I'm sure.:woohoo: go steelers

[sandnsea]

61. kick for context n/t

[jimlup]

62. Agreed and I'm a football fan

The Superbowl is so over hyped that it has little to do with football. Even when it is actually a good game (which it usually isn't) the game is 2nd to all the over commerecalized crap being pushed.

Superbowl Sunday - COMMERCIALISM'S NEW YEARS DAY

[MrsBrady]

63. i don't care about football, no matter what is going on n/t

[sandnsea]

64. more cowbell n/t

[liberalhistorian]

65. Jesus Christ, do we HAVE to be

against everything, all the time? Can't people have some fun once in awhile without some self-righteous sanctimonious killjoy sucking things dry? Dude, it's ONE game, ONE day of the year, people need the escape and the social fun and interaction, there is nothing wrong with that at all. Get the fuck over yourself already. Sheesh, and we wonder why people think liberals get on their nerves.

[BlooInBloo]

67. Yes, if you're a true progressive.

This has been another episode of Simple Answers To Simple Questions.

(Extra Credit: Why in gawd's name would anyone *want* to be a true progressive, seeing what hell their lives apparently are?)

[dysfunctional press]

68. how often do people who are losing their homes or don't have power think about me...?

:shrug:

why should i think about them?

go cards!

[Seen the light]

70. I'm sure you're a pleasant person to be around

We're supposed to have no joy in our lives and feel nothing but doom and gloom?

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

74. IMHO, the very best part of Super Bowl Sunday is the Puppy Bowl. :)

[RedEmpress]

77. Some people watch it because they want to be "in"

They feel the need to look and sound like the crowd.

[fishnfla]

79. EVER HEAR OF NFL CHARITIES OR THE FUCKING WORK THEY DO FOR UNITED WAY

HARD TO HEAR WITH YOUR HEAD UP YOUR ASS AINT IT?

[NashVegas]

80. EVER HEARD OF A PR CAMPAIGN?

[hvn_nbr_2]

82. Sounds like the great haunting fear of fundamentalists and Puritans

Fundamentalists and Puritans are constantly beset by the great haunting fear that somewhere sometime somebody is having fun.

[NNN0LHI]

83. When Walter Jerry Payton (July 25, 1954 – November 1, 1999) retired I lost interest in football

Same thing happened when Michael Jordan retired from basketball.

Don

[bluesmail]

85. Corporate Super Bowl Sunday. n/t

[slackmaster]

87. Here in San Diego, it's one of the best days of the year to take a long walk on the beach

Very few people around.

[graywarrior]

88. Hell, I just got back from Market Basket

It was loaded with people buying paper plates and deli stuff.

[Why Syzygy]

89. When sports teams strike, people listen.

I can agree with you. But, I'm not into it anyway. So, I would be sacrificing nothing.

The streets in Europe and Russia are teaming with people demanding Freedom and access to livelihood.
*We'll* be sitting on our collective butts watching sports and entertainment.

I've already run the fantasy through my mind of a Super Bowl boycott. One can fantasize.

[Dukkha]

91. I heard they're having a football game in the middle of Super Advertising Day

The big contest today is between who can make the most crass, tasteless, and degrading ad campaign. Ironically PETA was the top contender.

[wtmusic]

93. Tee hee

Don't know what's more tasteless, PETA's spot or Budweiser's beer

[WillowTree]

92. Without some diversions in their lives.......

.......evan the occasional mindless diversion, people eventually become one-dimensional and even unhealthy. That's why we have weekends and vacations. We need to have some access to enjoying life to rejuvenate our minds and spirits so that afterward we can go back to being productive and doing the important things that need to be done refreshed.

Or Does everyone have to be totally immersed in the troubles around us 24/7/365 to be caring and worthwhile in your world?

[wtmusic]

94. A mindless war proxy can rejuvenate one's spirit?

My life has been so very empty!

[WillowTree]

100. Who said ANYTHING about a war proxy, pray tell?

[NutmegYankee]

97. When did the Puritans take over DU?

I can't enjoy myself anymore? WTF

[NeedleCast]

98. You needed two different threads to cry about the Super Bowl in

Your moral pout rage at the Super Bowl is noted. No need for more threads.

[Cyrano]

101. Heellppp! Attack of the thread nazis!!!!

[nichomachus]

102. Actually, some of us

are capable of being concerned about more than one thing at a time. Sorry, if you're not.

[Vektor]

104. I'm just not interested in sports.

I never watch them, don't follow the games. :shrug:

[cherish44]

105. I don't give a rat's ass about the game either

But it's an excuse people use to throw a party so I go along...

[snot]

109. best thing about it:

great time to run errands, at least in my town.

[sniffa]

110. Go Cardinals!

:woohoo:

We're making mexican food and I'm cooking up some rattle snake bites. :9