My thoughts…on stuff

Categories: Sports

The 2006 World Cup draw has been announced, with the pride of the Caribbean, Trinidad and Tobago, placed in Group B. It was a bittersweet moment. On one hand, my Caribbean brethren were going to represent us in one the world’s greatest sporting events. On the other hand, it reminded me of Jamaica’s failure to qualify. 4 years ago Jamaica became the first English-speaking Caribbean country to qualify for the World Cup. There was much celebrating, at home and abroad. The footballers became household names, and the Prime Minister declared a public holiday to mark their achievement. Football then replaced cricket as the most popular sport in the nation. Whenever the Reggae Boyz played a match, the stadium would always be awash with the national colours. Fans were making predictions about the future, of how the Reggae Boyz would soon be on par with juggernauts like Brazil and Spain. Now, 4 years later, that excitement, that passion, has all but gone.

I’m angry because the Reggae Boyz could have made it, it’s because of selfishness and poor teamwork why they didn’t. The Reggae Boyz’ performance in The World Cup impressed many, so much so that many of them were wooed by European football clubs. Many joined those clubs, and did well. But when it came time to represent their country, they disappointed. Some of them didn’t return to play for Jamaica. Others put their club schedule ahead of representing their country, the place they got their start. This left coaches desperately searching for players, many of them newcomers, leaving Jamaica with a sad excuse of a team. At the end of the day we failed to qualify, and for us, the road to Germany led to a dead end. Despite Jamaica’s miserable failiure, I’ll still watch the World Cup matches, especially those involving the Soca Warriors. They won’t win, that’s for sure, but it’ll be nice to see how far they go.

Categories: Current Events

On Wednesday, December 7, Saddam Hussein boycotted his trial by not showing up. The day before he said he would not attend an unjust trial, called the trial a “US staged sham” and told the judges to “Go to Hell!” He also complained that he had been dragged up the stairs by US security personnel, and that he had no fresh clothes and been deprived of shower and exercise facilities. For a former dictator he sure has been acting like a spoiled brat, whining because things aren’t going his way. And now he decides to protest by playing hooky. Next thing you know he starts shooting spitballs at the jury.

His absence delayed the trial by several hours until they decided to continue. You’d think that this whole experience would be humbling for him, from the dismantling of his empire, to being found dirty and ragged in a hole barely able to fit an animal to his current trial. But no, Saddam somehow doesn’t get it - he’s not in charge anymore, and he is still trying to exert power. You can bet I’ll be watching the trial closely, but let’s be honest, we already know the outcome.