Dime Store Sociology

In spectacularly dim op-ed, John Ziegler (identified as the host of the "John Ziegler Show" on KFI-AM; maybe someone from Los Angeles can fill me in. I'm assuming he's a right-wing radio screamer.) argues that since Mexican immigrants are rooting for Team Mexico over Team USA! USA! USA! they have not, and will never, assimilate:

Now, if Mexico were much better than the USA, the assimilation apologists could argue that L.A.-area soccer fans were just more interested in watching a superior product. However, going into the tournament, both countries were rated about the same, and the U.S. opponents — the Czech Republic and Italy — were far more compelling teams to watch than Mexico's opponents (Iran and Angola). And yet far more soccer fans in L.A. have tuned into the Mexico games. Can we not conclude that this team preference is a very powerful indication of one's national identity and loyalty?

I haven't been following the World Cup this time around but those who do, Americans all, found the US team to be not all-that-good and even boring, and were rooting for other nation's teams. Quality mattered. But Ziegler seems to be one those "USA! USA! USA!" morons that can't fathom the vagaries of human thought.

Oh, and Team USA lost to Ghana. Ghana.


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