The World's Five Most Valuable Sports Teams 2016

2007

I briefly researched the 'pit' imagery from the previous article (and archived posts) and did not find what I expected...

Yes, another 'dig' at a certain corporation discussed on this website over the years.
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The World's Five Most Valuable Sports Teams 2016

Forbes July 13

National Football League

1. Dallas Cowboys, 4 Billion, National Football League

With the continual rise of the women's movement, the Dallas Cowgirls should also be on this list.

This reads like discrimination!

Wait a minute...

Dallas Transgender?

With the continual rise of the medical and scientific evidence of concussion injuries associated with playing in the National Football League; should the United States government mandate that the Dallas Cowboys uniforms feature an alternative logo on their uniforms showing a concussed football player?

Real Madrid

2. Real Madrid, 3.65 Billion, La Liga, UEFA

This year winning their eleventh UEFA Champions League title.

This along with Portugal winning Euro 2016, and France choking on its home soil, gave Ronaldo two championship opportunities to take his shirt off in front of millions, broadcast live.

Phoney Madrid FC had another horrible year...

Fake Madrid logo: footballopod.com

FC Barcelona

'Fat Real Madrid' is back...

3. Barcelona 3.55 Billion, La Liga, UEFA

Real Madrid and Barcelona are now no longer considered the 'big two' in Spain, as Atletico Madrid lost the UEFA Champions League final to Real Madrid for the second time in three years.

There is now the 'big three' and the Barcelona logo, still has that 1970s look and still needs a diet...

To be fair, it could be a pregnant looking Real Madrid logo...as an academic, I should reasonably consider more than one intellectual option.

4. New York Yankees, 3.4 Billion, Major League Baseball

New York Yankees

Okay, remember I am Canadian...

This may be a dumb intellectual question, but if the South, the Confederacy, had won the American Civil War, would the New York Yankees instead be known as the...

New York Rednecks?

or

New York Good Ol' Boys?

 5. Manchester United, 3.32 Billion, English Premier League, UEFA

Manchester United

New and very successful manager, José Mourinho, should vastly improve the club. The club was ranked #1 for years by Forbes, but now are only the third highest ranked European football club.

A fundamentalist Christian could opine the club is in decline because the club is called the Red Devils. Although in our politically correct Western culture, it is better than being called the Redskins.

The Washington Reds to me seems a reasonable compromise club name.

Popularity fallacy revisited

gifbin.com

May 12, 2016: Dr RNM

I noted:

PIRIE, MADSEN (2006)(2015) How To Win Every Argument, Bloomsbury, London.

This fallacy is a particular irritant and was as well, before I was an academic. But I will attempt objectivity.

Quote

'The argumentum ad populum appeals to popular attitudes instead of presenting relevant material. In other words, it is based on prejudice. It exploits the known propensity of people to accept that which fits in comfortably with their preconceptions. The popular prejudices may or may not be justified, but the speaker who makes his case depend solely upon them is guilty of an ad populum fallacy. Pirie (165).

Further, the author explains that this fallacy can inflame passions and prejudices more appropriate to mass hysteria than to rational discourse. (165). Those that use this fallacy 'take the easy way out'. (165). Playing on the emotions of the multitude. (165). Or, trusting in that fallacious type of thinking in regard to personal preferences and convictions, as opposed to researching and asking God for truth, even if that is uncomfortable truth.

Blackburn agrees with Pirie, basically, stating that this fallacy is 'appealing to the prejudices of the people.' (24).
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Mr. Matt on Monday evening in Vancouver, mentioned the need to be humble in regard to receiving teaching from senior well-known, popular, respected Christian academics.

I agree, however:

Based on years of academic research, I think there are some well-educated bloggers, pastors and other teachers that have more intellectual insights than some well-known, popular, theologians and academics, including those reviewed in my British theses work.

On some points, not on every point.

At most points, humanly speaking in finite terms, I consider myself prinarily the student and submit to the teacher (s). Of course God in Scripture is the infinite teacher.

Isaiah 48:17-18 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

17 Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit, Who leads you in the way you should go. 18 “If only you had paid attention to My commandments! Then your [a]well-being would have been like a river, And your righteousness like the waves of the sea.

Footnotes: Isaiah 48:18 Or peace

But there are times, with God's help, I may be placed in the teacher position and favour my own researched and reasoned views over popular ones.

Therefore, the argumentum ad populum should not be used.

BLACKBURN, SIMON (1996) Oxford Dictionary of Philosophy, Oxford, Oxford University Press. 

PIRIE, MADSEN (2006)(2015) How To Win Every Argument, Bloomsbury, London.

Pinterest

Buzzfeed

Buzzfeed

I liked these as a child...

Wikipedia

Cited

'Popeye Cigarettes marketed using the Popeye character were sold for a while and had red tips (to look like a lit cigarette) before being renamed candy sticks and being manufactured without the red tip.'

Candy sticks

Walmart.ca: Apparently still on sale in some jurisdictions.

Eleven season tickets sold, seventy thousand seat stadium

Italia.it: Lazio, Rome

I heard a related story on Talk Sport...

Bravo.

The Independent July 20

Cited

'Lazio sell a mere eleven tickets on the opening day of sales as fans continue to protest against club president'

'Fans have grown disillusioned with the club following a disappointing season and the embarrassing resignation of Marcelo Bielsa'
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Legendary, two-time Serie A Champion, S.S. Lazio perhaps needs to be relocated to an unproven market in the southern United States.

Because it is 'good for the growth of the game.'

S.S. Viva Las Vegas?

Cited

'Serie A side Lazio were left red-cheeked after selling only 11 season tickets on the opening day of sales. The tickets went on sale on Monday but reports from La Gazetta dello Sport stated that less than a dozen applications had been made by the end of the day. This follows a disappointing year of sales in which the club sold less than 13,000 season tickets for the 2015/16 despite the fact their Stadio Olimpico home holds more than 70,000 people.'

Cited continued

'Fans have grown disillusioned with the club following an underwhelming season in which the side finished eighth in the league. Matters were made worse by the farcical situation involving Marcelo Bielsa. The Argentine manager was appointed as the permanent successor to previous boss Stefano Pioli but pulled out of the deal two days later. Reports suggest Bielsa withdraw from the role because the club had failed to sign a single player.'

Eighth? Imagine the riots if they had a club like the Vancouver Canucks?

Cited continued

'It seems that fans have now reached breaking point after taking to the streets of Rome last week to protest against club president Claudio Lotito.'

'The announcement that the club only sold 11 season tickets on Monday will further aggravate an already hostile situation.'
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Uncle Chuck and I attended a double header at BC.Place Stadium, last night:

The first was a friendly match with Crystal Palace (London) @ Vancouver Whitecaps FC, and was decently attended, with the top tier of seating closed. BC Place is a world-class stadium having been built prior to Expo 86 and then significantly renovated for the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Caps v Palace

Two teams I had to look up online...Chuck too.

The second friendly match, with admittedly, not top notch clubs, looked like the UEFA crowd ban had been issued, or this was the upcoming golf tournament at the Rio 2016 Olympics.

I stated to Chuckles that I should be hired for marketing and public relations for the local football, as I could do better with my I.T. experience and sports knowledge. I think S.S. Lazio could likewise use marketing and public relations assistance with eleven season tickets sold for a seventy thousand seat stadium.

Reply to email: Radical Islam

Fraser River: Yesterday

An email sent to me today:

‘See how the world is acting fast on the threat posed by Islam and its barbaric Sharia Law.’

In my humble opinion, there is tension between freedom of religion, freedom of thought (including non-religion) for all, and Western state security.

A reasonable compromise seems to me is to ban any kind of Sharia law or religious law as being sanctioned by any state government level.

’North Carolina: Bans Islamic “Sharia Law" in the State, regarding it now as a criminal offense.’

Personally, I would oppose any form of self-government for any group, but in Canada this has been granted to First Nations groups. These areas could instead be legal jurisdictions like everywhere else. 

BC Treaty

Cited

‘The government of Canada recognizes that the Indian Act system needs to change. Under the BC treaty process, self-government arrangements will be designed, established and administered by aboriginal peoples. Through self government, First Nations can again become self determining and self sufficient.

Back to Islam

Vancouver Sun June 8 2013

Cited

‘Researchers are unaware of any official shariah courts in the U.S. or Canada, even though some imams offer voluntary dispute-resolution services based on principles of Islamic law. In addition, shariah is not unique. Most religions maintain their own internal codes of conduct, particularly regarding marriage, divorce, financial wrongdoing, and sexual behaviour. Then there is the question of whether the world’s 1.2 billion Muslims interpret shariah the same, or take it equally seriously.’
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Religious law and rules should be handled internally. Such as for September, I have been asked to join a local megachurch in order to possibly teach there regularly. Membership, rules and regulation is maintained by the church itself and perhaps in extreme cases the denomination would become involved. Religious rules should handled internally in similar ways to other private groups (unions, Rotary Clubs, Masonic Lodges, sports associations, for example).

Today

The United Kingdom has it wrong:

Express July 13

Cited

‘Theresa May forced to defend views on Sharia Law as she prepares to enter

No 10: INCOMING Prime Minister Theresa May has defended her position on Sharia Law on the eve of taking over as the leader of the Conservative party.

By ZOIE O'BRIEN PUBLISHED: 10:13, Wed, Jul 13, 2016 | UPDATED: 10:18, Wed

‘May sparked controversy when she spoke out in support of the Islamic courts operating in the country, telling the nation they could "benefit a great deal" from Sharia teachings. The future Tory leader made the comments as she ordered a review into the system which are accused of ordering women to stay with abusive partners. Mrs May, said she is worried the courts are "misused" and "exploited" to discriminate against Muslim women, but defended their place in society. Sharia is Islam's legal system derived from both the Koran, Islam's central text, and fatwas - the rulings of Islamic scholars. There are thought to be around 100 Sharia Law courts operating throughout the UK, dispensing Islamic justice outside the remit of our own legal system. Judgements handed down by the informal courts have no legal basis, but there are fears their presence means many Muslim women are not getting access to the justice they deserve.’
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Based on academic studies of comparative religions and philosophy, I do not think Islam is true religious philosophy, but I recognize the right of freedom of religion, but not state sanctioned religion, or any allowance of radicalized, extreme, religion or political philosophy. Basically most religious and non-religious people can agree to disagree and live peaceably, in Western society. Those within radical Islam are an exception and should be denied access/deported. Illegal entry obviously requires prevention from security services.

Park That Bus (Les Bleus It)

Tsmplus.com

Preface

I am not a professional football expert. When I have put my mind to it and take the time, I have done reasonably well analyzing football. I have played football/soccer in grade school and recently have played mainly goalkeeper the last several years in recreational football with friends. I think football is a fair amount like ball hockey, tactically, which I did play at college and church league level. This similarity assists in analysis.

Incidentally these are my rare three attempts at online football predicting, no betting.

Football Predictions BBC Predictor UEFA Euro 2016

23/51 Correct Result 45% 7 Exact Score Win1 Win2, or Draw

Facebook FIFA World Cup Picks 2010

Overall World Rank 838/101230

Facebook UEFA Champions League Picks 2009-2010

Overall World Rank 232/51066

Park That Bus (Les Bleus It)

Got Les Bleus

ESPN FC July 11 Miguel Delaney

Cited

'France's Euro 2016 final agony down to Didier Deschamps' tactical naivety'

Cited

'France had the fortune to play a final in their home stadium against a less talented team, whose biggest star had to go off after just 25 minutes.'

Cited

It was not just that Deschamps failed to maximise those ample advantages. It was really about how much his decisions actually minimised the effectiveness of his players. He made such talent look less than the sum of their parts.

Fox Soccer July 11 Aaron West

Cited

'Didier Deschamps' naivety was on display all of Euro 2016, but against Portugal, he was finally made to pay for it and may have cost France the title.'

Cited

'France lost, the result of a failed midfield and nonsensical tactics that plagued them from the start. It took seven matches for it to bite them, but it finally had as Deschamps looked on without a solution yet again.'

End Citations

In general before the final, the British, Talk Sport online commentators I listened to praised French manager and former World Cup and European Championship winner, Didier Deschamps, as a genius, basically.

However, France (Les Bleus) had home field advantage, France had the more skilled club, Portugal was without their most skilled forward, Ronaldo, most of the match, France attacked moderately and not aggressively, Both clubs played defensively, but Portugal scored shortly after a free kick, which likely influenced events leading to the goal, Portugal won the match.

Therefore, the French national team's tactics were in error.
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Further, a very questionable football tactic is when the more skilled club does not offensively attack enough, in other words, only moderately, especially while playing less skilled opponents. France should have been offensively aggressive and not moderately offensive.

The approach in this match by France is a tactical error that will be documented historically.

Largely 'park the bus' Portugal, prevails in a tournament dominated by 'park that bus'.

Nairaland.com

A more literal definition of handballs in the box

Today

Today, Germany dominated possession but made a couple of defensive mistakes leading to goals from France and could not finish at the other end of the field. I hope to see France defeat largely 'park the bus' Portugal in the finale.

What is with the German defenders/players and handballs in the box with the quarter-final and semi-final matches? I would like to see more literal definitions of 'handball' called by FIFA/UEFA referees as in handball is literally trying to play the ball with the hand (s) or arm (s) as opposed to the football hitting the player's hand (s) or arm (s). Especially in the box.

But according to the Canadian and British commentators I observed, the Italian referee was correct with his call, based on current rules, in today's semi-final won 2-0 by France.

Germany and France are the two main international clubs I support. I am pleased with Germany holding the FIFA World Cup and hopefully France on Sunday will win the UEFA European Championship. I am mixed on the result today. It would have been historically interesting to see Germany as double champions as they were in the 1970s, but on the other hand, France have not won a major championship since they were double champions in 2000. I am now 23/50 correct results with the BBC Predictor with seven exact scores. Predicting Win1, Win2 or Draw each match.
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BBC

Cited

'What is 'deliberate' handball?

Gary O'Neil contests a penalty decision

The challenging decisions are if the defending player spreads their arms to make themselves bigger Former Premier League referee David Elleray "Hand to ball or ball to hand?"

Nothing stirs the passion like a controversial handball decision. You've only got to look at players and managers jumping up and down enraged at a dodgy penalty to know that. A ball slams into a player's arm and one team is screaming for a penalty, while the others are claiming it was an accident. It's a tricky one for the referee to call in the heat of the moment.

So what is 'deliberate' handball? In Fifa's Laws of the Game 2005, Law 12 says a free-kick or penalty will be awarded if a player "handles the ball deliberately (except for the goalkeeper within his own penalty area)". Page 67 of the document gives "additional information for referees, assistant referees and fourth officials". It adds: "Referees are reminded that deliberately handling the ball is normally punished only by a direct free-kick or penalty kick if the offence occurred inside the penalty area. "A caution or dismissal is not normally required."

However, the document fails to describe what constitutes deliberate handball, which places the responsibility firmly on the referee and referees'assistants.'

UEFA: Germany v France: Euro dance number?

UEFA: Germany v Italy: There seems to be a dancing theme with this tournament

Interviewed on my birthday

Castle Conwy: Postcard

Blogger, BossTon Honey from the Philippines interviewed me today.

I answered the questions and Honey added the rest on her website.

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Cited:

BossTon Honey July 6

Radiant Rational Russ

Radiant rational Russ sin't just your typical PhD!

Read to know more about this respectable and risible lad!

By BossTon Honey - July 6, 2016

Full Name: Dr. Russell Norman Murray

Nickname: Dr. Russ

Radiant Rational Russ has been blogging for more than a decade. You can visit his blogs DRRNM and Satire Und Theology and you will read the immense profoundness of Dr. Russ’ mind. Aside from that he is also managing a Facebook blog page too.

Dr. Russ, who hails from Canada, has also been consistently active with his interests in world travel / touring, UEFA football, martial arts, films, at church and music. We are all very pleased to have Sr. Russ here on Viral Birthday to share with us some of his viewpoints.

How will Radiant and Rational Russ celebrate his Birthday? 

My birthday is July 6, but this year I will have a very rare party at a local restaurant. So far, several local friends in number have committed to attending. This is only the second large party I have had in my life, the other being my PhD graduation in 2011. But I have been to other large parties. It is difficult to throw a party in a sense, because my family no longer lives in Metropolitan Vancouver, other than my Mother, and many other friends have relocated or have always lived elsewhere, such as Britain. As nice as the Vancouver area is, it is very expensive as far as housing and it does not have a tier one large city population like Toronto, New York, London, Paris, Rome, etcetera, and so it does not have the employment and social possibilities of many larger markets.

Any special birthday wish you want to share? 

It would be nice if someone would make me a cake or at least muffins (selfish mode), but as my party is not until the 16th (my adoption day), I will buy myself something eatable tomorrow and share it with the ‘Boss’. I will physically and literally walk the journey, because I am macho…

How do you see yourself in 5 years from now? 

To stay youthful, as I continue to recover and improve from previously undiagnosed sleep apnea. To do God’s will, to increase in my academic disciplines which are also spiritually focused, to increase my social network.

Define the word ‘BLESSINGS’. 

To be favoured by God. Of course I want more of this, not relationally as I am in Christ and God’s salvific work (see latest audio post Dr. Russell Norman Murray), but I would very much like to have myself, friends and family blessed more.

What makes you feel special? 

Being stalked online…

We’re sure you will have more stalkers online soonest! Happy Birthday Dr. Russ! 

Bizarre Football World Cup For Non-States

Pinterest: The third recent chicken theme post

I am listening to Talk Sport while working and heard an interview from a former professional player and manager of one of these clubs. New to me...

BBC June 2 Raylan Demytrie

Cited

'A World Cup for unrecognised states'

Cited

'This Black Sea coastal region, which the international community considers part of Georgia, is hosting the biggest football tournament in its history. This is a World Cup of unrecognised states - for countries which, officially, do not exist autonomously.'

Cited

'The tournament has been organised by the Confederation of Independent Football Associations (Conifa), which represents national teams unable to join Fifa, the sport's world governing body.'

Cited

'Per-Anders Blind, the president and co-founder of Conifa, says he is trying to give a voice to voiceless communities around the world.

He has brought together stateless nations, unrecognised countries, self-declared republics, ethnic groups and indigenous communities.'

Cited

Per-Anders himself is from a minority, the indigenous Sami people of Scandinavia. His team are among 12 at the tournament, including Kurdistan, Northern Cyprus, Somaliland, Punjab, United Koreans of Japan, Western Armenia and Szekelyland.

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My Mennonite friend, 'Anarchist, libertarian, Chuck' is a theological and philosophical proponent of the city state and smaller government. Chuck likes European football and perhaps he can become an athletic supporter of this tournament?

Team Revelation 20-22?

I support Germany and France and I am not German or French, but that is good enough for me...but I wish these clubs well. A World Cup not recognized by FIFA or UEFA.