Obama should go to RSA this weekend

Obama should take his family and go to RSA this weekend for the start of the World Cup. He could watch tomorrow's game, South Africa v. Mexico (10AM EST) with Nelson Mandela from a sky box. Obama could cheer for BOTH teams and make kind remarks about how Mexico is more than a good neighbor, it is a part us and integral for our well being, etc. Then Mandela could watch the game Saturday (2:30PM EST), US v. England, and HE could have kind, (re)conciliatory words for both teams.

Obama has been described as America's Mandela. South Africa and the USA have a lot in common. In my big lecture class (250 students--'Peoples, Places and Cultures') I usually introduce the week on RSA/apartheid/rainbow nation with the audio of a speech by Robert Kennedy, in Cape Town, June 6, 1966:

RFK begins:

"I came here because of my deep interest and affection for a land settled by the Dutch in the mid-seventeenth century, then taken over by the British, and at last independent; a land in which the native inhabitants were at first subdued, but relations with whom remain a problem to this day; a land which defined itself on a hostile frontier; a land which has tamed rich natural resources through the energetic application of modern technology; a land which once imported slaves, and now must struggle to wipe out the last traces of that former bondage. I refer, of course, to the United States of America....."

In any event, my advice concerning getting the most out of the World Cup is to watch all of the games. I know it is a big chunk of time, but it is worth it. When Brazil plays the runner-up from Group H (probably Switzerland) you are going to wish you had seen Brazil already play (say, against Portugal) and the same re: the Switzerland v. Spain match that occurs during the group phase.

The meet opens with South Africa versus Mexico at 10AM EST. South Africa draws the first match as the host country. Mexico was a draw from the 'pot' (see previous post on the geographical fiction of the 'pots'). South Africa and Mexico are both in Group A, along with Uruguay and France, who play the second game on Friday June 11th at 2:30PM EST). We all hope Uruguay beats France to revenge Ireland (more on that tomorrow).

For first-timers or people who joined the last games too late to figure it out, the World Cup proceeds as follows:

Group play --June 11- 25th.

The 'groups' are the eight groups of four teams each. These were formed during the drawing of the 'pots.' During group play, each team plays the three others in its group. So South Africa plays Mexico tomorrow, and then Uruguay in a few days, and then France a few days later. All the groups do this. At the end of the 'group play' (June 25th) the top two teams from each group move into the quarter- and semi-finals.

That's why it is important to watch ALL the games--so that you can see each team play before the qualifying stage.

For now, just make sure you have organized your day so you have time from 10AM-4:30 PM to watch. If you are a civil servant consider moving to Honduras.