DC United v Chivas USA in Pictures

Today marks the spawning of a new generation of DC United fans. My sons saw their first United game live and while my youngest didn't really realize we were at a game, my oldest watched large portions either on the field or on the big screen (amazed him at first). After the game he said he had a good time and he wants to go again. This bodes well for the future as he also enjoys watching parts of Manchester United games with me and knows whether they are in their red or white jerseys (his mom thought United was wearing red today against Liverpool, but he knew better). DC United had a rare dominant game with the only real threats coming at the end of each half. With him able to see and feel the roar of the stadium when United scored, he's hooked. On to the show though, you came here for the pictures (and two videos. One of a nice save by the Chivas keeper and one of the final whistle).

Parking Lot Pimpin

Pre-Game Playoff Push

United Warming Up

La Barra Brava/Screaming Eagles. Flags Waving

Line-Ups

Underway

Superhero Talon

Live at RFK

Dominating Play Early

Halftime

Flags Flying High To Start The Second Half

Goal United!

Hard Foul

Free Kick. Flags Still Flying

Legendary

Things Got Fierce Late

Game, Set, Match

Mingling

Thanks DC United

Vote or Don't

The age old thought is that democracy will not work if the people don't get out and vote. However there is another side to this argument. I will say that ideally all citizens legally allowed to vote should, in order to make this the most fair democracy possible. The problem is that it doesn't work out so cleanly in the end. With voting becoming almost pop culture with the "vote or die" fiasco and the peer pressure many face to "let their voice be heard", many people who wouldn't normally vote have come out of the woodwork the last two elections. The numbers aren't skyrocketing to never before seen heights and a lot of these voting movements are just big talk, but either way a troubling trend is occurring. People who know next to nothing about our government, it's mechanisms, nor the actual candidates are voting based off of what they read in 140 characters or hear in sound bytes. I know it happens every election, but recently the young vote has been the group targeted by candidates looking to take advantage of social networking. A huge flaw in the democratic process is also the greatest strength, anyone can vote. Scroll through your twitter/facebook timeline. Tell me how many of those people do you trust to have a say in the direction this country is going. I love America but I doubt a majority understand the electoral college and how it skews votes so that while everyone can vote, all of our votes are not equal. I also doubt that a majority of Americans realize that because of that fact, "that all men are created equal" really has no basis in reality socially, economically, or politically in this country. I'm not trying to say that certain people shouldn't vote and others should. Every individual has the right to choose who they wish for whatever reason they wish, this is America bish! It's just really important to take the time and learn the process. It's important to not listen to your candidates but read up on them and their voting history. It's important to be involved with voting not just during presidential elections, but also during Congressional, State, and Local elections. After all, the further down the totem pole you go, the more direct an impact your representative has on your daily life.

Birfday

How I feel with two kids (one of them with an ear infection) on my birthday. Thank you TSS and their comment section for introducing me to these mindless time consuming things called gifs. I am forever indebted.

Seriously though. It's my birthday. Deal with it. I'll try to get back on the grind today but we will see... yes, we will see.

9/11, "Never Forget" and Just how Un-American I am

"Never forget" is a bit irresponsible. We should all pay tribute in our own way to those lives lost on 9/11. But saying "never forget" is furthering the hatred and evil that coursed through this country in the years following 9/11. I mean why aren't we saying "never forget" for the thousands of civilian lives lost over in Iraq and Afghanistan? Do we as a people really think our lives are more important than others? I think what we should "never forget" is the actions of our government that led people to hate us with such passion that they would take it out on our civilians. Why are we not holding accountable the ones who created a foreign policy so oppressive that people felt the need to act on it? Why are we not holding ourselves accountable for allowing these actions to take place? After all we did vote the people into power who implemented those policies and reacted the way they did. I think today everyo

ne should take a minute and really reflect on why we should never forget 9/11. If its because it was a tragic loss of life then this post affects you in no way. However I think 9/11 should really teach people the importance of voting and selecting the people that represent our country. It should teach about how we need to be more involved not just in presidential elections but selecting your other representatives as well. Yes I am preaching. Yes I know this will miss many of you ideologically and others because it is too long. However I feel too strongly that this country is holding in anger against a group that has already been punished and that anger has obviously spread to hatred for a people or region of the world. So seriously, rather than just throwing out a "never forget" with a patriotic picture, how about you spend more than just one day a year thinking of the actions that led to 9/11 on both sides and the repercussions faced on both sides post 9/11. Nobody won. Everyone lost. Worldwide.

*steps down from soap-box, shakes head, walks away head down*