gmac17

a lawyer.

the ceo of my company was making about $450,000 per year. Hardly 267 times the average workers salary. Last year he made a deal where he got tons of stock options and basically didn't get a salary. He knew what he was doing because he was trying to sell the company. It worked out, and he ended up making $30 million when the company was sold. I don't love the concept, but the board gave it to him. 1/267th of 30 million is about $110k. Problem is, there are very, very, very few people in this country who make more than even 10,000,000 per year.

$56,000 15 year mortgage (assuming 14k down, 6.15 percent) is $477 per month

I will say this - if it comes out that he said nothing other than "f you" or something more benign, I'll take it all back. And there is a great brazilian camera angle that shows his mouth moving dead on - I think it will be pretty obvious what he said sooner rather than later.

I can't imagine that this guy who has such wonderful, clean playscould possibly say something like that....

I JUST SAID HE IS NO SAINT, don't you read? YES, he stomps and punches and has a history of it. Nothing - that's the point. That's why DeRossi is a bigger idiot than Zidane - he went in for a cheap shot against one of the classiest players on the US squad, while Zidane responded to a fellow lout's comments, possibly about his sick mother. If JJ Redick walked up to Ron Artest and told him "Your mother is a n***r whore" I would applaud Ron Artest for punching him in the face. you just don't get it.

Yup, Zidane is no saint but Matterazi is probably worse. He had a straight red card this tournament, has a history of violent play - including a 2 month suspension 2 years ago for punching another player in the face. It's called logic. Why would one of the top players in the world do something so absolutely stupid in probably the biggest game of his life 10 minutes before penalty kicks? Something was obviously said and if you think your boy said "you suck zizou" I've got a pork store to sell you in Newark.

oh, well in that case everything is ok. You don't think perhaps all those apologies and the letter to fifa was so he didn't get a 5 game suspension instead of a 4 game suspension? You have to be joking me. Fact was it was an A1 cheap shot and no amount of apologies can take that back. Ron artest apologized too, does that make it ok? Zidane SHOULDN'T apologize if anything even remotely close to that was said to him.

The british tabs are also saying he said “son of a terrorist whore” or “I hope your mother dies a terrible death”. Either way, I believe the tide will quickly turn and Materazzi and the Italians will go down as the bad guys in this drama. Outside of Italy you won’t find anyone who will support them. Everyone will say “Zidane should have kept his cool, but I can see why he did it”. This thing will grow and Zidane will be the good guy in this one. At the same time – the piece of sh*t derossa made it back to score a PK in this game. In my mind he is worse than Zidane – a completely unprovoked elbow to the head. Zidane was provoked to some extent and did what he did right in front of the world for all to see.

totally disagree. Watch it again - the guy was running at full speed and got clipped. And don't forget about the other non call in the box that was a no-brainer penalty kick if they hadn't already called one. As for the comment that was made, it doesn't absolve zidane of any responsibility for his actions. Was most likely something racist as italian soccer is full of racism (by the fans at least) and swastikas in the stands aren't an uncommon sight (and they make red sox fans take of “Yankees suck” t-shirts!)

congrats meazza, hope you had a fun night.

FYI - Zidane is a "non practicing muslim", his parents are both Algerian. For all the hype Americans create when someone says something rude / throws a snowball onto the football field the rest of the world is far, far worse. Ajax (netherlands) is a team with a lot of Jewish history, and opponents fans often make hissing noises (a la gas chamber) to taunt them. Some black players in the UK get monkey noises from the fans every time they touch the ball, and don't forget about the always classy mexican fans chanting "Osama" during a match vs. the USA last year. Before the WC there were all sorts of warnings to players about no no goosestepping, no nazi salutes.

Congrats meazza - we better not hear from you until tomorrow, and your post better start with "i have a really bad headache"...

well, france pretty much outplayed italy but now it goes to PK's. I'm afraid zidane will be the story either way....

Zidane you idiot - what the hell was that about. would love to know the back story on that.

Ribery reminds me of a Lou Piccone or Steve Tasker.

"boston one of the greatest cities in the world"??? I love Boston, but come on. Next he'll say "Elmira, one worlds most cultural cities". Phil Mushnick is going to have a field day with these announcers.

i really wish they'd reference what was going on on the field. At least say "the french player is claiming his shirt was being pulled when he went up for the ball" - the replay seemed to show it to some extent but they don't even reference it.

i was ready to reference the homerun throwback because I thought someone might make a comment that the camera angle makes them look more offsides than they were...

zepp, if you draw a straight line on your TV - i suggest a sharpie - the player as definitely offsides when the ball was kicked.

these announcers are horrible (as usual). Henri wasn't "getting excited" - he was screaming at his teammate to be there for his passes acrosee the middle of the box. bad non call, but this ref wasn't about to give 2 pks in the same game unless it is really bad. and the first PK wasn't a dive - when you are running full speed and in the air and you get bumped in the thigh you are going down.

WHY YOU SHOULD ROOT FOR FRANCE: Although many people dislike the French, unless you are Italian you should be rooting for France. Here is why: 1) The Italian penchant for diving. They are on top of the world as far as faking injuries and taking dives. Nothing is more annoying than this. 2) Italian Soccer Scandal: Italian Soccer is currently in the midst of a huge scandal that at least calls into question the integrity of their soccer leagues and management. The Italian goalkeeper and a few others have been accused of betting on games within the league. Imagine if Brian Cashman was found out to have been requesting (and getting) certain referees for Yankees games, and Roger Clemens was found out to have been betting on MLB games on a regular basis. Don't put anything past these people. 3) The single biggest cheap shot in this world cup was an elbow to the head of a US player by the Italians. 4) If Italy wins, every greasy haired guido who has made fun of soccer for the last 3.95 years will be all excited talking about how great their team did.

I'm embarrased for you.

LA - They are ranking a sandwhich, not public policy...

1) way too much camera work on that stuff. You have no idea if it looks real in person. Also seems like the bystanders are a little too over the top.... 2) Obviously none of it is real, but the way they present / produce blaine seems cooler. 3) I had a friend who worked alongside one of the mindfreak episodes...had to sign the super non disclosure about the trick.