Kicked Out.

In a 4-0 rout, Brazil knocks the US out of the Women’s World Cup in the semifinals. Arg, that’s too bad. Despite the time zone issues, I caught several of the round 1 games (including US-Sweden and US-Nigeria, as well as a few random match-ups like Canada-Ghana and Denmark-NZ) and thought we looked pretty solid, give or take an occasionally lackluster offense. But it sounds like we ran into a brick wall here. At any rate, Brazil will face Germany, who beat Norway 3-0 on Wednesday in the Finals.

Through a Lens Darkly.


I shall remember this hour of peace: the strawberries, the bowl of milk, your faces in the dusk. Mikael asleep, Jof with his lute. I shall remember our words, and shall bear this memory between my hands as carefully as a bowl of fresh milk. And this will be a sign, and a great content.Ingmar Bergman, 1918-2007.

Something Rotten in Denmark?

White House Budget Director Rob Portman steps down, to be replaced by former congressman Jim Nussle (R-IA). Said Dem congressional leader Steny Hoyer of Portman’s replacement, “‘Mr. Nussle is a Dane.’ Both Hoyer and Nussle are of Danish ancestry. ‘You can read into that into what you want to read into it, and what you want to read into it is correct.‘” Thrift, thrift, Horatio!

Gordon is Bleeding.

Batman Begins starts production in Iceland, with the final casting announcement of Gary Oldman as Sgt. (future Commissioner) Gordon. I really liked Aaron Eckhart for this role, but Oldman should be grand, provided he doesn’t go all Professional-crazy.

The Complicated American.

What the World Thinks of America, from Gary Kamiya of Salon (premium). A fascinating read.

Crazy Eights.

The US defeats Mexico 2-0 in a North American grudge match, and a new era begins for American futbol. Well, at least a lot of us hope so. At any rate, I’m glad we got the second goal to nip the “Hand of God” conspiracy theories in the bud. Alas, Ireland, Belgium, and Sweden – the three other teams (along with England) I’ve been rooting for — weren’t so lucky.