Putin accuses US of meddling into FIFA affairs by Geezer

Russia and it's corruption has been front and center along with their expansionism.

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Friday, May 29, 2015 10:20 AM

I believe in solving problems, not sharing them.

THUGR

Quote:
Originally posted by THGRRI:
Russia and it's corruption has been front and center along with their expansionism

So ... what does Russian corruption have to do with FIFA corruption? Is FIFA Russian? Not snark, a genuine question, because I'm not following the connection you seem to have made between the two.

I'm confused. Maybe because I don't follow soccer, but ... the people that the DoJ had arrested weren't American citizens, and they weren't on American soil (as far as I know) when they committed their crimes. So how does a USA justice system indict and arrest foreigners on foreign soil? Were they breaking some international law? Was the USA acting kind of like INTERPOL? Is this some part of an international trade agreement, or something? Heck, Americans don't even LIKE soccer! If someone can explain how that works, I'd be most appreciative.

I've been hearing for years that FIFA was corrupt: Bribery is the only way to explain the decision to hold the world cup in Qatar. According to my soccer-following buddies, Qatar is SO hot, it's the butt of of many How hot is it" jokes. It's SO hot, they had to move the world cup series to the fall, which apparently interferes with all kinds of European playoffs (Forgive me if I got this wrong- I just nod and smile when my soccer-loving friend starts talking about soccer; but at some point my eyes kind of glaze over. I hope it doesn't show!)

But - appointing a Prince of Jordan as the FIFA President??? If anything smacks of corruption, it's that!

GEEZER
Don't worry, I'm sure Americans will find SOME way to "make Russia pay" for FIFA corruption! (And that's a KPO Prediction®.)

---------------

In the end, the first thing that came to mind was: Well, you "lost" Ramadi and your Saudi friends don't like you so well and are threatening to get the bomb, but ...

HEY! At least you can score points against FIFA! That's sayin' sumpthin'!

--------------
You can't build a nation with bombs. You can't create a society with guns.

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Friday, May 29, 2015 11:10 AM

Quote:

G

I think that's called "getting out in front of it..." I don't know for sure..., but I would be surprised if Russia hadn't bribed their way into getting the World Cup for 2018

Hey G welcome back. You got it. That plus the fact that once American banks are involved along with the American Broadcast industry, it becomes a legal issue for the United States.

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Friday, May 29, 2015 11:44 AM

Quote:
G

Hi T! Interesting to see if Nike gets a visit.

I will say that when I saw the story break I was a bit "HUH?? How? We did this??" As with almost anything to do with this sport I would be most happy to see as little US involvement as possible (Fenway Group, etc) - we tend to change things and not always for the best. That's why I am cautiously optimistic as of this instant, that we might actually have some positive impact on a sport I've grown to enjoy immensely (anyone see the Europa League Final? Good match).

Not being a soccer fan I had no idea what was what. I still don’t really, not in-depth. That said I am a news junkie and have heard a lot about what’s going on. From what I gather the world is shocked and overjoyed by this turn of events. Again that said, you are right to be cautiously optimistic because the corporate world gets away with pretty much everything.

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Friday, May 29, 2015 11:47 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by G:
On the lighter side:

http://www.newyorker.com/humor/borowitz-report/mccain-urges-military-s
trikes-against-fifa

WASHINGTON (The Borowitz Report) – Calling the Obama Administration’s actions against the soccer organization “weak and ineffective,” Senator John McCain on Thursday proposed military action to “dismantle and destroy FIFA once and for all.”

“These are people who only understand one thing: force,” McCain said on the floor of the United States Senate. “We must make FIFA taste the vengeful might and fury of the United States military.”

McCain said that he was “completely unimpressed” by the Department of Justice’s arrests of several top FIFA lieutenants this week, calling the action “the kind of Band-Aid solution that this Administration, sadly, has become famous for.”

“Rounding up a few flunkies in a hotel is meaningless when the leader of FIFA remains at large,” he said. “I will follow Sepp Blatter to the gates of Hell.”

OK, at first I thought this was a piece from the Onion.

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Friday, May 29, 2015 12:19 PM

I believe in solving problems, not sharing them.

Quote:
You'll be sorry to hear that US justice system did not arrest foreigners on foreign soil. Those were Swiss police forces in Zurich, the home of FIFA.

No, I was clear on the idea that these people were arrested on foreign soil by foreign police, which made things even harder to understand.

Quote:
The action alleges use of US financial systems to transfer bribery payouts, wire fraud.

I "get" extradition, but can the USA claim that because payments were made in "US financial systems" (whatever that means!) that this is an American crime? Wire payments are made via SWIFT, which is an international system. Do they mean that money went thru banks incorporated/headquarterd in the USA? Foreign banks with American branches? Any further info would be appreciated.

--------------
You can't build a nation with bombs. You can't create a society with guns.

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Friday, May 29, 2015 12:40 PM

Yep G, Sig is posting because Putin made the call. Attack America's right to do this. Make it look as though they are the aggressors in the world, no one is safe. It's funny to me the best Sig can do is fane ignorance on the subject. I guess there is just too much support for this globally for her to make much hay about it.

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Friday, May 29, 2015 3:13 PM

Goodbye, kind world (George Monbiot) - In common with all those generations which have contemplated catastrophe, we appear to be incapable of understanding what confronts us.

Bottom line: “I have no doubt that this is yet another evident attempt to derail Mr. Blatter’s re-election as FIFA president. We are aware of the pressure that he was subjected to in relation to Russia holding the 2018 World Cup.”

Is that true? If it is then, yes, it seems like it's a long-standing situation the US suddenly decided had to be addressed RIGHT NOW! simply to disadvantage Russia (and punish anyone who refuses to get with the program). And I have to fault the supposed 'news' agency WaPo. Where's their fact-checking? Can't they do journalism and determine if that pressure existed? Or are we to be treated to endless highly selected snippets of blahblahblah from all sides as 'news'.

SAGAN: We are releasing vast quantities of carbon dioxide, increasing the greenhouse effect. It may not take much to destabilize the Earth's climate, to convert this heaven, our only home in the cosmos, into a kind of hell.

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Friday, May 29, 2015 6:22 PM

How lucky are we, we have two.

Russia Steps up Propaganda Push with Online 'Kremlin Trolls'

"Deep inside a four-story marble building in St. Petersburg, hundreds of workers tap away at computers on the front lines of an information war, say those who have been inside. Known as "Kremlin trolls," the men and women work 12-hour shifts around the clock, flooding the Internet with propaganda aimed at stamping President Vladimir Putin's world vision on Russia, and the world.

The Kremlin has always dabbled in propaganda, but in the past year its troll campaign has gone into overdrive, adding hundreds of online operatives to help counter Western pressure over its role in the pro-Russian insurgency in eastern Ukraine. The program is drawing Serbia away from its proclaimed EU membership path and closer to the Russian orbit, and is targeting Germany, the United States and other Western powers. The operation has worried the European Union enough to prompt it to draw up a blueprint for fighting Russia's disinformation campaign, although details have not yet been released. "

Their doing a shit job though because Serbia just agreed to take the United States alternative when it comes to oil pipelines. No surprise there due to the fact that once in the position of being your oil supplier Russia resorts to blackmail to get what they want. Do this or we'll cut off your oil.

http://www.nbcnews.com/tech/internet/russia-steps-propaganda-push-onli
ne-kremlin-trolls-n366606

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Friday, May 29, 2015 7:03 PM

Goodbye, kind world (George Monbiot) - In common with all those generations which have contemplated catastrophe, we appear to be incapable of understanding what confronts us.

Hey there 'G' - did you forget the topic already? You must be suffering a geezer disease of the brain.

'"Their" doing a shit job ...' speaking of shit jobs - how's your English lately?

'once in the position of being your oil supplier Russia resorts to blackmail to get what they want' - you mean like telling the Ukraine they really really have to pay that long-overdue bill? What an outrage!

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Friday, May 29, 2015 7:04 PM

Why is the U.S. bringing down the hammer on FIFA?

"As U.S. Attorney Loretta Lynch lays it out, the suspects planned their crimes in the U.S.; they used the U.S. banking system; they planned to profit through schemes that targeted the "growing U.S. market for soccer."

http://edition.cnn.com/2015/05/27/us/fifa-corruption-investigation-why
/index.html

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Friday, May 29, 2015 7:19 PM

Goodbye, kind world (George Monbiot) - In common with all those generations which have contemplated catastrophe, we appear to be incapable of understanding what confronts us.

And you believe whatever your masters say. How precious.

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Friday, May 29, 2015 9:14 PM

I believe in solving problems, not sharing them.

Quote:
Originally posted by SIGNYM:
No, I was clear on the idea that these people were arrested on foreign soil by foreign police, which made things even harder to understand.
No, you said the opposite - you posted:

"So how does a USA justice system indict and arrest foreigners on foreign soil?"
You should read the post you posted.

No, maybe YOU should read what I posted, because when I originally posted the question, it was

Quote:
I'm confused. Maybe because I don't follow soccer, but ... the people that the DoJ had arrested weren't American citizens

I thought I was pretty clear that the DoJ didn't arrest them directly, but had someone else do it.

Quote:
The internet is bursting with info - if I post any you are likely to reflexively disagree - wouldn't want you to pull anything.

really, I don't follow soccer and its just not intersting enuf to go look it up. I'm not abut to bird-dog this. But it seems like you really don't know either!

--------------
You can't build a nation with bombs. You can't create a society with guns.

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Friday, May 29, 2015 9:39 PM

GEEZER

Keep the Shiny side up

Interesting that a good bit of the rest of the world is pretty happy with the U.S. indicting the FIFA execs.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-32909908

"When your heart breaks, you choose what to fill the cracks with. Love or hate. But hate won't ever heal. Only love can do that."

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Saturday, May 30, 2015 12:29 AM

I believe in solving problems, not sharing them.

BBC is incredibly biased. I listen to their world news service, but I should reproduce for you a story that I read about their twisted reporting when it comes to China.

The corruption in FIFA was so rampant that even I heard about it, and I'm about as disengaged from soccer as one can possibly get. But there are a few things that I get out of the story:

1) Like I said before, we lost Ramadi but HEY, we can always score points on FIFA!

2) The rationalization that the DoJ used to target FIFA sounds like the rationalization that Bush used to invade Iraq. Heck, if the DoJ can get any foreigner arrested any time a US bank was involved in fraud, there wouldn't be any drug money, terrorist money, or human trafficking money flowing anywhere. And if it really IS possible to get foreigners arrested on such charges, why doesn't the DoJ focus on the rampant money-laundering going on thru US banks, or the fraudulent mortgages that banks made before 2008?

3) Where were the sponsors all this time? Willing to overloook rampant corruption as long as they got their advertising in, that's where! (As corrupt as FIFA, in other words)

3) And like I said before, I'm sure that the USA will find SOME way to make Russia "pay" for FIFA's corruption. Yanno, kind of like invading Iraq and Afghanistgan when the terrorists were mostly Saudi, and the whole thing was planned a funded by Saudis. Every time the USA bestirs itself to dig up and "solve" a problem, the cure is almost always worse than the disease.

Not sure how best to kick FIFA's ass, but clearly they needed a butt-kicking. Maybe now they'll clean up their act.

--------------
You can't build a nation with bombs. You can't create a society with guns.

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Saturday, May 30, 2015 3:38 AM

SHINYGOODGUY

I guess he didn't get his cut.........to quote cousin Avi, who flew all the way from New York to London, in hopes of finding Frankie Four Fingers before he gambles away with a diamond big enough to choke a horse:

"That sneaky fucking Russian"

SGG

Quote:
Originally posted by Geezer:
Quote:
MOSCOW — Russian President Vladimir Putin accused the United States of meddling in the affairs of soccer’s governing body and hinted that its corruption investigation is part of an attempt to take the 2018 World Cup away from his country.

Yep. It's all about you, Vlad.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/putin-accuses-us-of-meddlin
g-into-fifa-affairs/2015/05/28/69cd9ba6-051d-11e5-93f4-f24d4af7f97d_story.html

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Saturday, May 30, 2015 4:15 AM

SHINYGOODGUY

Very good G, even I understood that. I heard somewhere that, as you explained, somehow Americans or American systems were involved, hence the DoJ's involvement by none other than the new AG, Lynch. It is both complicated and convoluted,and she has her well-educated finger on the pulse of the matter.

Come to think of it, there was that whole debacle in Brazil about the building of a stadium in the middle of a swamp, and how FIFA officials totally ignored the plight of the people in the area. Hundreds of millions being exchanged by greedy little hands and no sympathy for the poor folks of the region who were in need of housing. Or some such.

Then there's this story: Of a skyscraper building, in some South American country, where the poor and downtrodden squatted and took over the building in protest, and in need, because there was no decent housing. Somebody, somewhere was being naughty and holding their greedy little rookers out to accept their cut.

And we have either Brazil or Argentina to thank for our wonderful ATM charges here in the states. Back in the 70s, yes that's right because I lived through it, the World Bank, in their infinite wisdom, decided to pardon the hundreds of millions (is there any other kind) of debt owed. The banking world said "How do we recoup that money" You guessed it. Did you know that once upon a time the ATM was free to the banking customers here in the good ole USA? Some brilliant little fucker in the banking system came up with the idea to charge for that service until the debt was repaid to the banks for bailing out the South American country. And, as everyone knows, the banks can't lose out on profit.

Oh there was a mild protest, but you know who won that little argument. Coupled with the wonderful banking lawmakers, our political leaders saw to that. The banking system is a well-oiled machine, can't get in the way of progress and raking it in.
Some 45 years later, don't you think that the debt has been paid? Of course it has.
It is now a part of the banking landscape, among other things, and is as American as death and taxes. There's too much profit to be had with these "nickle and dime" charges. The banks even came up with an excuse to keep charging for the ATMs - the expense of placing the machines. Really!? They make millions in "service" fees - say, how much do these machines cost?

Corruption................ain't it grand!?

SGG

Quote:
Originally posted by G:
I'll be happy to fill you in as best I know:

Quote:
Originally posted by SIGNYM:
THUGR
Quote:
Originally posted by THGRRI:
Russia and it's corruption has been front and center along with their expansionism
So ... what does Russian corruption have to do with FIFA corruption? Is FIFA Russian? Not snark, a genuine question, because I'm not following the connection you seem to have made between the two.

This investigation COULD allege corruption/bribery in getting the 2018 World Cup which FIFA awards after a lengthy *cough* application process *cough.* I have not read that it will yet.

Quote:
Originally posted by SIGNYM:
I'm confused. Maybe because I don't follow soccer, but ... the people that the DoJ had arrested weren't American citizens, and they weren't on American soil (as far as I know) when they committed their crimes. So how does a USA justice system indict and arrest foreigners on foreign soil? Were they breaking some international law? Was the USA acting kind of like INTERPOL? Is this some part of an international trade agreement, or something? Heck, Americans don't even LIKE soccer! If someone can explain how that works, I'd be most appreciative.

Actually, some of them were American citizens, and CONCACAF has a headquarters in MIAMI. The action alleges use of US financial systems to transfer bribery payouts, wire fraud. You'll be sorry to hear that US justice system did not arrest foreigners on foreign soil. Those were Swiss police forces in Zurich, the home of FIFA.

Just because your corner of the US world does not appreciate soccer does not mean the rest does not. MLS (an inferior product, but even so) is expanding in the US. TV coverage of international leagues has expanded greatly in the US as well - NBC recently paid a record amount to cover the English Premier League - every match, every season. I started following in 2006 (when you could only get a few fuzzy match coverages, no HD) and have seen the growth first hand and admit to be quite surprised by it, but it is there. NBC - say what you will, they wouldn't invest if they didn't see the future return. You'll be happy to know that there are now even US business folks who own some of the English teams and they are almost all universally disliked by the locals. So you could focus your usual anti-US rant there and at least be accurate (you're welcome).

Quote:
Originally posted by SIGNYM:
I've been hearing for years that FIFA was corrupt: Bribery is the only way to explain the decision to hold the world cup in Qatar. According to my soccer-following buddies, Qatar is SO hot, it's the butt of of many How hot is it" jokes. It's SO hot, they had to move the world cup series to the fall, which apparently interferes with all kinds of European playoffs (Forgive me if I got this wrong- I just nod and smile when my soccer-loving friend starts talking about soccer; but at some point my eyes kind of glaze over. I hope it doesn't show!)

Qatar is very hot - you are right.

A good overview:

http://www.lawinsport.com/blog/peters-peters/item/fifa-arrests-it-s-al
l-kicked-off-but-what-s-next-a-legal-perspective

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Saturday, May 30, 2015 1:16 PM

Quote:

G

Totally agree! I hear the sounds of skittering paws on linoleum with every one of her posts :)
Besides, was there any doubt which way those 2 nutters would go once Geezer (the much hated by S/K) posted this, regardless of what facts would be revealed?

The only difference is that I have refused to acknowledge their posts as of late. It is one thing to be stupid and yet another to be a hateful liar. Since all their hatred is directed at my home I refuse to debate them further. I am of the opinion that conversing with them only gives them voice and to anyone who thinks their from this country and have any allegiance to it, I have a bridge to sell you.

You said it yourself G,

Quote:
regardless of what facts would be revealed

So why chase my tail while trying to converse with them?

SIGMYM AND 1KIKI ARE RUSSIAN TROLLS

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Saturday, May 30, 2015 1:58 PM

I believe in solving problems, not sharing them.

First of all, I had the same opinion when the DoJ levied a huge $9B fine against BNP Paribas for supposedly consorting with the devil ...er, I mean, trading with Iran. Apparently, in one of those transactions required a microsecond conversion of one currency to another via the $USD, and it was THAT transaction that snared BNP.

But this happens all the time. HSBC, RBS, GSK, Chase, major reality firms in NYC and London launder billions of ill-gotten gains from all sorts of crimes all over the world including illegal oil sales from terrorist operations, drug- and gun-running sales, human trafficking, plain-old embezzlement and bribery... The only time I EVER see the USA getting involved is when it becomes political:

kim dot com, BNP-Paribas, FIFA.
REALLY???
Not a dangerous terrorist group or drug cartel in the bunch!

Also, FIFA has apparently given the USA the big fat middle finger by re-electing Blatter. I appears that nobody wants to elect or appoint a Jordanian al-Qiada-linked Prince!
http://time.com/3901966/soccer-world-reacts-to-sepp-blatters-re-electi
on/

The world is giving the USA the big fat middle finger for its heavy-handed ways, BBC puppydog notwithstanding. Anticorruption, when it comes, it going to have to come from host nations and sponsors in order to be effective. Get used to it.

--------------
You can't build a nation with bombs. You can't create a society with guns.

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Saturday, May 30, 2015 5:07 PM

JEWELSTAITEFAN

Quote:
Originally posted by SIGNYM:
THUGR
Quote:
Originally posted by THGRRI:
Russia and it's corruption has been front and center along with their expansionism
So ... what does Russian corruption have to do with FIFA corruption? Is FIFA Russian? Not snark, a genuine question, because I'm not following the connection you seem to have made between the two.

I'm confused. Maybe because I don't follow soccer, but ... the people that the DoJ had arrested weren't American citizens, and they weren't on American soil (as far as I know) when they committed their crimes. So how does a USA justice system indict and arrest foreigners on foreign soil? Were they breaking some international law? Was the USA acting kind of like INTERPOL? Is this some part of an international trade agreement, or something? Heck, Americans don't even LIKE soccer! If someone can explain how that works, I'd be most appreciative.

Obviously, because FIFA stands for Federation International FOOTBALL Association.
Just because the rest of the world doesn't know how to play real football or use the correct terms does not mean Obama should not make it his business.

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Sunday, May 31, 2015 1:08 AM

I believe in solving problems, not sharing them.

Quote:
Just because the rest of the world doesn't know how to play real football or use the correct terms does not mean Obama should not make it his business.

Exactly! After all, he IS the American President for god's sakes! He should be able to make ANYthing his business, whether he knows anything about it or not!

--------------
You can't build a nation with bombs. You can't create a society with guns.

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Sunday, May 31, 2015 8:17 AM

I believe in solving problems, not sharing them.

No, but THOSE INVOLVED ... there are sponsors all over the world, are there not? World officials everywhere who are subject to bidding for even a chance at the world cup?

Yanno might would work well???

Sunshine. Lots and lots of sunshine. Every nation which has dreams of hosting the World Cup should make public the attempted shakedown. After all, THEY are the victims, are they not?

--------------
You can't build a nation with bombs. You can't create a society with guns.

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Sunday, May 31, 2015 3:44 PM

Goodbye, kind world (George Monbiot) - In common with all those generations which have contemplated catastrophe, we appear to be incapable of understanding what confronts us.

"Every nation which has dreams of hosting the World Cup should make public the attempted shakedown. After all, THEY are the victims, are they not?"

Well, it's like this. The countries are like abused, but dependent, children. If one goes public it gets no dinner ... or breakfast or lunch, or possibly any more food, ever. And the rest benefit from improved odds. A significant number would have to agree to do this together - enough countries that it would be sure to bring the system down entirely rather than merely provoke punishment. But there's the next step: where do they tell their tale?

That corruption has been ultimately overlooked in the past, and incurred no effective response, even with far more serious instances. Instances that SHOULD have warranted a major response. Countries read the lea-leaves right. Authorities don't care. That corruption by itself is surely an acceptable circumstance, as proven by past history. The countries couldn't depend on any authorities to fix the system. So even if they were to complain as a group - to whom should they turn? On whom could they depend?

Also, you're right Signy - the DoJ doesn't get involved unless there's a political reason to do so. In this case ... Putin.

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Monday, June 1, 2015 1:34 AM

SHINYGOODGUY

What!!!???

SGG

Quote:
Originally posted by JEWELSTAITEFAN:
Quote:
Originally posted by SIGNYM:
THUGR
Quote:
Originally posted by THGRRI:
Russia and it's corruption has been front and center along with their expansionism
So ... what does Russian corruption have to do with FIFA corruption? Is FIFA Russian? Not snark, a genuine question, because I'm not following the connection you seem to have made between the two.

I'm confused. Maybe because I don't follow soccer, but ... the people that the DoJ had arrested weren't American citizens, and they weren't on American soil (as far as I know) when they committed their crimes. So how does a USA justice system indict and arrest foreigners on foreign soil? Were they breaking some international law? Was the USA acting kind of like INTERPOL? Is this some part of an international trade agreement, or something? Heck, Americans don't even LIKE soccer! If someone can explain how that works, I'd be most appreciative.

Obviously, because FIFA stands for Federation International FOOTBALL Association.
Just because the rest of the world doesn't know how to play real football or use the correct terms does not mean Obama should not make it his business.

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Monday, June 1, 2015 2:01 AM

I believe in solving problems, not sharing them.

I think that was a double-dose of irony. At least, that was the spirit in which I read it! And, in that light, it made sense.

Had a kind of poetry about it, you might say.

--------------
You can't build a nation with bombs. You can't create a society with guns.

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Monday, June 1, 2015 9:35 AM

Love John Oliver, great segment.

Exhibit A; America takes up the cause of taking on FIFA to clean it up.

Exhibit B; Russia (Putin) leads the protest against America for doing so.

Exhibit C; Sig and 1kiki take up Putin's cause.

So for those of you who did not understand why I connected Russia to this before Putin made his statements of support for FIFA, now you know. There is more to come as this unfolds. G had it right when he suggested Putin may be trying to get out in front of this. I think that is exactly what Putin is doing. He is starting a case against America by suggesting they are meddling where they shouldn't, before evidence starts to accumulate that Russia bribed it's way into hosting the games. They are going to try and make it look like America is manufacturing the evidence. Of course that will only work on Russians. They are the only ones gullible enough to swallow that shit.

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Monday, June 1, 2015 3:44 PM

Goodbye, kind world (George Monbiot) - In common with all those generations which have contemplated catastrophe, we appear to be incapable of understanding what confronts us.

Neither Signy nor I suggested that FIFA wasn't corrupt.

What I'm saying is that US interest in 'justice' is highly selective.

It didn't happen for severe, egregious reasons like with Brazil: "Twelve venues (seven new and five renovated) in twelve Brazilian cities were selected for the 2014 FIFA World Cup" with "Brazil Left with Expensive Stadiums, Debt after World Cup". This despite massive protests against Brazil hosting the World Cup. "However, the Brazilian public repeatedly expressed its discontent at FIFA’s decision. Sixty-one percent of the Brazilian adults who participated in a 2014 survey by the Pew Research Center were against Brazil hosting the event.[ii] Public protests and riots reached their climax before and during the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup... and regained momentum as the opening ceremony of the World Cup drew nearer. The protests were centered around the people’s demands for higher expenditure on healthcare, education and public transport."
Even at the time people noted "rampant corruption".

Not only that, but FIFA amended its rules for 'how many stadiums' and 'where' to accommodate Brazil. "FIFA propose(d) that no more than one city may use two stadiums, and the number of host cities is limited between eight and ten. However, FIFA subsequently accepted the Brazilian Football Confederation's suggestion to use twelve host cities in "the interest of the whole country".

Do you think this was a corruption bonanza for all involved? I do. FIFA got its bribes and tax-free receipts. Connected Brazilian contractors got their lucrative contracts. Politicians got their connections. Everyone made out like a bandit, except for Brazilians who lost schools, infrastructure, healthcare, and other vital necessities, and who are paying more in taxes due to that heavy Brazilian debt and the fact that Brazil is just one step above junk-bond status.

That situation cried out for a corruption investigation - don't you think?

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Tuesday, June 2, 2015 3:16 PM

FIFA President Sepp Blatter Is Stepping Down

Sepp Blatter announced Tuesday that he is stepping down as FIFA president as the world's soccer governing body continues to be embroiled in scandal and controversy.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/06/02/sepp-blatter-resignation_n_74
94774.html

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Tuesday, June 2, 2015 11:38 PM

Goodbye, kind world (George Monbiot) - In common with all those generations which have contemplated catastrophe, we appear to be incapable of understanding what confronts us.

That situation (in Brazil) cried out for a corruption investigation - don't you think? - K

You mean like the current one? - G

Except, back then, in time to help the millions of Brazilians who were impoverished even more by the corrupt, cozy relationship between FIFA and Brazilian politicos, and when it really mattered to the lives of a lot of people. Yanno, actual justice for hundreds of millions of actual people. What a concept. Maybe the DoJ could look into it.

Rather than now, as a political snit.

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Wednesday, June 3, 2015 2:40 PM

Quote:

G

BTW - it's up to FIFA and the Swiss to go after the awarding of World Cups to Russia and Qatar - just so you know where to put those complaints.

Yep, but will they be able to get it done?

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Wednesday, June 3, 2015 8:21 PM

JEWELSTAITEFAN

Quote:
Originally posted by SIGNYM:
I think that was a double-dose of irony. At least, that was the spirit in which I read it! And, in that light, it made sense.

Had a kind of poetry about it, you might say.

If you are referring to my post, it was laced more with sarcasm. But I'm glad you saw it, I had thought it more obvious but my sarcasm button was dead.

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Thursday, June 4, 2015 12:25 AM

Goodbye, kind world (George Monbiot) - In common with all those generations which have contemplated catastrophe, we appear to be incapable of understanding what confronts us.

But why wasn't the corruption for the Brazilian WC enuf to get someone to pull the trigger? You keep evading that point, 'G'. And I'll keep bringing it up. Justice is supposed to be the same for everyone or it's not justice, it's something else. Don't you agree?

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Thursday, June 4, 2015 12:57 PM

It's good G that you pointed out to 1kiki that American is leading the way. We are not perfect but all these countries who worship the soccer god ignored the tragedy called FIFA, with Russia leading the way complaining that FIFA should be left alone to continue it's corrupt practices.

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Thursday, June 4, 2015 1:00 PM

KPO

Sometimes you own the libs. Sometimes, the libs own you.

Putin coming to the defence of a thoroughly corrupt institution. And Signy and kiki coming to the defence of Putin.

Everything here seems in order.

It's not personal. It's just war.

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Thursday, June 4, 2015 3:53 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by kpo:
Putin coming to the defence of a thoroughly corrupt institution. And Signy and kiki coming to the defence of Putin.

Everything here seems in order.

It's not personal. It's just war.

Big smile here after reading your post. :)

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Friday, June 5, 2015 11:49 AM

I believe in solving problems, not sharing them.

Quote:
Originally posted by kpo:
Putin coming to the defence of a thoroughly corrupt institution. And Signy and kiki coming to the defence of Putin.

Everything here seems in order.

It's not personal. It's just war.

First of all, Putin didn't defend FIFA. Second, I didn't defend Putin. Misrepresenting others is such a habit with you guys, I'm beginning to think it's not just a mistake, or prejudice, it's sheer downright and deliberate dishonesty.

But yanno, speaking of coming to the defense of a corrupt organization: At first I thought you were talking about you and THUGR and G coming to the defense of the USA. Or RAPPY coming to the defense of banks. Same difference, right? (Good thing you have your priorities straight! )

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You can't build a nation with bombs. You can't create a society with guns.

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Friday, June 5, 2015 12:26 PM

"The German government sent a shipment of rocket-propelled grenades to Saudi Arabia in order to secure support for their bid to host the 2006 World Cup, according to the latest sensational claims in the FIFA scandal."

http://www.sbnation.com/lookit/2015/6/5/8735325/germany-bought-2006-wo
rld-cup-votes-by-sending-saudi-arabia-rocket

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Friday, June 5, 2015 12:41 PM

SECOND

The Joss Whedon script for Serenity, where Wash lives, is Serenity-190pages.pdf at https://www.mediafire.com/two

Quote:
Originally posted by SIGNYM:
First of all, Putin didn't defend FIFA. Second, I didn't defend Putin. Misrepresenting others is blah blah blah

Not one of you have mentioned Chuck Blazer. Why is that? The FIFA corruption prosecution arose out of wrongdoing by a US citizen, Chuck Blazer, who failed to pay any US taxes from 2005 to 2010 and then agreed to provide evidence about other FIFA wrongdoing as part of a plea agreement.

The other defendants include US citizens and a US company, along with their foreign co-conspirators. CONCACAF, one of the main FIFA regional entities at issue in the case, has its administrative offices in the US. FIFA's decision to award Russia the World Cup isn't at issue in the indictment.

But that's the point: Putin's fear of US aggression and interference is so deep that he sees it everywhere, regardless of whether that's actually reasonable. His answers were based on his general concerns about the United States, not on the specifics of the FIFA case. www.vox.com/2015/5/29/8683409/fifa-corruption-putin-fear
Chuck Blazer has been in trouble for Four Years! This was Uploaded on May 31, 2011.

The Joss Whedon script for Serenity, where Wash lives, is Serenity-190pages.pdf at www.mediafire.com/folder/1uwh75oa407q8/Firefly

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Friday, June 5, 2015 9:59 PM

I believe in solving problems, not sharing them.

List of officials arrested by Switzerland on behalf of the USA

Jeffrey Webb: Current FIFA vice president and executive committee member, CONCACAF president, Caribbean Football Union (CFU) executive committee member and Cayman Islands Football Association (CIFA) president.

Eduardo Li: Current FIFA executive committee member-elect, CONCACAF executive committee member and Costa Rican soccer federation (FEDEFUT) president.

Julio Rocha: Current FIFA development officer. Former Central American Football Union (UNCAF) president and Nicaraguan soccer federation (FENIFUT) president.

Costas Takkas: Current attaché to the CONCACAF president. Former CIFA general secretary.

Jack Warner: Former FIFA vice president and executive committee member, CONCACAF president, CFU president and Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF) special adviser.

Eugenio Figueredo: Current FIFA vice president and executive committee member. Former CONMEBOL (South American Football Confederation) president and Uruguayan soccer federation (AUF) president.

Rafael Esquivel: Current CONMEBOL executive committee member and Venezuelan soccer federation (FVF) president.

José Maria Marin: Current member of the FIFA organizing committee for the Olympic football tournaments. Former CBF president.

Nicolás Leoz: Former FIFA executive committee member and CONMEBOL president.

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You can't build a nation with bombs. You can't create a society with guns.

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Saturday, June 6, 2015 9:06 AM

I believe in solving problems, not sharing them.

Quote:
Originally posted by SIGNYM: First of all, Putin didn't defend FIFA. Second, I didn't defend Putin. Misrepresenting others is such a habit with you guys, I'm beginning to think it's not just a mistake, or prejudice, it's sheer downright and deliberate dishonesty.

*After I stopped laughing...* So very Signym to claim an offense has been made against her and then in the same post do the same thing to others. Looks like KPO was the only one doing that in this particular thread, no one else.

Actually, it was all three of you.

Know how to read much? I said it was a HABIT with you guys, and therefore (one might think, from the meaning of the word "habit") you have repeated this behavior many times in many threads, not just this one. Was I responding to comments outside of this thread? YES, I WAS. So suck it up. The shoe fits...

Quote:
But speaking of deliberate dishonesty... we have pages of threads showing you to be Putin's/Russia's Defender in Chief - for about a year now.

Find where I "defended" Putin, or Russia. Quote me, son.

You see?

So, speaking of deliberate dishonesty (or maybe complete idiocy) ... you just can't help yourself, can you? In the very thread where I said that you routinely misrepresent what I say .... you take offence, and then you misrepresent what I say...again!

Quote:
Plus, if you don't see this as Putin defense of Blatter (worse than defending FIFA imho) then you are either lying or stupid:

“Our American counterparts, unfortunately, are using the same methods to reach their goals and illegally persecute people. I don’t rule out that this is the case in relation to FIFA,” Putin said. “I have no doubt that this is yet another evident attempt to derail Mr. Blatter’s re-election as FIFA president." So, Blatter = innocent, America = the devil.

In addition, you don't know anything about the American justice system ... or you don't care much about it.
"Innocent until proven guilty"? Have you heard of it? So, yeah- Blatter = innocent, until shown otherwise.

My god. You're such a fool. Time and time again, you accept a nation's ALLEGATIONS .... a nation, BTW, which has been shown time and time again to lie to achieve its ends ... and you never think TWICE about it. (Heck, you never even think ONCE about it.) You assume that Blatter- who BTW hasn't even been indicted - is guilty, just because Putin said something about him!

Must be guilt by association, huh?

You represent the worst of America, son: stupid, arrogant, hypocritical, moralistic, and vengeful. The same kind of unjust, unlawful, imperialist asshole that Kind George had become. The kind of powerful prig that our Founding Fathers were trying to prevent.

Yanno, I learned a lot about you from this little comment that you made to KIKI:

Quote:
Justice is supposed to be the same for everyone or it's not justice, it's something else. Don't you agree?-KIKI

Are you really that childish?-G

You think justice is childish.

That explains a lot about your behavior. None of it good. (And THUGR'S, and KPO's too.)

And I'll bet you were a schoolyard bully, too.

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You can't build a nation with bombs. You can't create a society with guns.

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Saturday, June 6, 2015 5:53 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by G:
Quote:
Originally posted by SIGNYM:
Actually, it was all three of you.

Ok - then it should be easy to show where I said you were defending Putin, yanno before your claim.

G,

SIG has taken up Putin’s defense in the abstract ( subtly ) by making comments that exist in common thought to his. Instead of making a direct statement of defense she takes up his agenda. The agenda you pointed to earlier. Putin trying to get out in front of the FIFA investigation by casting doubt on its intent. She is also doing this by presenting subjective ideas rather than sticking to the facts.

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Saturday, June 6, 2015 6:52 PM

I believe in solving problems, not sharing them.

Quote:
Originally posted by G:
Quote:
Originally posted by SIGNYM:
Actually, it was all three of you.

Ok - then it should be easy to show where I said you were defending Putin, yanno before your claim.

What I said was that you three have a habit of misrepresenting what I've said. And it seems that you just did (again).

However, your comment could best be described as "snark", not misrepresentation, so in THIS thread (up until recently anyway) you didn't. Your comment was

Quote:
So you could focus your usual anti-US rant there and at least be accurate (you're welcome).

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You can't build a nation with bombs. You can't create a society with guns.

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Saturday, June 6, 2015 6:54 PM

I believe in solving problems, not sharing them.

Quote:
G, SIG has taken up Putin’s defense in the abstract ( subtly ) by making comments that exist in common thought to his. Instead of making a direct statement of defense she takes up his agenda. The agenda you pointed to earlier. Putin trying to get out in front of the FIFA investigation by casting doubt on its intent. She is also doing this by presenting subjective ideas rather than sticking to the facts.-THUGR

So now I'm "defending" Putin by saying "similar" things???

And you're ... what?... "defending" Obama by supporting his policies?

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You can't build a nation with bombs. You can't create a society with guns.

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Saturday, June 6, 2015 7:25 PM

Goodbye, kind world (George Monbiot) - In common with all those generations which have contemplated catastrophe, we appear to be incapable of understanding what confronts us.

kiki- But why wasn't the corruption for the Brazilian WC enuf to get someone to pull the trigger?
G- How do you know it didn't?

"Meanwhile, the Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland opened criminal proceedings against 10 unnamed individuals “on suspicion of criminal mismanagement and of money laundering” in connection with the controversial allocation of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, awarded to Russia and Qatar, respectively."

Have any charges been laid regarding Brazil? No. There's your answer.

And this? G- 18 indictments, spanning 5 continents - 3 of those indicted or arrested Brazilians - is not a snit. Why didn't Brazil do something? South America Soccer Federation? Or any number of countries that were in the World Cup? Do you hold them up to the same demands? Just more evasions of my question. Which I'll ask - again. If the US has such an overriding interest in justice, why not investigate the Brazilian world cup?

kiki- Justice is supposed to be the same for everyone or it's not justice, it's something else. Don't you agree?
G- Are you really that childish?

Are you really that corrupt? Do you really think that the police power of the state should be selectively wielded for political ends?

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Saturday, June 6, 2015 7:42 PM

Hey G, did we come to the defense of the United States? I don't recall doing that. I only recall saying they were responding to crimes committed under the jurisdiction of the United States to clear up some confusion about their authority to act. It was implied by SIG in the beginning of the thread they did not. Subtly of course but none the less implied. Am I missing something here or is this just more of the same; bullshit.

Cites

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Saturday, June 6, 2015 10:12 PM