Caffeinated Politics

At the risk of ruffling a few patriotic feathers, I need to say something plainly and to the point. When a nation behaves badly on the world stage, there should be consequences on the world stage.

Right now, the United States is pursuing immigration and deportation policies that are cruel by design and racist at their foundation. We started a needless war with Iran that has roiled international oil markets and created economic upheaval worldwide. Lately, the Trump Administration has been treating international sports obligations with an arrogance that does not reflect well on us as a people.

In that context, I find myself unable to cheer for the U.S. team in the FIFA Cup. Representing a country is not just about athletic skill; it is also about the values a nation projects outward. And when those values include needless suffering of immigrants, the death of Iranians from our absurd saber‑rattling, along with the dismissive treatment of other teams and federations, it becomes harder to pretend that sports exist in some vacuum where none of this matters.

I don’t wish harm on the players. I don’t revel in losses. But I do believe that being “ugly Americans” on the global stage should come with a cost. If our government insists on acting without regard for human dignity or international norms, then perhaps a large dose of humility in the win‑loss column is the only message that gets through. In this sports-soaked culture, I think this is one way to press some humility and recognition on a larger swath of Americans.

I’ll always hope for a better America — one that earns the right to be cheered. Until then, my conscience won’t let me root for the American team simply because it’s ours. There are too many dead people from our bizarre policies to cheer.