"It’s not just home, though it is to us. It’s a place the rest of the world can come to and be treated to our friendship, our generosity, our gigantic hearts, over-the-top displays of riches beyond their imagination, and take that positive experience with them."
Nice in theory, different in practice:
"Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who was named Africa’s best men’s referee last year, was denied entry to the U.S. on Saturday at Miami International Airport and forced to fly back home."
"Artan has an 'iconic' status in Somalia and is a 'symbol of resilience,' said Ciise Aden Abshir, senior adviser for Somalia’s Ministry of Youth and Sports. 'He was the first referee from Somalia who absolutely reached these heights' — one of 52 referees selected by FIFA for this year’s tournament. Now, Abshir said, that 'dream has been shuttered.'"[1]
I'm going to venture a guess that no white South Africans were sent back home.
I hope you are right Steve. Chris's remarks regarding Artan is just one of the many examples of instances where players, coaches and support personnel have been mistreated and embarrassed.
It's a hell of way to say welcome to America. As stadiums fill across our country, Canada and Mexico, will the difference in treatment be readily identified? Hopefully not and hopefully those gracious American's will show through the ugliness we now live with.
The smartest thing trump can do is have Ice stand down during the next 6 weeks of play. The second smartest thing is for him to enjoy his endless rounds of golf and stay away from the events.
All I can offer is that We The People are and have always been better than our government, the government we elect and give power to. We can change it and given time we will. We did it in 1861, again in 1878-1880, again in 1921, again in 1953, in 1976 then 1980. We will do it one more time and if the govt tries to stop it, Americans are happy to throw them out by force.
I love my country. I don’t like what’s being done to it by greedy, power hungry autocrats and sycophants. I continue in fervent prayer that we can hold on to our constitution and God given rights. Thanks for the reminder that “We the people” are what makes our nation great and a gift to the world, except countries Trump hates.
Steve, I so appreciate your posts! This one is special. I am simply worried about our country, and the state of it. It is always good to read something positive.
"It’s not just home, though it is to us. It’s a place the rest of the world can come to and be treated to our friendship, our generosity, our gigantic hearts, over-the-top displays of riches beyond their imagination, and take that positive experience with them."
Nice in theory, different in practice:
"Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who was named Africa’s best men’s referee last year, was denied entry to the U.S. on Saturday at Miami International Airport and forced to fly back home."
"Artan has an 'iconic' status in Somalia and is a 'symbol of resilience,' said Ciise Aden Abshir, senior adviser for Somalia’s Ministry of Youth and Sports. 'He was the first referee from Somalia who absolutely reached these heights' — one of 52 referees selected by FIFA for this year’s tournament. Now, Abshir said, that 'dream has been shuttered.'"[1]
I'm going to venture a guess that no white South Africans were sent back home.
[1] https://www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/2026/06/09/world-cup-players-officials-are-being-detained-or-barred-entry-into-us/
As I said, a garden of sin. Yet we will one day welcome such people back. And they will one day enjoy America again.
I hope you are right Steve. Chris's remarks regarding Artan is just one of the many examples of instances where players, coaches and support personnel have been mistreated and embarrassed.
It's a hell of way to say welcome to America. As stadiums fill across our country, Canada and Mexico, will the difference in treatment be readily identified? Hopefully not and hopefully those gracious American's will show through the ugliness we now live with.
The smartest thing trump can do is have Ice stand down during the next 6 weeks of play. The second smartest thing is for him to enjoy his endless rounds of golf and stay away from the events.
Why do i think/fear, neither will happen?
All I can offer is that We The People are and have always been better than our government, the government we elect and give power to. We can change it and given time we will. We did it in 1861, again in 1878-1880, again in 1921, again in 1953, in 1976 then 1980. We will do it one more time and if the govt tries to stop it, Americans are happy to throw them out by force.
I love my country. I don’t like what’s being done to it by greedy, power hungry autocrats and sycophants. I continue in fervent prayer that we can hold on to our constitution and God given rights. Thanks for the reminder that “We the people” are what makes our nation great and a gift to the world, except countries Trump hates.
Steve, I so appreciate your posts! This one is special. I am simply worried about our country, and the state of it. It is always good to read something positive.
Beautiful piece, brother!! I belong to a Higher Kingdom now, but I took an oath to this country and dodged bullets protecting her.
She is worth fighting for and defending.
The link below is to a pretty good article expounding somewhat more positively on the subject of your post and a bit more on Freddy whom you mention.
https://redstate.com/jenniferoo/2026/06/10/freddy-from-germany-could-teach-the-progressive-nitwits-at-npr-a-thing-or-two-about-america-n2203231