I understand various peoples from various cultures would find various things from various others offensive that I may not.

To me it isn't whether words spoken are/were offensive to anyone. It is an issue of responding to words with violence, specifically looking at this context, no in terms of responding to specific verbal threats. If someone threatens my kid and is in position to do it, I'll take action, no doubt. Someone calls me....whatever it may be....a toaster whore, perhaps....I'm not going to respond violently.

I wonder if there are people who would find it understandable that Zidane took violent action in response to ebing offended that have a hard time with military responses to miliary action. For example, with the newest kidnappings in Israel, this time of two soldiers by Hizbollah (sp?), how many would urge restraint to this violent action? Violence for violence to some is not understandable. Violence words is understandable, though?

It is not my intention to say that anyone here finds what happened acceptable. I am just thinking aloud.

I find both understandable. I don't find both appropriate.

This topic reminds me of the discussions I had with friends (both on-line and off) after Columbine. Specifically, that we could empathise to a certain degree with Eric and Dylan's reactions to years of taunting. Many of my friends are considered geeks (a badge I now wear proudly) and most of us were taunted in high school. Some of us, relentlessly. In reacting to the actions of Eric and Dylan, the universal response among us was "I don't condone what they did, but I sure can understand it."

I'm not a fan of fütbol, but everything I've ever seen on TV about it suggests that it's more than just a pastime for most countries. To say passions run high is an understatement. (English Hooligans, anyone?) So when I see an incident like this, it seems pretty mundane when compared to the crap I've heard about before.

Isn't trash-talking pretty much part of every team sport? Why is this particular dust-up getting so much attention? Is it because it may have been a deciding factor in the outcome of the final game? Is it because he used the word "terrorist"?

Make It Like Zidane :)

You beat me to it! :D 1.1 million views. Wow, that's a lot.


Re: Columbine
Source

Here is what CNN claims Materazzi said which caused Zidane to headbutt him


I can't see where that rates tanking a World Cup game.

One would have to consider his cultural background to understand that, I think. In certain cultures, an "I'll f**k your sister" comment goes a very, very long way. Born and raised in the U.S., not so much?