Re: xi` poo'c

[Phan Thanh Lam <phtl@freenet.tlh.fl.us>]

Dear Ha Le,

I am not sure how relevant the topic of sport in the U.S. is to most vnsa 
members but since you brought up this fun subject, let me jump in and say 
something here.  Maybe I can contribute something.

I used to think like you but my 
opinions changed with time. They changed because I knew more about them 
now than I used to and had many chances to watch these sports live.  
First let me say that I respect your opinion.  Everyone is entitled to 
his (or her) opinions.  But sometimes if we are not careful, we could 
make a fool of ourselves by saying something that could be considered 
somewhat immature or ignorant.  The strategy involved in these sports are 
very high and the skill of a major league baseball player is 
superb.  Talented people like Michael Jordan did not even make the major, 
and the average salary of a baseball player in the major league is half a 
million dollar.  With that kind of money, competition is extremely high 
and the emotional and mental state of these players are to be observed 
and respected.  Same with basketball and with football.  The football 
coach here makes eight time as much as the president of the 
University, and everyone says he's worth every penny to the school.  Michael 
Jordan 
contract was 23 million dollars last year and some are complaining that he 
was underpaid. 

One cannot enjoy these games unless they understand the rules and the 
strategy of these games.  They are very complex and very sophisticated.  
BTW, basketball games either have two halves (cllege sport) or four quarters
(pro), not three periods.

If you watch these games with someone wh know the rules, 
you may like them better.

Sincerely,

Lam

 On Thu, 8 May 1997, Ha Le wrote:

> about you guys, but to me, baseball is a stupid game. The only skill 

> In this game, there are three periods, each team takes turn to throw a 
> ball into each other's tiny  "basket" and so the score can sometimes rises up