GUEST COMMENTARY: Sports and music bring good things to the world

I hope everyone had a wonderful, safe Fourth of July weekend, plus the 250th birthday of our beautiful USA. Me, I chose to watch the World Cup. The game between Cape Verde and Argentina was totally amazing. Cape Verde, ranked 67th in the world rankings, battling No. 1 in the world, Argentina. A lot of people were rooting for Cape Verde, the underdog. Argentina was victorious in OT, 3-2, and goes on to play Egypt. 

The USA team plays Belgium in Seattle on Monday. By the time you read this, it will already have been played. Hopefully our young men have advanced to the quarter finals.

It certainly would be a lifetime experience to go to a World Cup Game so close to home. It would be a spendy time. Think of the logistics, let alone the traffic. Neither the vice president nor the president has chosen to attend. That should cut down on a lot of the congestion.

The World Cup is a beautiful thing. The world is watching 48 teams from 48 countries play soccer (football to the rest of the world). I’m not sure how the teams are chosen, ranking in the world. Seeing that the USA, Canada and Mexico are all three host nations, they are automatic ins.

During the World Cup, I must admit I’ve been switching between that and “World War II with Tom Hanks” on the History Channel. What a difference in my choices. In “World War II” you have Hitler, a narcissist wanting power and monetary rewards. In the World Cup, you have athletes striving to be the best they can be. Think of Pele, Messi, Beckham and others.

I highly recommend “World War II with Tom Hanks.” All young people should be required to watch it. It could make them realize what the world went through so we were able to celebrate our 250th birthday.

The world has been given two things that our lives would be so empty without: music and sports. What would the world be without either? Can you think of anything that has brought people together more?

First, let’s think of music. Movies such as “The Sound of Music” and “West Side Story;” entertainers such as Dolly, John Legend, Frank Sinatra, the Beatles, Elton John and so many more. Oh, and Motown.

Music and dance go hand and foot. Quite a while ago, I learned that dancers should be classified as athletes. I watched as my granddaughter Lani went through all of what it takes to be a dancer. She worked so hard to become a proud member of the award-winning Molahiettes: training, traveling, fundraising, performing, getting up at 6 a.m., togetherness. This gave her a strong work ethic, pride and a high self-esteem.

The GPA standard holds true for any student participating in any extra activity: sports, band, cheerleading.

Now sports: the World Cup. Bringing the world together to watch football, all done with national pride and determination. The same can be aid of the Olympics, Super Bowl, World Series, march Madness and college sports, especially football. In early summer I asked Devon, my son-in-law, how many days it was until football starts. He responded with the exact number of days. What does it mean to me? Nachos and a day of watching the Oregon Ducks. Oh, I love their uniforms.

Think of the revenue sports generates for uniform companies, hotels, restaurants, so much to name.

In 1972, Title IX was enacted, giving females the same opportunities as males in all federally funded schools. It also opened up the lower ages, leading to so many positives for women.

In our family we have had a Molahiette and baseball, soccer, basketball, volleyball and football players. Sure, there have been some injuries, but the positives make up for those: responsibility, hard work, punctuality, good sportsmanship, respect for all, friendships and great memories.

I think the thing I’m trying to get across to all parents and grandparents is to get your babies involved as young as possible, be it music, band, dance or any sport. It will enhance their lives and yours. It sure had mine. Oh, and make sure your babes know how to swim, too.

Maybe if all the aforementioned were mandatory, we wouldn’t have so many kids in trouble or in gangs. 

One last thought: Maybe the countries of the world would be better off if they were run by the athletes and their guidelines. Any opinions or thoughts are welcome.