Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

The truth is, these are not very bright guys, and things got out of hand.

A Senator Walker would be an insult to the state and the nation.

Today’s GOP: why go just far enough when too far is right there?

Just because you believe it, that doesn’t make it true.

Come on, man.

If senate republicans had any shame, they’d die of it.

🎶 Those boots were made for mockin’ 🎵

I really should read my own blog.

Red lights blinking on democracy’s dashboard

Too often we hand the biggest microphones to the cynics and the critics who delight in declaring failure.

Balloon Juice has never been a refuge for the linguistically delicate.

Take hopelessness and turn it into resilience.

Accountability, motherfuckers.

Black Jesus loves a paper trail.

Tick tock motherfuckers!

The next time the wall wtreet journal editorial board speaks the truth will be the first.

Not all heroes wear capes.

When your entire life is steeped in white supremacy, equality feels like discrimination.

We are builders in a constant struggle with destroyers. let’s win this.

“Everybody’s entitled to be an idiot.”

Accused of treason; bitches about the ratings. I am in awe.

If you are still in the GOP, you are an extremist.

Sitting here in limbo waiting for the dice to roll

The willow is too close to the house.

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Randinho wrote at Balloon Juice from 2010-16.

"Hi, everyone, my name is Randy Paul. I normally blog at my own blog, Beautiful Horizons. John has graciously accepted my offer to blog about the upcoming soccer World Cup..."

Twitter: @randinho

Randinho

Some Football Notes Before the Euro 2016 Quarter-Finals

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So, one competition is over (Cope America) and another (Euro 2016) is starting the quarter-finals . Here are a few thoughts.

1.) Leo Messi is getting heat because he wants to quit the international game. I really believe that the anger is misdirected. To begin with, Messi has one title that no Brazilian footballer has: an Olympic gold medal. Bear in mind that Argentina’s trophy drought for titles in competitions without age restrictions goes back to 1993, when Messi was six. Also, there appears to be more to it than that.

2.) Brazil, while Tite has a good record, why not, FFS, consider someone outside of Brazil? I had this discussion with my brother-in-law, who said, “No, we made football great.” I pointed out to him that they keep recycling the same coaches in and out. I also pointed out to him some of the requirements that UEFA has of its coaches to get a license and that CONMEBOL is just starting to implement requirements. He was astonished. Swallow your pride, Brazil. it’s taken a pretty big beating recently anyway.

3.) Speaking of Brazil, how did the CBF (Brazilian Football Confederation) let Eder slip through their fingers to Italy? He’s been a revelation for the Azurri.

4.) Speaking of the Azurri, Antonio Conte’s tactical wizardry is impressive. I write this and Arsenal fan, but it appears that Chelsea made a good choice.

5.) From 2008 to 2012, what made Spain’s midfield dominant was iniesta AND Xavi, not Iniesta AND Fabregas.

6.) Jürgen Klinsmann is getting heat for Argentina’s whipping of the USA in the Copa America, but did anyone seriously believe that the USA would win? In any case, I believe that Klinsmann deserves credit for this. They will never be great if they don’t have the best teams challenge them.

On a housekeeping note, I will be working during the start of the three games today, tomorrow and Saturday. I will schedule open thread posts, but sometimes they don’t post. I’ll correct it as soon as I can if it happens.

Some Football Notes Before the Euro 2016 Quarter-FinalsPost + Comments (19)