> > > I fail to comprehend why anyone gives a flying flip whether one U.S. city beats another U.S. city in something or not . . .
> >
> > Why is nationalism somehow more sensical to you than a similar feeling on the city level?
>
> I was wondering the same thing. My theory is that since Sam grew up as a military brat, moving from place to place, he never developed an attachment to any one city or community with any great depth. Coupling that with not generally being a sports fan anyway, I can see why he doesn't "get" sports rivalries between cities.

That's pretty much exactly it. I've been too many places to take easy sides. Although I love New Hampshire, for instance, I don't have any childhood roots here -- those would be, among other places, in Virginia, where I was born and spent some great years of my life. On the city level, my loyalties are even more blurred. Even with Boston, which I dislike as a political symbol and a point of convergence for nasty tempered people, but love as a tourist trap and a center of American heritage.

But I've always been an American, no matter where I've lived and grown up inside and outside the country.

Also, as Dave says, the sports themselves have a lot to do with it. I just don't like them, no matter what the rivalry at hand, and I guess this is pretty clearly evident in the fact that I don't watch Olympic hockey or baseball or any of those.

So I'm pretty sure it's the combination of national rivalries and the events themselves that stirs my interest.

By the way, I'm with Dave on the particular national rivalries. The U.S. beating Russia or China is a kick, but I also route for athletes from countries with less Olympic funding. The other night, there was a competitor from Georgia (the country). It's always kind of neat to see people from places like that -- a little glimpse into parts of the world one doesn't normally see.