> > > > 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.

My 2 cents:
Generally, people tend to think the place they live is best. Otherwise, they would live somewhere else. I grew up in three states; Kentucky, Tennessee, and Florida, and I have a good feeling about all of them. But I have traveled enough for my loyalties to be splattered all over the place. I like Virginia, my ancestrial home, Hawaii, South Carolina, Georgia, and New England. Come to think of it, I also like "Old" England, where my ancestors came from before Virginia. North Carolina is an appealing state the way it extends from the mountains to the sea. Alaska is a nice place to visit.

If I got kicked out of Tennessee, I might be happiest in Hawaii. I like the climate and the people. It is also as beautiful as any place on earth.

I could spend a lot of time in California, or Nova Scotia, or Puerto Rico. Any place with a coastline excites me. I don't give a hoot if they don't have a ball team, I wouldn't miss snow if I never saw it again, and I wouldn't even need stock car racing as long as I had a TV.

Any where you hang your hat is home, but it's nice to hang it in a place where you are happy.
Howard