15 December 2004
Chile Watch: A Deeper Shade of Red?
crossposted from group blog Blogo Bonito!
The eyes of the world have been turned toward Chile in recent days and months. Of course, many have taken note that General Augusto Pinochet Ugarte has been put under house arrest again, at the ripe old age of 91, though his crack legal team (which may or may not include Jonnie Cochran, of OJ Simpson fame) may get him out of trouble once more. For those who don't like Pinochet, take comfort that, no matter what happens to him in Chile's legal system, since he's such a good Catholic, he will burn in hell for eternity.
Also somewhat global in scope, or at least relevant throughout this hemisphere, is the candidacy of Chilean interior minister Jose Miguel Insulza for the position of OAS Secretary General, for which several other regional leaders are campaigning. But, alas, news like that can only be so exciting. Therefore, we turn to the true big story rocking Chile:
Has the uniform of La Roja (Chile's national soccer team) turned a deeper shade of red, or in fact, strayed so far from red as to be maroon? The daily Las Ultimas Noticias based in Santiago, brings to our attention the concerns of Julio Martinez, well-known (and well old) Chilean soccer commentator. Mr. Martinez, who notes that La Roja has been known by such a name since 1946, when they adopted red jerseys, is concerned that these maroon (or granate) jerseys represent a tragic break from a patriotic past. He is supported in his belief by a former captain of La Roja, Elias Figueroa, who states, "I think that traditions ought not change, they must be defended!" Is this symbolic of something else, perhaps another rift in Chilean society?
Not giving up on the story, Las Ultimas Noticias today presents the take of Jose Cardoch, a noted high-end fashionista in Santiago's uppity Suecia district. Mr. Cardoch does actually agree that the color is a different shade -- yet he believes strongly that it is still red, not maroon. He supports Mr. Martinez, stating "...it is good to defend patriotic symbols. Might we remember that no one defended the national shield, and now it has practically disappeared..." He goes on to define for the ignorant reader the many tones of red involved. The Chilean flag, he notes, is a nice "fire red" whereas the team's jersey has now wandered into the territory of "bull red" or "blood red."
.
To get this straight: The Chilean flag is red, blue, and white. The red represents the blood of fallen patriots. The red on the national team's jersey is no longer the color of the flag, and people are quite pissed. The flag is fire red and the jersey is blood red. But that blood red doesn't match the red of the flag, which represents blood. Interesting stuff, indeed.
Until next time, this has been Chile Watch with J Kubiak.
(all photos from the LUN articles -- thanks, LUN!)
¶ 5:03 PM
The eyes of the world have been turned toward Chile in recent days and months. Of course, many have taken note that General Augusto Pinochet Ugarte has been put under house arrest again, at the ripe old age of 91, though his crack legal team (which may or may not include Jonnie Cochran, of OJ Simpson fame) may get him out of trouble once more. For those who don't like Pinochet, take comfort that, no matter what happens to him in Chile's legal system, since he's such a good Catholic, he will burn in hell for eternity.
Also somewhat global in scope, or at least relevant throughout this hemisphere, is the candidacy of Chilean interior minister Jose Miguel Insulza for the position of OAS Secretary General, for which several other regional leaders are campaigning. But, alas, news like that can only be so exciting. Therefore, we turn to the true big story rocking Chile:
Has the uniform of La Roja (Chile's national soccer team) turned a deeper shade of red, or in fact, strayed so far from red as to be maroon? The daily Las Ultimas Noticias based in Santiago, brings to our attention the concerns of Julio Martinez, well-known (and well old) Chilean soccer commentator. Mr. Martinez, who notes that La Roja has been known by such a name since 1946, when they adopted red jerseys, is concerned that these maroon (or granate) jerseys represent a tragic break from a patriotic past. He is supported in his belief by a former captain of La Roja, Elias Figueroa, who states, "I think that traditions ought not change, they must be defended!" Is this symbolic of something else, perhaps another rift in Chilean society?
Not giving up on the story, Las Ultimas Noticias today presents the take of Jose Cardoch, a noted high-end fashionista in Santiago's uppity Suecia district. Mr. Cardoch does actually agree that the color is a different shade -- yet he believes strongly that it is still red, not maroon. He supports Mr. Martinez, stating "...it is good to defend patriotic symbols. Might we remember that no one defended the national shield, and now it has practically disappeared..." He goes on to define for the ignorant reader the many tones of red involved. The Chilean flag, he notes, is a nice "fire red" whereas the team's jersey has now wandered into the territory of "bull red" or "blood red."
.
To get this straight: The Chilean flag is red, blue, and white. The red represents the blood of fallen patriots. The red on the national team's jersey is no longer the color of the flag, and people are quite pissed. The flag is fire red and the jersey is blood red. But that blood red doesn't match the red of the flag, which represents blood. Interesting stuff, indeed.
Until next time, this has been Chile Watch with J Kubiak.
(all photos from the LUN articles -- thanks, LUN!)
¶ 5:03 PM
