THREAD: Congress & The Football Penalty

Anyone else find it remotely odd that every name mentioned in this article matches one in Congress?

Notice it was published at roughly noon today, 1/11/2021 - this is important and we'll come to back to

The U.S.-China Rivalry

The US and China are the 2 greatest rivals in the 21st century. It’s American democracy vs Chinese socialism at the level of Roger Federer vs Rafael Nadal in the 2008 Wimbledon Men’s Final. Who’s the better player? American democracy or Chinese socialism?

2/Probably no people have scrutinized American democracy more than China has, the world’s oldest civilization. “American exceptionalism” is under Beijing’s microscope. American democracy has catapulted the US into becoming the world’s greatest superpower in less than 200 years.

3/China, whose momentum will overtake the US in GDP by mid-century, has the same drive as Nadal (who proclaimed Federer was “the greatest player in the history [of tennis]") going against Federer at Wimbledon Final in 2008. Ever cautious, patient and wise, China respects its

4/opponent (as did Nadal) for its achievements. In order to better the US Beijing knows it must be more competitive, up its game and improve its skills. The US-China rivalry is one wherein “iron sharpens iron”. Yet whereas Beijing views American democracy thru an objective,

5/ideologically unbiased lens, the same can’t be said of US Congress, many of whom fear/think China wants to “take over the world” (to wit SoS Mike Pompeo) to “spread communism”. Having 5,000 years of culture, including Confucianism, China has the clearer and more objective view

The rejection of @theresa_may's deal by many of those who campaigned to leave means there is now absolute certainty of a division in the 52% who voted that way. It is thus implausible that the deal is favoured by a majority of British people. It must be put to a @peoplesvote_uk

The drum which has been incessantly beaten for the last two years in declaring that this self-imposed flagellation is "the will of the people," can no longer be struck if the deal concluded divides that same majority on whose shoulders its resonance rested.

Over 5,000 virtual match tickets sold! Thank you all involved especially the kind supporters of @SpursOfficial 🙌

Time to give our virtual ticket holders a match preview of our team and tactics! Don't tell anybody!

Goalkeeper - Mr. Thomas from No. 25 - Good positioning & never unsighted.

Full-backs - the Jones brothers from No. 23 - Always give the opposition a roasting. Different gravy.

Centre-backs - the Phillips family from No. 29 - Coordinated, good teamwork & never leave any gaps between them.

Left winger - Mr. Speed from No. 11 - Speed by name. Speed by reputation.

#FafduPlesis retires from Test cricket

Here's a thread on my most memorable test inning of Faf that came in his debut test match itself and happens to be one of the best ever innings played on Test match debut. 
He made 110* off 376 deliveries and secured a draw for SA !

It was the 2nd Test of the 2012/13 series between South Africa & Australia and the latter had posted an improbable target of 430 for the visitors to chase in the 4th inn.

SA’s start was a disastrous one. Skipper Graeme Smith departed for a duck in the 1st over. Hashim Amla, Alviro Petersen and Jacques Rudolph didn’t muster much between them, leaving the visitors reeling at 45-4. All this with 29 overs left on day 4.

In walked du Plessis, joining de Villiers in one of the most fascinating blockathons in modern-day cricket. The latter took an uncharacteristically defensive approach,consuming 220 deliveries for his 33. The fall of AB's wicket did not deter du Plessis though.

He was then joined by Kallis, who himself was battling with a hamstring strain. Together they took South Africa to tea with 5 wickets still intact.