A disturbing movement in this country

[proud2BlibKansan]

At what point does allegiance to a particular group or idea become a problem? Fanaticism in a more palatable form is making its presence felt currently. As the big day - of course we're talking Super Bowl - approaches it is fascinating as a dispassionate observer, to watch the world of normally rational people lose touch with reality in varying degrees. On a side note you can usually gauge the status of "our" Kansas City team by observing the amount of trademarked Chiefs regalia that shows up at garage sales and thrift stores. Pride in a sports team can be a fickle thing.

But then there is the dedicated hyper-fan: usually the most outrageous outward sign being a compulsion to decorate one's body to varying degrees with team colors and logos. It is alarming however to note incidents of pride and team loyalty gone awry. Rabid fans have become quarrelsome and in the extreme, violent inflicting grievous bodily harm in displaying their prejudice against a supporter of a rival team.

And yes even piety has inserted itself into the world of professional athletic competition thanks to the popularity of the Denver Bronco's evangelizing quarterback. Given the mini-furor Tebow's public displays have generated, maybe the subject of sports will eventually take its place alongside politics and religion as best not discussed in polite society.

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Voters proudly support their candidate of choice. In a state that predictably favors the GOP, the loyal opposition has wondered if this is merely out of habit or possibly a degree of peer pressure as the outcome has occasionally resulted in seating winners possessed of questionable judgment. The singularity of this success contributes to an attitude that some regard as bordering on hubris - that sense of arrogant entitlement resulting from excessive pride. On more than one occasion party leaders have claimed in interviews that the state "belongs" to the Republicans.

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