




if (typeof(disqus_iframe_css) == 'undefined') {
	disqus_iframe_css = '';
}
if (typeof(disqus_def_name) == 'undefined') {
	disqus_def_name = '';
}
if (typeof(disqus_def_email) == 'undefined') {
	disqus_def_email = '';
}
if (typeof(disqus_skip_auth) == 'undefined') {
	disqus_skip_auth = false;
}
if (typeof(disqus_default_text) == 'undefined') {
	disqus_default_text = 'Type your comment here.';
}

(function(){
	
	var ie = document.uniqueID
		&& document.compatMode
		&& !window.XMLHttpRequest
		&& document.execCommand ;

	try {
		if(!!ie) {
			document.execCommand("BackgroundImageCache", false, true);
		}
	} catch(e) {};
})();

var Dsq = new function() {
	this.container = document.getElementById('dsq-content');
	this.jsonData = {"reactions": [], "has_more_reactions": false, "users": {"519796ea0ec0ec0d33c802c233d868fc": {"username": "Chris Wild", "tumblr": "", "display_name": "Chris Wild", "url": "http://disqus.com/guest/519796ea0ec0ec0d33c802c233d868fc/", "registered": false, "linkedin": "", "blog": "http://www.icemark.com/blog", "remote_domain": null, "points": null, "facebook": "", "avatar": "http://media.disqus.com/images/noavatar92.png", "delicious": "", "is_remote": false, "verified": false, "flickr": "", "twitter": "", "remote_domain_name": ""}, "f620f4647fb816073c9152a284245e64": {"username": "Booger", "tumblr": "", "display_name": "Booger", "url": "http://disqus.com/guest/f620f4647fb816073c9152a284245e64/", "registered": false, "linkedin": "", "blog": "", "remote_domain": null, "points": null, "facebook": "", "avatar": "http://media.disqus.com/images/noavatar92.png", "delicious": "", "is_remote": false, "verified": false, "flickr": "", "twitter": "", "remote_domain_name": ""}, "d582ed5988202af3319ff1c461185573": {"username": "Mark Marchall", "tumblr": "", "display_name": "Mark Marchall", "url": "http://disqus.com/guest/d582ed5988202af3319ff1c461185573/", "registered": false, "linkedin": "", "blog": "", "remote_domain": null, "points": null, "facebook": "", "avatar": "http://media.disqus.com/images/noavatar92.png", "delicious": "", "is_remote": false, "verified": false, "flickr": "", "twitter": "", "remote_domain_name": ""}, "491a57fd4ccb371fd4c7ca618faff610": {"username": "Byron", "tumblr": "", "display_name": "Byron", "url": "http://disqus.com/guest/491a57fd4ccb371fd4c7ca618faff610/", "registered": false, "linkedin": "", "blog": "http://www.people.fas.harvard.edu/~bcellis", "remote_domain": null, "points": null, "facebook": "", "avatar": "http://media.disqus.com/images/noavatar92.png", "delicious": "", "is_remote": false, "verified": false, "flickr": "", "twitter": "", "remote_domain_name": ""}, "fc6c68a33069cab762981409b4e160d2": {"username": "Larry", "tumblr": "", "display_name": "Larry", "url": "http://disqus.com/guest/fc6c68a33069cab762981409b4e160d2/", "registered": false, "linkedin": "", "blog": "", "remote_domain": null, "points": null, "facebook": "", "avatar": "http://media.disqus.com/images/noavatar92.png", "delicious": "", "is_remote": false, "verified": false, "flickr": "", "twitter": "", "remote_domain_name": ""}, "3553f5e0db0fd1ec4e40a932a2d8f5b3": {"username": "Robert Scoble", "tumblr": "", "display_name": "Robert Scoble", "url": "http://disqus.com/guest/3553f5e0db0fd1ec4e40a932a2d8f5b3/", "registered": false, "linkedin": "", "blog": "http://scobleizer.wordpress.com/", "remote_domain": null, "points": null, "facebook": "", "avatar": "http://media.disqus.com/uploads/anonusers/4069/avatar92.jpg", "delicious": "", "is_remote": false, "verified": false, "flickr": "", "twitter": "", "remote_domain_name": ""}, "cc2e421c417046a2d922d2dc9a7babc9": {"username": "trees420", "tumblr": "", "display_name": "trees420", "url": "http://disqus.com/guest/cc2e421c417046a2d922d2dc9a7babc9/", "registered": false, "linkedin": "", "blog": "http://str1ke.us/", "remote_domain": null, "points": null, "facebook": "", "avatar": "http://media.disqus.com/images/noavatar92.png", "delicious": "", "is_remote": false, "verified": false, "flickr": "", "twitter": "", "remote_domain_name": ""}, "de2f5c8241377188175f6cc030644427": {"username": "Dileepa P", "tumblr": "", "display_name": "Dileepa P", "url": "http://disqus.com/guest/de2f5c8241377188175f6cc030644427/", "registered": false, "linkedin": "", "blog": "http://volatilechar.space.msn.com/", "remote_domain": null, "points": null, "facebook": "", "avatar": "http://media.disqus.com/images/noavatar92.png", "delicious": "", "is_remote": false, "verified": false, "flickr": "", "twitter": "", "remote_domain_name": ""}, "675dc9bed1da9d3fd250a471964c97e4": {"username": "jim", "tumblr": "", "display_name": "jim", "url": "http://disqus.com/guest/675dc9bed1da9d3fd250a471964c97e4/", "registered": false, "linkedin": "", "blog": "", "remote_domain": null, "points": null, "facebook": "", "avatar": "http://media.disqus.com/images/noavatar92.png", "delicious": "", "is_remote": false, "verified": false, "flickr": "", "twitter": "", "remote_domain_name": ""}, "976465fcc8344d8157acaa3edfa271ef": {"username": "cloneofsnake", "tumblr": "", "display_name": "cloneofsnake", "url": "http://disqus.com/guest/976465fcc8344d8157acaa3edfa271ef/", "registered": false, "linkedin": "", "blog": "", "remote_domain": null, "points": null, "facebook": "", "avatar": "http://media.disqus.com/images/noavatar92.png", "delicious": "", "is_remote": false, "verified": false, "flickr": "", "twitter": "", "remote_domain_name": ""}, "2143b58596a838307d63ffdfe500caae": {"username": "thelaggard", "tumblr": "", "display_name": "thelaggard", "url": "http://disqus.com/guest/2143b58596a838307d63ffdfe500caae/", "registered": false, "linkedin": "", "blog": "http://thelaggard.com/blog/?p=55", "remote_domain": null, "points": null, "facebook": "", "avatar": "http://media.disqus.com/images/noavatar92.png", "delicious": "", "is_remote": false, "verified": false, "flickr": "", "twitter": "", "remote_domain_name": ""}, "091999297d5a01623aa8f9ff0d79fc2d": {"username": "Mike", "tumblr": "", "display_name": "Mike", "url": "http://disqus.com/guest/091999297d5a01623aa8f9ff0d79fc2d/", "registered": false, "linkedin": "", "blog": "", "remote_domain": null, "points": null, "facebook": "", "avatar": "http://media.disqus.com/images/noavatar92.png", "delicious": "", "is_remote": false, "verified": false, "flickr": "", "twitter": "", "remote_domain_name": ""}, "36ba92bb9f38ff7a408588b51c1fffc7": {"username": "Deke", "tumblr": "", "display_name": "Deke", "url": "http://disqus.com/guest/36ba92bb9f38ff7a408588b51c1fffc7/", "registered": false, "linkedin": "", "blog": "", "remote_domain": null, "points": null, "facebook": "", "avatar": "http://media.disqus.com/images/noavatar92.png", "delicious": "", "is_remote": false, "verified": false, "flickr": "", "twitter": "", "remote_domain_name": ""}, "c363b1fec44f26f8c49efe512ff0787a": {"username": "Adam Barr", "tumblr": "", "display_name": "Adam Barr", "url": "http://disqus.com/guest/c363b1fec44f26f8c49efe512ff0787a/", "registered": false, "linkedin": "", "blog": "http://www.proudlyserving.com/", "remote_domain": null, "points": null, "facebook": "", "avatar": "http://media.disqus.com/images/noavatar92.png", "delicious": "", "is_remote": false, "verified": false, "flickr": "", "twitter": "", "remote_domain_name": ""}, "ac3cefd70326b517829afa559894612d": {"username": "Tim Bond", "tumblr": "", "display_name": "Tim Bond", "url": "http://disqus.com/guest/ac3cefd70326b517829afa559894612d/", "registered": false, "linkedin": "", "blog": "", "remote_domain": null, "points": null, "facebook": "", "avatar": "http://media.disqus.com/images/noavatar92.png", "delicious": "", "is_remote": false, "verified": false, "flickr": "", "twitter": "", "remote_domain_name": ""}, "b145c79380d49a8c0b8b05ebb1fab234": {"username": "David Dalka", "tumblr": "", "display_name": "David Dalka", "url": "http://disqus.com/guest/b145c79380d49a8c0b8b05ebb1fab234/", "registered": false, "linkedin": "", "blog": "http://daviddalka.com/createvalue/2006/07/05/chicago-tribune-lauches-embedded-video-ads-and-stories/", "remote_domain": null, "points": null, "facebook": "", "avatar": "http://media.disqus.com/images/noavatar92.png", "delicious": "", "is_remote": false, "verified": false, "flickr": "", "twitter": "", "remote_domain_name": ""}, "ec18cbd1e83ca88ffc440ef224a06963": {"username": "Deepak", "tumblr": "", "display_name": "Deepak", "url": "http://disqus.com/guest/ec18cbd1e83ca88ffc440ef224a06963/", "registered": false, "linkedin": "", "blog": "http://mndoci.com/", "remote_domain": null, "points": null, "facebook": "", "avatar": "http://media.disqus.com/images/noavatar92.png", "delicious": "", "is_remote": false, "verified": false, "flickr": "", "twitter": "", "remote_domain_name": ""}, "9b646ff3eeda1f01cc2b1cb86d1634f9": {"username": "paul", "tumblr": "", "display_name": "paul", "url": "http://disqus.com/guest/9b646ff3eeda1f01cc2b1cb86d1634f9/", "registered": false, "linkedin": "", "blog": "http://dotnetjunkies.com/WebLog/paul/default.aspx", "remote_domain": null, "points": null, "facebook": "", "avatar": "http://media.disqus.com/images/noavatar92.png", "delicious": "", "is_remote": false, "verified": false, "flickr": "", "twitter": "", "remote_domain_name": ""}, "9bcf16a777a8a0ed24e1c7f2e266165b": {"username": "Mahesh", "tumblr": "", "display_name": "Mahesh", "url": "http://disqus.com/guest/9bcf16a777a8a0ed24e1c7f2e266165b/", "registered": false, "linkedin": "", "blog": "", "remote_domain": null, "points": null, "facebook": "", "avatar": "http://media.disqus.com/images/noavatar92.png", "delicious": "", "is_remote": false, "verified": false, "flickr": "", "twitter": "", "remote_domain_name": ""}, "999a0260b48e1629fa5d90424301754a": {"username": "William Luu", "tumblr": "", "display_name": "William Luu", "url": "http://disqus.com/guest/999a0260b48e1629fa5d90424301754a/", "registered": false, "linkedin": "", "blog": "http://will.id.au/blog", "remote_domain": null, "points": null, "facebook": "", "avatar": "http://media.disqus.com/images/noavatar92.png", "delicious": "", "is_remote": false, "verified": false, "flickr": "", "twitter": "", "remote_domain_name": ""}, "656056ac7ffbc97b499c02df119e2bab": {"username": "Tim", "tumblr": "", "display_name": "Tim", "url": "http://disqus.com/guest/656056ac7ffbc97b499c02df119e2bab/", "registered": false, "linkedin": "", "blog": "http://www.guyswithtowels.com/", "remote_domain": null, "points": null, "facebook": "", "avatar": "http://media.disqus.com/images/noavatar92.png", "delicious": "", "is_remote": false, "verified": false, "flickr": "", "twitter": "", "remote_domain_name": ""}, "b108c659f272a3d7fde9a7e3b0620a8b": {"username": "Skeptic", "tumblr": "", "display_name": "Skeptic", "url": "http://disqus.com/guest/b108c659f272a3d7fde9a7e3b0620a8b/", "registered": false, "linkedin": "", "blog": "http://www.dead20.com/", "remote_domain": null, "points": null, "facebook": "", "avatar": "http://media.disqus.com/images/noavatar92.png", "delicious": "", "is_remote": false, "verified": false, "flickr": "", "twitter": "", "remote_domain_name": ""}, "ea253bf661e03852f85c239440a7dede": {"username": "Doc Searls", "tumblr": "", "display_name": "Doc Searls", "url": "http://disqus.com/guest/ea253bf661e03852f85c239440a7dede/", "registered": false, "linkedin": "", "blog": "http://doc.weblogs.com/", "remote_domain": null, "points": null, "facebook": "", "avatar": "http://media.disqus.com/images/noavatar92.png", "delicious": "", "is_remote": false, "verified": false, "flickr": "", "twitter": "", "remote_domain_name": ""}, "29e8eaa9f0c9858504dae585afc9fc1e": {"username": "brad", "tumblr": "", "display_name": "brad", "url": "http://disqus.com/guest/29e8eaa9f0c9858504dae585afc9fc1e/", "registered": false, "linkedin": "", "blog": "", "remote_domain": null, "points": null, "facebook": "", "avatar": "http://media.disqus.com/images/noavatar92.png", "delicious": "", "is_remote": false, "verified": false, "flickr": "", "twitter": "", "remote_domain_name": ""}, "e68cdbd48a443a2f8aaaf0f565b220ed": {"username": "Jack Box", "tumblr": "", "display_name": "Jack Box", "url": "http://disqus.com/guest/e68cdbd48a443a2f8aaaf0f565b220ed/", "registered": false, "linkedin": "", "blog": "http://www.inabox.com/", "remote_domain": null, "points": null, "facebook": "", "avatar": "http://media.disqus.com/images/noavatar92.png", "delicious": "", "is_remote": false, "verified": false, "flickr": "", "twitter": "", "remote_domain_name": ""}, "cf240372b6c0c0abeb63f171400fabfd": {"username": "Bryan Murley", "tumblr": "", "display_name": "Bryan Murley", "url": "http://disqus.com/guest/cf240372b6c0c0abeb63f171400fabfd/", "registered": false, "linkedin": "", "blog": "http://bryanmurley.wordpress.com/", "remote_domain": null, "points": null, "facebook": "", "avatar": "http://media.disqus.com/images/noavatar92.png", "delicious": "", "is_remote": false, "verified": false, "flickr": "", "twitter": "", "remote_domain_name": ""}, "437a6ac1492a36a094261dd60c5282a0": {"username": "jean", "tumblr": "", "display_name": "jean", "url": "http://disqus.com/guest/437a6ac1492a36a094261dd60c5282a0/", "registered": false, "linkedin": "", "blog": "http://jean.wordpress.com/", "remote_domain": null, "points": null, "facebook": "", "avatar": "http://media.disqus.com/images/noavatar92.png", "delicious": "", "is_remote": false, "verified": false, "flickr": "", "twitter": "", "remote_domain_name": ""}, "d3ea5ee6736f486f879d4c80695b2223": {"username": "met", "tumblr": "", "display_name": "met", "url": "http://disqus.com/guest/d3ea5ee6736f486f879d4c80695b2223/", "registered": false, "linkedin": "", "blog": "", "remote_domain": null, "points": null, "facebook": "", "avatar": "http://media.disqus.com/images/noavatar92.png", "delicious": "", "is_remote": false, "verified": false, "flickr": "", "twitter": "", "remote_domain_name": ""}, "435bbbd819bc85c8a7c561c33dad4c57": {"username": "Larry Myers", "tumblr": "", "display_name": "Larry Myers", "url": "http://disqus.com/guest/435bbbd819bc85c8a7c561c33dad4c57/", "registered": false, "linkedin": "", "blog": "http://www.myersds.com/", "remote_domain": null, "points": null, "facebook": "", "avatar": "http://media.disqus.com/images/noavatar92.png", "delicious": "", "is_remote": false, "verified": false, "flickr": "", "twitter": "", "remote_domain_name": ""}, "c489355ab8af522634fdef64206a3954": {"username": "Dmad", "tumblr": "", "display_name": "Dmad", "url": "http://disqus.com/guest/c489355ab8af522634fdef64206a3954/", "registered": false, "linkedin": "", "blog": "", "remote_domain": null, "points": null, "facebook": "", "avatar": "http://media.disqus.com/images/noavatar92.png", "delicious": "", "is_remote": false, "verified": false, "flickr": "", "twitter": "", "remote_domain_name": ""}, "1efe17fdbe3f4c0b1237606388ed1a0c": {"username": "Brian Shapiro", "tumblr": "", "display_name": "Brian Shapiro", "url": "http://disqus.com/guest/1efe17fdbe3f4c0b1237606388ed1a0c/", "registered": false, "linkedin": "", "blog": "", "remote_domain": null, "points": null, "facebook": "", "avatar": "http://media.disqus.com/images/noavatar92.png", "delicious": "", "is_remote": false, "verified": false, "flickr": "", "twitter": "", "remote_domain_name": ""}, "87018557b1a10ae40c0e6cc2f604f95f": {"username": "Kalle Larsson", "tumblr": "", "display_name": "Kalle Larsson", "url": "http://disqus.com/guest/87018557b1a10ae40c0e6cc2f604f95f/", "registered": false, "linkedin": "", "blog": "", "remote_domain": null, "points": null, "facebook": "", "avatar": "http://media.disqus.com/images/noavatar92.png", "delicious": "", "is_remote": false, "verified": false, "flickr": "", "twitter": "", "remote_domain_name": ""}, "c215ba5a63329c2a26802c7e82c0a2c0": {"username": "dorknation", "tumblr": "", "display_name": "dorknation", "url": "http://disqus.com/guest/c215ba5a63329c2a26802c7e82c0a2c0/", "registered": false, "linkedin": "", "blog": "http://dorknation.wordpress.com/", "remote_domain": null, "points": null, "facebook": "", "avatar": "http://media.disqus.com/images/noavatar92.png", "delicious": "", "is_remote": false, "verified": false, "flickr": "", "twitter": "", "remote_domain_name": ""}, "8c83d2b4ddde609b2e0a70d1c5bbc51a": {"username": "Tobias", "tumblr": "", "display_name": "Tobias", "url": "http://disqus.com/guest/8c83d2b4ddde609b2e0a70d1c5bbc51a/", "registered": false, "linkedin": "", "blog": "http://www.roedig.com/", "remote_domain": null, "points": null, "facebook": "", "avatar": "http://media.disqus.com/images/noavatar92.png", "delicious": "", "is_remote": false, "verified": false, "flickr": "", "twitter": "", "remote_domain_name": ""}, "5daa9640bbc52ebe3472587f84c58b6d": {"username": "Chris Brennan", "tumblr": "", "display_name": "Chris Brennan", "url": "http://disqus.com/guest/5daa9640bbc52ebe3472587f84c58b6d/", "registered": false, "linkedin": "", "blog": "http://www.allpointsnorth.co.uk/", "remote_domain": null, "points": null, "facebook": "", "avatar": "http://media.disqus.com/images/noavatar92.png", "delicious": "", "is_remote": false, "verified": false, "flickr": "", "twitter": "", "remote_domain_name": ""}, "da29e90e3ee3e8f6d26e5b5453104362": {"username": "bananasfk", "tumblr": "", "display_name": "bananasfk", "url": "http://disqus.com/guest/da29e90e3ee3e8f6d26e5b5453104362/", "registered": false, "linkedin": "", "blog": "http://bananasfk.wordpress.com/", "remote_domain": null, "points": null, "facebook": "", "avatar": "http://media.disqus.com/images/noavatar92.png", "delicious": "", "is_remote": false, "verified": false, "flickr": "", "twitter": "", "remote_domain_name": ""}, "8d9e5e844569e4f6c38bca9f01011571": {"username": "jasonj75", "tumblr": "", "display_name": "jasonj75", "url": "http://disqus.com/guest/8d9e5e844569e4f6c38bca9f01011571/", "registered": false, "linkedin": "", "blog": "http://jasonj75.wordpress.com/", "remote_domain": null, "points": null, "facebook": "", "avatar": "http://media.disqus.com/images/noavatar92.png", "delicious": "", "is_remote": false, "verified": false, "flickr": "", "twitter": "", "remote_domain_name": ""}, "cab4eb879951335aded4078c3d76fb3e": {"username": "FelixTheCat", "tumblr": "", "display_name": "FelixTheCat", "url": "http://disqus.com/guest/cab4eb879951335aded4078c3d76fb3e/", "registered": false, "linkedin": "", "blog": "", "remote_domain": null, "points": null, "facebook": "", "avatar": "http://media.disqus.com/images/noavatar92.png", "delicious": "", "is_remote": false, "verified": false, "flickr": "", "twitter": "", "remote_domain_name": ""}, "cab572a4fceb3d24fa4b3dffe1657790": {"username": "Tim Marman", "tumblr": "", "display_name": "Tim Marman", "url": "http://disqus.com/guest/cab572a4fceb3d24fa4b3dffe1657790/", "registered": false, "linkedin": "", "blog": "http://www.slashstar.com/blogs/tim", "remote_domain": null, "points": null, "facebook": "", "avatar": "http://media.disqus.com/images/noavatar92.png", "delicious": "", "is_remote": false, "verified": false, "flickr": "", "twitter": "", "remote_domain_name": ""}, "21f86046dfe834a98362ddd58a0e818a": {"username": "John Dodds", "tumblr": "", "display_name": "John Dodds", "url": "http://disqus.com/guest/21f86046dfe834a98362ddd58a0e818a/", "registered": false, "linkedin": "", "blog": "http://makemarketinghistory.blogspot.com/", "remote_domain": null, "points": null, "facebook": "", "avatar": "http://media.disqus.com/images/noavatar92.png", "delicious": "", "is_remote": false, "verified": false, "flickr": "", "twitter": "", "remote_domain_name": ""}, "466c7e70c2a62d24f3284eea42d75e19": {"username": "Christian Gross", "tumblr": "", "display_name": "Christian Gross", "url": "http://disqus.com/guest/466c7e70c2a62d24f3284eea42d75e19/", "registered": false, "linkedin": "", "blog": "", "remote_domain": null, "points": null, "facebook": "", "avatar": "http://media.disqus.com/images/noavatar92.png", "delicious": "", "is_remote": false, "verified": false, "flickr": "", "twitter": "", "remote_domain_name": ""}, "097be2d7b3331c2a26a17b80a3ee1d5c": {"username": "G", "tumblr": "", "display_name": "G", "url": "http://disqus.com/guest/097be2d7b3331c2a26a17b80a3ee1d5c/", "registered": false, "linkedin": "", "blog": "", "remote_domain": null, "points": null, "facebook": "", "avatar": "http://media.disqus.com/images/noavatar92.png", "delicious": "", "is_remote": false, "verified": false, "flickr": "", "twitter": "", "remote_domain_name": ""}, "3aac1b63b4625c7b35432692dd26a305": {"username": "caroline589gored", "tumblr": "", "display_name": "caroline589gored", "url": "http://disqus.com/guest/3aac1b63b4625c7b35432692dd26a305/", "registered": false, "linkedin": "", "blog": "http://caroline589gored.wordpress.com/", "remote_domain": null, "points": null, "facebook": "", "avatar": "http://media.disqus.com/images/noavatar92.png", "delicious": "", "is_remote": false, "verified": false, "flickr": "", "twitter": "", "remote_domain_name": ""}, "668de89be72c513b17c3ee6fc31ebc31": {"username": "Josh", "tumblr": "", "display_name": "Josh", "url": "http://disqus.com/guest/668de89be72c513b17c3ee6fc31ebc31/", "registered": false, "linkedin": "", "blog": "", "remote_domain": null, "points": null, "facebook": "", "avatar": "http://media.disqus.com/images/noavatar92.png", "delicious": "", "is_remote": false, "verified": false, "flickr": "", "twitter": "", "remote_domain_name": ""}, "63c79c52799ba8bdc5b5543c124ad44f": {"username": "tc", "tumblr": "", "display_name": "tc", "url": "http://disqus.com/guest/63c79c52799ba8bdc5b5543c124ad44f/", "registered": false, "linkedin": "", "blog": "", "remote_domain": null, "points": null, "facebook": "", "avatar": "http://media.disqus.com/images/noavatar92.png", "delicious": "", "is_remote": false, "verified": false, "flickr": "", "twitter": "", "remote_domain_name": ""}, "293812c796c6096e87a3a3e31890f446": {"username": "onecoolsoul", "tumblr": "", "display_name": "onecoolsoul", "url": "http://disqus.com/guest/293812c796c6096e87a3a3e31890f446/", "registered": false, "linkedin": "", "blog": "http://onecoolsoul.wordpress.com/", "remote_domain": null, "points": null, "facebook": "", "avatar": "http://media.disqus.com/images/noavatar92.png", "delicious": "", "is_remote": false, "verified": false, "flickr": "", "twitter": "", "remote_domain_name": ""}, "d1aa4e8593b0b0e63bcf5ec38739c41c": {"username": "Brent", "tumblr": "", "display_name": "Brent", "url": "http://disqus.com/guest/d1aa4e8593b0b0e63bcf5ec38739c41c/", "registered": false, "linkedin": "", "blog": "http://brentroos.wordpress.com/", "remote_domain": null, "points": null, "facebook": "", "avatar": "http://media.disqus.com/images/noavatar92.png", "delicious": "", "is_remote": false, "verified": false, "flickr": "", "twitter": "", "remote_domain_name": ""}, "15ceeef84bcec075e2dc57c844b8dbcf": {"username": "Michiel", "tumblr": "", "display_name": "Michiel", "url": "http://disqus.com/guest/15ceeef84bcec075e2dc57c844b8dbcf/", "registered": false, "linkedin": "", "blog": "http://acidzebra.blogspot.com/", "remote_domain": null, "points": null, "facebook": "", "avatar": "http://media.disqus.com/images/noavatar92.png", "delicious": "", "is_remote": false, "verified": false, "flickr": "", "twitter": "", "remote_domain_name": ""}, "1e528ba987448a774266db0b05cf84b2": {"username": "Tim Marman", "tumblr": "", "display_name": "Tim Marman", "url": "http://disqus.com/guest/1e528ba987448a774266db0b05cf84b2/", "registered": false, "linkedin": "", "blog": "http://www.slashstar.com/blogs/tim", "remote_domain": null, "points": null, "facebook": "", "avatar": "http://media.disqus.com/images/noavatar92.png", "delicious": "", "is_remote": false, "verified": false, "flickr": "", "twitter": "", "remote_domain_name": ""}, "0d82185e9f9074954ecfd3eb29dabda8": {"username": "Gareth", "tumblr": "", "display_name": "Gareth", "url": "http://disqus.com/guest/0d82185e9f9074954ecfd3eb29dabda8/", "registered": false, "linkedin": "", "blog": "", "remote_domain": null, "points": null, "facebook": "", "avatar": "http://media.disqus.com/images/noavatar92.png", "delicious": "", "is_remote": false, "verified": false, "flickr": "", "twitter": "", "remote_domain_name": ""}, "0e3e528e2b4cd59a66e33fe272ece8d9": {"username": "Gene", "tumblr": "", "display_name": "Gene", "url": "http://disqus.com/guest/0e3e528e2b4cd59a66e33fe272ece8d9/", "registered": false, "linkedin": "", "blog": "", "remote_domain": null, "points": null, "facebook": "", "avatar": "http://media.disqus.com/images/noavatar92.png", "delicious": "", "is_remote": false, "verified": false, "flickr": "", "twitter": "", "remote_domain_name": ""}, "9a1fc1cb9b304539b6b1e7ead0db87eb": {"username": "Caffe", "tumblr": "", "display_name": "Caffe", "url": "http://disqus.com/guest/9a1fc1cb9b304539b6b1e7ead0db87eb/", "registered": false, "linkedin": "", "blog": "http://themiddleway.wordpress.com/", "remote_domain": null, "points": null, "facebook": "", "avatar": "http://media.disqus.com/images/noavatar92.png", "delicious": "", "is_remote": false, "verified": false, "flickr": "", "twitter": "", "remote_domain_name": ""}, "3aeb85796d88e54daedf94e769fda691": {"username": "Goebbels", "tumblr": "", "display_name": "Goebbels", "url": "http://disqus.com/guest/3aeb85796d88e54daedf94e769fda691/", "registered": false, "linkedin": "", "blog": "", "remote_domain": null, "points": null, "facebook": "", "avatar": "http://media.disqus.com/images/noavatar92.png", "delicious": "", "is_remote": false, "verified": false, "flickr": "", "twitter": "", "remote_domain_name": ""}, "fe945a69aa014edebda7262db3ad0327": {"username": "Karl Long", "tumblr": "", "display_name": "Karl Long", "url": "http://disqus.com/guest/fe945a69aa014edebda7262db3ad0327/", "registered": false, "linkedin": "", "blog": "http://blog.experiencecurve.com/", "remote_domain": null, "points": null, "facebook": "", "avatar": "http://media.disqus.com/uploads/anonusers/27/4732/avatar92.jpg", "delicious": "", "is_remote": false, "verified": false, "flickr": "", "twitter": "", "remote_domain_name": ""}, "cab1041ab2de14f71e070c15f8ae968e": {"username": "Christopher Coulter", "tumblr": "", "display_name": "Christopher Coulter", "url": "http://disqus.com/guest/cab1041ab2de14f71e070c15f8ae968e/", "registered": false, "linkedin": "", "blog": "", "remote_domain": null, "points": null, "facebook": "", "avatar": "http://media.disqus.com/images/noavatar92.png", "delicious": "", "is_remote": false, "verified": false, "flickr": "", "twitter": "", "remote_domain_name": ""}}, "forum": {"use_media": true, "name": "Scobleizer", "streaming_realtime": true, "url": "scobleizer", "allow_anon_post": true, "reactions_enabled": true, "reply_position": 1, "show_avatar": true, "allow_anon_votes": false, "disqus_auth_disabled": false}, "realtime_enabled": true, "request": {"username": "", "is_global_moderator": false, "sharing": {}, "sort": 4, "forum": "scobleizer", "is_initial_load": true, "is_authenticated": false, "timestamp": "2009-12-17_06:15:32", "remote_domain": "", "page": 1, "is_moderator": false, "display_username": "", "points": null, "subscribe_on_post": 2, "moderator_can_edit": false, "is_remote": false, "is_verified": false, "missing_perm": "locked"}, "realtime_paused": false, "posts": {"9645056": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "i find all sports boring to watch on tv . oh well", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-11_16:03:56", "killed": false, "user_key": "1efe17fdbe3f4c0b1237606388ed1a0c", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9645057": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "DMAD,<br>First off, they used to play what we would refer to as Sudden Death, although in soccer it was called Golden Goal.  The first team to score in OT was the winner.  I am not sure why this was changed for this world cup, nor do I understand the rationale for going to set OT periods.  To me Golden Goal puts the pressure on both teams from the start of OT.  This is one change I would change back and it may satisfy your need for conclusion.<br><br>As far as embarrassing the goalie or the goalie deciding the game, if you read my comments, it really is not the goalie deciding the game, but the rest of the players.  All the pressure is on the shooter, since if they place the ball correctly, there is no way for the goalie to stop the shot without cheating (i.e., moving prior to the whistle and guessing the right direction).  Most of the time when you see a player miss a PK it is because they didn't hit one of the four unstoppable spots, hit the ball too softly, or missed the goal.  If the goalie stops the shot, it is because the shooter didn't hit the ball with the correct velocity or missed one of the four unstoppable spots.<br><br>One other change, I would implement is for OT each team gets an additional substitution.  Fresh legs can make all the difference and if teams play to win in regulation, then most likely all substitutions will have been used.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-11_10:29:04", "killed": false, "user_key": "63c79c52799ba8bdc5b5543c124ad44f", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9645058": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "The 3 subs rule always baffled me as well. I understand  the \"if you go out you're done\" rule, but with 23 players on the club, it seems like a waste of opportunity, particularly in overtime. I appreciate the fact that how you manage your 3 subs factors into the strategy. Absent a more liberal substituion policy I would agree with your additional sub for OT.  Similar to how the NBA allows an additional time out for OT's.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-11_11:34:23", "killed": false, "user_key": "c489355ab8af522634fdef64206a3954", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9645059": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "As a big Bayern M\u00fcnchen fan myself, I am officially inviting you Robert to see a live game in Munich with me if you ever have the chance to come to Germany! The new Allianz Arena is possibly one of the best stadiums in the world right now. I had the opportunity to be at the opening game and I will never forget it. So, when do you want to come? ;-)", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-10_18:35:59", "killed": false, "user_key": "8c83d2b4ddde609b2e0a70d1c5bbc51a", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9645060": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I see that many people are saying Robert does not have a clue. Rather I have to say Robert you are convincing me to get an HDTV. I live in Europe, but have lived for over 20 years in North America (US and Canada).<br><br>Will the US \"get\" football? It depends on several things.<br><br>1) The US has to get with the show with respect to its league. Over the entire world all leagues work with FIFA. Who doesn't? Yupe you guessed it the US. In fact the US was the only league still playing during the world cup. No other league was active as they all quit playing four weeks before the final.<br><br>2) The US needs some role models. It is nice that the MLS exists, but until some American players start playing in the European clubs the skill of the average American player will be horrible. For example there are quite a few immigrant children who are Americans and Canadians that are getting their old citizenships back so that they can be \"european players.\"<br><br>3) The US needs to compete on the world stage more often, including the MLS. I saw in this world cup the US has no idea how to deal with the other countries. The American players lack the skills or techniques that you only learn by playing against other styles and clubs. Sure the US will get its butt kicked for the first five or ten years. But after being butt-whipped for a while the US will learn and become a force at the world stage.<br><br>Though I fear the US will not do any of this because it means getting a butt whipping and playing second fiddle. For example Landon Donovan. Donovan is a good player but it seems he does not want to play second fiddle and thus limits himself to the US. Right now the best clubs are European, and if you want to be the best then you play for the European clubs. Donovan rather disappoints me because I thought one very positive attitude about Americans is their never say die attitude.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-10_18:49:30", "killed": false, "user_key": "466c7e70c2a62d24f3284eea42d75e19", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9645061": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "@51. Again, why do you care what we call the World Series?  BTW, MLB did sponsor a \"World Series\" in which the US finished third. Happy now?<br><br>@52. Yea, soccer replaces breaks for advertising with uniforms logo'd up to the hilt, pitches with billboards surrounding it.  Baseball lends itself to advertising breaks due to between inning and pitching changes.  The NBA and the NFL could to a lot better in managing the \"TV timeouts\", that's for sure. It didn't used to be that way years and years ago. A lot of people in the US find it annoying.  It makes watching the game in person a bit more boring. The fact that soccer doesn't have time outs and breaks for advertising is a good thing, IMHO. However, that doesn't make the game more exciting to watch.<br><br><br>Look, the overall question was why isn't soccer as popular in the US as the rest of the world.  I gave some reasons why. But the soccer nerds think the solution to making it more popular in the US to call us idiots for not appreciating it.  FIFA obviously doesn't care, otherwise they would be open to changes. But, they'd rather the game be played the same way it was when England invented it. Much like baseballs purists in the US.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-10_13:34:09", "killed": false, "user_key": "c489355ab8af522634fdef64206a3954", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9645062": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Bullshit. The cameras are a 4x3 ratio anyway, if they were 2.5x1 or anything else, there would be those black lines across our tvs like on the widescreen dvds. Soccer isn't popular except for on the spanish channels because it does not generate the advertising of other sports, especially since they dont interupt a game like they do in american football. (Which, frankly, I think is fucking pathetic!!!) And we have a small league, which means our kids who do love soccer will have a small chance of making it professionally.<br><br>I think the reason its so unpopular is because of the lack of scandal found in hockey, amercan football, and baseball.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-10_12:57:06", "killed": false, "user_key": "9a1fc1cb9b304539b6b1e7ead0db87eb", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9645063": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I enjoyed watching the world diving championships very much", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-10_13:08:15", "killed": false, "user_key": "097be2d7b3331c2a26a17b80a3ee1d5c", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9645064": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Football/Soccer is fine as it is... and I would rather Americans doen't try to get involved. It doesn't need changes to make it more popular.<br>FIFA have attempted to make changes over the years to make it more popular/friendly etc.. but just end up making it worse... Offside rule in point... players diving because the game is becoming a non contact sport!<br><br>Dmad - shut up, you're coming across as an ignorant bigot yourself. You are doing everything you've moaned at other people for.<br><br>People like to watch football on big screens, because like everything, sometimes being with others is a great way to enjoy!<br><br>Scoble - the interesting part of football is... where the ball is and where it is going. Not what other people are doing on the pitch. There is no strategy in offside, you just step up before the ball is kicked forward.<br><br>We don't want advertising... that's the perfect way to stop people watching.<br><br>If there is problems with picture and sound then I suspect that is a \"carrier\" problem. I have watched football on TV since I was a lad and can't say that picture/sound quality really makes that much difference other than crowd and commentators... who wants to hear the ball kicked?", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-10_12:32:46", "killed": false, "user_key": "519796ea0ec0ec0d33c802c233d868fc", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9645065": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "The sports thing is more down to culture than anything else. You could run ads in HDTV, fix all the games so the US team won and still I think the audience would be small. The history isn't there. Say Joe Montana to most Brits and I'd be surprised if they knew who he was. In the same way I could say Dixie Dean and half the people commenting here will have to go to Wikipedia to find out who he was.<br><br>On the subject of the 'World Series' Dmad<br><br>\"Which is why we have our \u201cWorld Series\u201d. See? We don\u2019t care what the rest of the world thinks about our sports.\"<br><br>Well forgive me but I think that means that the US cares deeply what the rest of the world thinks about its sports. What other reason would you choose world as a title? The desire to claim a world wide champion for sports that are contested entirely by US teams in the US is odd whatever way you look at it.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-10_12:38:55", "killed": false, "user_key": "5daa9640bbc52ebe3472587f84c58b6d", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9645066": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Tie games are for toddlers. Real men win and lose.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-10_12:08:44", "killed": false, "user_key": "fc6c68a33069cab762981409b4e160d2", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9645067": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "This is just another reason to be lazy, and not go to the game to see it live!<br><br>Seriously though, the reason that Americans hate soccer, is because our sports are so much better.<br><br>Who wants to watch a bunch of grown men kick around a ball, and NOT score?<br><br>The reason that we in America love baseball, is because it is the most challenging game. The reason we love basketball, is for the high scores, and constant action. The reason we love football, is because American football allows you to actually THROW the ball and SCORE. In American football, there is no need for a goalie. There is an entire defensive team, waiting, ready to clobber the team on the other side of the line of scrimmage.<br><br>Americans like action. We are bored far too easily.<br><br>A perfect example of why soccer sucks so much, is the fact that the biggest highlight of the game, is the ejection of a player who head-butted another.<br><br>Finally, Americans cannot possibly like any sport that can end in a tie!", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-10_18:18:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "d1aa4e8593b0b0e63bcf5ec38739c41c", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9645068": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I think you're right that HDTV will make a difference.<br><br>But there is still the problem of paying for the broadcasts. Soccer (or, if you prefer, football) runs in 45-minute periods, with no time outs, \"official\" (as they have in basketball) or otherwise. That means no time for ads. This makes TV networks, accustomed to the many breaks in baseball, basketball and football, reluctant to show the sport. Hence, less exposure. And less interest driven by exposure.<br><br>Of course, they can delay the broadcast by 15 minutes, and insert advertising over the course of the game. Or make it a subscription-only thing. Or both. But they haven't yet.<br><br>In any case, my point was an economic one, quite aside from all the other points that are made and debated on this thread.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-10_11:36:51", "killed": false, "user_key": "ea253bf661e03852f85c239440a7dede", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9645069": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "@58. Why not sudden death? The way I saw it yesterday those teams were just biding their time to get the OT periods over in order to penalty kicks. You might as well call the OT the cool down period because they were just waiting it out. We just had a 19 inning baseball game yesterday. And don't tell me it wasn't tiring.   One of the all time best NBA games was a 3 overtime playoff game.  If it had been up to FIFA, they would have stopped the game after the first overtime and had a free throw shooting contest.<br><br>Hell, why even have an OT? Just go right PK's then.   Your comment that there is no physical way to stop a properly placed penalty kick is exaclty my point for eliminating them.  Teams play their guts out for 120 minutes and then it comes down to how badly can we embarrass the goalie. Unlike during the match, the goalie has absolutely no help in defending the shot. Why not let the TEAMS decide, not the goalie? Wrong with sudden death. Last man standing. Why not. If they get tired, they get tired. In the NBA they play until someone wins. (But the NBA has this thing called lead changes, which I'm not sure soccer understands what that is.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-10_17:46:30", "killed": false, "user_key": "c489355ab8af522634fdef64206a3954", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9645070": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Skeptic: this is my personal blog. Who said I was expert at anything? This blog is about things that I'm interested in. And I've invested $4,000 of my own money in HDTV which makes me just as much an expert as anyone else on the topic.<br><br>But, you are right about targeting your expertise to certain audiences. You'll probably be happier with my professional blog over at <a href=\"http://PodTech.net\" rel=\"nofollow\">PodTech.net</a> when it starts up. I'll make sure to focus on podcasting and videoblogging and all that stuff there. In the meantime, this still is my personal blog and I still get to write about things I want to write about. And you get to call \"hooey\" on me too. Which is half the fun, I guess.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-10_17:44:42", "killed": false, "user_key": "3553f5e0db0fd1ec4e40a932a2d8f5b3", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9645071": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "again, why the hell do you all care if the US \"gets\" soccer or not?  Why can't you just enjoy your silly little game? Again, I'm sure the rest of you don't \"get\" baseball or American football. We don't really care, nor do we make fun of you because don't. Which is why we have our \"World Series\".  See?  We don't care what the rest of the world thinks about our sports. Why  does the rest of the world care about what the US thinks about soccer?  Are you all that insecure about your game?", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-10_11:20:17", "killed": false, "user_key": "c489355ab8af522634fdef64206a3954", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9645072": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "HDTV doesn't matter. Popular US sports involve scoring. Soccer doesn't have high scores. Nice try but HDTV has nothing to do with it.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-10_11:26:40", "killed": false, "user_key": "091999297d5a01623aa8f9ff0d79fc2d", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9645073": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "@34. The point is soccer bigots seem to not want to entertain possible changes to their game to possibly make it more entertaining. It's confusing. For some reason whenever the topic comes up about Americans not \"getting\" soccer their solution to the problem is to call Americans stupid, ill-informed, and arrogant. Whenever someone suggests things that could possibly make the sport more palatable to the American audience (and that won't be more games on HDTV...I'm still amazed at what a moronic theory that is), soccer nerds say: \"Can't do it...tradition prohibits it\".  On the other hand Americans are always looking for ways to improve their sports to make the games more entertaining, competitive, and fun to watch.<br><br>Sure maybe widening the goal might be a silly suggestion. The point is, soccer bigots won't even entertain ANY suggestinos about improving their game. Their solution to making the game more entertaining for  Americans to to call us stupid...and... \"appreciate the footwork\".  Look! If I wanted to see great footwork, I'd watch professional dancers.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-10_11:29:46", "killed": false, "user_key": "c489355ab8af522634fdef64206a3954", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9645074": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I thought you were supposed to be an expert at things like Microsoft, and blogging, and now podcasting.  If I want a sports, HDTV, or general sports/TV broadcasting opinion, I'll go to experts in those fields.<br><br>There's a reason why ESPN bloggers don't talk about wordpress and OPML.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-10_17:20:40", "killed": false, "user_key": "b108c659f272a3d7fde9a7e3b0620a8b", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9645076": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Deke - And Europeans are smelly, poorly groomed and snobby with bad teeth. Aren't stereotypes great?<br><br>And that computer you're using? Thank ugly capitalism for its invention. Though, when you do get to Europe...Do drop us a line and tell us your thoughts when you realize they're capitalists too.<br><br>So America doesn't like 'football' to the degree the rest of the world does. Big deal...We aren't all that fanatical about F1 either. Yet somehow we survive to live another day. Amazing isn't it?", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-10_11:13:37", "killed": false, "user_key": "8d9e5e844569e4f6c38bca9f01011571", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9645077": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I think it's all about the money.  US has its own sports to protect, the ppl in control are not interested in opening up money making time on TV for a \"foreign\" sport.<br><br>Personally, I hope football never gets popular here in the US!  The ESPN and ABC commentaries sucked $h!t!  Instead of talking about the game and the players in it, they keep advertising when the US team will be playing and stuff! (Actually, this goes for all world sport events on TV.  TV here is way too US centric.  It's much better to watch Canadian TV if you have them, they'll show the top performers in each sport instead of just showing the US atheletes, even if they suck.)  A good example is the final USA game against Ghana.  While the rest of the world was watching the Italy Vs. Czech game to see who qualifies, here in my office, everyone is watching the USA Ghana game, including people who didn't come to break room to watch any other games before this.  How stupid is that?!  Why would you want the USA to advance, when you don't know love or know this sport?!  None of these people even know the name of their US players!!!  (And most of them will probably not see any soccer game, until the next time USA plays in a World Cup match.)<br><br>Then there's the whole mentality of \"they're not scoring\".  They simply don't get that this game is not only about scoring.  It's about the players!!  There's no time out, the players are on their own for 45 mins at a time, they're free to do whatever they want but they'll be no coaches to hold their hands and create plays for them.  The strategies, the teamwork, the skills, the burst of speed, the patience, the build-up of momentum... it's the BEST game in the world, and I'm glad it hasn't been poluted by the US.  Let's hope it stays that way!", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-10_17:15:25", "killed": false, "user_key": "976465fcc8344d8157acaa3edfa271ef", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9645078": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "If the US were to allow other baseball teams from others countries into the world series, we's be torn aprt by the Cubans, the Domincans, and possibly the Japanese. Americans think they are the best at everything. It's a crappy attitude. The more I live in the US the more I wished I lived elsewhere, and I'm a \"born here\" American.<br><br>I've been on vacation in Europe and listened to other Americans talk about the locals like they are trash. No wonder everyone thinks the US is full of themselves. Americans are loud, brash, ignorant and obnoxious. The average American kid graduates high school and speaks only English, and that poorly. The average European speaks several languages by the same time. Americans are an insular bunch caught up in Hollywood and ugly capitalism.<br>If I had the money, I'd be in Europe tomorrow.<br>The US needs to rename the World Series", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-10_09:09:26", "killed": false, "user_key": "36ba92bb9f38ff7a408588b51c1fffc7", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9645079": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I love my HDTV.  I just bought a 40\" Sony LCD - beautiful.  I don't know if it will convert USA to watching football but I know that I will be watching more TV.  Mainly movies but the sports are awesome too.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-10_09:10:05", "killed": false, "user_key": "ac3cefd70326b517829afa559894612d", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9645080": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Soccer will take awhile to get popular. I'm sure the NFL is finding some way to not let it happen!", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-11_04:51:02", "killed": false, "user_key": "3aac1b63b4625c7b35432692dd26a305", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9645081": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Whenever i see a hdtv screen i keep thinking of Farhenheit 451 (book, and film but not mike moore film) and 'the family'", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-10_07:47:21", "killed": false, "user_key": "da29e90e3ee3e8f6d26e5b5453104362", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9645082": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "NFL is wonderful in HDTV :)<br><br>And just to play devil's advocate:<br><br>\"Football doesn\u2019t need HDTV. What it needs to be popular in USA is for USA to recognize that the word \u201cWorld\u201d refers to countries all over the \u201cWorld\u201d. Having \u201cWorld Series\u201d games where teams from only one country (read USA) take part is the problem.\"<br><br>Yes, but the difference is that better \"your football, our soccer\" is played elsewhere. In the US, NFL and MLB are probably the best in their respective sports because 1) there aren't really major professional leagues elsewhere and 2) because they're the best, most of the best from the rest of the world will come here to play.<br><br>Why? Probably has something to do with all that money :)", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-10_07:58:21", "killed": false, "user_key": "1e528ba987448a774266db0b05cf84b2", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9645083": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "As a european I am happy I don't need to pretend to like the absurdly boring and pointless game of soccer.<br><br>It is _not_ a sign of cultural refinement and intelligence to like soccer! OK!", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-10_06:36:56", "killed": false, "user_key": "87018557b1a10ae40c0e6cc2f604f95f", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9645084": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Robert,<br><br>Anything and everything looks better on HDTV. Just wait till you see Monday Night Football, or NBA games Live.<br>NFL and NBA are more enjoyable than #$%^&amp; soccer games, IMO.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-10_07:12:37", "killed": false, "user_key": "9bcf16a777a8a0ed24e1c7f2e266165b", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9645085": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "HDTV? 40-50-60 inch screens? Do you realize how out of touch you guys are? Hmm...average salary for a family of 4 in the US is $42,000. Very few software people make that low of a coin. Let's rewrite Scoble's post with a bit more realism:<br><br>Food simply makes the game much more enjoyable for a few reasons.<br><br>1) The interesting part of soccer is the strategy off of the ball but who cares about that if your stomach is growling and your kids don't have lunch money.<br><br>2) For me I remember watching Pele as a kid (he visited the San Jose Earthquakes). What impressed me about him was that he didnt look hungry at all and likely could pay cash for an HDTV without having to go to a rent-to-own place.<br><br>3) The sound. I don\u2019t know why, but it\u2019s better during or after a meal with the family. Feels like you\u2019re there.<br><br>4) The advertising. On regular TV this form of advertising just isn\u2019t as good and interfers [sic] with your enjoyment of the game - too many ads for burgers, bad credit car loans, and companies that want to separate me from my money. In fact, what sucked about most of the advertising? It helped contribute to the our nationally almost non-existent savings rate and increase the amount of purchases of consumer goods made on credit!! Lame.<br><br>Robert: you're hopeless. Use your newly found public relations capital to make a difference - not to convince the mass majority of your readers who statistically cant afford to pay cash for an HDTV system to go out and buy one simply because it will make the \"seeing the footwork nicer\"<br><br>Booger", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-10_05:28:21", "killed": false, "user_key": "f620f4647fb816073c9152a284245e64", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9645086": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "If you guys don't get football/soccer - how about cricket or rugby?1", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-10_04:27:10", "killed": false, "user_key": "0d82185e9f9074954ecfd3eb29dabda8", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9645087": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I'm not a huge football fan, but anyone who thinks that the game could be made better by widening the goal, or can't understand why people would go to the 'town square' to watch a game, just totally doesn't get football or its cultural impact in the rest of the world.<br><br>(That widening the goal comment *has* to be an ironic pandering to US stereotypes...doesn't it?  Surely..?)", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-10_04:46:12", "killed": false, "user_key": "656056ac7ffbc97b499c02df119e2bab", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9645088": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Well, it doesn't look like there's much reason to add additional reasons, but I'll give it a shot.<br><br>These will be more socialogical and particular reasons:<br><br>1. Every half-ass news and sports commentator decides to watch a few crappy American games and some of the Cup and they claim they can fix soccer. Sure, every sport undergoes change, but no, a sport shouldn't change to appeal to one country's preferences. Americans do not even know the rules nevermind understand the fundamentals. I'm always blown away when someone suggests replay... for two obvious reasons:<br><br>a. Bad calls are a part of the game and can be lived with. You have to overcome bad calls. Possibly the single greatest World Cup game was one because of a hand ball. Yes, fans bitch about it or laugh about it, but they live with it.<br><br>b. When I hear this, I ask \"When?\" \"When? What do you mean when? After the call is made.\" \"No, when do you stop the game, the clock?\" \"You mean the game doesn't stop? Well, that complicates things... How would you do replay then?\" Yeah, Duh....<br><br>2. Similarly, we have proposals to eliminate offsides! This is absurd! Why not eliminate it in hockey, football, and any other game that it's fundamental to? You think the game will explode because another inch is visible on the screen, meanwhile, people don't know the offside rule or want to eliminate it completely (fundamentally destroying what the game is) that you so think will propel the sport forward.<br><br>Meanwhile, I've got to sit and listin to John McLaughlin and other douchebags who don't know about the game claiming they can \"fix\" it and \"save\" it when it remains one of the most popular sports in the world.<br><br>3. Americans don't like what we aren't good at. For the reasons previously cited and numerous others mentioned by others, we are going to continue to suck. Americans are too self-involved to realize that they are better off following an English Premier team or a Bundisliga team or the Brazilians or Argentina...<br><br>Those are a few reasons. I'll cite 2 other reasons quite specific to your claim.<br><br>1. I do not beleive HD adoption is going to be as broad as you claim over the next 5 years. Yes, I see people buying widescreen, flat panels... But I also see them buying the cheap, low-end models which actually have a crappier image than traditional CRTs.<br><br>2. What exactly are they going to watch over the next 5 years? Do you think UEFA or the Copa America is suddenly going to get picked up by ABC or ESPN? No. So they'll have 1 World Cup to appreciate. Otherwise, it's MLS which is the worst available \"professional\" soccer to view. The best soccer will only be on foreign tv or the Spanish/Portuguese channels. Anyone with an HD tv will have to sit and wait for 4 years for another cup. Or get a satellite service with foreign channels. How does HD increase popularity when there's almost zero to watch?<br><br><br>So, in conclusion, there are numerous reasons that soccer is not popular in the States, and even if this was not so, there are several limitations to HD and television coverage of soccer as well.<br><br><br>Any rebuttal, Scobie?", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-10_16:07:15", "killed": false, "user_key": "3aeb85796d88e54daedf94e769fda691", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9645089": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "What I find interesting is that the US has several 'world series' championships in WHICH NO OTHER COUNTRIES PARTICIPATE. So whatever team wins, the US always wins! Win-win, baby.<br><br>ps. I didn't really see Doc talking about how the US doesn't 'get' soccer, but James points were:<br>1) not enough instant replay (WTF?)<br>2) the scores aren't high enough (double WTF?)<br><br>I think Americans just don't like 'world series' in which other countries participate, imagine getting beat by the Italians ;)", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-10_04:04:49", "killed": false, "user_key": "15ceeef84bcec075e2dc57c844b8dbcf", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9645090": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "HDTV will cure cancer, heal the sick, raise the dead, wash the dishes, vacuum the carpet and mow the lawn with tweezers even, yessirree.<br><br>Soccer could work in America, sure, all you need to do is put every player behind the wheel of a 110 octane leaded engine, and make the ball bigger, much much bigger.<br><br>But now that the World Cup-of-Soup is over, just one win for the Cubbies in real onlyonethatmatters worldwide event, the World Series.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-10_03:33:47", "killed": false, "user_key": "cab1041ab2de14f71e070c15f8ae968e", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9645091": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "dmad: \"Football is not a sport made for TV. It\u2019s BORING to watch on TV.\"<br><br>Well, 1.3 billion world-wide viewers of the final game seem to disagree with you. Those numbers make it the most watched event _ever_.<br><br>The cup has totalled over 30 billion viewers over all the games.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-10_01:39:30", "killed": false, "user_key": "d582ed5988202af3319ff1c461185573", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9645092": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Wait, did your HDTV signal go out just as France were preparing to do their second penalty kick? The same thing happened to us. By the time the game ended it was back, but I don't know exactly when it came back since we switched back to regular cable to see the rest of the kicks (didn't want to miss anything futzing with the TV).<br><br>I agree the HDTV image is a huge improvement (the grass in particular looks so much better) but I don't know if the slight extra width you get on the sides really makes a dramatic difference in making the sport enjoyable.<br><br>- adam", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-10_01:58:02", "killed": false, "user_key": "c363b1fec44f26f8c49efe512ff0787a", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9645093": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "@28. We were talking about popularity in the US, not the rest of the world. Moreover, the World Cup is a bit of an exception. Of course 30B people are going to watch it because most of them are too poor to show up to Germany (and Germany couldn't handle it).   Scoble idiotically said HDTV would make soccer more popular in the US?  The sport itself is not made or TV (unlike American Football).  You cannot use these numbers to PROVE soccer is a sport that will resonate with the sports viewing US market. Nice try, though!<br><br>(BTW, do people in Italy not have TV in their homes?  Why does everyone go to the town square to watch the game?)<br><br>Much like people in the US will watch the WS, even though baseball is boring to watch on TV, the rest of the world will watch the World Cup on TV every 4 years. That doesn't mean HDTV will make it more popular with the US viewing public. And again I would REALLY love to see the demographic breakdown of the viewership of the World Cup in the US market.  How many watching were born here, or even better, weren't raised watching soccer or are children of parents raised here not watching soccer?  That would tell us a lot!", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-10_02:17:17", "killed": false, "user_key": "c489355ab8af522634fdef64206a3954", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9645094": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Most of this debate is just too infuriating for words, so I'll limit myself to saying that the final was a pretty awful game while the best game of the tournament by far was Germany v Italy semi-final that was goal-less for 118 of the 120 minutes.<br><br>It's not all about goals - in similar vein the most exciting hockey game I saw was a Stanley Cup game in the 80s that ran through 3 if not 4 whole periods of goal-less overtime.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-10_15:51:19", "killed": false, "user_key": "21f86046dfe834a98362ddd58a0e818a", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9645095": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Go Cubs Go...", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-11_03:52:37", "killed": false, "user_key": "cab1041ab2de14f71e070c15f8ae968e", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9645097": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Soccer will never be popular in the US so its a moot point.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-10_00:50:57", "killed": false, "user_key": "668de89be72c513b17c3ee6fc31ebc31", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9645099": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I had sort of drifted away from football for a bit.  Its never been my favorite sport, but I liked it.  This time, I got a chance to see a bunch of games in Europe (in Holland and France).  Just that experience got me into this world cup like none before.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-10_00:52:54", "killed": false, "user_key": "ec18cbd1e83ca88ffc440ef224a06963", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9645101": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Well, this train wreck is over. Nothing more to see here. This proves your are absolutely cluesless, Scoble. You've said some idiotic things in the past, but this is by far the most idiotic theory of all.  HDTV will NOT be the saviour of football in America.<br><br><br>The reason the World Cup gets watched more in the US each time is because there are more and more immigrants each time around. I would LOVE to see the demographics of those that actually tuned in to the matches. How many were born and raised in the US vs how many immigrated?  That would tell you a lot about how many stides football has made in the US.<br>Football is not a sport made for TV.  It's BORING to watch on TV. Much like baseball. It will take generations before football becomes as popular as other sports in the US. It's not that American's don't get it, unlike what many of our arrogant European and Latin American friends may think. We get it. We also get that it's boring and there is no money to be made in the US playing football, compared with other sports. (Which makes me wonder why those that like football have to deride those that don't Hey, just enjoy your sport. Who cares if the US doesn't get it. The rest of the world doesn't get American Football. I don't think we in the US really care if they don't) Add to that, it's not heaped in tradition here like it is in outside of the US. Baseball is to the US what football is to the rest of the world. Heaped in tradtion.<br><br>FIFA will also have to clean up the officiating. When Americans see players taking dives when they are barely touched and it seems players are TAUGHT to do this to deke the ref, Americans view this behavior as not much different than the WWE.  When I ask soccer nerds why there can't be more refs on the field, I get told, \"it's tradition\"  (we hear the same things here when people want to change baseball.  Well, the game as gotten faster, the atheletes faster and stronger. The refs can't keep up. There needs to be change.<br><br>Finally, PK's to determine the World Champion?  How stupid is that?  I can only imagine that if FIFA ran MLB they would have a home run contest to determine the winner of a baseball game was tied after nine innings.  Play until someone wins.  Sheesh.  Seems that these two teams were playing for PK's.  If they knew they had to play until someone scored, or they dropped dead from exhaustion, you can bet we would have seen more scoring. I mean, hell, why even play the OT if you know you are going to go to PK's at the end?<br><br>I don't think it's the amount of scoring. Americans will tolerated a good 2-1, 1-0 baseball game if it's played well. The will tolerate a low scoring American Football game that is played well and not plagued with penalties and players pretending to be fouled.<br>(Admittedly I did fall asleep right before half time. That's how exciting it was for me.) The problem is it's rare for a team to come back and win when down 1-0. In this World Cup out of the 111 matches played, only 8 teams overcame 1 goal to win. So you can pretty much bet the if a team gets down 1 nil, you can pretty much bet they will either end up losing or tie. Why should I bother watching after a team goes ahead 1-0?  BORING.<br><br>I now soccer nerds don't want to have anything to so with ideas about improving the sport, but if you REALLY what the US to care (and again, I'm confused as to why it matters to the rest of the world if the US doesn't like soccer as much as everyone else) there are things that should be done<br><br>1. Widen the goal.<br>2. Eliminate offsides<br>3. Eliminate the PK's<br><br>Oh, and don't act like you just solved world peace when you scores a goal (I have the same problem with TD celebrations in the NFL). And don't act like you just lost your best friend when you miss. You're supposed to score, right?  Just keep playing. Like Chris Rock would say \"Whaddya want? A cookie?\"<br><br>I also love the halftime coverage of soccer matches in Europe. I get to see highlights of players ALMOST succeeding.  Wow!<br><br>Well, congrats to Italy. Now go back  to your league games and keep hand picking those refs.  Gotta love the \"purity\" of soccer!!!<br><br>HDTV will save soccer in the US?  Classic!!!", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-10_01:02:18", "killed": false, "user_key": "c489355ab8af522634fdef64206a3954", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9645103": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "hdtv.....<br><br>....and better commentators than the ones on abc this year...", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-10_00:20:59", "killed": false, "user_key": "d3ea5ee6736f486f879d4c80695b2223", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9645104": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Football doesn't need HDTV. What it needs to be popular in USA is for USA to recognize that the word \"World\" refers to countries all over the \"World\". Having \"World Series\" games where teams from only one country (read USA) take part is the problem.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-09_23:56:03", "killed": false, "user_key": "de2f5c8241377188175f6cc030644427", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9645105": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Soccer is the hairball of modern sports.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-10_00:04:58", "killed": false, "user_key": "cab4eb879951335aded4078c3d76fb3e", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9645106": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Another part of the problem is Americans are an impatient lot. If you don't score several times in a short period we tend to lose interest. I myself am a fan of the game and love the footwork of these players but most Americans want the scoring type of action or they complain that it is boring and overlook such skills as footwork. Ahh unfortunately that is the way it is in a society where fast indulgences or instant gratifcation is king.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-10_00:09:43", "killed": false, "user_key": "293812c796c6096e87a3a3e31890f446", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9645107": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Football (soccer) isn't popular with Americans becuase Americans largely suck at soccer and with good cause. Americans are taught to pass too often while Europeans are taught to shoot. There has been mucho said about this very thing and it's true. Soccer also was not invented in the US, and alot of stupid Americans have a problem with this as well. America will never do well in the World Cup because the Americans need to realize that it's more than just a game to the Europeans and Latinos -- it's a way of life. Soccer is the de-facto religion in some countries. The US will never dominate at soccer unless the team is made up of almost all Europeans and Latinos.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-09_23:55:31", "killed": false, "user_key": "0e3e528e2b4cd59a66e33fe272ece8d9", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9645108": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Scoble:<br><br>Bayern Munchen! ahh, the man-u of the bundesliga...<br><br>1. FC Kaiserslautern forever!!! [even if they are relegated!]", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-09_23:38:55", "killed": false, "user_key": "cc2e421c417046a2d922d2dc9a7babc9", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9645109": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Personally, I think it's a game of economics, and I think advertising opportunities are a big part of that, as I wrote about last week.<br><br><a href=\"http://slashstar.com/blogs/tim/archive/2006/07/03/Why_hasnt_the_World_Cup_caught_on_in_the_United_States.aspx\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://slashstar.com/blogs/tim/archive/2006/07/...</a><br><br>\"Unlike an NFL or NBA game, however, a [soccer] match doesn't have stoppage in play. This translates to less advertising time and makes it less likely that a major network will pay hefty sums to carry MLS games. With a smaller audience, less Americans see soccer games and actually know how exciting the games can be. The smaller audience feeds the lack of advertising, which feeds the lack of substantial salary as an incentive for our best athletes to turn towards soccer.\"", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-09_23:36:35", "killed": false, "user_key": "1e528ba987448a774266db0b05cf84b2", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9645110": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I just bought a new sony 60\" wega hdtv about 2 months ago and luckily I was able to spend alot of time this month watching about 80% of the coverage between the two ESPNHD stations (no local HD in my area yet :( ).<br><br>The picture quality blew me away, but there were a few things that I noticed in the coverage, which I think have an effect on trying to draw americans attention to world cup soccer (other than the terrible soccer coverage in this county outside of the world cup)<br><br>1. For all the ABC games I couldn't get in HD, I watched on the spanish stations. Why? Because even if you don't speak spanish, their passion and excitement for the action of the game is contagious. The ABC announcers were BORING as all hell and other than explaining the simple basic of play to the audience they had NOTHING to add in commentary to the matches (ESPN was slightly better at this though).<br><br>2. Whoever directed the camera coverage for ABC should be banned from ever directing another tournament for them. I thought the quality of camera coverage was terrible! Univision directors know the game and just are more in tune with the coverage the fans want. I noticed much less reliance on replays for action that was missed on the pitch from the Univision crews.<br><br>As a huge fan of fooball here in america, I pray for the day our commentary and coverage approaches even a small percentage closer in quality to coverage in europe and latin america. The HD was great, but the coverage is where I think the real difference can be made. Maybe next time I'll just have to mute the volume on the tv and crank up a live audio feed from england.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-09_23:28:32", "killed": false, "user_key": "cc2e421c417046a2d922d2dc9a7babc9", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9645111": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Scobles, let me clarify by saying that I don't think it's a zero-sum scenario either... maybe Soccer does benefit most. But I think the impact, even if greatest for Soccer, is minimal. There are numerous and more significant factors. Factors which truly impede, rather than foster, the development you suggest.<br><br>Sure, I'll list a few of those factors:<br><br>1. Resources. We do not lack wealth and resources, meaning a sport that only requires a ball is not the primary source of sport. In fact, our abundance of resources \"proactively\" distract us from Soccer. (This is why Soccer is popular in colonial countries: Latin and South America, the Middle East, Africa.) In many nations, it's what you play all the time... with yourself, with one other person, with more.<br><br>2. Historical. The game has existed for centuries. It has quickly become popular where and when it's introduced. It has never been extremely popular here, and declined significantly once we developed our own sports. Historically, there is now reason to believe any change to that based on an increased quality of broadcast media when the most significant changes in media have largely occurred: print, film, radio, tv, internet without improvement.<br><br>3. Practical. Americans are not attracted to an hour and a half game without interruption that results in a low score. \"Seasons\" conflict with existing sports (How many hours of sport is the avg. American husband allowed to watch and be engaged with?)<br><br>4. Pro Athletics. American Pro Sports is structured like no other countries. The League/Club systems are almost uniformly the same the world over fostering the game as player and spectator at all levels, levels of skill from youth and the lowest skill to adults and pro skill as well as level of locale, from your neighborhood to your nation. Here, it is one system for each sport at the highest level only... (yes, yes, we have farm leagues and youth sports, etc... it's just not the same.)<br><br>I'll give you 3 more tomorrow.<br><br>Bryan, I agree: it's sad to see the Final (or any game) end on Penalty Kicks. Ties are better. The Final should result in a second game if tied.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-09_23:18:35", "killed": false, "user_key": "3aeb85796d88e54daedf94e769fda691", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9645112": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Soccer is already deplacing baseball and hockey among teenagers. so in 5-10 years, when the current teenagers become money earning consumers, corporate America will catch up eventually-of course HDTV might help a bit too.<br><br>Why soccer wasn't popular among the adults right now? because of the red card/yellow cards periods, American Adults prefer bleedy voilence to regulations/rules/ gentlemenship.<br><br>I believe the headbutt of Zidane could won around of applause in the red states:)", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-09_23:14:44", "killed": false, "user_key": "e68cdbd48a443a2f8aaaf0f565b220ed", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9645113": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "\"Why are the cable companies pushing so hard for getting rid of Net Neutrality? Easy: they see the video game consoles as encroaching on their business and they want to keep them out.\"<br><br>Another patently absurd theory. It's not that easy and there are certainly many, more substantial reasons.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-09_22:22:34", "killed": false, "user_key": "3aeb85796d88e54daedf94e769fda691", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9645114": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Goebbels: well, let's have the reasons now that you brought them up.<br><br>I'm a Bayern fan. <a href=\"http://www.football.co.uk/bayern_munich/index.shtml\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.football.co.uk/bayern_munich/index.s...</a><br><br>Goebbels: well, you might have seen it, but I switched back and forth between HD and HD did a lot better job at showing those things.<br><br>Oh well, we'll just have to disagree on this one.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-09_22:51:39", "killed": false, "user_key": "3553f5e0db0fd1ec4e40a932a2d8f5b3", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9645115": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "This is certainly an interesting theory. But I think it ultimately fails because there's too much invested in other sports here - entire towns follow American football. It's on Friday, Saturday and Sunday during the fall. Likewise, there are huge audiences for lower-level basketball and baseball teams (high school and college). I don't see soccer gaining that kind of footing any time in the near future.<br><br>And frankly, watching the shootout at the end of the game today made me appreciate soccer even less. There's absolutely no challenge in the shootout, and thus it's a terrible way to end a championship game. Even NHL shootouts give the goalkeeper a fighting chance. The soccer shootout is just an opportunity to humiliate the keeper. It's a guessing game, not a battle of skills.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-09_22:46:02", "killed": false, "user_key": "cf240372b6c0c0abeb63f171400fabfd", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9645116": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "smaller fields, no ties, and time outs (if someone is going to flop around like a dying fish every so often to get a break any way just give them the dang time outs) will make soccoer more pallatable to americans.<br><br>HD might make it easier to give it a chance, but there would still be plenty that would turn people away.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-09_22:06:47", "killed": false, "user_key": "29e8eaa9f0c9858504dae585afc9fc1e", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9645117": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Scoble, who said no one is interested? I've been a huge fan for years and know many others. My point is: people are absurd when they talk about changing the game or other foolish methods of encouraging people, who are presently not disposed to enjoy it, to enjoy it. Those that will will. Sans gimmicks.<br><br>If you think American Football doesn't benefit from HD as much, you're on crack. Every single camera shot in a football game excludes 50%-80% of the action in a play. Everything occurs in more confined spaces with more people acting at the point of attention.<br><br>(Stangely, everything you claimed you can't see in Soccer -- offsides, foot work... I can see without HD. Maybe since you are jsut a neophyte getting into the game over the last few Cups, you simply don't know how to watch the game yet. ...By the way, will you be wathing the Copa America? Which of the Euro Leagues is your favorite? What is your favorite team? Are you a Boca fan or a River Plate fan? What.. can't answer those questions? But didn't you watch the Cup in HD?)<br><br>Brad, in the Cup, there are no ties, and smaller fields and time outs would be like watching a bunch of 10 year olds at the neighborhood field. I'd rather keep the game as it is than attract some silly Americans who cannot appreciate the game.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-09_22:21:19", "killed": false, "user_key": "3aeb85796d88e54daedf94e769fda691", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9645118": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "This theory just doesn't hold any water at all. Soccer has been hugely popular everywhere except the USA, and have you SEEN the televisions people watch soccer on around the world? They watch it on 19\" CRTs mounted on the ceilings in bars. They watch it on even smaller 15-year-old living-room TVs with bad reception. The image quality is often the rough equivalent of watching a 300x200 Internet stream, and it often looks worst than that. On that equipment, they can't even see half the details you say are so compelling, yet somehow the improved image quality of HDTV is supposed to turn massive amounts of Americans into fans?!?<br><br>I don't think so.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-11_03:14:15", "killed": false, "user_key": "675dc9bed1da9d3fd250a471964c97e4", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9645119": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Hint: I don't think it's a zero sum game. Also, HD doesn't help baseball and football as MUCH as it helps Soccer be more enjoyable to watch.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-09_21:41:36", "killed": false, "user_key": "3553f5e0db0fd1ec4e40a932a2d8f5b3", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9645120": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Goebbels: hmmm, seems there are SOME people in the US who want to watch it, though. There are reports that the FIFA Web site in the US received more hits than the Major League Baseball one. <a href=\"http://www.paidcontent.org/football-world-cup-some-online-numbers\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.paidcontent.org/football-world-cup-s...</a><br><br>The problem is that hockey and baseball and football are also more enjoyable to watch in HD. So, if this is a zero sum game soccer won't do anybetter.<br><br>Regarding videocasting on HD. That's certainly coming. You really must look at what the Xbox team is doing. They are gonna bring HD videocasts into everyone's home that has an Xbox. I'm sure Sony will do the same.<br><br>Why are the cable companies pushing so hard for getting rid of Net Neutrality? Easy: they see the video game consoles as encroaching on their business and they want to keep them out.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-09_21:39:08", "killed": false, "user_key": "3553f5e0db0fd1ec4e40a932a2d8f5b3", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9645121": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "@ Doc Searls...<br><br>Sometimes money isn't/shouldn't be the motivator. I guarantee you people would watch it if you put it on PBS. :) My daughter watches nothing but commercial-free TV. I refuse to allow her to be marketed to. We watch PBS, Noggin, Sprout, etc.<br>When I watch TV, I mute the commercials and surf or read until my show comes back on. I'm anti-big business in a major way in terms of being marketed to.<br>Likewise, I never, ever click on ads on the Internet. Like medicine, the Internet should just be free, and one day, hopefully it will be.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-10_14:14:50", "killed": false, "user_key": "36ba92bb9f38ff7a408588b51c1fffc7", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9645122": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "DMAD,<br>You don't know soccer when you say to eliminate PK's.  Your correlation to homerun derby is incorrect.  What do you expect, the teams to continue on and a game decided by attrition (after the three allowed subs have been exhausted)?  How does this solve the situation?<br><br>A PK is the ultimate test and it comes down to can a team shoot the ball correctly.  For no matter the quality of goalkeeper, there is no physical way to stop a correctly placed PK.  If the first five all for each team makes the shot then it is a one vs one match through the rest of the lineup.  It can test every player on the field as demonstrated in the USL finals where it came down to the goalkeeper taking PK versus goalkeeper.  It exposes a team's weakness if their players can't shoot the ball correctly.  It is the ultimate test of a team's ability.  They can defend admirably, but when it comes down to hit can the strike the ball properly and put it in the back of the net?  The goalie can only do so much.  A hard shot on the ground to just inside either post is the most difficult shot to defend (law of physics--reaction time for goalie to get down to the ground vs shortest travel distance to the second least reachable part of the goal).  The second most difficult shot is the upper V, which is also undefendable (hardest spot for goalie who guesses right to reach, but is longer travel distance and more chance for shot going astray).<br><br>Why Americans don't watch is: (a) Lack of advertising opportunities (game has to be paid by someone to be put on TV), and (b) most adults (35 or older) didn't play the game growing up.  If they can solve the advertising issue, it will grow in popularity since most under 35 have been exposed to the game growing up.<br><br>OBTW, as far a cheap game.  Select/Premier youth soccer isn't cheap to play.  For top level clubs, the costs can run $3-6K per year for a child playing, depending on number of tournaments, especially tournaments teams have to fly to.  Add to this schools limiting access to fields and charging more and more for rental, the costs go up each year.  This latter issue effects all sports.  Gone is the day when one can go to the neighborhood school during the summer and have a pickup game (football, baseball, etc) with friends.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-10_14:18:54", "killed": false, "user_key": "63c79c52799ba8bdc5b5543c124ad44f", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9645123": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Let's be clear about a few things:<br><br>1. HD fundamentally improves all sports, even those not visually intensive like baseball and golf. HD does not favor one sport. As broadcasts improve, sports do not become more popular; they just look better.<br><br>2. There have already been several waves of improvement in broadcasting and televisions over the last 50 years (not just color and picture size but also image quality). Prior to this, there was radio. Prior to this, newspapers. Football was extremely popular in Brazil and Argentina (and these countries excelled at the game) before the invention of radio. Improving media does not encourage one country or another to become more interested in a particular sport. (One could just as easily say Opera will have a big boost in popularity because it will look and sound better in HD.)<br><br>i.e. This is yet another patently absurd theory on Scoble's part.<br><br>Byron, every game of the Cup was on ESPN except some of the later matches on the weekends. But, yes, it's still better on Univision even if you don't know Spanish because the American commentators are unenthused idiots.<br><br>Larry, I agree that for one to gain in popularity another must fall. But it's foolish to presume that because NHL is declining, those fans will become Football fans. Hockey fans are fans because of geography, enjoying skating or the speed, the contact, the fighting, etc... There are some affinities between the two but not enough to show any correlation in support from fans.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-09_21:23:29", "killed": false, "user_key": "3aeb85796d88e54daedf94e769fda691", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9645124": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I posted a few comments during the semi-finals as to why soccer fails in the US.<br><br>1. Boring<br>2. We aren't good<br>3. Marketing<br><br>More discussion and content here:<br><a href=\"http://thelaggard.com/blog/?p=55\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://thelaggard.com/blog/?p=55</a>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-10_14:12:29", "killed": false, "user_key": "2143b58596a838307d63ffdfe500caae", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9645125": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Byron, also, MLS is on cable all the time. The problem with Football is there is no stoppage duting the 45 minute periods = no advertising. Or... you can cut away at random intervals and possibly miss the key moments of the game.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-09_21:25:25", "killed": false, "user_key": "3aeb85796d88e54daedf94e769fda691", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9645126": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "They've said this about the NHL for years. I'm still waiting. Then again, I've been cursed with being a fan of the Chicago Blackhawks, a team that still doesn't put it's home games on TV. Ugh.<br><br>What about videocasting on HDTV, Robert?", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-09_20:55:36", "killed": false, "user_key": "b145c79380d49a8c0b8b05ebb1fab234", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9645127": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "It's an idiotic theory. Football isn't popular because we simply don't get it, we don't enjoy it and we aren't good at it: we don't get that battling for control of a field is just as exciting as a goal... that defense is as important as offense, etc...<br><br>HDTV doesn't change that. And do you really want more advertising? The beauty of football is that it's not impaired by crap advertising. Claiming there's space for ads with HD after you just said you get to see more of the field is foolish.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-09_20:12:20", "killed": false, "user_key": "3aeb85796d88e54daedf94e769fda691", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9645128": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Bull. It's not popular in the U.S. because you can't actually watch it except on Mexican stations. Yeah, the World Cup was on ABC but how many games were on during the four years between World Cups? Oh, yeah. None. Their excuse is that the ratings suck, which they do because there's never been attempt to build the sport in this country as entertainment. Which is probably just fine since TV timeouts have ruined actually going to a football or basketball game.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-09_20:27:06", "killed": false, "user_key": "491a57fd4ccb371fd4c7ca618faff610", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9645129": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "We have the NFL, MLB, and the NBA.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-09_20:26:58", "killed": false, "user_key": "9b646ff3eeda1f01cc2b1cb86d1634f9", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9645130": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "For Soccer to become more popular in America one of the other sports will have to be shoved out.  The best chance Soccer has is maybe displacing the NHL since that league has pretty much tied its own noose around its neck with the strike last year.<br><br>But I'd be amazed if Soccer ever stood a chance at nudging by the NFL, MLB, or even the NBA.<br><br>You're big on attention Scoble, and non-World Cup soccer just isn't good enough yet to grab people's limited attention when they can watch football, baseball, or basketball.  HD or not.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-09_20:22:10", "killed": false, "user_key": "435bbbd819bc85c8a7c561c33dad4c57", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9645050": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "#52 - Lack of scandals in soccer/football? Huh?<br><br><a href=\"http://edition.cnn.com/2006/SPORT/football/07/14/italy.trial/index.html\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://edition.cnn.com/2006/SPORT/football/07/1...</a>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-14_15:27:20", "killed": false, "user_key": "cab572a4fceb3d24fa4b3dffe1657790", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9645051": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "@69.  Well, yes. It seems even the President of FIFA thinks about scoring, and the lack thereof has him concerned.  Well, whaddya know?  It feels good to be right.<br><br><a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/06/AR2006070601590.html\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/ar...</a><br><br>\"Said Sepp: \u201cThe football isn't that bad, but there aren't enough goals -- and when there are too few goals, the public isn't very enthusiastic,\" Blatter told the German news agency DPA. \"The essence of the game is goals.\" Blatter wants to devise changes that will help attackers break through increasingly sophisticated defenses.\"<br><br>Let's repeat again what THE PRESIDENT OF FIFA said:  \"The essence of the game is goals\". I find this funny given that it seems every soccer nerd that commented here contends just the opposite! That goals and scoring totals have nothing to do with the quality of play.<br><br>You soccer nerds need to get on the same page.<br><br>I also note Sepp said nothing about looking into how HDTV can improve the game  ;-)", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-11_21:26:54", "killed": false, "user_key": "c489355ab8af522634fdef64206a3954", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9645052": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "errr, how about soccer isn't so popular here because you don't have players like Zidane:<br><a href=\"http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1488494903422202558\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-148849...</a><br><br>Or maybe because soccer doesn't lend itself to 15 minute intervals for advertisers.<br><br>Karl", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-11_17:10:57", "killed": false, "user_key": "fe945a69aa014edebda7262db3ad0327", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9645053": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Robert,<br><br>It is called FOOTBALL around the world, excepting the fact that the US only calls it soccer.<br><br><a href=\"http://www.irin.co.uk\" rel=\"nofollow\">www.irin.co.uk</a>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-11_01:20:38", "killed": false, "user_key": "437a6ac1492a36a094261dd60c5282a0", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9645054": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "OH JESUS. SCORING SCORING SCORING. Is that all people can think about? I hear all the dimwitted sportscasters say that soccer is boring because games are low scoring. These same morons piss in their pants if a baseball game is tied 1 to 1 in the bottom of the 9th*. They can appreciate the idea of a low scoring baseball game being well played because it's likely been mistake free and hallmarked by great pitching and defense. They don't really understand the nuances of the game enough to make any substantive comparisons to other sports. It's just something someone picked out as a difference between futebal and football and decided that a low score makes soccer a boring game. To say that the game lacks \"action\" is a ridiculous statement.<br><br>If the US men's team did better in intl. soccer, if some of our lads were commanding the kind of money Ballack will get from Chelsea, interest in the game will grow. If we could see on a regular basis people doing the kinds of things Ronaldinho can do with the ball, people will want to watch. Yeah, the Champions' League is televised on the deuce, but you gotta sneak out of the office to see it (unless you got headphones and sopcast). So, Brent, it isn't \"action\" that Americans love, Americans love a winner. But for intl. Soccer, it becomes like the Olympics when we only care three times a decade (give or take a time).<br><br>Yes, lots of people at the grassroots level are into soccer. It hasn't translated into either interest or much intl. success. Our farm system has to improve. We're finally out of the AYSO everyone gets to play, boys and girls together stuff. Now that we are starting to think of soccer as a sport and not an \"activity\" US soccer HAS to start recruiting better athletes to play the game. Why are our best players about 5'2\" and a buck forty five soaking wet? If we do get big men, they are slower than the 7 year itch. We've had a couple of the best keepers in the world, and they had size, quickness and agility. Keller might have been a decent tight end for a Div 1 school.<br><br>Mr Gross is spot on about Donovan and other players not wanting to go overseas (though I wonder if they aren't convinced not to go rather than deciding to stay here based on ego). Sure, even if you do end up playing with some 1st div club in Northern England, you'll probably get a better soccer education than you would playing at Real Salt Lake.<br><br>Goebbels:<br>Like I said, Champions league is on ESPN 2. Also, Fox Sports gives Premiership matches late at night, and during prime time if you have digital cable or satellite (which more and more people will have).<br><br>It isn't necessarily HDTV that will make soccer popular, though those same tech advances will give people more opportunities to watch. Other things have to happen to make the game more popular.<br><br>*As would I, since I don't find baseball boring at all.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-11_00:13:49", "killed": false, "user_key": "c215ba5a63329c2a26802c7e82c0a2c0", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "9645055": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "It's the same thing down here in Australia.<br><br>One of the big issues is tv coverage, and development of the game locally.<br><br>Our local league has just recently been revamped, and they are hopeful things take off on the back of what's happened at The World Cup.<br><br>Who knows what will happen? Only time will tell.<br><br>It all starts with the grassroots level.<br><br>I know you emphasise a lot on the grassroots in IT, it's the same thing with sports as well. What are the kids growing up playing?<br><br>Australia and the USA both have quite a crowded sporting arena in which the kids can grow up and participate in. TV plays a hand in all this.<br><br>The advantage the Australian squad had, is that a large majority of their players ply their trade in the European leagues. Which is a bonus as they get regular games against the big names around the world.<br><br>Even the top Brazilian players end up going to Europe to ply their trade. Perhaps American players need to follow the lead of the Australian players? Head to the European leagues, and have the players \"highlighted\" on sports shows and so on.<br><br>Sure, there will be players that want to stay home. But to be the best, you have to compete with the very best.<br><br>Australia seems to be doing things to try to enhance the standings of \"The World Game\" (aka Soccer/Football) in the eye of the general public. Perhaps the USA needs to follow-suit.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": false, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2006-07-10_22:45:07", "killed": false, "user_key": "999a0260b48e1629fa5d90424301754a", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "3 years ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}}, "integration": {"receiver_url": "", "theme": 4, "reply_position": true, "disqus_logo": false}, "timer": {"timer_url": "http://localhost:8005", "thread_id": "18679926", "user_id": "anonymous", "forum_id": "125200", "hash": 6970321107497842823}, "thread": {"total_posts": 0, "paginate": false, "per_page": 0, "slug": "hdtv_will_make_soccer_a_lot_more_popular_in_america", "num_pages": 1, "days_alive": 0, "realtime_paused": true, "id": 18679926, "num_posts": 76, "closed": true, "queued": false, "killed": false}, "reactions_limit": 10, "context": {"show_reply": false, "use_fb_connect": true, "forum_facebook_key": "faaf467d0f47abde553c3b8e0e1b3570", "use_yahoo": false, "subscribed": false, "use_twitter_signin": true, "use_openid": false, "realtime_speed": 5000}, "reactions_start": 0, "settings": {"debug": false, "disqus_url": "http://disqus.com", "media_url": "http://media.disqus.com"}, "media_url": "http://media.disqus.com"};
	/* */ this.jsonData.cookie_messages = {"user_created": null, "post_has_profile": null, "post_twitter": null, "post_not_approved": null}; this.jsonData.session = {"url": null, "name": null, "email": null}; /* */

	
	this.curPageId = 'dsq-comments';

	this.frames = {};
};

var disqus_popup_reference = null;

if(typeof DsqLocal == 'undefined') {
	DsqLocal = {};
}



/**
 * Dsq.Strings: UI strings
 */
Dsq.Strings = new function() {
	this.ADD_NEW_COMMENT = "Add New Comment";
	this.LOG_INTO_DISQUS = "Log into DISQUS";
	this.USE_MEDIA = "Use Media";
	this.LOGOUT = "Logout";
	this.SHARING_OPTIONS = "Sharing options";
	this.SHARE_ON = "Share on";
	this.TWEET_THIS_COMMENT = "Tweet this comment";
	this.SHARE_ON_NEWSFEED = "Share on news feed";
	this.SEND_UPDATE_TO_YAHOO = "Send update to Yahoo!";
	this.REBLOG_ON = "Reblog on";
	this.CONFIGURE_OPTIONS = "Configure options";
	this.POST_AS = "Post as";
	this.SORT_BY = "Sort by";
	this.SUBSCRIBE_BY_EMAIL = "Subscribe by email";
	this.SUBSCRIBE_BY_RSS = "Subscribe by RSS";
	this.POPULAR_NOW = "Popular now";
	this.BEST_RATING = "Best Rating";
	this.NEWEST_FIRST = "Newest first";
	this.OLDEST_FIRST = "Oldest first";
	this.HIGHLIGHTED = "Highlighted";
	this.UNSUBSCRIBE = "Unsubscribe";
	this.REQUIRED = "Required";
	this.OPTIONAL = "Optional";
	this.YOU_ARE_COMMENTING_AS_A = "You are commenting as a";
	this.LOGIN_BELOW = "Login below";
	this.PLEASE_LOGIN_BELOW_TO_COMMENT = "Please login below to comment.";
	this.SUBSCRIBE_TO_ALL_COMMENTS_BY_EMAIL = "Subscribe to all comments by email";
	this.DO_NOT_SUBSCRIBE_TO_COMMENTS = "Do not subscribe to comments";
	this.REALTIME_UPDATING_IS = "Real-time updating is";
	this.ENABLED = "enabled";
	this.PAUSED = "paused";
	this.PAUSE = "Pause";
	this.RESUME = "Resume";
	this.SHOW = "Show";
	this.JUST_NOW = "Just now";
	this.REPLY = "Reply";
	this.EDIT = "Edit";
	this.FLAG = "Flag";
	this.MODERATE = "Moderate";
	this.CANCEL = "Cancel";
	this.REPLYING_TO = "Replying to";
	this.REPORT_MISSING_REACTIONS = "Report missing reactions";
	this.POST_A_COMMENT = "Post a comment";
	this.FLAG_INAPPROPRIATE_COMMENT = "Flag inappropriate comment";
	this.FLAGGED = "Flagged";
	this.NO = "No";
	this.YES = "Yes";
	this.NEVER_MIND = "Never mind";
	this.ARE_YOU_SURE_YOU_WOULD_LIKE_TO_REPORT_THIS_COMMENT_TO_A_MODERATOR = "Are you sure you would like to report this comment to a moderator";
	this.THIS_WILL_FLAG_COMMENTS_FOR_MODERATORS_TO_TAKE_ACTION = "This will flag comments for moderators to take action";
	this.TO_RATE_PLEASE_LOG_IN = "To rate, please log in";
	this.JUST_A_MOMENT = "Just a moment...";
	this.GUEST = "Guest";
	this.NAME = "Name";
	this.EMAIL = "Email";
  this.WEBSITE = "Website";
  this.SETTINGS = "Settings";
  this.MODERATOR_OPTIONS = "Moderator options: ";
  this.MODERATE_OPTIONS = "Moderate Options";

  // Thread moderator actions
  this.CLOSE_THREAD = "Close thread";
  this.OPEN_THREAD = "Open thread";
  this.REMOVE_THREAD = "Remove thread";
  this.RESTORE_THREAD = "Restore thread";
  this.ACTIONS = "Actions";
};
// Dsq.Strings

/**
 * Dsq.FmtStrings: functions that return interpolated UI strings
 */
Dsq.FmtStrings = new function() {
	// Seems we have to use named interpolation for Django to translate. Investigate more.
	this.LOGGED_IN_AS = function(username) {
		return Dsq.Utils.interpolate('Logged in as %(username)s', {username:username});
	};

	this.LOGOUT_FROM = function(disqus) {
		return Dsq.Utils.interpolate('Logout from %(disqus)s', {disqus:disqus});
	};

	this.SHOWING_COMMENTS_FULL = function(total, num) {
		if (num === 1) {
			return Dsq.Utils.interpolate("Showing <span id='dsq-num-posts'>%(num)s</span> of <span id='dsq-total-posts'>%(total)s</span> comment", {num:num, total:total});
		} else {
			return Dsq.Utils.interpolate("Showing <span id='dsq-num-posts'>%(num)s</span> of <span id='dsq-total-posts'>%(total)s</span> comments", {num:num, total:total});
		}
	};

	this.SHOWING_COMMENTS_WITHOUT_PAGINATION = function(num) {
		if (num === 1) {
			return Dsq.Utils.interpolate("Showing <span id='dsq-num-posts'>%(num)s</span> comment", {num:num});
		} else {
			return Dsq.Utils.interpolate("Showing <span id='dsq-num-posts'>%(num)s</span> comments", {num:num});
		}
	};

	this.NUMBER_OF_COMMENTS = function(num) {
		return Dsq.Utils.interpolate(
			(num == 1
				? '%(num)s comment'
				: '%(num)s comments'
			), {num:num});
	};

	this.NUMBER_OF_LIKES = function(num) {
		return Dsq.Utils.interpolate(
			(num == 1
				? '%(num)s like'
				: '%(num)s likes'
			), {num:num});
	};

	this.NUMBER_OF_POINTS = function(num) {
		return Dsq.Utils.interpolate(
			(num == 1
				? '%(num)s point'
				: '%(num)s points'
			), {num:num});
	};
};
// Dsq.FmtStrings





Dsq.CSRF_TOKEN = 'a2d140c59df8cd4ce27a20e0829cacd8';
Dsq.COMMENTS_RE = /(<li.*?id="?dsq-comment-(\d+)"?.*?>)((?:.|\s)*?)(<\/li>)/gim;
Dsq.POST_RE = /(<div.*?id="?dsq-comment-header-(\d+)"?.*?>)((?:.|\s)*?)(<\/div>)\s*(<div.*?class="?dsq-comment-body"?.*?>)((?:.|\s)*)(<\/div>)/gim;
Dsq.POST_BODY_RE = /\s*(<div.*?id="?dsq-comment-message-(\d+)"?.*?>)((?:.|\s)*)(<\/div>)/gim;
// HACK: Safari ends with "-->" while other browsers end with "--&gt;" as expected.
Dsq.MEDIA_POST_RE = /&lt;!--\[(.*?)\]--(?:>|&gt;)/gim;



var FragmentPacket = function(reader, writer, writer_url, is_child, receiveCallback) {
	var that = this;
	this.reader = reader;
	this.writer = writer;
	this.writer_url = writer_url;

	this.is_child = is_child || false;
	this.receiveCallback = receiveCallback;

	this._lastHash = null;

	this._accumMsg = '';

	this._lastSeqno = 0;

	this.MAX_DATA_LEN	= 1024;

	this.WAIT_TIME		= 10;

	this.READY		= 0x1;
	this.WRITING	= 0x2;
	this.FIN		= 0x4;
	this.ACK		= 0x8;

};

FragmentPacket.prototype.createListener = function() {
	var that = this;
	var listener = function() {
		that.recv();
	};
	return window.setInterval(listener, 10);
};

FragmentPacket.prototype.log = function(msg) {



};

FragmentPacket.prototype.recv = function() {
	var hash;
	if (/MSIE/.test(navigator.userAgent)) {

		hash = this.reader.name;
	} else {

		var hashIndex = this.reader.location.href.indexOf('#');
		if (hashIndex == -1) {
			return;
		}
		hash = this.reader.location.href.substring(hashIndex+1);
	}
	var flags = parseInt(hash.substring(0, 4), 10);
	var seqno = parseInt(hash.substring(4, 24), 10);
	var data  = hash.substring(24);

	if (this._lastHash !== hash) {
		this._lastHash = hash;
		this.log('recv: ' + hash);

		this.log(' flags: ' + flags);
		this.log(' seqno: ' + seqno + ' len: ' + hash.substring(4, 24).length + ' (' + hash.substring(4, 24) + ')');
		this.log(' data: ' + data + ' len: ' + data.length);

		this._lastSeqno = seqno;

		if (flags & this.WRITING) {
			this._accumMsg += data;
			this.sendFlag(this.ACK, seqno);
			if (flags & this.FIN) {
				this.log('recv finished: ' + decodeURIComponent(this._accumMsg));
				this.receiveCallback(decodeURIComponent(this._accumMsg));

				this._accumMsg = '';

				this.sendFlag(this.READY | this.ACK, this._lastSeqno);
			}
		}
	}

	return {
		flags: flags,
		seqno: seqno,
		data: data
	};
};

FragmentPacket.prototype.sendRawPacket = function(packet) {
	if (/MSIE/.test(navigator.userAgent)) {
		this.writer.name = packet;
	} else {

		this.writer.location.href = this.writer_url + '#' + packet;
	}

};

FragmentPacket.prototype.sendFlag = function(flag, seqno) {
	this.sendRawPacket(this._zerofill(flag, 4) + this._zerofill(seqno, 20));
};

FragmentPacket.prototype.send = function(msg) {
	this._send(0, encodeURIComponent(msg));
};

FragmentPacket.prototype._send = function(packetNum, msg) {
	var that = this;
	var recvBuf = this.recv();

	if (packetNum === 0) {

		if (!(recvBuf.flags & this.READY)) {
			this.log('client is not ready, waiting...');
			window.setTimeout(function() { that._send(packetNum, msg); }, this.WAIT_TIME);
			return;
		}
	} else {

		if (!( (recvBuf.flags & this.ACK) && (recvBuf.seqno === this._lastSeqno) )) {
			this.log('waiting for ack from client...');
			window.setTimeout(function() { that._send(packetNum, msg); }, this.WAIT_TIME);
			return;
		} else {
			this.log('received ack: ' + this._lastSeqno + ' ' + recvBuf.seqno);
		}
	}

	var flags = this.WRITING;
	var num_packets = Math.ceil(msg.length / this.MAX_DATA_LEN);
	this.log('num_packets: ' + num_packets);

	if (num_packets === packetNum) {

		this.log('message successfully sent!');
		this.sendFlag(this.READY | this.ACK, this._lastSeqno);
		return true;
	}

	this._lastSeqno++;

	if (packetNum == num_packets-1) {
		flags |= this.FIN;
	}

	var data = msg.substring(packetNum * this.MAX_DATA_LEN, (packetNum+1) * this.MAX_DATA_LEN);
	var packet = this._zerofill(flags, 4) + this._zerofill(this._lastSeqno, 20) + data;

	this.log('sending raw packet: ' + packet);
	this.sendRawPacket(packet);

	return this._send(packetNum + 1, msg);
};

FragmentPacket.prototype._zerofill = function(num, width) {
	var retval = num.toString();
	var retval_len = retval.length;
	for (var i = 0; i < width - retval_len; i++) {
		retval = '0' + retval;
	}
	return retval;
};

var PostMessagePacket = function(receiver, receiveCallback, id, receiverId) {
	var that = this;
	this.receiver = receiver;
	this.receiveCallback = receiveCallback;
	this.id = id;


	this.receiverId = receiverId;
};

PostMessagePacket.prototype.createListener = function() {
	var that = this;

	var listener = function(e) {

		if (!that.id) {
			that.id = e.data;
			return;
		}


		var id = e.data.split(';')[0];
		if (id !== that.id) {
			return;
		}
		var data = e.data.substring(e.data.indexOf(';') + 1);

		that.receiveCallback(data);
	};

	if (typeof window.attachEvent == 'function') {
		window.attachEvent('onmessage', listener);
	} else if (typeof window.addEventListener == 'function') {
		window.addEventListener('message', listener, false);
	} else {
		throw new Error('No method found to create event listener for PostMessagePacket.');
	}
};

PostMessagePacket.prototype.send = function(msg) {



	var needs_reget = false;
	try {
		if (typeof this.receiver.id == 'undefined' || typeof this.receiver.postMessage == 'undefined') {
			needs_reget = true;
		}
	} catch(e) {


	}
	if (needs_reget && typeof this.receiverId != 'undefined') {
		this.receiver = document.getElementById(this.receiverId).contentWindow;
	}

	var packet;
	if (!msg) {

		packet = this.id;
	} else {
		packet = this.id + ';' + msg;
	}
	this.receiver.postMessage(packet, '*');
};

PostMessagePacket._last_unique_id = null;
PostMessagePacket._get_unique_id = function() {
	var id = (new Date()).getTime();
	if (id == PostMessagePacket._last_unique_id) {
		id++;
	}
	PostMessagePacket._last_unique_id = id;
	return id.toString();
};

var JsonRpc = function() {

	this.ids = {};

	this.objectToJSON = function(obj) {
		var json = '';
		var results = [];

		if (obj === undefined || obj === null) {
			return 'null';
		}

		switch (obj.constructor) {
			case Object:
				for (var property in obj) {
					if (obj.hasOwnProperty(property)) {
						results.push(this.objectToJSON(property) + ': ' + this.objectToJSON(obj[property]));
					}
				}
				json = '{' + results.join(', ') + '}';
				break;
			case Array:
				for (var i = 0; i < obj.length; i++) {
					results.push(this.objectToJSON(obj[i]));
				}
				json = '[' + results.join(', ') + ']';
				break;
			case Number:
			case Boolean:
				json = obj.toString();
				break;
			case String:

				var specialChars = {'\b': '\\b', '\t': '\\t', '\n': '\\n', '\f': '\\f', '\r': '\\r', '\\': '\\\\'};

				json = obj.replace(/[\x00-\x1f\\]/g, function(match) {
					var ch = specialChars[match];
					return ch ? ch : '\\u00' + match.charCodeAt().toPaddedString(2, 16);
				});

				json = '"' + json.replace(/"/g, '\\"') + '"';
				break;
			default:

				json = 'null';
				break;
		}

		return json;
	};

	this.createHandler = function(send_func, registered_funcs) {
		var that = this;
		var handler = function(message) {

			try {
				var rpc = eval('(' + message + ')');
			} catch(e) {
				alert('bad JSON: ' + message);
				return;
			}
			if (rpc.method) {

				if (!registered_funcs[rpc.method]) {
					return;
				}

				var retval = registered_funcs[rpc.method].apply(null, rpc.params);
				if (rpc.id) {
					var response = {
						result: retval,
						error: null,	// TODO
						id: rpc.id
					};
					send_func(that.objectToJSON(response));
				}
			} else if(rpc.result) {

				if (!that.ids[rpc.id]) {
					return;
				}

				that.ids[rpc.id](rpc.result);
				delete that.ids[rpc.id];
			}
		};
		return handler;
	};

	this.execute = function(send_func, method, params, response_callback) {
		response_callback = response_callback || null;
		var id = (response_callback) ? (new Date()).getTime() : null;

		var request = {
			method: method,
			params: params,
			id: id
		};

		send_func(this.objectToJSON(request));

		if (id) {
			this.ids[id] = response_callback;
		}
	};
};
JsonRpc = new JsonRpc();

var ParentMessenger = function(childUrl, receiverUrl, container, receiveCallback) {


	if (navigator.userAgent.indexOf('Safari') >= 0 && parseInt(navigator.userAgent.substring(navigator.userAgent.indexOf('Version/') + 8), 10) == 3) {
		throw new Error("unsupported.");
	} else if (window.opera) {
		throw new Error("unsupported.");
	}



	if (!receiverUrl &&
		navigator.userAgent.indexOf('Gecko') >= 0 &&
		parseFloat(navigator.userAgent.slice(navigator.userAgent.indexOf('rv:') + 3, navigator.userAgent.indexOf('rv:') + 6)) < 1.9) {
		throw new Error("unsupported.");
	}


	if (/msie/i.test(navigator.userAgent) && !/opera/i.test(navigator.userAgent)) {


		if (document.domain == window.location.hostname) {
			receiverUrl = '';
		}
	}

	var that = this;
	this.childUrl = childUrl;
	this.receiverUrl = receiverUrl;
	this.container = container || document.body;

	this.packetHandler = null;


	this._ready = false;
	this._error = false;


	var _createReceiverForFragmentPacket = function() {

		that.receiver = document.createElement('iframe');
		that.receiver.src = receiverUrl;
		that.receiver.id = 'receiver_' + (new Date()).getTime();
		that.receiver.name = that.receiver.id;

		that.receiver.frameBorder = '0';
		that.receiver.frameSpacing = '0';
		that.receiver.style.borderStyle = 'none';

		var receiver_onload = function() {
			var receiver = document.getElementById(that.receiver.id).contentWindow;

			try {
				receiver.document.body.innerHTML = '';
			} catch(e) {

				that._error = true;
			}
			receiver.document.body.style.padding = '0px';
			receiver.document.body.style.margin = '0px';

			var child = receiver.document.createElement('iframe');
			child.id = 'child';
			child.name = 'child';
			child.src = that.childUrl;

			child.frameBorder = '0';
			child.frameSpacing = '0';
			child.style.borderStyle = 'none';
			child.style.width = '100%';
			child.style.height = '100%';
			receiver.document.body.appendChild(child);

			that.child = receiver.document.getElementById('child').contentWindow;
			that.receiver = receiver;

			that.packetHandler = new FragmentPacket(that.receiver, that.child, that.childUrl, false, receiveCallback);

			that._listener = that.packetHandler.createListener();

			that.packetHandler.sendFlag(that.packetHandler.READY, 0);

			that._ready = true;
		};

		that.receiver.onreadystatechange = function() {
			if (this.readyState == 'complete') {
				receiver_onload();
			}
		};

		that.receiver.onload = receiver_onload;







		if (Dsq.Utils.ie) {
			if (that.container.clientWidth === 0) {

				var _waitForWidth = function() {
					if (that.container.clientWidth > 0) {
						Dsq.Utils.fixIframesIE(that.container.id);
					} else {
						window.setTimeout(_waitForWidth, 100);
					}
				};
				_waitForWidth();

				that._once = false;
				that.receiver.onresize = function() {
					if (!that._once) {
						Dsq.Utils.fixIframesIE(that.container.id);
					}
					that._once = true;
				};
			}
		}

		that.container.appendChild(that.receiver);
	};


	var _createReceiverForPostMessage = function() {

		var receiver_onload = function() {

			that.packetHandler.send();
			that._ready = true;
		};

		var id = PostMessagePacket._get_unique_id();
		var receiverId = 'child_' + id;


		ParentMessenger['_receiver_onload_' + receiverId] = receiver_onload;

		that.container.innerHTML += '<iframe ' +
			'src="' + childUrl + '" ' +
			'id="' + receiverId + '" ' +
			'name="' + receiverId + '" ' +
			'onload="ParentMessenger._receiver_onload_' + receiverId +'();" ' +
			'></iframe>';

		that.receiver = document.getElementById(receiverId).contentWindow;
		that.packetHandler = new PostMessagePacket(that.receiver, receiveCallback, id, receiverId);
		that._listener = that.packetHandler.createListener();
	};

	if (typeof window.postMessage == 'function') {
		_createReceiverForPostMessage();
	} else {
		_createReceiverForFragmentPacket();
	}

};

ParentMessenger.prototype.sendMessage = function(message) {
	var that = this;
	if (!this._ready) {

		window.setTimeout(function() { that.sendMessage(message); }, 10);
		return;
	}
	this.packetHandler.send(message);
	return true;
};

Dsq.NewFrames = function(url) {
	this.url = url;
};

Dsq.NewFrames.prototype.init = function(onFailure) {
	var that = this;

	try {
		this.messenger = new ParentMessenger(this.url, Dsq.jsonData.integration.receiver_url, this.container, this.receive_callback);
	} catch(e) {
		if (typeof onFailure == 'function') {
			onFailure();
		}
	}

	if (typeof onFailure == 'function') {
		var iId = window.setInterval(function() {
			if (typeof that.messenger == 'undefined') {
				window.clearInterval(iId);
				return;
			}
			if (that.messenger._ready) {
				window.clearInterval(iId);
			} else if (that.messenger._error) {
				window.clearInterval(iId);
				onFailure();
			}
		}, 10);
	}
};

Dsq.NewFrames.prototype._execute = function(method, args, callback) {
	var that = this;
	if (typeof that.messenger == 'undefined') {
		return false;
	}
	JsonRpc.execute(
		function(msg) { that.messenger.sendMessage(msg); },
		method,
		args || [],
		callback);
	return true;
};

Dsq.ReplyFrame = function(container, parent_post_id) {
	var that = this;
	this.container = container;
	this.parent_post_id = parent_post_id;

	var sendFunc = function(msg) {

		Dsq.Debug.log('Dsq.ReplyFrame.sendFunc');
		that.messenger.sendMessage(msg);
	};


	var postComment_onSuccess = function(response) {
		Dsq.jsonData.posts[response.message.id] = response.message.post_meta;
		if (!Dsq.jsonData.users[response.message.post_meta.user_key]) {
			Dsq.jsonData.users[response.message.post_meta.user_key] = response.message.user_meta;
		}


		var reply_position = (typeof(disqus_insert_wrt_sort) == 'undefined' 
			? (Dsq.jsonData.forum.reply_position ? -1 : null) 
			: (Dsq.jsonData.request.sort == 2 ? null : -1));
		
		if (response.message.post_meta.approved) {
			Dsq.Post.insert(response.message.post_meta.parent_post_id || reply_position, response.message.id, response.message.post_meta.message);
		}

		Dsq.Templates.postComment_onSuccess(response, parent_post_id, response.message.id);
	};

	var postComment_onFailure = function(response) {
		Dsq.Popup.popModal(response.message, 'Error');
		Dsq.Templates.postComment_onFailure(response, parent_post_id, response.message.id);
	};

	var editComment_onSuccess = function(response) {
		var post_id = parent_post_id;
		var message = Dsq.$('dsq-comment-message-' + post_id);
		
		message.innerHTML = response.message;
		Dsq.Templates.toggleEdit(post_id);
		Dsq.Templates.setLoadingButton(false);
	};
	
	var editComment_onFailure = function(response) {
		var post_id = parent_post_id;
		
		Dsq.Popup.popModal('Sorry, there was an error editing this comment.', 'Edit Error');
		Dsq.Templates.toggleEdit(post_id);
		Dsq.Templates.setLoadingButton(false);
	};

	var getUserByEmail_onSuccess = function(response) {
		var msg = response.message;
		var fields = Dsq.Templates.getFormFields(parent_post_id);

		if (msg.username) {

			Dsq.Templates.lightboxAuthenticate(parent_post_id, 'login', {
				'username': msg.username,
				'display_name': msg.display_name,
				'avatar_url': msg.avatar_url,
				'verified': msg.verified,
				'email': fields.email.value
			});
		} else {

			Dsq.Templates.lightboxAuthenticate(parent_post_id, 'register');
		}
	};

	var validateAuth_onSuccess = function(response, auth_choice) {
		Dsq.Templates.postComment(parent_post_id, null, true, auth_choice);
	};

	var validateAuth_onFailure = function(response, auth_choice) {
		var pid = parent_post_id ? '-' + parent_post_id : '';
		var msg = response.message;

		if (auth_choice == 'register') {
			var fields = ['email', 'username', 'password'];

			for (var i = 0; i < fields.length; i++) {
				var field = fields[i];
				var errorDiv = Dsq.$('dsq-' + field + '-errors' + pid);

				if (msg[field]) {
					errorDiv.innerHTML = msg[field];
				} else {
					errorDiv.innerHTML = '';
				}
			}
		} else if (auth_choice == 'login') {
			Dsq.$('dsq-lightbox-errors' + pid).innerHTML = '<p>We couldn\'t log you in. Please verify your login.</p>';
		}
		
		Dsq.Templates.setLoadingButton(false);
	};

	this.receive_callback = JsonRpc.createHandler(sendFunc, {
		'postComment.onSuccess': postComment_onSuccess,
		'postComment.onFailure': postComment_onFailure,
		'editComment.onSuccess': editComment_onSuccess,
		'editComment.onFailure': editComment_onFailure,		
		'getUserByEmail.onSuccess': getUserByEmail_onSuccess,
		'validateAuth.onSuccess': validateAuth_onSuccess,
		'validateAuth.onFailure': validateAuth_onFailure,
		'reload': function() { window.location.reload(); }
	});

	this.url = Dsq.Urls.REPLY +
		'?' + (new Date()).getTime() +
		'&f=scobleizer' +
		'&t=hdtv_will_make_soccer_a_lot_more_popular_in_america' +
		'&ff=' + Dsq.Thread.ff +
		'&default_text=' + encodeURIComponent(disqus_default_text) +
		'&ifrs=' + encodeURIComponent(disqus_iframe_css);
	if (this.parent_post_id) {
		this.url += '&parent_post=' + this.parent_post_id;
	}
};

Dsq.ReplyFrame.prototype = new Dsq.NewFrames(Dsq.ReplyFrame.url);

Dsq.ReplyFrame.prototype.post = function(author_name, author_email, author_url, authenticate, sharing_services, subscribe) {
	this._execute('postComment', [author_name, author_email, author_url, authenticate, sharing_services, subscribe]);
};

Dsq.ReplyFrame.prototype.edit = function(post_id, message) {
	this._execute('editComment', [post_id, message]);
};

Dsq.ReplyFrame.prototype.setState = function(parent_post_id, depth) {
	this._execute('setState', [parent_post_id, depth]);
};

Dsq.ReplyFrame.prototype.getUserByEmail = function(email) {
	this._execute('getUserByEmail', [email]);
};

Dsq.ReplyFrame.prototype.validateAuth = function(auth_choice, email, username, password) {
	this._execute('validateAuth', [auth_choice, email, username, password]);
};

Dsq.ReplyFrame.prototype.authenticateFacebook = function(session, forum_url) {
	this._execute('authenticateFacebook', [session, forum_url]);
};

	Dsq.Facebook = function() {
	var that = this;

	var handleSessionData = function(session) {

		var forum_url = Dsq.jsonData.forum.url;




		if (typeof disqus_facebook_forum != 'undefined') {
			forum_url = disqus_facebook_forum;
		}
		Dsq.frames.reply_0.authenticateFacebook(session, forum_url);
	};

	var onLogin = function() {
		FB.Connect.getSignedPublicSessionData(handleSessionData);
	};

	this.login = function() {
		FB.Connect.requireSession(onLogin, true);
	};
};
Dsq.Facebook = new Dsq.Facebook();


	






Dsq.Themes = {};

Dsq.Themes.narcissus = new function() {
	this.addPostContainer = 'dsq-form-area';
	this.textareaContainer = 'dsq-textarea-wrapper';



	
	this.header = function() {
		var comments_count, total_posts, num_posts;
		var html = '';
		var missing_perm_tmpl;

		if (Dsq.jsonData.request.missing_perm) {
			missing_perm_tmpl = Dsq.Templates.missingPermissions();
			if (missing_perm_tmpl) {
				html += '<div class="dsq-missing-permissions">' + missing_perm_tmpl + '</div>';
			}
		}

		total_posts = Dsq.jsonData.thread.total_posts;
		num_posts = Dsq.jsonData.thread.num_posts;

		if (total_posts) {
			comments_count = Dsq.FmtStrings.SHOWING_COMMENTS_FULL(total_posts, num_posts);
		} else {
			comments_count = Dsq.FmtStrings.SHOWING_COMMENTS_WITHOUT_PAGINATION(num_posts);
		}

		html += ' \
		<div id="dsq-comments-title"> \
			<h3>' + comments_count + '</h3> \
		</div> \
		';

		html += ' \
		<div class="dsq-options"> \
			<span class="dsq-item-sort">'
				+ Dsq.Strings.SORT_BY + ' \
				<select id="dsq-sort-select" onchange="Dsq.Thread.sortBy(this.value);"> \
					<option value="hot" ' + (Dsq.jsonData.request.sort == 4 ? 'selected="selected"' : '') + '>' + Dsq.Strings.POPULAR_NOW + '</option> \
					<option value="best" ' + (Dsq.jsonData.request.sort == 3 ? 'selected="selected"' : '') + '>' + Dsq.Strings.BEST_RATING + '</option> \
					<option value="newest" ' + (Dsq.jsonData.request.sort == 2 ? 'selected="selected"' : '') + '>' + Dsq.Strings.NEWEST_FIRST + '</option> \
					<option value="oldest" ' + (Dsq.jsonData.request.sort == 1 ? 'selected="selected"' : '') + '>' + Dsq.Strings.OLDEST_FIRST + '</option> \
				</select> \
				&nbsp; \
			</span> \
			<span class="dsq-subscribe-email"> \
				<img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/embed/email.png" style="width:12px;height:12px;vertical-align:middle"> \
				<span id="dsq-subscribe">'
					+ (Dsq.jsonData.context.subscribed
						? '<a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Thread.subscribe(0); return false">' + Dsq.Strings.UNSUBSCRIBE + '</a>'
						: '<a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Thread.subscribe(1); return false">' + Dsq.Strings.SUBSCRIBE_BY_EMAIL + '</a>')
				+ '</span> \
			</span> \
			<span class="dsq-subscribe-rss" style="width:12px;height:12px;vertical-align:middle"> \
				<img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/embed/bullet-feed.png" alt="" /> \
				<a href="http://scobleizer.disqus.com/hdtv_will_make_soccer_a_lot_more_popular_in_america/latest.rss">' + Dsq.Strings.SUBSCRIBE_BY_RSS + '</a> \
			</span> \
		</div> \
		';

		
		

		return html;

	};
	
	this.footer = function() {
		var html = '';

		html += Dsq.Templates.pagination();

		
		
			html += Dsq.Templates.realtime();
			html += Dsq.Templates.showThreadSettings();
			html += Dsq.Templates.postBox();

		html += Dsq.Templates.reactions();

		
			html += Dsq.Templates.trackbacks();
		


		if (Dsq.jsonData.request.is_global_moderator) {
 			html += ' \
				<div class="dsq-global-moderator-extras">'
					+ '<strong>shortname:</strong> ' + Dsq.jsonData.forum.url
					+ '<strong>thread id:</strong> ' + Dsq.jsonData.thread.id
					+ '<strong>thread slug:</strong> ' + Dsq.jsonData.thread.slug
				+ '</div> \
			';
		}

		return html;
	};
	
	this.realtime = function() {
		var html = '';
		
		if (Dsq.jsonData.realtime_enabled) {
			html += '<div id="dsq-realtime-options" class="dsq-options">'
					 + Dsq.Strings.REALTIME_UPDATING_IS + ' <strong id="dsq-realtime-status" style="text-transform: lowercase">' + Dsq.Strings.ENABLED + '</strong>. \
					 <a href="#" id="dsq-realtime-toggle" style="text-transform: capitalize"></a> \
					</div>';
		}

		if (!Dsq.jsonData.forum.streaming_realtime) {
			html += ' \
				<div style="display: none" id="dsq-realtime-alert" class="dsq-realtime-alert"><span id="dsq-realtime-queued"></span> <a href="#" id="dsq-realtime-show"></a></div> \
			';
		}
		
		return html;
	};

	this.showThreadSettings = function() {
		if (!Dsq.jsonData.request.is_moderator) {
			return '';
		}

		html = '<div id="dsq-thread-settings" class="dsq-thread-settings">' + Dsq.Strings.MODERATOR_OPTIONS;
		html += '<a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Thread.showSettings(); return false;">' + Dsq.Strings.SETTINGS + '</a>';
		html += '<a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Thread.showModeratorActions(); return false;">' + Dsq.Strings.MODERATE + '</a>';
		if (Dsq.jsonData.forum.reactions_enabled && Dsq.jsonData.reactions.length === 0) {
			html += '<a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Reaction.reportMissingReactions(); return false;">'
						+ Dsq.Strings.REPORT_MISSING_REACTIONS
						+ '</a>';
		}
		html +='</div>';

		return html;
	};

	this.postBox = function(post_id, use_fallback_iframe) {


		var html;
		var display_sharing_options = Dsq.jsonData.request.is_authenticated;

		if (!Dsq.jsonData.request.is_authenticated && Dsq.jsonData.forum.disqus_auth_disabled && !Dsq.jsonData.forum.allow_anon_post) {
			return '';
		}
		
		if (Dsq.jsonData.request.is_remote) {


			if (!Dsq.jsonData.request.sharing.hasOwnProperty(Dsq.jsonData.request.remote_domain)) {
				display_sharing_options = false;
			}
		}
		
		if (post_id) {
			var _meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id];
			var userData = Dsq.jsonData['users'][_meta.user_key];				
		}
		
		var pid = post_id ? '-' + post_id : '';

		var _requestUserInfo = function() {
			var html;



			var user_has_email = false;

			html = '<div class="dsq-request-user-info"> <!-- // If authenticated --> \
				<a href="' + Dsq.jsonData.settings.disqus_url + Dsq.Urls.LOGOUT + '?ctkn=' + Dsq.CSRF_TOKEN + '" class="dsq-request-user-logout">' + Dsq.Strings.LOGOUT + '</a> \
				<table> \
					<tr> \
						<td rowspan="2">'
							+ (!Dsq.jsonData.forum.disqus_auth_disabled ? '<a href="' + Dsq.jsonData.settings.disqus_url + Dsq.Urls.REQUEST_USER_PROFILE + '">' : '')
								+ '<img src="' + Dsq.Urls.REQUEST_USER_AVATAR + '" width="48" height="48" class="dsq-request-user-avatar">'
							+ (!Dsq.jsonData.forum.disqus_auth_disabled ? '</a>' : '')
						+ '</td> \
						<td class="dsq-request-user-name">'
								+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.is_remote
									 ? '<span class="dsq-badge-small dsq-badge-' + Dsq.jsonData.request.remote_domain + '">' + Dsq.jsonData.request.remote_domain + '</span>'
									 : (Dsq.jsonData.request.is_verified
											? '<span class="dsq-badge-small dsq-badge-verified">Verified</span>'
											: '<span class="dsq-badge-small dsq-badge-registered">Registered</span>'))
							+ (!Dsq.jsonData.forum.disqus_auth_disabled ? ' <a href="' + Dsq.jsonData.settings.disqus_url + Dsq.Urls.REQUEST_USER_PROFILE + '">' : '') 
								+ Dsq.jsonData.request.display_username 
							+ (!Dsq.jsonData.forum.disqus_auth_disabled ? '</a>' : '')
							+  (Dsq.jsonData.request.is_remote && user_has_email ? ' <small>(<a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Popup.remoteAccountSettings(); return false;">change settings</a>)</small>' : '')
							+  (!Dsq.jsonData.request.is_remote && !Dsq.jsonData.forum.disqus_auth_disabled ? ' <small>(<a href="' + Dsq.jsonData.settings.disqus_url + '/profile/info/" target="_blank">change name</a> or <a href="' + Dsq.jsonData.settings.disqus_url + '/profile/avatar/" target="_blank">picture</a>)</small>' : '')
						+ '</td> \
					</tr> \
					<tr> \
						<td class="dsq-request-user-stats"> \
							<span><big>' + Dsq.jsonData.request.comments_count + '</big> ' + (Dsq.jsonData.request.comments_count == 1 ? 'comment' : 'comments') + '</span> \
							<span><big>' + Dsq.jsonData.request.likes_count + '</big> ' + (Dsq.jsonData.request.likes_count == 1 ? 'like' : 'likes') + '</span> \
							<span><big>' + Dsq.jsonData.request.points + '</big> ' + (Dsq.jsonData.request.points == 1 ? 'point' : 'points') + '</span> \
						</td> \
					</tr> \
				</table> \
			</div> \
			';
			return html;
		};

		var _loginOptions = function() {
			var html;
			html = ' \
			<div class="dsq-authenticate"> \
				<p class="dsq-autheneticate-copy">'
				+ (Dsq.jsonData.forum.allow_anon_post
					? Dsq.Strings.YOU_ARE_COMMENTING_AS_A + ' <a class="dsq-help" title="Click for more information" href="#" onclick="Dsq.Popup.helpBadges(); return false">Guest</a>. ' + Dsq.Strings.OPTIONAL + ': ' + Dsq.Strings.LOGIN_BELOW + '.'
					: Dsq.Strings.REQUIRED + ': ' + Dsq.Strings.PLEASE_LOGIN_BELOW_TO_COMMENT + '.')
				+ '</p> \
				<ul class="dsq-login-buttons">'
					+ (!Dsq.jsonData.forum.disqus_auth_disabled ? '<li class="dsq-login-button"><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Popup.login(); return false"><img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/themes/narcissus/login-disqus.gif" /></a></li>' : '')
					+ (Dsq.jsonData.context.use_fb_connect ? '<li class="dsq-login-button"><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Facebook.login(); return false;"><img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/themes/narcissus/login-facebook.gif" /></a></li>' : '')
					+ (Dsq.jsonData.context.use_twitter_signin ? '<li class="dsq-login-button"><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Twitter.startTwitterConnect(); return false"><img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/themes/narcissus/login-twitter.gif" /></a></li>' : '')
					+ (Dsq.jsonData.context.use_openid ? '<li class="dsq-login-button"><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.OpenID.requestURL(); return false" ><img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/themes/narcissus/login-openid.gif" /></a></li>' : '')
					+ (Dsq.jsonData.context.use_yahoo ? '<li class="dsq-login-button"><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Yahoo.startYahooConnect(); return false"><img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/themes/narcissus/login-yahoo.gif" /></a></li>' : '')
				+ '</ul> \
			</div> \
			';
			return html;
		};

		if (!Dsq.jsonData.context.show_reply) {


			if (!Dsq.jsonData.request.is_authenticated) {



				return '<div id="dsq-form-area" style="display:none"><div id="dsq-textarea-wrapper"></div></div>' + _loginOptions();
			} else {
				return '';
			}
		}

		html = ' \
		<div id="' + (post_id 
			? 'dsq-reply-post-' + post_id
			: 'dsq-new-post')
		 	+ '" class="dsq-post-area"> \
			<div class="dsq-dc-logo"> \
				<a href="http://disqus.com/comments" target="_blank"><img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/themes/narcissus/disqus-logo.png"></a> \
			</div>'
			+ (post_id 
				? '<h3>' + Dsq.Strings.REPLYING_TO + ' ' + userData.display_name + '</h3>'
				: '<h3>' + Dsq.Strings.ADD_NEW_COMMENT + '</h3>')
			+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.is_authenticated 
				? _requestUserInfo()
				: _loginOptions() )
			+ '<div id="dsq-form-area' + pid + '">'
			+ '<div class="dsq-textarea"> \
				<div class="dsq-textarea-wrapper" id="dsq-textarea-wrapper' + pid + '"></div> \
			</div>'
			+ (!Dsq.jsonData.request.is_authenticated
			? ' \
			<div class="dsq-post-fields"> \
				<table> \
					<tr> \
						<td class="dsq-post-fields-left"><div class="dsq-input-wrapper"><input id="dsq-field-name' + pid + '" type="text" value="' + (disqus_def_name ? disqus_def_name : (Dsq.jsonData.session.name ? Dsq.jsonData.session.name : Dsq.Strings.NAME + '" class="dsq-placeholder')) + '" onfocus="Dsq.Templates.handlePlaceholder(event, this, \'name\')" onblur="Dsq.Templates.handlePlaceholder(event, this, \'name\')" /></div></td> \
						<td class="dsq-post-fields-right"><div class="dsq-input-wrapper"><input id="dsq-field-website' + pid + '" type="text" value="' + (Dsq.jsonData.session.url ? Dsq.jsonData.session.url : Dsq.Strings.WEBSITE + ' (' + Dsq.Strings.OPTIONAL.toLowerCase() + ')" class="dsq-placeholder') + '" onfocus="Dsq.Templates.handlePlaceholder(event, this, \'website\')" onblur="Dsq.Templates.handlePlaceholder(event, this, \'website\')" /></div></td> \
					</tr> \
					<tr> \
						<td class="dsq-post-fields-left"><div class="dsq-input-wrapper"><input id="dsq-field-email' + pid + '" type="text" value="' + (disqus_def_email ? disqus_def_email : (Dsq.jsonData.session.email ? Dsq.jsonData.session.email : Dsq.Strings.EMAIL + '" class="dsq-placeholder')) + '" onfocus="Dsq.Templates.handlePlaceholder(event, this, \'email\')" onblur="Dsq.Templates.handlePlaceholder(event, this, \'email\')" /></div></td> \
						<td class="dsq-post-fields-right"> \
							<div class="dsq-subscribe"> \
								<a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Templates.chooseSubscribe(' + post_id + '); return false" class="dsq-subscribe-menu"><span id="dsq-subscribe-select' + pid + '">' + (Dsq.jsonData.request.subscribe_on_post ? Dsq.Strings.SUBSCRIBE_TO_ALL_COMMENTS_BY_EMAIL : Dsq.Strings.DO_NOT_SUBSCRIBE_TO_COMMENTS) + '</span> <small>&#9660;</small></a> \
								<ul class="dsq-panel" id="dsq-subscribe-menu' + pid + '"> \
									<li><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Templates.setSubscribe(2, this, ' + post_id + '); return false">' + Dsq.Strings.SUBSCRIBE_TO_ALL_COMMENTS_BY_EMAIL + '</a></li> \
									<li><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Templates.setSubscribe(0, this, ' + post_id + '); return false">' + Dsq.Strings.DO_NOT_SUBSCRIBE_TO_COMMENTS + '</a></li> \
								</ul> \
								<input id="dsq-subscribe-on-post' + pid + '" type="hidden" value="' + Dsq.jsonData.request.subscribe_on_post + '" /> \
							</div> \
						</td> \
					</tr> \
				</table> \
			</div>'
			: '')
			+ '<div class="dsq-post-footer"> \
				<div class="dsq-sharing-options" ' + (!display_sharing_options ? 'style="display:none;"' : '') + '> \
					<button type="button" class="dsq-button-small" onfocus="document.getElementById(\'dsq-post-button' + pid + '\').focus();"><span>' + Dsq.Strings.SHARING_OPTIONS + ' <small>&#9660;</small></span></button> \
					<div class="dsq-panel"> '
						+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.sharing.twitter !== undefined
								&& Dsq.jsonData.request.sharing.twitter.enabled === true
							? '<div><input type="checkbox" id="dsq-sharing-twitter' + pid + '"'
								  + (Dsq.jsonData.request.sharing.twitter.auto === true ? 'checked=true' : '') + '/> \
									<label for="dsq-sharing-twitter' + pid + '">' + Dsq.Strings.SHARE_ON + ' Twitter</label> \
								 </div>'
							: '')
						+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.sharing.facebook
								&& (Dsq.jsonData.request.sharing.facebook.enabled === true ||
										(Dsq.jsonData.request.is_remote && Dsq.jsonData.request.remote_domain == 'facebook'))
							? '<div><input type="checkbox" id="dsq-sharing-facebook' + pid + '"'
									+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.sharing.facebook.auto === true ? 'checked=true' : '') + '/> \
									<label for="dsq-sharing-facebook' + pid + '">' + Dsq.Strings.SHARE_ON + ' Facebook</label> \
								 </div>'
							: '')
						+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.sharing.yahoo !== undefined
								&& Dsq.jsonData.request.sharing.yahoo.enabled === true
							? '<div><input type="checkbox" id="dsq-sharing-yahoo' + pid + '"'
									+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.sharing.yahoo.auto === true ? 'checked=true' : '') + '/> \
									<label for="dsq-sharing-yahoo' + pid + '">' + Dsq.Strings.SHARE_ON + ' Yahoo!</label> \
								</div>'
							: '')
						+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.sharing.tumblr !== undefined
								&& Dsq.jsonData.request.sharing.tumblr.enabled === true
							? '<div><input type="checkbox" id="dsq-sharing-tumblr' + pid + '"'
									+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.sharing.tumblr.auto === true ? 'checked=true' : '') + '/> \
									<label for="dsq-sharing-tumblr' + pid + '">' + Dsq.Strings.SHARE_ON + ' Tumblr</label> \
								 </div>'
							: '')
						+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.sharing.wordpress !== undefined
								&& Dsq.jsonData.request.sharing.wordpress.enabled === true
							? '<div><input type="checkbox" id="dsq-sharing-wordpress' + pid + '"'
									+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.sharing.wordpress.auto === true ? 'checked=true' : '') + '/> \
									<label for="dsq-sharing-wordpress' + pid + '">' + Dsq.Strings.SHARE_ON + ' Wordpress</label> \
								 </div>'
							: '')
						+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.sharing.movabletype !== undefined
							  && Dsq.jsonData.request.sharing.movabletype.enabled === true
							? '<div><input type="checkbox" id="dsq-sharing-movabletype' + pid + '"'
									+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.sharing.movabletype.auto === true ? 'checked=true' : '') + '/> \
									<label for="dsq-sharing-movabletype' + pid + '">' + Dsq.Strings.SHARE_ON + ' Movable Type</label> \
							   </div>'
							: '')
						+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.sharing.typepad !== undefined
							  && Dsq.jsonData.request.sharing.typepad.enabled === true
							? '<div><input type="checkbox" id="dsq-sharing-typepad' + pid + '"'
									+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.sharing.typepad.auto === true ? 'checked=true' : '') + '/> \
								  <label for="dsq-sharing-typepad' + pid + '">' + Dsq.Strings.SHARE_ON + ' TypePad</label> \
							   </div>'
							: '')
						+ '<div><a href="' + Dsq.jsonData.settings.disqus_url + '/profile/connections/" target="_blank" class="dsq-configure-options">' + Dsq.Strings.CONFIGURE_OPTIONS + '</a></div>'
					+ '</div> \
				</div>'
				+ '<button type="button" class="dsq-button" id="dsq-post-button' + pid + '" onclick="Dsq.Templates.postComment(' + post_id + ', this, false)"><span>' + Dsq.Strings.POST_AS + ' '
				+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.display_username
					? Dsq.jsonData.request.display_username
					: Dsq.Strings.GUEST)
				+ '</span></button>'
				+ (post_id
					? '<button type="button" class="dsq-button" id="dsq-cancel-button' + pid + '" onclick="Dsq.Post.toggleReply(' + post_id +', this)"><span>' + Dsq.Strings.CANCEL + '</span></button>'
					: '')
			+ '</div>'
			+ '</div>' // end dsq-form-area
		+ '</div> \
		';
		
		return html;
	};




	this.appendPost = function(post_id) {
		var html = '<div id="dsq-append-post-' + post_id + '"></div>';
		return html;
	};

	this.postPrependHeader = function(post_id) {
		var html;
		var _meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id];
		var userData = Dsq.jsonData['users'][_meta.user_key];
		
		html = ' \
		<table> \
			<tr> \
				<td id="dsq-header-avatar-' + post_id + '" class="dsq-header-avatar" onmouseover="Dsq.Post.dropProfile(' + post_id + ')"> \
					<a id="dsq-avatar-' + post_id + '" class="dsq-avatar" href="' + userData.url + '" onclick="Dsq.Popup.popProfile(' + post_id + '); return false;">'
					+ (Dsq.jsonData.forum.show_avatar
					? '<img src="' + Dsq.jsonData.users[_meta.user_key].avatar + '" alt="" />'
					: '')
				+ '</a> \
				</td> \
				<td class="dsq-comment-header-meta"> \
		';

		
		return html;
	};
	
	this.postAppendHeader = function(post_id) {
		var _meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id];
		var html;
		var parent_display_name = '';
		
		if(_meta.parent_post_id) {

			var _parent_meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[_meta.parent_post_id];

			if (_parent_meta) {
				var parentUserData = Dsq.jsonData['users'][_parent_meta.user_key];
				parent_display_name = parentUserData.display_name;
			}
		}

		html = ' \
		<img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/themes/narcissus/moderator.png" class="dsq-moderator-star" title="Moderator" /> \
		<span class="dsq-comment-header-time"><a href="#comment-' + post_id + '" onclick="Dsq.Popup.permalink(' + post_id + ')" title="Permalink">' + (_meta.is_realtime ? Dsq.Strings.JUST_NOW : _meta.date) + '</a></span> '
		+ (_meta.parent_post_id && parent_display_name
			? '<a href="#comment-' + _meta.parent_post_id + '" title="Jump to comment">in reply to ' + parent_display_name + '</a>'
			: '')
		+ '</td> \
		<td id="dsq-like-pts-' + post_id + '" class="dsq-comment-header-likes">'
		+ (_meta.points
			? _meta.points + Dsq.Utils.pluralize(_meta.points, ' person', ' people') + ' liked this.'
			: '')
		+ '</td> \
		</tr> \
		</table> \
		';
		return html;
	};

	this.preBody = function(post_id) {
		var html = '';
		return html;
	};

	this.postFooter = function(post_id) {
		var html;
		var _meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id];
		if(_meta.killed || !_meta.approved) { return ''; }
		
		html = ' \
		<div class="dsq-comment-footer" id="dsq-comment-footer-' + post_id + '"> \
			<div class="dsq-comment-footer-left">'
				+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.is_moderator || Dsq.jsonData.request.is_global_moderator
					? '<a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Templates.moderateOptions(' + post_id+ '); return false">' + Dsq.Strings.MODERATE + '</a>'
					: '')
				+ '<a href="#" id="dsq-post-report-' + post_id + '" class="dsq-post-report" onclick="Dsq.Post.report(' + post_id + ', false); return false;">' + Dsq.Strings.FLAG + '</a> \
			</div> \
			<div class="dsq-comment-footer-right">'
				+ (_meta.votable 
					? '<span id="dsq-like-' + post_id + '" class="dsq-like">'
					+ (!_meta.up_voted
						? '<button type="button" class="dsq-button-small" onclick="Dsq.Post.rate(this, ' + post_id + ', 1)" >Like</button>'
						: 'You liked this.&nbsp;&nbsp;')
					+ '</span>'
					: '')
				+ (_meta.can_reply && !_meta.has_replies && _meta.from_request_user
					? '<button type="button" class="dsq-button-small dsq-post-edit" onclick="Dsq.Post.edit(this, ' + post_id + ')" >' + Dsq.Strings.EDIT + '</button>'
					: '')
				+ (_meta.can_reply
					? '<span class="dsq-comment-footer-reply" id="dsq-comment-footer-reply-' + post_id + '" onclick="Dsq.Post.toggleReply(' + post_id +', this)"> \
						<button type="button" class="dsq-button-small">' + Dsq.Strings.REPLY + '</button> \
						<button type="button" class="dsq-comment-footer-reply-tab">' + Dsq.Strings.REPLY + '</button><span></span> \
					</span>'
					: '')
			+ '</div> \
		</div> \
		';
		
		return html;
	};



	
	this.showRetweets = function(id, limit, element_id /* Optional */) {
		var source, html = '';

		for (var i = 0, reaction; reaction = Dsq.jsonData.reactions[i]; i++) {
			if (reaction.id === id) {
				source = reaction.retweets;
			}
		}

		if (source) {
			if (limit === 0) {
				limit = source.length;
			}

			for (var j = 0; j < limit; j++) {
				var rt = source[j];
				html += '<a href="' + rt.url + '">' + rt.author_name + '</a>'	+ ((j === (limit - 1)) ? '.' : ', ');
			}
		}

		if (element_id === undefined) {
			return html;
		}

		var element = document.getElementById(element_id);
		element.innerHTML = html;
		return element;
	};

	this.showMoreReactions = function(reactions, has_more, start, limit) {
		var link = document.getElementById('dsq-show-more-reactions');
		var container = link.parentNode;
		container.removeChild(link);

		for (var i = 0, reaction; reaction = reactions[i]; i++) {
			var el = Dsq.Templates.generateReactionHTML(reaction);
			if (el) {
				container.innerHTML += el;
			}
		}

		if (has_more) {
			var d = Dsq.jsonData.settings.disqus_url;
			var f = Dsq.jsonData.forum.url;
			var t = Dsq.jsonData.thread.id;
			var s = start;
			var l = limit;

			var handler = 'Dsq.Utils.execScript(\'' + d + '/forums/' + f + '/more_reactions.js?t=' + t + '&s=' + s + '&l=' + l + '\', true); return false;';
			container.innerHTML += '<li id="dsq-show-more-reactions" class="dsq-show-more-reactions"><button type="button" class="dsq-button-small" onclick="' + handler + '">Show more reactions</button></li>';
		}
	};

	this.generateReactionHTML = function(reaction) {
		if (reaction.body === null || reaction.body == '') {
			return;
		}

		if (reaction.author_name === '') {
			reaction.author_name = '&nbsp;';
		}

		if (reaction.url === '') {
			reaction.url = reaction.get_service_url;
		}

		var item = '<li class="dsq-comment dsq-reaction" id="dsq-reaction-' + reaction.id + '">'
			+ '<div class="dsq-comment-header"> \
			<table> \
			<tr> \
			<td class="dsq-header-avatar"> \
			';

		if (reaction.author_url && reaction.author_url !== '') {
			item += '<a target="_blank" href="' + reaction.author_url +'" class="dsq-avatar">';
		}

		if (reaction.avatar_url && reaction.avatar_url !== '') {
			item += '<img src="' + reaction.avatar_url + '"/>';
		} else {

			item += '<img src="' + Dsq.jsonData.media_url + '/images/noavatar92.png"/>';
		}

		var service_icon = (reaction.get_service_name == 'trackback' || reaction.get_service_name == 'pingback' ? 'rss' : reaction.get_service_name.replace(' ', ''));
		item += (reaction.author_url && reaction.author_url !== ''
				? '</a>'
				: '')
			+ '</td>'
			+ '<td><cite class="dsq-comment-cite">' + reaction.author_name + '</cite> <span class="dsq-comment-header-time">' + reaction.date_created + '</span></td>'
			+ '<td class="dsq-comment-header-likes"></td>'
			+ '</tr></table></div>' // end dsq-comment-header
			+ '<div class="dsq-reaction-header" \
				<table> \
					<tr> \
						<td class="dsq-reaction-header-left">'
							+ '<img class="dsq-service-icon" src="' + Dsq.jsonData.media_url + '/images/reactions/services/' + service_icon + '.png" />'
							+ ' From <a class="dsq-service-name" target="_blank" href="' + reaction.url + '">' + reaction.get_service_name + '</a> '
							+ 'via <a href="' + reaction.source_url + '">' + (reaction.source == 'backtype' ? 'BackType' : 'UberVU') + '</a>'
						+ '</td>'
						+ '<td class="dsq-reaction-header-right">';

			if(reaction.retweets) {
				var num_retweets = reaction.retweets.length;
				if (num_retweets > 0) {
					if (num_retweets == 1) {
						item += 'One more retweet from <a href="' + reaction.retweets[0].url + '">'  + reaction.retweets[0].author_name + '</a>';
					} else {
						item += (num_retweets + ' more retweets from ');
						item += '<span id="dsq-reaction-retweets-' + reaction.id + '">';
						var n_tweets = (num_retweets > 3) ? 3 : num_retweets;
						item += Dsq.Templates.showRetweets(reaction.id, n_tweets);
						if (n_tweets != num_retweets) {
							item += '</span> <a onclick="Dsq.Templates.showRetweets(' + reaction.id + ', 0, \'dsq-reaction-retweets-' + reaction.id + '\');'
								+ 'this.parentNode.removeChild(this); return false;" href="#">Show all</a>';
						}
					}
				}
			}	
			item += '</td></tr> \
			</table> \
			</div>' // end dsq-reaction-header
			+ '<div class="dsq-comment-body"> \
				<div class="dsq-comment-message">' + reaction.body + '</div>'
			+ '</div> \
			<div class="dsq-comment-footer"> \
				<div class="dsq-comment-footer-left"> \
				</div>'
				+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.is_moderator || Dsq.jsonData.request.is_global_moderator 
					? ' \
					<div class="dsq-comment-footer-right"> \
						<button type="button" class="dsq-button-small dsq-hide-reaction" onclick="Dsq.Reaction.hide(' + reaction.id + ')">Hide</button> \
					</div>'
					: '')
			+ '</div>'
		item += '</li>'; /* Reaction HTML ends */
		return item;
	};

	this.reactions = function() {
		var html, reaction;

		if (Dsq.jsonData.reactions === undefined || Dsq.jsonData.reactions.length === 0) {
			return '';
		}

		html = '';
		for (var i = 0; reaction = Dsq.jsonData.reactions[i]; i++) {
			var item = Dsq.Templates.generateReactionHTML(reaction);
			if (item) {
				html += item;
			}
		}

		if (Dsq.jsonData.has_more_reactions) {
			var d = Dsq.jsonData.settings.disqus_url;
			var f = Dsq.jsonData.forum.url;
			var t = Dsq.jsonData.thread.id;
			var s = Dsq.jsonData.reactions_start;
			var l = Dsq.jsonData.reactions_limit;

			var handler = 'Dsq.Utils.execScript(\'' + d + '/forums/' + f + '/more_reactions.js?t=' + t + '&s=' + s + '&l=' + l + '\', true); return false;';
			html += '<li id="dsq-show-more-reactions" class="dsq-show-more-reactions"><button type="button" class="dsq-button-small" onclick="' + handler + '">Show more reactions</button></li>';
		}

		return '<h3 id="dsq-reactions-title" class="dsq-h3-reactions">Reactions</h3><ul id="dsq-reactions" class="dsq-reactions">' + html + '</ul>';
	};
	
	this._popupGeneric = function(content) {
		return ' \
		<div class="dsq-popup-container"> \
			<table> \
				<tbody> \
					<tr> \
						<td class="dsq-popup-tl"></td><td class="dsq-popup-b"></td><td class="dsq-popup-tr"></td> \
					</tr> \
					<tr> \
						<td class="dsq-popup-b"></td> \
						<td class="dsq-popup-body"> \
							<div class="dsq-popup-content"> \
								<div class="dsq-popup-title"> \
									<button type="button" class="dsq-button-small" style="float:right" onclick="Dsq.Popup._closePopup(null, true)">Close</button>'
									+ content['header'] 
								+ '</div>'
								+ content['body']
							+ '</div> \
							<div class="powered-by"><a href="http://disqus.com/comments/">Powered by <img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/embed/disqus-logo.png" alt="Disqus Comments" style="margin-bottom:-5px" /></a></div> \
						</td> \
						<td class="dsq-popup-b"></td> \
					</tr> \
					<tr> \
						<td class="dsq-popup-bl"></td><td class="dsq-popup-b"></td><td class="dsq-popup-br"></td> \
					</tr> \
				</tbody> \
			</table> \
		</div> \
		';
	};



	
	this.chooseSubscribe = function(post_id) {

		var pid = post_id ? '-' + post_id : '';
		var menu = Dsq.$('dsq-subscribe-menu' + pid);
		
		menu.style.display = menu.style.display == 'block' ? 'none' : 'block';
		
	};
	
	this.setSubscribe = function(value, el, post_id) {

		var pid = post_id ? '-' + post_id : '';
		var input = Dsq.$('dsq-subscribe-on-post' + pid);
		var select = Dsq.$('dsq-subscribe-select' + pid);
		var menu = Dsq.$('dsq-subscribe-menu' + pid);
		
		select.innerHTML = el.innerHTML;
		input.value = value;
		this.chooseSubscribe(post_id);
	};
	
	this.getFormFields = function(post_id) {

		var fields = {};
		var pid = post_id ? '-' + post_id : '';
		var name = Dsq.$('dsq-field-name' + pid);
		var email = Dsq.$('dsq-field-email' + pid);
		var website = Dsq.$('dsq-field-website' + pid);
		var username = Dsq.$('dsq-field-username' + pid);
		var password = Dsq.$('dsq-field-password' + pid);

		fields = {
			'name': name,
			'email': email,
			'website': website,
			'username': username,
			'password': password
		}
		
		return fields;
	}
	
	this.validateFields = function(post_id) {
		
		if(Dsq.jsonData.request.is_authenticated) { return true; }
		
		var fields = Dsq.Templates.getFormFields(post_id);
		
		var nameField = fields.name;
		var websiteField = fields.website;
		var emailField = fields.email;
		
		websiteField.value = (websiteField.value == Dsq.Templates.placeholder['website']) ? '' : websiteField.value;
		
		var v = [{

			validator: Dsq.Validators.name,
			value: nameField.value
		}, {

			validator: Dsq.Validators.email,
			value: emailField.value
		}, {

			validator: Dsq.Validators.url,
			value: websiteField.value
		}];
		
		return Dsq.Validators.validate(v, function(e) { Dsq.Popup.popModal(e, 'Oops...') } );
	};
	
	this.checkExistingUser = function(post_id) {
		var fields = Dsq.Templates.getFormFields(post_id);		
		Dsq.Popup.loading(post_id);
		
		if (post_id) {
			Dsq.frames['reply_' + post_id].getUserByEmail(fields.email.value);
		} else {
			Dsq.frames['reply_0'].getUserByEmail(fields.email.value);
		}
	};

	this.validateAuth = function(el_clicked, post_id, auth_choice) {
		var fields = Dsq.Templates.getFormFields(post_id);
		var email = fields.email ? fields.email.value : '';
		var username = fields.username ? fields.username.value : '';
		var password = fields.password ? fields.password.value : '';
		
		Dsq.Templates.setLoadingButton(el_clicked, post_id);
		
		if (post_id) {
			Dsq.frames['reply_' + post_id].validateAuth(auth_choice, email, username, password);
		} else {
			Dsq.frames['reply_0'].validateAuth(auth_choice, email, username, password);
		}
	};

	this.lightboxUpdateEmail = function(post_id, new_email) {
		var fields = Dsq.Templates.getFormFields(post_id);
		fields.email.value = new_email;
	};

	this.lightboxAuthenticate = function(post_id, auth_choice, auth_data) {
		var title, body;
		var pid = post_id ? '-' + post_id : '';

		if(typeof(auth_data) == 'undefined') {
			var auth_data = Dsq.Templates.getFormFields(post_id);
		}

		d = auth_data;

		switch(auth_choice) {
			case 'register':
				var suggestedUsername = d.name.value.replace(/[^a-zA-Z0-9-]/g,'').toLowerCase();
			
				title = Dsq.jsonData.forum.allow_anon_post ? 'Optional:' : 'Required:';
				title += ' Register a <img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/embed/disqus-profile.png" alt=Disqus Profile" />';

				body = ' \
				<ul class="dsq-lightbox-register-reasons"> \
				<li>Verify your comments</li> \
				<li>Edit and delete comments</li> \
				<li>Manage comments and replies</li> \
				</ul> \
				';

				body += ' \
				<div class="dsq-lightbox-auth-fields"> \
					<table> \
						<tr> \
							<td>Email</td> \
							<td><input type="text" value="' + d.email.value + '" onchange="Dsq.Templates.lightboxUpdateEmail(' + post_id + ', this.value)" /><div id="dsq-email-errors' + pid + '"></div></td> \
						</tr> \
						<tr> \
							<td>Username</td> \
							<td><input id="dsq-field-username' + pid + '" type="text" value="' + suggestedUsername + '"/><div id="dsq-username-errors' + pid + '"></div></td> \
						</tr> \
						<tr> \
							<td>Password</td> \
							<td><input id="dsq-field-password' + pid + '" type="password" /><div id="dsq-password-errors' + pid + '"></div></td> \
						</tr> \
					</table> \
					<div class="dsq-lightbox-switch-auth"><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Templates.lightboxAuthenticate(' + post_id + ',\'login\'); return false">Login instead</a></div> \
				</div> \
				<div id="dsq-lightbox-errors' + pid + '" class="dsq-lightbox-errors"></div> \
				<div class="dsq-lightbox-submit"> \
					<div class="dsq-lightbox-auth-post"><button type="button" class="dsq-button" onclick="Dsq.Templates.validateAuth(this, ' + post_id + ',\'' + auth_choice + '\')">Register and Post comment</button></div>'
					+ (Dsq.jsonData.forum.allow_anon_post
						? '<div class="dsq-lightbox-auth-skip"><button type="button" class="dsq-button-small" onclick="Dsq.Templates.postComment(' + post_id + ', this, true)">Just post as a Guest</button></div>'
						: '')
				+ '</div> \
				';
				break;
			case 'login':
				title = Dsq.jsonData.forum.allow_anon_post ? 'Optional:' : 'Required:';
				title += ' Login to your <img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/embed/disqus-profile.png" alt=Disqus Profile" />';
				body = '';
				
				if(d.avatar_url) {
					body += '<div class="dsq-lightbox-recognized"><table><tr>';
					body += '<td><img src="' + d.avatar_url + '" alt="" /></td>';
					body += '<td><span class="dsq-badge ' + (d.verified ? 'dsq-badge-verified' : 'dsq-badge-registered') + '">' + (d.verified ? 'Verified' : 'Registered') + '</span></td>';
					body += '<td>Hey <strong>' + d.display_name + '</strong>, is that you? Login below to claim this comment.';
					body += '</tr></table></div>';
				}

				body += ' \
				<div class="dsq-lightbox-auth-fields"> \
					<table> \
						<tr> \
							<td>Username or Email</td> \
							<td><input id="dsq-field-username' + pid + '" type="text" value="' + (d.avatar_url ? d.username : '') + '" /></td> \
						</tr> \
						<tr> \
							<td>Password <a href="http://disqus.com/forgot" target="_blank">(cannot log in?)</a></td> \
							<td><input id="dsq-field-password' + pid + '" type="password" /></td> \
						</tr> \
					</table> \
					<div class="dsq-lightbox-switch-auth"><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Templates.lightboxAuthenticate(' + post_id + ',\'register\'); return false">Register instead</a></div> \
				</div> \
				<div id="dsq-lightbox-errors' + pid + '" class="dsq-lightbox-errors"></div> \
				<div class="dsq-lightbox-submit"> \
					<div class="dsq-lightbox-auth-post"><button type="button" class="dsq-button" onclick="Dsq.Templates.validateAuth(this, ' + post_id + ',\'' + auth_choice + '\')">Login and Post comment</button></div>'
					+ (Dsq.jsonData.forum.allow_anon_post
						? '<div class="dsq-lightbox-auth-skip"><button type="button" class="dsq-button-small" onclick="Dsq.Templates.postComment(' + post_id + ', this, true)">Just post as a Guest</button></div>'
						: '')
				+ '</div> \
				';
				break;
			default:
				break;
		}
		Dsq.Popup.lightbox(body, title, post_id);
		Dsq.$('dsq-field-username' + pid).focus();
	};
	
	this.buttonsToRestore = [];
	this.setLoadingButton = function(btn, post_id) {
		var pid = post_id ? '-' + post_id : '';
		if (btn) {

			var loadingBtn = document.createElement('button');
			loadingBtn.id = btn.id + '-loading';
			loadingBtn.innerHTML = '<img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/loading-lite.gif" alt="" /> ' + Dsq.Strings.JUST_A_MOMENT;
			loadingBtn.className = btn.className + ' dsq-post-loading';
			btn.parentNode.appendChild(loadingBtn);
			btn.style.display = 'none';
			var cancelBtn = Dsq.$('dsq-cancel-button' + pid);
			if(cancelBtn) { cancelBtn.style.display = 'none'; this.buttonsToRestore.push(cancelBtn); }
			this.buttonsToRestore.push(btn);
		} else {

			var buttons = this.buttonsToRestore;
			for(var i = 0; i < buttons.length; i++) {
				buttons[i].style.display = 'inline';
				Dsq.Utils.deleteNode(Dsq.$(buttons[i].id + '-loading'));
			}
		}
		
	};

	this.postComment = function(post_id, el_clicked, force, auth_choice) {
		var append_id = post_id ? '-' + post_id : '';
		var fields = Dsq.Templates.getFormFields(post_id);

		if (Dsq.Templates.validateFields(post_id)) {

			if (!Dsq.jsonData.request.is_authenticated && !force &&
				((!Dsq.Utils.readCookie('skipped_auth') && !disqus_skip_auth && !Dsq.jsonData.forum.disqus_auth_disabled) || !Dsq.jsonData.forum.allow_anon_post)) {
				Dsq.Templates.checkExistingUser(post_id);
				return false;
			}
			var params = [];
			if (!Dsq.jsonData.request.is_authenticated) {
				params.push(fields.name.value,
					fields.email.value,
					fields.website.value);

				if (auth_choice == 'login' || auth_choice == 'register') {
					params.push({
						auth_choice: auth_choice,
						username: fields.username.value,
						password: fields.password.value,
						email: fields.email.value
					});
				} else {
					params.push(null);
				}

				params.push(null /* sharing options */, Dsq.$('dsq-subscribe-on-post' + append_id).value);
			} else {
				var service_checked = function(name) {
					var el = Dsq.$('dsq-sharing-' + name + append_id);
					return (el !== null && el.checked === true) ? '1' : '0';
				};
				params.push(null, null, null, null, {
					tw: service_checked('twitter'),
					fb: service_checked('facebook'),
					tr: service_checked('tumblr'),
					wp: service_checked('wordpress'),
					mt: service_checked('movabletype'),
					tp: service_checked('typepad'),
					yh: service_checked('yahoo')
				});
			}

			var frame = Dsq.frames['reply_' + (post_id ? post_id : 0)];
			frame.post.apply(frame, params);

			if (el_clicked) {
				Dsq.Templates.setLoadingButton(el_clicked, post_id);
			}
			
			if (force) {
				Dsq.Utils.createCookie('skipped_auth', true);	
			}
			
		} else {
			return false;
		}
	};

	this.editComment = function(el_clicked, post_id) {
		var edited_message = Dsq.$('dsq-edit-textarea-' + post_id).value;

		Dsq.Templates.setLoadingButton(el_clicked, post_id);
		Dsq.frames['edit_' + post_id].edit(post_id, edited_message);
	};

	this.toggleEdit = function(post_id) {
		var body = Dsq.$('dsq-comment-body-' + post_id);
		var message = Dsq.$('dsq-comment-message-' + post_id);

		if (!Dsq.Post.stateEditToggled[post_id]) {


			message.style.display = 'none';
			if (Dsq.$('dsq-edit-' + post_id)) {
				Dsq.$('dsq-edit-' + post_id).style.display = 'block';
			} else {

				var edit_area = document.createElement('div');
				edit_area.id = 'dsq-edit-' + post_id;
				edit_area.className = 'dsq-edit dsq-textarea';
				edit_area.innerHTML = ' \
				<div class="dsq-textarea-wrapper"> \
					<textarea class="dsq-edit-textarea" id="dsq-edit-textarea-' + post_id + '">' + message.innerHTML + '</textarea> \
				</div> \
				<div class="dsq-save-edit"> \
					<button type="button" onclick="Dsq.Templates.editComment(this, ' + post_id + ')" class="dsq-button-small">Save Edit</button> \
				</div> \
				<div id="dsq-edit-iframe-' + post_id + '" style="display: none"></div> \
				';

				body.appendChild(edit_area);

				if (!Dsq.frames['edit_' + post_id]) {
					var _meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id];
					Dsq.frames['edit_' + post_id] = new Dsq.ReplyFrame(Dsq.$('dsq-edit-iframe-' + post_id), post_id);
					Dsq.frames['edit_' + post_id].init();
					Dsq.frames['edit_' + post_id].setState(post_id, _meta.depth);
				}
			}
		} else {

			message.style.display = 'block';
			Dsq.$('dsq-edit-' + post_id).style.display = 'none';
		}
		
		Dsq.Post.stateEditToggled[post_id] = !Dsq.Post.stateEditToggled[post_id];
	};
	
	this.edit = function(el, post_id) {

		Dsq.Templates.toggleEdit(post_id);
	};

	this.toggleReply = function(post_id, button) {
		
		if(!this.stateReplyToggled[post_id]) {

			if (Dsq.$('dsq-reply-post-' + post_id)) {
				Dsq.$('dsq-append-post-' + post_id).style.display = 'block';
			} else {
				Dsq.$('dsq-append-post-' + post_id).innerHTML = Dsq.Templates.postBox(post_id);
				var container = Dsq.$('dsq-textarea-wrapper-' + post_id);
				if (!Dsq.frames['reply_' + post_id] && container) {
					var _meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id];
					Dsq.frames['reply_' + post_id] = new Dsq.ReplyFrame(container, post_id);
					Dsq.frames['reply_' + post_id].init(function() {

						Dsq.$('dsq-append-post-' + post_id).innerHTML = Dsq.Templates.postBox(post_id, true);
						Dsq.$('dsq-form-area-' + post_id).innerHTML = '';

						var theme = (typeof disqus_frame_theme == 'undefined') ? 'default' : disqus_frame_theme;
						Dsq.Iframes.showReplyIframeInContainer(Dsq.$('dsq-form-area-' + post_id), post_id, {theme: theme});

					});
					Dsq.frames['reply_' + post_id].setState(post_id, _meta.depth);
				}
			}
			Dsq.$('dsq-append-post-' + post_id).className = 'dsq-append-post';
			Dsq.$('dsq-comment-footer-reply-' + post_id).className = 'dsq-comment-footer-reply-active';
			
		} else {

			Dsq.$('dsq-append-post-' + post_id).style.display = 'none';
			Dsq.$('dsq-append-post-' + post_id).className = '';
			Dsq.$('dsq-comment-footer-reply-' + post_id).className = 'dsq-comment-footer-reply';
		}
		
		this.stateReplyToggled[post_id] = !this.stateReplyToggled[post_id];

		if(Dsq.Utils.ie && this.stateReplyToggled[post_id]) {

		}

		Dsq.Events.fire(Dsq.Events.REPLY_IFRAME_TOGGLED, {
			postId: post_id,
			opened: this.stateReplyToggled[post_id]
		});
	};
	
	this.moderateOptions = function(post_id) {
		var _meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id];
		var userData = Dsq.jsonData['users'][_meta.user_key];
		
		if(!Dsq.jsonData.request.is_moderator && !Dsq.jsonData.request.is_global_moderator) { return false; }

		var html;
		
		html = ' \
		<div class="dsq-moderate-options"> \
		<table>'
		+ (_meta.email ? '<tr><td>Email</td><td>' + _meta.email + '</td></tr>' : '')
		+ (_meta.ip ? '<tr><td>IP address</td><td>' + _meta.ip + '</td></tr>' : '')
		+ '<tr> \
			<td>Actions</td> \
			<td><ul>'
			+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.moderator_can_edit
				? '<li><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Post.edit(this, ' + post_id + '); Dsq.Popup._closePopup(null, true); return false;">Edit Comment</a></li>'
				: '')
			+ '<li><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Post.removePost(' + post_id + ', 1); Dsq.Popup._closePopup(null, true); return false;">Delete Comment</a></li> \
			<li><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Post.reportSpam(' + post_id + '); Dsq.Popup._closePopup(null, true); return false;">Mark Spam</a></li> \
			<li><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Popup.blacklist(' + post_id + '); return false">Block User</a></li> \
			</ul></td> \
			</table> \
		</div> \
		';
		
		html += '<p>Go to the full <a href="http://disqus.com/comments/moderate/" target="_blank">moderate panel</a> for more options.</p>';
		
		return Dsq.Popup.popModal(html, 'Moderate Options', post_id);
	};
	
	this.placeholder = {
		'class': 'dsq-placeholder',
		'name': Dsq.Strings.NAME,
		'email': Dsq.Strings.EMAIL,
		'website': Dsq.Strings.WEBSITE + ' (' + Dsq.Strings.OPTIONAL.toLowerCase() + ')'
	};
	
	this.handlePlaceholder = function(evt, el, key) {
		var placeholder = Dsq.Templates.placeholder[key];
		var className = Dsq.Templates.placeholder['class'];
		
		switch(evt.type) {
			case 'focus':
				if(el.value == placeholder) {
					el.value = '';
					el.className = '';
				}
				break;

			case 'blur':
				if(el.value == '') {
					el.value = placeholder;
					el.className = className;
				}
				break;
			default:
				break;
		}
	};
	
	this.paginate = function(page, el_clicked) {

		var extra_params = '';

		if(typeof disqus_per_page != 'undefined') {
			extra_params += '&per_page=' + disqus_per_page;
		}
		if(typeof disqus_sort != 'undefined') {
			extra_params += '&sort=' + disqus_sort;
		}

		Dsq.$('dsq-pagination').innerHTML += '<img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/loading-small.gif">';
		
		if(el_clicked) {
			Dsq.Templates.setLoadingButton(el_clicked);
		}
		
		Dsq.Utils.execScript('http://disqus.com/forums/scobleizer/thread.js'
			+ '?slug='	+ 'hdtv_will_make_soccer_a_lot_more_popular_in_america'
			+ '&p='		+ page
			+ extra_params);
	};
	
	
	this.rate = function(el, id, vote) {


		if(Dsq.jsonData.request.is_authenticated || Dsq.jsonData.forum.allow_anon_votes) {
			if(vote == 1) {
				Dsq.$('dsq-like-' + id).innerHTML = '<img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/loading-small.gif">';
			}
			Dsq.Utils.execScript('http://disqus.com/forums/scobleizer/vote.js'
				+ '?post_id='    + id
				+ '&vote='        + vote);
		} else {
			Dsq.Popup.login('To rate, please log in');
		}
	};

	this.voted = function(post_id, points, vote) {

		Dsq.$('dsq-like-pts-' + post_id).innerHTML = points + Dsq.Utils.pluralize(points, ' person', ' people') + ' liked this.';

		if(vote) {
			Dsq.$('dsq-like-' + post_id).innerHTML = 'You liked this.&nbsp;&nbsp;';
		}
	};




	this.postComment_onSuccess = function(response, parent_post_id, post_id) {
		var approved = response.message.post_meta.approved;

		if (parent_post_id) {
			Dsq.Post.toggleReply(parent_post_id);
		}

		Dsq.Popup._closePopup(null, true);
		
		if (approved) {
			Dsq.Post.incrementPostCount();
			Dsq.Post.outlineComment(post_id);
		} else {			
			var unapproved_msg = 'Thanks for posting!\
	 Your comment must be approved by a moderator before appearing here.\
			';
			Dsq.Popup.popModal(unapproved_msg, 'Comment awaiting approval', post_id);
		}

		var sharing_results = response.message.sharing_results;
		var sharing_errors = '';
		for (var service in sharing_results) {
			if (sharing_results.hasOwnProperty(service) === true) {
				if (sharing_results[service].error === true) {
					sharing_errors += service + ', ';
				}
			}
		}

		if (sharing_results.facebook && sharing_results.facebook.callback) {
			FB.ensureInit(function() {
				FB.Connect.streamPublish('', sharing_results.facebook.attachment);
			});
		}

		if (sharing_errors !== '') {
			var message = 'Your comment was posted, but there were errors sharing with the following connections: ';
			message += sharing_errors.replace(/,\s$/, '');
			message += '<p><a href="' + Dsq.jsonData.settings.disqus_url + '/profile/connections" target="_blank">Configure your connections here</a></p>'
			Dsq.Popup.popModal(message, 'Sharing options');
		}

		Dsq.Templates.setLoadingButton(false);
	};

	this.postComment_onFailure = function(response, parent_post_id, post_id) {

		Dsq.Templates.setLoadingButton(false);
	};
};




// TODO: It might be faster to use string methods to find all <li (...) </li> blocks and pass to Dsq.PostHandler manually.
Dsq.CommentsHandler = function(str, head, post_id, content, tail, offset, s) {
	var prepend_post = Dsq.Templates.prependPost(post_id);
	var append_post = Dsq.Templates.appendPost(post_id);

	content = content.replace(Dsq.POST_RE, Dsq.PostHandler);
	Dsq.Templates.postLoopCounter++;
	head = Dsq.Templates.Filters.commentContainer(post_id, head);
	return prepend_post + head + content + tail + append_post;
};

Dsq.PostHandler = function(str, h_head, post_id, h_content, h_tail, b_head, b_content, b_tail, offset, s) {
	var prepend_header = Dsq.Templates.postPrependHeader(post_id);
	var append_header = Dsq.Templates.postAppendHeader(post_id);
	var prepend_body = Dsq.Templates.preBody(post_id);
	var append_body = Dsq.Templates.postBody(post_id);
	var append_footer = Dsq.Templates.postFooter(post_id);

	b_content = b_content.replace(Dsq.POST_BODY_RE, Dsq.PostBodyHandler);
	return h_head + prepend_header + h_content + append_header + h_tail + b_head + prepend_body + b_content + append_body + b_tail + append_footer;
};

Dsq.PostBodyHandler = function(str, head, post_id, content, tail, offset, s) {
	content = Dsq.Templates.Filters.commentContent(post_id, content);
	return head + content + tail;
};

Dsq.MediaPostHandler = function(str, args, offset, s) {
	args = args.split(' ');
	if(args[0] == 'seesmic') {
		return '<br />' + Dsq.Templates.mediaSeesmic(args[1], args[2]);
	}
	return '';
};


/**
 * Shorcuts
 */
Dsq.$ = function(element) { return document.getElementById(element); };
Dsq.$b = document.body || document.getElementsByTagName('body')[0];


/**
 * Dsq.Debug: Logging functions.
 */

Dsq.Debug = new function() {this.log=function(s){};this.profile=function(f){if(typeof f == 'function')return f();else return eval(f);};};


/**
 * Dsq.Urls: URL paths
 */
Dsq.Urls = new function() {
	this.LOGIN = '/profile/login/';
	this.LOGOUT = '/logout/';
	this.REPLY = 'http://scobleizer.disqus.com/hdtv_will_make_soccer_a_lot_more_popular_in_america/reply.html';
	this.REQUEST_USER_PROFILE = '/AnonymousUser/';
	this.REQUEST_USER_AVATAR = 'http://media.disqus.com/images/noavatar92.png';
};
// Dsq.Urls

/**
 * Dsq.Validators: Validation for form fields
 */
Dsq.Validators = new function() {
	this.VALID_EMAIL_RE = /^[a-z0-9\-\_\+]+(\.[a-z0-9\-\_\+]+)*\@(([a-z0-9\-\_\+]+(\.[a-z0-9\-\_\+]+)*)+\.[a-z]{2,}|([0-9]+\.){3}[0-9]+)$/i;
	this.name = function(name) {
		var error = false;

		if(typeof Dsq.Templates.placeholder !== 'undefined' &&
		   name == Dsq.Templates.placeholder.name) {
			error = true;
		}
		if(name.length <= 1) {
			error = true;
		}

		if(error) {
			return "Please enter a name to comment.";
		} else {
			return true;
		}
	};
	this.email = function(addr) {
		if(Dsq.Validators.VALID_EMAIL_RE.test(addr)) {
			return true;
		} else {
			return "Please enter a valid email to comment.";
		}
	};
	this.url = function(addr) {
		if(!addr || addr.indexOf('.') != -1) {
			return true;
		} else {
			return "Please check your website URL (this field is optional).";
		}
	};

	this.validate = function(bulk_validation, failure_callback) {
		failure_callback = failure_callback || function(e){ alert(e); };

		for(var i = 0; i < bulk_validation.length; i++) {
			v = bulk_validation[i];
			ret = v.validator(v.value);
			if(ret !== true) {
				failure_callback(ret);
				return false;
			}
		}
		return true;
	};
};

/**
 * Dsq.Utils: Generic utility functions.
 */
Dsq.Utils = new function() {
	this.ie = /msie/i.test(navigator.userAgent) && !/opera/i.test(navigator.userAgent);
	this.ie7 = (document.all && !window.opera && window.XMLHttpRequest) ? true : false;
	this.ie6 = (!window.XMLHttpRequest) ? true: false;
	this.webkit = navigator.userAgent.indexOf('AppleWebKit/') >= 0;
	this.gebiFromElementCollectionCache = {};
	this._styleSheet = null;

	this.gebiFromElement = function(el, id, tag) {
		// This only method only helps IE.
		if(!this.ie) {
			return Dsq.$(id);
		} else {
			var cacheKey = el.id + '-' + tag;
			tag = tag || 'div';
			if(typeof this.gebiFromElementCollectionCache[cacheKey] != 'undefined') {
				collection = this.gebiFromElementCollectionCache[cacheKey];
			} else {
				collection = el.getElementsByTagName(tag);
				this.gebiFromElementCollectionCache[cacheKey] = collection;
			}

			for(var i = 0; i < collection.length; i++) {
				if(collection[i].id == id) {
					return collection[i];
				}
			}
			return null;
		}
	};

	this.execOnReady = function(func) {
		var node = document.createElement('document:ready');
		try {
			node.doScroll('left');
			func();
			node = null;
		} catch(err) {
			setTimeout(function() { Dsq.Utils.execOnReady(func); }, 10);
		}
	};


	// Courtesy of http://www.quirksmode.org/js/cookies.html
	this.createCookie = function(name,value,days) {
		if (days) {
			var date = new Date();
			date.setTime(date.getTime()+(days*24*60*60*1000));
			var expires = "; expires="+date.toGMTString();
		}
		else var expires = "";
		document.cookie = name+"="+value+expires+"; path=/";
	};

	this.readCookie = function(name) {
		var nameEQ = name + "=";
		var ca = document.cookie.split(';');
		for(var i=0;i < ca.length;i++) {
			var c = ca[i];
			while (c.charAt(0)==' ') c = c.substring(1,c.length);
			if (c.indexOf(nameEQ) == 0) return c.substring(nameEQ.length,c.length);
		}
		return null;
	};

	this.eraseCookie = function(name) {
		Dsq.Utils.createCookie(name,"",-1);
	};

	this.deleteNode = function(node) {
		if(node) {
			this.deleteChildren(node);
			if(typeof node.outerHTML != 'undefined') { node.outerHTML = ''; }
			else if(node.parentNode) { node.parentNode.removeChild(node); }
			delete node;
		}
	};

	this.deleteChildren = function(node) {
		if(node) {
			for(var x = node.childNodes.length-1; x >= 0; x--) {
				var childNode = node.childNodes[x];
				if(childNode.hasChildNodes()) { this.deleteChildren(childNode); }
				if(typeof childNode.outerHTML != 'undefined') { childNode.outerHTML = ''; }
				else node.removeChild(childNode);
				delete childNode;
			}
		}
	};

	this.findPos = function(obj) {
		var curleft = 0;
		var curtop = 0;
		if (obj.offsetParent) {
			do {
				curleft += obj.offsetLeft;
				curtop += obj.offsetTop;
			} while (obj = obj.offsetParent);
		}
		return [curleft,curtop];
	};

	this.getWindowSize = function() {
		var windowWidth = -1;
		var windowHeight = -1;

		if(typeof(window.innerWidth) == 'number') { //Non-IE
			windowWidth = window.innerWidth;
			windowHeight = window.innerHeight;
		} else if(document.documentElement) { // IE 6+ in 'standards compliant mode'
			windowWidth = document.documentElement.clientWidth || document.body.clientWidth;
			windowHeight = document.documentElement.clientHeight || document.body.clientHeight;
		}

		return [windowWidth, windowHeight];
	}

	this.getScrollPos = function() {
		var scrollWidth, scrollTop;

		if(document.documentElement && (document.documentElement.scrollTop || document.documentElement.scrollWidth)) {
			scrollWidth = document.documentElement.scrollWidth;
			// IE is weird here.  If no doctype is provided, document.body.scrollTop is 0,
			// otherwise document.documentElement.scrollTop is 0.
			scrollTop = document.documentElement.scrollTop || document.body.scrollTop;
		} else if(document.body.scrollTop && document.body.scrollWidth) {
			scrollWidth = document.body.scrollWidth;
			scrollTop = document.body.scrollTop;
		}

		return [scrollWidth, scrollTop];
	}

	this.addEventListener = function(instance, eventName, listener) {
		var listenerFn = listener;
		if (instance.addEventListener) {
			instance.addEventListener(eventName, listenerFn, false);
		} else if (instance.attachEvent) {
			listenerFn = function() {
				listener(window.event);
			};
			instance.attachEvent("on" + eventName, listenerFn);
		} else {
			throw new Error("Event registration not supported");
		}
		return {
			instance: instance,
			name: eventName,
			listener: listenerFn
		};
	};

	this.removeEventListener = function(event) {
		var instance = event.instance;
		if (instance.removeEventListener) {
			instance.removeEventListener(event.name, event.listener, false);
		} else if (instance.detachEvent) {
			instance.detachEvent("on" + event.name, event.listener);
		}
	};

	this.fixIframesIE = function(id) {
		var disqusThread = Dsq.$(disqus_container_id);
		var iframes = disqusThread.getElementsByTagName('iframe');

		if(id) {
			var container = Dsq.$(id);
		} else {
			var container = Dsq.$('dsq-content');
		}

		for(i = 0; i < iframes.length; i++) {
			if (container) {
				iframes[i].style.width = container.offsetWidth;
			}
		}
	};

	this.getElementsByClassName = function(oElm, strTagName, strClassName) {
	/* Credit: Jonathan Snook [http://www.snook.ca/jonathan], Robert Nyman [http://www.robertnyman.com] */
		var arrElements = (strTagName == "*" && oElm.all)? oElm.all : oElm.getElementsByTagName(strTagName);
		var arrReturnElements = new Array();
		strClassName = strClassName.replace(/\-/g, "\\-");
		var oRegExp = new RegExp("(^|\\s)" + strClassName + "(\\s|$)");
		var oElement;
		for(var i = 0; i < arrElements.length; i++) {
			oElement = arrElements[i];
			if(oRegExp.test(oElement.className)) {
				arrReturnElements.push(oElement);
			}
		}
		return (arrReturnElements);
	};

	this.postToUrl = function(url, post_data, opt_redirect) {
		var form = document.createElement('form');
		var iframe_container = document.createElement('div');
		var id = 'dsq-temp-iframe-' + (new Date()).getTime();

		form.method = 'POST';
		form.action = url;
		if (!opt_redirect) {
			form.target = id;
		}
		iframe_container.innerHTML = '<iframe style="display:none" name="' + id + '" id="' + id + '"></iframe>';

		for(var key in post_data) {
			if(post_data.hasOwnProperty(key)) {
				var input = document.createElement('input');
				input.name = key;
				input.type = 'hidden';
				input.value = post_data[key];

				form.appendChild(input);
			}
		}

		Dsq.$b.appendChild(iframe_container);
		Dsq.$b.appendChild(form);
		form.submit();
	};

	// Strips integer id from id of element in the form ('some-id-###')
	this.extractId = function(e) {
		var chunks = e.id.split('-');
		if(chunks.length <= 1) {
			return 0;
		} else {
			var retval = parseInt(chunks[chunks.length-1]);
			return !isNaN(retval) ? retval : null;
		}
	};

	this.getStyle = function(el, styleProp) {
		if(el.currentStyle) {
			var y = el.currentStyle[styleProp];
		} else if(window.getComputedStyle) {
			var y = document.defaultView.getComputedStyle(el, null).getPropertyValue(styleProp);
		}

		if(y == 'transparent' || y == '') {
			this.getStyle(el.parentNode, styleProp);
		} else {
			return y;
		}
	};

	this.execScript = function(url, append_qs, container) {
		var script = document.createElement('script');
		append_qs = typeof append_qs == 'undefined' ? true : append_qs;
		container = container || Dsq.container;

		if(append_qs) {
			var j = (url.indexOf('?') >= 0) ? '&' : '?';
			url += j + (new Date()).getTime();
		}
		script.type = 'text/javascript';
		script.charset = 'UTF-8';
		script.src = url;
		container.appendChild(script);
		return script;
	};

	this.pluralize = function(num, singular, plural) {
		return (num != 1) ? plural || 's' : singular || '';
	};

	this.getRequestParams = function(queryString /* optional */) {
		var pairs, tuple;
		var params = {};

		queryString = queryString || window.location.search.substring(1);
		pairs = queryString.split('&');

		for (var i = 0, pair; pair = pairs[i]; i++) {
			tuple = pair.split('=');
			params[tuple[0]] = (tuple[1] || true);
		}

		return params;
	};

	this.addCssRule = function(selector, styleText, index) {
		var stylesheet;
		index = index || 0;

		if(!this._styleSheet) {
			var styleEl = document.createElement('style');
			document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0].appendChild(styleEl);
			this._styleSheet = styleEl.sheet;
			if(!this._styleSheet) {
				// IE does not like our newly created stylesheet.
				this._styleSheet = document.styleSheets[document.styleSheets.length-1];
			}
		}
		stylesheet = this._styleSheet;

		if(stylesheet.insertRule) {
			var ruleText = selector + ' { ' + styleText + ' }';
			if(index == -1) {
				index = stylesheet.cssRules.length;
			}
			stylesheet.insertRule(ruleText, index);
		} else if(stylesheet.addRule) {
			stylesheet.addRule(selector, styleText, index);
		}
	};

	this.forEachIn = function(obj, callback) {
		for(var key in obj) {
			if(obj.hasOwnProperty(key)) {
				callback(key, obj[key]);
			}
		}
	};

	this._interpolateGlobalContext = {
		// values that get used a lot and are global to the request
		'profile_url': Dsq.Urls.REQUEST_USER_PROFILE,

		'disqus_url': Dsq.jsonData.settings.disqus_url,
		'media_url': Dsq.jsonData.settings.media_url,
		'request_username': Dsq.jsonData.request.username,
		'request_display_username': Dsq.jsonData.request.display_username,
		'forum_name': Dsq.jsonData.forum.name
	};

	this.renderFromContextStack = function(key, contexts) {
		// Returns the first instance of `key` in the array of objects `contexts` or else ''
		for (var i=0; i<contexts.length; i++) {
			if (contexts[i][key] !== undefined) {
				return String(contexts[i][key]);
			}
		}
		throw new Error('key ' + key + ' not found in context');
	};

	var that = this;
	this.interpolate = function(fmt, opt_localContext) {
		// Interpolate `fmt` named-format string with an assumed global context.
		// Based on `interpolate` in django.views.i18n
		var contextStack = [opt_localContext || {}, that._interpolateGlobalContext];
		return fmt.replace(/%\(\w+\)s/g, function(match){
			return that.renderFromContextStack(match.slice(2,-2), contextStack);
		});
	};

	this.stripTags = function(s) {
		// Removes HTML tags from `s`
		return s.replace(/(<([^>]+)>)/g,"");

	};

	this.assert = function(b) {
		if (!b) {
			throw new Error('Assertion error.');
		}
	};

};
// Dsq.Utils

/**
 * Dsq.Popup: Popup helper functions.
 */
Dsq.Popup = new function() {
	this.timeHide = new Array();
	this.timeShow = new Array();
	this.activePopup = {};
	this.profileCache = {};
	this.statusCache = {};

	this.showTimer = function(post_id) {
		// clear the hide timer
		clearTimeout(this.timeHide[post_id]);

		// start the timer
		if(!Dsq.Popup.profileIsOn && !Dsq.Thread.adminIsOn) {
			this.timeShow[post_id] = setTimeout("Dsq.Popup.popProfile(\"" + post_id + "\")", 400);
		}
	};

	this.hideTimer = function(post_id) {
		// clear the show timer
		clearTimeout(this.timeShow[post_id]);
	};

	this.updateProfile = function(username) {
		// Callback from /embed/profile.js
		if (this.statusCache[username]) {
			var statusEl = Dsq.$('dsq-profile-status-' + username);
			statusEl.innerHTML = this.statusCache[username];
			statusEl.style.display = 'block';
		}

		if (this.profileCache[username]) {
			var _cache = this.profileCache[username];

			var _genhtml = function(text) { return '<span><big>' + text + '</big></span>'; };
			var _no_comments = _genhtml(Dsq.FmtStrings.NUMBER_OF_COMMENTS(_cache.comments_count));
			var _no_likes = _genhtml(Dsq.FmtStrings.NUMBER_OF_LIKES(_cache.likes_count));
			var _no_points = _genhtml(Dsq.FmtStrings.NUMBER_OF_POINTS(_cache.points));

			var statsEl = Dsq.$('dsq-popup-profile-user-stats-' + username);
			statsEl.innerHTML = '';

			if (Dsq.jsonData.users[username].registered) {
				statsEl.innerHTML = _no_comments + _no_likes;
			}
			statsEl.innerHTML += _no_points;

			var activeSites = '';
			for (var i = 0; i < _cache.active_sites.length; i++) {
				var site = _cache.active_sites[i];
				activeSites += '<li><a href="' + site.url + '"> \
					<img src="' + site.favicon + '"/ width="16" height="16"/></a>\
					<a href="' + site.url + '">' + site.name + '</a></li>';
			}
			if (activeSites !== '') {
				Dsq.$('dsq-popup-profile-active-sites-' + username).innerHTML = activeSites;
			} else {
				Dsq.$('dsq-popup-profile-active-sites-' + username).innerHTML = 'This site.';
			}

			var moderatedSites = '';
			for (var i = 0; i < _cache.moderated_sites.length; i++) {
				var site = _cache.moderated_sites[i];
				moderatedSites += '<li><a href="' + site.url + '"> \
					<img src="' + site.favicon + '"/ width="16" height="16"/></a>\
					<a href="' + site.url + '">' + site.name + '</a></li>';
			}
			if (moderatedSites !== '') {
				Dsq.$('dsq-popup-profile-moderated-' + username).innerHTML = moderatedSites;
			} else {
				Dsq.$('dsq-popup-profile-moderated-wrapper-' + username).innerHTML = '';
			}
		}

		// Reposition popup after full HTML is rendered
		if(Dsq.Popup.activePopup && Dsq.Popup.activePopup.el) {
			Dsq.Popup.initPopup(Dsq.Popup.activePopup.el, Dsq.Popup.activePopup.id, Dsq.Popup.activePopup.type);
		}

	};

	this.showCookieMsgs = function() {
		var title = '';
		var message = '';
		var numAlerts = 0;

		Dsq.Utils.forEachIn(Dsq.jsonData.cookie_messages, function(k, v) {
			if (!v) return;

			switch(k) {
				// Cookie: Twitter
				case 'post_twitter':
					if (v === 'error') {
						title = 'Twitter Error!';
						message += '<li id="dsq-msg-twitter-error">Oops, we couldn\'t tweet this comment. Please check your <a href="http://disqus.com/account/services">account settings</a>.</li>';
					} else {
						var _msg = v.split(':');
						title = 'Tweeted!';
						message += '<li id="dsq-msg-twitter-success">Your comment was successfully tweeted. <a href="http://twitter.com/' + _msg[0] + '/status/' + _msg[1] + '">Click here to view the tweet</a>.</li>';
					}
					break;
				// Cookie: Unapproved Post
				case 'post_not_approved':
					title = 'Comment awaiting approval by a moderator';
					message += '<li id="dsq-msg-post-not-approved">Your comment must be approved by a moderator before appearing here.</li>';
					break;
				// Cookie: Profile Found
				case 'post_has_profile':
					title = 'Use your existing commenter profile';
					message += '<li id="dsq-msg-post-has-profile">You have just posted your commment as a <span class="dsq-badge-guest">Guest</span>, but you may already have a <span class="logo-disqus">Disqus</span> Profile.<br /><br /><a href="http://disqus.com/claim">Log in and claim this comment!</a></li>';
					break;
				case 'user_created':
					var _data = v.split(':');
					title = 'Profile created!';
					message += '<li id="dsq-msg-user-created">You have just created a <span class="logo-disqus">Disqus</span> Profile, the best way to claim, manage, and track your comments all over the web. \
					<br /><br />A confirmation is being sent to <strong>' + _data[1] + '</strong>. Please check for this email in order to verify your profile. \
					<ul class="dsq-list-tick"> \
						<li>Your username is <strong>' + _data[0] +'</strong>. <a href="http://disqus.com/people/' + _data[0] + '/" target="_blank">Click here to view your public profile</a>.</li> \
						<li>Be sure to set your profile picture, as well as connect your <span class="dsq-badge-facebook">Facebook</span> and <span class="dsq-badge-twitter">Twitter</span> accounts. <a href="http://disqus.com/account/" target="_blank">Click here for account settings</a>.</li> \
					</ul> \
					</li>'
					break;
				default:
					break;
			}
			numAlerts++;
		});

		if(numAlerts > 1) {
			message = '<ul class="dsq-list-bluebullet">' + message;
			message += '</ul>';
			title = 'Thanks for posting!';
		}
		if(numAlerts > 0) {
			if(typeof(disqus_cookie_msgs) == 'function') {
				disqus_cookie_msgs(message, title);
			} else {
				Dsq.Popup.popModal(message, title);
			}
		}
	};

	this.helpBadges = function(post_id) {
		var html = ' \
			<ul class="dsq-popup-help"> \
				<li><span class="dsq-badge dsq-badge-verified">Verified</span> has a <span class="logo-disqus">Disqus</span> Profile with a confirmed email address.</li> \
				<li><span class="dsq-badge dsq-badge-registered">Registered</span> has a <span class="logo-disqus">Disqus</span> Profile, but has not yet confirmed his or her email address.</li> \
				<li><span class="dsq-badge dsq-badge-guest">Guest</span> is not logged in with any account and has not claimed his or her comments.</li> \
				<li class="dsq-help-otheraccts">Other accounts</li> \
				<li><span class="dsq-badge dsq-badge-facebook">Facebook</span> is using his or her Facebook profile via Facebook Connect.</li> \
				<li><span class="dsq-badge dsq-badge-twitter">Twitter</span> is using his or her Twitter profile via Twitter Sign-in.</li> \
				<li><span class="dsq-badge dsq-badge-openid">OpenID</span> is using his or her OpenID.</li> \
			</ul> \
		';

		this.popModal(html, 'Help: Types of Commenters', post_id);
		return;
	};

	this.permalink = function(post_id) {
		var header = 'Link to this comment';
		var body = '<strong>You are anchored to</strong>:<br />' + document.location.protocol + '//' + document.location.host + document.location.pathname + document.location.search + '#comment-' + post_id;

		this.popModal(body, header, post_id);
	};

	this.login = function(header, body) {
		var h = header || 'Login or Register';
		var b = body || '';
		b += Dsq.Templates.frameLogin({id: 'dsq-popup-login'});
		b += '</iframe>'; // HACK: Sometimes there is something funky with the IFRAME SRC that causes no end tag
		this.popModal(b, h, null, true, 'dsq-popup-login');
	};

	this.blacklist = function(id) {
		var _meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[id];
		var userData = Dsq.jsonData['users'][_meta.user_key];
		var title = 'Add to Blacklist';
		var message = ' \
		Adding this person to the blacklist will block him or her from commenting on this site. Check the following types that you would like to add to the blacklist:'
		+ (userData['registered'] ?
			'<div class="dsq-blacklist-option"> \
				<input id="dsq-blacklist-username" type="checkbox" checked> \
				<label for="dsq-blacklist-username"><strong>Username</strong>: ' + userData['username'] + '</label> \
			</div>'
			: '')
		+ (_meta.email ?
			'<div class="dsq-blacklist-option"> \
				<input id="dsq-blacklist-email" type="checkbox" checked> \
				<label for="dsq-blacklist-email"><strong>Email address</strong>: ' + _meta.email + '</label> \
			</div>'
			: '')
		+ '<div class="dsq-blacklist-option"> \
			<input id="dsq-blacklist-ip" type="checkbox" onclick="Dsq.$(\'dsq-blacklist-ip-warning\').style.display=\'block\'"> \
			<label for="dsq-blacklist-ip"><strong>IP address</strong>: ' + _meta.ip + '</label> \
		</div> \
		';

		message += ' \
			<p id="dsq-blacklist-ip-warning" style="display:none">	\
				Note: Blocking this person\'s IP address may also unintentionally prevent others, who share his/her IP address, from commenting on this site. \
				This may include people who are sharing the same computer, living in the same house, or using the same Internet provider. Only block an IP address as a last resort. \
			</p> \
		';

		message += ' \
			<p style="text-align:center"><button type="button" onclick="Dsq.Post.blockUser(' + id + '); this.disabled=true; this.innerHTML=\'Just one moment...\'">Add to Blacklist</button></p> \
		';

		Dsq.Popup.popModal(message, title);
	};

	this.remoteAccountSettings = function() {
		var body = '';
		// Set up IFrame.
		var params = {};
		var base_url = 'http://disqus.com/forums/scobleizer/_auth/embed/remote_settings/';
		var attributes = {id: 'dsq-popup-account-settings'};
		if (typeof disqus_frame_theme != 'undefined') {
			params['theme'] = disqus_frame_theme;
		}

		body = Dsq.Templates._frameGeneric(base_url, params, attributes);
		this.popModal(body, 'Account Settings', null, true, 'dsq-popup-account-settings');
	};

	this.popModal = function(message, title, post_id, use_listener, extra_classes) {
		var container = document.createElement('div');
		var header, body;

		Dsq.Popup._closePopup(null, true);

		if(typeof(title) == 'undefined') { title = ''; }
		if(typeof(use_listener) == 'undefined') { use_listener = true; }

		if(post_id) {
			container.id = 'dsq-popup-message-' + post_id;
		} else {
			container.id = 'dsq-popup-message';
		}

		header = title;
		body = message;

		container.innerHTML = Dsq.Templates.popupModal(header, body);
		Dsq.Popup.initPopup(container, post_id, 'message', extra_classes);
		if(use_listener) {
			Dsq.Popup.popupListener = Dsq.Utils.addEventListener(document, 'mouseup', Dsq.Popup._closePopup);
		}
	};

	this.popAlert = this.popModal;

	this.loading = function(post_id) {
		var title = Dsq.Strings.JUST_A_MOMENT;
		var body = '<div style="text-align:center; padding: 5px 0 10px 0"><img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/loading.gif" alt="" /></div>'
		Dsq.Popup.lightbox(body, title, post_id);
	};

	this.lightbox = function(message, title, post_id) {
		// Wraps Dsq.Popup.popModal

		var overlay = document.createElement('div');
		overlay.id = 'dsq-overlay';
		overlay.className = 'dsq-overlay';
		Dsq.$b.appendChild(overlay);
		
		Dsq.Popup.popModal(message, title, post_id, false, 'dsq-lightbox');
	};

	this.popProfile = function(post_id, userKey) {
		var post = Dsq.jsonData['posts'][post_id];
		if (post && post.has_been_anonymized) {
			Dsq.Popup.popModal('This message was anonymized by its previous owner.', 'Anonymized', post_id);
			return;
		}

		if(post_id) {
			userKey = Dsq.jsonData['posts'][post_id].user_key;	
		}
		var userData = Dsq.jsonData['users'][userKey];
		var elId = 'dsq-popup-profile-' + userKey;
		var container = document.createElement('div');

		if(this.activePopup.el) {
			this._closePopup(null, true);
			if(this.activePopup.linkClicked) {
				this.activePopup.linkClicked = false;
				return;
			}
		}

		container.id = elId;
		container.innerHTML = Dsq.Templates.popupProfile(userKey);

		this.initPopup(container, post_id, 'profile');
		this.popupListener = Dsq.Utils.addEventListener(document, 'mouseup', this._closePopup);

		if(!this.profileCache[userKey]) {
			Dsq.Utils.execScript('http://disqus.com/embed/profile.js'
				+ '?username=' + userKey
				+ '&anon=' + (userData['registered'] ? 0 : 1)
				+ '&f=' + Dsq.jsonData['request'].forum);
		} else {
			this.updateProfile(userKey);
		}
	};

	this._closePopup = function(e, force) {
		var activePopup = Dsq.Popup.activePopup.el;
		var id = Dsq.Popup.activePopup.id;
		var link = 'dsq-avatar-' + id; // HACK: Specific to profile toggle target

		// HACK: This event should be gone if there is no active popup.
		if(!activePopup) {
			return;
		}
		if(force || !Dsq.Popup.isClicked(e, activePopup.id)) {
			// TODO: This is breaking iE?
			if(Dsq.Popup.popupListener) {
				Dsq.Utils.removeEventListener(Dsq.Popup.popupListener);
			}
			
			// Kill overlay
			var overlay = Dsq.$('dsq-overlay');
			if(overlay) { Dsq.Utils.deleteNode(overlay); }
			
			try {
				Dsq.Utils.deleteNode(activePopup);
			} catch(e) {
				// HACK: IE6 throws an error when using deleteNode() with a node containing a <table> in the html.
				activePopup.parentNode.removeChild(activePopup);
			}
			Dsq.Popup.activePopup = {};
		}

		if(!force && Dsq.Popup.isClicked(e, link)) {
 			Dsq.Popup.activePopup.linkClicked = true;
		}

	};

	this.initPopup = function(popup, post_id, type, extra_classes) {
		popup.className = 'dsq-popup dsq-popup-' + type + ' ' + (extra_classes ? extra_classes : '');
		if(Dsq.Utils.ie6 || Dsq.Utils.ie7) {
			// HACK: We can't modify the body before it's ready, so we need
			//       to use an IE-safe "DOMReady" workaround before loading
			//       our popup.
			Dsq.Utils.execOnReady(function() {Dsq.$b.appendChild(popup); });
		} else {
			Dsq.$b.appendChild(popup);
		}

		popup.style.display = 'block';

		var xPos = (Dsq.Utils.getWindowSize()[0] - popup.offsetWidth) / 2;
		var yPos = (Dsq.Utils.getWindowSize()[1] - popup.offsetHeight) / 2;

		if(Dsq.Utils.ie6) {
			yPos += Dsq.Utils.getScrollPos()[1];
		}

		popup.style.left = xPos + 'px';
		popup.style.top = yPos + 'px';

		Dsq.Popup.activePopup = {
			'el' : popup,
			'id' : post_id,
			'type': type,
			'linkClicked' : false
		};
	};

	this.isClicked = function(e, id) {
		var t = e.target || e.srcElement;
		while(t && t.parentNode) {
			if(t.id == id) {
				return true;
			}

			t = t.parentNode;
		}
		return false;
	};
};
// Dsq.Popup

/**
 * Dsq.Templates
 */
Dsq.Templates = new function() {
	/*
	 * Counter keeping track of the number of posts iterated over.
	 */
	this.postLoopCounter = 0;
	this.filters = {};
	this.addPostContainer = 'dsq-post-add';
	this.textareaContainer = 'dsq-post-add';

	this.registerTemplate = function(name, func) {
		this['$$_' + name] = func;

		if(typeof DsqLocal.Filters != 'undefined'
		&& typeof DsqLocal.Filters[name] == 'function') {
			// Push filters to this.filters to unify code.
			this.filters[name] = this.filters[name] || [];
			this.filters[name].push(DsqLocal.Filters[name]);
		}

		this[name] = function() {
			var ret;

			if(typeof DsqLocal.Templates != 'undefined'
			&& typeof DsqLocal.Templates[name] == 'function') {
				ret = DsqLocal.Templates[name].apply(this, arguments);
			}

			if(ret === undefined) {
				ret = this['$$_' + name].apply(this, arguments);
			}

			if(this.filters[name]) {
				var args = [ret];

				args.push.apply(args, arguments);
				for(var i = 0; i < this.filters[name].length; i++) {
					ret = this.filters[name][i].apply(this, args);
				}
			}

			return ret;
		};
	};

	this.registerFilter = function(name, func) {
		this.filters[name] = this.filters[name] || [];
		this.filters[name].push(func);
	};

	/**
	 * Dsq.Templates.Filters
	 */
	this.Filters = new function() {
		this.commentContainer = function(post_id, s) {
			var _meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id];
			var classes = [];
			if(Dsq.jsonData.request.page > 1) {
				classes.push('dsq-append');
			}

			//
			// Extra classes used for custom themes
			//

			if(_meta.depth) {
				classes.push('dsq-comment-child', 'dsq-depth-' + _meta.depth, 'dsq-parent-is-' + _meta.parent_post_id);
			}


			//

			if(_meta.author_is_creator) {
				// TODO: We need to deprecate the "special" class since it is not properly prefixed.
				classes.push('special', 'dsq-special');
			}
			if(_meta.author_is_moderator) {
				classes.push('dsq-moderator');
			}
			classes.push(['dsq-odd', 'dsq-even'][Dsq.Templates.postLoopCounter % 2]);

			s = s.substring(0, s.lastIndexOf('>'));
			return s + ' class="dsq-comment ' + classes.join(' ') + '" style="margin-left:' + _meta.depth*30 + 'px">';
		};

		this.commentContent = function(post_id, s) {
			var _meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id];
			if (_meta.killed) {
				return '<em>Comment removed.</em>';
			} else if (!_meta.approved) {
				return '<em>This comment was flagged for review.</em>';
			}

			s = s.replace(Dsq.MEDIA_POST_RE, Dsq.MediaPostHandler);
			return s;
		};
	};

	//
	// Thread
	//
	// TODO: These need to be stripped of all Django template tags.

	this.authPost = function() {
		if (!Dsq.jsonData.context.show_reply) {
			return '';
		}
		var result = [];
		result = result.concat([
				'<div id="dsq-auth"',
						Dsq.jsonData.integration.reply_position ? 'class="dsq-auth-bottom"' : '',
						'>',
					'<div class="dsq-by">',
						'<a href="http://disqus.com" target="_blank">',
							(Dsq.jsonData.integration.disqus_logo ?
								Dsq.Utils.interpolate('<img src="%(media_url)s/images/embed/by-disqus.png" alt="discussion by DISQUS">') :
								Dsq.Utils.interpolate('<img src="%(media_url)s/images/embed/dsq-button-120x19.png" alt="discussion by DISQUS">')
							),
						'</a>',
					'</div>',
					'<div class="dsq-auth-header">',
						'<h3 id="dsq-add-new-comment" class="dsq-h3-addcomment">',
								Dsq.Strings.ADD_NEW_COMMENT,
						'</h3>',
						'<div id="dsq-login">',
						(!Dsq.jsonData.request.is_authenticated && Dsq.jsonData.forum.allow_anon_post
								? '<p class="dsq-login-message" id="dsq-login-message">You are commenting as a <a class="dsq-help" title="Click for more information" href="#" onclick="Dsq.Popup.helpBadges(); return false">Guest</a>. You may select one to log into:</p>'
								: '')
		]);
		if (!Dsq.jsonData.request.is_authenticated) {
			result = result.concat([
							Dsq.Utils.interpolate(
								'<a id="dsq-login-toggle" href="%(disqus_url)s%(login_url)s?next=article:%(thread_id)s" onclick="Dsq.Popup.login(); return false"><img class="dsq-login-icon" src="%(media_url)s/images/dsq-profile-btn.png" title="%(log_into)s" alt="%(log_into)s"/></a>',
								{login_url: Dsq.Urls.LOGIN, thread_id: Dsq.jsonData.thread.id, log_into: Dsq.Strings.LOG_INTO_DISQUS}
								),
							'&nbsp; ',
							(Dsq.jsonData.context.use_fb_connect ?
								'<div id="dsq-fbc-login" onlogin="DisqusFbcParentController.onLogin()" size="medium" background="light" length="short" style="display:inline; margin-right:7px"></div>' :
								''
							),
							(Dsq.jsonData.context.use_twitter_signin ?
								Dsq.Utils.interpolate(
									'<div id="dsq-twitter-login" class="dsq-twitter-login" onclick="Dsq.Twitter.startTwitterConnect();" style="display:inline; cursor: pointer"><img src="%(media_url)s/images/twitter-signin-short.png" style="margin-right:7px" /></div>', {}) : ''),
							(Dsq.jsonData.context.use_openid ?
								Dsq.Utils.interpolate(
									'<div id="dsq-openid-login" class="dsq-openid-login" onclick="Dsq.OpenID.requestURL();" style="display:inline; cursor:pointer;"><img src="%(media_url)s/images/openid-login-button.png"/></div>', {}
								) : '')
			]);
		}
		result = result.concat([
						'</div>', // dsq-login
					'</div>', // dsq-auth-header
					'<div id="dsq-authenticated" class="dsq-authenticated" ',
						Dsq.jsonData.request.is_authenticated ? 'style="display:block"' : '',
						'>',
						'<div class="dsq-authenticated-pic">',
								Dsq.Utils.interpolate('<a href="%(url)s" title="%(request_display_username)s">' +
																			'<img class="dsq-post-avatar" src="%(avatar_url)s" alt="" /></a>',
																			{avatar_url: Dsq.Urls.REQUEST_USER_AVATAR,
																			url: (Dsq.jsonData.request.is_remote
																					 ? Dsq.jsonData.request.url
																					 : Dsq.jsonData.settings.disqus_url + Dsq.Urls.REQUEST_USER_PROFILE) }),
						'</div>',
						'<div class="dsq-authenticated-info">',
							'<ul>',
								'<li>',
									(Dsq.jsonData.request.is_remote
										? Dsq.FmtStrings.LOGGED_IN_AS(
												Dsq.Utils.interpolate('<a href="%(url)s" title="%(request_display_username)s">%(request_display_username)s</a>', {url:Dsq.jsonData.request.url})
										  )
										: Dsq.FmtStrings.LOGGED_IN_AS(
												Dsq.Utils.interpolate('<a href="%(disqus_url)s%(profile_url)s" title="%(request_display_username)s">%(request_display_username)s</a>')
											)
									),
								'</li>',
								'<li class="logout">',
									(!Dsq.jsonData.request.is_remote
										? Dsq.Utils.interpolate('<img class="dsq-login-icon" src="%(media_url)s/images/dsqicon12.png" alt="%(logged_in_as)s"/>&nbsp',
											{logged_in_as: Dsq.FmtStrings.LOGGED_IN_AS(Dsq.jsonData.request.display_username)})
										: ''),

									(!Dsq.jsonData.request.is_remote
										? Dsq.Utils.interpolate('<a href="%(disqus_url)s%(logout_url)s?ctkn=%(csrf_token)s" title="%(logout_from_disqus)s">',
											{logout_url: Dsq.Urls.LOGOUT, csrf_token: Dsq.CSRF_TOKEN, logout_from_disqus: Dsq.FmtStrings.LOGOUT_FROM('DISQUS')})
										: ((Dsq.jsonData.request.remote_domain == 'twitter')
												? Dsq.Utils.interpolate('using Twitter (<a href="%(disqus_url)s%(logout_url)s?ctkn=%(csrf_token)s" title="Logout">Logout</a>)',
												 {logout_url: Dsq.Urls.LOGOUT, csrf_token: Dsq.CSRF_TOKEN})
												: ((Dsq.jsonData.request.remote_domain == 'openid')
													 ? Dsq.Utils.interpolate('using OpenID (<a href="%(disqus_url)s%(logout_url)s?ctkn=%(csrf_token)s" title="Logout">Logout</a>)',
													 {logout_url: Dsq.Urls.LOGOUT, csrf_token: Dsq.CSRF_TOKEN})
													 : ''
													)
											)
									),

									(!Dsq.jsonData.request.is_remote ? Dsq.FmtStrings.LOGOUT_FROM('<span class="logo-disqus">DISQUS</span>') : ''),
									'</a>',
								'</li>',
							'</ul>',
						'</div>',
					'</div>'
		]);
		if (Dsq.jsonData.context.use_fb_connect) {
			result = result.concat([
					'<div id="dsq-fbc-authenticated" class="dsq-authenticated">',
						'<div id="dsq-fbc-profilepic" class="dsq-authenticated-pic" uid="loggedinuser" type="FB.XFBML.ProfilePic" size="square" facebook-logo="true"></div>',
						'<div class="dsq-authenticated-info">',
							'<ul>',
								'<li>',
									'Logged in as <span id="dsq-fbc-name" uid="loggedinuser" type="FB.XFBML.Name" linked="true" useyou="false"></span>',
								'</li>',
								'<li class="logout">using Facebook Connect <a href="#" onclick="javascript:DisqusFbcParentController.logout();return false;">(Logout)</a></li>',
							'</ul>',
						'</div>',
					'</div>'
			]);
		}
		result = result.concat([
				'</div>', // dsq-auth
				'<div id="dsq-toolbar-items">',
				'</div>'
		]);
		result = result.concat([
					//
					//
					//
				((!Dsq.jsonData.forum.allow_anon_post && !Dsq.jsonData.request.is_authenticated) ?
					// Needs to be translated:
					('<p id="dsq-no-anon-msg">Required: Please log into <span class="logo-disqus">Disqus</span> ' +
					(Dsq.jsonData.context.use_fb_connect ? 'or connect with Facebook ' : '') +
					(Dsq.jsonData.context.use_twitter_signin ? 'or sign in with Twitter ' : '') +
					(Dsq.jsonData.context.use_openid ? 'or sign in using OpenID ' : '') +
					Dsq.Utils.interpolate('to comment on <strong>%(forum_name)s</strong>.</p>')) :
					''
				),
				'<div id="dsq-post-add"></div>',
				'<div style="margin:10px 0">',
				((Dsq.jsonData.forum.use_media) ?
						'<a href="#" id="dsq-media-link" onclick="Dsq.Post.showMenu(this, false, \'media\'); return false">' + Dsq.Strings.USE_MEDIA + ' <small>&#9660;</small></a>' :
						''),
				'</div>'
		]);
		return result.join('');
	};


	this.header = function() {

		var html = '\<h3 id="dsq-comments-count" class="dsq-h3-commentcount">\
	 <span id="dsq-num-posts">76</span> Comments\
	 &nbsp;\
	 <span class="dsq-item-feed">\
	 <a href="http://scobleizer.disqus.com/hdtv_will_make_soccer_a_lot_more_popular_in_america/latest.rss"><img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/embed/bullet-feed.png"></a>\
	 </span>\
	 </h3>\
	 <div id="dsq-options" style="margin:15px 0">\
	 <span class="dsq-item-sort">\
	 Sort by\
	 <select id="dsq-sort-select" onchange="Dsq.Thread.sortBy(this.value);">\
	 <option value="hot" selected="selected">Popular now</option>\
	 <option value="best" >Best Rating</option>\
	 <option value="newest" >Newest first</option>\
	 <option value="oldest" >Oldest first</option>\
	 </select>\
	 &nbsp;\
	 </span>\
	 <span class="dsq-item-cp"><a href="http://scobleizer.disqus.com/hdtv_will_make_soccer_a_lot_more_popular_in_america/">Community Page</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>\
	 <span class="dsq-item-subscribe">\
	 <img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/embed/email.png" style="width:12px;height:12px;vertical-align:middle">\
	 <span id="dsq-subscribe">\
	 <a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Thread.subscribe(1); return false">Subscribe by email</a>\
	 </span>\
	 </span>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-alerts">\
	 <p>Comments for this page are closed.</p>\
	 </div>\
		';

		

		
		if (Dsq.jsonData.request.is_moderator) { 
			html = ' \
			<div class="dsq-alert-message dsq-upgrade-message"> \
				<strong>Disqus upgrade available.</strong> Hi ' + Dsq.jsonData.request.display_username + ', this message is being displayed to you because you are a moderator of this site. <a href="#" onclick="Dsq.$(\'dsq-upgrade-message\').style.display=\'block\';this.style.display=\'none\';return false">Click here for details.</a> \
				<div style="display:none; margin-top:10px;" id="dsq-upgrade-message"> \
					A new theme is available with added features. <a href="http://disqus.com/comments/settings/' + Dsq.jsonData.forum.url + '/?p=customize">To change your theme, click here</a> and choose the theme Narcissus. \
					If you do not upgrade, you are missing out on features such as: real-time commenting, new sign-in integrations, and an upgrade interface. \
					<strong>This message will automatically go away in one week.</strong> \
				</div> \
			</div> \
			' + html; 
		}
		return html;
	};

	this.footer = function() {
		var html = Dsq.Templates.pagination();

		
			html += Dsq.Templates.authPost();
		

		html += Dsq.Templates.reactions();

		
			html += Dsq.Templates.trackbacks();
		

		return html;
	};

	this.pagination = function() {
		var html = '';
		
		if (Dsq.$('dsq-pagination')) { Dsq.$('dsq-pagination').innerHTML = ''; }
		if (!Dsq.jsonData.thread.paginate) { return ''; }

		//
		// TODO: num_paginator still uses the template tag for pagination, 
		// 		while append_paginator does it all in JavaScript.
		//		This should all be in JavaScript.
		//

		if (Dsq.jsonData.thread.num_pages > 1 && Dsq.jsonData.request.page < Dsq.jsonData.thread.num_pages) {
			html = ' \<a class="dsq-paginate-append-text" href="#" onclick="Dsq.Thread.paginate(Dsq.jsonData.request.page + 1, this); return false">Show more comments...</a>\
	 <button type="button" class="dsq-button-small dsq-paginate-append-button" onclick="Dsq.Thread.paginate(Dsq.jsonData.request.page + 1, this);">Load more comments</button>\
			';
		}
		
		if (Dsq.$('dsq-pagination')) {
			Dsq.$('dsq-pagination').innerHTML = html;
			return '';
		} else {
			return '<div id="dsq-pagination" class="dsq-pagination">' + html + '</div>';
		}
	};

	this.trackbacks = function() {
		var html = '';

		if(typeof DsqLocal != 'undefined' && DsqLocal.trackback_url && DsqLocal.trackbacks) {
			var trackbacks = DsqLocal.trackbacks;
			var trackback_url = DsqLocal.trackback_url;
		} else {
			var trackbacks = [
			
			
			];
			var trackback_url = 'http://scobleizer.disqus.com/hdtv_will_make_soccer_a_lot_more_popular_in_america/trackback/';
		}

		html += '<div class="dsq-item-trackback">Trackback URL&nbsp;&nbsp;<input class="dsq-trackback-url" onclick="this.select()" readonly="true" value="' + trackback_url + '"></div>';

		if(trackbacks.length) {
			html += '<ul id="dsq-references">'
			for(var i = 0; i < trackbacks.length; i++) {
				var trackback = trackbacks[i];
				html += '<li><cite><a href="' + trackback.author_url + '" rel="nofollow">' + trackback.author_name + '</a></cite> \
						<p class="dsq-meta">' + trackback.date + '</p> \
						<p class="dsq-content">' + trackback.excerpt + '</p></li>';
			}
			html += '</ul>';
			html = '<h3 class="dsq-h3-trackbacks">Trackbacks</h3>' + html;
		}

		return html;
	}

	this.showRetweets = function(id, limit, element_id /* Optional */) {
		var source, html = '';

		for (var i = 0, reaction; reaction = Dsq.jsonData.reactions[i]; i++) {
			if (reaction.id === id) {
				source = reaction.retweets;
			}
		}

		if (source) {
			if (limit === 0) {
				limit = source.length;
			}

			for (var j = 0; j < limit; j++) {
				var rt = source[j];
				html += '<a href="' + rt.url + '">' + rt.author_name + '</a>'	+ ((j === (limit - 1)) ? '.' : ', ');
			}
		}

		if (element_id === undefined) {
			return html;
		}

		var element = document.getElementById(element_id);
		element.innerHTML = html;
		return element;
	};

	this.showMoreReactions = function(reactions, has_more, start, limit) {
		var link = document.getElementById('dsq-show-more-reactions');
		var container = link.parentNode;
		container.removeChild(link);

		for (var i = 0, reaction; reaction = reactions[i]; i++) {
			var el = Dsq.Templates.generateReactionHTML(reaction);
			if (el) {
				container.innerHTML += el;
			}
		}

		if (has_more) {
			var d = Dsq.jsonData.settings.disqus_url;
			var f = Dsq.jsonData.forum.url;
			var t = Dsq.jsonData.thread.id;
			var s = start;
			var l = limit;

			var handler = 'Dsq.Utils.execScript(\'' + d + '/forums/' + f + '/more_reactions.js?t=' + t + '&s=' + s + '&l=' + l + '\', true); return false;';
			container.innerHTML += '<li id="dsq-show-more-reactions"><a href="#" onclick="' + handler + '">Show more reactions</a></li>';
		}
	};

	this.generateReactionHTML = function(reaction) {
		if (reaction.body === null || reaction.body == '') {
			return;
		}

		if (reaction.author_name === '') {
			reaction.author_name = '&nbsp;';
		}

		if (reaction.url === '') {
			reaction.url = reaction.get_service_url;
		}

		/* Reaction HTML begins */
		var item = '<li class="dsq-reaction" id="dsq-reaction-' + reaction.id + '">'
			+ '<div class="dsq-reaction-header">'
			+ '<div class="dsq-header-avatar">';

		if (reaction.author_url && reaction.author_url !== '') {
			item += '<a target="_blank" href="' + reaction.author_url +'">';
		} else {
			item += '<a target="_blank" href="#" onclick="return false;">';
		}

		if (reaction.avatar_url && reaction.avatar_url !== '') {
			item += '<img src="' + reaction.avatar_url + '"/>';
		} else {
			item += '<img src="' + Dsq.jsonData.media_url + '/images/noavatar32.png"/>';
		}

		var service_icon = (reaction.get_service_name == 'trackback' || reaction.get_service_name == 'pingback' ? 'rss' : reaction.get_service_name.replace(' ', ''));
		item += '<img class="dsq-service-icon" src="' + Dsq.jsonData.media_url + '/images/reactions/services/' + service_icon + '.png"/>'
			+ '</a></div>'
			+ '<cite><span>' + reaction.author_name + '</span></cite>'
			+ '<span class="dsq-header-meta"><a class="dsq-header-time">' + reaction.date_created + '</a></span>'
			+ '</div><div class="dsq-reaction-body">'
			+ '<div class="dsq-reaction-message">' + reaction.body + '</div>'
			+ '<div class="dsq-reaction-footer">From <a class="dsq-service-name" target="_blank" href="' + reaction.url + '">' + reaction.get_service_name + '</a> '
			+ 'via <a href="' + reaction.source_url + '">' + (reaction.source == 'backtype' ? 'BackType' : 'UberVU') + '</a>'
			+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.is_moderator || Dsq.jsonData.request.is_global_moderator ? '&nbsp;&bull;&nbsp;<a class="dsq-hide-reaction" href="#" onclick="Dsq.Reaction.hide(' + reaction.id + '); return false;">Hide</a>' : '') + '</div></div>';

		if(reaction.retweets) {
			var num_retweets = reaction.retweets.length;
			if (num_retweets > 0) {
				item += '<div class="dsq-reaction-retweets">';
				if (num_retweets == 1) {
					item += 'One more retweet from <a href="' + reaction.retweets[0].url + '">'  + reaction.retweets[0].author_name + '</a>';
				} else {
					item += (num_retweets + ' more retweets from ');

					item += '<span id="dsq-reaction-retweets-' + reaction.id + '">';
					var n_tweets = (num_retweets > 15) ? 15 : num_retweets;
					item += Dsq.Templates.showRetweets(reaction.id, n_tweets);

					if (n_tweets != num_retweets) {
						item += '</span> <a onclick="Dsq.Templates.showRetweets(' + reaction.id + ', 0, \'dsq-reaction-retweets-' + reaction.id + '\');'
							+ 'this.parentNode.removeChild(this); return false;" href="#">Show all</a>';
					}
				}
				item += '</div>';
			}
		}

		item += '</li>'; /* Reaction HTML ends */
		return item;
	};

	this.reactions = function() {
		var html, reaction;

		if (Dsq.jsonData.reactions === undefined || Dsq.jsonData.reactions.length === 0) {
			return '';
		}

		html = '';
		for (var i = 0; reaction = Dsq.jsonData.reactions[i]; i++) {
			var item = Dsq.Templates.generateReactionHTML(reaction);
			if (item) {
				html += item;
			}
		}

		if (Dsq.jsonData.has_more_reactions) {
			var d = Dsq.jsonData.settings.disqus_url;
			var f = Dsq.jsonData.forum.url;
			var t = Dsq.jsonData.thread.id;
			var s = Dsq.jsonData.reactions_start;
			var l = Dsq.jsonData.reactions_limit;

			var handler = 'Dsq.Utils.execScript(\'' + d + '/forums/' + f + '/more_reactions.js?t=' + t + '&s=' + s + '&l=' + l + '\', true); return false;';
			html += '<li id="dsq-show-more-reactions"><a href="#" onclick="' + handler + '">Show more reactions</a></li>';
		}

		return '<h3 class="dsq-h3-reactions">Reactions</h3><ul id="dsq-reactions" class="dsq-reactions">' + html + '</ul>';
	};
	
	this.missingPermissions = function() {
		return '	<p>Comments for this page are closed.</p>\n';
	};

	//
	// Post
	//

	this.prependPost = function(post_id) {
		var html = '<div id="comment-' + post_id + '"></div>';
		return html;
	};

	this.appendPost = function(post_id) {
		var html = '<div id="dsq-comment-reply-' + post_id + '"></div>';
		return html;
	};

	this.postPrependHeader = function(post_id) {
		var _meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id];
		var userData = Dsq.jsonData['users'][_meta.user_key];

		var _includeServices = function() {
			var userServices = Dsq.Post.getUserServices(null, post_id);
			var html = '';
			var hiddenThreshold = 3; // Define # of services to show before stuffing them in hidden div

			for(var i = 0; i < userServices.length; i++) {
				html +=
				(i == hiddenThreshold
					? '<li id="dsq-drop-hidden-' + post_id +'" class="dsq-drop-hidden"><ul>'
					: '')
				+ '<li class="dsq-drop-services"> \
					<a class="dsq-service-' + userServices[i].name.toLowerCase() + '" href="' + userServices[i].url + '" target="_blank"> \
						<img src="' + Dsq.jsonData.media_url + '/images/embed/services/' + userServices[i].name.toLowerCase() + '.png" alt="' + userServices[i].name.toLowerCase() + '">'
					+ userServices[i].name
					+ '</a> \
				</li>';
			}

			if(i >= hiddenThreshold) {
				html += '</ul></li> \
				<li id="dsq-drop-more-' + post_id + '" class="dsq-drop-more"><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Post.dropProfileMore(this, '+ post_id + '); return false"><small>&#9660;</small></a></li> \
				';
			}
			return html;
		};

		return ' \
			<div class="dsq-header-avatar" id="dsq-header-avatar-' + post_id + '" onmouseover="Dsq.Post.dropProfile(' + post_id + ')"> \
				<a id="dsq-avatar-' + post_id + '" class="dsq-avatar" href="' + userData.url + '" onclick="Dsq.Popup.popProfile(' + post_id + '); return false;">'
			+ (Dsq.jsonData.forum.show_avatar
				? '<img src="' + Dsq.jsonData.users[_meta.user_key].avatar + '" alt="" />'
				: '')
			+ '</a>'
			+ '</div> \
		';
	};

	this.postAppendHeader = function(post_id) {
		var _meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id];

		return ''
			+ (_meta.author_is_moderator
				? '<img class="dsq-mod-star" src="http://media.disqus.com/images/bullet-star.png" title="Moderator" alt="" />'
				: '')
			+ '<span class="dsq-header-meta"> \
				<a id="dsq-time-' + post_id + '" class="dsq-header-time" href="#comment-' + post_id + '" title="Permalink">' + _meta.date + '</a> \
			</span>';
	};

	this.preBody = function(post_id) {
		return '';
	}

	this.postBody = function(post_id) {
		// TODO: Deprecate flagging conditional
		var _meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id];
		return ''
			+ (_meta.edited
				? '<p class="dsq-editedtxt">(Edited by a moderator)</p>'
				: '')
			;
	};

	this.postFooter = function(post_id) {
		// TODO: Use media should be conditional
		var _meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id];
		if(_meta.killed) { return ''; }

		return ' \
			<div class="dsq-comment-footer" id="dsq-comment-footer-' + post_id + '"> \
				<div id="dsq-points-' + post_id + '" class="dsq-likedtxt">'
				+ (_meta.points
					? _meta.points + Dsq.Utils.pluralize(_meta.points, ' person', ' people') + ' liked this comment.'
					: '')
				+ '</div>'
				+ '<ul class="dsq-comment-options dsq-list-style">'
				+ (_meta.votable
					? '<li class="dsq-list-first dsq-rate" id="dsq-rate-cont-' + post_id + '">'
					+ (!_meta.up_voted
						? '<a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Post.rate(this, ' + post_id + ', 1); return false;">Like</a>'
						: 'You liked this.') + '</li>'
					: '')
				+ '<li class="dsq-report' + (!_meta.votable ? ' dsq-list-first' : '') + '" id="dsq-post-report-' + post_id + '"><a href="#" class="dsq-post-report" onclick="Dsq.Post.report(' + post_id + ', false); return false;">Report</a></li> \
				</ul> \
				<ul class="dsq-list-style">'
				+ (_meta.can_reply
					? '<li class="dsq-list-first"><a href="#" id="dsq-reply-link-' + post_id +'" onclick="Dsq.Post.toggleReply(this, ' + post_id +'); return false;">Reply</a></li>'
					: '')
				+ (_meta.can_reply && !_meta.has_replies && _meta.from_request_user
					? '<li id="dsq-edit-el-' + post_id + '"><a id="dsq-edit-link-' + post_id + '" href="#" onclick="Dsq.Post.edit(this, ' + post_id + '); return false;">Edit</a></li>'
					: '')
				+ '<li class="' + (!_meta.can_reply ? 'dsq-list-first' : '') + '" id="dsq-more-el-' + post_id + '"><a id="dsq-more-link-' + post_id + '" href="#" onclick="Dsq.Post.showMenu(this, ' + post_id + ', \'more\'); return false">More <small>&#9660;</small></a></li>'
				+ (Dsq.jsonData.forum.use_media
					? '<li id="dsq-media-el-' + post_id +'" style="display:none"><a id="dsq-media-link-' + post_id + '" href="#" onclick="Dsq.Post.showMenu(this, ' + post_id + ', \'media\'); return false">Use Media <small>&#9660;</small></a></li>'
					: '')
				+ '</ul>'
				+ '<div id="dsq-reply-bar-' + post_id + '" class="dsq-reply-bar" style="display:none"> \
						<div id="dsq-reply-bar-items-' + post_id + '" class="dsq-reply-bar-items"> \
						</div> \
						<div id="dsq-reply-bar-auth-' + post_id + '" class="dsq-reply-bar-auth"> \
							 \
								 \
								 	<a href="#" class="dsq-help dsq-reply-req-opt" title="You are commenting as a Guest. You may choose to log into an existing DISQUS Profile, your Facebook, Twitter or OpenID account to comment on Scobleizer" onclick="Dsq.Popup.helpBadges(); return false">Optional:</a> \
								 \
								<img class="dsq-login-icon" src="http://media.disqus.com/images/dsq-favicon-16x16.png" alt="" /> \
								<a id="dsq-reply-login-' + post_id + '" href="http://disqus.com/profile/login/?next=article:18679926" onclick="Dsq.Popup.login(); return false">Login</a> \
								 \
									&nbsp;or&nbsp; \
									<img class="fb_login_image" src="http://static.ak.fbcdn.net/images/fbconnect/login-buttons/connect_light_small_short.gif" alt="Facebook Connect"/> \
									<a href="#" onclick="FB.Connect.requireSession(DisqusFbcParentController.onLogin); return false;">Connect</a> \
								 \
								&nbsp;or&nbsp; \
									<img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/twitter-signin-icon.png" alt="" /> \
									<a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Twitter.startTwitterConnect(); return false">Sign-in</a> \
								 \
								 \
							 \
						</div> \
					</div> \
					<div id="dsq-reply-' + post_id + '"></div> \
			</div> \
		';
	};

	//
	// Iframes
	//

	this._makeAttributes = function(attributes) {
		// Makes a tag attributes string out of an object.
		// Caller is responsible for making sure nothing needs to be escaped.
		var result = [];
		for (key in attributes) {
			result.push(' ' + key + '="' + attributes[key] + '"');
		}
		result = result.join('');
		return result;
	};

	this._frameGeneric = function(base_url, params, attributes) {
		if(typeof(disqus_callback_params) == 'undefined') {
			disqus_callback_params = '';
		}

		var default_params = {
			// TODO: These should be moved to Dsq.jsonData.
			'f'				: 'scobleizer',
			't'				: 'hdtv_will_make_soccer_a_lot_more_popular_in_america',
			// Do we need encodeURIComponent here?
			'ifrs'			: encodeURIComponent(disqus_iframe_css),
			'to_redirect'	: encodeURIComponent(window.location),
			'cbp'			: disqus_callback_params,
			'ff'			: Dsq.Thread.ff,
			'fc'			: Dsq.Thread.fc,
			'ac'			: Dsq.Thread.ac,
			'default_text'	: disqus_default_text
		};

		base_url += '?' + (new Date()).getTime();
		// Add params to default_params.
		if(params) {
			for(var key in params) {
				if(params.hasOwnProperty(key)) {
					default_params[key] = encodeURIComponent(params[key]);
				}
			}
		}
		// Build querystring.
		for(var key in default_params) {
			if(default_params[key] && default_params.hasOwnProperty(key)) {
				base_url += '&' + key + '=' + default_params[key];
			}
		}

		return [
			'<iframe marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" hspace="0" vspace="0" frameborder="0"',
			(' allowtransparency="true" src="' + base_url + '"'),
			this._makeAttributes(attributes),
			'</iframe>'].join('');
	};

	this.frameLogin = function(opt_attributes) {
		var params = {};
		var base_url = 'http://disqus.com/embed/login.html';
		var attributes = opt_attributes || {};
		attributes['class'] = 'dsq-post-login';

		if(typeof disqus_frame_theme != 'undefined') {
			params['theme'] = disqus_frame_theme;
		}
		return this._frameGeneric(base_url, params, attributes);
	};

	this.frameReply = function(post_id, extra_params, attributes) {
		// Returns the HTML for a reply iframe. Called by Dsq.Iframes.setReplyIframeToContainer
		var _meta = (typeof post_id != 'undefined') ? Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id] : false;
		var base_url = Dsq.Urls.REPLY;
		var params = {
			'def_email'		: disqus_def_email,
			'def_name'		: disqus_def_name
		};
		if(extra_params) {
			for(var key in extra_params) {
				if(extra_params.hasOwnProperty(key)) {
					params[key] = extra_params[key];
				}
			}
		}
		if(_meta) {
			params['parent_post'] = post_id;
		}
		if(typeof disqus_per_page != 'undefined') {
			params['per_page'] = disqus_per_page;
		}
		if(typeof disqus_frame_theme != 'undefined') {
			params['theme'] = disqus_frame_theme;
		}
		if(Dsq.jsonData.request.is_authenticated) {
			attributes['class'] += '-authenticated';
		}
		return this._frameGeneric(base_url, params, attributes);
	};

	this.frameEdit = function(post_id) {
		var _meta = (typeof post_id != 'undefined') ? Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id] : false;
		var base_url = 'http://disqus.com/embed/edit.html';
		var params = {
			'p' : post_id
		};
		return this._frameGeneric(base_url, params, {'class': 'dsq-post-edit', 'name': 'dsq-edit_' + post_id + '-frame'});
	};

	//
	// Menus
	//

	this.menuMore = function(post_id) {
		// TODO: "Remove post" button should hide menu.
		var _meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id];
		var userData = Dsq.jsonData['users'][_meta.user_key];
		return ' \
			<li><a href="#comment-' + post_id + '" onclick="Dsq.Popup.permalink(' + post_id + ')">Link</a></li> \
			<li><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Popup.popProfile(' + post_id + '); return false;">Profile</a></li>'
	+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.is_moderator || Dsq.jsonData.request.is_global_moderator
		? '	<li class="dsq-menu-sep"></li>' + (_meta.email ? '<li class="dsq-admin-email">' + _meta.email + '</li>' : '')
		+ '	<li class="dsq-admin-ip">' + _meta.ip + '</li> \
			<li class="dsq-menu-sep"></li>'
		+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.moderator_can_edit
			? ' <li class="dsq-admin-edit"><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Post.edit(this, ' + post_id + '); return false;">Edit Comment</a></li>'
			: '')
		+ ' <li class="dsq-remove"><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Post.removePost(' + post_id + ', 1); return false;">Remove Comment</a></li> \
			<li class="dsq-report-spam"><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Post.reportSpam(' + post_id + '); return false;">Mark Spam</a></li> \
			<li class="dsq-block-user"><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Popup.blacklist(' + post_id + '); return false">Block User</a></li>'
		: '');
	};

	this.menuMedia = function(post_id) {
		return ' \
			<li><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Post.toggleMediaReply(this, ' + post_id + ', \'seesmic\'); return false;">Record video</a></li> \
		';
	};

	this.dropProfile = function(post_id) {
		var _meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id];
		var userData = Dsq.jsonData['users'][_meta.user_key];

		var _includeServices = function() {
			var userServices = Dsq.Post.getUserServices(null, post_id);
			var html = '';
			var hiddenThreshold = 3; // Define # of services to show before stuffing them in hidden div

			for(var i = 0; i < userServices.length; i++) {
				html +=
				(i == hiddenThreshold
					? '<li id="dsq-drop-hidden-' + post_id +'" class="dsq-drop-hidden"><ul>'
					: '')
				+ '<li class="dsq-drop-services"> \
					<a class="dsq-service-' + userServices[i].name.toLowerCase() + '" href="' + userServices[i].url + '" target="_blank"> \
						<img src="' + Dsq.jsonData.media_url + '/images/embed/services/' + userServices[i].name.toLowerCase() + '.png" alt="' + userServices[i].name.toLowerCase() + '">'
					+ userServices[i].name
					+ '</a> \
				</li>';
			}

			if(i >= hiddenThreshold) {
				html += '</ul></li> \
				<li id="dsq-drop-more-' + post_id + '" class="dsq-drop-more"><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Post.dropProfileMore(this, '+ post_id + '); return false"><small>&#9660;</small></a></li> \
				';
			}
			return html;
		};


		var menu = '<li class="dsq-drop-showlnk"><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Popup.popProfile(' + post_id + '); return false;">Expand &#8663;</a></li>';
		var pointsMessage = '';
		if (userData['registered']) {
			pointsMessage = 'with ' + userData['points'] + ' points (more points are better).';
		}

		if (userData['is_remote']) {
			var domain = userData['remote_domain_name'];
			menu += '<li class="dsq-drop-badge" title="' + userData['display_name'] + ' is a ' + domain + ' user ' + pointsMessage + '" onclick="Dsq.Popup.helpBadges()">';
			menu += '<span class="dsq-badge-' + domain.toLowerCase() + '">' + domain + '</span></li>';
		} else if (userData['registered']) {
			if (userData['verified']) {
				menu += '<li class="dsq-drop-badge" title="' + userData['display_name'] + ' has a verified commenter profile ' + pointsMessage + '" onclick="Dsq.Popup.helpBadges()">';
				menu += '<span class="dsq-badge-verified">Verified</span></li>';
			} else {
				menu += '<li class="dsq-drop-badge" title="' + userData['display_name'] + ' has a registered, but unverified, commenter profile ' + pointsMessage + '" onclick="Dsq.Popup.helpBadges()">';
				menu += '<span class="dsq-badge-registered">Registered</span></li>';
			}
		} else {
			menu += '<li class="dsq-drop-badge" title="' + userData['display_name'] + ' has not claimed this commenter profile." onclick="Dsq.Popup.helpBadges()"><span class="dsq-badge-guest">Guest</span></li>';
		}

		menu += _includeServices();
		return menu;
	};

	//
	// Popups
	//

	this._popupGeneric = function(content) {
		return ' \
		<div class="dsq-popup-content"> \
			<div class="dsq-popup-top"></div> \
			<div class="dsq-popup-body" class="clearfix"> \
				<div class="dsq-popup-body-padding"> \
					<div class="dsq-popup-header"> \
						<a class="dsq-close-link" href="#" onclick="Dsq.Popup._closePopup(null, true); return false"><img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/modal-close.png" alt="" /></a>'
						+ content['header']
					+ '</div>'
					+ content['body']
					+ '<div class="powered-by"><a href="http://disqus.com/comments/">Powered by <img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/embed/disqus-logo.png" alt="Disqus Comments" style="margin-bottom:-5px" /></a></div> \
				</div> <!-- padding --> \
			</div> <!-- body --> \
			<div class="dsq-popup-bottom"></div> \
		</div> \
		';
	};

	this.popupProfile = function(user_key) {
		var userServices = Dsq.Post.getUserServices(user_key, null);
		var userData = Dsq.jsonData['users'][user_key];
		var headerHtml = '';
		var bodyHtml = '';
		var content = {};

		var _includeServices = function() {
			var html = '';
			for(var i = 0; i < userServices.length; i++) {
				html +=
				(i == 0
					? '<h4>Connections</h4><ul>'
					: '')
				+ '<li> \
					<img src="' + Dsq.jsonData.media_url + '/images/embed/services/' + userServices[i].name.toLowerCase() + '.png" alt="' + userServices[i].name.toLowerCase() + '" title="' + userServices[i].name.toLowerCase() + '" /> \
					<a class="dsq-service-' + userServices[i].name.toLowerCase() + '" href="' + userServices[i].url + '" target="_blank">'
					+ userServices[i].name
					+ '</a> \
				</li>'
				+ (i+1 == userServices.length ? '</ul>' : '');
			}
			return html;
		};

		headerHtml = ' \
			<table> \
				<tr> \
					<td> \
						<a class="dsq-profile-userurl" href="' + userData.url + '"><img class="dsq-popup-profile-avatar" src="' + userData['avatar'] + '" alt="" /></a> \
					</td> \
					<td> \
						<div class="dsq-popup-profile-user"> \
							<h3>' + userData['display_name'] + '</h3> \
							<div class="dsq-popup-profile-user-stats" id="dsq-popup-profile-user-stats-' + user_key + '">Loading...</div> \
						</div> \
					</td> \
				</tr> \
			</table> \
		';

		bodyHtml = ' \
			<div class="dsq-popup-profile-state"> \
				This is a&nbsp;<span class="'
					+ (userData['registered']
						? (userData['verified']
							? ' dsq-badge-verified'
							: (userData['is_remote']
								? ' dsq-badge-' + userData['remote_domain_name'].toLowerCase()
								: ' dsq-badge-registered')
							)
							: ' dsq-badge-guest') + '">'
			+ (userData['registered']
				? (userData['verified']
					? 'Verified'
					: (userData['is_remote']
						 ? userData['remote_domain_name']
						 : 'Registered')
					)
				: 'Guest')
			+ '</span>&nbsp;commenter profile.'
			+ '&nbsp;<a class="dsq-profile-userurl" href="' + userData.url + '"><strong>View more comments </strong></a>'
			+ (!userData['points']
				? '<p class="dsq-popup-notice">If this is you, <a href="http://disqus.com/profile" target="_blank">claim it now</a> to manage your comments.</p>'
				: '')
			+ ((userData['registered'] && !userData['verified'] && (Dsq.jsonData.request.username && (Dsq.jsonData.request.username == userData['username'])) && !userData['is_remote'])
				? '<p class="dsq-popup-notice"><strong>Alert</strong>: You have not verified this account. <a href="http://disqus.com/verify">Verify it now.</a></p>'
				: '')
			+ '</div> \
			<div id="dsq-profile-status-' + user_key + '" class="dsq-popup-profile-status" style="display:none"></div> \
			<div class="dsq-popup-profile-snapshot"> \
				<table> \
					<tr> \
						<td> \
							<div id="dsq-popup-profile-active-sites-wrapper-' + user_key + '"> \
								<h4>Most active sites</h4> \
								<ul id="dsq-popup-profile-active-sites-' + user_key + '"> \
									<li>Loading...</li> \
								</ul> \
							</div> \
						</td> \
						<td>'
							+ _includeServices()
							+ '<div id="dsq-popup-profile-moderated-wrapper-' + user_key + '"> \
								<h4>Moderator of</h4> \
								<ul id="dsq-popup-profile-moderated-' + user_key + '"> \
									<li>Loading...</li> \
								</ul> \
							</div> \
						</td> \
					</tr> \
				</table> \
			</div> \
			';

		content = {
			'header': headerHtml,
			'body': bodyHtml
		};

		return this._popupGeneric(content);
	};

	this.popupReblog = function() {
		var headerHtml = '';
		var bodyHtml = '';
		var content = {};

		headerHtml = ' \
			<cite><span>Reblog this comment</span></cite> \
		';

		bodyHtml = ' \
			<div id="dsq-reblog-form" class="dsq-reblog-form"> \
			</div> \
		';

		content = {
			'header': headerHtml,
			'body': bodyHtml
		};

		return this._popupGeneric(content);
	};

	this.popupModal = function(title, message) {
		var headerHtml = '';
		var bodyHtml = '';
		var content = {};

		headerHtml = ' \
			<h3>' + title + '</h3> \
		';

		bodyHtml = message;

		content = {
			'header': headerHtml,
			'body': bodyHtml
		};

		return this._popupGeneric(content);
	};

	this.alertContent = function(name, post_id) {
		var alert = {
			'post_not_approved': {
				'title': 'Comment awaiting approval by a moderator',
				'message': 'Thanks for posting. Your comment must be approved by a moderator before appearing here.'
			},
			'post_has_profile': {
				'title': 'Use your existing commenter profile',
				'message': 'You have just posted your commment as a <span class="dsq-badge dsq-badge-guest">Guest</span>, but you may already have a <span class="dsq-badge dsq-badge-registered">Registered</span> commenter profile.<br /><br /><a href="http://disqus.com/claim">Log in and claim this comment!</a>'
			}
		};
		return alert[name] || false;
	};

	//
	// Actions
	//

	this.voted = function(post_id, points, vote) {
		// Update number of points
		Dsq.$('dsq-points-' + post_id).innerHTML = points + Dsq.Utils.pluralize(points, ' person', ' people') + ' liked this comment.';

		// Update link text
		if(vote) {
			Dsq.$('dsq-rate-cont-' + post_id).innerHTML = 'You liked this.';
		}
	};

	this.subscribed = function(status) {
		var title, message;

		if(status) {
			title = 'Subscribed!';
			message = 'You have subscribed to this comment thread. New comments will be sent directly to your email inbox, where you may read and respond by email.';
			Dsq.$('dsq-subscribe').innerHTML = ' \
				<a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Thread.subscribe(0); return false">Unsubscribe</a> \
			';
		} else {
			title = 'Unsubscribed';
			message = 'You have unsubscribed to this comment thread. New comments will no longer be sent to your email inbox.';
			Dsq.$('dsq-subscribe').innerHTML = ' \
				<a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Thread.subscribe(1); return false">Subscribe by email</a> \
			';
		}

		Dsq.Popup.popModal(message, title);

	};
	
	this.highlighted = function() {
		Dsq.Popup.popModal('This comment has been highlighted.', 'Highlighted comment');
	};

	//
	// Media
	//

	this.mediaSeesmic = function(id, thumb) {
		return ' \
			<div id="dsq-seesmic-' + id + '_preview" class="dsq-seesmic-preview"><a href="http://www.seesmic.com/video/' + id + '" target="_blank" class="see_link">&nbsp;</a> \
				<div style="display:block;width:160px; height:120px; border:none; background-image:url(http://t.seesmic.com/thumbnail/' + thumb + ')"> \
					<div id="dsq-seesmic-' + id + '_hide" class="seePlayOverlay" style="display:none;"><img onclick="see_play_video(\'' + id + '\',false)" src="http://media.disqus.com/images/seesmic/stopOverlay.png" width="50" height="50" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand; padding-top: 30px; padding-left: 50px" alt="" /></div> \
					<div id="dsq-seesmic-' + id + '_show" class="seePlayOverlay"><img onclick="see_play_video(\'' + id + '\',true)" src="http://media.disqus.com/images/seesmic/playOverlay.png" width="50" height="50" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand; border:none; padding-top: 30px; padding-left: 50px" alt="" /></div> \
				</div> \
			</div> \
			<div id="' + id + '_content" style="display:block; width:100%; padding-top:5px"></div> \
		';
	};

	//
	// Callbacks
	//

	this.postComment_onSuccess = function(parent_post_id) {
		// Increment post count
		var num_posts = Dsq.$('dsq-num-posts');
		var total_posts = Dsq.$('dsq-total-posts');
		
		if (num_posts) { 
			num_posts.innerHTML = parseInt(num_posts.innerHTML) + 1;
		}
		if (total_posts) { 
			total_posts.innerHTML = parseInt(total_posts.innerHTML) + 1;
		}
	};
};
// Dsq.Templates


/**
 * Dsq.Post
 */
Dsq.Post = new function() {
	this.openedMenu = {};
	this.menuEventListener = null;
	this.stateReplyToggled = {};
	this.stateEditToggled = {};
	this.stateRecordLink = {};

	/**
	 * Inserts a new post into the document.
	 *
	 * @param after_id {Number}	Insert a post before specified id.  If after_id
	 *							evaluates to false, then post in the front.  If
	 *							after_id is -1, post at the end.
	 */
	this.insert = function(after_id, id, message, author) {
		// Skeleton template from thread_posts.html.
		var skeleton = ' \
			<li id="dsq-comment-%(id)s"> \
				<div id="dsq-comment-header-%(id)s" class="dsq-comment-header"> \
					<cite id="dsq-cite-%(id)s" class="dsq-comment-cite"> \
						<a id="dsq-author-user-%(id)s" href="%(author_url)s" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">%(author_name)s</a> \
					</cite> \
				</div> \
				<div id="dsq-comment-body-%(id)s" class="dsq-comment-body"> \
					<div id="dsq-comment-message-%(id)s" class="dsq-comment-message">%(message)s</div> \
				</div> \
			</li> \
		';
		var _meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[id];
		var _user_meta = Dsq.jsonData.users[_meta.user_key];
		var markup = Dsq.Utils.interpolate(skeleton, {
			id: id,
			message: message,
			author_url: _user_meta.blog,
			author_name: _user_meta.display_name
		});
		var div = document.createElement('div');
		markup = markup.replace(Dsq.COMMENTS_RE, Dsq.CommentsHandler);
		div.innerHTML = markup;

		if (after_id === -1) {
			Dsq.$('dsq-comments').appendChild(div);
		} else if (!after_id) {
			Dsq.$('dsq-comments').insertBefore(div, Dsq.$('dsq-comments').firstChild);
		} else if (Dsq.$('dsq-comment-' + after_id)) {
			// Get next node after "after_id", so we can insert before it.
			// If "after_id" is the last comment, the target node is the
			// last node.
			
			// var append_post_id = Dsq.Templates.appendPost(after_id).replace('<div id="','').replace('"></div>', '');
			var append_post_id = 'dsq-append-post-' + after_id;
			var node = Dsq.$(append_post_id);
			while (node = node.nextSibling) {
				if (!node || node.nodeType == 1) { // 1 == Node.ELEMENT_NODE
					break;
				}
			}
			if (!node) {
				node = Dsq.$(append_post_id);
			}
			node.parentNode.insertBefore(div, node);
		}
	};

	this.incrementPostCount = function() {
		
		var num_posts = Dsq.$('dsq-num-posts');
		var total_posts = Dsq.$('dsq-total-posts');

		if (num_posts) {
			num_posts.innerHTML = parseInt(num_posts.innerHTML, 10) + 1;
		}
		if (total_posts) {
			total_posts.innerHTML = parseInt(total_posts.innerHTML, 10) + 1;
		}
	}
	
	this.outlineComment = function(post_id) {
		Dsq.$('dsq-comment-' + post_id).className += ' dsq-comment-outline';
		setTimeout("(function () { Dsq.Post.clearOutlineComment(" + post_id + ") })()", 3000);
	};
	
	this.clearOutlineComment = function(post_id) {
		Dsq.$('dsq-comment-' + post_id).className = Dsq.$('dsq-comment-' + post_id).className.replace('dsq-comment-outline', '');
	};

	this.showMenu = function(el, id, name) {
		var anchorPos = Dsq.Utils.findPos(el);
		var menu = document.createElement('ul');

		if(this.openedMenu) {
			if(this.openedMenu.linkClicked) {
				this.openedMenu.linkClicked = false;
				return;
			}
		}

		switch(name) {
			case 'more':
				menu.innerHTML = Dsq.Templates.menuMore(id);
				break;
			case 'media':
				menu.innerHTML = Dsq.Templates.menuMedia(id);
				break;
			default:
				break;
		}

		// Add menu to document body
		menu.id = 'dsq-menu-' + id;
		menu.className = 'dsq-menu';
		Dsq.$b.appendChild(menu);

		// Position and show
		anchorPos[1] += 15;
		menu.style.left = anchorPos[0] + 'px';
		menu.style.top = anchorPos[1] + 'px';
		menu.style.display = 'block';

		// Set global reference
		this.openedMenu = {
			'el' : menu,
			'id' : id,
			'name' : name,
			'linkClicked' : false
		};

		// Set listener
		this.menuEventListener = Dsq.Utils.addEventListener(document, 'mouseup', this._hideMenu);
	};

	this._hideMenu = function(e) {
		var el = e.target || e.srcElement;
		var openedMenu = Dsq.Post.openedMenu.el;
		var id = Dsq.Post.openedMenu.id;

		if(!id) {
			var link = 'dsq-' + Dsq.Post.openedMenu.name + '-link';
		} else {
			var link = 'dsq-' + Dsq.Post.openedMenu.name + '-link-' + id;
		}

		if(!openedMenu) {
			return;
		}

		if(!Dsq.Popup.isClicked(e, openedMenu.id)) {
			openedMenu.style.display = 'none';
			Dsq.Utils.removeEventListener(Dsq.Post.menuEventListener);
			Dsq.Utils.deleteNode(openedMenu);

		} else {
			// Hide the menu if a link was clicked inside the menu.  We can't
			// completely remove the menu until the onclick event on the link
			// fires, but the menuEventListener will prevent multiple menus
			// from polluting the DOM.
			if(el && typeof el.href != 'undefined') {
				openedMenu.style.display = 'none';
				Dsq.Post.openedMenu.el = null;
			}
		}

		if(Dsq.Popup.isClicked(e, link)) {
 			Dsq.Post.openedMenu.linkClicked = true;
		}
	};


	this.getUserServices = function(user_key, id) {
		if(!user_key && id) {
			var _meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[id];
			user_key = _meta.user_key;
		}
		var userData = Dsq.jsonData['users'][user_key];
		var userServices = [];

		// Keep a full list of supported services. This is the order they will display in the drop-profile.
		// Each service must have a corresponding case in _buildServiceUrl()
		var supportedServices = ['blog', 'twitter', 'facebook', 'tumblr'];

		function _buildServiceUrl(serviceName) {
			var data = userData[serviceName];
			var services = {
				blog:		function(d) { return d; },
				twitter:	function(d) { return d; },
				facebook:	function(d) { return d; },
				tumblr:		function(d) { return 'http://' + d + '.tumblr.com'; }
			};
			return services[serviceName](data);
		}

		for(var i = 0; i < supportedServices.length; i++) {
			if(userData[supportedServices[i]]) {
				var serviceUrl = _buildServiceUrl(supportedServices[i]);
				userServices.push({'name' : supportedServices[i], 'url' : serviceUrl});
			}
		}
		return userServices;
	}

	this.dropProfile = function(id) {
		var dp = Dsq.$('dsq-drop-profile-' + id);

		// IE6 needs JS to display/hide. All other browsers use CSS.
		if(dp) {
			if(Dsq.Utils.ie6) dp.style.display = (dp.style.display == 'inline') ? 'none' : 'inline';
			return false;
		} else {
			dp = document.createElement('ul');
		}

		dp.id = 'dsq-drop-profile-' + id;
		dp.className = 'dsq-drop-profile';

		if(Dsq.Utils.ie6) { dp.style.display = 'inline'; }

		var container = Dsq.$('dsq-header-avatar-' + id);
		dp.innerHTML = Dsq.Templates.dropProfile(id);
		container.appendChild(dp);
	};

	this.dropProfileMore = function(el, id) {
		var hiddenItems = Dsq.$('dsq-drop-hidden-' + id);

		hiddenItems.style.display = 'inline';
		el.parentNode.style.display = 'none';
	};

	this._updateReplyLinks = function(el, id) {
		// Update "reply / cancel" links based on state.
		var displayDict = {};

		if(id) {
			if(this.stateReplyToggled[id]) {
				el.innerHTML = 'Cancel';
				displayDict['media'] = 'inline';
				displayDict['edit'] = 'none';
			} else {
				el.innerHTML = 'Reply';
				displayDict['media'] = 'none';
				displayDict['edit'] = 'inline';
			}
		}

		for(var key in displayDict) {
			if(displayDict.hasOwnProperty(key)) {
				var	linkEl = Dsq.$('dsq-' + key + '-el-' + id),
					spacer = Dsq.$('dsq-' + key + '-spacer-' + id);

				if(linkEl) {
					linkEl.style.display = displayDict[key];
					if(spacer) spacer.style.display = displayDict[key];
				}
			}
		}
	};

	this._updateMediaLinks = function(el, id) {
		// Update "use media / cancel" links based on state.
		var appendId = (id) ? ('-' + id) : '';
		var link = Dsq.$('dsq-media-link' + appendId);

		if(this.stateRecordLink[id]) {
			link.innerHTML = 'Cancel Media';
			link.onclick = function() { Dsq.Post.toggleMediaReply(link, id); return false; };
		} else {
			link.innerHTML = 'Use Media <small>&#9660;</small>';
			link.onclick = function() { Dsq.Post.showMenu(link, id, 'media'); return false; };
		}
	};

	this.toggleReply = function(el, id) {
		// Create reply IFrame
		if (window.disqus_use_postmessage) {
			if (!this.stateReplyToggled[id]) {
				Dsq.$('dsq-reply-' + id).style.display = 'block';
				Dsq.$('dsq-reply-bar-' + id).style.display = 'block';
				// Create IFrame if it doesn't exist.
				if (!Dsq.frames['reply_' + id]) {
					var _meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[id];
					Dsq.frames['reply_' + id] = new Dsq.ReplyFrame(Dsq.$('dsq-reply-frame-' + id), id);
					Dsq.frames['reply_' + id].init();
					Dsq.frames['reply_' + id].setState(id, _meta.depth);
				}
			} else {
				Dsq.$('dsq-reply-' + id).style.display = 'none';
				Dsq.$('dsq-reply-bar-' + id).style.display = 'none';
			}
		} else {
			// DEPRECATED
			if(!this.stateReplyToggled[id]) {
				// Reply toolbar
				Dsq.$('dsq-reply-bar-' + id).style.display = 'block';
				Dsq.Iframes.showReplyIframeInContainerIfAllowed(Dsq.$('dsq-reply-' + id), id);
			} else {
				Dsq.$('dsq-reply-bar-' + id).style.display = 'none';
				Dsq.Iframes.hideAllInContainer(Dsq.$('dsq-reply-' + id));
				if(this.stateRecordLink[id]) {
					// HACK: Cancel media before canceling self.
					this.toggleMediaReply(Dsq.$('dsq-media-link-' + id), id);
				}
			}
		}

		this.stateReplyToggled[id] = !this.stateReplyToggled[id];
		this._updateReplyLinks(el, id);

		if(Dsq.Utils.ie) { Dsq.Utils.fixIframesIE('dsq-reply-' + id); }

		Dsq.Events.fire(Dsq.Events.REPLY_IFRAME_TOGGLED, {
			postId: id,
			opened: this.stateReplyToggled[id]
		});
	};

	this.toggleMediaReply = function(el, id, xtype) {
		id = id || 0;
		if(id) {
			var container = Dsq.$('dsq-reply-' + id);
		} else {
			var container = Dsq.$('dsq-post-add');
		}

		if(!this.stateRecordLink[id]) {
			Dsq.Iframes.showReplyIframeInContainer(container, id, {xtype:xtype}, 'dsq-post-video');
		} else {
			Dsq.Iframes.showReplyIframeInContainer(container, id);
		}
		this.stateRecordLink[id] = !this.stateRecordLink[id];
		this._updateMediaLinks(el, id);

		if(Dsq.Utils.ie) { Dsq.Utils.fixIframesIE(); }
	};

	this.edit = function(el, id) {
		Dsq.$('dsq-comment-message-' + id).innerHTML = Dsq.Templates.frameEdit(id);
		el.parentNode.style.display = 'none';
		if(Dsq.Utils.ie) { Dsq.Utils.fixIframesIE('dsq-comment-message-' + id); }
	};

    this.rate = function(el, id, vote) {
		if(Dsq.jsonData.request.is_authenticated || Dsq.jsonData.forum.allow_anon_votes) {
			if(vote == 1) {
                Dsq.$('dsq-rate-cont-' + id).innerHTML = '<img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/loading-small.gif">';
            }

            Dsq.Utils.execScript('http://disqus.com/forums/scobleizer/vote.js'
                + '?post_id='    + id
                + '&vote='        + vote);

		} else {
			Dsq.Popup.login(Dsq.Strings.TO_RATE_PLEASE_LOG_IN);
		}
    };

	this.report = function(id, confirmed) {
		if(confirmed) {
			Dsq.Utils.postToUrl('http://disqus.com/forums/scobleizer/hdtv_will_make_soccer_a_lot_more_popular_in_america/post_report/', {'post_id': id});
			Dsq.Popup.popModal('Thank you. This comment has been flagged for moderator attention.', 'Successfully flagged');
			Dsq.Utils.deleteNode(Dsq.$('dsq-post-report-' + id));
		} else {
			var title = Dsq.Strings.FLAG_INAPPROPRIATE_COMMENT;
			var message = Dsq.Strings.ARE_YOU_SURE_YOU_WOULD_LIKE_TO_REPORT_THIS_COMMENT_TO_A_MODERATOR + '? \
			<br /><br /> \
			<button type="button" onclick="Dsq.Popup._closePopup(null, true)"><strong>' + Dsq.Strings.NO + '</strong>, ' + Dsq.Strings.NEVER_MIND + '</button>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<button type="button" onclick="Dsq.Post.report(' + id + ', true);"><strong>' + Dsq.Strings.YES + '</strong>, ' + Dsq.Strings.FLAG_INAPPROPRIATE_COMMENT + '</button><br /><br />'
			+ Dsq.Strings.THIS_WILL_FLAG_COMMENTS_FOR_MODERATORS_TO_TAKE_ACTION + '. \
			';

			Dsq.Popup.popModal(message, title, id);
		}
	};



	this.showAlert = function(id, msg) {
		var msgEl = Dsq.$('dsq-comment-message-' + id);
		var alert = '<div class="dsq-comment-alert">' + msg + '</div>';

		msgEl.innerHTML = alert + msgEl.innerHTML;
	};

};
// Dsq.Post


/**
 * Dsq.Thread
 */
Dsq.Thread = new function() {
	this.fc = null;
	this.ff = null;
	this.ac = null;

	
	this.adminIsOn = false;

	
	
	

	this.hlComment = null;
	this.hlCommentClass = null;

	this.getNextComment = function(el) {
		var start_id = el.id;
		while(el = el.nextSibling) {
			if(el.id && el.id.indexOf('dsq-comment-') != -1 && el.id != start_id) {
				return el;
			}
		}
		return null;
	};

	this.getActiveCommentId = function() {
		if (document.URL.indexOf('#comment-') >= 0) {
			var anchor = document.URL.slice(document.URL.indexOf('#') + 1);
			return anchor.replace('comment-', '');
		}
		return null;
	};

	this.highlightAnchor = function() {
		var i = this.getActiveCommentId();
		if (i == null) return false;
		var id = 'dsq-comment-' + i;
		var hash = window.location.hash;

		// Toggle the hash incase the comment isn't available when the page loads
		// for WebKit-based browsers.
		if (Dsq.Utils.webkit) {
			window.location.hash = '';
			window.location.hash = hash;
		}

		this.hlComment = Dsq.$(id);
		// Adding this conditional guard pending #289
		if (!this.hlComment) {
			return;
		}
		this.hlCommentClass = this.hlComment.className;
		this.hlComment.className += ' dsq-hl-anchor';

		setTimeout("Dsq.Thread.highlightClear()", 3000);
	};

	this.highlightClear = function() {
		if (!this.hlComment) {
			return;
		}
		this.hlComment.className = this.hlCommentClass;
	};

	this.login = function(toggle) {
		// toggle id is #dsq-reply-login-[id]
		var postId;
		if(toggle.id.indexOf('dsq-reply-login') != -1) {
			postId = toggle.id.slice(16);
			var container = Dsq.$('dsq-reply-' + postId);
		} else {
			var container = Dsq.$('dsq-post-add');
		}

		if(toggle) {
			if(toggle.className == 'dsq-login-active') {
				Dsq.Iframes.showReplyIframeInContainerIfAllowed(container, postId);
				toggle.className = '';
			} else {
				Dsq.Iframes.showLoginIframeInContainer(container, postId);
				toggle.className = 'dsq-login-active';
			}
		} else {
			Dsq.Iframes.showLoginIframeInContainer(container, postId);
		}

		if(Dsq.Utils.ie) { Dsq.Utils.fixIframesIE(); }
	};


	this.paginate = function(page, el_clicked, per_page) {
		// Use extra_params to pass any override parameters that we need to persist.
		var extra_params = '';

		// "Per page" can either be overriden by providing it as an argument
		// (per-call) or setting the disqus_per_page override variable (global).
		if(typeof per_page == 'undefined') {
			per_page = null;
		}
		if(typeof disqus_per_page != 'undefined' && per_page === null) {
			per_page = disqus_per_page;
		}

		if(typeof disqus_sort != 'undefined') {
			extra_params += '&sort=' + disqus_sort;
		}
		if(per_page !== null) {
			extra_params += '&per_page=' + per_page;
		}

		Dsq.$('dsq-pagination').innerHTML += '<img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/loading-small.gif">';
		
		if(el_clicked) {
			el_clicked.style.display = 'none';
		}
		
		Dsq.Utils.execScript('http://disqus.com/forums/scobleizer/thread.js'
			+ '?slug='	+ 'hdtv_will_make_soccer_a_lot_more_popular_in_america'
			+ '&p='		+ page
			+ extra_params);
	};

	this.sortBy = function(sort) {
		var disqus_script = document.createElement('script');
		var disqus_date = new Date();

		if (location.hash != '') {
			location.hash = '#disqus_thread';
		}

		if(typeof(disqus_url) == 'undefined') {
			disqus_url = disqus_href;
		}
		disqus_script.type = 'text/javascript';
		disqus_script.src = 'http://disqus.com/forums/scobleizer/thread.js'
			+ '?slug='	+ 'hdtv_will_make_soccer_a_lot_more_popular_in_america'
			+ '&sort='	+ sort
			+ '&title='
			+ '&'		+ disqus_date.getTime();

		Dsq.$('dsq-comments').innerHTML = '<img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/loading.gif">';
		Dsq.container.appendChild(disqus_script);
	};

	this.subscribe = function(status, email) {
		// `status` is an int -- 1 to subscribe, 0 to unsubscribe
		if(Dsq.jsonData.request.is_authenticated || email) {
			// If authenticated user OR anonymous email provided

			if(email) {
				Dsq.Popup._closePopup(null, true);
			}

			Dsq.Utils.execScript('http://disqus.com/forums/scobleizer/subscribe.js'
				+'?status=' 	+ status
				+ '&slug='		+ 'hdtv_will_make_soccer_a_lot_more_popular_in_america'
				+ '&email=' 	+ encodeURIComponent(email));

		} else if(!email) {
			// If anonymous user and no email has been provided yet, prompt for email

			var title = 'Subscribe to this comment thread';
			var message = ' \
				New comments will be sent directly to your email inbox! \
				<div class="dsq-subscribe-submit"> \
					<p><strong>Enter your email address below.</strong></p> \
					<input type="text" id="dsq-subscribe-email"> \
					<button type="button" onclick="Dsq.Thread.subscribe(1, Dsq.$(\'dsq-subscribe-email\').value)">Subscribe</button> \
				</div> \
			';

			Dsq.Popup.popModal(message, title);
		}
	};

	this.showSettings = function() {
		if (!Dsq.jsonData.request.is_moderator) {
			return;
		}

		/* The form has to be re-designed when more options will come out. */
		var html = 'Automatically close comments after <input size="3" id="dsq-thread-days-alive" value="' + Dsq.jsonData.thread.days_alive + '" type="text" /> days. Existing comments will still be displayed.<br /><br />(Using 0 days will disable this feature)<br /><br />'
								 + '<button type="button" onclick="Dsq.Thread.updateDaysAlive();" class="dsq-button-small"><span>Save</span></button>'
								 + '<span id="dsq-thread-settings-status" class="dsq-options-status"></span>';

		Dsq.Popup.popModal(html, 'Settings');
	};

  this.showModeratorActions = function() {
      if (!Dsq.jsonData.request.is_moderator) {
          return;
      }

      var html = '<div class="dsq-moderate-options"><table><tr>' +
                 '<td>' + Dsq.Strings.ACTIONS + '</td><td><ul>';
      html += '<li><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Thread.toggleClosed(); return false;">' +
              (Dsq.jsonData.thread.closed ? Dsq.Strings.OPEN_THREAD : Dsq.Strings.CLOSE_THREAD) +
              '</a></li>';
      html += '<li><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Thread.toggleKilled(); return false;">' +
              (Dsq.jsonData.thread.killed ? Dsq.Strings.RESTORE_THREAD : Dsq.Strings.REMOVE_THREAD) +
              '</a></li>';
      html += '</ul></td></tr></table></div>' +
              '<p>Go to the full <a href="http://disqus.com/comments/moderate-threads/" target="_blank">moderate panel</a> for more options.</p>';
      Dsq.Popup.popModal(html, Dsq.Strings.MODERATE_OPTIONS);
  };

	this.updateDaysAlive = function() {
		  var days = Dsq.$('dsq-thread-days-alive').value;
		  var status = Dsq.$('dsq-thread-settings-status');
		  Dsq.Utils.postToUrl('http://disqus.com/forums/scobleizer/update_days_alive.js', {days:days,thread:Dsq.jsonData.thread.id});
		  status.innerHTML = 'Saved!';
		  window.setTimeout(function() { status.innerHTML = ''; }, 1000);
	};

  this.toggleClosed = function() {
      Dsq.Utils.postToUrl('http://disqus.com/forums/scobleizer/toggle_thread_closed.js', {thread:Dsq.jsonData.thread.id});
      window.setTimeout(function() { window.location.reload(); }, 500);
  };

  this.toggleKilled = function() {
      Dsq.Utils.postToUrl('http://disqus.com/forums/scobleizer/toggle_thread_killed.js', {thread:Dsq.jsonData.thread.id});
      window.setTimeout(function() { window.location.reload(); }, 500);
  };
};
// Dsq.Thread

Dsq.Events = function() {
	var obj = {};

	// Private
	var handlers = {};
	var getHandlers = function(event) {
		if (handlers[event] === undefined) {
			handlers[event] = [];
		}
		return handlers[event];
	};

	// Public
	// Value keys : postId, node, xtype
	obj.REPLY_IFRAME_CREATED = 1;
	// Value keys : postId, opened
	obj.REPLY_IFRAME_TOGGLED = 2;
	obj.fire = function(event, opt_value) {
		if (!event) {
			throw new Error('Unknown event');
		}
		var value = opt_value || {};
		for (var i=0; i<getHandlers(event).length; i++) {
			getHandlers(event)[i](value);
		}
	};
	obj.addHandler = function(event, callback) {
		getHandlers(event).push(callback);
	};

	return obj;
}();

/**
 * Dsq.Realtime
 */
Dsq.Realtime = new function() {
	var initialized = false;
	var interval = null;
	var last_checked = Dsq.jsonData.request.timestamp;
	var new_posts = [];
	var ongoing_request = false;
	var prev_script = null;

	function updateNewPostCount() {
		Dsq.$('dsq-realtime-alert').style.display = new_posts.length ? 'block' : 'none';

		Dsq.$('dsq-realtime-queued').innerHTML = new_posts.length
		+ ' new '
		+ Dsq.Utils.pluralize(new_posts.length, 'comment', 'comments')
		+ Dsq.Utils.pluralize(new_posts.length, ' was', ' were')
		+ ' just posted.';

		Dsq.$('dsq-realtime-show').innerHTML = '(' + Dsq.Strings.SHOW + ')';
	}

	function insertNewPosts() {
		var post_id = null;
		var after_id = Dsq.$('dsq-sort-select').value === 'oldest' ? -1 : null;

		for (var i=0; i<new_posts.length; i++) {
			post_id = new_posts[i];
			Dsq.Post.insert(after_id, post_id, Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id].message);
			Dsq.Post.incrementPostCount();
			Dsq.Post.outlineComment(post_id);
		}
		new_posts = [];
	}

	this.enableInterval = function() {
		interval = setInterval(Dsq.Realtime.check, Dsq.jsonData.context.realtime_speed);
		Dsq.$('dsq-realtime-status').innerHTML = Dsq.Strings.ENABLED;
		Dsq.$('dsq-realtime-toggle').innerHTML = '(' + Dsq.Strings.PAUSE + ')';
	}

	this.disableInterval = function() {
		if (interval) {
			clearInterval(interval);
			interval = null;
		}
		Dsq.$('dsq-realtime-status').innerHTML = Dsq.Strings.PAUSED;
		Dsq.$('dsq-realtime-toggle').innerHTML = '(' + Dsq.Strings.RESUME + ')';
	}

	this.toggleInterval = function() {
		if (!interval) {
			Dsq.Realtime.enableInterval();
		} else {
			Dsq.Realtime.disableInterval();
		}
		return false;
	}

	this.initialize = function() {
		if (!initialized) {
			initialized = true;
			Dsq.$('dsq-realtime-toggle').onclick = this.toggleInterval;
			if (!Dsq.jsonData.forum.streaming_realtime) {
				Dsq.$('dsq-realtime-show').onclick = this.show;
				updateNewPostCount();
			}
			if (Dsq.jsonData.thread.realtime_paused) {
				Dsq.Realtime.disableInterval();
			} else {
				Dsq.Realtime.enableInterval();
			}
		}
	}

	this.show = function() {
		insertNewPosts();
		updateNewPostCount();
		return false;
	}

	this.check = function() {
		if (!ongoing_request && Dsq.jsonData.realtime_enabled) {
			if (prev_script) {
				prev_script.parentNode.removeChild(prev_script);
			}
			ongoing_request = true;
			prev_script = Dsq.Utils.execScript('http://disqus.com/forums/18679926/realtime.js?timestamp=' + last_checked);
		}
	};

	this.update = function(timestamp, posts, users) {
		ongoing_request = false;
		last_checked = timestamp;

		if (users) {
			for (var user_id in users) {
				if (users.hasOwnProperty(user_id)) {
					if (!Dsq.jsonData.users[user_id]) {
						Dsq.jsonData.users[user_id] = users[user_id];
					}
				}
			}
		}

		if (posts) {
			for (var post_id in posts) {
				if (posts.hasOwnProperty(post_id)) {
					if (!Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id]) {
						Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id] = posts[post_id];
						new_posts.push(post_id);
					}
				}
			}

			if (Dsq.jsonData.forum.streaming_realtime) {
				insertNewPosts();
			} else {
				updateNewPostCount();
			}
		}
	};

}();

// DEPRECATED
Dsq.Iframes = function() {
	// Different style of object from the above. Hoping to switch to this for some reason.
	var obj = {};

	// Private
	var showIframeInContainer = function(container, id, markup) {
		// Look through container for iframes, hiding them, except show one that matches id
		// If none of them matched id, create a new iframe using markup and insert it.
		// Returns the iframe node if and only if it was newly created.
		var found = false;
		for (var i=0; i<container.childNodes.length; i++) {
			var child = container.childNodes[i];
			if (child.nodeName == 'IFRAME') {
				if (child.id == id) {
					child.style.display = 'block';
					found = true;
				} else {
					child.style.display = 'none';
				}
			}
		}
		if (found) {
			return;
		}
		// The iframe wasn't found, so construct it and add it to the container.
		// Don't use innerHTML because it might reload iframes
		var div = document.createElement('div');
		div.innerHTML = markup;
		var iframe = div.childNodes[0];
		div.removeChild(iframe);
		container.appendChild(iframe);
		return iframe;
	};

	// Public
	obj.makeReplyIframeId = function(opt_postId, opt_xtype) {
		var id = 'dsq-post-add-iframe';
		if (opt_xtype) {
			id += '-' + opt_xtype;
		}
		if (opt_postId) {
			id += '-' + opt_postId;
		}
		return id;
	};
	obj.makeLoginIframeId = function(opt_postId) {
		if (!opt_postId) {
			return 'dsq-login-iframe';
		}
		return 'dsq-login-iframe-' + opt_postId;
	};
	obj.makeReplyIframeName = function(opt_postId, opt_xtype) {
		var name = 'dsq-reply-frame';
		if (opt_xtype) {
			name += '-' + opt_xtype;
		}
		if (opt_postId) {
			name += '-' + opt_postId;
		}
		return name;
	};
	obj.showReplyIframeInContainer = function(container, opt_postId, opt_extraParams, opt_className) {
		// Construct the id so we can check if it's already present.
		// Hide any other iframes we find, and show this one if it's found.
		var params = opt_extraParams || {};
		// use xtype in the id and name so we can distinguish media replies from text replies:
		var id = Dsq.Iframes.makeReplyIframeId(opt_postId, params.xtype);
		var name = Dsq.Iframes.makeReplyIframeName(opt_postId, params.xtype);
		var attributes = {
			'id': id,
			'name': name,
			'class': opt_className || 'dsq-post-reply'
			};
		var markup = Dsq.Templates.frameReply(opt_postId, opt_extraParams, attributes);
		var iframe = showIframeInContainer(container, id, markup);
		// It was newly created
		if (iframe) {
			Dsq.Events.fire(Dsq.Events.REPLY_IFRAME_CREATED, {
				postId: opt_postId,
				node: iframe,
				xtype: params.xtype
			});
		}
	};
	obj.showLoginIframeInContainer = function(container, opt_postId) {
		var id = Dsq.Iframes.makeLoginIframeId(opt_postId);
		var markup = Dsq.Templates.frameLogin({id: id});
		showIframeInContainer(container, id, markup);
	};
	obj.showReplyIframeInContainerIfAllowed = function(container, opt_postId) {
		if (Dsq.jsonData.context.show_reply) {
			obj.showReplyIframeInContainer(container, opt_postId);
		} else {
			obj.hideAllInContainer(container);
		}
	};
	obj.hideAllInContainer = function(container) {
		for (var i=0; i<container.childNodes.length; i++) {
			var child = container.childNodes[i];
			if (child.nodeName == 'IFRAME') {
				child.style.display = 'none';
			}
		}
	};

	return obj;
}();

Dsq.Twitter = new function() {
	var that = this;

	this.startTwitterConnect = function() {
		var popupParams = 'location=0,status=0,width=800,height=400';
		that._twitterWindow = window.open(Dsq.jsonData.settings.disqus_url + '/_ax/twitter/begin/', 'twitterWindow', popupParams);
		that._twitterInterval = window.setInterval(that.completeTwitterConnect, 1000);
	};

	this.completeTwitterConnect = function() {
		if (that._twitterWindow.closed) {
			window.clearInterval(that._twitterInterval);
			window.location.reload();
		}
	};
};

Dsq.Yahoo = new function() {
	var that = this;

	this.startYahooConnect = function() {
		var popupParams = 'location=0,status=0,width=800,height=400';
		that._yahooWindow = window.open(Dsq.jsonData.settings.disqus_url + '/_ax/yahoo/begin/', 'yahooWindow', popupParams);
		that._yahooInterval = window.setInterval(that.completeYahooConnect, 1000);
	};

	this.completeYahooConnect = function() {
		if (that._yahooWindow.closed) {
			window.clearInterval(that._yahooInterval);
			window.location.reload();
		}
	};
};

Dsq.OpenID = new function() {
	var that = this;

	this.requestURL = function() {
		var message = '<table class="dsq-openid-form"><tr><td style="vertical-align:top;" rowspan="2"><img src="' + Dsq.jsonData.settings.media_url + '/images/openid-icon-100x100.png" /></td>';
		message += '<td><label for="dsq-openid-url">OpenID URL:</label></td><td><input type="text" id="dsq-openid-url" /></td></tr>';
		message += '<tr><td><label for="dsq-openid-username">Display name:</label></td><td><input type="text" id="dsq-openid-username" /></td></tr>';
		message += '<tr><td class="dsq-openid-submit" colspan="3"><input type="button" value="Sign in" onclick="Dsq.OpenID.startConnect();" /></td></tr>';
		message += "</table>";

		Dsq.Popup.popModal(message, 'Sign in using OpenID');
	};

	this.startConnect = function() {
		var isblank = function(str) {
			return /^\s*$/.test(str);
		};

		var openid_url = Dsq.$('dsq-openid-url').value;
		var username = Dsq.$('dsq-openid-username').value;

		if (isblank(openid_url)) {
			return;
		}

		var popupParams = 'location=0,status=0,width=800,height=500';
		var url = Dsq.jsonData.settings.disqus_url + '/_ax/openid/begin/' + '?url=' + encodeURIComponent(openid_url) + '&username=' + encodeURIComponent(username);
		that._openidWindow = window.open(url, 'openidWindow', popupParams);
		that._openidInterval = window.setInterval(that.completeConnect, 1000);
	};

	this.completeConnect = function() {
		if (that._openidWindow.closed) {
			window.clearInterval(that._openidInterval);
			window.location.reload();
		}
	};
};

Dsq.Reaction = new function() {
	var that = this;

	this.hide = function(id) {
		Dsq.Utils.execScript('http://disqus.com/forums/scobleizer/hidereaction.js?' + 'reaction_id=' + id);
	};

	this.reportMissingReactions = function() {
		if (!Dsq.jsonData.request.is_moderator || !Dsq.jsonData.forum.reactions_enabled) {
			return;
		}

		if (Dsq.jsonData.thread.queued) {
			Dsq.Popup.popModal('Your report has been received. The system will automatically search for new reactions; if any are found, they will be displayed on this comment thread.<br/><br/>Thank&nbsp;you.',
												 'Reported missing reactions');
			return;
		}

		Dsq.Utils.execScript(Dsq.jsonData.settings.disqus_url + '/forums/scobleizer/queueurl.js');
	};
};

Dsq.CNN = function() {
	var obj = {};

	obj.authenticate = function() {
		var url = Dsq.jsonData.settings.disqus_url + "/saml/cnn/try/";
		Dsq.Utils.postToUrl(url, {'target': document.location}, true);
	};

	return obj;
}();


if(Dsq.Utils.ie6) {
	(function() {
		DSQ_HEADER_AVATAR_RE = /<div class="dsq-header-avatar"(.*?)>/gim;
		Dsq.Templates.registerFilter('postPrependHeader', function(html, post_id) {
			// Add "onmouseout" for dsq-header-avatar for dropProfile
			// functionality since IE6 cannot use :hover.
			function _headerAvatarReplace(content, inner, _unused, html) {
				return '<div class="dsq-header-avatar" '
					+ inner
					+ ' onmouseout="Dsq.Post.dropProfile(' + post_id + ')">';
			}
			html = html.replace(DSQ_HEADER_AVATAR_RE, _headerAvatarReplace);
			return html;
		});
	})();
}





	// TODO: Move Seesmic code outside of the main script.  Don't let this script clobber the global namespace.
	if(typeof seesmic == 'undefined') { var seesmic = {}; }
	seesmic.widget = new function () {
		this.callback = function (data) {
			playerVersion = data.disqusplayer;
		};
	};

	
	var scriptEl = document.createElement('script');
	scriptEl.setAttribute('type', 'text/javascript');
	scriptEl.setAttribute('src', 'http://seesmic.com/version.js?callback=seesmic.widget.callback');
	document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0].appendChild(scriptEl);

	
	var scriptEl = document.createElement('script');
	scriptEl.setAttribute('type', 'text/javascript');
	scriptEl.setAttribute('src', 'http://media.disqus.com/javascript/library/swfobject.js');
	document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0].appendChild(scriptEl);

	function see_play_video(_videoUri, _add) {
		var swf = !!playerVersion ? playerVersion : 'http://seesmic.com/embeds/StandalonePlayer.swf';

		flashcontentDiv = Dsq.$(_videoUri + '_content');
		previewDiv = Dsq.$('dsq-seesmic-' + _videoUri + '_preview');
		hideDiv = Dsq.$('dsq-seesmic-' + _videoUri + '_hide');
		showDiv = Dsq.$('dsq-seesmic-' + _videoUri + '_show');
		if(_add) {
			// push flash widget
			var so = new SWFObject(swf, 'sotester', '300', '270', '9', '#000000');
			so.addVariable('video', _videoUri);
			so.addParam('allowFullScreen', 'true');
			so.addParam('allowScriptAccess','always');
			so.useExpressInstall('swfobject/expressinstall.swf');
			so.write(_videoUri + '_content');

			previewDiv.style.display = 'none';
			hideDiv.style.display = 'block';
			showDiv.style.display = 'none';
		}
		else {
			flashcontentDiv.innerHTML = '';
			previewDiv.style.display = 'block';
			hideDiv.style.display = 'none';
			showDiv.style.display = 'block';
		}
	};





(function() {
	//
	// Load theme.  This overrides the base templates with template functions
	// from the respective themes.
	//
	if (Dsq.jsonData.integration.theme == 4) {
		var theme = 'narcissus';
		// HACK: Set variable on window to use post message.
		window.disqus_use_postmessage = true;

		
		for(var prop in Dsq.Themes[theme]) {
			if(Dsq.Themes[theme] && Dsq.Themes[theme].hasOwnProperty(prop)) {
				Dsq.Templates[prop] = Dsq.Themes[theme][prop];
			}
		}
		
		for(var prop in Dsq.Post) {
			if(Dsq.Themes[theme] && Dsq.Themes[theme].hasOwnProperty(prop)) {
				Dsq.Post[prop] = Dsq.Themes[theme][prop];
			}
		}
	}

	//
	// Register templates.  This must be done after all themes are loaded.
	//
	Dsq.Templates.registerTemplate('authPost', Dsq.Templates.authPost);
	Dsq.Templates.registerTemplate('header', Dsq.Templates.header);
	Dsq.Templates.registerTemplate('footer', Dsq.Templates.footer);
	Dsq.Templates.registerTemplate('trackbacks', Dsq.Templates.trackbacks);
	Dsq.Templates.registerTemplate('reactions', Dsq.Templates.reactions);
	Dsq.Templates.registerTemplate('prependPost', Dsq.Templates.prependPost);
	Dsq.Templates.registerTemplate('appendPost', Dsq.Templates.appendPost);
	Dsq.Templates.registerTemplate('postPrependHeader', Dsq.Templates.postPrependHeader);
	Dsq.Templates.registerTemplate('postAppendHeader', Dsq.Templates.postAppendHeader);
	Dsq.Templates.registerTemplate('preBody', Dsq.Templates.preBody);
	Dsq.Templates.registerTemplate('postBody', Dsq.Templates.postBody);
	Dsq.Templates.registerTemplate('postFooter', Dsq.Templates.postFooter);
	Dsq.Templates.registerTemplate('_popupGeneric', Dsq.Templates._popupGeneric);
	Dsq.Templates.registerTemplate('voted', Dsq.Templates.voted);
	Dsq.Templates.registerTemplate('popupProfile', Dsq.Templates.popupProfile);
	Dsq.Templates.registerTemplate('postBox', Dsq.Templates.postBox);
	Dsq.Templates.registerTemplate('pagination', Dsq.Templates.pagination);
	Dsq.Templates.registerTemplate('postComment_onSuccess', Dsq.Templates.postComment_onSuccess);

})();

Dsq.container.className = "clearfix";
Dsq.container.innerHTML = ' \
<ul id="dsq-comments">\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9645127">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9645127" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9645127" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-9645127">Goebbels</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9645127" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9645127" class="dsq-comment-message">It\'s an idiotic theory. Football isn\'t popular because we simply don\'t get it, we don\'t enjoy it and we aren\'t good at it: we don\'t get that battling for control of a field is just as exciting as a goal... that defense is as important as offense, etc...<br><br>HDTV doesn\'t change that. And do you really want more advertising? The beauty of football is that it\'s not impaired by crap advertising. Claiming there\'s space for ads with HD after you just said you get to see more of the field is foolish.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9645130">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9645130" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9645130" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-9645130" href="http://www.myersds.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Larry Myers</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9645130" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9645130" class="dsq-comment-message">For Soccer to become more popular in America one of the other sports will have to be shoved out.  The best chance Soccer has is maybe displacing the NHL since that league has pretty much tied its own noose around its neck with the strike last year.<br><br>But I\'d be amazed if Soccer ever stood a chance at nudging by the NFL, MLB, or even the NBA.<br><br>You\'re big on attention Scoble, and non-World Cup soccer just isn\'t good enough yet to grab people\'s limited attention when they can watch football, baseball, or basketball.  HD or not.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9645129">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9645129" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9645129" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-9645129" href="http://dotnetjunkies.com/WebLog/paul/default.aspx" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">paul</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9645129" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9645129" class="dsq-comment-message">We have the NFL, MLB, and the NBA.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9645128">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9645128" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9645128" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-9645128" href="http://www.people.fas.harvard.edu/~bcellis" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Byron</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9645128" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9645128" class="dsq-comment-message">Bull. It\'s not popular in the U.S. because you can\'t actually watch it except on Mexican stations. Yeah, the World Cup was on ABC but how many games were on during the four years between World Cups? Oh, yeah. None. Their excuse is that the ratings suck, which they do because there\'s never been attempt to build the sport in this country as entertainment. Which is probably just fine since TV timeouts have ruined actually going to a football or basketball game.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9645126">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9645126" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9645126" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-9645126" href="http://daviddalka.com/createvalue/2006/07/05/chicago-tribune-lauches-embedded-video-ads-and-stories/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">David Dalka</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9645126" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9645126" class="dsq-comment-message">They\'ve said this about the NHL for years. I\'m still waiting. Then again, I\'ve been cursed with being a fan of the Chicago Blackhawks, a team that still doesn\'t put it\'s home games on TV. Ugh.<br><br>What about videocasting on HDTV, Robert?</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9645123">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9645123" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9645123" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-9645123">Goebbels</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9645123" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9645123" class="dsq-comment-message">Let\'s be clear about a few things:<br><br>1. HD fundamentally improves all sports, even those not visually intensive like baseball and golf. HD does not favor one sport. As broadcasts improve, sports do not become more popular; they just look better.<br><br>2. There have already been several waves of improvement in broadcasting and televisions over the last 50 years (not just color and picture size but also image quality). Prior to this, there was radio. Prior to this, newspapers. Football was extremely popular in Brazil and Argentina (and these countries excelled at the game) before the invention of radio. Improving media does not encourage one country or another to become more interested in a particular sport. (One could just as easily say Opera will have a big boost in popularity because it will look and sound better in HD.)<br><br>i.e. This is yet another patently absurd theory on Scoble\'s part.<br><br>Byron, every game of the Cup was on ESPN except some of the later matches on the weekends. But, yes, it\'s still better on Univision even if you don\'t know Spanish because the American commentators are unenthused idiots.<br><br>Larry, I agree that for one to gain in popularity another must fall. But it\'s foolish to presume that because NHL is declining, those fans will become Football fans. Hockey fans are fans because of geography, enjoying skating or the speed, the contact, the fighting, etc... There are some affinities between the two but not enough to show any correlation in support from fans.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9645125">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9645125" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9645125" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-9645125">Goebbels</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9645125" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9645125" class="dsq-comment-message">Byron, also, MLS is on cable all the time. The problem with Football is there is no stoppage duting the 45 minute periods = no advertising. Or... you can cut away at random intervals and possibly miss the key moments of the game.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9645120">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9645120" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9645120" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-9645120" href="http://scobleizer.wordpress.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Robert Scoble</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9645120" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9645120" class="dsq-comment-message">Goebbels: hmmm, seems there are SOME people in the US who want to watch it, though. There are reports that the FIFA Web site in the US received more hits than the Major League Baseball one. <a href="http://www.paidcontent.org/football-world-cup-some-online-numbers" rel="nofollow">http://www.paidcontent.org/football-world-cup-s...</a><br><br>The problem is that hockey and baseball and football are also more enjoyable to watch in HD. So, if this is a zero sum game soccer won\'t do anybetter.<br><br>Regarding videocasting on HD. That\'s certainly coming. You really must look at what the Xbox team is doing. They are gonna bring HD videocasts into everyone\'s home that has an Xbox. I\'m sure Sony will do the same.<br><br>Why are the cable companies pushing so hard for getting rid of Net Neutrality? Easy: they see the video game consoles as encroaching on their business and they want to keep them out.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9645119">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9645119" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9645119" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-9645119" href="http://scobleizer.wordpress.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Robert Scoble</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9645119" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9645119" class="dsq-comment-message">Hint: I don\'t think it\'s a zero sum game. Also, HD doesn\'t help baseball and football as MUCH as it helps Soccer be more enjoyable to watch.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9645116">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9645116" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9645116" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-9645116">brad</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9645116" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9645116" class="dsq-comment-message">smaller fields, no ties, and time outs (if someone is going to flop around like a dying fish every so often to get a break any way just give them the dang time outs) will make soccoer more pallatable to americans.<br><br>HD might make it easier to give it a chance, but there would still be plenty that would turn people away.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9645117">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9645117" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9645117" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-9645117">Goebbels</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9645117" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9645117" class="dsq-comment-message">Scoble, who said no one is interested? I\'ve been a huge fan for years and know many others. My point is: people are absurd when they talk about changing the game or other foolish methods of encouraging people, who are presently not disposed to enjoy it, to enjoy it. Those that will will. Sans gimmicks.<br><br>If you think American Football doesn\'t benefit from HD as much, you\'re on crack. Every single camera shot in a football game excludes 50%-80% of the action in a play. Everything occurs in more confined spaces with more people acting at the point of attention.<br><br>(Stangely, everything you claimed you can\'t see in Soccer -- offsides, foot work... I can see without HD. Maybe since you are jsut a neophyte getting into the game over the last few Cups, you simply don\'t know how to watch the game yet. ...By the way, will you be wathing the Copa America? Which of the Euro Leagues is your favorite? What is your favorite team? Are you a Boca fan or a River Plate fan? What.. can\'t answer those questions? But didn\'t you watch the Cup in HD?)<br><br>Brad, in the Cup, there are no ties, and smaller fields and time outs would be like watching a bunch of 10 year olds at the neighborhood field. I\'d rather keep the game as it is than attract some silly Americans who cannot appreciate the game.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9645113">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9645113" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9645113" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-9645113">Goebbels</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9645113" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9645113" class="dsq-comment-message">"Why are the cable companies pushing so hard for getting rid of Net Neutrality? Easy: they see the video game consoles as encroaching on their business and they want to keep them out."<br><br>Another patently absurd theory. It\'s not that easy and there are certainly many, more substantial reasons.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9645115">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9645115" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9645115" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-9645115" href="http://bryanmurley.wordpress.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Bryan Murley</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9645115" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9645115" class="dsq-comment-message">This is certainly an interesting theory. But I think it ultimately fails because there\'s too much invested in other sports here - entire towns follow American football. It\'s on Friday, Saturday and Sunday during the fall. Likewise, there are huge audiences for lower-level basketball and baseball teams (high school and college). I don\'t see soccer gaining that kind of footing any time in the near future.<br><br>And frankly, watching the shootout at the end of the game today made me appreciate soccer even less. There\'s absolutely no challenge in the shootout, and thus it\'s a terrible way to end a championship game. Even NHL shootouts give the goalkeeper a fighting chance. The soccer shootout is just an opportunity to humiliate the keeper. It\'s a guessing game, not a battle of skills.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9645114">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9645114" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9645114" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-9645114" href="http://scobleizer.wordpress.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Robert Scoble</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9645114" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9645114" class="dsq-comment-message">Goebbels: well, let\'s have the reasons now that you brought them up.<br><br>I\'m a Bayern fan. <a href="http://www.football.co.uk/bayern_munich/index.shtml" rel="nofollow">http://www.football.co.uk/bayern_munich/index.s...</a><br><br>Goebbels: well, you might have seen it, but I switched back and forth between HD and HD did a lot better job at showing those things.<br><br>Oh well, we\'ll just have to disagree on this one.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9645112">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9645112" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9645112" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-9645112" href="http://www.inabox.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Jack Box</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9645112" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9645112" class="dsq-comment-message">Soccer is already deplacing baseball and hockey among teenagers. so in 5-10 years, when the current teenagers become money earning consumers, corporate America will catch up eventually-of course HDTV might help a bit too.<br><br>Why soccer wasn\'t popular among the adults right now? because of the red card/yellow cards periods, American Adults prefer bleedy voilence to regulations/rules/ gentlemenship.<br><br>I believe the headbutt of Zidane could won around of applause in the red states:)</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9645111">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9645111" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9645111" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-9645111">Goebbels</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9645111" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9645111" class="dsq-comment-message">Scobles, let me clarify by saying that I don\'t think it\'s a zero-sum scenario either... maybe Soccer does benefit most. But I think the impact, even if greatest for Soccer, is minimal. There are numerous and more significant factors. Factors which truly impede, rather than foster, the development you suggest.<br><br>Sure, I\'ll list a few of those factors:<br><br>1. Resources. We do not lack wealth and resources, meaning a sport that only requires a ball is not the primary source of sport. In fact, our abundance of resources "proactively" distract us from Soccer. (This is why Soccer is popular in colonial countries: Latin and South America, the Middle East, Africa.) In many nations, it\'s what you play all the time... with yourself, with one other person, with more.<br><br>2. Historical. The game has existed for centuries. It has quickly become popular where and when it\'s introduced. It has never been extremely popular here, and declined significantly once we developed our own sports. Historically, there is now reason to believe any change to that based on an increased quality of broadcast media when the most significant changes in media have largely occurred: print, film, radio, tv, internet without improvement.<br><br>3. Practical. Americans are not attracted to an hour and a half game without interruption that results in a low score. "Seasons" conflict with existing sports (How many hours of sport is the avg. American husband allowed to watch and be engaged with?)<br><br>4. Pro Athletics. American Pro Sports is structured like no other countries. The League/Club systems are almost uniformly the same the world over fostering the game as player and spectator at all levels, levels of skill from youth and the lowest skill to adults and pro skill as well as level of locale, from your neighborhood to your nation. Here, it is one system for each sport at the highest level only... (yes, yes, we have farm leagues and youth sports, etc... it\'s just not the same.)<br><br>I\'ll give you 3 more tomorrow.<br><br>Bryan, I agree: it\'s sad to see the Final (or any game) end on Penalty Kicks. Ties are better. The Final should result in a second game if tied.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9645110">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9645110" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9645110" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-9645110" href="http://str1ke.us/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">trees420</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9645110" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9645110" class="dsq-comment-message">I just bought a new sony 60" wega hdtv about 2 months ago and luckily I was able to spend alot of time this month watching about 80% of the coverage between the two ESPNHD stations (no local HD in my area yet :( ).<br><br>The picture quality blew me away, but there were a few things that I noticed in the coverage, which I think have an effect on trying to draw americans attention to world cup soccer (other than the terrible soccer coverage in this county outside of the world cup)<br><br>1. For all the ABC games I couldn\'t get in HD, I watched on the spanish stations. Why? Because even if you don\'t speak spanish, their passion and excitement for the action of the game is contagious. The ABC announcers were BORING as all hell and other than explaining the simple basic of play to the audience they had NOTHING to add in commentary to the matches (ESPN was slightly better at this though).<br><br>2. Whoever directed the camera coverage for ABC should be banned from ever directing another tournament for them. I thought the quality of camera coverage was terrible! Univision directors know the game and just are more in tune with the coverage the fans want. I noticed much less reliance on replays for action that was missed on the pitch from the Univision crews.<br><br>As a huge fan of fooball here in america, I pray for the day our commentary and coverage approaches even a small percentage closer in quality to coverage in europe and latin america. The HD was great, but the coverage is where I think the real difference can be made. Maybe next time I\'ll just have to mute the volume on the tv and crank up a live audio feed from england.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9645109">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9645109" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9645109" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-9645109" href="http://www.slashstar.com/blogs/tim" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Tim Marman</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9645109" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9645109" class="dsq-comment-message">Personally, I think it\'s a game of economics, and I think advertising opportunities are a big part of that, as I wrote about last week.<br><br><a href="http://slashstar.com/blogs/tim/archive/2006/07/03/Why_hasnt_the_World_Cup_caught_on_in_the_United_States.aspx" rel="nofollow">http://slashstar.com/blogs/tim/archive/2006/07/...</a><br><br>"Unlike an NFL or NBA game, however, a [soccer] match doesn\'t have stoppage in play. This translates to less advertising time and makes it less likely that a major network will pay hefty sums to carry MLS games. With a smaller audience, less Americans see soccer games and actually know how exciting the games can be. The smaller audience feeds the lack of advertising, which feeds the lack of substantial salary as an incentive for our best athletes to turn towards soccer."</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9645108">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9645108" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9645108" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-9645108" href="http://str1ke.us/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">trees420</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9645108" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9645108" class="dsq-comment-message">Scoble:<br><br>Bayern Munchen! ahh, the man-u of the bundesliga...<br><br>1. FC Kaiserslautern forever!!! [even if they are relegated!]</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9645107">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9645107" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9645107" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-9645107">Gene</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9645107" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9645107" class="dsq-comment-message">Football (soccer) isn\'t popular with Americans becuase Americans largely suck at soccer and with good cause. Americans are taught to pass too often while Europeans are taught to shoot. There has been mucho said about this very thing and it\'s true. Soccer also was not invented in the US, and alot of stupid Americans have a problem with this as well. America will never do well in the World Cup because the Americans need to realize that it\'s more than just a game to the Europeans and Latinos -- it\'s a way of life. Soccer is the de-facto religion in some countries. The US will never dominate at soccer unless the team is made up of almost all Europeans and Latinos.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9645104">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9645104" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9645104" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-9645104" href="http://volatilechar.space.msn.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Dileepa P</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9645104" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9645104" class="dsq-comment-message">Football doesn\'t need HDTV. What it needs to be popular in USA is for USA to recognize that the word "World" refers to countries all over the "World". Having "World Series" games where teams from only one country (read USA) take part is the problem.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9645105">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9645105" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9645105" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-9645105">FelixTheCat</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9645105" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9645105" class="dsq-comment-message">Soccer is the hairball of modern sports.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9645106">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9645106" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9645106" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-9645106" href="http://onecoolsoul.wordpress.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">onecoolsoul</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9645106" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9645106" class="dsq-comment-message">Another part of the problem is Americans are an impatient lot. If you don\'t score several times in a short period we tend to lose interest. I myself am a fan of the game and love the footwork of these players but most Americans want the scoring type of action or they complain that it is boring and overlook such skills as footwork. Ahh unfortunately that is the way it is in a society where fast indulgences or instant gratifcation is king.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9645103">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9645103" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9645103" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-9645103">met</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9645103" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9645103" class="dsq-comment-message">hdtv.....<br><br>....and better commentators than the ones on abc this year...</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9645097">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9645097" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9645097" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-9645097">Josh</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9645097" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9645097" class="dsq-comment-message">Soccer will never be popular in the US so its a moot point.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9645099">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9645099" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9645099" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-9645099" href="http://mndoci.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Deepak</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9645099" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9645099" class="dsq-comment-message">I had sort of drifted away from football for a bit.  Its never been my favorite sport, but I liked it.  This time, I got a chance to see a bunch of games in Europe (in Holland and France).  Just that experience got me into this world cup like none before.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9645101">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9645101" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9645101" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-9645101">Dmad</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9645101" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9645101" class="dsq-comment-message">Well, this train wreck is over. Nothing more to see here. This proves your are absolutely cluesless, Scoble. You\'ve said some idiotic things in the past, but this is by far the most idiotic theory of all.  HDTV will NOT be the saviour of football in America.<br><br><br>The reason the World Cup gets watched more in the US each time is because there are more and more immigrants each time around. I would LOVE to see the demographics of those that actually tuned in to the matches. How many were born and raised in the US vs how many immigrated?  That would tell you a lot about how many stides football has made in the US.<br>Football is not a sport made for TV.  It\'s BORING to watch on TV. Much like baseball. It will take generations before football becomes as popular as other sports in the US. It\'s not that American\'s don\'t get it, unlike what many of our arrogant European and Latin American friends may think. We get it. We also get that it\'s boring and there is no money to be made in the US playing football, compared with other sports. (Which makes me wonder why those that like football have to deride those that don\'t Hey, just enjoy your sport. Who cares if the US doesn\'t get it. The rest of the world doesn\'t get American Football. I don\'t think we in the US really care if they don\'t) Add to that, it\'s not heaped in tradition here like it is in outside of the US. Baseball is to the US what football is to the rest of the world. Heaped in tradtion.<br><br>FIFA will also have to clean up the officiating. When Americans see players taking dives when they are barely touched and it seems players are TAUGHT to do this to deke the ref, Americans view this behavior as not much different than the WWE.  When I ask soccer nerds why there can\'t be more refs on the field, I get told, "it\'s tradition"  (we hear the same things here when people want to change baseball.  Well, the game as gotten faster, the atheletes faster and stronger. The refs can\'t keep up. There needs to be change.<br><br>Finally, PK\'s to determine the World Champion?  How stupid is that?  I can only imagine that if FIFA ran MLB they would have a home run contest to determine the winner of a baseball game was tied after nine innings.  Play until someone wins.  Sheesh.  Seems that these two teams were playing for PK\'s.  If they knew they had to play until someone scored, or they dropped dead from exhaustion, you can bet we would have seen more scoring. I mean, hell, why even play the OT if you know you are going to go to PK\'s at the end?<br><br>I don\'t think it\'s the amount of scoring. Americans will tolerated a good 2-1, 1-0 baseball game if it\'s played well. The will tolerate a low scoring American Football game that is played well and not plagued with penalties and players pretending to be fouled.<br>(Admittedly I did fall asleep right before half time. That\'s how exciting it was for me.) The problem is it\'s rare for a team to come back and win when down 1-0. In this World Cup out of the 111 matches played, only 8 teams overcame 1 goal to win. So you can pretty much bet the if a team gets down 1 nil, you can pretty much bet they will either end up losing or tie. Why should I bother watching after a team goes ahead 1-0?  BORING.<br><br>I now soccer nerds don\'t want to have anything to so with ideas about improving the sport, but if you REALLY what the US to care (and again, I\'m confused as to why it matters to the rest of the world if the US doesn\'t like soccer as much as everyone else) there are things that should be done<br><br>1. Widen the goal.<br>2. Eliminate offsides<br>3. Eliminate the PK\'s<br><br>Oh, and don\'t act like you just solved world peace when you scores a goal (I have the same problem with TD celebrations in the NFL). And don\'t act like you just lost your best friend when you miss. You\'re supposed to score, right?  Just keep playing. Like Chris Rock would say "Whaddya want? A cookie?"<br><br>I also love the halftime coverage of soccer matches in Europe. I get to see highlights of players ALMOST succeeding.  Wow!<br><br>Well, congrats to Italy. Now go back  to your league games and keep hand picking those refs.  Gotta love the "purity" of soccer!!!<br><br>HDTV will save soccer in the US?  Classic!!!</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9645091">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9645091" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9645091" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-9645091">Mark Marchall</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9645091" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9645091" class="dsq-comment-message">dmad: "Football is not a sport made for TV. It’s BORING to watch on TV."<br><br>Well, 1.3 billion world-wide viewers of the final game seem to disagree with you. Those numbers make it the most watched event _ever_.<br><br>The cup has totalled over 30 billion viewers over all the games.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9645092">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9645092" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9645092" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-9645092" href="http://www.proudlyserving.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Adam Barr</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9645092" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9645092" class="dsq-comment-message">Wait, did your HDTV signal go out just as France were preparing to do their second penalty kick? The same thing happened to us. By the time the game ended it was back, but I don\'t know exactly when it came back since we switched back to regular cable to see the rest of the kicks (didn\'t want to miss anything futzing with the TV).<br><br>I agree the HDTV image is a huge improvement (the grass in particular looks so much better) but I don\'t know if the slight extra width you get on the sides really makes a dramatic difference in making the sport enjoyable.<br><br>- adam</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9645093">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9645093" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9645093" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-9645093">Dmad</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9645093" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9645093" class="dsq-comment-message">@28. We were talking about popularity in the US, not the rest of the world. Moreover, the World Cup is a bit of an exception. Of course 30B people are going to watch it because most of them are too poor to show up to Germany (and Germany couldn\'t handle it).   Scoble idiotically said HDTV would make soccer more popular in the US?  The sport itself is not made or TV (unlike American Football).  You cannot use these numbers to PROVE soccer is a sport that will resonate with the sports viewing US market. Nice try, though!<br><br>(BTW, do people in Italy not have TV in their homes?  Why does everyone go to the town square to watch the game?)<br><br>Much like people in the US will watch the WS, even though baseball is boring to watch on TV, the rest of the world will watch the World Cup on TV every 4 years. That doesn\'t mean HDTV will make it more popular with the US viewing public. And again I would REALLY love to see the demographic breakdown of the viewership of the World Cup in the US market.  How many watching were born here, or even better, weren\'t raised watching soccer or are children of parents raised here not watching soccer?  That would tell us a lot!</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9645090">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9645090" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9645090" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-9645090">Christopher Coulter</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9645090" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9645090" class="dsq-comment-message">HDTV will cure cancer, heal the sick, raise the dead, wash the dishes, vacuum the carpet and mow the lawn with tweezers even, yessirree.<br><br>Soccer could work in America, sure, all you need to do is put every player behind the wheel of a 110 octane leaded engine, and make the ball bigger, much much bigger.<br><br>But now that the World Cup-of-Soup is over, just one win for the Cubbies in real onlyonethatmatters worldwide event, the World Series.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9645089">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9645089" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9645089" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-9645089" href="http://acidzebra.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Michiel</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9645089" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9645089" class="dsq-comment-message">What I find interesting is that the US has several \'world series\' championships in WHICH NO OTHER COUNTRIES PARTICIPATE. So whatever team wins, the US always wins! Win-win, baby.<br><br>ps. I didn\'t really see Doc talking about how the US doesn\'t \'get\' soccer, but James points were:<br>1) not enough instant replay (WTF?)<br>2) the scores aren\'t high enough (double WTF?)<br><br>I think Americans just don\'t like \'world series\' in which other countries participate, imagine getting beat by the Italians ;)</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9645086">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9645086" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9645086" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-9645086">Gareth</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9645086" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9645086" class="dsq-comment-message">If you guys don\'t get football/soccer - how about cricket or rugby?1</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9645087">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9645087" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9645087" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-9645087" href="http://www.guyswithtowels.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Tim</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9645087" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9645087" class="dsq-comment-message">I\'m not a huge football fan, but anyone who thinks that the game could be made better by widening the goal, or can\'t understand why people would go to the \'town square\' to watch a game, just totally doesn\'t get football or its cultural impact in the rest of the world.<br><br>(That widening the goal comment *has* to be an ironic pandering to US stereotypes...doesn\'t it?  Surely..?)</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9645085">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9645085" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9645085" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-9645085">Booger</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9645085" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9645085" class="dsq-comment-message">HDTV? 40-50-60 inch screens? Do you realize how out of touch you guys are? Hmm...average salary for a family of 4 in the US is $42,000. Very few software people make that low of a coin. Let\'s rewrite Scoble\'s post with a bit more realism:<br><br>Food simply makes the game much more enjoyable for a few reasons.<br><br>1) The interesting part of soccer is the strategy off of the ball but who cares about that if your stomach is growling and your kids don\'t have lunch money.<br><br>2) For me I remember watching Pele as a kid (he visited the San Jose Earthquakes). What impressed me about him was that he didnt look hungry at all and likely could pay cash for an HDTV without having to go to a rent-to-own place.<br><br>3) The sound. I don’t know why, but it’s better during or after a meal with the family. Feels like you’re there.<br><br>4) The advertising. On regular TV this form of advertising just isn’t as good and interfers [sic] with your enjoyment of the game - too many ads for burgers, bad credit car loans, and companies that want to separate me from my money. In fact, what sucked about most of the advertising? It helped contribute to the our nationally almost non-existent savings rate and increase the amount of purchases of consumer goods made on credit!! Lame.<br><br>Robert: you\'re hopeless. Use your newly found public relations capital to make a difference - not to convince the mass majority of your readers who statistically cant afford to pay cash for an HDTV system to go out and buy one simply because it will make the "seeing the footwork nicer"<br><br>Booger</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9645083">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9645083" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9645083" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-9645083">Kalle Larsson</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9645083" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9645083" class="dsq-comment-message">As a european I am happy I don\'t need to pretend to like the absurdly boring and pointless game of soccer.<br><br>It is _not_ a sign of cultural refinement and intelligence to like soccer! OK!</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9645084">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9645084" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9645084" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-9645084">Mahesh</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9645084" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9645084" class="dsq-comment-message">Robert,<br><br>Anything and everything looks better on HDTV. Just wait till you see Monday Night Football, or NBA games Live.<br>NFL and NBA are more enjoyable than #$%^&amp; soccer games, IMO.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9645081">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9645081" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9645081" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-9645081" href="http://bananasfk.wordpress.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">bananasfk</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9645081" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9645081" class="dsq-comment-message">Whenever i see a hdtv screen i keep thinking of Farhenheit 451 (book, and film but not mike moore film) and \'the family\'</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9645082">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9645082" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9645082" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-9645082" href="http://www.slashstar.com/blogs/tim" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Tim Marman</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9645082" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9645082" class="dsq-comment-message">NFL is wonderful in HDTV :)<br><br>And just to play devil\'s advocate:<br><br>"Football doesn’t need HDTV. What it needs to be popular in USA is for USA to recognize that the word “World” refers to countries all over the “World”. Having “World Series” games where teams from only one country (read USA) take part is the problem."<br><br>Yes, but the difference is that better "your football, our soccer" is played elsewhere. In the US, NFL and MLB are probably the best in their respective sports because 1) there aren\'t really major professional leagues elsewhere and 2) because they\'re the best, most of the best from the rest of the world will come here to play.<br><br>Why? Probably has something to do with all that money :)</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9645078">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9645078" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9645078" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-9645078">Deke</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9645078" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9645078" class="dsq-comment-message">If the US were to allow other baseball teams from others countries into the world series, we\'s be torn aprt by the Cubans, the Domincans, and possibly the Japanese. Americans think they are the best at everything. It\'s a crappy attitude. The more I live in the US the more I wished I lived elsewhere, and I\'m a "born here" American.<br><br>I\'ve been on vacation in Europe and listened to other Americans talk about the locals like they are trash. No wonder everyone thinks the US is full of themselves. Americans are loud, brash, ignorant and obnoxious. The average American kid graduates high school and speaks only English, and that poorly. The average European speaks several languages by the same time. Americans are an insular bunch caught up in Hollywood and ugly capitalism.<br>If I had the money, I\'d be in Europe tomorrow.<br>The US needs to rename the World Series</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9645079">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9645079" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9645079" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-9645079">Tim Bond</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9645079" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9645079" class="dsq-comment-message">I love my HDTV.  I just bought a 40" Sony LCD - beautiful.  I don\'t know if it will convert USA to watching football but I know that I will be watching more TV.  Mainly movies but the sports are awesome too.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9645076">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9645076" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9645076" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-9645076" href="http://jasonj75.wordpress.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">jasonj75</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9645076" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9645076" class="dsq-comment-message">Deke - And Europeans are smelly, poorly groomed and snobby with bad teeth. Aren\'t stereotypes great?<br><br>And that computer you\'re using? Thank ugly capitalism for its invention. Though, when you do get to Europe...Do drop us a line and tell us your thoughts when you realize they\'re capitalists too.<br><br>So America doesn\'t like \'football\' to the degree the rest of the world does. Big deal...We aren\'t all that fanatical about F1 either. Yet somehow we survive to live another day. Amazing isn\'t it?</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9645071">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9645071" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9645071" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-9645071">Dmad</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9645071" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9645071" class="dsq-comment-message">again, why the hell do you all care if the US "gets" soccer or not?  Why can\'t you just enjoy your silly little game? Again, I\'m sure the rest of you don\'t "get" baseball or American football. We don\'t really care, nor do we make fun of you because don\'t. Which is why we have our "World Series".  See?  We don\'t care what the rest of the world thinks about our sports. Why  does the rest of the world care about what the US thinks about soccer?  Are you all that insecure about your game?</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9645072">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9645072" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9645072" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-9645072">Mike</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9645072" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9645072" class="dsq-comment-message">HDTV doesn\'t matter. Popular US sports involve scoring. Soccer doesn\'t have high scores. Nice try but HDTV has nothing to do with it.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9645073">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9645073" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9645073" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-9645073">Dmad</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9645073" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9645073" class="dsq-comment-message">@34. The point is soccer bigots seem to not want to entertain possible changes to their game to possibly make it more entertaining. It\'s confusing. For some reason whenever the topic comes up about Americans not "getting" soccer their solution to the problem is to call Americans stupid, ill-informed, and arrogant. Whenever someone suggests things that could possibly make the sport more palatable to the American audience (and that won\'t be more games on HDTV...I\'m still amazed at what a moronic theory that is), soccer nerds say: "Can\'t do it...tradition prohibits it".  On the other hand Americans are always looking for ways to improve their sports to make the games more entertaining, competitive, and fun to watch.<br><br>Sure maybe widening the goal might be a silly suggestion. The point is, soccer bigots won\'t even entertain ANY suggestinos about improving their game. Their solution to making the game more entertaining for  Americans to to call us stupid...and... "appreciate the footwork".  Look! If I wanted to see great footwork, I\'d watch professional dancers.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9645068">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9645068" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9645068" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-9645068" href="http://doc.weblogs.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Doc Searls</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9645068" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9645068" class="dsq-comment-message">I think you\'re right that HDTV will make a difference.<br><br>But there is still the problem of paying for the broadcasts. Soccer (or, if you prefer, football) runs in 45-minute periods, with no time outs, "official" (as they have in basketball) or otherwise. That means no time for ads. This makes TV networks, accustomed to the many breaks in baseball, basketball and football, reluctant to show the sport. Hence, less exposure. And less interest driven by exposure.<br><br>Of course, they can delay the broadcast by 15 minutes, and insert advertising over the course of the game. Or make it a subscription-only thing. Or both. But they haven\'t yet.<br><br>In any case, my point was an economic one, quite aside from all the other points that are made and debated on this thread.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9645066">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9645066" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9645066" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-9645066">Larry</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9645066" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9645066" class="dsq-comment-message">Tie games are for toddlers. Real men win and lose.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9645064">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9645064" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9645064" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-9645064" href="http://www.icemark.com/blog" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Chris Wild</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9645064" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9645064" class="dsq-comment-message">Football/Soccer is fine as it is... and I would rather Americans doen\'t try to get involved. It doesn\'t need changes to make it more popular.<br>FIFA have attempted to make changes over the years to make it more popular/friendly etc.. but just end up making it worse... Offside rule in point... players diving because the game is becoming a non contact sport!<br><br>Dmad - shut up, you\'re coming across as an ignorant bigot yourself. You are doing everything you\'ve moaned at other people for.<br><br>People like to watch football on big screens, because like everything, sometimes being with others is a great way to enjoy!<br><br>Scoble - the interesting part of football is... where the ball is and where it is going. Not what other people are doing on the pitch. There is no strategy in offside, you just step up before the ball is kicked forward.<br><br>We don\'t want advertising... that\'s the perfect way to stop people watching.<br><br>If there is problems with picture and sound then I suspect that is a "carrier" problem. I have watched football on TV since I was a lad and can\'t say that picture/sound quality really makes that much difference other than crowd and commentators... who wants to hear the ball kicked?</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9645065">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9645065" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9645065" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-9645065" href="http://www.allpointsnorth.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Chris Brennan</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9645065" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9645065" class="dsq-comment-message">The sports thing is more down to culture than anything else. You could run ads in HDTV, fix all the games so the US team won and still I think the audience would be small. The history isn\'t there. Say Joe Montana to most Brits and I\'d be surprised if they knew who he was. In the same way I could say Dixie Dean and half the people commenting here will have to go to Wikipedia to find out who he was.<br><br>On the subject of the \'World Series\' Dmad<br><br>"Which is why we have our “World Series”. See? We don’t care what the rest of the world thinks about our sports."<br><br>Well forgive me but I think that means that the US cares deeply what the rest of the world thinks about its sports. What other reason would you choose world as a title? The desire to claim a world wide champion for sports that are contested entirely by US teams in the US is odd whatever way you look at it.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9645062">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9645062" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9645062" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-9645062" href="http://themiddleway.wordpress.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Caffe</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9645062" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9645062" class="dsq-comment-message">Bullshit. The cameras are a 4x3 ratio anyway, if they were 2.5x1 or anything else, there would be those black lines across our tvs like on the widescreen dvds. Soccer isn\'t popular except for on the spanish channels because it does not generate the advertising of other sports, especially since they dont interupt a game like they do in american football. (Which, frankly, I think is fucking pathetic!!!) And we have a small league, which means our kids who do love soccer will have a small chance of making it professionally.<br><br>I think the reason its so unpopular is because of the lack of scandal found in hockey, amercan football, and baseball.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9645063">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9645063" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9645063" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-9645063">G</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9645063" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9645063" class="dsq-comment-message">I enjoyed watching the world diving championships very much</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9645061">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9645061" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9645061" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-9645061">dmad</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9645061" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9645061" class="dsq-comment-message">@51. Again, why do you care what we call the World Series?  BTW, MLB did sponsor a "World Series" in which the US finished third. Happy now?<br><br>@52. Yea, soccer replaces breaks for advertising with uniforms logo\'d up to the hilt, pitches with billboards surrounding it.  Baseball lends itself to advertising breaks due to between inning and pitching changes.  The NBA and the NFL could to a lot better in managing the "TV timeouts", that\'s for sure. It didn\'t used to be that way years and years ago. A lot of people in the US find it annoying.  It makes watching the game in person a bit more boring. The fact that soccer doesn\'t have time outs and breaks for advertising is a good thing, IMHO. However, that doesn\'t make the game more exciting to watch.<br><br><br>Look, the overall question was why isn\'t soccer as popular in the US as the rest of the world.  I gave some reasons why. But the soccer nerds think the solution to making it more popular in the US to call us idiots for not appreciating it.  FIFA obviously doesn\'t care, otherwise they would be open to changes. But, they\'d rather the game be played the same way it was when England invented it. Much like baseballs purists in the US.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9645124">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9645124" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9645124" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-9645124" href="http://thelaggard.com/blog/?p=55" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">thelaggard</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9645124" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9645124" class="dsq-comment-message">I posted a few comments during the semi-finals as to why soccer fails in the US.<br><br>1. Boring<br>2. We aren\'t good<br>3. Marketing<br><br>More discussion and content here:<br><a href="http://thelaggard.com/blog/?p=55" rel="nofollow">http://thelaggard.com/blog/?p=55</a></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9645121">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9645121" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9645121" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-9645121">Deke</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9645121" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9645121" class="dsq-comment-message">@ Doc Searls...<br><br>Sometimes money isn\'t/shouldn\'t be the motivator. I guarantee you people would watch it if you put it on PBS. :) My daughter watches nothing but commercial-free TV. I refuse to allow her to be marketed to. We watch PBS, Noggin, Sprout, etc.<br>When I watch TV, I mute the commercials and surf or read until my show comes back on. I\'m anti-big business in a major way in terms of being marketed to.<br>Likewise, I never, ever click on ads on the Internet. Like medicine, the Internet should just be free, and one day, hopefully it will be.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9645122">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9645122" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9645122" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-9645122">tc</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9645122" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9645122" class="dsq-comment-message">DMAD,<br>You don\'t know soccer when you say to eliminate PK\'s.  Your correlation to homerun derby is incorrect.  What do you expect, the teams to continue on and a game decided by attrition (after the three allowed subs have been exhausted)?  How does this solve the situation?<br><br>A PK is the ultimate test and it comes down to can a team shoot the ball correctly.  For no matter the quality of goalkeeper, there is no physical way to stop a correctly placed PK.  If the first five all for each team makes the shot then it is a one vs one match through the rest of the lineup.  It can test every player on the field as demonstrated in the USL finals where it came down to the goalkeeper taking PK versus goalkeeper.  It exposes a team\'s weakness if their players can\'t shoot the ball correctly.  It is the ultimate test of a team\'s ability.  They can defend admirably, but when it comes down to hit can the strike the ball properly and put it in the back of the net?  The goalie can only do so much.  A hard shot on the ground to just inside either post is the most difficult shot to defend (law of physics--reaction time for goalie to get down to the ground vs shortest travel distance to the second least reachable part of the goal).  The second most difficult shot is the upper V, which is also undefendable (hardest spot for goalie who guesses right to reach, but is longer travel distance and more chance for shot going astray).<br><br>Why Americans don\'t watch is: (a) Lack of advertising opportunities (game has to be paid by someone to be put on TV), and (b) most adults (35 or older) didn\'t play the game growing up.  If they can solve the advertising issue, it will grow in popularity since most under 35 have been exposed to the game growing up.<br><br>OBTW, as far a cheap game.  Select/Premier youth soccer isn\'t cheap to play.  For top level clubs, the costs can run $3-6K per year for a child playing, depending on number of tournaments, especially tournaments teams have to fly to.  Add to this schools limiting access to fields and charging more and more for rental, the costs go up each year.  This latter issue effects all sports.  Gone is the day when one can go to the neighborhood school during the summer and have a pickup game (football, baseball, etc) with friends.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9645094">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9645094" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9645094" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-9645094" href="http://makemarketinghistory.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">John Dodds</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9645094" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9645094" class="dsq-comment-message">Most of this debate is just too infuriating for words, so I\'ll limit myself to saying that the final was a pretty awful game while the best game of the tournament by far was Germany v Italy semi-final that was goal-less for 118 of the 120 minutes.<br><br>It\'s not all about goals - in similar vein the most exciting hockey game I saw was a Stanley Cup game in the 80s that ran through 3 if not 4 whole periods of goal-less overtime.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9645088">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9645088" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9645088" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-9645088">Goebbels</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9645088" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9645088" class="dsq-comment-message">Well, it doesn\'t look like there\'s much reason to add additional reasons, but I\'ll give it a shot.<br><br>These will be more socialogical and particular reasons:<br><br>1. Every half-ass news and sports commentator decides to watch a few crappy American games and some of the Cup and they claim they can fix soccer. Sure, every sport undergoes change, but no, a sport shouldn\'t change to appeal to one country\'s preferences. Americans do not even know the rules nevermind understand the fundamentals. I\'m always blown away when someone suggests replay... for two obvious reasons:<br><br>a. Bad calls are a part of the game and can be lived with. You have to overcome bad calls. Possibly the single greatest World Cup game was one because of a hand ball. Yes, fans bitch about it or laugh about it, but they live with it.<br><br>b. When I hear this, I ask "When?" "When? What do you mean when? After the call is made." "No, when do you stop the game, the clock?" "You mean the game doesn\'t stop? Well, that complicates things... How would you do replay then?" Yeah, Duh....<br><br>2. Similarly, we have proposals to eliminate offsides! This is absurd! Why not eliminate it in hockey, football, and any other game that it\'s fundamental to? You think the game will explode because another inch is visible on the screen, meanwhile, people don\'t know the offside rule or want to eliminate it completely (fundamentally destroying what the game is) that you so think will propel the sport forward.<br><br>Meanwhile, I\'ve got to sit and listin to John McLaughlin and other douchebags who don\'t know about the game claiming they can "fix" it and "save" it when it remains one of the most popular sports in the world.<br><br>3. Americans don\'t like what we aren\'t good at. For the reasons previously cited and numerous others mentioned by others, we are going to continue to suck. Americans are too self-involved to realize that they are better off following an English Premier team or a Bundisliga team or the Brazilians or Argentina...<br><br>Those are a few reasons. I\'ll cite 2 other reasons quite specific to your claim.<br><br>1. I do not beleive HD adoption is going to be as broad as you claim over the next 5 years. Yes, I see people buying widescreen, flat panels... But I also see them buying the cheap, low-end models which actually have a crappier image than traditional CRTs.<br><br>2. What exactly are they going to watch over the next 5 years? Do you think UEFA or the Copa America is suddenly going to get picked up by ABC or ESPN? No. So they\'ll have 1 World Cup to appreciate. Otherwise, it\'s MLS which is the worst available "professional" soccer to view. The best soccer will only be on foreign tv or the Spanish/Portuguese channels. Anyone with an HD tv will have to sit and wait for 4 years for another cup. Or get a satellite service with foreign channels. How does HD increase popularity when there\'s almost zero to watch?<br><br><br>So, in conclusion, there are numerous reasons that soccer is not popular in the States, and even if this was not so, there are several limitations to HD and television coverage of soccer as well.<br><br><br>Any rebuttal, Scobie?</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9645077">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9645077" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9645077" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-9645077">cloneofsnake</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9645077" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9645077" class="dsq-comment-message">I think it\'s all about the money.  US has its own sports to protect, the ppl in control are not interested in opening up money making time on TV for a "foreign" sport.<br><br>Personally, I hope football never gets popular here in the US!  The ESPN and ABC commentaries sucked $h!t!  Instead of talking about the game and the players in it, they keep advertising when the US team will be playing and stuff! (Actually, this goes for all world sport events on TV.  TV here is way too US centric.  It\'s much better to watch Canadian TV if you have them, they\'ll show the top performers in each sport instead of just showing the US atheletes, even if they suck.)  A good example is the final USA game against Ghana.  While the rest of the world was watching the Italy Vs. Czech game to see who qualifies, here in my office, everyone is watching the USA Ghana game, including people who didn\'t come to break room to watch any other games before this.  How stupid is that?!  Why would you want the USA to advance, when you don\'t know love or know this sport?!  None of these people even know the name of their US players!!!  (And most of them will probably not see any soccer game, until the next time USA plays in a World Cup match.)<br><br>Then there\'s the whole mentality of "they\'re not scoring".  They simply don\'t get that this game is not only about scoring.  It\'s about the players!!  There\'s no time out, the players are on their own for 45 mins at a time, they\'re free to do whatever they want but they\'ll be no coaches to hold their hands and create plays for them.  The strategies, the teamwork, the skills, the burst of speed, the patience, the build-up of momentum... it\'s the BEST game in the world, and I\'m glad it hasn\'t been poluted by the US.  Let\'s hope it stays that way!</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9645074">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9645074" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9645074" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-9645074" href="http://www.dead20.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Skeptic</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9645074" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9645074" class="dsq-comment-message">I thought you were supposed to be an expert at things like Microsoft, and blogging, and now podcasting.  If I want a sports, HDTV, or general sports/TV broadcasting opinion, I\'ll go to experts in those fields.<br><br>There\'s a reason why ESPN bloggers don\'t talk about wordpress and OPML.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9645070">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9645070" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9645070" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-9645070" href="http://scobleizer.wordpress.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Robert Scoble</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9645070" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9645070" class="dsq-comment-message">Skeptic: this is my personal blog. Who said I was expert at anything? This blog is about things that I\'m interested in. And I\'ve invested $4,000 of my own money in HDTV which makes me just as much an expert as anyone else on the topic.<br><br>But, you are right about targeting your expertise to certain audiences. You\'ll probably be happier with my professional blog over at <a href="http://PodTech.net" rel="nofollow">PodTech.net</a> when it starts up. I\'ll make sure to focus on podcasting and videoblogging and all that stuff there. In the meantime, this still is my personal blog and I still get to write about things I want to write about. And you get to call "hooey" on me too. Which is half the fun, I guess.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9645069">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9645069" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9645069" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-9645069">dmad</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9645069" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9645069" class="dsq-comment-message">@58. Why not sudden death? The way I saw it yesterday those teams were just biding their time to get the OT periods over in order to penalty kicks. You might as well call the OT the cool down period because they were just waiting it out. We just had a 19 inning baseball game yesterday. And don\'t tell me it wasn\'t tiring.   One of the all time best NBA games was a 3 overtime playoff game.  If it had been up to FIFA, they would have stopped the game after the first overtime and had a free throw shooting contest.<br><br>Hell, why even have an OT? Just go right PK\'s then.   Your comment that there is no physical way to stop a properly placed penalty kick is exaclty my point for eliminating them.  Teams play their guts out for 120 minutes and then it comes down to how badly can we embarrass the goalie. Unlike during the match, the goalie has absolutely no help in defending the shot. Why not let the TEAMS decide, not the goalie? Wrong with sudden death. Last man standing. Why not. If they get tired, they get tired. In the NBA they play until someone wins. (But the NBA has this thing called lead changes, which I\'m not sure soccer understands what that is.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9645067">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9645067" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9645067" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-9645067" href="http://brentroos.wordpress.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Brent</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9645067" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9645067" class="dsq-comment-message">This is just another reason to be lazy, and not go to the game to see it live!<br><br>Seriously though, the reason that Americans hate soccer, is because our sports are so much better.<br><br>Who wants to watch a bunch of grown men kick around a ball, and NOT score?<br><br>The reason that we in America love baseball, is because it is the most challenging game. The reason we love basketball, is for the high scores, and constant action. The reason we love football, is because American football allows you to actually THROW the ball and SCORE. In American football, there is no need for a goalie. There is an entire defensive team, waiting, ready to clobber the team on the other side of the line of scrimmage.<br><br>Americans like action. We are bored far too easily.<br><br>A perfect example of why soccer sucks so much, is the fact that the biggest highlight of the game, is the ejection of a player who head-butted another.<br><br>Finally, Americans cannot possibly like any sport that can end in a tie!</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9645059">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9645059" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9645059" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-9645059" href="http://www.roedig.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Tobias</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9645059" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9645059" class="dsq-comment-message">As a big Bayern München fan myself, I am officially inviting you Robert to see a live game in Munich with me if you ever have the chance to come to Germany! The new Allianz Arena is possibly one of the best stadiums in the world right now. I had the opportunity to be at the opening game and I will never forget it. So, when do you want to come? ;-)</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9645060">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9645060" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9645060" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-9645060">Christian Gross</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9645060" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9645060" class="dsq-comment-message">I see that many people are saying Robert does not have a clue. Rather I have to say Robert you are convincing me to get an HDTV. I live in Europe, but have lived for over 20 years in North America (US and Canada).<br><br>Will the US "get" football? It depends on several things.<br><br>1) The US has to get with the show with respect to its league. Over the entire world all leagues work with FIFA. Who doesn\'t? Yupe you guessed it the US. In fact the US was the only league still playing during the world cup. No other league was active as they all quit playing four weeks before the final.<br><br>2) The US needs some role models. It is nice that the MLS exists, but until some American players start playing in the European clubs the skill of the average American player will be horrible. For example there are quite a few immigrant children who are Americans and Canadians that are getting their old citizenships back so that they can be "european players."<br><br>3) The US needs to compete on the world stage more often, including the MLS. I saw in this world cup the US has no idea how to deal with the other countries. The American players lack the skills or techniques that you only learn by playing against other styles and clubs. Sure the US will get its butt kicked for the first five or ten years. But after being butt-whipped for a while the US will learn and become a force at the world stage.<br><br>Though I fear the US will not do any of this because it means getting a butt whipping and playing second fiddle. For example Landon Donovan. Donovan is a good player but it seems he does not want to play second fiddle and thus limits himself to the US. Right now the best clubs are European, and if you want to be the best then you play for the European clubs. Donovan rather disappoints me because I thought one very positive attitude about Americans is their never say die attitude.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9645055">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9645055" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9645055" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-9645055" href="http://will.id.au/blog" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">William Luu</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9645055" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9645055" class="dsq-comment-message">It\'s the same thing down here in Australia.<br><br>One of the big issues is tv coverage, and development of the game locally.<br><br>Our local league has just recently been revamped, and they are hopeful things take off on the back of what\'s happened at The World Cup.<br><br>Who knows what will happen? Only time will tell.<br><br>It all starts with the grassroots level.<br><br>I know you emphasise a lot on the grassroots in IT, it\'s the same thing with sports as well. What are the kids growing up playing?<br><br>Australia and the USA both have quite a crowded sporting arena in which the kids can grow up and participate in. TV plays a hand in all this.<br><br>The advantage the Australian squad had, is that a large majority of their players ply their trade in the European leagues. Which is a bonus as they get regular games against the big names around the world.<br><br>Even the top Brazilian players end up going to Europe to ply their trade. Perhaps American players need to follow the lead of the Australian players? Head to the European leagues, and have the players "highlighted" on sports shows and so on.<br><br>Sure, there will be players that want to stay home. But to be the best, you have to compete with the very best.<br><br>Australia seems to be doing things to try to enhance the standings of "The World Game" (aka Soccer/Football) in the eye of the general public. Perhaps the USA needs to follow-suit.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9645054">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9645054" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9645054" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-9645054" href="http://dorknation.wordpress.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">dorknation</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9645054" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9645054" class="dsq-comment-message">OH JESUS. SCORING SCORING SCORING. Is that all people can think about? I hear all the dimwitted sportscasters say that soccer is boring because games are low scoring. These same morons piss in their pants if a baseball game is tied 1 to 1 in the bottom of the 9th*. They can appreciate the idea of a low scoring baseball game being well played because it\'s likely been mistake free and hallmarked by great pitching and defense. They don\'t really understand the nuances of the game enough to make any substantive comparisons to other sports. It\'s just something someone picked out as a difference between futebal and football and decided that a low score makes soccer a boring game. To say that the game lacks "action" is a ridiculous statement.<br><br>If the US men\'s team did better in intl. soccer, if some of our lads were commanding the kind of money Ballack will get from Chelsea, interest in the game will grow. If we could see on a regular basis people doing the kinds of things Ronaldinho can do with the ball, people will want to watch. Yeah, the Champions\' League is televised on the deuce, but you gotta sneak out of the office to see it (unless you got headphones and sopcast). So, Brent, it isn\'t "action" that Americans love, Americans love a winner. But for intl. Soccer, it becomes like the Olympics when we only care three times a decade (give or take a time).<br><br>Yes, lots of people at the grassroots level are into soccer. It hasn\'t translated into either interest or much intl. success. Our farm system has to improve. We\'re finally out of the AYSO everyone gets to play, boys and girls together stuff. Now that we are starting to think of soccer as a sport and not an "activity" US soccer HAS to start recruiting better athletes to play the game. Why are our best players about 5\'2" and a buck forty five soaking wet? If we do get big men, they are slower than the 7 year itch. We\'ve had a couple of the best keepers in the world, and they had size, quickness and agility. Keller might have been a decent tight end for a Div 1 school.<br><br>Mr Gross is spot on about Donovan and other players not wanting to go overseas (though I wonder if they aren\'t convinced not to go rather than deciding to stay here based on ego). Sure, even if you do end up playing with some 1st div club in Northern England, you\'ll probably get a better soccer education than you would playing at Real Salt Lake.<br><br>Goebbels:<br>Like I said, Champions league is on ESPN 2. Also, Fox Sports gives Premiership matches late at night, and during prime time if you have digital cable or satellite (which more and more people will have).<br><br>It isn\'t necessarily HDTV that will make soccer popular, though those same tech advances will give people more opportunities to watch. Other things have to happen to make the game more popular.<br><br>*As would I, since I don\'t find baseball boring at all.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9645053">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9645053" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9645053" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-9645053" href="http://jean.wordpress.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">jean</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9645053" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9645053" class="dsq-comment-message">Robert,<br><br>It is called FOOTBALL around the world, excepting the fact that the US only calls it soccer.<br><br><a href="http://www.irin.co.uk" rel="nofollow">www.irin.co.uk</a></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9645118">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9645118" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9645118" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-9645118">jim</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9645118" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9645118" class="dsq-comment-message">This theory just doesn\'t hold any water at all. Soccer has been hugely popular everywhere except the USA, and have you SEEN the televisions people watch soccer on around the world? They watch it on 19" CRTs mounted on the ceilings in bars. They watch it on even smaller 15-year-old living-room TVs with bad reception. The image quality is often the rough equivalent of watching a 300x200 Internet stream, and it often looks worst than that. On that equipment, they can\'t even see half the details you say are so compelling, yet somehow the improved image quality of HDTV is supposed to turn massive amounts of Americans into fans?!?<br><br>I don\'t think so.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9645095">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9645095" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9645095" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-9645095">Christopher Coulter</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9645095" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9645095" class="dsq-comment-message">Go Cubs Go...</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9645080">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9645080" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9645080" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-9645080" href="http://caroline589gored.wordpress.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">caroline589gored</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9645080" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9645080" class="dsq-comment-message">Soccer will take awhile to get popular. I\'m sure the NFL is finding some way to not let it happen!</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9645057">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9645057" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9645057" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-9645057">tc</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9645057" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9645057" class="dsq-comment-message">DMAD,<br>First off, they used to play what we would refer to as Sudden Death, although in soccer it was called Golden Goal.  The first team to score in OT was the winner.  I am not sure why this was changed for this world cup, nor do I understand the rationale for going to set OT periods.  To me Golden Goal puts the pressure on both teams from the start of OT.  This is one change I would change back and it may satisfy your need for conclusion.<br><br>As far as embarrassing the goalie or the goalie deciding the game, if you read my comments, it really is not the goalie deciding the game, but the rest of the players.  All the pressure is on the shooter, since if they place the ball correctly, there is no way for the goalie to stop the shot without cheating (i.e., moving prior to the whistle and guessing the right direction).  Most of the time when you see a player miss a PK it is because they didn\'t hit one of the four unstoppable spots, hit the ball too softly, or missed the goal.  If the goalie stops the shot, it is because the shooter didn\'t hit the ball with the correct velocity or missed one of the four unstoppable spots.<br><br>One other change, I would implement is for OT each team gets an additional substitution.  Fresh legs can make all the difference and if teams play to win in regulation, then most likely all substitutions will have been used.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9645058">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9645058" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9645058" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-9645058">Dmad</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9645058" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9645058" class="dsq-comment-message">The 3 subs rule always baffled me as well. I understand  the "if you go out you\'re done" rule, but with 23 players on the club, it seems like a waste of opportunity, particularly in overtime. I appreciate the fact that how you manage your 3 subs factors into the strategy. Absent a more liberal substituion policy I would agree with your additional sub for OT.  Similar to how the NBA allows an additional time out for OT\'s.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9645056">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9645056" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9645056" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-9645056">Brian Shapiro</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9645056" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9645056" class="dsq-comment-message">i find all sports boring to watch on tv . oh well</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9645052">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9645052" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9645052" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-9645052" href="http://blog.experiencecurve.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Karl Long</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9645052" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9645052" class="dsq-comment-message">errr, how about soccer isn\'t so popular here because you don\'t have players like Zidane:<br><a href="http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1488494903422202558" rel="nofollow">http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-148849...</a><br><br>Or maybe because soccer doesn\'t lend itself to 15 minute intervals for advertisers.<br><br>Karl</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9645051">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9645051" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9645051" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-9645051">dmad</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9645051" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9645051" class="dsq-comment-message">@69.  Well, yes. It seems even the President of FIFA thinks about scoring, and the lack thereof has him concerned.  Well, whaddya know?  It feels good to be right.<br><br><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/06/AR2006070601590.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/ar...</a><br><br>"Said Sepp: “The football isn\'t that bad, but there aren\'t enough goals -- and when there are too few goals, the public isn\'t very enthusiastic," Blatter told the German news agency DPA. "The essence of the game is goals." Blatter wants to devise changes that will help attackers break through increasingly sophisticated defenses."<br><br>Let\'s repeat again what THE PRESIDENT OF FIFA said:  "The essence of the game is goals". I find this funny given that it seems every soccer nerd that commented here contends just the opposite! That goals and scoring totals have nothing to do with the quality of play.<br><br>You soccer nerds need to get on the same page.<br><br>I also note Sepp said nothing about looking into how HDTV can improve the game  ;-)</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-9645050">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-9645050" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-9645050" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-9645050" href="http://www.slashstar.com/blogs/tim" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Tim Marman</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-9645050" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-9645050" class="dsq-comment-message">#52 - Lack of scandals in soccer/football? Huh?<br><br><a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2006/SPORT/football/07/14/italy.trial/index.html" rel="nofollow">http://edition.cnn.com/2006/SPORT/football/07/1...</a></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 </ul>\
';

(function() {
	
	





Dsq.Debug.profile(function() {
	if(Dsq.jsonData.request.page == 1 && Dsq.jsonData.request.is_initial_load) {
		Dsq.container.innerHTML = Dsq.Templates.header() + Dsq.container.innerHTML + Dsq.Templates.footer();
	}
	Dsq.$(Dsq.curPageId).innerHTML = Dsq.$(Dsq.curPageId).innerHTML.replace(Dsq.COMMENTS_RE, Dsq.CommentsHandler);
}); // Dsq.Debug.Profile

// HACK: Resetting cache because we're done with.
Dsq.Utils.gebiFromElementCollectionCache = null;


	
	
	var dsq_styleEl = document.getElementById(disqus_container_id);
	var dsq_anchorEl = document.getElementsByTagName('a')[0];
	
	Dsq.Thread.fc = Dsq.Utils.getStyle(dsq_styleEl, 'color');
	if(dsq_anchorEl) { Dsq.Thread.ac = Dsq.Utils.getStyle(dsq_anchorEl, 'color'); }
	Dsq.Thread.ff = Dsq.Utils.getStyle(dsq_styleEl, (Dsq.Utils.ie || window.opera ? 'fontFamily' : 'font-family'));
	// For Safari / Opera: strip quotes.
	Dsq.Thread.ff = Dsq.Thread.ff.replace(/['"]/g, '');
	Dsq.Thread.fc = encodeURIComponent(Dsq.Thread.fc);
	Dsq.Thread.ac = encodeURIComponent(Dsq.Thread.ac);
	Dsq.Thread.ff = encodeURIComponent(Dsq.Thread.ff);

	
	
	
	if(Dsq.$(Dsq.Templates.addPostContainer)) {
		// TODO: Check to see if theme uses postmessage.
		if (window.disqus_use_postmessage) {
			Dsq.frames['reply_0'] = new Dsq.ReplyFrame(Dsq.$(Dsq.Templates.textareaContainer));
			Dsq.frames['reply_0'].init(function() {
				// Use fallback iframe
				Dsq.$(Dsq.Templates.addPostContainer).innerHTML = '';
				var theme = (typeof disqus_frame_theme == 'undefined') ? 'default' : disqus_frame_theme;
				Dsq.Iframes.showReplyIframeInContainer(Dsq.$(Dsq.Templates.addPostContainer), null, {theme: theme});
				// if(Dsq.Utils.ie) { Dsq.Utils.fixIframesIE(); }
			});
		} else {
			// DEPRECATED
			Dsq.Iframes.showReplyIframeInContainer(Dsq.$('dsq-post-add'));
		}
	}

	
	

	
	if(document.location.hash != '') {
		document.location.hash = document.location.hash.substring(1);
	}

	Dsq.Popup.showCookieMsgs();

	
	if(document.location.search != '' && location.hash != '#disqus_thread') {
		var reply_id = Dsq.Utils.getRequestParams().dsq;
		if(reply_id) { document.location.hash = 'comment-' + reply_id; }
	}

	
	if((typeof OB_Script != 'undefined') && (typeof OB_versionNum != 'undefined')) {
		if(navigator.userAgent.indexOf("Firefox") != -1) {
			if(window.frames['dsq-reply-frame']) {
				window.frames['dsq-reply-frame'].location = Dsq.Urls.REPLY + (new Date()).getTime() + '&f=scobleizer&t=hdtv_will_make_soccer_a_lot_more_popular_in_america&to_redirect=' + encodeURIComponent(window.location) + '&ifrs=' + encodeURIComponent(disqus_iframe_css);
			}
		}
	}

	if (Dsq.jsonData.integration.theme == 4) {
		if (Dsq.jsonData.realtime_enabled) {
			Dsq.Realtime.initialize();
		}
	}

	



	window.ExecuteWhen = (function () {
	var obj = {}
	
	// Private
	var running = false;
	var timer = null;
	var pending = [];
	var startTimer = function() {
		running = true;
		timer = setInterval(obj.heartBeat, 100);
	};
	var stopTimer = function() {
		running = false;
		clearInterval(timer);
	};
	
	// Public
	obj.add = function (condition, code) {
		pending.push([condition,code]);
		this.heartBeat(); //!
		if (!running) {
			startTimer();
		}
	};
	obj.heartBeat = function() {
		if (!pending.length) {
			stopTimer();
		}
		var newPending = [];
		for (var i=0; i<pending.length; i++) {
			var cond = pending[i][0];
			var code = pending[i][1];
			// FIXME: if cond or code throw an error, they never get removed from pending
			if (cond()){
				code();
			}
			else {
				newPending.push([cond, code]);
			}
		}
		pending = newPending;
	};
	return obj;
})();

// also used in embed_thread.js:
window.fbIsReady = function () {return window.FB && FB.init;};
// NOTE: This script gets executed again without threadEl
//       set when we are loaded again as the fbc_receiver.
//       In this case, we don't need the hidden container.

if(!window.FB || !FB.init) {
	if(window.Dsq && Dsq.container) {
		// container is not present when init.js is loaded from an xd-receiver iframe; in this case,
		// we don't need the FB_HiddenContainer anyway.
		var fbDiv = document.createElement('div');
		fbDiv.id = "FB_HiddenContainer";	// Required or else FeatureLoader will execute a document.write.
		fbDiv.style.position = 'absolute';	// This is intentionally not setting display to none as this breaks
		fbDiv.style.top = '-10000px';		// Flash in Safari.
		fbDiv.style.left = '-10000px';
		fbDiv.style.width = '0px';
		fbDiv.style.height = '0px';
		Dsq.container.appendChild(fbDiv);
	}
	var fbJS = document.createElement('script');
	fbJS.type = "text/javascript";
	fbJS.src = "http://static.ak.connect.facebook.com/js/api_lib/v0.4/FeatureLoader.js.php";
	document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0].appendChild(fbJS);

	ExecuteWhen.add(window.fbIsReady,
		function () {
			// HACK: This is a workaround FBC's single domain limitation by
			//		 allowing sites to create multiple forums with different
			//		 Facebook API keys.  This must be used in conjunction with
			//		 disqus_facebook_forum (see authenticateFacebook).
			var facebook_api_key = 'faaf467d0f47abde553c3b8e0e1b3570';
			if (typeof disqus_facebook_api_key != 'undefined') {
				facebook_api_key = disqus_facebook_api_key;
			}

			FB.init(facebook_api_key, window.facebookXdReceiverPath || null,
				{fetchSignedPublicSessionData: true});
		});
}


	


if(typeof(disqus_callback) == 'function') {
	var callback_params = Dsq.Utils.getRequestParams()['dsq_cbp'] || null;

	// We don't care about any errors in third-party code
	try {
		disqus_callback(callback_params);
	} catch (x) {
		if (typeof(console) != 'undefined' && typeof(console.log) == 'function') {
			// But it would be nice to let developers know about them
			console.log(x);
		}
		// pass
	}

	// HACK: We don't know if the callback wraps our container, which may
	// possibly result in a new DOM element.
	Dsq.container = document.getElementById('dsq-content');
}

// Global event handler for narcissus.
if (Dsq.jsonData.integration.theme == 4) {
	var g = Dsq.Utils.ie ? document : window;
	Dsq.Utils.addEventListener(g, 'keydown', function(event) {
		// Handle "enter" key on input for post box.
		if ((event.keyCode || event.which) == 13) {
			var target = Dsq.Utils.ie ? event.srcElement : event.target;
			// For Safari bug, detect text node.
			if (target.nodeType == 3) {
				target = target.parentNode;
			}

			if (target.nodeName == 'INPUT' &&
				target.parentNode.className == 'dsq-input-wrapper') {
				var postId = Dsq.Utils.extractId(target);
				Dsq.Templates.postComment(postId, this, false);
			}
		}
	});
}

})();




