Snark, Critic and Pop!

Paul the Psychic Octopus, made famous by successfully predicting World Cup Soccer games and his highly popular 1-800 psychic hotline, is at it again.  Well, he’s not so much at it as he is on the receiving end of a tongue lashing from Iran’s completely sane and rational President Mahmoud-Ahmadinejad.  Ahmadinejad took time away from condemning Israel in general and Jews specifically to take on that symbol of Western excess, a telepathic octopus.  According to the UK Telegraph:

. . . the Iranian president accused the octopus of spreading “western propaganda and superstition.” Paul was mentioned by Mr Ahmadinejad on various occasions during a speech in Tehran at the weekend.

“Those who believe in this type of thing cannot be the leaders of the global nations that aspire, like Iran, to human perfection, basing themselves in the love of all sacred values,” he said. (continue reading…)

The Psychic Octopus did it again, correctly picking Spain over Germany in the World Cup finals.  Truly I tried to watch and appreciate the sport and overcome my American soccer snobbery.  Despite the noblest of intentions, after about fifteen minutes I was sound asleep for a most welcome Sunday nap.  Congrats to Spain, the finest octopus since that Great One who battled Mega Shark, and to all good and patriotic Americans who stayed awake throughout.  Excelsior!

It appears that Paul the psychic octopus is in hot water (figuratively) after he once again predicted the winner of Germany’s world cup match.  The problem is he didn’t pick Germany.  Due to the fact the the octopus jinxed the team leaving them vulnerable to defeat at the hands of defending European champion and 2nd ranked team on the planet Spain, Paul is receiving threats of death, or (continue reading…)

In an attempt to break out of the doldrums of typical octopus life and take up a new career as scungilli, a German octopus whose bold (there really is a need for a sarcasm font) prediction that Germany would beat England was previously posted here has decided to go against his nation of origin and pick Spain to defeat Germany in the semifinals of the World Cup. (continue reading…)

After first reading an article about a psychic octopus predicting a German win over England in the world cup last Friday, I delayed writing a post about it.  Honestly, it seemed rather silly.  You didn’t have to be a smart as an octopus to see that coming.   I also didn’t want to make that joke and have England pull off the upset…  But after watching England get the royal screw job this weekend, I thought why not add to the misery that is being an England supporter.  Listen, it was going to happen sooner or later (or sooner), so why build everyone’s hopes up. 

That being said, what an awful call on the no goal.  Totally turned the match around.  Now I understand that as a fan I am privy to replays, multiple camera angles, zoom and freeze frame, but if you are not going to add instant replay or some technology to help make the correct call, then put a special judge behind each net and get it right.  FIFA makes a bundle, they can afford to hire someone.  Maybe they can get some people to take time off from oppressing people who like to wear the color Orange…