Zions and Tigers and Bears......

A fellow named Scooter recently blogged this onward-christian-soliders and it reminded me of my long standing confusion over the terms 'Zion', 'Zionist', et. al. So I looked them up. According to Dictionary.com, Zion means simply :

"a. The historic land of Israel as a symbol of the Jewish people.
b. The Jewish people; Israel."

Ok, I can grasp that. Furthermore Zionist means :

"A Jewish movement that arose in the late 19th century in response to growing anti-Semitism and sought to reestablish a Jewish homeland in Palestine. Modern Zionism is concerned with the support and development of the state of Israel."

That too, seems straightforward. Here is the part that confuses me. The only time I hear these words used is in the entertainment media, and it always has a negative connotation. But its a negative connotation spouted by an unsavory character. Usually, some greasy, hunched over, churl is cursing, through his bespittled maw, the "Zionist dogs" and their evil ways. My confusion is compounded by the plotline having nothing whatever to do with the establishment/support of the state of Israel. Was our greasy churl attempting to undermine the state of Israel and I missed it? Is it just an epithet hurled out of failure and anti-Semitism? Do Zionists call themselves Zionists?

Maybe I would be less confused if I knew more Jews. I think I only know one. I might know more, but I never think to ask. The one I know, I don't know very well. I am loathe to ask him to clarify, lest I offend.

I saw it coming but I didn't say anything.

I had a feeling that Venus was going to beat The Couch today even though she is technically an underdog. I know it shouldn't happen. The Couch strikes the ball mechanically better than anyone on the women's tour today. Venus makes me cringe everytime she swings. Somehow, though, she manages to play incredible tennis. I guess it comes down to athleticism and timing. After seeing her beat Sharapova in the previous round I was certain Venus was going to win. In the final, Venus had a Championship Point against, and I said to no one, "She is still going to win this. Thc Couch just can't move.

So I am going to make a prediction now for the men's final. Federer will beat Roddick. I was going to give reasons but after reading my above paragraph I realized that I am too tired to be cogent. So, I'll stick to my prediction and let the reader assume that the reasons are obvious even to the most casual of observers.