Queasy at a clammy tradition

Journal Record, The (Oklahoma City), Jun 18, 2002

SEOUL, South Korea (NYT) -- Back home in the States, more than a few people have reacted with horror to a certain intimate soccer tradition on public display during the World Cup. After watching games in the early-morning hours, Americans have sent e-mail messages flying across the time zones, asking, "What is it with these guys, anyway? Is this something we really want to watch over breakfast?"

Americans are reacting with queasiness to the ancient soccer tradition of exchanging shirts after a game -- not just trading the shirts, mind you, but promptly pulling them on, sweat and all. Wearing somebody else's clammy gear seems downright unhygienic. Plus, there is also a barbaric touch to seeing a player wearing opposing colors, almost like a Dark Ages warrior walking off the battlefield displaying enemy trophies. However, for the vast majority of players - - and for soccer fans -- the exchange of shirts heals hard feelings over nasty tackles and wayward elbows.

"It's a way of showing respect for the other player -- and for the sport," said DaMarcus Beasley of the United States. "Besides, you're already sweaty."

The swapping ritual persists to the chagrin of FIFA, the world soccer body, which incessantly trumpets the concept of fair play but not when its own pecuniary interests are threatened. FIFA says it frowns on the trades because security officers want the players off the field as quickly as possible. More likely, FIFA does not want the players stripping down to display T-shirts that might promote some religious cause or, far worse, some company that did not pay for sponsor rights. This has been known to happen.

Ready for red money?

WASHINGTON (AP) -- When you look at your greenbacks in the future, you might see red. Or blue, or any number of colors as the nation's money makers mull another makeover to thwart high-tech counterfeiters. Perhaps a spot on the paper bills might even look 3- D.

Those are some of the ideas being floated as the government works on designing new bills that will be harder to knock off. It is a continuing challenge in a world where large quantities of counterfeit notes can be produced easily and quickly using increasingly sophisticated computer technology. New bills are expected to begin debuting in mid- to late 2003. A final design, which Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill must approve, is not expected to be publicly released until next year.

The last currency makeover started in 1996 and was the biggest change in the dollar's design in 67 years, with a number of high- tech features added. The most noticeable change, however, was that portraits were made bigger and moved slightly off center. As a result, a number of nicknames cropped up for the notes, including Monopoly Money.

One change being considered now is the addition of "subtle color" to the bills, says the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, which makes the nation's paper money. The goal would be to use color in such a way that would make it harder to make bogus bills. Green and black ink is now used on neutral-colored paper. Experts say color could be added in the neutral areas, in other specific spots or be used to tint the entire note. Colors could vary by denomination.

The government is not offering details. But the bureau says that whatever changes are made, "the public can rest assured that notes will maintain their distinct American look and feel." The size of the notes will not change and the same faces will appear on the same bills.

A downer for a diva

NEW YORK (NYT) -- In Hollywood, Jennifer Lopez is an ascendant Latin supernova. These day the singer-actress receives $12 million a movie (she is making three this year). Her most recent album, J to Tha L-O! The Remixes, arrived at No. 1 on the Billboard charts. And public interest in her melodramatic personal life is so intense that it keeps phalanxes of tabloid reporters churning out juicy grist (the newest is that she separated from Cris Judd, her husband of only nine months). But in New York, at Macy's at Herald Square, where Lopez's clothing line, J.Lo by Jennifer Lopez, was introduced late last year, the star is having trouble getting respect. Even the very people who are supposed to compose her loyal fan base are playing hard to get.

When Lopez announced in April last year that she was taking a page from her former paramour Sean Combs and adding fashion designer to her resume, Seventh Avenue paid attention. "Jennifer Lopez has an image that is perfect for fashion right now," Kal Ruttenstein, senior vice president for fashion direction at Bloomingdale's, said at the time.

On the press release, at least, everything made sense. Lopez's business partner was Andy Hilfiger, the younger brother of Tommy, no less. And he was confidently predicting that the Sweetface Fashion Co., where he and Lopez would be co-presidents, would bring in $100 million in sales to stores in its first year. But when the company last fall introduced its first collection, J.Lo by Jennifer Lopez, for girls and young women 15 to 21, customers and store buyers liked it about as much as movie critics liked the star's recent releases Enough and Angel Eyes. Not a whole lot.