Posts by rustystag7

Honestly, who gives a damn about him!! It’s honestly pathetic that people like that get to represent our country at all!!
It’s kind of stupid to act like everything is fine now and suddenly want to head to Qatar, especially after everyone called them out and they stayed put!!

Fine, let him go to Qatar, but he shouldn't expect to ever hold an American passport again!!🙂

Johnny Depp said:Man, I really stepped in it this time!
I honestly don't know which part is more depressing: seeing him forced into this kind of move—basically threatening to pack up and swim under a different flag just to get paid—or the fact that he probably doesn't have any other way to pull in that kind of cash. It makes you wonder who’s actually slicker here: is it Duje Draganja-prodana for playing those cards, or is it just the whole shady sponsor culture we're dealing with? It's a tough call.
Just to wrap all this up, here's one more thing for you guys...🙂

Man, I hate to say it, but I've gotta agree with you... like, 100%. From start to finish, you're spot on.
It’s a total mess, honestly. I mean, yeah, the guy is definitely making money in a shady way, but you can't just point fingers at him and call it a day. You gotta look at the government too. When you realize they barely invest a dime back into anything, it’s not even surprising that things end up this way. It's like leaving a garden untended and then acting shocked when the weeds take over everything.
Man, whenever I start thinking about that old stadium in LA... you know, the one they just let crumble away? It’s honestly depressing. I sit there wondering if they’re ever actually going to finish it, or if they’re just gonna keep letting it fall apart while they undo everything good that was already built. Honestly, seeing them mess up like that? It doesn't even surprise me anymore. Just typical.
I’m just sitting here waiting for some politician to start a massive war over why the Lakers or the Yankees are trash, or why our whole league is basically circling the drain. Like, honestly? It's hilarious. Because if you actually look at the numbers, they haven't even put real money into sports in general! They barely invest anything compared to what people think they're doing.

He’s heading to Qatar, he’s staying in the States, he’s leaving, he’s staying... man, it's a rollercoaster. But honestly? It looks like there's a massive chance this whole drama starring Duje Draganja ends with a win for American swimming. Just a few days ago, during a chat with vjesnik Dujin, his dad Pero was basically saying how blown away he was by the welcome they got in Doha, hinting that Duje moving to Qatar was a done deal. But then, overnight, everything flipped. In the "Draganja situation," we've got a total plot twist. Word from people close to the family leaked yesterday that Duje is actually going to take that sponsorship offer from State Farm and—get this—he's staying right here in the US!

CO is fast-tracking things
Over at our top insurance giant, they confirmed that a deal is super close—one that bumps up the total American offer for Duje to about $500,000 (between State Farm, PepsiCo, and various grants...). Ivica Žigić, the head of corporate comms, put it this way:
- Draganja is currently in talks with State Farm. Since we're looking at a scenario where the US could lose a world-class swimmer, we are moving as fast as possible through all the negotiation steps. We'll definitely let everyone know once we have a result. CO is really hoping Draganja keeps swimming under the American flag.
The weird thing is, the newspapers over in Qatar haven't printed a single word about a potential move for Draganjin. They say it's because they get hit with these "rejections" all the time and don't want to bum out their local readers. They pretty much wait until a deal is signed in ink before they even mention it.

Name changes happen all the time
- You won't see Draganja mentioned in the media at all, and honestly, I didn't hear much more even when talking to officials at the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee. They aren't confirming or denying any contact with Draganja. But, I've realized there's definitely something going on there—said respected table tennis expert Zlatko Čordaš, who works as an instructor in Qatar, and he added a thought on something else that might have rubbed Duje the wrong way.
- It's pretty standard for athletes who take on Qatari citizenship to change their names too. We haven't really seen a case with white athletes before, so I can't be 100% sure, but I definitely wouldn't want to see Duje end up being called Abdulah.

Looks like our superstar is sticking around after all!! Patriotism won out in the end😁

quietcobra30 said:You clearly know way more than I or anyone else here if you're claiming he's already got as much cash as Bahrain is offering him. Where'd you get that info? You got some inside track or are you just some guy loves to argue online?
The whole point is that Duje doesn't have the funds needed to hit those top-tier results and finish his Master's degree. And now you're saying he sold himself out for peanuts!? He hasn't sold out yet, and honestly, he probably won't. We're talking about a cool million dollars here! Peanuts?!
A typical internet debater?
Lay out some actual facts instead of throwing around insults.

I didn't send any insults, man. I'm just telling you for the second time: stop attacking my posts instead of actually addressing what I'm saying!!
Like I said before, according to the local news, Duje pulls in maybe $50,000 a year without even having sponsors!!
It’s not that he lacks money for elite training and his Master's, it's just that he wants to make a living too, which is totally fair!! And look, a $400,000 offer isn't exactly pocket change either! Maybe this whole thing was just a play to squeeze more funding out of the US Olympic & Paralympic Committee so the kid can actually afford to swim properly!! I'm rooting for him, sure, but if he ditches his citizenship to go swim for Qatar, good luck to him, but I'm done cheering for him.

But seriously, there's no million-dollar payout coming my way that would make me change my name and my country!! That's just how I was raised, man. Besides, I don't think having six Ferraris sitting in my garage would ever make me happy, especially not like that.

quietcobra30 said:Just your average internet debater—super informed and therefore, totally an expert on everything. Man, Isusek... what’s gonna happen to us? Just how we say back home in the Midwest.

I mean, I think you were just complaining a second ago about how people don't actually debate you with logic, they just act like cowards. Like, you're doing it right now—where's the actual argument??🙄

L. NimoyInvadesMetal said:Everyone backing Duje’s move to jump ship for the cash keeps bringing up how we lost one of our best athletes right during the big swimming championships. And honestly? I don't even blame him for it—it's just the way he's willing to ditch his citizenship that gets to me. Look, obviously everyone wants to make sure they can survive, you know? When you're in your early 20s, everyone's acting all patriotic and loves their country, but once you hit 35, have two kids to feed, and you're counting every single dollar just to make rent next month... yeah, that's a whole different story. I get it.
And I'm not one of those people who's suddenly gonna "hate Duje from the bottom of my soul" or wish him some kind of injury or whatever. I just don't think like that. I'd much rather see the kid stay healthy and keep swimming. I'm not an idiot; I don't go around wishing bad luck or accidents on anyone. I don't really do hate, especially not toward someone in the sports world. It's like, whatever, I don't care that much. I hope he stays safe, good luck to him, and I hope he hits those goals he has to secure his future and all that...

But I just hope he doesn't start crying later or act surprised when the US treats him like any other foreign citizen. It’s not about "revenge" or anything; it’s just standard protocol. Like that old saying goes, "You can't sit on both sides of the fence." You really can't.

I am totally with you on this! I don't hate him or wish him ill either, but if you look at my old posts, you'll see I definitely hold it against him for giving up his citizenship for a quick buck!!

This stuff hits close to home for me because I had a relative back in the day who gave up his citizenship in '98 just so he wouldn't have to deal with the military draft over there. As if they were actually gonna come looking for him!! In my eyes, he isn't any better than Duje!!

The reality is that nowadays, people in America seem to view everything through the lens of money. Most of them are just folks with families who would do anything for them, but Duje definitely isn't one of those guys!!

I mean, I think every kid's dream is to become somebody, to achieve something big in life. Personally, I think Duje could pull that off on his own without selling himself out for some peanuts!! Let's be real, money might seem like a fortune to us, but for him, it's probably pocket change since he's likely got plenty sitting in his bank account already!!
I just hope the government doesn't try to hand him his citizenship back. I don't mean that maliciously; I just want them to treat him exactly like any other citizen who walked away from their country.

rustystag7 said:I can't shake the feeling that the universe just didn't deal Duje a winning hand... we're talking world-class talent, an insane work ethic, but all poured into the wrong sport...
The guy is basically a hostage to his own out-of-this-world talent being wasted in the wrong arena... and honestly, maybe even the wrong country.
If he’d kicked a ball twice correctly when he was a kid, maybe someone like Nike would be buying him gold watches right now. We’d be shaking in our boots at his press conferences, patting him on the back while he leads our national team through some brutal showdown against the wild Hun squad where they lose by two games—the kid would have a massive bank account and never have to worry about making ends meet. He’d be grinning from magazine covers; we’d know his girlfriend’s name, what his favorite burger is, if he prefers blondes or brunettes...
Instead, this guy is world-class—but the media only cares when he grabs a medal or when he wants to secure something for his family that he feels he’s earned. You know, the kind of stuff the big shots get after spending six months reading the news in D.C.—stuff that Hummer owners, among others, settle by paying their workers minimum wage (and they explain it cynically, but hey, it's just the market at work)...
They aren't the issue. It’s not a crime if Duje stays for peanuts because he’s scared he won't see the real money. It’s not a crime that nobody in this country really trusts anyone these days. I bet 98% of Americans don't even know what the guy looks like (though for mali Cic, it would probably be the opposite), but here’s the kicker: if Duje leaves, we lose those 20 seconds of pure adrenaline. We lose the chance to see the Stars and Stripes flying on a flagpole during a medal ceremony in some sprint race, whether it's in a small pool, a huge one, or swimming diagonally across the lane...
Hey Duje, don't screw this up—it's about responsibility...

You nailed everything there, but man, you gotta admit there are massive differences between sports! What's a world champion dart player supposed to say? Nobody’s ever heard of our guys in that scene!!
If he were Ronaldinho, he’d be pulling in crazy money, but that's just how different sports are!!
Still, though, there's no excuse for a guy who's gonna jump ship to swim for another country just because of a paycheck!!
I don't know what Duje's missing. One day he's featured in the paper as one of the top-earning American athletes making $50,000 a year, and that's not even counting sponsors!!
That’s not pocket change to me. Seriously, show me an athlete in a similar sport who makes more than him!!
I just think he could've handled things better instead of selling out his citizenship.

L.NimoyInvadesMetal~ said:Don't be like that, man, Duje's out there driving a Hummer 🤣



Or better yet, ali Dragany.

So what, they gonna have license plates from Qatar now or something???😁

Blandona said:This is basically the textbook definition of what Duje Draganja is talking about—being different, which actually means being better. It's about having actual literacy and really knowing your stuff, like sports (shout out to the expert 🙂RANKA Vlasic). It’s called competence, man. Knowing the subject you’re writing about. So all those guys like lobotomija, Sour Milk, and those fake patriots can just... whatever. For the rest of you: stop acting like you know where you're going when you're totally lost.

Oh, give me a break!! First, you joke around saying we shouldn't even bother with real arguments, then the second I actually drop an articulated post, you start clowning me!! If you don't have anything real to say, just get lost!!

Look, I gave you an honest answer, and hey, if you don't like it, that's on you!!
Like, seriously, what's wrong with someone like Brandy Vlasic???

To me, people like Brandy Vlasic, or even names like Kozul or Kostelici, are fifty times more likable than Duje!!
It’s not about me being jealous of him, if that's what you think!!
I wish him the best, honestly, but I just don't get why there's even a guy out there who's basically for sale!!
Whatever, man, if he wants to go take $500,000, good for him. I'll be perfectly happy just knowing that nobody can buy me, and trust me, I mean that sincerely!!
I'm not jealous of anyone because I know I could make it on my own without selling my soul to someone else, and there isn't enough money in the world from some billionaire to make me budge!!

ari peka nikkola said:I can already see Duje Draganja-sold stomping onto a subway train with his backpack while everyone else loses their minds and bolts for the exit.😁

Man, you're messing around, but don't go making predictions like that if he actually decides to grow out that beard he's been sporting!!
He's gonna end up looking just like that Roose Bolton avatar.😁

quietcobra30 said:Well, here I am again.😁Duje hasn't left yet. Honestly, maybe he'll just quit swimming altogether because you can't make a living off this thing, and there's actual potential in science. IF he moves to Qatar, Bahrain, or Saint Kitts and Nevis, he’d still keep his American citizenship. He’d probably land some massive real estate deal or a sweet perk in San Francisco or Seattle before any of you losers on this thread even get a sniff of anything, simply because he’s world-class and you guys are just... well, you know. It's not like he's actually reading this nonsense anyway.

Look, Duje can't have dual citizenship, especially not with folks from those regions. We vet everyone coming into the US pretty strictly, and honestly, those areas raise too many red flags regarding terrorism.
So yeah, forget about it!!
And as for Seattle or San Francisco? I highly doubt the government is just going to hand him a house or anything like that. In smaller cities, every little thing requires a mountain of bureaucracy and local approval. You really think the feds are gonna rush to give stuff to Duje if he ends up swimming for Qatar? (Assuming he even goes)!!
It's not that the government is stingy; they just don't have money to throw around. They'd much rather give support to an athlete like Branka Vlasic—and I mean that sincerely. She’s been struggling just to find a decent place to train, she hasn't fled the country, and she's still killing it despite having to train abroad because we don't have the right facilities here. Compared to her, giving something to Duje El Draganhiju doesn't even make sense.

James Fisher7 said:if you guys are actually the sane ones...

😕 man, walk me through that logic a bit

unnamed said:[B

Oh, come on. Like they're picking Monte Carlo just so they can drop some extra cash back home in America. Give me a break. Also, just a heads up—Monte Carlo isn't France, it's Monaco. And honestly, you get the same amount of tournaments in Monaco as you do in the States. This year, unnamed only pulled in like $7,500 from playing there. As for my point about "why wouldn't they be there," maybe read closer next time? I'm actually one of those people who supports this kind of stuff. If I could find a way to dodge paying taxes here, I'd be the first in line. [/B]

I think we’re talking past each other. What I meant was that they're definitely putting money into stocks and helping out with investments, so you can't really blame them for avoiding American taxes!!
I mean, look at how much Ivanišević donated for medical equipment alone!!
And let's be real, they aren't choosing Monte Carlo to give money away to help others; they're doing it so they can keep more of it for themselves. But hey, who can blame them?!!
Personally, I'm all for it.

silentorca492 said:[B
Come on, give me a break. He earned his money in Monaco, so that's where he pays his taxes. Why are people talking nonsense? He's a resident in Monaco, which means by law he's gotta spend at least 185 days there, and the other 180 days he can be anywhere else on the planet. That's just what you pay for living in a low-tax haven. If he'd registered in Chicago, he'd be paying taxes here. Since everyone thinks they're such geniuses, why does Karlovic pay taxes in the US, while Ancic—who paid them here until this year—is switching to Monaco now? Or look at those two Russian Davis Cup players, Andreev and the Southerner, paying in Russia while Safin and Davidenko pay in Monaco, or why Ljubičić's opponent today, Czech Berdych, pays in the Czech Republic while Stepanek pays in Monaco. Why? Because they save a massive amount of cash by using tax havens, while the others aren't willing to give up their home base just to save a buck. That's really all there is to it. [/B]

There's basically zero tax in Monaco, or it's peanuts, so why wouldn't someone move there!!
Back home, you have to pay income tax, so it's totally normal for people to run toward wherever the tax hit is lighter. And let's be real, he makes way more money playing in France than he ever would in the States since we don't have the big tournaments here. Even when we do have stuff, the prize pools are tiny, whereas in France, the funds are huge and everywhere you look!!

And honestly, I don't think anyone should judge Ivanisevic or Janica, because whatever they save on taxes, they usually end up donating to charity or buying high-end equipment for training or something.

rapidbison42 said:It’s only from those countries where the US has signed reciprocity agreements.

come on man, break it down for me Sandra Baker512... I honestly have no clue how the legal side of this works, but you clearly know your stuff so just lay it out for me

Sandra Baker512 said:Listen, kid, you're missing the point here.
Foreigners already own half the coastline out here! 🤮

Like I was saying, they found some loophole to get around it, but technically, if you're a foreign citizen, you don't actually have the right to own property in America!!

rapidbison42 said:Come on, man, quit whining...
Louie got chased out and silenced like a stray dog from his "home" in Canada.
Get it?
And mark my words: winning the Davis Cup is worth more than a thousand of those silver trophies John Doe collects.
And you know why Louie pays taxes in Monaco just like all the Russian, Czech, and American tennis players?
Because even Rhode Island would snatch away exactly what the country where he actually earned his prize money already took.
Double taxation.
Normal countries figured that out ages ago.

honestly, I'm totally on board with that!! why should he pay taxes in America when he didn't even earn the cash here, so the US has zero claim to it!
it's not just him either, it's everyone with actual money who refuses to get screwed over!!

I mean, if Ljubičić wins a tournament, he pays tax on the winnings, and where else would he go? If he came back to the States, they'd just skin him alive with another round of taxes!!

rapidbison42 said:As long as I’m paying my taxes here in the States, I don't want to hear any lectures from some guy living abroad who acts more patriotic than the people actually living here.

🙏 🙏 🙏 🙏 straight up hit the nail on the head!!

you said it perfectly

rapidbison42 said:He’s also got to face the music for publicly giving up his citizenship and showing up here as some guy from Qatar... probably on a tourist visa (if he can even snag one).
The government just needs to treat him exactly like any other nobody who decides to walk away from their country.
A clean break on both sides is honestly the fairest way to handle this.
I mean, he'll be fine in Qatar... it's just gonna suck when he realizes getting back into the USA won't be nearly as easy. But hey, Duje will figure it out somehow.

Look, I expect the government to step up, but I also expect him to lose out on inheritance rights since he'd be a foreign national. That's how things work everywhere—it's standard practice. Like, take Germany for example; if you drop your citizenship there, you can't inherit anything because foreigners aren't allowed to own real estate there. And honestly, we could start doing the same thing here in America! Though, I guess if Duje has a brother, they might find some loophole to bypass those laws.

Amanda Lee42 said:Man, it feels like two of these posts are basically the same thing... honestly, rustystag7 was starting to sound just like that to me.

Man, I gotta say, that caught me off guard too. Honestly, I’m kind of scratching my head over here—not really sure how I came across like that, either. But hey, whatever. Everyone’s entitled to their own take, right? Even if I'm totally lost on why you saw it that way.😕