I wasn't thinking about national sports or other cultural events when I was seeing those images in New York. Although, if you insist, we could. Personally the image of the carcass of a goat being dragged across the floor, isn't any more questionable than bullfighting in Portugal and Spain, or the UFL in USA. It depends on who's watching. Culture and history play a large role in how we witness domestic and foreign displays of violence and aggression and what we tag as "barbaric".
Instead, what I was witnessing a clear parallel between manifestations in Middle-East and central New York. I can understand this may sting a bit the national sensitivities. But truth is, stupidity is universal. And mobs are particularly stupid. Before you know it, we are behaving like chimps performing the exact same sad display we get to see done by our "enemies" and that just a few minutes ago we were using as a way to measure our civilizational superiority. I wasn't particularly happy either by seeing the president of the USA using the name of God. Another parallel that really could be avoided. Particularly knowing how sensitive the religious aspect is to this war, considering the fact USA is fighting religious fundamentalists fighting in the name of God. I understand "God Bless America" is the national meme, but finishing off a victory speech with a provocation could/should be avoided. If for no other reason, because God has nothing to do with this. That's, I heard, the thing that most annoys people about fundamentalist Islam (the use of God as a justification and a tool). Also, always found it particularly offensive to any Christian relating God with the murder of people. But I guess it isn't.
Anyways, this is just the ramblings of someone that felt kinda embarassed by the manifestations on New York and didn't thought for one moment they represented the actual spirit of most Americans (including New Yorkers). But I agree that couldn't be avoided giving the relationship of the city with this man. Just don't think anyone looked good in the picture.
