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Iraqi Soccer Captain: "I Want America to Go Out"
To build on Elizabeth's post below, the captain of the victorious Iraqi soccer team isn't terribly happy with the American presence in his country.
Iraq's 1-0 victory over Saudi Arabia on a 71st-minute header by captain Younis Mahmoud was an inspirational triumph for a team whose players straddle bitter and violent ethnic divides. After the game, Mahmoud called for the United States to withdraw its troops from his nation.
"I want America to go out," he said. "Today, tomorrow, or the day after tomorrow, but out. I wish the American people didn't invade Iraq and, hopefully, it will be over soon."
Reminds me of when the Iraqi Olympic team rebuffed the president's attempts to use it in campaign commercials.
"Iraq as a team does not want Mr. Bush to use us for the presidential campaign," [Iraqi midfielder Salih] Sadir told SI.com through a translator, speaking calmly and directly. "He can find another way to advertise himself."
Ahmed Manajid, who played as a midfielder on Wednesday, had an even stronger response when asked about Bush's TV advertisement. "How will he meet his god having slaughtered so many men and women?" Manajid told me. "He has committed so many crimes."
[snip]
They also find it offensive that Bush is using Iraq for his own gain when they do not support his administration's actions. "My problems are not with the American people," says Iraqi soccer coach Adnan Hamad. "They are with what America has done in Iraq: destroy everything. The American army has killed so many people in Iraq. What is freedom when I go to the [national] stadium and there are shootings on the road?"
At a speech in Beaverton, Ore., last Friday, Bush attached himself to the Iraqi soccer team after its opening-game upset of Portugal. "The image of the Iraqi soccer team playing in this Olympics, it's fantastic, isn't it?" Bush said. "It wouldn't have been free if the United States had not acted."
The article, originally from Sports Illustrated in 2004, is well worth a read.
Eric, the fascist brain would NOT consider this "good news". It's just news. A peasant "believer in the fascist faith" wants news that increases the respect and reverence of the party leaders ? those he worships. A peasant fascist "feels" this reverence in their hearts ? and - is happier; which is why "burning the flag" is such an issue with these "fascist believer" morons - "the flag" is a symbol of what they worship. Just "news" doesn't matter. If you'd bother talking to the average middle-trash Republican once in awhile, you'd understand that the number of schools painted by "our heroes" is FAR more important than a bunch of A-rabs playing a "pussy" game like soccer. The schools were painted because George wanted them painted. This is simple goodness ? realized.
Eric, the fascist brain would NOT consider this "good news". It's just news. A peasant "believer in the fascist faith" wants news that increases the respect and reverence of the party leaders ? those he worships. A peasant fascist "feels" this reverence in their hearts ? and - is happier; which is why "burning the flag" is such an issue with these "fascist believer" morons - "the flag" is a symbol of what they worship. Just "news" doesn't matter. If you'd bother talking to the average middle-trash Republican once in awhile, you'd understand that the number of schools painted by "our heroes" is FAR more important than a bunch of A-rabs playing a "pussy" game like soccer. The schools were painted because George wanted them painted. This is simple goodness ? realized.
As an offshoot to this story, did anyone else notice that contrary to conservative complaints that the media never reports the good news out of Iraq, this did get reported? I heard about it first on NPR, and the Minneapolis StarTribune put it on the front page of the print edition. Good the lack of reporting of good news be because of the lack of good news?
Eric, the fascist brain would NOT consider this "good news". It's just news. A peasant "believer in the fascist faith" wants news that increases the respect and reverence of the party leaders those he worships. A peasant fascist "feels" this reverence in their hearts and - is happier; which is why "burning the flag" is such an issue with these "fascist believer" morons - "the flag" is a symbol of what they worship. Just "news" doesn't matter. If you'd bother talking to the average middle-trash Republican once in awhile, you'd understand that the number of schools painted by "our heroes" is FAR more important than a bunch of A-rabs playing a "pussy" game like soccer. The schools were painted because George wanted them painted. This is simple goodness realized.
I don't think this was percieved as good news. The fact of the matter is is that good news does NOT get reported... even though it is happening every single day. I love how a 'particular' party really goes after the other with insults and such. Let's not be intelligent about it, and have a good response or dialogue.
It is nice that these soccer players have the license to say whatever is on their minds now that there is now is not a dictatorship in place. This is due to US. Finally. I recall players being killed due to performances that did not please the regime. Yeah, let's bring that back.
And considering most of the deaths in Iraq is due to their own people killing one another, these players will say whatever to get their point across. Maybe they should ask for the extremists to leave. The US would be glad to follow.
Does the Iraqi team
honestly think that if we leave
it'll stop Saudi extremists
from car bombing Baghdad?
i don't think so.
What about Iran
from smuggling in arms
to hit squads?
i don't think so.
But the Captain has the right
to say what ever he pleases
brought you by the U.S. military.
I for one
am glad he has the right to
say whatever he wants.
It's not like the old days,
where the team was tortured and
mudered for losing.
My, my, my
how times have changed
Let's celebrate!
Good Luck fellas
What a ungrateful jerk. I guess he misses the torture Saddams sons would do to the losing Iraqi team?
He must be a voting Democrat who hates America and blames our soldiers.
I want our soldiers out because of these ungrateful jerks.
Daniel Hill,
Give the Iraqi soccer team
a chance to express themselves.
They are the only soccer team
in the middle east
who have freedom of speech.
My soldiers stay.
Let's not be moral cowards Daniel.
Let's help other people
to enjoy what Captain Younis Mahmoud has,
the right to say whatever he wants.
Toughin' up.
The weird attitude I see in conservative thinking, and I see it in some posts here, is that people should show their gratitude for freedom of speech brought to them by the military that they should never ever use it.
What is surprising is that this is not all over AOL. AOL usually likes to post anything it can putting down George Bush.Liberals and Idiots like Eric Ferguson need to learn to respect for the office of the President.Lack of respect for themselves and our President is what is destroying our country.
Please learn the difference between respect for the office of the presidency and disdain for the flawed human who holds the position. GWB has lost any claim to respect by his lack of respect for our Constitutional government, and his lack of respect for anyone outside his little circle of sycophants and yes-men.