Iraqi soccer team speaks out against Bush

Kelshara · Post by **Kelshara** » August 19, 2004, 7:28 pm

Interesting read.. especially with how the Bush campaign has used the team and the athletes from both Iraq and Afghanistan.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/o ... index.html

Some quotes, far from all though so read thorugh it:

"Iraq as a team does not want Mr. Bush to use us for the presidential campaign," Sadir told SI.com through a translator, speaking calmly and directly. "He can find another way to advertise himself."

"I want the violence and the war to go away from the city," says Sadir, 21. "We don't wish for the presence of Americans in our country. We want them to go away."

Manajid, 22, who nearly scored his own goal with a driven header on Wednesday, hails from the city of Fallujah. He says coalition forces killed Manajid's cousin, Omar Jabbar al-Aziz, who was fighting as an insurgent, and several of his friends. In fact, Manajid says, if he were not playing soccer he would "for sure" be fighting as part of the resistance.

"I want to defend my home. If a stranger invades America and the people resist, does that mean they are terrorists?" Manajid says. "Everyone [in Fallujah] has been labeled a terrorist. These are all lies. Fallujah people are some of the best people in Iraq."

These ads piss me off, not just beause they are Bush ads but mostly because the Olympics are supposed to be a peaceful time and NOT linked to politics. It highly annoyed me when I watched the opening ceremony and the commentators made a political comment about pretty much every single country.

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » August 19, 2004, 7:32 pm

How soon they forget their tortured past!

Fatten them up with some sponsorships and they'll quit whining.

Lynks · Post by **Lynks** » August 19, 2004, 7:41 pm

Maybe this will shut some of the people up that claim that Iraq loves America occupying the country.

kyoukan · Post by **kyoukan** » August 19, 2004, 7:47 pm

Lynks wrote:Maybe this will shut some of the people up that claim that Iraq loves America occupying the country.

ahahahah, are you joking? the only people that say that are loudmouthed neocon apologists who just like watching the US military swing their dick around and kill muslims. and you will never get those cunts to shut up.

Kylere · Post by **Kylere** » August 19, 2004, 7:48 pm

I don't think anyone ever said all Iraqi's love the US Lynks.

Nice they have the freedom to criticize now, I am proud of them for using their newly won freedoms.

Mak · Post by **Mak** » August 19, 2004, 7:50 pm

They could go back to the old days when whichever batshit crazy son of Sadam's that ran the Iraqi soccer federation would murder them for missing passes and stuff.

Midnyte_Ragebringer · Post by **Midnyte_Ragebringer** » August 19, 2004, 8:13 pm

Seems these players are no different than the forgetful, ungrateful Americans we have all over. How soon they forget. Tis a shame. I was routing for the Iraqi soccer team until I heard this today.

Niffoni · Post by **Niffoni** » August 19, 2004, 9:14 pm

Some of these posts look like they're straight out of The Onion

Not that I'm singling out anyone, of course!

Lynks · Post by **Lynks** » August 19, 2004, 10:17 pm

Midnyte_Ragebringer wrote:Seems these players are no different than the forgetful, ungrateful Americans we have all over. How soon they forget. Tis a shame. I was routing for the Iraqi soccer team until I heard this today.

What kind of message are you sending your kids Mid. Somebody speaks out against the president and that's reason to not like them? You're a hateful man.

Cartalas · Post by **Cartalas** » August 19, 2004, 10:21 pm

"Manajid, 22, who nearly scored his own goal with a driven header on Wednesday, hails from the city of Fallujah. He says coalition forces killed Manajid's cousin, Omar Jabbar al-Aziz, who was fighting as an insurgent, and several of his friends. In fact, Manajid says, if he were not playing soccer he would "for sure" be fighting as part of the resistance."

Thank God for prioritys What a Puke

Bojangels · Post by **Bojangels** » August 19, 2004, 10:42 pm

I'm sure there will be plenty of time to avenge the deaths of his cousin and all his friends after his soccer game!

Kylere · Post by **Kylere** » August 20, 2004, 12:15 am

Heh OMG Cartalas has a major point, I am glad soccer is more important that what he portrays as the freedom of his country. No wonder Saddam was in power for so long.

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » August 20, 2004, 12:21 am

Soccer is about as manly as figure skating.

kyoukan · Post by **kyoukan** » August 20, 2004, 12:35 am

this from a guy who thinks fishing is a sport.

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » August 20, 2004, 1:21 am

kyoukan wrote:this from a guy who thinks fishing is a sport.

You are far too sweet on me.

Markulas · Post by **Markulas** » August 20, 2004, 1:58 am

Break it down?

Killing athletes= bad

Promoting yourself for the upcoming election= bad

bad=bad

1=1

Rekaar. · Post by **Rekaar.** » August 20, 2004, 5:01 am

To a man, members of the Iraqi Olympic delegation say they are glad that former Olympic committee head Uday Hussein, who was responsible for the serial torture of Iraqi athletes and was killed four months after the U.S.-led coalition invaded Iraq in March 2003, is no longer in power.

But they also find it offensive that Bush is using Iraq for his own gain when they do not support his administration's actions.

Heh, scoce contradictory.. The actions that led to their desired results. Looking the gift horse in the mouth so to speak. Is it wrong that Bush wants to take some credit for doing a good thing in an election year? Is that not how you get elected?

"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 (compared to what?). What is freedom when I go to the [national] stadium and there are shootings on the road?"

How ironic that in such a short period of time they can somehow shift the blame for death from the guys that are terrorizing building projects and police efforts...to the US. I guess every country has blaming liberals. Is the coach from Fallujah or Tikrit? Where exactly are this guy's loyalties? He's no doubt a huge influence on the minds of his young team.

One man does not represent all of Iraq, especially not one man that manages to overlook the billions of our dollars spent rebuilding the things Saddam neglected. Running water where there never was any. Power. Roads. Police.

Just because some guy's radical family members got killed because they're on the wrong side of the war doesn't mean he's representative of 20 million others that aren't. Do the insurgents think they're just as right as their opposition does? I'm sure they do. Such is the case in all conflicts. It irritates me that so many armchair quarterbacks side against the US simply because they want to, and not because they should.

The Americans have lost many people around the world--and that is what is happening in America also."

He must watch NBC.

Xzion · Post by **Xzion** » August 20, 2004, 8:54 am

Canelek wrote:Soccer is about as manly as figure skating.

You have to be in far, far better shape to play soccer then any american sport (lol baseball is a sport

)

Xzion · Post by **Xzion** » August 20, 2004, 8:54 am

hmm double

Niffoni · Post by **Niffoni** » August 20, 2004, 8:55 am

Xzion wrote:
Canelek wrote:Soccer is about as manly as figure skating.
You have to be in far, far better shape to play soccer then any other american sport (lol baseball is a sport )

How can you hate a sport that glorifies the proud tradition of running around in a circle??

Xzion · Post by **Xzion** » August 20, 2004, 8:57 am

Niffoni wrote:
Xzion wrote:
Canelek wrote:Soccer is about as manly as figure skating.
You have to be in far, far better shape to play soccer then any other american sport (lol baseball is a sport )
How can you hate a sport that glorifies the proud tradition of running around in a circle??

I dont hate it, its just soo fucking boring, and filled with a disgusting amount of downtime to both play, and watch...id rather be a professional handball player

Cartalas · Post by **Cartalas** » August 20, 2004, 9:34 am

Xzion wrote:
Canelek wrote:Soccer is about as manly as figure skating.
You have to be in far, far better shape to play soccer then any american sport (lol baseball is a sport )

Not True! You ever play baseball? No real baseball? Not a pick up game of softball. Go play a game have some one throw a 80-90 MPH fastball and see if you have the hand, eye cordination to even foul it. Lets see if you can stab a 120mph Line drive out of the air. While I agree Soccer players are in great condition baseball players are in good condition too. There are exceptions to the Rule IE anyone who plays 1st base.

Siji · Post by **Siji** » August 20, 2004, 10:21 am

Rekaar. wrote:Heh, scoce contradictory.. The actions that led to their desired results. Looking the gift horse in the mouth so to speak.

Not contradictory at all. I'd have no problem if North Korea for example sent an assassin to the White House. I wouldn't want them occupying the country however. It's logical to not like a dictator. That doesn't mean you want another one on the other side of the globe to replace the one you just got rid of.

Kelshara · Post by **Kelshara** » August 20, 2004, 10:34 am

How ironic that in such a short period of time they can somehow shift the blame for death from the guys that are terrorizing building projects and police efforts...to the US.

If your bomb and your gun kill someone you are responsible. Not that hard to grasp really.

One man does not represent all of Iraq, especially not one man that manages to overlook the billions of our dollars spent rebuilding the things Saddam neglected. Running water where there never was any. Power. Roads. Police.

I knew you were a complete idiot already but this proves it. Wake up call: They had running water and electricity! What a shocker! They weren't in the stone age! Of course then you bombed it all to hell so they were without it for a long time.. so I guess technically you are right! You gave them everything!

Do the insurgents think they're just as right as their opposition does? I'm sure they do. Such is the case in all conflicts. It irritates me that so many armchair quarterbacks side against the US simply because they want to, and not because they should.

Oh no! Americans aren't following the asstard president blindly! Traitors! They should all be put in camps! Hey dipshit, if the US was invaded you would have at least as many American "insurgents" fighting dirty against the invaders here.

Oh and soccer players at the top level are in insane shape. They don't run for 5 seconds at a time as in American sports.

Xzion · Post by **Xzion** » August 20, 2004, 11:48 am

Cartalas wrote:
Xzion wrote:
Canelek wrote:Soccer is about as manly as figure skating.
You have to be in far, far better shape to play soccer then any american sport (lol baseball is a sport )
Not True! You ever play baseball? No real baseball? Not a pick up game of softball. Go play a game have some one throw a 80-90 MPH fastball and see if you have the hand, eye cordination to even foul it. Lets see if you can stab a 120mph Line drive out of the air. While I agree Soccer players are in great condition baseball players are in good condition too. There are exceptions to the Rule IE anyone who plays 1st base.

I never said baseball was easy, or that baseball players were in bad shape, i just said its fucking boring, and pointing out how i dont understand how americans think soccer is boring and pansy-like, and then go watch a game of baseball

Cartalas · Post by **Cartalas** » August 20, 2004, 12:06 pm

Xzion wrote:
Cartalas wrote:
Xzion wrote:
Canelek wrote:Soccer is about as manly as figure skating.
You have to be in far, far better shape to play soccer then any american sport (lol baseball is a sport )
Not True! You ever play baseball? No real baseball? Not a pick up game of softball. Go play a game have some one throw a 80-90 MPH fastball and see if you have the hand, eye cordination to even foul it. Lets see if you can stab a 120mph Line drive out of the air. While I agree Soccer players are in great condition baseball players are in good condition too. There are exceptions to the Rule IE anyone who plays 1st base.
I never said baseball was easy, or that baseball players were in bad shape, i just said its fucking boring, and pointing out how i dont understand how americans think soccer is boring and pansy-like, and then go watch a game of baseball

You said

"LOL baseball is a sport!"

Voronwë · Post by **Voronwë** » August 20, 2004, 12:09 pm

if my friend or family member died due to bombing, i'd probably hate the people who dropped the bombs.

i know that is some pretty nuanced geopolitical jargon, but i just thought i'd throw that out there.

Fairweather Pure · Post by **Fairweather Pure** » August 20, 2004, 1:32 pm

if my friend or family member died due to bombing, i'd probably hate the people who dropped the bombs.

Funny, it makes me want to play soccor!

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » August 20, 2004, 2:41 pm

Siji wrote:
Not contradictory at all. I'd have no problem if North Korea for example sent an assassin to the White House. I wouldn't want them occupying the country however. It's logical to not like a dictator. That doesn't mean you want another one on the other side of the globe to replace the one you just got rid of.

Sending this one to the FBI!

Midnyte_Ragebringer · Post by **Midnyte_Ragebringer** » August 20, 2004, 2:48 pm

Siji wrote:
Not contradictory at all. I'd have no problem if North Korea for example sent an assassin to the White House. I wouldn't want them occupying the country however. It's logical to not like a dictator. That doesn't mean you want another one on the other side of the globe to replace the one you just got rid of.

Another first amendment guy who wants those who oppose his view point killed. LOL

What a patriotic American you are.

Post by **Sylvus** » August 20, 2004, 3:25 pm

Midnyte_Ragebringer wrote:
Siji wrote:
Not contradictory at all. I'd have no problem if North Korea for example sent an assassin to the White House. I wouldn't want them occupying the country however. It's logical to not like a dictator. That doesn't mean you want another one on the other side of the globe to replace the one you just got rid of.
Another first amendment guy who wants those who oppose his view point killed. LOL

What a patriotic American you are.

Do you not understand what an analogy is? I don't think he said "kill the president". He said that if someone came and killed someone that he didn't agree with, he could still be upset if they also occupied our country. That's what some Iraqis are saying. They didn't like Saddam, and now that he is "dead" [out of power] they don't like us being there.

Rekaar. · Post by **Rekaar.** » August 20, 2004, 4:40 pm

Kelshara wrote:
How ironic that in such a short period of time they can somehow shift the blame for death from the guys that are terrorizing building projects and police efforts...to the US.
If your bomb and your gun kill someone you are responsible. Not that hard to grasp really.

One man does not represent all of Iraq, especially not one man that manages to overlook the billions of our dollars spent rebuilding the things Saddam neglected. Running water where there never was any. Power. Roads. Police.
I knew you were a complete idiot already but this proves it. Wake up call: They had running water and electricity! What a shocker! They weren't in the stone age! Of course then you bombed it all to hell so they were without it for a long time.. so I guess technically you are right! You gave them everything!

Do the insurgents think they're just as right as their opposition does? I'm sure they do. Such is the case in all conflicts. It irritates me that so many armchair quarterbacks side against the US simply because they want to, and not because they should.
Oh no! Americans aren't following the asstard president blindly! Traitors! They should all be put in camps! Hey dipshit,

Rule #1: When you have an unfounded basis for your point of view, call the opposition names.

Rule #2: Generalize specific statements to make them mean what they do not in a poor attempt to discredit them.

That about sum up your debating philosophy?

if the US was invaded you would have at least as many American "insurgents" fighting dirty against the invaders here.

Yea, like the people we already consider the outcasts of society. The rednecks, the supremacists, those intolerant and unwilling to evolve sects of people that exist in every society. Wonder if the BBC would interview the unabomber about the situation and portray his take on our government as national sentiment.

Or wait, that kind of thing would be silly and irresponsible wouldn't it?

Oh and soccer players at the top level are in insane shape. They don't run for 5 seconds at a time as in American sports.

They excercise so much leading up to the Olympics, in fact, that they probably have no time to do anything else in the meantime...like investigate what the reality of the situation at home really is.

Lynks · Post by **Lynks** » August 20, 2004, 4:48 pm

Yea, like the people we already consider the outcasts of society. The rednecks, the supremacists, those intolerant and unwilling to evolve sects of people that exist in every society. Wonder if the BBC would interview the unabomber about the situation and portray his take on our government as national sentiment.

Are you telling me that if someone decided to invade the US, you would just sit on your ass and wait while claiming those fighting back are just rednecks? Did I catch that correctly?

Kelshara · Post by **Kelshara** » August 20, 2004, 4:49 pm

Rule #1: When you have an unfounded basis for your point of view, call the opposition names.

Rule #2: Generalize specific statements to make them mean what they do not in a poor attempt to discredit them.

That about sum up your debating philosophy?

Yeah unfortunately we are used to people like Cartalas and Metanis here so we get used to having to retort in the same fashion since that is the only thing they understand.

That said.. of course he doesn't know what is going on in his own country! You know it so much better since you are American! You are always right!

Now if I recall, didn't the pro-war people keep yelling at us to listen to American soldiers who were actually there? Guess the first-hand approach only works when it supports YOUR viewpoint?

Voronwë · Post by **Voronwë** » August 20, 2004, 4:49 pm

they might know what they are talking about cause they live in Iraq.

or they might not because they are athletes.

i certainly don't look to Shaquille O'Neal to inform me about US military policy and his dad was in the Army. The Diesel may know some stuff, but i'm not going to base my opinions on what he says.

and i dont really care what the Iraqi soccer team says either. good for them that they are doing well, it is good for the United States for Iraqis to have something peaceful and unifying to feel good about.

Mak · Post by **Mak** » August 20, 2004, 4:50 pm

Rekaar. wrote: They excercise so much leading up to the Olympics, in fact, that they probably have no time to do anything else in the meantime...like investigate what the reality of the situation at home really is.

I'm thinking the drive from their house to the practice field would give them a pretty good idea. Plus, you know, the news that a cousin or brother died probably gets around a family pretty quickly.

Siji · Post by **Siji** » August 20, 2004, 4:53 pm

Sylvus wrote:Do you not understand what an analogy is? I don't think he said "kill the president". He said that if someone came and killed someone that he didn't agree with, he could still be upset if they also occupied our country. That's what some Iraqis are saying. They didn't like Saddam, and now that he is "dead" [out of power] they don't like us being there.

You may as well give it up.. ignorance has been more popular here than twinkies at a Jenny Craig meeting.

Rekaar. · Post by **Rekaar.** » August 20, 2004, 4:56 pm

Point is they're not "on the ground"...
edit: or maybe they are, I guess in teh end it's still taking one guy's opinion and giving it too much credence.

E. Electricity, Water, Sewers

i. Before the war—years of mistreatment & fuel shortages—meant that Iraq’s power grid—at its peak capacity—was operating at 4,400 Megawatts. After the liberation, power production declined due to damage from the war, sabotage, and looting. The generation of electrical power surpassed pre war levels by October ‘03--and by Summer it will be providing 6,000 Megawatts. Which means, the average Iraqi will have approximately 16 hours of electricity a day—a 40% increase from pre-war levels. However, while total demand in Iraq is estimated to be approximately 7,500 Megawatts, the overall security situation has improved. (Source: DOD, CPA & USAID)

ii. Meanwhile the completion of the Haditha Dam [HAH-DEE-THA] project has provided 350 Megawatts of clean hydropower. Previously the dam had been operating at 20-30% efficiency (approx. 100-200 MW) and now has increased its efficiency by almost 200%. This is the largest addition to the Iraqi power grid since Saddam’s fall. (Source: CPA)

iii. USAID’s water and sanitation projects will benefit 14.5 million Iraqis. In Pre-war times, only 50-60% of Iraqis had access to necessary amounts of clean drinking water. With only 23 of Iraq’s 1385 water treatment facilities working at 100% capacity. Since then, CPA, USAID and others are currently providing extensive renovations at the Shark Dijila water treatment plant that will benefit 5.5 million people. In the South, rehabilitation of the entire Sweet Water Canal System—including the canal, reservoirs, and 14 water treatment plants—provides potable water to 1.75 million people. (Source: CPA)

iv. Few wastewater treatment plants were in working order before the war & raw waste flows directly into the Tigris River. USAID is currently rehabilitating three sewage treatment plants—the first one came on-line in April. (Source: CPA & USAID)

and this report is a few months old. This is in response to "they destroy everything."

As far as would I sit back if the US was invaded? If the US was suddenly just like Iraq under Saddam, no I wouldn't sit by - that's not the kid of person I am. I would either be dead by now or I'd be a member of the new Iraq police force.

Xzion · Post by **Xzion** » August 21, 2004, 1:57 pm

Iraq/Australia was a fucking amazing game

That one goal Iraq saved at the beginning of the second half as insane, the ball went over there keepers head, pretty much in the goal as he dived back and punched the ball out, only to save it again about 2 seconds later. They also pulled off a badass goal via corner kick, bycicled right in
1-0 iraq

Utchoomawa · Post by **Utchoomawa** » August 22, 2004, 12:44 am

'nuff said

Lynks · Post by **Lynks** » August 22, 2004, 12:48 am

Hey look! Another bigot!

Niffoni · Post by **Niffoni** » August 22, 2004, 12:49 am

Pherr the Dorf · Post by **Pherr the Dorf** » August 22, 2004, 12:52 am

I won't even use the quote feature because that was beyond ignorant and I won't have it in my post, but I will say you have about as much understanding of religion as I do about nuclear physics

Utchoomawa · Post by **Utchoomawa** » August 22, 2004, 12:55 am

wow, lots of filthy liberal hippies on veeshan, disgusting.

Pherr the Dorf · Post by **Pherr the Dorf** » August 22, 2004, 12:58 am

Utchoomawa wrote:wow, lots of filthy liberal hippies on veeshan, disgusting.

and a brand spanking new racist peice of shit

Xzion · Post by **Xzion** » August 22, 2004, 1:00 am

Utchoomawa wrote:

'nuff said

I might be a liberal hippie but i find that to be a more respectable label then a racist hypocritical fucking neocon bigot

heh, if you want to stick around, looks your gonna have it in for you worse then midnyte

Niffoni · Post by **Niffoni** » August 22, 2004, 1:04 am

I was gonna go to bed early, but this forum is about to get really really funny.

Lynks · Post by **Lynks** » August 22, 2004, 1:05 am

Niffoni wrote:I was gonna go to bed early, but this forum is about to get really really funny.

LMAO, same here. Making coffee as I type this.

Kylere · Post by **Kylere** » August 22, 2004, 1:31 am

Umm Christianity is a religion of peace, and they will kill you to prove it. See ref: The Crusades, The Inquisition, Witch trials, etc.

Islam is the more peaceful of the two religions.

Xzion · Post by **Xzion** » August 22, 2004, 9:18 am

Kylere wrote:Umm Christianity is a religion of peace, and they will kill you to prove it. See ref: The Crusades, The Inquisition, Witch trials, etc.

Islam is the more peaceful of the two religions.

your actually trying to reason with people like that?