Iranian athlete refuses to face Israeli

[demosincebirth]

Some Muslims carrying this a little too far.

http://sports.yahoo.com/oly/judo/news?slug=reu-iranjudoscandal&prov=reuters&type=lgns

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

1. Idiot. As in, Freedom Fries idiot. What a dork.

I hope the IOC has his ass for lunch.

[nini]

2. Send his ass back to Iran then

He shouldn't have even gone to these games if he couldn't put all the BS aside for two weeks.

[bluestateguy]

3. Then he can go home

Check your politics at the airport terminal. This is the Olympics, not a political convention.

[Bok_Tukalo]

9. It's Iranian policy

The whole team should be sent packing.

"This is a general policy of our country to refrain from competing against athletes of the Zionist regime and Arash Miresmaeili has observed this policy,"

[bluestateguy]

11. Then perhaps Iran should not be allowed to compete

Politics must always be kept as far as possible from the Olympics.

It was wrong for Jimmy Carter to pull the US out of the games in 1980.

It was wrong for the Soviets to do so in 1984.

It was wrong for those two men to give the Black Power salute in 1968.

[Ani Yun Wiya]

15. Leaving politics at the door...

Why do Israelis get additional security??

[Yupster]

35. That's a tough one

Like it's not like their athletes were ever taken hostage or anything.

[bluestateguy]

36. This is why

[Swede]

39. Good one.

That was a funny joke.

[Andromeda]

67. You must be kidding...

right?

[goclark]

113. John Carlos was and still is a hero to

our African American community.

At the time that he held up his fist I recall African American's being so ashamed. Some of us wondered why he did it. We did not understand the depth of the racism that was in our country at the time.

I met John Carlos during those days and he was a kind and gentle soul. He was just fed up with the racism in America.
Those were the days of Black Power. He was a young, proud Black Sports Warrior and he used his fame to let the world know that America was not a perfect place.

Now that my years have grown, I can look back and see that he made the statement for the world to see that his country had major problems that were not being addressed.

I suppose in those days he felt like many of us at DU feel. He felt that the government was not addressing the civil rights issues of his people. He did not kill people in an unjust war, he did not threaten our civil liberties. He LOVED his country, just like we do.

[geek tragedy]

117. John Carlos was a hero.

This guy doesn't deserve to be compared to John Carlos.

[StClone]

4. What is the big deal

He just forfeits on idealogical reasons. In other words the Iranian is a loser.

[Warpy]

5. Think of what would happen to him if he LOST

It may not be pure bigotry on his part, nor unsportsmanlike conduct. He may have a legitimate fear of what would happen to him at home should he lose to an Israeli.

I won't fault the guy until I know the whole story.

I just think it's a crying shame it has to be this way.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

6. Hadn't thought of that. Makes sense, actually.

Kudos for smarts. :thumbsup:

[Dorian Gray]

12. Oh, come on....

The guy was the world champ in 2001 and 2003. Competitors are supposed to want to play people that they "hate" and beat them. It's like the NY Yankees and the Boston Red Sox. (Okay, maybe not!)

The guy deserves to be thrown out on his ass for refusing to participate. And if he was afraid of losing to a "zionist," then he deserves a double ass kick on his way out of Greece.

[uncle ray]

95. equal rights for white supremacists?

because what good white person could live with themselves if the got beat by a n****r, right? whatever the reason, if they can't "play nice" then stay the fuck home!

[devilgrrl]

7. Guess that means we'll have to bomb Iran now...

:eyes:

[TeeYiYi]

8. Why not? . . .

. . . we're almost finished with Iraq, . . . aren't we?

TYY

[frylock]

10. we'll have to wait till fall to see if they roll-out new product

[Lefty48197]

13. what a dickhead

kick his ass out of the olympics.
On the other hand, at least they're not killing Israeli athletes this time.

[CaTeacher]

14. Do you think that maybe this is

being blown out of proportion to make people angry at those "terrible Iranians" so that we will go along when they are presented as our evil "enemies" that we must go to war with?

I don't go along with this at all! Don't perpetuate this stirring up of trouble against the wonderful Iranian people!

We have no right whatsoever to go to war with them.

[DrWeird]

16. mmhmm

Out of all the nations competeing why did he end up pairing up with and Israeli. Coincidence?

[CaTeacher]

17. seems weird to me too...

especially since the planners would have to know about the strife between the two countries. I think there is more to this than meets the eye.

[BlackJack8324]

18. This is the eqivalent of...

A white South African refusing to compete against a black athlete. This is a disgusting show of racism.

[DrWeird]

20. Really?

seems to me it's like when the Americans boycotted the 1980 Olympics.

Funny how it's disgusting racism when the bad guys do it.

[BlackJack8324]

21. not really...

Soviets were white so it's hard to say we boycotted out of racism. Secondly this is an individual athlete refusing to compete against another athlete because he's a Jew. You're comparing apples to oranges.

[DrWeird]

22. No, he's refusing to compete because he's an Israeli.

It's rather obviously a political boycott.

[CaTeacher]

24. Exactly!

It is a political boycott.

Iranians have the right to freely express their political views. I do not see racism in this AT ALL.

[kiahzero]

26. And the Olympics can freely express

their desire to kick his ass to the curb. You don't get to pick and choose your opponents - if he wasn't willing to compete against people from all nations, what the hell was he doing there?

[ButterflyBlood]

57. and that was wrong

Carter was wrong to do so.

[Must_B_Free]

19. I thought he was disqualified?

he was out of the weight range.

[Deja Q]

23. Yup, it's always the Muslims' fault.

While there's always been animosity, the last 3 years have made things rather worse. * clearly stirred up the pot.

Strange thing is that I've heard no stories about anybody booing America's athletes yet.

[kiahzero]

28. I don't think it's happened

During the opening ceremony, the USA team got a warm welcome.

[Yupster]

38. It's this Iranian guy's fault

For all I know he's a Zoroastrian.

[BlackJack8324]

41. didn't you know Arabs and muslims...

Get a free pass for hating Jews. Iran's government cares deeply about Palestinians I'm sure.

[bluestateguy]

53. So do the Kuwaitis

Our "friends" who consider the Palestinians to be serfs.

[Cheswick2.0]

105. Iranians are not Arab

They are persian. But they are also Muslim, so it may very well be that they care about Palestinians.

[IronLionZion]

25. It's Iranian policy

They would probably kill the guy if he competed with an Israeli whether he won or lost. I won't fault someone for trying to stay alive.

Iran has denounced Israel's right to exist since the revolution. (which I disagree with) But the guy said it was to show solidarity with the Palestinians who don't have freedom, or human rights, or the right to vote in the "democracy" that is the Jewish state of Israel. (and I agree with that position)

Did you forget when the US and USSR boycotted each other's games?

[CaTeacher]

27. I also support the Palestinians--

and I applaud anyone who uses their moment on the world stage to bring attention to this problem.

[IronLionZion]

29. right on

It's a shame that anyone who does that is promptly called a racist anti-semite.

[BlackJack8324]

31. and it's ashame...

Anti-semitic language (The Zionist regime) is defended as long as it's in support of Palestinians. They probably really refused to compete for fear of being beaten by Jewish "infidels."

[IronLionZion]

37. it's a shame when either side does it

but I hope you'll understand that I have a wee bit more sympathy for the people treated as third-class citizens in their own land. (second class is sephardic and dark-skinned jews, first class is ashkenazic and light-skinned jews)

you can't have apartheid in a democracy.

[BlackJack8324]

40. Nazis also said that Jews...

Oppressed the German working class. The largest anti-Semitic movements have been carried out by people on the low end of the totem pole.

[ilovenicepeople]

71. Alright It's my turn to be called auntie semetic... YOU ready?

ISRAEL

[Cheswick2.0]

109. Anti-Zionist is not anti semetic

Anti-Jewish regime would have been anti-Jewish semites, but no one used that term.

[geek tragedy]

64. No, just a jackass who is stain upon the Olympics.

It's political bullshit, and this asshole and those responsible for this policy should be banned from the Olympics.

[Andromeda]

69. The guy is an anti-semite...

and the shame is not recognizing it.

[bluestateguy]

47. What exactly are you saying?

That you would have there be no Israel? I don't support the policies of Ariel Sharon and the Likud Party, but I believe Israel has the right to exist, and participate in the Olympics.

[BlackJack8324]

50. most Israelis support ending the occupation

But Palestinian terrorist morons are pushing them into rallying behind Sharon.

[Cheswick2.0]

107. I am pro-palestinian and I disagree with you

I think it is lame to use the olympics for a political statement. Politics are supposed to be left at the gates of the olympic village. Anyone who can not do that is never going to be part of the solution.

[BlackJack8324]

30. yeah no racism involved

This is a general policy of our country to refrain from competing against athletes of the Zionist regime and Arash Miresmaeili has observed this policy

This is a code word for Jews "athletes of the Zionist regime" sort of like white supremacists go off on Zionist Occupied Govt. I'm really sure Iran has the interests of the Palestinians at heart. Any evidence the Israeli athletes support occupation of West Bank anyway?

[notadmblnd]

44. Zionist does not equal Jew..

although that is what the Zionist would like people to continue to believe. It is true that all Zionist are Jews but NOT all Jews are Zionist.

I would just like for someone to explain to me just once how it has become ok for the victims of one of the worst genocides of this world to practice the same policies on another people and no one in the rest of the world has any business criticizing them for it without being called anti-semetic or racist?

[Darranar]

79. There are Zionist non-Jews...

but the issue here doesn't seem to be that his opponent was a Zionist, rather that his opponent was an Israeli.

[leftynyc]

83. All Zionists are not Jews

You don't know what you're talking about.

This athlete refuses to compete against an Israeli - get him the first flight out of Athens.

[notadmblnd]

115. Thanks for the correction all wise and knowing one

but unless you would care to answer my question, you can go back and sit next to your dish like a good puppy.

[Waverley_Hills_Hiker]

32. bad sportsmanship.

Pretty tacky. Thats not what the Olympics are about. This is supposed to be more or less apolitical.

[CaTeacher]

42. I agree, in an ideal world

the Olympics would be "more or less apolitical" but unfortunately, the modern games have never achieved this ideal yet. Why should we expect this man to be apolitical, when our own USA has used the Olympics to make political statements? should we hold him to a higher standard than the one we hold ourselves to?

[Cheswick2.0]

110. Wrong!

In this world which is troubled by war and hate and always has been, it is doubly important for people to find a way to deal with each other dispite the politics of their government.
All countries have used the Olympics for propaganda, communist countries were famous for it. However, saying "look how great our soviet system is, for our athletes are mighty" is a lot different than "I'm not competing against this guy cause he's the wrong religion."

[goclark]

114. Exactly!

They say that all politics is local and in the broader sense,that is what happened.

He was in a position to express his views and he did it.
Should he take the blame for "speaking out" and expressing his feelings?

I am sure that he will take the blame, big time.


But, while many will think he did the wrong thing, I believe that his own people will ultimately judge him as a hero.

The more the world makes of this, the more his own people will want to defend him. After all, he is their brother and he is their blood.
Blood is thicker than water any day.

I understand that what I am saying is a hot button for many. But, as an African American it has happened to us many times. When the ruling class gangs up on one of our precious children, we rush to their defends.

[Tight_rope]

65. Oh come on!...The Olympics is more about politics then the actual games!

[number6]

33. he has every right to refuse ...

the Olympics not political, ha ha .....

[BlackJack8324]

34. and they have the right to kick him out....

People shouldn't be able to pick and choose who they'll compete with.

[number6]

59. true

"and they have the right to kick him out...."

you pay a price for your political views ....

[bluestateguy]

43. Hmmmm...

Somehow I get the feeling if some US wrestler refused to wrestle a North Korean because "they are part of the axis of evil" people here would be screaming bloody murder, rather than make excuses.

[BlackJack8324]

45. DUers would sing a different tune if...

a US wrestler refused to fight an Arab because he "refused to face athletes from countries whose citizens attacked us on 9-11." I'm sure everyone here would defend that :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[number6]

60. any U.S. wrestler can refuse to wrestle who they choose

its ok by me ....if thats their personnel belief ...

[demosincebirth]

77. The fact is, that we won't.

[CaTeacher]

46. This is far different!

We do indeed have a strained relationship with North Korea--but NOTHING is like what the Palestinian people are experiencing.

Go and read about the refugee camps that these poor people have been interred in many of them since 1967! Then tell me if you can name ANY other situation which is analogous to what they are suffering.

And we criticize the Iranians for standing in support of the Palestinians? Give me a break.

[BlackJack8324]

48. Guess who runs the refugee camps....

The UN does.

Would it be ok with you if the US team refused to refuse to compete against Arabs.

[CaTeacher]

55. no it would not be OK

(although I don't know exactly who "the Arabs" are--there are several countries with predominantly Arab populations.)

BUT--9/11 was one incident--it was not done by "all Arabs" and there is no reason for us to have ANY animosity toward ANY Arab person other than the perpetrators of this incident.

However, I can understand why many people support the Palestinians--they have not suffered one incident--they have suffered day in and day out for years--as a policy--perpetuated by a government. Many people are angry at this government. I say justifiably so. In fact I am surprised that any Democrat could turn a blind eye to the suffering of the Palestinian people and the apartheid policies of the Israeli's under which so many fine people suffer.

These two situations are not even close to the same.

[BlackJack8324]

58. yeah they are the same...

It's blanket prejudice against a group of people. Do you even know if this athlete supports the occupation of the West Bank? No, it's just the Iranians assuming an Israeli Jew must support the occupation. This definitely like an American assuming all Arabs support Al Qaeda.

[ButterflyBlood]

49. and is this Israeli athlete to blame for all that?

n/t

[BlackJack8324]

52. actually yes...

I feel that alot of Arabs and Iranians blame every Jew for Israel.

[dsc]

51. I would think that just maybe some of the following would think

they had it as bad.

Native Americans, African Americans, the African minority in Sudan, women in places such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and some other Arab countries, blacks in Apartheid South Africa, and quite a few other people that I haven't named.

[BlackJack8324]

54. how about the oppression of...

Jews, Christians, and women in every Arab country. I'm sure Iran will refuse to compete against Saudis for their oppression of women :bounce:

[Toronto Ron]

62. Hyperbole reduces the force of arguments

Sure, the Palestinians in the refugee camps are suffering. But to say "NOTHING" is like what they are experiencing? One current example: Darfur (Sudan).

[CaTeacher]

66. The situation in the Sudan has not been

going on for nearly 40 years. That is right--as much as the poor people of Sudan are suffering (and they are indeed suffering), they have not been confined to squalid refugee camps for nearly 40 years.

I cannot think of any other group that this has happened to--and I stand by my assertion that nothing else going on in the world today is analogous to this situation--because it is not only brutal and dehumanizing--but for the majority of the population it has gone on for their entire lives!

It is a unique and horrific situation and that is no hyperbole.

I am surprised to find that Democrats are split on this issue--is it 9-11 that caused this rift? Prior to 9-11, I do not believe that I ever encountered a Democrat who did not support the Palestinians. Has there been a memo that I did not get, saying that in the wake of Sept 11 we are now going to compete with the Repugs to see which party can be the most anti-Arab?

[Andromeda]

70. Most Democrats support Israel's right to exist

even though they may not support Sharon's policies. Supporting Israels right to exist doesn't mean you don't have concern for the Palestinian cause.

The I/P situation is very complicated and it not a black/white issue. The animosity goes back hundreds of years and there has been suffering on both sides.

I also take exception to your comment about the people of Sudan. They have suffered something worse than just being confined to refugee camps. They are being systematically exterminated and somehow that seems worse to me.

[demosincebirth]

76. I'm not anti muslim, but...

I'm not in love with them either.

[rockymountaindem]

78. And what, may I ask

has Arafat *ever* done to improve the condition of the people he supposedly leads. Rabin, Barak and many Israelis throughout the past 40 years have tried to improve the condition of the Palestinians, particularly those who live in the 'refugee camps', which are administered by the UN.

Certainly Israel has a lot of work to do if this problem is to be solved, however Arafat and the PLO/PA leadership isn't exactly doing a good job of making their people happier.

I mean, non-violence worked for Ghandi and MLK, so why not Arafat? Plenty of people the world over already support the Palestinians, but Arafat keeps making huge screw-ups left and right. That attempted take-over of Jordan in 1970 didn't win the Palestinians any friends in that neighboring country.

But hey, it's easy to blame Israel...

[tinanator]

91. whats worse is Arafat has nukes, and has brutally attacked US forces

the Liberty for example. That rat Arafat!

[Behind the Aegis]

118. what article did you read?

You state: And we criticize the Iranians for standing in support of the Palestinians? Give me a break. I did not read that in the article at all. What I read was

A statement by the Iranian National Olympic Committee in Tehran suggested the real reason had nothing to do with kilos.

"This is a general policy of our country to refrain from competing against athletes of the Zionist regime and Arash Miresmaeili has observed this policy," it said.

Iran has refused to recognize Israel's right to exist since Islamic fundamentalists toppled the Shah in 1979.

http://sports.yahoo.com/oly/judo/news?slug=reu-iranjudoscandal&prov=reuters&type=lgns

I feel you may have misunderstood that this athlete did not refuse his match out of loyalty for the plight of the Palestinians, but rather, because his nation does not recognize the sovereignty of the nation of Israel. Therefore, those who are criticizing this athlete on this board are doing so because they feel what he did was inappropriate; NOT, because they (other Du'ers) feel this athlete was making a political statement contrary to their own political beliefs. I would assert that some people on here support the Palestinians' cause but still feel this athlete should not have refused his fight with an Israeli!

Brightest Blessings!

[ButterflyBlood]

56. imagine as if it were the other way around....

and the Israeli refused. or if an American refused to face anyone from any Arab country. That certainly wouldn't be defended here.

This is bullshit, and if it's official Iranian policy the entire Iranian team should be disqualified, much as South Africa was during apartheid.

[Uzybone]

61. Foolish Iraninas

if that their official policy they shouldnt be allowed in the games. The political grandstanding can be left to another arena.

[geek tragedy]

63. This guy is a jackass and the entire team should be banned.

People who think this is about Israel/Palestine need to stop fooling themselves--this is about Iran refusing to acknowledge Israel's existence and its right to exist.

And those who support this action cannot claim to give a shit about the principles behind the Olympics.

[Waverley_Hills_Hiker]

68. I agree

good post.

[tinanator]

72. jeepers freepers

When dumbass Americans follow their nightly news delivered orders, they eventually recite fairly bigoted terms as if they were an explanation and justification in themselves. Words like "Muslims", substitute nicely for "towelhead" or others, too inflammatory to type.
This is surely one of the biggest freepfests Ive seen here, with a bunch of reactionary Zionism and pro-occupation/settler subtext. To ridicule the black power fists of 1968 is fairly white of anyone to do. Here some very interesting and tense developments and an atmosphere of heightened fear and a boatload of DU posters are nearly ready to back GW into Iran. If someone is from Iran, theyre from Iran. If theyre from Iraq, Iraq, Syria, Syria, etc.
If they are simply described as "Muslims" it is a racist shortcut straight out of the dark one's playbook.

[jonnyblitz]

74. no shit.

:thumbsup:

[geek tragedy]

80. Is there a point you're trying to make, or are you just going to toss

insults around in defense of this jackass?

Iran has no business being at the Olympics. When they decide to grow up, then they should send a delegation.

[tinanator]

84. bray tell

who's the jackass here?

[geek tragedy]

85. Why, the Iranian chap

who took a leak on the entire purpose of the Olympics because he hates Israel.

[tinanator]

86. Gosh I hope Iran doesnt manipulate the US and its taxpayers

into invading Israel.

[geek tragedy]

87. You're terribly confused.

This is a thread about why Iran's Olympic delegates are behaving like children for insisting on extending its political boycott of Israel into the Olympic games.

http://www.rte.ie/sport/2004/0816/judo.html?OLYSTORY

<snip>
Asked about Arash Miresmaeili's failure to fight Israeli Ehud Vaks after turning up overweight for Sunday's 66kg bout, Ramazanzadeh told a regular news conference: "Our policy is not to recognise the Zionist regime in any international event.

"We cannot accept the presence of anyone in international events under the flag of that regime."
<snip>

This is not a thread about invading Iran.

Hope this helps.

[tinanator]

90. looks like a thread about protest to me

I dont consider that childish.
you, on the other hand...

[geek tragedy]

93. Iran is protesting Israel's right to exist

That crap doesn't belong at the Olympics.

But what does that have to do with the US invading Iran?

And please provide an answer that doesn't involve Googling Jews.

[tinanator]

97. googling jews?

why dont you stand up for Dov Zackheim instead of dancing around it?
What is your citizenship? Do you hold dual citizenship and the pentagons pursestrings AND sell remote control devices for aircraft?
googling jews. lol.

[geek tragedy]

101. Was he one of the 4000 who didn't show up for work at the WTC?

I'm sorry, I'm behind on my Zionist/Jewish conspiracies for world domination.

[tinanator]

106. are you afraid of something?

I think there are more than enough legitmate facts in that google search to disabuse you of your attempts to discredit concerns about this one individual, regardless of his countries of origin and/or allegiance.

[geek tragedy]

116. I'm not going to defend any member of the Bush administration.

But, this thread isn't about the Bush administration.

This thread is about an Iranian who broke Olympic rules.

Why you have to parrot the conspiracy theories of the Ernst Zundel fanclub on a thread having nothing to do with American Jews is something that people will have to guess for themselves.

P.S. Do you think all American Jews have dual loyalties?

[tinanator]

119. whoa, turn left at Albuquerque or something?

this thread... blah blah blah
who's Ernst Zundel? Oh I see, its an insult.
Cheney.

[geek tragedy]

120. The sites from your Google search discussing the Zackheim conspiracy

were from "white nationalists."

[jonnyblitz]

73. I don't blame him. n/t

[tinanator]

75. me neither

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&q=dov+zackheim

[geek tragedy]

88. Why are you Googling a Jewish American?

And what does that have to do with an Israeli/Iranian judo match?

[tinanator]

89. why ask why?

those answers are right on the screen

[geek tragedy]

92. Yes they are.

There is a discussion about Iranian athletes at the Olympics participating in a fordbidden political boycott.

And we have a hardcore "anti-Zionist" who's Googling Jewish Americans.

Perfectly clear.

[theboss]

94. So, do you not like to compete against Jews either?

Afraid they might infect you or something?

[tinanator]

96. thats an insanely stupid remark

you should get that checked.

[theboss]

98. Then maybe you should explain why it's ok not to compete against a Jew

Someon said "I don't blame him" (meaning the Iranian). You agreed. Why?

I mean, the only reason I can see for not competing is because the opponent is Jewish.

If someone said that they were competing against blacks, would you blame them?

[tinanator]

99. Maybe if you were Syrian or Iranian

and saw the future intent of Israel and its allies in the US towards your country and fellow citizens. Myself, Im not about to second guess the feelings of an Iranian athlete, but that doesnt seem to stop this swarm of anti-muslim bullshit in a thread like this.
Got shame?

[theboss]

100. Or maybe he just hates Jews

Pardon me for being sensitive, but after 1972, "Jew-baiting" at the Olympics makes me a little nervous.

[Dorian Gray]

102. What????/

Really... what???????

[Moderator]

81. Let's leave the I/P stuff out of this thread please

Or I'll have to lock it down.

[Behind the Aegis]

82. sad

If the policy of the Iranian team is not to engage "Zionists," then they should be packed up and sent home! At what point do any athletes get to choose their opponent?! It is clear the Iranians do not wish to fight "Zionists." Well, does this mean that all Israelis are Zionists? What about those Israelis who are Christian or Arab? Are they Zionists too?! It is clear they means JEWS! Therefore, how will they know if they fight other Jews from other nations? There are a few Jews from the US in the Olympics now, will they also refuse to fight them?

In some aforementioned posts, people have used the term "Muslim" in their posts. That term should not be used as the original topic ONLY referred to Iranians! Also, to imply that this 'policy' has anything to do with sympathies for the Palestinian people, I say to those people...read something! Read what the Iranians have to say about the Palestinian plight. They don't care about them, they only hate the Jews there.

This is very sad! I was just watching a program about the history of the Olympics and how no Greek dared to raise arms against another Greek during the month of August for fear of offending Zeus! The games are supposed to be about competition, not politics. It is sad that it cannot be that way this day and age.

I was impressed that the Turkish delegation was given a warm reception in Athens, given the history between Greece and Turkey. I wish all countries could put aside differences for a few weeks and enjoy our collective humanity!

Brightest Blessings!

[Dorian Gray]

103. I, also,

noticed the warm Turkish response, and I was heartened by it. I didn't expect it. I also expected the USA to be booed. A lot about these Olympics are wonderful, including the Iraqi wins in soccer/football! The Puerto Rican basketball win! (Well, I was a little disappointed that the USA lost, but I love a good "underdog" story!) Etc. These are shaping up to be some wonderful Olympic games, and it's really disheartening when competitors refuse to compete for political reasons. Just as it was unacceptable when we boycotted the Olympics, an event which I hope will not happen again!

[Chovexani]

108. Finally someone who gets it.

It's sad, but humanity has rarely lived up to the Olympic ideal in modern times. Perhaps we will, some day.

Merry meet and welcome to DU. :)

[Name removed]

104. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Cheswick2.0]

112. Jews carrying something too far?

Wow there is a new one.

[ShaneGR]

111. He's just scared to get beat up by a Jew....

Seriously, they'd probably stone him to death back home if he got his arse kicked by Yitzak.