"Bush helps to destroy our country."

[Seabiscuit]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/olympics/2004/soccer/08/21/bc.oly.iraq.australiaso.ap/index.html

IRAQ IN SEMIS AFTER 1-0 STUNNER OVER AUSSIES:

"There have been many sacrifices made for this match tonight. ... Our families are unhappy and very sad," Hamad said through an interpreter. "They are all surrounded by difficult conditions and tough situations in our country. And we are trying to offer the best we can with a little happiness for our people."

"One person definitely not on Hamad's speed dial was President Bush, who has stirred some anger among the Iraqi coach and players for using Iraq's flag during a reference to the Olympics in a commercial for his re-election campaign. The U.S. Olympic Committee has also raised concern about the ad's use of the games for a political purpose."

"Asked about the commercial, Hamad said: *** "'Bush helps to destroy our country.*** After a year and a half, we have passed into a very bad situation. ... We'll never believe Bush can be with us.'"

"Two more Iraqi victories would mean a gold medal and a promised $25,000 reward for each player from the Iraqi Olympic Committee. The committee had conceded it may need sponsors to come through with the cash, considering there are 18 players on the roster."

"'If we do reach this result,'" Hamad said, 'it will be a source of great happiness for our people.'"

[Seabiscuit]

1. I think this is an important story,

and I'd love to see some comments. So before it gets buried on page 2:

:kick:

[roguevalley]

2. God bless them. I hope they win. I hope they keep speaking their minds

too. I hope they can give some happiness and pride to the folks back home.

[Seabiscuit]

3. Thank you

for your sentiments.

[AuntPatsy]

4. I cannot imagine why they distrust Bush so much?

After all, he believes in the old way of having a dictatorship, they should be able to relate...

-- George W. Bush, May 21, 1999

"You don't get everything you want. A dictatorship would be a lot easier."

-- George W. Bush, describing what it's like to be governor of Texas, Governing Magazine, July 1998

"If this were a dictatorship, it would be a heck of a lot easier, just so long as I'm the dictator."

-- George W. Bush, CNN.com, December 18, 2000

"A dictatorship would be a heck of a lot easier, there's no question about it."

-- George W. Bush, Business Week, July 30, 2001

[A_Possum]

5. Wish MoveOn would pick up on this

Tho I guess that would be our side using the Iraqi team for a political purpose too.

[patdem]

6. You heart string tugger, you!

I am so glad the Iraqi's are doing well in the Olympics! They certainly need some pride and honor, which bush* has been so willing to steal from the Iraqi people! :grr:

I pray Iraq will become the great country it was before Sadaam and America and Britan became involved there. It is, after all, the seat of civilization and I believe without intervention it would be the guiding light of the Middle East today!!! Again :grr:

Oil...may we spend our lifes blood to divorce ourselves from this drug! It has done little for the people of the Middle East and much to supress them, as does more and more money in the hands of fewer and fewer people in America supress us!! Viva Venezuella!!! May that type of Democracy find its way to the USA!!!