Iraqi Soccer Players Angry At Bush Ads Featuring Team

[Zynx]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/olympics/2004/writers/08/19/iraq/index.html?cnn=yes

>>>PATRAS, Greece -- Iraqi midfielder Salih Sadir scored a goal here on Wednesday night, setting off a rousing celebration among the 1,500 Iraqi soccer supporters at Pampeloponnisiako Stadium. Though Iraq -- the surprise team of the Olympics -- would lose to Morocco 2-1, it hardly mattered as the Iraqis won Group D with a 2-1 record and now face Australia in the quarterfinals on Sunday.

Afterward, Sadir had a message for U.S. president George W. Bush, who is using the Iraqi Olympic team in his latest re-election campaign advertisements.

In those spots, the flags of Iraq and Afghanistan appear as a narrator says, "At this Olympics there will be two more free nations -- and two fewer terrorist regimes."

"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."<<<<<

[Cocoa]

1. ouch

:-)

[hatrack]

2. Chimpy steps in it yet AGAIN!

Asshat.

[htuttle]

3. I guess putting them on the stage at the convention is out

:D

[omshanti]

4. off the topic, but how many tried saying "Pampeloponnisiako" out loud?

it's a cool name! :-)

[aneerkoinos]

7. I speek Greek

but I succeed to pronounce that correctly only every third time... :D

[omshanti]

8. cool! Is it named after someone famous?

(Forgive my ignorance)

[aneerkoinos]

14. It means

'all-Peloponnesean'. Peloponnisos is the southern part of mainland Greece, the "island of Pelops".

[MidwestTransplant]

5. Oops

That's about how the NYFD felt about being in Bush's ad too

[qanda]

6. Bush may be putting them in danger by using them

But what does he care?

[hatrack]

9. Did he even think of the danger of linking an Iraqi individual w. himself?

Of course not - selfish chimps only care about the ripest bananas for themselves.

The rest of the world can go fuck itself, to quote the man who's one heartbeat away from the vice-presidency.

[HalfManHalfBiscuit]

13. Excellent take

I didn't even think about that. Stupid Fucking One-Term Chimp.

[hatrack]

16. Individual Iraqis, that is, who don't have Special Ops protection 24/7

Didn't make myself too clear, I'm afraid. :dunce:

[calimary]

52. He doesn't. He can't. The only thing the bushies know is using people.

Ron Reagan got it spot-on in his Esquire article - where he basically talked about the two Americas in bush country: the bushes and their friends - and "the help." AKA - EVERYBODY ELSE. What else could he be expected to do? That's all he knows. That's all he's lived. That's all he's been taught. "Princely" entitlement. Like God and the world and the rest of us lowly underlings all owe him a living - and a lot of genuflecting. We're all here on earth to be used by him, for whichever self-centered purpose might suit him from moment to moment.

[maxsolomon]

10. try making bush stop exploiting you

good luck

[DinahMoeHum]

11. Bwahahahahahaaa!!! Gotta love it!

The Iraqis can smell shit a mile away, even if many of our fellow 'Murkins can't.


:evilgrin:

[truthspeaker]

12. They should all get "US out of Iraq" printed on their uniforms

[kskiska]

15. These people aren't dumb

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."

The Bush campaign was contacted about the Iraqi soccer player's statements, but has yet to respond.

(snip)

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 has been labeled a terrorist. These are all lies. Fallujah people are some of the best people in Iraq."

[Seabiscuit]

17. Some more juicy quotes from the article:

In addition to Bush's ads,

"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.'"

"But they (the Iraqis) also find it offensive that Bush is using their team for his own gain when they do not support his administration's actions in Iraq. '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 stadium and there are shootings on the road?'"

"Sadir, Wednesday's goal-scorer, used to be the star player for the professional soccer team in Najaf. In the city in which 20,000 fans used to fill the stadium and chant Sadir's name, U.S. and Iraqi forces have battled loyalists to rebel cleric Moktada al-Sadr for the past two weeks. Najaf lies in ruins. '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 has been labeled a terrorist. These are all lies. Fallujah people are some of the best people in Iraq.'"

"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.'"

[Seabiscuit]

18. So who says Bush isn't trying to politicize the Olympics

to his advantage in his Presidential campaign?

Now it's not just the biased TV coverage, it's Bush himself who is attempting to exploit the Olympics and "Americanize" the Games. Fortunately, he picked on the wrong people, the Iraqis, to exploit, and they are rightfully pissed and courageously outspoken in response. KUDOS to the Iraqi athletes and the Iraqi resistance.

[grytpype]

20. Why do they hate America so much?

[LisaL]

44. How would you feel?

How would you feel toward another country that occupied yours and killed your relatives?

[DinahMoeHum]

24. One player frrom Najaf and another from Fallujah. Holy shit.

n/t

[King of New Orleans]

19. He can find another way to advertise himself

They told Bush to Cheney off

[Seabiscuit]

22. Indeed - even the Iraqi Olympics coach did:

from the above article:

"When the Games are over, though, Coach Hamad says, they will have to return home to a place where they fear walking the streets. 'The war is not secure,' says Hamad, 43. 'Many people hate America now. The Americans have lost many people around the world--and that is what is happening in America also.'"

[caffeinated]

21. Model released?

I accidently went to a double posting of this article and wrote the same question there...I was wondering, isn't it a copyright violation to use peoples images/likenesses in ads without signed model releases? Couldn't the Iraqi players, in theory, sue Bush for this?

[Seabiscuit]

23. Yes, the could

in an American court under American law. And possibly also in the Hague under international law.

[Zynx]

26. Depends

That's the answer from any lawyer and its pretty much right.

But I'm fairly sure that the Iraqis would have rights to bitch about this.

[Seabiscuit]

29. I know what you mean...

because I'm a lawyer. "Depends" is always an issue. However, I was merely responding as to whether such a claim was *possible*. To that, the answer is yes. Whether it is winnable, "depends" on several factors, not all the answers to which are presently known.

[clown]

37. video rights...

Would they not have a case because there is a third party (most likely NBC) who has the rights to the video used?
When they show sporting events on the news, documentaries etc. it usually says 'clips courtesy of (insert company)'
I would imagine that by competing in the games, athletes are giving permission for their images to be used, I know that contests usually have disclaimers that say by entering the contest you agree to be used in the contest sponsor's advertisements.

[liberalcanuck]

34. I'm just curious how this could rise to the level of being an issue

where the Hague could possibly be involved. I doubt the handpicked Iraqi government would submit this to the court for fear of American retribution or that the U.S would even respect any decision rendered by the court, cuz ya know, we're like America and we're big and bad.

My 2 cents.

[calimary]

53. Welcome to DU!

Very good question.

[Jacobin]

25. Amazing.

A Quagmire of Epic Proportions.

[Mike Daniels]

27. The FReeps sure changed their opinion of the Iraqi team in a hurry

Up till this article the FReeps were "rah-rah, go Iraq" including the inane suggestion that should Iraq take the gold medal that both the Iraqi AND US National anthems be played at the award ceremony as a way of focusing on America's role in making the Iraqi win possible.

After the article came out:

Well, you can imagine how quickly they turned on the Iraqi team as soon as they found out what the players' opinion of Bush was. Of course they explained it away as well with "who cares what one or two Sadaam loyalists think" or "Jeez, ya think the press asked a different question and used an answer that fit their needs?"

Idiots.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

32. They sure did....

Sadir is an ungrateful Baathist swine. Did Sports Illustrated not talk to any of the other Iraqi athletes?

Ungrateful SOB......

Another fine example of Arab appreciation! Primatives.

Instead of playing soccer, these a$$holes should be at home fighting and dying, if necessary. Nothing pisses me off more that seeing these jerks playing a frigging game on one channels and then seeing reports of our great men dying on another channel. This is really ^%&@#! up!!!

Can someone explain to me why I shouldn't hate these people? They aren't worthy of the American sacrifices that have been made.

"Hmmm? I'm wondering who in the Bush campaign didn't check with the Iraqi team to see if it would be okay. "

Why would anyone much less Pres. Bush need these ungrateful
players permission? That's the least they can do as thanks.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1194786/posts

[drhilarius]

40. I like this

"Can someone explain to me why I shouldn't hate these people? They aren't worthy of the American sacrifices that have been made."

So you hate them for the fact that BUSH is sacrificing our soldiers to a cause that the Iraqi people didn't ask for?

I guess it makes sense. I hate the homeless guy who called the cops when I graciously punched him in the face.

and this

"Instead of playing soccer, these a$$holes should be at home fighting and dying, if necessary."

I suggest this poster do the same.

[ScreamingMeemie]

50. Oh please. What of the sacrifices that their innocent children have

made? Good golly, nothing makes sense coming out of the mouths of FR. :hi:

[calimary]

54. Uh - does that make them flip-floppers?

Just asking...

[74dodgedart]

28. Yankee go home

But what about all the schools we've built ?

[wryter2000]

30. Champions again

You go, Iraqi footballers.

[Cronus Protagonist]

31. The US is occupying their country, and they're effectively prisoners

Isn't it against the Geneva convention to use them for propaganda purposes?

SHOVE IT! - Drop Bush Not Bombs! - Hero Kerry AWOL Bush
http://brainbuttons.com/home.asp?stashid=13

[drhilarius]

41. That's assuming Bush cares...

about the Geneva conventions.

[A_Possum]

33. Why is this in Sports Illustrated??

This should be front-page New York Times.

Those are explosive quotes from the guy who says Americans killed his cousin and he would be an insurgent if he weren't playing soccer.

[Cheswick2.0]

47. This could be front page news if everyone at DU would make an effort

go to this thread and help out.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x641839

[agincourt]

35. Sounds like the Iraqi soccer team,

are not fans of our beloved bush-fuhrer. Guess the maimed and dead from operation "desert poppy's brat" didn't impress them. Tsk, Tsk.

[devinsgram]

36. Looks like no one wants to be associated with him.

Gee I wonder why?

[DU GrovelBot]

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[girl gone mad]

39. I just want to..

bump this thread.

It may be more than 12 hours old now, but I think it's still worthy of discussion, in case anyone missed it.

[Fire Bush]

42. Well at least Britney Spears endorses the chimp

Maybe she'll let him use one of her songs at the convention. Like "Oops I did it Again".

[Bhaisahab]

45. KICK!

someone above posted how this story should be in the front pages of American newspapers. I agree. There are indeed some acidic comments about * that hurt the freeps a lot because they are true. So I think maybe everyone who has a blog can link to this story? In the hope that some ballsy mainstream newspaper will pick it up and publish the full story.

Welcome to DU "Fire Bush"
:headbang:
Oh yeah!

[calimary]

55. Welcome to DU!

And I believe the brainless, simpering Jessica Simpson does, as well. Maybe they can do a duet. We had the Black Eyed Peas at OUR convention, after all...

[Citizen Daryl]

43. Oh, *****SNAP!*****

God bless those guys.

[bushisanidiot]

46. I'd like to see them protest AWOL in some way like with an armband

or something. But, they're probably afraid their families would be killed in retaliation. You know.. one of those "accidental" bombings of civilian neighborhoods.

[hughee99]

58. At least in the old days

Uday had the courtesy to torture them personally.

[Cheswick2.0]

48. Let's support the Iraqi team and smack bush in the media

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x641839

[mark414]

49. kick

get this out there people!

[AspenRose]

51. First Danny Pearl's wife, now this

They get the message (Team Bushco), they just don't care. They're too arrogant to care.

[krkaufman]

56. Also in print edition?

I see this article is posted to the online Sports Illustrated site, but is it also in the print edition?

Pretty amazing that an article like this is showing up in SI, if so.

[krkaufman]

57. Brutal quote from the article

Sadir, Wednesday's goal-scorer, used to be the star player for the professional soccer team in Najaf. In the city in which 20,000 fans used to fill the stadium and chant Sadir's name, U.S. and Iraqi forces have battled loyalists to rebel cleric Moktada al-Sadr for the past two weeks. Najaf lies in ruins.