Reason For Iraq War: The Olympics

George Bush has no couth whatsoever. As if it weren't enough that he has used the tragedy of 9-11 for his campaign ads, he brayed with bravado in Oregon, "The image of the Iraqi soccer team playing in this Olympics, it's fantastic, isn't it? It wouldn't have been free if the United States had not acted." In other words, it really was worth the effort and loss of life. Thousands of people killed, mostly Iraqis, and one bad man is removed from power, AND Afghan and Iraqi athletes, free from terrorist regimes, are competing in the 2004 Olympics. Who could ask for anything more? WE COULD. It is so distressing that Bush would use the killing of innocent people for his own political gain. Is there anything more appalling?

The athletes themselves are speaking out to let the world know they are not flattered.

"Iraq as a team does not want Mr. Bush to use us for the presidential campaign. He can find another way to advertise himself."
-Salih Sadir, 21, Iraqi midfielder

"How will he meet his god having slaughtered so many men and women? He has committed so many crimes."
-Ahmed Manajid, 22, Iraqi soccer player

"My problems are not with the American people. They are with what America has done in Iraq: destroy everything. The American army has killed so many people. What is freedom when I go to the [national] stadium and there are shootings on the road?"
-Adnan Hamad, Iraqi soccer coach

Sadir used to be the star player for the professional soccer team in Najaf. Najaf now lies in ruins. Manajid is from Fallujah. He says coalition forces killed his cousin and several friends. He says, if not for his participation in the Olympics, he would be fighting as part of the resistance.

Coach Hamad says that, when the games are over, they will have to return home to a place where they fear walking in the streets.

So while our soon-to-be ex-president basks in the image of the Iraqi soccer team playing in Athens, and uses that image in his campaign speeches, those of us who live in the real world cringe at this cruel tactic. We are ashamed. How dare you, George?

[Click on the title above to see the article in Sports Illustrated.]