August 21, 2004
This Can't Be A Good Sign..
Improbably, the Iraqi soccer team has made it to the Olympic semifinals. This would seem to be a great story for the reconstruction effort and Bush generally, only the Iraqis are still pissed at Bush.
``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.''
Those ungrateful Arabs. How can they be angry after all our president has done for them?