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Dear Seb and All, I can see that side of it, yes - the whole "solidarity" angle. At the same time I think it may have been wiser to have the mix as you say, but possibly the mix between Iraqis and Americans - as opposed to a clear cut division of nationalities battling it out. Whether it is friendly or competitive, the end result may not be so spirited when it comes to those who take it too seriously and are hoping for a specific side to lose. I somehow think anything that puts competition on the front burner like that is inappropriate. I could see, a rally - a get-together, a press conference with both sides speaking out - showing a commitment to solidarity.. but not a game. There is no reason to test one another, even within friendly terms. It just feels a bit misguided to me... but then again - I may just be overly pacifist :) Anai Dear Anai & list, I think a friendly football match can be just that - friendly. It's only when players stake more significance on the outcome (which I'm sure will be irrelevant on Sunday) rather than enjoying the game itself that it becomes divisive. Perhaps a non-competitive game, or playing with mixed nationality teams, would be even better, but personally I don't think an Iraq v. America match is ill-conceived. The Italian NGO "Un Ponte Per..." (A Bridge To...) has been bringing Italians to Iraq to play football games with Iraqis for years - presumably to a very warm reception or they wouldn't keep doing it! It's a way of saying 'we haven't forgotten that you exist and are human beings just like us!'. seb On Mon, 3 Feb 2003, Anai Rhoads wrote: >Dear list, > >Is it just me, or is this football game a bad idea? To me - its only >promoting competition, nationalism, patriotism, and explioting the crisis in >a way. How can it be for peace, when its an aggressive game? Its like their >own mini war in a sense. > >This is probably the first time I have heard of any anti-war event go to >such an extreme - I can honestly say is ill-minded. It belittles such a >massive crisis. > >Am I the only one that thinks any mock play between Iraq and Americans/Brits >is odd? > >Anai Rhoads > > - - - - First they came for the Communists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist.... ...Then they came for me, and by that time, no one was left to speak up. -- Pastor Martin Neimoeller, Nazi Germany during WWII _________________________________________________________________ MSN 8 helps eliminate e-mail viruses. Get 2 months FREE*. http://join.msn.com/?page=features/virus _______________________________________________ Sent via the discussion list of the Campaign Against Sanctions on Iraq. To unsubscribe, visit http://lists.casi.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/casi-discuss To contact the list manager, email casi-discuss-admin@lists.casi.org.uk All postings are archived on CASI's website: http://www.casi.org.uk