But he wants us to peg our endurance (not to mention the lives of our troops) on: the success of the Iraqi soccer team in the Asian finals. Quote of note:
During the Asian Games in Qatar last month, Iraq became quiet, if only for a few hours. Citizens united as brothers behind the national soccer team, which against all odds fought its way to the finals. The team didn't battle for a militia or a sect but for an idea -- the nation of Iraq. The players didn't win the medal but gained something far greater: They won us hope. From children on the streets to politicians to parents, we were all one, and we were all Iraqi. This tells me that all is not lost, that a deep-rooted sense of nationalism still lies within all Iraqis, and that it can and must be rekindled.
Well.
I don't deny the power of sports to instill national pride. Any American old enough to remember 1980 can't forget the "Miracle on Ice" when the underdog US hockey olympic team took the gold over the Soviet Union's favored team.
But, asking Americans to spill blood based on "a few hours" of soccer pride is a bit much. We need proof that the current Iraqi government is more than sectarian thugs in power.
And yes, by all means, let the "deep rooted sense of nationalism" that "lies within the Iraqi people" be "rekindled" -- but that's something that must come from Iraqis and be led by their leaders. It can't come from the point of an American gun. Show us your government is up to that challenge, Mr. Hashimi, and you'll show us something we can support. It has to be more than your soccer team.
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