For Iraqis, a day of joy

NES, Long Beach, CA — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 13:10:15 GMT

I love this article. I wish I could convey my happiness for the joy they are feeling at this victory, and also the sadness in my heart for the losses they have sustained.

For Iraqis, a day of joy

KALMAN BROOKLYN NY — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 13:18:48 GMT

THIS MAY BE A GREAT MOMENT TO SEIZE TO TELL THE IRAQI PEOPLE THAT FILLING STREETS WITH SONG AND DANCE IS MUCH BETTER THAN TEARS AND BLOOD. THIS MESSAGE SHOULD BE SENT TO ALL THE TERRORISTS AND EXTREME MUSLIMS WHO WANT TO FILL ALL THE STREETS IN THE WORLD WITH THEIR HAPPINESS....G-D HELP US.

For Iraqis, a day of joy

Ft. Lauderdale — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 14:04:45 GMT

Wow, this made me cry-Some joy finally for ALL in Iraq. I could only hope this can help to unite them. Look what just one little mixed team can do-unite the country, if even for a moment. Beautiful!

For Iraqis, a day of joy

Mike, Baghdad — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 14:07:50 GMT

I am in Baghdad, it was a sight to behold. I went out in the street to cheer them on. When they saw the Americans cheering for them, they were even more exicited. It was a great scene to see and it proved what the Iraqis are capable of when they pull together. Congratulations to the "Lions of the Two Rivers" and the country of Iraq!!!!

For Iraqis, a day of joy

Sean, Dublin, Ireland — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 14:28:07 GMT

What rubbish, how many starved that day in Iraq due to american incompetence.

For Iraqis, a day of joy

Craig Jones, Pollock Pines Ca. — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 14:29:42 GMT

If only, all of the differences in the world could be forgotten, even just briefly over the scoring of one goal. Bravo Irag .... Bravo, Craig, Pollock Pines

For Iraqis, a day of joy

Dion Fleitas, Dallas, TX — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 14:36:45 GMT

Perhaps you don't know this, but the coaches of the two soccer teams (Iraq and Saudi Arabia) on the Asia cup final are from Brazil. It's amazing to see a popular sport uniting the whole country.

For Iraqis, a day of joy

Ernst, Lawrenceville, GA — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 14:41:23 GMT

I am very glad they have this moment to celebrate! I hope the violence and bloodshed will stop and the Iraqi people will come together and begin to heal and rebuild their shattered lives. I sincerely hope and pray the terrorists will have a change of heart and realize that violence and bloodshed will not benefit the Iraqi people. They need to give the new government a chance to establish law and order and work together to create a peaceful environment for everyone.

For Iraqis, a day of joy

Jon Cochran, Grafton, WV — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 14:44:06 GMT

What a wonderful story for a country in such kaos. I agree that if the Iraqi people would pull together they can accomplish more than they could possibly imagine. Unite and be happy. Like Mike said, we are cheering with you.

For Iraqis, a day of joy

Hidi Y, white plains, New york — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 14:45:22 GMT

words can't describe how I feel ...as an Iraqi living in the US ..I wish that I was there to celebrate with my people ...God bless them all ...its not just the Asian cup that they won ..its much more than that ...those lions united our country ...the tears are in my eyes now..I hope that this is a new begining for the Iraqis ...God bless you all

For Iraqis, a day of joy

AB of England, now U.S.A — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 14:58:04 GMT

To ALL Iraqi's: Congratulations! Be proud to be an Iraqi. Hopefully, you can each consider the Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds that were also cheering that day, as your brothers, not an enemy. That way, you can live in peace, the occupation forces can leave and Al-Qaeda can't exploit your suffering for their purposes.

For Iraqis, a day of joy

Mohamed A. — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 15:08:45 GMT

This article brought me to tears as well. I wish someone would make a movie chronicling the triumph of the Iraqi soccer team and showing that they can be united. Who knows... maybe this will serve as a catilyst for national unity. But in all fairness I must say that many Iraqis from different religious backgrounds say that Iraqis themselves have been united and lived in peace with eachother for centuries. It is as if foreigners from other Middle Eastern countries and abroad are fomenting this violence & encouraging hatred among groups. We can only hope and pray for peace.

For Iraqis, a day of joy

john doe, seattle, wa — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 15:20:36 GMT

I read on democracynow.org that the captain of the soccer team spoke out against US occupation and wished that we had never invaded.

For Iraqis, a day of joy

Rob, San Antonio TX — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 15:21:12 GMT

THIS is the story that i want to see all the news agencies(this includes you too, MSNBC)jump on with wall-to-wall coverage for weeks on end. I want Wolf Blitzer, Kieth Olberman, and Bill O'Reilly battling it out to get the best story about the Shia-Sunni-Kurd cooperation necessary to make it happen. At the very least, give Paris, Nicole, Brittney, corrupt athletes, etc. a week off in order to focus on this story.

For Iraqis, a day of joy

Jared, Calabasas, CA — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 15:25:53 GMT

Well played Iraq! Well written Jane Arraf! Well done NBC!

For Iraqis, a day of joy

Martha Rutgers, Indianapolis, IN — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 15:30:15 GMT

Iraq has a soccer team? This desolate country where people are starving and fighting and blowing one another up has a soccer team? This country which purportedly needs so much of the world's help has a soccer team? Our young men are fighting Irag's religious civil war, and their young men are playing soccer? I'm confused.

For Iraqis, a day of joy

john florida — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 15:48:46 GMT

Mohamed A:
I am with you the outsiders are the problem.The Iraqi people have just proven that they are a NATION that can unite. It seems funny to me that it took a NON RELIGIOUS event to bring out the best in that nation.Now if that government can be as united as the people you will have MORE to be happy about and we can bring an end to the war.You are correct we can only hope and pray for piece.If the people of Iraq can put a lot of pressure on the government it can come true for all of us. OH BY THE WAY SEAN DUBLIN, IRELAND ::YOU ARE AN IDIOT !!!!

For Iraqis, a day of joy

ANON — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 15:49:21 GMT

DO PEOPLE WHO TYPE IN CAPS FEEL IMPORTANT?!!!?

For Iraqis, a day of joy

Reynaldo Garza, McAllen Texas — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 16:08:42 GMT

Want to improve your rating Mr. President?
Produce professional commercials with images of the Iraqi people before Hussein, and now; of the Afghan people before Taliban and now… I’m in favor of world order, and congratulate you for you job, but do not agree in the outcome of this war. I can’t explain the oil going up after basically controlling a big producer like Iraq. Why not mandate better fuel efficiency on all manufacturers. Finish your job with dignity and do something for all the people that voted for you.

For Iraqis, a day of joy

Zach Sherer, El Paso, TX — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 16:17:07 GMT

It's good to see some unity and a way for the people of Iraq to come together on such a beloved sport of our time. I really enjoyed watching the coverage on the win as the happiness and the joy the people had during a time of such hardship and suffering. The people of Iraq do share a place in my heart on their struggle to get back on their way for peace.

For Iraqis, a day of joy

Mazin Albayati , Gatonia, North Carolina — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 16:35:05 GMT

Great job Iraqi team,thank you Jane Arraf,rticles like this bring joy and hope to our hearts, I would like to see some pictures on Msnbc of Americans cheering for the iraqies (if you have any Gane). Let
the people in iraq know that everybody wants to see them united. Be safe Jane.

For Iraqis, a day of joy

Salim — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 16:36:28 GMT

>>This country which purportedly needs so much of the >world's help has a soccer team?
>> Martha Rutgers, Indianapolis, IN

You are a typical ignorant. This football team can do much more healing in Iraq than all world countries united can do.

For Iraqis, a day of joy

Antonio Garcia, Toppenish Wash — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 16:42:12 GMT

After all the receiving daily bad news, Finally some good news. This country is truly united at heart.

For Iraqis, a day of joy

John Doe — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 16:53:15 GMT

To Martha--what is wrong with a soccer team? It made one of few positive stories for Iraq, yet you are questioning it?

For Iraqis, a day of joy

joe blow — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 17:11:19 GMT

Right after the win the captain of the Iraqi team denounced the U.S. occupation and asked us to leave. I think we should have never gone there in the first place.

For Iraqis, a day of joy

Hidi, white plains New York — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 17:17:41 GMT

you are such an ignorant Ms Martha ... what the hell are you questioning ? so we are not allowed to have a soccer team ..you need to research more so you won't get confused o.k?

For Iraqis, a day of joy

Donna, Baton Rouge, LA — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 17:23:00 GMT

Like many who have responded, it truly warmed my heart to read this story, coming from a place where there is little hope for a violence-free future, if you judge by daily newscasts. I am certain it also brought some hope and a smile to our soldier's fighting there, to see some normalcy in that region they are fighting so hard to win democracy for. Congratulations Iraq, and prayers of thanks for all of you who are defending there. We continue to pray for peace!

For Iraqis, a day of joy

Val Flores, LA, Calif. — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 17:24:27 GMT

I too shed tears when I heard about the Iraqi Soccer team winning the Asia Cup. I whole heartedly agree with Rob...this story is extremely newsworthy and finally! - an uplifting and inspiring story on the news amidst all the daily news outlets spewing out negativism. I do hope all the news outlets take this Iraqi soccer championship story and ride it out for a few weeks as oppose to repeating day in and day out - what the "starlet of the day" is doing. Congratulations to the Iraqi Soccer Team and to all Iraqis!!!

For Iraqis, a day of joy

Ben Notmeijer — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 17:45:43 GMT

Indeed there is nothing wrong with that soccer team but what's wrong here is that our mostly young men and women are blown up every dam day in Iraq's civil war at the shattering cost for the American people.

For Iraqis, a day of joy

Ima Newbie, USA — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 17:52:35 GMT

How nice to see soccer fans uniting, instead of rioting and killing like Manchester United fans!
BTW, the reason the gas prices have gone up so much is BECAUSE we invaded Iraq. Saddam was selling oil under the table to much of the world, and with him out of the way OPEC has been free to raise the price. Why do you think the Saudis pay our president so much money?

For Iraqis, a day of joy

sean, NY NY — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 18:05:02 GMT

martha,

not everything revolves around war. soccer can be played anywhere at any time. sometimes a little fun makes life worth living. it's not their fault we invaded their country.

For Iraqis, a day of joy

Mike, Massachusetts, USA — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 18:15:43 GMT

sports always seem to unite people...its too bad the real trouble makers are still out there. congrats on the win....perhaps though, shooting the guns up in the air in celebration killing 4 might be something you may want to rethink doing next win

For Iraqis, a day of joy

Patrick, Upper Makefield, PA — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 18:47:33 GMT

A great way to unite the country. As a soccer coach myself, I see the impact it can have...and can only imagine the pride that Iraq must feel.

On the other hand, why can't the Parliament and other government entities keep working into August - instead of taking a month off? I say we have our brave soldiers take a month off as well...and we'll save some serious lives, money and effort. I bet the government would have second thoughts about this "vacation" then.

For Iraqis, a day of joy

Eileen Donovan — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 20:22:31 GMT

How come nobody mentioned the poor Iraqi civilians that were killed by the celebratory gunfire - maybe the soccer team won but the government of Iraq is taking the month of August off with no accomplishments.

For Iraqis, a day of joy

Lisa McNeil,Alpharetta,Georgia — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 21:17:51 GMT

Dear Jane, What a great posting! The people of Iraq really deserve something to cheer about in their region. I am really happy for them and the fact that this soccer team brought happiness and joy to people who desperately needed it. Great win! Congratulations to The Lions of the Two Rivers! Peace to all!!!

For Iraqis, a day of joy

Ernst, Lawrenceville, GA — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 22:21:23 GMT

This is to Martha: Our young men are fighting a war in Iraq which the people of Iraq did not start. I don't seem to recall an invitation letter from the Iraqi people to invade their country and occupy it! I don't seem to recall a cry for help from the Iraqi people asking Mr. Bush to come and save them! Please remember the reason we were told invading Iraq was a must is because of "WMD" which was just a lie to the american people and the entire world. They needed to justify an unjust war, thus lied to the world. Once in Iraq, the mission quickly changed from finding the "WMD" to "Operation Iraqi Freedom". Where is the freedom promised? If freedom is living under occupation by another nation, what kind of freedom is this? Wake up, Martha!

For Iraqis, a day of joy

zozo, Detroit, MI — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 01:11:34 GMT

I am an Iraqi female who lives in the America who celebrated the event of the IRAQI soccer team winning the Asian Cup for the 1st time. I went on the street with the Arab American community in Detroit with our flags flying and people dancing and singing men, women, and children. i was so proud to be an IRAQI. May god bless you all and thank you MSNBC for posting this article....and making a notice..

For Iraqis, a day of joy

leo — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 03:28:27 GMT

check this out
http://www.myspace.com/iraqsport