Cockfighting rules the roost in Iraq

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/89CBA71C-F053-4266-B660-9311FA73AA93.htm

Entertainment-starved Iraqis are increasingly turning to cockfighting - a pastime that has been part of the country's fabric for centuries.

Though tolerated by Saddam Hussein, fans of the blood sport had to bribe policemen to indulge in gambling, an important part of the cockfighting routine. However, the fans are having a great time since Saddam was ousted, as they are free to openly play the odds while the roosters fight to the death.

Cockfighting and the associated gambling are serious business in Iraq. Die-hard followers of the sport drive from across Iraq to Baghdad. People like Kathim Jassim, Baghdad's king of cockfighting, are immensely popular and treated with respect.

On one recent night, the betting started at $50 in a country where monthly salaries rarely exceed $100.
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[LiberalVoice]

1. at least the economy's up somewhere.

[The Stranger]

2. How is this Latest Breaking News?

Thanks. Great article. No, really.

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

7. IMHO, it serves as a vignette of today's Iraq that is probably not

known or considered by the majority of people. It was news to me as I had no idea that cockfighting was as popular as it is in Iraq.

Also, I found it interesting that they no longer have to bribe the police to have the cock fights, indicative that the current "governing" powers approve of the sport.

:toast:

[Neutrino]

8. If cocks learn to vote, Bush will endorse it wholeheartedly--.

(I'm referring, of course, to the animal variety).

[Neutrino]

3. Cockfighting is a disgusting waste of human intellect and

degrades the human condition. I don't know much about Islam, except
what I read on islamonline, and I read that cruelty to animals is
forbidden. I read that the Prophet Mohammed pbuh, once took away
a kitten from its owner because it was not cared for properly. So
in this Saddam was correct to forbid it. imho

[snooper2]

4. Saddam didn't forbid it.

He didn't want people to gamble.

[Neutrino]

5. So---

Saddam forbid gambling.
Cockfighting is gambling.
Therefore, Saddam forbid cockfighting.

The end justifies the means.

[C_eh_N_eh_D_eh]

6. How do you tell the <insert favorite ethnic group here> at a cockfight?

They're the ones betting on the duck.

[TexasMexican]

9. cockfighting in the US

it goes on too here in the US, Mexico, and numerous other countries.

that being said I'm pretty indifferent to it.

Yeah its wasteful to have those birds kill each other, but I dont think we should tell other cultures how to run thier lives, and I would rather have those Iraqis getting some entertainment rather than out on the streets plotting the death of our troops (I'm sure more would if we shut them down).

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

10. It's barbaric there, even more so here where they DO use razor

sharp steel blades/spurs on the cocks.

It's illegal here and was there. Probably a good idea. I've met a few who have participated in fighting these animals and suffice it to say, they aren't the type I would want to date my daughter... Anyone's daughter.

[TexasMexican]

11. so its better

that they get thier jollies playing with thier cocks then dating with your daughter.

Sounds like a win-win. LoL.