Iraqi soccer team wins Asian Cup - Captain wants "America out"

The Iraqi soccer team beat Saudi Arabia 1-0 to win the Asian Cup.  It's some good news for a populace destroyed physically and psychologically from this horrible war.  Unfortunately, the team cannot even truly celebrate when they return, for fear bombings like this will happen again.  But being a smart man and leader, team captain Younis Mahmoud capitalizes on the opportunity to reach a large reading audience to convey a message.

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"I want America to go out."

Those are the words from team captain Younis Mahmoud following the victory.  
"Today, tomorrow, or the day after tomorrow, but out. I wish the American people didn't invade Iraq and, hopefully, it will be over soon," he also says.

We've robbed the Iraqis of their culture, their cities, their lives.  Over 650,000 citizens have been killed and an estimated 2 million more have fled the violence.  Whenever we hear of a bombing in Iraq, we wonder what number it was for that day.  There is no good news that comes out of Iraq.

Except today.

And the sad thing about it is that team can't even celebrate for fear of their lives.

Mahmoud also said he will not return to Iraq to celebrate.

"I don't want the Iraqi people to be angry with me," he said. "If I go back with the team, anybody could kill me or try to hurt me."

So if there is one message that this brave captain could send to the world, it's that he wants America out of Iraq.  Even in our darkest days of spineless Democrats and frustration over stalling, keep fighting, if only to allow a team to celebrate their first Asian Cup.