Iraq Football Fans could use a new form of Celebration

July 24th, 2007 | by: WC Bob | View Comments

One of the great stories of this year’s Asian Cup has been Iraq’s national team. In a country whose headlines seem more and more horrific each day, the football team advancing to the semifinals of the tournament is a welcome respite. I’m not going to pretend to know enough about Iraq to say that football success will unite the country, but it is bringing joy to the lives of people who are long overdue for a bit of a joy.

How are Iraqis celebrating their team’s good run?

Youths drape themselves and their cars in large Iraqi flags and parade around the streets to loud music and dancing.

Others prefer the tribal tradition of firing their weapons into the air in deafening, often deadly barrages.

Three people died and about 50 were wounded when bullets fired in celebration of Iraq’s victory over Vietnam on Saturday came back down at lethal speed.

Sometimes you can’t win even when you win.