I hate to see a discussion as important as this deteriorate to name calling. I would like to address points that have been brought up in recent posts.
1. Speaking for myself, my position has nothing to do with the US war on Terror. The UAE is one of the US allies in the middle east and I don't think it is fair to put Sheik Mohammed in the category of a fundementalist moslem. I would conclude just the opposite. I think we should stick to the facts.....a very serious atrocity is occurring which is not only breaking International Law but the UAE's own law. From all information gathered Sheik Mohammed and other camel racing stable owners are aware and do nothing to enforce their own law.
2. As far as the comments about looking closer to home....please inform me of any endurance riders, ride managers, AERC board members, etc who are committing atrocities and I will be more then happy wage a campaign to bring their crimes to forefront of this organization. Of course terrible things are happening here BUT there is NOT a direct link to endurance riding - that is the difference. You are just muddying the water when you claim to find a cause closer to home.
3. I find it unbelievable that Sheiks that own, particpate in, and attend camel racing do not know the difference between a 15 year old teenager and a 5 year old child riding a camel. I don't think it they or I should say Sheik Mohammed will be able to claim ignorance because he photographed at the races. Why is photography not allowed at camel racing????
4. Some of the posts have been more emotional then others BUT the majority have been calm and rational. There have also been some posts from the other side of the discussion that I found very condesending and patronizing. Those that choose to be critical about the emotional content on posts asking for a boycott should also be as critical as those condesending posts that disagree. Let's be fair here.
5. Someone mentioned they would like to see this thread die down. I have read through weeks of non endurance posts like "actors who ride" "best dogs with horses" etc. This seems to be very endurance related so I will mention to those that don't like this discussion what was told to me....."use the delete key". I actually do think that if the IC and the board came out and took a position the thread would probably die down. We as members do deserve to know where they stand on this issue or if they will take a stand on this issue.
6. For those that think this is just the reaction to an explosive HBO expose I must disagree. I can only speak for myself, but before I spoke out on the lists I did my homework. There are a lot of additional facts from several sources to back up what was shown on HBO. There is no question that the HBO brought this to my attention but I did not base my opinion on a half hour TV show. It is very insulting when I read posts that claim I am taking a position only because of a TV show I watched.
7. Lastly, I have received an email claiming I am anti-FEI. Just for the record I have been an AERC I member for years, took the FEI judges course in 1998 when I at the Old Dominion Ride, and have offered to volunteer my time/services to the PS time zone team. These are all facts that can be checked so please don't go down that road at least with me.
