Sheikh Mo exposed in ban of Israeli tennis player

[Kasept]

Haven't had a chance to get into Sheikh Mo's personal involvement in Dubai's refusing Isreali tennis player Shahar Peer entry into the UAE for the WTA tournament there this week. It exposes the 'enlightened' despot for what he, and his 'desert paradise' really are. The reaction to this has been pretty loud everywhere except in the racing trades. The whole scenario can repeat itself next week when Israeli racquet star Andy Ram is due to play in the men's version of the Dubai Duty Free.

There has always been a silent undertone to Dubai's anti-Semitic position around racing. Jewish connections have gone over for World Cup because the DWC wants the horses there. And of course Sheikh Mo has no problem buying horses from jewish owners. Maybe keeping Shahar Peer out of this touney is Mo's response to Frankel sticking him for $12,000,000 for Vineyard Haven.


Israeli Star Rips Arab Ban

http://www.nypost.com/seven/02172009...uet_155592.htm

Peer, 21, was set to fly into the United Arab Emirates Sunday for a Women's Tennis Association tournament, until she was informed Saturday night that she would not be granted a visa.



Sponsors, Tennis Channel turn back on Dubai Tourney

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/ten...-visa-row.html

The Wall Street Journal Europe said they were revoking their sponsorship because their editorial philosophy was “free markets and free people”. The newspaper’s move followed a decision by the Tennis Channel not to televise the event. However, another of the sponsors, Barclays Bank, said they would not be following suit.



WTA could drop Dubai

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/ten...used-visa.html

The draw for the hard-court tournament, which features most of the world's leading players, had already been made. "We thought about cancelling the tournament on the spot," Scott told Telegraph Sport, and the American also suggested that the event is at risk of being dropped from next year's calendar.

[Danzig]

you just reminded me to write more letters to my senator-maybe the u.n.?-about pakistans latest move in the 'Swat' area there, where they will now allow what the newspaper called particularly harsh islamic law-rather than fight the taliban of course. i mean, that's hard. and we know where that will leave women and girls there.

this is an absolutely ridiculous move by the sheikh. does he really think there will be no backlash?! and you'd think with how things currently are in dubai, that the last thing he would wish would be to piss off a portion of the international community.

maybe i'll write the WTA as well, there should be no question about whether this tourney should be on the calendar next year.

[Danzig]

A statement read: “Barclays has a commercial agreement with Dubai Duty Free as the title sponsors for the tennis championships. Our agreement does not allow us to interfere with any actions or decisions that have to do with the tournament itself, or the players, or the regulations of the host country.”

[Cannon Shell]

Steve Byk posting links from the NY Post.....Cats and Dogs living together....

[blackthroatedwind]

Who knew Jews played tennis.










Apparently not the Sheik.

[Left Bank]

Wow,she's pretty hot!

[Echo Farm]

While it has nothing to do with racing / tennis / or rights, I heard this on the radio yesterday, and googled to verify it.

Wild rumors spread as fast as the desert wind: The Palm Jumeira, an artificial island that is one of this city’s landmark developments, is said to be sinking, and when you turn the faucets in the hotels built atop it, only cockroaches pour out.

More: http://moneynews.newsmax.com/streett...17/182575.html

One would think that in hard times, they would welcome anyone, especially since the tourist areas appear to have relaxed Islamic law standards.

[brianwspencer]

Where is Grits when you need her? Emergency reactivation?

[SCUDSBROTHER]

See, the Turks aligned themselves with the mainly anti-semitic Arab World(like the sheik here) over that Gaza mess. Now, they have very few Jews spending money in their resorts, and the Jewish lobby isn't gunna try to block the American Recognition of the Armenian Genocide(by OBAMA.) Armenians have always said the Jewish Lobby has protected the Turks from the American Recognition of the Armenian Genocide. The term "Jewish Lobby," I guess, would start with this gal:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPtJrYgngKo

They weren't too happy the last time she threw them under the bus.

[SCUDSBROTHER]

Would love to see if they would let Cohen ride there in the Golden Shaheen again. Does he ride in any graded stakes anymore? Is that pretty much it for that guy?

[robfla]

Originally Posted by Left Bank

Wow,she's pretty hot!

you gotta be kidding!!

[dellinger63]

any Jew w/money at Barclay's won't anymore. Great PR move on their part. NOT!

[SCUDSBROTHER]

Originally Posted by Cardus

You're kidding, right?

That looks like what would be related to Jed Clampett n' Granny. (realistic Elle May Clampett.)

[The Indomitable DrugS]

As far as her face goes .... she looks like a younger Jerry Bailey.

[ArlJim78]

i'm shocked that a country would refuse a visa. what's next?
if this gets out of hand it could lead to countries using the Olympics to make political statements.

oh wait, nevermind.