Sacking Soccer in Somalia

Islamic militants now control Mogadishu (of Black Hawk Down fame). Some media appear to think this could be a good thing, after 15 years of non-stop civil war.

But it's not looking good for the average Somali Soccer Mom:

Two people were wounded Saturday as the militia, which is controlled by a group of religious court leaders, broke up World Cup viewing parties by firing in the air and cutting electricity to theaters. The vice chairman of the Islamic Courts Union, Sheikh Abdukadir Ali Omar, said that was a way to prevent "corrupting the children in this Muslim community."

...the episode left some residents wondering if the semblance of security that has returned to the city under the Islamic militia will come with a price.

"As soon as the Islamists took over the security of our city, we thought we would get freedom," said Adam Hashi-Ali, a teenager in Mogadishu. "But now they have been preventing us from watching the World Cup."

Funny...I seem to recall Iran being very proud of fielding a team for the World Cup. But then, the mullahs there keep a strict eye on insidious soccer influences. Did this viewing ban in Somalia come up before or after Mexico beat Iran 3-1?

Yup...good ol' radical Islam: the religion of peace. Unless you're watching soccer, or drawing cartoons, or speaking out against the more oppressive aspects of Mohammed's legacy, or dueling for control of the cash machine that is the corrupt Palestinian government. Then it's time to burn cars or shoot people. All in the name of Allah, of course. For those Somalis the article said are wondering if "the semblance of security...under Islamic militia will come with a price," the answer is YES. But they're certainly not the first people to make such a faustian bargain; history is littered with such deals gone sour.

"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." - Ben Franklin