Iraqis On Tour Banned From Memphis Hall

moe.ron · #1 08-05-2004, 03:55 AM

IRAQIS ON TOUR BANNED FROM MEMPHIS HALL
Associated Press, 08/04/04

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Iraqis visiting on a civil rights tour were barred from city hall after the city council chairman said it was too dangerous to let them in.

The seven Iraqi civic and community leaders are in the midst of a three-week American tour, sponsored by the State Department to learn more about the process of government. The trip also includes stops in Washington, Los Angeles and Chicago.

The Iraqis were scheduled to meet with a city council member, but Joe Brown, the council chair, said he feared the group was dangerous.

"We don't know exactly what's going on. Who knows about the delegation, and has the FBI been informed?" Brown said. "We must secure and protect all the
employees in that building."

Elisabeth Silverman, the group's host and head of the Memphis Council for International Visitors, said Brown told her he would "evacuate the building and bring in the bomb squads" if the group entered.

"They are in charge of setting up processes in their country. They have to educate themselves about how it works in this country," Silverman said…

Link to the site

Just one word, huh?

Lady Pi Phi · #2 08-05-2004, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by moe.ron
..."They are in charge of setting up processes in their country. They have to educate themselves about how it works in this country," Silverman said…

Why?? Why do they HAVE to educated about how it works in the US? Why not another country? Why not several?

Kevin · #3 08-05-2004, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Lady Pi Phi
Why?? Why do they HAVE to educated about how it works in the US? Why not another country? Why not several?

Well it's because the US is right, good and just in every aspect of our society

_Opi_ · #4 08-05-2004, 09:37 AM

^ Because this is the land of the freedom

moe.ron · #5 08-05-2004, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Lady Pi Phi
Why?? Why do they HAVE to educated about how it works in the US? Why not another country? Why not several?

Well, they went to Memphis to pay respect to the King.

Lady Pi Phi · #6 08-05-2004, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ktsnake
Well it's because the US is right, good and just in every aspect of our society

Oh. My bad.

moe.ron · #7 08-05-2004, 09:44 AM

Man, these guys just don't have good luck in Memphis.

They got robbed there too

At least they got apologies from the mayor and other councilors

http://www.wreg.com/Global/story.asp?S=2133801

swissmiss04 · #8 08-05-2004, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by moe.ron
I

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Iraqis visiting on a civil rights tour were barred from city hall after the city council chairman said it was too dangerous to let them in.

"They are in charge of setting up processes in their country. They have to educate themselves about how it works in this country," Silverman said…

Looks like the Iraqis aren't the only ones in need of a bit of education.

IowaStatePhiPsi · #9 08-05-2004, 01:01 PM

it's the south... what did you expect?

Kevin · #10 08-05-2004, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by IowaStatePhiPsi
it's the south... what did you expect?

So you get to call southerners out based on a stereotypical view held by yourself for being ignorant. As if these idjits in Memphis represent the entire South? Looks like you're trying to have it both ways there.

moe.ron · #11 08-05-2004, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ktsnake
So you get to call southerners out based on a stereotypical view held by yourself for being ignorant. As if these idjits in Memphis represent the entire South? Looks like you're trying to have it both ways there.

You said idjits

I agree with you totally.

swissmiss04 · #12 08-05-2004, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by IowaStatePhiPsi
it's the south... what did you expect?

I expected them to be gracious and polite to the visiting delegation. Unfortunately this did not happen.

I cringe to think what would happen in Iowa.

DeltaSigStan · #13 08-05-2004, 02:33 PM

Like Iowa is the bastion for all high class intelligence, class and customs....

PiEp299 · #14 08-05-2004, 03:03 PM

Sounds like Memphis. After living there 4 years I figured out their city officials aren't too bright at all, especially mayor Herenton.

They weren't exactly in the best part of Memphis either. But, no witnesses, I'm gonna call B.S. on that. There's people all over the place downtown at night.

Kevin · #15 08-05-2004, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by PiEp299
Sounds like Memphis. After living there 4 years I figured out their city officials aren't too bright at all, especially mayor Herenton.

They weren't exactly in the best part of Memphis either. But, no witnesses, I'm gonna call B.S. on that. There's people all over the place downtown at night.

I experienced downtown Memphis a couple of years ago when I took the first exit after the bridge over the Mississippi (eastbound) to get gas at 4AM. There's a MapCo there. Was offered a rock of some kind of drug (guessing it was meth) and hit up for money within probably 30 seconds of getting out of the car.

It's a lively place at 4AM. The cops won't even get out of their cars