Author: Amir Ban
Date: 14:56:31 04/02/03
Go up one level in this thread
On April 01, 2003 at 13:02:54, Bruce Moreland wrote: >This post has some political content, but much of it involves a major computer >chess event, so I am posting it here rather than in CTF. > >On March 23rd, I received an email with the subject "Good Americans", containing >the text "Unfortunately there are yet no good pics of real good Yankees on the >net. But the guy on the enclosed picture is at least on the best way to become a >good one." > >Attached was a picture of an American POW in Iraq. > >I responded to this email, asking the sender why he sent this to me, and he >responded with general anger about the war, which led me to believe that this >was sent intentionally. My initial thought had been that it might have been one >of these forged virus email things that are so common now. > >On the 26th, I got another email, subject "I like Americans", containing the >text, "At least these ones." > >Attached was a graphic picture of two dead American soldiers. > >The sender of both of these emails is a well-known computer chess figure, who is >associated with the Graz event, presumably as a host. I know for a fact the >same emails, or very similar emails, were sent to other American computer chess >programmers. This leads me to believe that I was targeted due to my >nationality, rather than because of anything I have said publicly about the war. > >I sent email to the ICGA officers asking them what they thought of this, and >telling them how I felt about this. I received a variety of replies, assuring >me that the ICGA is not political, that I will be welcome in Graz, etc. None of >this offends me, and I have little or no complaint about how the ICGA has handle >this. I've also had a running discussion with the person I'm referring to, who >steadfastly defends his decision to send these pictures to me. I have much >complaint about that. > >After some reflection, I have decided that I can't accept the hospitality of >this person under these circumstances, so I will not be going to Graz. > >I have carefully considered whether to make any of this public. I am doing this >now in order to: > >1) Respond in advance to inevitable questions as to why I am not going. > >2) Alert other Americans to possible problems in advance. It is possible that >you may meet with personally directed hostility in Graz, from someone connected >with the event, and you have a right to know this before making travel plans. >If you have concerns that you think the ICGA can address, I expect that they >would be happy to hear from you. > >I'm not calling for anyone else to pass on the event. By all means make that >choice for yourself. > I read it, but I don't understand why you are not going. Let's see, will you: - Be aiding evil acts ? - Do something unpatriotic ? - Identify with views you don't support ? - Appear to endorse the jerk ? None of this seems to apply. It's not like going to Berlin 1936 or even Moscow 1980. The only issue that I understand is worrying that you'll be met with hostility. I think it's reasonable to ask the ICGA to ensure this doesn't happen. After all the President is British (and Jewish). Your agenda should be: 1. Win the war 2. Try to win Graz Amir
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