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[RC] Hi Howard - Catfish Daniels

Hi Howard:

Thanks for your e-mail, I appreciate it. And more so, I appreciate your encouragement to watch that show. I promise I will try to find it and watch it - even if I have to order a copy from the television station - and I will share it with as many people as I can. I can already imagine what I will see on that show and it won't be pretty. It's beyond me how in modern age human slavery can still exist, and with young children at that. It sickens me to think about it. And you are right - perhaps my point of view is very pre-mature until I actually "see" the show.

I have the feeling that I feel just as emotional about issues like that as you do. I think it's just the issue of "what to do about it" that I may differ in. I can't say that I am the least bit satisfied by saying "it's their culture". In fact, I don't think it's their culture at all. It's just bad people in their country that have a lot of power with money, that "buys" and "allows" them to get away with practices that in todays world are unacceptable. (And until I see the show, I'm sort of going by speculation).

But by simply cutting our ties with them, having no dealings with them, boycotting their events, or simply turn the other way because we don't want to have anything to do with the bad guy, is in my mind not a solution. To the contrary "because" of what we are now aware of, we "should" be there. For many different reasons - for one to continue setting great examples of how "free" people in a free democratic society should live like, how we should treat our animals, and how we should treat one another. Secondly, the more we are there, the more their illegal practices are prone to be exposed. Media coverage just like the one you are suggesting me to watch, and more media coverage in the future - will expose and hopefully help dimish these practices. And thirdly I think that the "good" people there (and I do know some "good" ones) are our biggest and best allies. The more we influence the "good" people with our good examples and behavior, the more positive influence they will have to those in their own territory.

Here's my theory (and again, Howard, I promise I will watch the show). When I was in 7th grade, a new kid came to my middle school. He was all messed up - in his young life he'd been in and out of juvenile hall many times, he had a history of drug abuse and even breaking and entering. There was not a kid in school that wanted to be seen socializing with that trouble maker, and all the parents told their kids to not socialize with him or to have anything to do with him. Not that I was a saint by any stretch of the imagination, but my focus as a young teen had always been sports and trying to keep my grades well enough to be on the Junior high school athletic program, and for some odd reason one morning at the bus-stop I fell into a conversation with that trouble maker. And not to go into too many details, long story short, he even came over to my house a few times, and a year and a half later brought up his grades enough to actually join the track team. His life was changing. Now I know that this story doesn't hardly compare with the attrocities of human slavery with little young boys. But I do think that sometimes it's not the right thing just to simply turn away, cut ties, or boycot somebody - especially if your intent is to make a positive difference.

Like I said, I have not seen the show, and I will do that. Thanks again for your e-mail

Catfish

From: "Howard Bramhall" <howard9732@xxxxxxx>
To: CatfishDaniels@xxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: RE: [RC] UAE Involvement in AERC Functions
Date: Wed, 27 Oct 2004 00:18:30 -0400

Catfish, all I can say is WATCH THE SHOW.

You'll feel differently if you do. It's playing one more time this week, this Thursday on HBO. "Real Sports with Bryant Gumble"

Watch what is going on on film over there and you will want these people in jail. Please, make an effort to watch it and you'll change your views.

When I first wrote about this John Bass from Nevada jumped all over me. I begged him to watch the show. He did.

You should talk to John now about this. Until you see it you really don't know.

cya,
Howard

----Original Message Follows----
From: "Catfish Daniels" <CatfishDaniels@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: RE: [RC]   UAE Involvement in AERC Functions
Date: Tue, 26 Oct 2004 19:40:53 -0700

Well, I've been totally out of the loop for a couple of months now and it's
great reading some Ridecamp stuff again.  WOW what a shocking story about
the poor children and the slave trade that's going on in the UAE.  I've not
made it thru all the posts on this subject yet, but just want to ad my own
two cents before it's time to go to bed.  Again, I can't believe how
shocking and sad this story is, and I think that this needs to stop, just
like I'm sure all of you agree.

HOWEVER, I personally do not see any benefit in excluding the UAE or any
other country in AERC functions to protest and exploit some of their
country's practices that we in our culture find sickening and wrong.  There
are many, many other practices in middle eastern countries and elsewhere
that are at least equally as sick as that of the mentioned slave trade of
young boys.  Practices that also involve women, as well as religious
believes and practices.  Things that we can't even being to imagine being
humane.  And there are many things that go on in many other countries as
well - countries that come united with us when it comes to our sport, and
other sports as well.

My point is that we can't change a country, their believes, their morals,
and their standards by boycotting them or by pointing the finger and saying
- "hey, you're wrong". Because they won't listen. In their upbringings
they thing we are wrong. But what we can do, rather than alienating
ourselves from them or vica versa, is to set great examples. Yes, like some
of you stated, most of those rich sheiks don't care about our great examples
- but then again perhaps some do - and that makes a positive difference in
the most affective and friendly way. Changing somebody by positive example
rather than by punishment.

Here's a fact - I know people that are from the UAE. Not many, but I do
know some. I even know a couple that split their time between there and the
U.S. about every six months. And I have even gotten to know a few in our
endurance world. My point is that those few people I know would never ever
approve of this slave trade. They are in fact like us in so many ways. And
it is wrong to blame and point the finger at a group of people because they
originate from a place where sick human practices are considered the "norm".


And as much as I wish our suggested boycott would solve the problem,
remember your own statements that those rich sheiks could care less.
Afterall, they are into camel racing - and probably have very little say-so
in our endurance world.

I've argued it before when the issue was discussed about the UAE's
involvement at this year's Tevis, and I still believe that as long as we
come together as "one common group" in a sporting event where we all play by
the same rules no matter where we come from, we are doing something
positive. With all this negative stuff in the world how can anybody in
their right mind think that you can change such a sick practice such as
human slavery by simply boycotting an event???

And yes, many in the UAE don't care about our good examples.  But the
certain individuals that I know personally from the UAE, they certainly do
care, and I've got a feeling that there are many more out there.  Don't
underestimate good examples.

Oh boy, let's hope this post won't make anybody boycott my new ride in
April.  Check it out at www.DesertCatfishClassic.com

DBL Realtors


-----Original Message-----
From: ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Linda Hedgpeth
Sent: Monday, October 25, 2004 6:58 PM
To: Ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [RC] UAE Involvement in AERC Functions

Heidi writes:

"I, too, am appalled by what goes on in some other parts of the world.
But
we Americans are slow to learn that we cannot change other cultures by
boycott--we can only change them by being involved and setting a better
example"
--------------
" Involvement and setting a good example are the only ways of
getting the sort of toehold in another culture from which one CAN make a
difference.  We are not in a position to pass laws there--it is not our
country.  So we have to be more subtle to effect a change."
---------------
"This is a serious issue, and I am not trying to make light of it.  But I
still submit that our absence will do far less to correct the atrocities
than our continued involvement, coupled with the very blatant example of
equality for women in our sport (which is one of the BEST messages we take
with us--and I agree with Gabi--this is often the forerunner of the
improvement of the conditions for children)."
----------------
"Likewise, no one here (least of all me, and I'm the one who urged the
notion of understanding that this DOES have to do with culture, and that
there are better ways to go about changing other cultures than indignant
boycotts) has suggested that we can't influence another country.  On the
contrary, I think we can influence other countries and other cultures a
great deal by our example and our presence--we certainly CANNOT influence
a wealthy nation by our absence!"
----------------

Ummmmm......I don't think being a good example is working.   Aren't most
of the people in the UAE, Muslims?   Even if they aren't the more radical
fundamentalist type, I doubt they would ever look at our "example".
Last I heard, we predominately Christian, Americans rate among the low
heathens as far as their culture is concerned.   Plus, these rich Princes
and Sheihks don't give a rat's hiney about our "example".

Just last week, there was a segment on 20/20, 60 Minutes or Primetime
(can't remember now) about the Saudi Royal Family and how all the little
rich princes party hearty all over the globe.....drinking alcohol and
chasing women.   They go through women like crazy.   Of course all this is
in violation of their religious laws and culture.....and no one speaks of
it back home.   In fact, one group of photo-journalists were threatened
death when they were discovered filming one of these wild parties.  Their
film was confiscated at gunpoint and destroyed.

The only thing that will bring about change is shunning by the very
nations they like to play "horsey" with.   Human rights groups and the
outrage of other nations bringing a screaming voice to these atrocities
may help.

These are people who think they are above ALL and they don't give a flip
about your good example.   By going over there and taking part in their
races, we are giving silent approval of their abuse against these
children.    We can't claim ignorance of the situation any longer.

I agree with the person who said the WEC should be moved to other
countries until the UAE corrects their little slavery problem.   That sort
of shunning just might have an effect because we know how they like to
host these events and show the world what a lavish affair they can
sponsor.

Like Frank said regarding boycotting, "South Africa eventually *got it*".

Linda Hedgpeth
Susanville, CA
lindafh@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
www.sierraserpents.com



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