Paris - Dakar Rally 2008 - CANCELLED!

[inspiron]

A.S.O. cancels the 2008 edition of the Dakar rally

After different exchanges with the French government - in particular the Ministry for Foreign Affairs - , and based on their firm recommendations, the organisers of the Dakar have taken the decision to cancel the 2008 edition of the rally, scheduled from the 5th to the 20th of January between Lisbon and Senegal’s capital.

Based on the current international political tension and the murder of four French tourists last 24th of December linked to a branch of Al-Qaeda in Islamic Maghreb, but also and mainly the direct threats launched directly against the race by terrorist organisations, no other decision but the cancellation of the sporting event could be taken by A.S.O.

A.S.O.’s first responsibility is to guarantee the safety of all: that of the populations in the countries visited, of the amateur and professional competitors, of the technical assistance personnel, of the journalists, partners and rally collaborators. A.S.O. therefore reaffirms that the choice of security is not, has never been and will never be a subject of compromise at the heart of the Dakar rally.

A.S.O. condemns the terrorist menace that annihilates a year of hard work, engagement and passion for all the participants and the different actors of the world’s biggest off-road rally. Aware of the huge frustration, especially in Portugal, Morocco, Mauritania and Senegal, and beyond the general disappointment and the huge economical consequences in terms of direct and indirect repercussions for the countries visited, A.S.O. will continue to defend the major values of great sporting events and will carry on its engagement for a durable development through the Actions Dakar, started 5 years ago in sub-Saharan Africa with SOS Sahel International.

The Dakar is a symbol and nothing can destroy symbols. The cancellation of the 2008 edition does not endanger the future of the Dakar. To offer, for 2009 a new adventure to all the off-road rally passionate is a challenge that A.S.O. will take on in the months to come, faithful to its engagement and its passion for sports.

Source: Euromilhões Lisboa - Dakar: homepage

[Trapper]

Too bad.

[palanon]

That bites.

[Rickster]

As it always is, a few spoil it for the majority. A shame.

[Clint]

I'd say several million fundamental Islamics ruin it for the majority.

[tricker]

Originally Posted by RowdyRed94

I'd say several million fundamental Islamics ruin it for the majority.

well several million in the grand scheme of things isn't many considering the world's population.. But in one or two countries might be a few

[Rickster]

Originally Posted by RowdyRed94

I'd say several million fundamental Islamics ruin it for the majority.

True, but I'd like to believe that most of those millions of fundamental Islamics are more interested in peace, than terrorism.

[Clint]

I'd like to believe that, too, but I can't. Read "Infidel" by Ayaan Hirsi Ali. Enough said.

[omegajim]

Well, there's always Mexico and they could run the length of that from San Diego to damn near anyplace and have a 95 % failure rate.

Especially in say, August and 120 F heat.

[REDLINE]

They fear Chris Blais!!!!

[JmalB]

If it were several million then the race would have been cancelled years ago. Why? Because several million would have done a much better job of shooting participants dead than the few who were trying.

[Clint]

But there must exist a culture that supports that violence against nonbelievers for those "few" to succeed.

[JmalB]

Like the atrocities committed against Muslims in Serbia? This could go on and on. And belongs on a motorcyle forum as much as the political stuff...

[inspiron]

The issue is that fundamentalism is an exercise in intolerance.

The fundamental Christians in Spain started the Inquisition to eliminate the Muslims a few hundred years ago.

The fundamentalist Muslims are now in a Jihad against everyone else.

A great majority of the world's population are peace-loving people. We don't care about war and national boundaries and all of that crap. All we want to do is live in a safe and peaceful environment and raise our families.

It's a very small minority that are using terrorism as a way to push their message out and try to achieve their twisted goals.

[tricker]

umm.. yeah.... what the dude in the neutral country said

[omegajim]

All we want to do is live in a safe and peaceful environment and raise our families.

....and drive our motorcyles.

[Rickster]

Originally Posted by RowdyRed94

But there must exist a culture that supports that violence against nonbelievers for those "few" to succeed.

Could it be that a big part of that culture is fear?

Example,,,,,,,,, If a drug dealer moved in across the street from you, and the first neighbor that reported him the the police had a mysterious house fire, how quick would you be, to be the next one to call the police?

As was stated, this doesn't belong on a motorcycle forum, but as long as it was brought up, my belief is that fear, and a lack of education fuels that culture, allowing a few really bad individuals to run wild.

Ok, I'll step down from my soap box.

[Clint]

I'm sure you're right, Rick. There are many reasons.

[omegajim]

the simple answer is easy to grasp.

It is also usually wrong to some degree. Sometimes totally wrong.