Monarchical democracy
A unique way to celebrate Independence Day in Washington. The lobby group DC Vote is to present a Declaration of Reunification to the British Embassy, asking Queen Elizabeth to place the US capital under British Rule.
We were once subjects of the crown, DC Vote spokesman Paul Strauss told the BBC, so we think its time for Great Britain to protect the democratic rights of American citizens here in Washington.
Whats going on there?
Well, despite its 600,000 residents paying federal taxes, Washington DC has only one, non-voting delegate in the US Congress. The city and the District of Columbia were created in the 18th century as the home of the federal government, and in 1800 Congress took control of the area. Residents only got to vote in Presidential elections in the 1960s, only got to elect its own mayor and local government in the 1970s, and failed to secure the necessary support from three-qaurters of the states to gain District voting rights in 1978. It sounds worse than Britain, and some have clearly had enough.
It was on July 4th (1776) that we first declared independence from Great Britain, said Strauss, and we did so based on the important principles, that there should be no taxation without representation. Its a perfect opportunity to take the anniversary of that great document the Declaration of Independence and show that many of the things we accused the Crown of, Congress does to the American citizens in Washington today.
Worlds worst stand off
In what was billed as the final between the footballing worlds two worst nations, Bhutan hammered Montserrat 4-0 last Sunday.
A few hours before Ronaldo secured Brazil's fourth World Cup victory in Yokohama, the game between footballs minnowest of minnows kicked off at the Changlimithang stadium in the Bhutanese capital.
Bhutan and Montserrat are ranked 202nd and 203rd in the world respectively. The clash, the brainchild of Dutch documentary company KesselKramer, was recognized by FIFA as an official international. About 10,000 fans turned up to support their team's effort at achieving that dubious honour: worlds second-worst.
That position was secured by Bhutan after the drubbing. Captain Wangyel Dorji recovered just in time from an eye infection to see the goal perfectly and score a game-winning hat-trick. The fourth was knocked in by striker Dinesh Chhetri. Montserrat, who couldnt get on the score sheet and had no reports of eye infections, now have the unenviable title of worlds worst international team.
Therell be a few jealous Scots this week.
Doubles jeopardy
Meanwhile, some less sporting gestures in the world of tennis. Aisamul Haq Qureshi, the Pakistani player, has been condemned by officials in his own nation, despite reaching the third round of the Gentlemans doubles event.
His crime? To partner an Israeli.
Qureshi and Amir Hadad defeated eleventh seeds Rick Leech and Ellis Ferreria and Qureshi became the first Pakistani player ever to reach the third round of a Grand Slam event.
Cause for praise, you might think. Wrongly. Pakistani officials are considering imposing a ban on their stars choice of partner. We officially condemn him playing with an Israeli player, said Brigadier Saulat Abass,director of the Pakistani Sports Board. Syed Dilawar Abbas, President of the Pakistan Tennis Federation, confirmed that we have sought an explanation from him and if advised by the government we may take action.
They are supported by Saeed Hai, a former Pakistani tennis star. Due to the bloodshed in the Middle East, Qureshis pairing with an Israeli player is wrong, he said.
But the Israeli Hadad was defiant against Pakistan's disapproval of him. I don't care what people think about it, he said. If we win then I would dedicate the victory to my family and to peace. A Jew and a Muslim playing together is not the end of the world. We are all human beings. We have the same blood, the same skin.
Contact the Diary editor: dominic.hilton@opendemocracy.net
