I would never go there to spend my dollars or give my expertise because of this. These little kids- mostly from South Asia - are worst than slaves: they are child slaves.They have to live like rodents in the beautiful fascade The Gulf States have created to attract our money and expertise.

One thing that the article doesn't touch and and I'm curious about - is a camel faster than a horse.

Sheikh Mo didn't give assylum to Michael Jackson, that idiot doesn't even live in Dubai, he lives in bahrain...get your arab country straight. it also sounds like none of you know who our real allies are in the Gulf. maybe it's time to stop looking past the US administration propoganda to what is really going on in the Gulf. And how do I know... I LIVE THERE! Under age camel jockeys aren't used anymore, remote controlled computer jockeys are now used.

Also, many US ports are controlled by foreign corporations, what is wrong with this one. they already run the most successful ports in the world. Sounds more like the unions in the US are squawking over their usual useless issues.

I was once a camel jockey. I don't know why people are making a big deal about this. I loved riding them camels. Yeehaw!

As Dubya's momma, Barbara, said about our own poor refugees from Hurricane Katrina, these boys are probably better off on camels than sleeping at home with their poor, uneducated parents. I guess we should send the government of Dubai US taxpayer funds so that they may expand this program, which obviously helps these boys enjoy a better life in the camel racing trade. If we can ignore the Geneva Convention we can just as easily ignore the universal condemnation of slavery (universal except for a few countries which we are so friendly with!). The US Constitution, as amended, also prohibits slavery but we can ignore that, too, can't we? Having Dubya for our President sure makes us look good! Where can we place our bets on the next camel race?

Cheryl--you seriously expect us to believe that "remote controlled computer jockeys" are used instead of these boys? I'd pay good money to see that--perhaps you can post a link with a picture of one of these devices? Even if such a thing exists, you are sure that every single camel owner uses them instead of children? Sounds more than a little fishy to me...

Re: Cheryl's comment, interesting to hear from someone who lives there. It is true most of us here don't know who our allies are over there; who are they?
Also, if computerized jockeys are now used, why would a lawsuit be filed in Kentucky? What four-year-old could stay on a camel anyway? There appear to be some holes in this story; maybe a hoax?

So Cheryl you're saying that camel racing is sort of like greyhound racing these days? I.e., that the rider has nothing to do with the race?

At any rate, who cares about a few thousand enslaved and abused little boys? Seems a small price to pay when you consider how much these Gulf aristocrats have contributed to making the Bushes and Cheneys rich and powerful.

HBO did a special on camel jockeys. They are not fed (keeps weight down), sleep in barns like dogs, are beaten if they loose. Some are severly injured. They are foriegn citizens in UAE- so when they are no longer useful, they are dumped inthe streets- while they are still children. Doesn't sound like fun at all.

You can do a google search of this practice on the web. Key words "Human trafficking" and "camel" From what I have read these boys are fed meager rations to keep them lightweight. Then they are tortured in the beleif that it will keep them from gaining weight. Slavery, especially of children and women, is thriving all over the world. Sudan, Europe, Mexico and even the US.

QUOTE:>

Ignorant comment. Michael Jackson lived in BAHRAIN for a short period of time (less than a year). He has since relocated to Ireland.

K, I have to ask, Why does Neil Bush hang out with these guys?

anyone?

The point is, "Where does the U.S. think it is going with serving papers on a foreigner who committed no crime in the U.S.?" What legal right do we have to meddle in another country's business? If we don't like what goes on elsewhere, our only real options are embargo and war. Or is the One World Government already in place and the court ready to sit? And who would the leader be, the U.N.?

Heliocracy ... you know Google is a wonderful little tool that can provide thousands of links to "mechanical camel jockeys" if you'd spend a little time yourself doing the research(instead of asking others to do it for you).
After the US put out its report on young camel jockeys in the Middle East, the UAE set forth a reform policy to correct the system. This included robotic jockeys. See the many links found in Google.
P.S. I also lived there and have seen these robots myself, in action on the track. Oh and by the way, Sheikh Mohammad races horses, not camels.
SandMan

see "trip" above...slavery wasnt the real cause of the civil war nor was it the only issue. you might want to go back to high school or take some college history classes.

Robot camel drivers are being used. S

And the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has already taken action to stop the use of young boys in camel racing.

to Heliocracy: yes, there are remote controlled camel jockeys now. it's actually quite cool.

all you have to do is "google" it and possibly cross reference it with "Gulf News", one of the regions largest papers.

We can-not control our borders, our disaster monies, welfare, crime, why in the he== are we try to solve problems if any of others. lets clean our house before trying to solve problems, that are not our fight

Heliocracy: go to wired, and do a search for camel races, and robots. Or do a general search. Camel racing has been around for a very long time, and from what I've read, yeah, the jockeys were treated horribly by OUR standards. However, most of them were in far better shape as jockeys then they were in the villages they came from. A lot of them were AGAINST the robots taking their jobs, and their livelihood. You really need to look at things from a world perspective.

As for going after going after this guy for slavery... well... let's give it some perspective. The sport is expected of the royalty in that region. To not participate would be akin to regicide. so instead, this highly westernized king continues to participate, all the while dumping massive amounts of money into building robotic jockeys that can actually trick a camel into thinking it's a human (they tried robots first, and they didn't work, the camels were too smart, and wouldn't listen to a machine) after years and years of work, and research, they have a robotic camel jockey that the camel can't tell the difference, and from any appreciable difference, a human can't tell the difference.

as for those kids... whelp, some are better off, but a lot of them are worse off... after all, to these sheiks, a jockey that regularly wins is something to be taken care of... well.

That was over a year ago, I'm sure they've improved considerably since then.

And from the wired article: "Abdullah is one: Thin, windburned, and slightly forlorn, he came from the Sudan in 1994 at the age of six. "When I was small I rode the camels," he recalls. "But now, no. Any job, I can do it. I want to stay here, but when the robot came in there was no job for me." We were surrounded by wealthy owners and trainers, and he seemed anxious to put a good face on things. "It is OK for us," he said suddenly. "No problem. The robots, they are very good.""

Sir, To Quote the Emperor Paleologus, 'What new has the Prophet brought to the world, except what is evil and brutal.'Islam has not helped these people of Arabia to see the Divine image in their fellow man. They see ' camel jockey's. Thank you for the privilege.