# Fighting lions for the economy- it's harder then it seems

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fighting-lions-for-the-economy-its-harder-then-it-seems/587087>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Created:** [June 28, 2011, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fighting-lions-for-the-economy-its-harder-then-it-seems/587087 "2011-06-28T01:35:17Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malleus_incus_stapes/32/3293_2.png) [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\
**Post date:** [June 28, 2011, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fighting-lions-for-the-economy-its-harder-then-it-seems/587087/1 "2011-06-28T01:35:17Z")

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And for today’s episode of You Can’t make This Stuff Up… [meet Al Sayed al Essawy, wannabe gladiator](http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304314404576409731637978572.html?KEYWORDS=lion+shark)!

Some highlights from the article:

> [@](#):
>
> Mr. Al Essawy insisted that his intent was never to kill the lion, only to force it into “surrender.”
> 
> “There are three scenarios,” said Mr. Al Essawy before the showdown. “Either the lion will surrender, withdraw or faint.”

> [@](#):
>
> Mr. Al Essawy refused to attack first, he said, lest the Western press portray Islam as a violent religion.
> 
> After 20 minutes of watching the swaggering and speech-making, the lion briefly roused itself for a short roar when Mr. Al Essawy thrust his spear a little too close. But when Mr. Al Essawy hardened his jaw and grinned aggressively, the lion sat down, apparently unmoved even when Mr. Al Essawy called it a coward.

> [@](#):
>
> Having survived, Mr. Al Essawy is preparing to up the ante. In one month’s time, he plans to fight two lions at once. Or perhaps a gorilla, he said. Or maybe a shark.

What do you think? I see a wacky screwball comedy in the making. Either that, or a new reality show.

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**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\
**Post date:** [June 28, 2011, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fighting-lions-for-the-economy-its-harder-then-it-seems/587087/2 "2011-06-28T01:55:01Z")

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> [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](#):
>
> And for today’s episode of You Can’t make This Stuff Up… [meet Al Sayed al Essawy, wannabe gladiator](http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304314404576409731637978572.html?KEYWORDS=lion+shark)!
> 
> Some highlights from the article:
> 
> What do you think? I see a wacky screwball comedy in the making. Either that, or a **new reality show**.

You could have an ensemble group: _Who’s Lion Is It, Anyway?_

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**Author:** ![Balance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Balance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balance)\
**Post date:** [June 28, 2011, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fighting-lions-for-the-economy-its-harder-then-it-seems/587087/3 "2011-06-28T05:10:44Z")

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> [@runner pat](#):
>
> You could have an ensemble group: _Who’s Lion Is It, Anyway?_

…and now we know who our first contestant should be.