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2003-04-10 Fifth Column

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Posted by Steve 2003-04-10 08:54 am|| || Front Page|| [6 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 This is probably a closer run thing then it looks, but hey, I'll take a win.

I still think we have a wonderful oppertunity to blow the peace

Posted by Hiryu 2003-04-10 09:19:05|| 2003-04-10 09:19:05|| Front Page Top

#2 The flag didn't run up a flagpole, which could have been offensive, but rather it covered the statues face, looking much more like an executioners hood... a very desireabel effect.
The soldiers also stepped way back to allow the locals to figure out a way to bring Saddam dowm by their own devices, but the rope was way too short, and the knot broke... so in moved the tow vehicle to do it right.
I think the soldiers were about as behind the scenes as could be, but that statue needed to come down and they where running out of daylight.
Anybody bent out of shape about the short US flag photo op I would say has already "tipped" opinion wise and is looking to knit pick... We aren't exactly acting like the "Pirates of the Carribean" here.
Nice photo op! Oh, and the flag was hung by a NYer in honor of some buddy he lost 9-11, so sorry in advance if anyone gets gassy about this scene.

Posted by Capsu78 2003-04-10 09:47:53|| 2003-04-10 09:47:53|| Front Page Top

#3 Now Jennings knows how I feel; I voted for CLinton in '98 and I'm *still* depressed about it. There is also the possibility that Jennings suffers from any number of chemical imbalances which may result in manic depression, bi-polar disorder, and other psychoses. Heck, for all we know he may be in post-partum depression after his false pregnancy episode. I propose we refer to Jennings from now on as the Information Minister of ABC.

Posted by FormerLiberal 2003-04-10 09:58:38|| 2003-04-10 09:58:38|| Front Page Top

#4 I saw an interview with one of the soldiers (Marines?) who eventually helped pull the statue down. The Iraqis were putting the rope on the statue and trying to pull it down, and the reporter asked him if his unit couldn't do it and he said he figured they wanted to do it themselves - it was a pride thing. (So much for Americans not being sensitive to other cultures!) Later, when asked to help, they agreed (happily, I'm sure). I'm so proud of him and all the rest of our military.

Posted by Barbara Skolaut 2003-04-10 10:02:28|| 2003-04-10 10:02:28|| Front Page Top

#5 I read someplace that Barbara Walters did an interview with two Iraqi Women expatriates about Saddam's Regime. After the interview Walters and Jennings "discussed" whether they were legitimate or not.

I pray to God that I'll be there when Jennings faces his Maker at the Great White Throne Judgement.

Posted by Ptah 2003-04-10 10:17:18|| [www.crusaderwarcollege.org] 2003-04-10 10:17:18|| Front Page Top

#6 Cpl. Edward Chin, the man who helped the Iraqis bring down Saddam yesterday, was on the Today show. The flag he put up over Saddams face was in the Pentagon when it was attacked on 9.11.

Posted by Steve 2003-04-10 10:38:37|| 2003-04-10 10:38:37|| Front Page Top

#7 I like to check out Fisk for the memes the left will use

His memes:1. Its good Saddam is down, but dont forget the US set him up
2. Theyre welcoming us now, but they welcomed the Baathists as liberators 35 years ago
3. We have no real connection to them - we're alien
4. He found one woman who said "soon we will want them to go, there will be resistance, they will call us terrorists"
5. Lots of talk about the looting, even calling it "mass destruction"
6. Yes they'll find mass graves, but around here thats only an excuse to pour more blood on them

Discussion and responses
1. A. thats exagerated, we didnt set him in power, just gave limited help in Iran war. B.In any case all the more reason we were obligated to do this now.
2. A. No citation for that B. You really think we'll act like the Baath did?
3.That right - we're not here to annex or colonize - just to help them and get out
4. When the majority is ready for us to leave, we WILL leave. Meanwhile of course the population is NOT unanimously in support of us - democracy means the right to disagree - probably 10 to 20% of the population IS NOT happy now, we understand that, its ok.
5. looting is not that big a deal, its understandable, and will be brought under control shortly
6. This is Fisk favorite, the revenger killing meme. You show the US/UK are wrong in Kosovo, by showing Kosovars who kill Serbs. You show we're wrong in Afghan by showing Tajiks who kill Pashtuns (or even Taliban POW's) You equate these to the crimes of the prior regime.
A. He's anticipating - hasnt even happened yet, here. B. In past cases, "friendly atrocities" were on very small scale, and were not organized" C. We will do our best, here as elsewhere, to stop these.

Posted by liberalhawk 2003-04-10 10:40:08|| 2003-04-10 10:40:08|| Front Page Top

#8 What Peter, Octavia, et al missed was that when the US flag was put on Sammy's head, the crowd of Iraqis cheered.

Steve, thanks for the news about the flag Cpl. Chin used. That makes it an even more special moment, both for us and for the Iraqis.

Posted by Steve White 2003-04-10 11:29:09|| 2003-04-10 11:29:09|| Front Page Top

#9 It's winning the peace that bothers me, too. Getting Iraq under control will be like trying to impose order on a classroom full of 9 year-old boys with ADD. No wonder P.J. O'Rourke called the Middle East "God's Monkey House."

Posted by joe 2003-04-10 12:07:18|| 2003-04-10 12:07:18|| Front Page Top

#10 In all this discussion by the media of the appropriateness of putting the American flag on the statue they didn't ask how the statue itself felt about it! Although it's too late now, Arnett should've been there at the moment the statue collapsed, shoving a microphone to its face and asking "Oh powerful one, Oh most holy one, creator of all things, how does it feel to see the crowds corrupted so by that weak occupying cowardly army?? Save us oh my beloved master!"
BTW, isn't Jennings Canadian?

Posted by RW 2003-04-10 13:07:16|| 2003-04-10 13:07:16|| Front Page Top

#11 RW: Yes, Jennings is Canadian, and the Canadians make a big deal out of that.

Posted by Ptah 2003-04-10 13:47:36|| [www.crusaderwarcollege.org] 2003-04-10 13:47:36|| Front Page Top

#12 Click here for a story behind the flag on Saddams head

Posted by Tresho 2003-04-10 15:08:59|| 2003-04-10 15:08:59|| Front Page Top

12:38 raptor
12:14 Former Russian Major
11:21 raptor
10:54 raptor
10:46 raptor
10:22 raptor
09:39 raptor
09:10 raptor
02:25 True German Ally
01:09 Former Russian Major
00:13 Dishman
00:09 RW
23:57 Old Patriot
23:37 True German Ally
23:32 JAB
23:25 Old Patriot
23:19 True German Ally
23:03 Former Russian Major
22:55 Frank Martin
22:40 RW
22:37 Dishman
22:14 Bomb-a-rama
22:12 RW
22:04 Alaska Paul