Dancing in the streets in BAGDAD!

BWX · Apr 10, 2003, 04:05 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by JavaFox
All I can say is that seeing the liberation of Baghdad truly brought tears to my eyes. I realize that there are tough days ahead, but seeing that statue pulled down and seeing the cheers was truly wonderful.

I hope better days lie ahead.

Me too.

Falstaff · Apr 10, 2003, 04:10 AM

Statues falling down, people in the streets....freedom for now..but the hardest battle is yet to come..

merry · Apr 10, 2003, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by JavaFox
All I can say is that seeing the liberation of Baghdad truly brought tears to my eyes.

Ditto

Quote:

Originally posted by raid517
Having said that, don't you guys think the way these people cellebrate is a tad nuts?

It is! But it's understandable. They're not cellebrating Baghdad F.C. winning the UEFA Champions League (although that would probably also look nuts), but hell breaking open, them being inside (or at least they experience it like that). I've seen that before, in my country, and it looked nuts then (and I must have looked nuts, but nobody gave a damn).

merry · Apr 10, 2003, 06:45 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by fallang_jeff
Shiites, Suni's and Khurds, still have to get along, and the war is not over. Fighting the war might be over very soon, but the fight for peace will be harder, and more people may die..lots of old scores to settle..

How very true, and they have to get along not having any experience whatsoever in talking problems over, with the spectre of civil war, and a friendly smile from Turkey. Freedom used to mean "without Saddam", and now it doesn't mean anything clear, maybe taking (and not stealing) the oppressors sailboat is one aspect of being free. The sense of responsibility that has to come with freedom is still to appear. We'll see.

Quote:

And the Arab world is still in shock I suppose, lots of remarks about and regret for the conduct of the civlian population, but these people have been "SADDEMIZED" since he assumed power

Maybe the most important breakthrough this day has brought is that the leaders of the religious elites in the Arab countries got to see Arab people rejoycing for freedom Western style. Even more, the Arab public got to see it. The ayatollahs and such have been preaching salvation through the discipline of Islam for decades, and now here go Arabs that don't seem to need that salvation. Yes, it's a long shot, they were still chanting "la illah il Allah"... They can still be turned - and some will - to Jihad.

And still, in a space where a leader is either a dictator, an emir or a holy man, here are thousands pulling the statues down.

Quote:

...and now the mob has to be organized. this will take lots of time..I don't think the United Nations is up to it, this is just too big for them...

This is very big for anyone. What the UN has that noone else has is legitimacy. The exiled oponents of Saddam will be seen by many Iraqis as quitters (they didn't share the hard times with "us") or American marionettes. They also aren't very much united, and I've heard yesterday a couple of them already talking in the manner "we the Iraqi people" (not an exact quote). I also heard the expression "replacing Right with Might" (referring to a possible American ocupation of Iraq).

I think both the population and neighbouring countries will accept easier UN control until elections can be organized.

Falstaff · Apr 10, 2003, 07:02 AM

Nearly thought I saw my brothers Humvee, looked at all the faces, over and over again, haven't heard from him in days, he's busy, he's tired, and he just wants to come home...but Saddams statue falling in the square, well ......awesome, delayed reaction since I am not at work, but maybe fewer coalition and IRAQI people have to die now....in my prayers tonight.

wonder how the post Saddam world will be adjusting right now. I know in Um Kassar, they still don't have electricity or fresh water. The populace don't know what is going on three hundred miles away...sheesh.

I hope this whole thing gets wrapped up soon, but if the U.N. isn't up to the task, it could sure take longer. Western media is bagging on the french now. You know, the reacter the Israelis bombed in 1981, when will this end..

I may be losing my objectivity, but I think Syria is next....I looked at Rumsfelds face tonight on the news....I have seen that look before. really scary....I am sure that syria is going to curry favor with the Russians again......

Apr 10, 2003, 04:10 AM	#32
Falstaff Old Codger Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: USAFA Posts: 19,048 Rep Power: 207	It isn't over yet... Statues falling down, people in the streets....freedom for now..but the hardest battle is yet to come.. __________________ "Inspiration is always a surprising visitor."

Apr 10, 2003, 07:02 AM	#35
Falstaff Old Codger Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: USAFA Posts: 19,048 Rep Power: 207	My brothers Humvee Nearly thought I saw my brothers Humvee, looked at all the faces, over and over again, haven't heard from him in days, he's busy, he's tired, and he just wants to come home...but Saddams statue falling in the square, well ......awesome, delayed reaction since I am not at work, but maybe fewer coalition and IRAQI people have to die now....in my prayers tonight. wonder how the post Saddam world will be adjusting right now. I know in Um Kassar, they still don't have electricity or fresh water. The populace don't know what is going on three hundred miles away...sheesh. I hope this whole thing gets wrapped up soon, but if the U.N. isn't up to the task, it could sure take longer. Western media is bagging on the french now. You know, the reacter the Israelis bombed in 1981, when will this end.. I may be losing my objectivity, but I think Syria is next....I looked at Rumsfelds face tonight on the news....I have seen that look before. really scary....I am sure that syria is going to curry favor with the Russians again......