Silence said: "every sector of Iraqi society is violently opposing American imperilism, from religious and civic society to political and military organisations..."
Well, while I certainly would not be so absurd as to deny that there is opposition to the continued American presence (certainly not Imperialism, as the U.S. has no plans to rule Iraq), there is much support as well. According to the Australian website news.com.au article "Iraqis march on Baghdad" (
http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,8012015%255E1702,00.html),
"A US soldier was killed overnight in a mortar attack on a base in the north of Iraq as hundreds of Iraqis marched through the centre of Baghdad to protest against the violence plaguing the country´s reconstruction....
Iraqi police and US forces closed off Baghdad´s main commercial thoroughfare as hundreds marched through the city centre to demonstrate against terrorism amid persistent fears of attack by anti-US insurgents or Islamic militants."
From USA Today, 4/20/2004, Iraqis enjoy new freedom of expression on Web journals (
http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq/2004-04-20-bloggers_x.htm)
´A year ago, few Iraqis had ever had access to a computer, much less used it to communicate to the outside world.
Now, Internet cafes seemingly dot every block in Baghdad, and new ones open often. That has led to a new phenomenon here: bloggers.
"We suffered for years under Saddam Hussein, not being able to speak out," says Omar Fadhil, 24, a dentist. "Now, you can make your voice heard around the world."´
Death and bloodshed are far more interesting to the consumers of worldwide media than the construction of national infrastructure. If you think you are not being manipulated, albeit nonintentionally, think again.
Silence went on to say: ", if you think the hundreds of American bodies being flown home evry month are the product of a few "agitators" or Baath party\Saddam loyalists, then every Iraqi is a Saddam Loyalist. "
Well, let´s take a look at that.
Period US UK Other* Total Avg Days
------------------------------------------------------------------------
5-2004 /26 / 0 / 0 /26 /4.33 / 6
4-2004 /140 /0 /5 /145 /4.83 /30
3-2004 / 52 /0 /0 /52 /1.68 /31
2-2004 /20 /1 /2 /23 /0.79 /29
1-2004 /47 /5 /0 /52 /1.68 /31
12-2003 /40 /0 /8 / 48 /1.55 /31
11-2003 /82 /1 /27 /110 /3.67 /30
10-2003 /42 /1 /2 /45 /1.45 /31
9-2003 /31 /1 /1 /33 /1.1 /30
8-2003 /35 /6 /2 /43 /1.39 /31
7-2003 /47 /1 /0 /48 /1.55 /31
6-2003 /30 /6 /0 /36 /1.2 /30
5-2003 /37 /4 /0 /41 /1.32 /31
4-2003 /73 /6 /0 /79 /2.63 /30
3-2003 /65 /27 /0 /92 /7.67 /12
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Total /767 /59 /47 /873 /2.11 /414
* = Other Coalition forces
As you can see, "hundreds of American bodies" are NOT being flown home every month. Of the 767 fallen US troops, only 575 died as a result of hostile fire. In fact, one of the top three killers of U.S. personnel in Iraq is not the enemy -- it´s vehicular accidents. And most of those accidents involve U.S. Humvees.
Subzy--
Uh, you are funny, my friend. "what terrorist leaves a quoran in their rental car?" Uh... I guess the one who did not read Chapter 14, Paragraph 3, Subsection 12, Rule 11 in the terrorist handbook that reads, "Sixteen sticks of dynamite makes the best suicide bomb. Always use extra duct tape to avoid embarra**ing accidents. Also, never leave your Qu´ran in your rental car. It is very difficult to get it back from most agencies, especially Budget."
MuddyG