Sometimes I just can find an explanation for the behaviors of both the Iraqi and American security forces and I wonder whether they themselves have any explanation.
Yesterday afternoon, a US convoy stopped in the main street of my neighborhood. One of the soldiers with the help of one of his colleagues tore a poster including the picture of Muqtada Al Sadr and some young men from the neighborhood who were killed by gunmen. I was there by chance and saw all the scene. No said anything but I could see anger in the eyes of people. After the US troops left, the young men started cursing the US army an d each one gave his own point of view about the behavior. One young man said "Its a victory for us, the US army cant even stand looking to Muqtada's picture and that means they are so afraid of him". Another man said in a very calm way addressing the others "why are you so angry guys? its not a problem, we will put a new poster but it will be bigger". the crowd left about 10 minutes later.
I dont know what to say about this behavior but I wonder if there are any positive results for it
Those people like the guy. He's done a better job of winning hearts and minds.
Posted by: ljm | September 08, 2007 at 03:17 PM
Freedom is so risky, so dangerous and so volatile that even people who imagine they have it, or imagine they are bringing it to share with others often have no idea how to handle it, live with it, or tolerate its exercise by others. Heavens!! You Iraqis have your own opinions? Who knew?
Or--maybe it's not about freedom, eh?
Calling us towering hypocrites is about the nicest way of putting it....
Posted by: Laura | September 08, 2007 at 03:08 PM