[KantianBurke]

color me skeptical. As was said on an earlier thread, reporting pro American sentiments from Iraqis has be read on the context that nearby are hulking bad ass US GIs with big guns. That sort of thing tends to alter one's statements and perceptions.

[GladesGuru]

The chilling effect of an American GI can't compare with Saddam's plastic shredders, firing squads, and general repressive behavior on a scale surpassing the late, unlamented Third Reich.

Too bad America's press is mainly behaving like their nickname "presstitute" implies - intellectual sluts for socialism.

[Valin]

Would you say the same applies to the anti-american reporting. The same "hulking GI" is standing right there when the reporter is reporting the bad news. I don't have a problem with reporting the bad(in fact I insist on it, as I'm all growed up and can take it) but just once in a while couldn't the "main stream" media throw me a bone and report about the schools, hospitals..etc..being opened. Maybe a story about what the 4th infantry is doing to provide supplies to schools in their area, or Chief Wiggles. That's all I ask give me the WHOLE story.

Here endth the rant # 873,901

[Radix]

...color me skeptical...

Your point is well taken, but there is indeed, I assure you a great amount of endearment among many Iraqi's and our Troops. I have heard stories, and have held pictures of Troops having very positive relationships with numerous Iraqi citizens.

I cannot share these images at this time (I would require permission.)I will consider trying to get a few very surprising things posted out here on FR.com, in the near future. These are not images or stories written by journalists, but real live Troops.

[speekinout]

color me skeptical. As was said on an earlier thread, reporting pro American sentiments from Iraqis has be read on the context that nearby are hulking bad ass US GIs with big guns

I'm not skeptical at all. In the 90's, I worked in Germany for awhile. Many of the Germans I dealt with had grown up in occupied zones post WWII. The ones who grew up in USSR zones were very hostile, but the ones who grew up in US controlled zones were something else.
These guys told stories about getting their first taste of chocolate from American GIs, learning to play baseball, learning English, and in general having their first taste of happiness in the time they spent with our GIs.

Many of the people in temporarily occupied countries know the difference between benevolence and brutality.