Samplings of the Arabic slogans include: "Down Saddam the infidel and long live Bush the believer!"
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They could have been killed for writing these words less than a year ago.
“For Mr. [Hayder] Mounthir, the fall of Mr. Hussein was like ‘taking the gag out of my mouth,’ and he was now free to put on his play again, without the threat of censorship.”
--Yochi Dreazen, reporting on a new play in Baghdad portraying Saddam’s atrocities, The Wall Street Journal, November 10, 2003
“We have formed a first Cabinet, we have set up committees toward writing a constitution, and neighboring countries and allies recognize us. We had to gain recognition as an Iraqi body with an Iraqi will, independent of the coalition. The Arab League, the United Nations and the Islamic Congress have recognized us. That's quite an achievement.”
--Samir Shakir Mahmoud Sumaidy, Iraqi Governing Council, Knight Ridder Newspapers, November 9, 2003
“Security in the city's neighborhoods is perfectly all right. We hope Japanese businesses will also come here and reduce unemployment.”
-- Ali Dafaai, head of the Samawah city council in Iraq discussing plans for the refurbishing of a hospital, Asahi News Service, November 7, 2003
“Now there's freedom in riding. In the past, there were times when we were forced to lose or to let someone else win. Today, we ride freely.”
--Kasim Daoud, a jockey in Baghdad, Channel News Asia, November 6, 2003
“Despite everything, it's better than before. Of course we're optimistic. We have a saying: ‘If you are optimistic, you'll find good things.’”
--Haidar Ghazy, Iraqi clothing store owner in Karada, The New York Times, November 4, 2003
“We don't have to bribe the custom officers anymore, there are no tariffs.”
--Iraqi used car salesman, ABC News, November 4, 2003
“It is what we heard often, the fear of the old regime is something that people here will never miss.”
--Jim Sciutto, ABC News reporter, ABC News, November 4, 2003
“You ask them about the future of Iraq, the majority of them, after complaining about all sorts of little things like the price of goods going up, you ask them ‘Is your life better after Saddam?’ and they say of course it’s much better.”
--Terry McCarthy, Time Magazine Reporter, ABC News, November 2, 2003
“Before people were afraid to come to Najaf, now they are coming and our earnings have doubled.”
--Iraqi business owner, ABC News, November 3, 2003
“I can teach what I want and I am earning $180 a month instead of $13.”
--Iraqi teacher, ABC News, November 3, 2003
“The best thing about life now is freedom. You can say anything, go anywhere.”
--Haider Kadhim, internet-café consultant from Basra, Time, November 10, 2003
“We made sacrifices for this freedom. [Freedom will last] forever, I think. And it’ll be better after a month, and after a year, much better. I think so.”
--Ayad Abdul Kareem Muhssin, who lost his newborn daughter after his wife went into premature labor during the bombing of Baghdad, Time, November 10, 2003