"The officers didn't question Mr. Alussy Further about his political views. Had they pressed him, they might have learned thyat he's harshly critical of the U.S. and bitter over an American rocket attack during the war that killed his uncle. In an interview, he says he thinks the war was fought for oil and holds the u.S. responsible for the violence and unemployment that have plagued Iraq since.
'I made the statues of Saddam -- even though I didn't want to -- becasuse I needed the money...and I decided to make the statues for the Americans for the exact same reason.'
...Mr. Alussy agreed to do the job [kneeling soldier and rifle/helmut] for $8,000...
...the division's commander...decided it needed a clearer connection to Iraq. The general suggested adding a small child to symbolize Iraq's new future...Mr. Alussy demanded $10,000 more. 'He learned capitalism real fast,' Sgt. Fuss says."