Basra: Why they are not cheering

BBC ^ | 3/25/2003 | Paul Reynolds

[Post Toasties]

I had gathered that they're not cheering because there's no Allies around to hear it yet.

[BushCountry]

More BS! Another Lamestream media attempt to discredit the war.

[randita]

Consider what happened in Basra last Saturday when there were air raids. The Qatari television channel al-Jazeera had a team in the city and it sent back graphic pictures of dead and wounded civilians which were widely shown in the Arab world. But these images have been all but ignored in the West, which seems more interested in pictures of the American prisoners of war.

That's because the West, for the most part, is not interested in disseminating Iraqi propaganda. Al Jazeera has no such journalistic standards.

[SouthernFreebird]

That day, two dead marines were brought to the hospital and he made this admission: "When I saw the dead Americans I cheered in my heart."

I keep trying to find some good in the arab world but, God help us they seem to be just F'in evil to the core.

[CROSSHIGHWAYMAN]

They want to see the head of Saddam Hussein on a pike!

I'd like to see that too!

[Libertarianize the GOP]

http://www.freerepublic.com/perl/bump-list

[Sgt Hulka 123]

I'll take a stab at this.....Is it because the have WEAPONS POINTED AT THEIR HEADS?

[mikegi]

These reporters wander into a crowd and shout, "Who isn't happy with the Americans?". Then they record the negative news and present it as "conventional wisdom". Standard operating procedure for the Leftist press.

The Iraqis are terrorized by the remnants of Saddam's regime. Once Saddam has been destroyed, things will change fairly quickly.

[Feiny]

" the marines had come to his house and had taken his son, his rifle and 3m dinars (£500; $800). "

Oh sure, I buy that one! Our soldiers kidnapped his boy & took his useless dinars. Totally believable.

[Prysson]

I dont really care if there are dancing Iraqi's in the streets. That may be a palatable bit of political smokescreen for the war but this war is not and never has been about Iraqi freedom. That is nothing more than a benefit. If the Iraqi's can live better lives free from tyranny after this is over then good for them. I will be happy to see it. But for this American I really dont give a crap. This war is about disarming a madman who in fact does have relationships with terrorists and in fact does have WMD. End of story. People can play up the "liberate Iraq" all they want. If in the end of the day they are liberated great but I really dont care so long as they dont have WMD.

While I am saddened by innocent lives the idea you can fight a war without them is obtuse and frankly I resent the implication by a bunch of third world, barbarians who regularly slaughter innocents intentionally, that we are targeting innocent people on purpose. I cant even say what I think of Western journalists who cater to that nonsense.

There is no Nation on earth that takes or would even consider to take the care that we do to avoid civilian casualties. To imply otherwise is as intellectually and morally dishonest as it is possible to be. It is beyond despicable to point a finger at America when we are giving POW's (one time enemy combatants) food, clothes, beds and three squares a day...while they murder POW's and dance in the streets.

Name one other nation in the world that would send in thousands of tons of humanitarian aid to the nation we are at war with. Name ONE. (Britain) Ok Name another one. RUssia? I think not. Spare me you hypocritical BS Putin. I unlike most journalists havent forgotten what you guys are STILL DOING in Chechnya so spare me the lecture..or better yet shove it where the sun doesnt shine...and while your at it save some for France.

Now they are complaining because Basra is running out of water. It is a "WAR" you morons! If they want water let them surrender. That the civilian population is suffering is sad but to borrow an old phrase. Better them then us.

[KellyAdmirer]

They were supposed to be cheering in the streets as the American and British tanks rolled in, just as they did in France in 1944.

This has nothing to do with France in 1944. Liberating Kuwait, that was like France in 1944, and the cheering was tremendous. This is like Patton rolling into Munich. The Germans weren't cheering then, and the Iraqis aren't cheering now.

[finnman69]

They are not cheering because Saddam's goon are running around with automatic weapons still dressed in civies.

[Wphile]

I keep trying to find some good in the arab world but...

You and I both. Even the so-called "repressed Iraqi people" are getting on my nerves. Look at this article - and I know it's BBC - but criminy...they don't want us to bomb, yet they are pissed we didn't back them up sufficiently in 1991, and now they are cheering American dead. Seems they only want the humanitarian aid but can't handle the heat in order to get it to them.

This war is about ridding Sadaam of weapons of mass destruction. I used to believe in the 'free the Iraqi people' mantra but am becoming more and more cynical with each passing day.

Sorry for the rant but Errrrr....

[wjeanw]

The problem is a picture doesn't necessarily convey the truth of the situation. Dead bodies wearing civilian clothes may be normal citizens killed mistakenly, or purposefully, in battle just as easily as they could be soldiers who took off uniforms so as to gain an advantage while fighting allied troops.

[AdamSelene235]

PICTURES YOU MAY NOT SEE ON TV

In Basra, Iraq, Iraqis, adults and children welcome the British 2nd Royal Tank Regiment.

PICTURES YOU MAY NOT SEE ON TV

In Umm Qasr, the Iraqis, freed by the USA, cheer

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[Wphile]

LOL! Looks like you and I are on the same page!

[BunnySlippers]

I noticed they cropped that photo.

[Wphile]

Thanks for the pictures. I've calmed down a bit now.

[AdamSelene235]

The Communist agitprop is really, really begining to piss me off.