[Kevin Curry]

Our guys knelt down and pointed their guns at the ground in deference. The crowd calmed and we basically walked away.

Actually, the crowd dynamic was more interesting than that. As the soldiers dropped to one knee, many men in the crowd sat down in a flat-footed squat in the fashion that is common in the Middle and Far East. It was a fascinating reciprocal response in body langauge.

It was a wise impromptu response by the unit that served immediately to defuse most of the hostility. On the other hand, I don't believe it should be adopted as a standard response.

[Toskrin]

It was an interesting crowd dynamic. Although the crowd was chanting and telling, they never made a move at the soldiers. They didn't really seem that mad at them. They were content with blocking the way rather than fighting back. Even though the crowd was fired up, there was a respect for the Americans that went beyond the fear of their firepower.

That being said, one wrong move by someone on either side could have started a massacre. All parties showed restraint - the crowd, the Americans, and the Iraqis trying to mediate between them.

[gitmo]

Actually, the crowd dynamic was more interesting than that. As the soldiers dropped to one knee, many men in the crowd sat down in a flat-footed squat in the fashion that is common in the Middle and Far East. It was a fascinating reciprocal response in body langauge.

I have got to see that clip.