A Cleric Assumes a Bully Pulpit

New York Times ^ | 4/19/03 | Charlie LeDuff

[saquin]

A Cleric Assumes a Bully Pulpit

By CHARLIE LeDUFF

UT, Iraq, April 18 - Try as they might, the American military commanders here cannot outfox Sayed Abbas.

Mr. Abbas, 52, was the first to arrive at city hall last week after Kut fell to the Americans. A Shiite Muslim preacher, he immediately declared himself the elected mayor of the city, though no election seems to have taken place.

He has taken up residence amid the chandeliers, marble and mahogany of city hall and is surrounded by legions of zealous supporters, an exclusively male population that grows larger by the day.

The frustrated Americans have referred to the chain-smoking cleric as a clown, a false prophet, a sham holy man, a boob. But the more they slander him, the mightier his stature and his message of resistance to American domination seem to become.

"Iraq cannot be unified until it is governed by its people," Mr. Abbas told 1,000 people in the compound this afternoon before midday prayers. "To this end, we will sacrifice ourselves."

[saquin]

Seems like we have a certifiable nut on our hands in Kut. I don't like how this sounds, especially with the backing by Iran and the presence of Hezbollah and other radicals.

[FreeRep]

Lucky we are not Saddam or we would cut out his tounge!

[RLK]

The frustrated Americans have referred to the chain-smoking cleric as a clown, a false prophet, a sham holy man, a boob. But the more they slander him, the mightier his stature and his message of resistance to American domination seem to become.

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That's typical. If you expect anything else in that section of the world you are living in dreamland.

[observer5]

Not this Shiite again!

[observer5]

Let's bring Saddam back

[patriciaruth]

We have people just like this here, too. The "Rev." Al Sharpton comes easily to mind.

[WOSG]

Ah, trust the NYT to spit in the punchbowl of victory.

[CurlyDave]

GITMO !

[CyberAnt]

Hmmmm? Time for Special Ops!

[RLK]

Let's bring Saddam back...

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Give them a chance and they will. The intertwining of government and religion, plus the nature of the religion, demands it.

[Ursus arctos horribilis]

Methinks the entire region is full of religious nuts. We may have to impose some tough love here shortly. They will be easier to reason with once we have their attention.

[GailA]

Another wanna be brutal dictator. Calling Special OPS