Media and Falloojeh...

[maxP]

Baghdad Burning

Wednesday, April 14, 2004
Media and Falloojeh...

There has been a lot of criticism about the way Al-Arabia and Al-Jazeera were covering the riots and fighting in Falloojeh and the south this last week. Some American spokesman for the military was ranting about the "spread of anti-Americanism" through networks like the abovementioned.

Actually, both networks did a phenomenal job of covering the attacks on Falloojeh and the southern provinces. Al-Jazeera had their reporter literally embedded in the middle of the chaos- and I don't mean the lame embedded western journalists type of thing they had going at the beginning of the war (you know- embedded in the Green Zone and embedded in Kuwait, etc.). Ahmed Mansur, I believe his name was, was actually standing there, in the middle of the bombing, shouting to be heard over the F-16s and helicopters blasting away at houses and buildings. It brought back the days of 'shock and awe'...

I know it bothers the CPA terribly to have the corpses of dead Iraqis shown on television. They would love for Al-Jazeera and Al-Arabia to follow Al-Hurra's example and show endless interviews with pro-occupation Iraqis living abroad and speaking in stilted Arabic. These interviews, of course, are interspersed with translated documentaries on the many marvels of... Hollywood. And while I, personally, am very interested in the custom leather interiors of the latest Audi, I couldn't seem to draw myself away from Al-Jazeera and Al-Arabia while 700+ Iraqis were being killed.

To lessen the feelings of anti-Americanism, might I make a few suggestions? Stop the collective punishment. When Mark Kimmett stutters through a press conference babbling about "precision weapons" and "military targets" in Falloojeh, who is he kidding? Falloojeh is a small city made up of low, simple houses, little shops and mosques. Is he implying that the 600 civilians who died during the bombing and the thousands injured and maimed were all "insurgents"? Are houses, shops and mosques now military targets?

What I'm trying to say is that we don't need news networks to make us angry or frustrated. All you need to do is talk to one of the Falloojeh refugees making their way tentatively into Baghdad; look at the tear-stained faces, the eyes glazed over with something like shock. In our neighborhood alone there are at least 4 families from Falloojeh who have come to stay with family and friends in Baghdad. The stories they tell are terrible and grim and it's hard to believe that they've gone through so much.

I think western news networks are far too tame. They show the Hollywood version of war- strong troops in uniform, hostile Iraqis being captured and made to face "justice" and the White House turkey posing with the Thanksgiving turkey... which is just fine. But what about the destruction that comes with war and occupation? What about the death? I don't mean just the images of dead Iraqis scattered all over, but dead Americans too. People should *have* to see those images. Why is it not ok to show dead Iraqis and American troops in Iraq, but it's fine to show the catastrophe of September 11 over and over again? I wish every person who emails me supporting the war, safe behind their computer, secure in their narrow mind and fixed views, could actually come and experience the war live. I wish they could spend just 24 hours in Baghdad today and hear Mark Kimmett talk about the death of 700 "insurgents" like it was a proud day for Americans everywhere...

Still, when I hear talk about "anti-Americanism" it angers me. Why does American identify itself with its military and government? Why is does being anti-Bush and anti-occupation have to mean that a person is anti-American? We watch American movies, listen to everything from Britney Spears to Nirvana and refer to every single brown, fizzy drink as "Pepsi".

I hate American foreign policy and its constant meddling in the region... I hate American tanks in Baghdad and American soldiers on our streets and in our homes on occasion... why does that mean that I hate America and Americans? Are tanks, troops and violence the only face of America? If the Pentagon, Department of Defense and Condi are "America", then yes- I hate America.

"We must stay the course!"
-- George www Bullship

 

[GrGr]

This Iraqi girls blog is excellent. "Western news networks are far to tame" :beer:

 

[burnedout]

I hate America.

It shows.

Meanwhile, U.S. Marines engaged and defeated radical Jihadis during a firefight near there yesterday.

"A lot of these guys were souped up on jihad," said Lt. Col. B. P. McCoy, commander of the Fourth Battalion, Third Marines. "They might as well been suicide fighters."

Marines fought house to house, roof to roof, doorway to doorway. They repelled attacks of machine-gun fire, volleys of rockets and repeated charges by masked fighters, Colonel McCoy said. Two marines were shot but their injuries were not life-threatening.

[..]

"It's their Super Bowl," said Maj. T. V. Johnson, a Marine spokesman. "Falluja is the place to go if you want to kill Americans."

Apparently, this week's "people of choice" for the bleeding heart community cannot accurately interpret what the term ceasefire really implies:

While this was all going on, negotiators inside this beleaguered city and in Baghdad tried to hammer out a peace deal for Falluja. Members of the Iraqi Governing Council have been meeting with local sheiks and American officials, trying to find a way to end the violence.

On the ground, that meant little.

"I've seen no difference over the past few days," said Marine Lt. Col. Brian Baggott. "This enemy hasn't changed. I guess nobody told them about the ceasefire."

.Furthermore:

One Marine officer in Fallujah saw insurgents push an old man out the front door of the building from which they were firing. The old man, shaken and surprised to be alive, shuffled away when Marines held their fire.

"They are evil, no doubt about it," Capt. Michael Fehn said.

There's even more. The seemingly "peaceful" folks in Falluja absolutely adore mediation.

JIM CLANCY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Evidence tonight, Aaron, that at least some of the insurgents battling U.S. Marines and battering the cease-fire in Fallujah do not want a negotiated settlement. Two assassination attempts take aim at the man sent to mediate.

[...]

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CLANCY (voice-over): As the fragile on again off again cease- fire in Fallujah was extended 48 hours, the Iraqi Governing Council revealed its negotiator had come under attack.

HAMID ALKIFAEY, SPOKESMAN, IRAQI GOVERNING COUNCIL: There was an assassination attempt or two assassination attempts on his life by the terrorists of course. The aim is to, you know, kill him and kill any hopes of ending this crisis.

CLANCY: The assassination attempts by gunmen inside the city occurred earlier this week. The key sticking point in the talks getting those now controlling Fallujah to lay down their arms and leave. ADNAN PACHACHI, MEMBER OF GOVERNING COUNCIL: They are afraid if they left Fallujah they would be arrested right away and of course they would not leave without their weapons.

CLANCY: Wednesday in Fallujah, Marines sandbagged their lines and replenished supplies but it is unclear how long they will hold these positions and wait for stalled talks to produce a peaceful solution. Iraqis watching the security situation told CNN there are increasing suspicions Fallujah has been used as a base of operations for foreign terrorists.

I am indeed against this war. However, I'm also against propaganda that seeks to defame and distort the efforts of our brave men and women serving in Iraq. Make no mistake that I'll aggressively fight every single one of you propagandists until hell freezes over and then I'll fight your deluded asses on the ice.

 

[GrGr]

And you are not a propagandist? Souped Up Evil Jihadists" indeed.

The Marines are clearly in the process of dehumanizing their enemies. What is the next step. Wholesale slaughter? Oh wait a minute. We're already there. I know let's go My Lai and erase Fallujah from the face of the earth, that ought to work.

Gen. McKimmit has made sure that most Iraqis hate the US now. The fight for "hearts and minds" was lost in record time.

 

[HeroOfPellinor]

Originally posted by: GrGr
And you are not a propagandist? Souped Up Evil Jihadists" indeed.

The Marines are clearly in the process of dehumanizing their enemies. What is the next step. Wholesale slaughter? Oh wait a minute. We're already there. I know let's go My Lai and erase Fallujah from the face of the earth, that ought to work.

Gen. McKimmit has made sure that most Iraqis hate the US now. The fight for "hearts and minds" was lost in record time.

The jihadis are the ones FIRING FIRST. Who needs to propogandize self-defense?

Are you 12?

 

[Passions]

You liberals make me laugh. Jihadians started it first by ambushing and burning innocent contractors. They don't want a cease-fire? Sounds all the more good to me. I guess you haven't hear of the phrase, "PAY BACKS A BI*CH!!!!!"

 

[burnedout]

Originally posted by: GrGr
And you are not a propagandist? Souped Up Evil Jihadists" indeed.

How so? By stating perspectives from various sources? The complete reports are there for your scrutiny. Not that a pseudo-sophist such as yourself would even read the reports, mind you.

The Marines are clearly in the process of dehumanizing their enemies. What is the next step. Wholesale slaughter? Oh wait a minute. We're already there. I know let's go My Lai and erase Fallujah from the face of the earth, that ought to work.

The classic sophist's appeal for belief, I see. U.S. Marines were very specific about their respective intentions before proceeding into Falluja. But of course, to an anti-American postmodernist yardbird such as yourself, any action by the U.S. would thus be perceived as negative.

Gen. McKimmit has made sure that most Iraqis hate the US now. The fight for "hearts and minds" was lost in record time.

Stay tuned.

 

[Klixxer]

Originally posted by: burnedout

I hate America.

It shows.

Meanwhile, U.S. Marines engaged and defeated radical Jihadis during a firefight near there yesterday.

"A lot of these guys were souped up on jihad," said Lt. Col. B. P. McCoy, commander of the Fourth Battalion, Third Marines. "They might as well been suicide fighters."

Marines fought house to house, roof to roof, doorway to doorway. They repelled attacks of machine-gun fire, volleys of rockets and repeated charges by masked fighters, Colonel McCoy said. Two marines were shot but their injuries were not life-threatening.

[..]

"It's their Super Bowl," said Maj. T. V. Johnson, a Marine spokesman. "Falluja is the place to go if you want to kill Americans."

Apparently, this week's "people of choice" for the bleeding heart community cannot accurately interpret what the term ceasefire really implies:

While this was all going on, negotiators inside this beleaguered city and in Baghdad tried to hammer out a peace deal for Falluja. Members of the Iraqi Governing Council have been meeting with local sheiks and American officials, trying to find a way to end the violence.

On the ground, that meant little.

"I've seen no difference over the past few days," said Marine Lt. Col. Brian Baggott. "This enemy hasn't changed. I guess nobody told them about the ceasefire."

.Furthermore:

One Marine officer in Fallujah saw insurgents push an old man out the front door of the building from which they were firing. The old man, shaken and surprised to be alive, shuffled away when Marines held their fire.

"They are evil, no doubt about it," Capt. Michael Fehn said.

There's even more. The seemingly "peaceful" folks in Falluja absolutely adore mediation.

JIM CLANCY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Evidence tonight, Aaron, that at least some of the insurgents battling U.S. Marines and battering the cease-fire in Fallujah do not want a negotiated settlement. Two assassination attempts take aim at the man sent to mediate.

[...]

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CLANCY (voice-over): As the fragile on again off again cease- fire in Fallujah was extended 48 hours, the Iraqi Governing Council revealed its negotiator had come under attack.

HAMID ALKIFAEY, SPOKESMAN, IRAQI GOVERNING COUNCIL: There was an assassination attempt or two assassination attempts on his life by the terrorists of course. The aim is to, you know, kill him and kill any hopes of ending this crisis.

CLANCY: The assassination attempts by gunmen inside the city occurred earlier this week. The key sticking point in the talks getting those now controlling Fallujah to lay down their arms and leave. ADNAN PACHACHI, MEMBER OF GOVERNING COUNCIL: They are afraid if they left Fallujah they would be arrested right away and of course they would not leave without their weapons.

CLANCY: Wednesday in Fallujah, Marines sandbagged their lines and replenished supplies but it is unclear how long they will hold these positions and wait for stalled talks to produce a peaceful solution. Iraqis watching the security situation told CNN there are increasing suspicions Fallujah has been used as a base of operations for foreign terrorists.

I am indeed against this war. However, I'm also against propaganda that seeks to defame and distort the efforts of our brave men and women serving in Iraq. Make no mistake that I'll aggressively fight every single one of you propagandists until hell freezes over and then I'll fight your deluded asses on the ice.

Who is a propagandist? Is your post a response to the blog? If so you missed the target by a mile.

First of all, i don't think she hates america, i think she hates this war and what it does to her country.

She and the civilian refugees she is referring to are reacting to the terrors of war, most civilians fired upon will do that. I think she is right though, more people need to see the effects of the actions taken, dead bodies of both Iraqis and Americans should be broadcasted.

That isn't propaganda, that is reality.

 

[burnedout]

Originally posted by: Klixxer

Who is a propagandist? Is your post a response to the blog? If so you missed the target by a mile.

First of all, i don't think she hates america, i think she hates this war and what it does to her country.

She and the civilian refugees she is referring to are reacting to the terrors of war, most civilians fired upon will do that. I think she is right though, more people need to see the effects of the actions taken, dead bodies of both Iraqis and Americans should be broadcasted.

That isn't propaganda, that is reality.

I missed nothing. There are two sides to every story and middle ground in between. Just because she posted to a blog doesn't make her a valid source.

 

[InfectedMushroom]

Originally posted by: HeroOfPellinor

Originally posted by: GrGr
And you are not a propagandist? Souped Up Evil Jihadists" indeed.

The Marines are clearly in the process of dehumanizing their enemies. What is the next step. Wholesale slaughter? Oh wait a minute. We're already there. I know let's go My Lai and erase Fallujah from the face of the earth, that ought to work.

Gen. McKimmit has made sure that most Iraqis hate the US now. The fight for "hearts and minds" was lost in record time.

The jihadis are the ones FIRING FIRST. Who needs to propogandize self-defense?

Are you 12?

Firing first? Who attacked their country in a "pre-emptive strike" you dumb piece of sh1t?
This question has been asked again? If another country occupied your US neck of the woods, would you fight them or not? There's your answer.

 

[burnedout]

Additional tidbits that bleeding heart postmodernists conveniently neglect to mention:

The marines were hoping to lull Falluja and al-Anbar province into a state of well-being by passing out $540 million in rebuilding funds, and showing off a more educated attitude about Arab sensitivities than they believed their U.S. army predecessors displayed.

Before returning to Iraq, the marines took a crash course in cultural training that included a video teleconference with an Arabic studies professor and the distribution of a culture handbook with tips warning against showing the soles of their feet or eating with their left hands.

Around three-dozen marines from one unit took a three-week intensive language course in Arabic. And of course, they grew mustaches.

"We grew them for the Iraqi people. We shaved them off for us," said Lt.-Col. Brennan Byrne, who originally ordered his men to sport the facial hair.

Toronto Star

 

[Spencer278]

Originally posted by: burnedout
Additional tidbits that bleeding heart postmodernists conveniently neglect to mention:

The marines were hoping to lull Falluja and al-Anbar province into a state of well-being by passing out $540 million in rebuilding funds, and showing off a more educated attitude about Arab sensitivities than they believed their U.S. army predecessors displayed.

Before returning to Iraq, the marines took a crash course in cultural training that included a video teleconference with an Arabic studies professor and the distribution of a culture handbook with tips warning against showing the soles of their feet or eating with their left hands.

Around three-dozen marines from one unit took a three-week intensive language course in Arabic. And of course, they grew mustaches.

"We grew them for the Iraqi people. We shaved them off for us," said Lt.-Col. Brennan Byrne, who originally ordered his men to sport the facial hair.

Toronto Star

Do you really think anyone in those towns gives a damn if the people bombing and killing them eat with their left or right hand?

 

[burnedout]

Originally posted by: Spencer278

Originally posted by: burnedout

Do you really think anyone in those towns gives a damn if the people bombing and killing them eat with their left or right hand?

And do you really think the U.S. Marines didn't make concerted efforts to avoid a situation such as the one which now exists?

 

[zephyrprime]

There are two sides to every story and middle ground in between. Just because she posted to a blog doesn't make her a valid source.

I don't think that she's very accurate either and her bias is clear but I also think that both those facts are besides the point. In the battle for hearts and minds, perception is reality and emotions more important than debates. If here feelings are at all representative of how people in Iraq feel (even if her feelings are grounded on possibly factually incorrect things) then things are going down the toilet over there.

 

[maddogchen]

Originally posted by: burnedout
Additional tidbits that bleeding heart postmodernists conveniently neglect to mention:

The marines were hoping to lull Falluja and al-Anbar province into a state of well-being by passing out $540 million in rebuilding funds, and showing off a more educated attitude about Arab sensitivities than they believed their U.S. army predecessors displayed.

Before returning to Iraq, the marines took a crash course in cultural training that included a video teleconference with an Arabic studies professor and the distribution of a culture handbook with tips warning against showing the soles of their feet or eating with their left hands.

Around three-dozen marines from one unit took a three-week intensive language course in Arabic. And of course, they grew mustaches.

"We grew them for the Iraqi people. We shaved them off for us," said Lt.-Col. Brennan Byrne, who originally ordered his men to sport the facial hair.

Toronto Star

you can't eat with your left hand? how barbaric! :evil:

 

[GrGr]

Originally posted by: burnedout

How so? By stating perspectives from various sources? The complete reports are there for your scrutiny. Not that a pseudo-sophist such as yourself would even read the reports, mind you.

Those "varying sources" you are quoting are sources from the Army occupying Iraq and it's Puppet Government. Of course the very concept of propaganda is anathema to these two impeccable powers, isn't it?

US mainstream media has failed miserably in its role to give both sides of the argument and that is a documented fact. You chose to highlight the parts that made the case you wanted to present i.e. propaganda. You made the claim that you oppose the propagandists on this site yet you are using the same methods as they are.

The classic sophist's appeal for belief, I see. U.S. Marines were very specific about their respective intentions before proceeding into Falluja. But of course, to an anti-American postmodernist yardbird such as yourself, any action by the U.S. would thus be perceived as negative.

Please tell me more about how the Marines were "very specific about their respective intentions before proceeding into Fallujah" and in particular how that has any bearing on the current situation where those very same troops are killing children and grannies. That fact remains and is anything but sophistry.

Many British officers, for example, have been highly critical of the US approach ever since the US adopted Israeli like coercion tactics against the Iraqi population.

And btw, if I really were anti-American I would be a Bush supporter.

GrGr: Gen. McKimmit has made sure that most Iraqis hate the US now. The fight for "hearts and minds" was lost in record time.

Stay tuned.

Why, Fallujah risks becoming the US equivalent to the British massacre at Amritsar. There are also similarities between the Sharon's approach to dealing with Palestinians and the US approach in Fallujah. Surely a prospect the Iraqis relish.

Here are quotes from some more sources:

"Of course they don't like being occupied. I wouldn't like being occupied either."
President George W Bush, April 13 White House press conference

"Arab populations - but not their cowed governments - have been busy comparing proconsul L Paul Bremer with Saddam, and talking of a genocide in Fallujah: they all saw the non-stop flow of horrible images on alJazeera (and that's why the Americans want alJazeera out of Fallujah). "
Asia times

Asked about the report of 600 dead, Marine Lt. Col. Brennan Byrne said: ``What I think you will find is 95 percent of those were military age males that were killed in the fighting.''
``The Marines are trained to be precise in their firepower .... The fact that there are 600 goes back to the fact that the Marines are very good at what they do,'' he said.
- The Guardian, April 11

2004-04-13 | "US snipers in Falluja shoot unarmed man in the back, old woman with white flag, children fleeing their homes and the ambulance that we were going in to fetch a woman in premature labour."

Iraq: Jo Wilding in Fallujah

 

[burnedout]

Originally posted by: GrGr

Provide us with a verified, credible third-party report substatiating the allegations of Marines shooting granny's in the back. You cannot because no one can enter the city to conduct such verification.

If the current posture of the Marines is so dehumanizing, then why isn't there more outrage from the West? No, sorry, but editorials from <insert favorite anti-US website here> or similar OPs are unacceptable. Why haven't world leaders from developed countries collectively and unilaterally pressed the Bush administration to cease with operations in Falluja?

I'll tell you why. Because U.S. Marines, regardless of what you postmodernist whackjobs want to believe, are allowed to protect themselves.

 

[Dangermouse33]

Originally posted by: GrGr
And you are not a propagandist? Souped Up Evil Jihadists" indeed.

The Marines are clearly in the process of dehumanizing their enemies. What is the next step. Wholesale slaughter? Oh wait a minute. We're already there. I know let's go My Lai and erase Fallujah from the face of the earth, that ought to work.

Gen. McKimmit has made sure that most Iraqis hate the US now. The fight for "hearts and minds" was lost in record time.

The quote was "...souped up on jihad" not "Souped up Evil Jihadists" you dummy.

 

[SViscusi]

Originally posted by: burnedout

I hate America.

It shows.

Why did you cut out the precceding lines and remove all sense of context?

I hate American foreign policy and its constant meddling in the region... I hate American tanks in Baghdad and American soldiers on our streets and in our homes on occasion... why does that mean that I hate America and Americans? Are tanks, troops and violence the only face of America? If the Pentagon, Department of Defense and Condi are "America", then yes- I hate America.

 

[LilBlinbBlahIce]

Originally posted by: Passions
You liberals make me laugh. Jihadians started it first by ambushing and burning innocent contractors. They don't want a cease-fire? Sounds all the more good to me. I guess you haven't hear of the phrase, "PAY BACKS A BI*CH!!!!!"

As tragic as the death of those civilian contractors was, you got to keep in mind that they were hired guns, not guys rebuilding schools. Iraq is a dangerous place and the people who choose to go there need to understand the risks they face. I'm not saying the people who purpotrated the crime were justified, all I'm saying is that the Iraqi people are going to manifest their hatred on anyone they perceive as being part of the occupying force and that is something that anyone there on their own volition needs to understand. No one forced these guys to take the job. Regardless of the circumstance, was the death of four people worth the lives of dozens of Americans and hundreds of Iraqis, many of them civilians? That's pretty much a matter of opinion.

 

[conjur]

Originally posted by: Passions
You liberals make me laugh. Jihadians started it first by ambushing and burning innocent contractors. They don't want a cease-fire? Sounds all the more good to me. I guess you haven't hear of the phrase, "PAY BACKS A BI*CH!!!!!"

"Jihadians"?

The insurgents are not jihadists. They are Iraqi citizens who are fighting back against an occupying army. Like you'd do differently were we invaded?

 

[Spencer278]

Originally posted by: burnedout

Originally posted by: GrGr

Provide us with a verified, credible third-party report substatiating the allegations of Marines shooting granny's in the back. You cannot because no one can enter the city to conduct such verification.

If the current posture of the Marines is so dehumanizing, then why isn't there more outrage from the West? No, sorry, but editorials from <insert favorite anti-US website here> or similar OPs are unacceptable. Why haven't world leaders from developed countries collectively and unilaterally pressed the Bush administration to cease with operations in Falluja?

I'll tell you why. Because U.S. Marines, regardless of what you postmodernist whackjobs want to believe, are allowed to protect themselves.

It is all good as long as there are no thrid party telling about what is happening in the city, no one in iraq will believe what is being said.

 

[GrGr]

Originally posted by: burnedout

Originally posted by: GrGr

Provide us with a verified, credible third-party report substatiating the allegations of Marines shooting granny's in the back. You cannot because no one can enter the city to conduct such verification.

If the current posture of the Marines is so dehumanizing, then why isn't there more outrage from the West? No, sorry, but editorials from <insert favorite anti-US website here> or similar OPs are unacceptable. Why haven't world leaders from developed countries collectively and unilaterally pressed the Bush administration to cease with operations in Falluja?

I'll tell you why. Because U.S. Marines, regardless of what you postmodernist whackjobs want to believe, are allowed to protect themselves.

What do you consider to be an verified, credible third-party source? For that matter what media source do you find credible? Why isn't the report from Jo Fielding, an American, credible?

This situation is reminicent of what the French faced in Algeria.

"In one of the film's [The Battle of Algiers] most famous scenes, reporters question the hard-as-nails French commander, sent to clean up Algiers, about rumors of torture and assassination. We are just doing what you sent us to do, Col. Mathieu replies ? quibbling about the methods that must be employed is rank hypocrisy.

Alas, there are signs that Mathieu's attitude may be taking hold among the U.S. troops in Iraq. Asked about the punishments meted out for the Tigris River incident, an American soldier told the Post, "It's a little like the French colonel in 'The Battle of Algiers.' ? You're all complaining about the tactics I am using to win the war, but that's what I am doing ? winning the war."

A Decent Into Dishonor

 

[Klixxer]

Originally posted by: burnedout

Originally posted by: Klixxer

Who is a propagandist? Is your post a response to the blog? If so you missed the target by a mile.

First of all, i don't think she hates america, i think she hates this war and what it does to her country.

She and the civilian refugees she is referring to are reacting to the terrors of war, most civilians fired upon will do that. I think she is right though, more people need to see the effects of the actions taken, dead bodies of both Iraqis and Americans should be broadcasted.

That isn't propaganda, that is reality.

I missed nothing. There are two sides to every story and middle ground in between. Just because she posted to a blog doesn't make her a valid source.

Ok, so you are saying that she is lying? I hate this "i am implying but i will never say it" kinda bs and quite frankly i am surprised to see you say it.

Of course there is another side to the story, but the issue was how SHE saw it, to say that others see it differently doesn't really make any sense, especially not when you consider that she is in her hometown and that many of the things she is saying has been said by plenty of other sources (civilian refugees, bombings and so on).

 

[etech]

Poll: Iraqis say life better now

LONDON, England -- A majority of Iraqis believe life is better now than it was under Saddam Hussein, according to a poll by broadcasting organizations released to coincide with the first anniversary of the U.S.-led invasion.
..........