August 19, 2003

ASK A MARINE

How goes it in Iraq? US Marine John R. Guardino writes:

My reserve unit was activated before the war, and in April my team arrived in this small city roughly 60 miles south of Baghdad. The negative media portrait of the situation in Iraq doesn't correspond with what I've seen. Indeed, we were treated as liberating heroes when we arrived four months ago, and we continue to enjoy amicable relations with the local populace.

The "Arab Street" I've meet in Iraq loves -- that's not too strong of a word -- America and is deeply grateful for our presence. Far from resenting the American military, most Iraqis seem to fear that we will leave too soon and that in our absence the Baath Party tyranny will resume. This sentiment is readily apparent whenever we venture into the city. We don't make it far outside of our camp before throngs of happy, smiling children greet us.

"Bush good, Saddam bad!" many Iraqis tell us emphatically -- and repeatedly. I'm not sure how George W. Bush is faring with the American public, but he's got a lock on Al Hillah.

(Via the industrious Zsa Zsa.)

Posted by Tim Blair at August 19, 2003 11:15 PM
Comments

"Bush good, Saddam bad!" many Iraqis tell us emphatically -- and repeatedly. I'm not sure how George W. Bush is faring with the American public, but he's got a lock on Al Hillah."

Can't be true. Don't they realize they're oppressed? Don't they know it was all about OOOOOOIIIIIIIIIILLLLLLLL??!! Don't they realize that as a "certified minority (TM)" they will be required to vote Democratic in any future Iraqi elections?

Posted by: E.A. at August 20, 2003 at 01:56 AM

"Bush good, Saddam bad!"

Reminds me of the catch phrase of Animal Farm

Posted by: tom at August 20, 2003 at 02:31 AM

Yeah, Animal Farm! That famous literary allegory condemning the...oh, yeah...um, er...the, uh...the left...*cough*

Posted by: E.A. at August 20, 2003 at 04:01 AM

Don't despair, hard lefties. Once you let the Iraqi people learn that Bush exaggerated the extent of Saddam's nuclear weapons program, their support will turn to howls of outrage and they will loudly clamor for Saddam's return.

Posted by: Sean at August 20, 2003 at 05:05 AM

Er, that must be why so many US troops are absolutely delighted that their rotations have been extended indefinitely.

They just want to "play with the kids".

Like Dyncorp did in Bosnia, no doubt.

Posted by: Analogue Voter at August 20, 2003 at 06:49 AM

The troops have done and are doing a fabulous job. But its assinine to fault them for wanting to go home. Where would YOU rather be analog voter? A dangerous hellhole like Iraq or the comfort of your home?

Posted by: Full Auto at August 20, 2003 at 07:33 AM

People like AV confuse happiness with morale. Of course on one is happy that their combat tour has been extended. But morale is excellent. Our guys have a job to do, and (I'm very sorry to disappoint you) they're going to do it.

This type of grumbling is no different than what you would have heard from GIs in Normandy. It's standard Army griping. Hell, it's a *tradition*. But only a fool would think that these guys' morale is bad.

Posted by: KevinV at August 20, 2003 at 08:10 AM

By tradition, its when the troops STOP griping that you know you've got real morale problems.

Posted by: R C Dean at August 20, 2003 at 09:49 AM

"I'm not sure how George W. Bush is faring with the American public, but he's got a lock on Al Hillah."

Any word yet on Howard Dean's poll numbers in Al Hillah?

Posted by: Randy R. at August 20, 2003 at 10:47 AM

Since this Marine did not attend an elite journalism school, he cannot determine that the Iraqis actually hate him.

Posted by: Perfectsense at August 20, 2003 at 09:58 PM