Freedom in Iraq

Lakebu · Outlaw Joined: 09 Mar 2003 Posts: 158 City: NorCalif.

Jubilation and wholesale looting in Baghdad yesterday signalled the end of the regime of Saddam Hussein as thousands of United States troops met little or no resistance on their way into the heart of the city.

An Iraqi man puts flowers on the head of a US Marine in Saddam City in eastern
Baghdad as Iraqis joyously welcome US forces. Photo: Reuters

The US military declared that Saddam's rule over the capital had ended. Brigadier-General Vincent Brooks said at central command in Qatar: "The capital city is now one of those areas that has been added to the list of where the regime does not have control."

Marine tanks rolled into the heart of the city, greeted by people cheering, waving white flags and gesturing with V-for-victory signs. "We were nearly mobbed by people trying to shake our hands," said Major Andy Milburn of the 7th Marines.

Symbolically, the Americans stationed tanks and other military vehicles around the very heart of Baghdad - Tahrir Square on the east bank of the Tigris River.

There were wild scenes as residents - some in tears, others singing and dancing - crowded on to city freeways, showering the Americans who rode into town atop their tanks with flowers and the classic Iraqi greeting for foreigners: "Welcome! Welcome in Baghdad."

"Today Baghdad is like Berlin in 1945," an egg-seller told the Herald.

The crowds of mainly young and middle-aged men, many of them wearing the soccer shirts of leading Western clubs such as Manchester United, shouted "Hello, hello" as the Americans advanced through traffic. "No more Saddam Hussein," chanted one group, waving to the troops. "We love you, we love you."

Jim M · Wakeboarder.com Freak Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 2933

This is absolutely wonderful news, good thing our President and Tony Blair both had the sack to take action and see this thing through. It is by no means finished, but they haven't seen a trace of resistance in Baghdad since early evening on Wed. One of the biggest issues now is just maintaining order b/c of all the excitement in the streets.

So where are the anti-war voices now? Still preaching about how benificial the 'twiddle-your-thumbs' method can be at making a positive and benificial impact on the world?? What about the 'thumb up the ass' tactical approach, they take pride in that one too! Laughing

I hope our forces chase any remaining trace of the Saddam regime into Syria and wherever else they flee and continue with the all out ass-pummeling.

Sean_Brinston · Posted: Apr 09, 2003 12:03 pm Post subject:

I bet those anti war protetesters will still have something to complain about. I also bet that North Korea is shaking in there boots , seeing how quick the U.S has been working in Iraq.

DaveBrowning · Posted: Apr 09, 2003 12:37 pm Post subject:

Jim... you crack me up! I don't believe I could have said it better!!

Nor*Cal · Ladies Man Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 9479 City: Sac

See the noose around Saddam's neck??? Kind of symbolic huh?

Maestro · Posted: Apr 09, 2003 6:34 pm Post subject:

I totally support what's been going on in this war, and I'm glad it appears that the U.S. is almost at victory, but I wouldn't celebrate yet. Personally, I doubt Sadam is dead. I really doubt that he'd stick around Baghdad and just wait to be found. I think it might be a possibility that the news of him and his sons being in that building could have been "leaked" on purpose so the U.S would assume they killed him. Then the US troops all go into Baghdad, and he destroys the whole city. He hasn't cared about his people in the past, so I think he wouldn't hesitate to do something like that if he could kill hundreds or thousands of Americans...

I honestly don't hope this is the case. I hope sadam is 6 feet under a pile a rubble somewhere. But I don't think people should assume victory so quickly.

SupraBoarder · Posted: Apr 09, 2003 8:51 pm Post subject:

Maestro, Don't you think that the CIA knows a bit more than we do? I really believe that we had solid proof that he was in that building when those bombs hit. We not only launched one, not two, not three, but four bombs on the same target. I think that in itself says that there was significant evidence that saddam was in that building. We didn't want to have a repeat of that first day where we had him in our sights and didn't get the job done. This time, we went overboard, but it was probably necessary. I really hope that Bubb Rubb is dead.

Jello John · Wakeboarder.Commie Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 1936

I'm assuming he's alive until someone provides the evidence to change my mind. With that said, he's not going to be much of a threat to us, not like he ever was, as he most likely doesn't have the capabilities to gather enough support for a strike against us.

'"Today Baghdad is like Berlin in 1945,' an egg-seller told the Herald."

Doesn't he mean 1989???

nick e[V]ans · Posted: Apr 10, 2003 1:13 am Post subject:

did any of you americans know of the australian special forces involvment in iraq at all? what has been reported is the australian special forces troops were often carrying out highly coordinated missions ahead of american and british troops, not involved in the major fighting. anyone hear anything about this?
nick

JHrod · Wakeboarder.com Freak Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 3144

oh so now australia wants to help and not even publicly---cowards!!!! Wink

Josh R · Posted: Apr 10, 2003 3:52 am Post subject:

Lol.

Neognosis · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 17617 City: Webster

Leggester · Posted: Apr 10, 2003 7:14 am Post subject:

Hmmmm, yes, they've been there: http://www.cnsnews.com/ForeignBureaus/archive/200304/FOR20030404a.html

But I don't know about 'way ahead' of everyone else. CIA and covert ops have probably been in since last spring.