April 9, 2003
LETTING THE PEOPLE LEAD THE NEWS:
The power of freedom (LARA MARLOWE IN BAGHDAD AND JAMES DOHERTY, 10 Apr 2003, The Scotsman)ARM outstretched in vainglorious defiance, the remains of the statue erected last year to mark the 65th birthday of Saddam Hussein were last night scattered across the streets of Baghdad.United States marines had approached from the east; there was no resistance. Instead, a small, almost bemused crowd of Iraqi traders swelled behind the tanks and armoured personnel carriers as they surrounded the Ferdoos Square, completing the strategic link to their forces stationed on a nearby bridge across the Tigris. The centre of Baghdad had fallen and, as the marine corps secured their positions, ordinary Iraqis climbed the 20ft statue to bring down a physical symbol of tyranny.
A rope was found, and then a ladder. Climbing on to the statue, bystanders cheered as what resembled a noose tightened round the neck of Saddam's effigy.
Their makeshift hanging could not be completed, with the rope too short to topple the dictator's statue. Undeterred, men slammed a sledgehammer into the marble plinth keeping it aloft.
Despite the best efforts of one burly Iraqi, stripped to his vest, it would not move.
As night drew closer, and amid fears that expressions of joy and exuberance could injure bystanders, US soldiers intervened, driving an M88 tank-recovery vehicle face to face with the symbol of tyranny.
Mobbed as liberators, two marines used their vehicle to lasso the head with wire rope. The black statue was briefly adorned with the Stars and Stripes, to muted applause, before a civilian clambered on to the vehicle to offer a tattered Iraqi replacement.
As US soldiers held back the throng, the vehicle choked into life, reversing slowly, its grip tightening.
The depiction of a regal Saddam, tipped and twisted to the horizontal, dislodged by popular force, cemented by coalition might. Then, with another pull, it snapped, leaving only the feet and two protruding bars to waves of chanting and cheers.
The Iraqis danced on their quarry, smashing it with their shoes, baring the soles of their feet, the ultimate humiliation for a crumbling regime and its leader.
What had started with an attempt to decapitate Saddam some three weeks ago showed signs of ending as, with nightfall, his oppressed people prised the head from his monument and danced as they dragged it through city streets.
Something important happened today, but you may have missed it. You may have missed it because it's actually something that didn't happen. As he did after the election in November, George W. Bush stood back from the cameras and allowed others to be the story. Imagine, if you can, that Bill Clinton were president today--what would he have done? Of course, he'd have tried to make himself the story. George Bush, instead, let the Iraqis themselves have the day, with a proper nod to Rumsfeld & Meyers. There is a rare grace to this man.
Posted by Orrin Judd at April 9, 2003 10:29 PM
What would Bill Clinton done in victory...Why speculate, when you have an even more timely example.
How is Michael Moore celebrating defeat. From his website: "My Oscar "Backlash": "Stupid White Men" Back At #1, "Bowling" Breaks New Records... Dear friends, It appears that the Bush administration will have succeeded in colonizing Iraq sometime in the next few days. This is a blunder of such magnitude - and we will pay for it for years to come. It was not worth the life of one single American kid in uniform, let alone the thousands of Iraqis who have died, and my condolences and prayers go out to all of them ... Can I share with you what it's been like for me since I used my time on the Oscar stage two weeks ago to speak out against Bush and this war? …When "Bowling for Columbine" was announced as the Oscar winner for Best Documentary at the Academy Awards, the audience rose to its feet. It was a great moment, one that I will always cherish. They were standing and cheering for a film that says we Americans are a uniquely violent people, using our massive stash of guns to kill each other and to use them against many countries around the world."
Egotistical narcissism is the fuel that propels the Left.
Bill Clinton president during this period? Just thinking about it gives me the willies.
Al Gore, on the other hand...what a nightmare!
The example of the personality type in action given by MG says it all. We're talking sociopath here. Scary suff.