They're partying in Baghdad today! [Archive] - Front Office Football Central

Ben E Lou

04-09-2003, 06:36 AM

http://www.msnbc.com/news/1857590.jpghttp://i.a.cnn.net/cnn/2003/images/04/09/top.bye.saddam.jpg
http://wwwimage.cbsnews.com/images/2003/04/09/image548427x.jpghttp://i.a.cnn.net/cnn/2003/images/04/09/top.men.statue.jpg
http://www.foxnews.com/images/87085/37_1_040903_iraq_top3.jpg

Conquerors, huh?

Edit: Adding more pics as they show up around the 'net.

Easy Mac

04-09-2003, 06:41 AM

Originally posted by SkyDog
http://www.msnbc.com/news/1857590.jpg

Conquerors, huh?

it kind of looks like rioting and looting. Looks a little like the LA riots.

Ben E Lou

04-09-2003, 06:47 AM

Originally posted by Easy Mac
it kind of looks like rioting and looting. Looks a little like the LA riots. Of course they're looting the government buildings. Wouldn't you?

Or, would you think it better that they had remained under Saddam's regime?

Bee

04-09-2003, 06:51 AM

Interesting that the sign is in English

Ben E Lou

04-09-2003, 06:54 AM

Originally posted by Bee
Interesting that the sign is in English No different from all the anti-war protestors in non-English-speaking countries carryings signs written in English. The Iraqis, just like the protestors, probably just want the Americans to see what they have to say.

Easy Mac

04-09-2003, 06:56 AM

I just love the picture where they wrote the "Bye Bye Sadam" in English. Hmmm, kind of like those middle-east war protestors with english signs :) edit: damn you guys and your fast typing.

And for all we know, its a soldier holding a sign.

And yes SD, thats exactly what I said :rollseyes: Thanks for knowing exactly what everyone thinks about every situation involving the war. But I guess rioting and looting is the American way, so they learn fast.

Bee

04-09-2003, 06:56 AM

Originally posted by SkyDog
No different from all the anti-war protestors in non-English-speaking countries carryings signs written in English. The Iraqis, just like the protestors, probably just want the Americans to see what they have to say.

True, but I'm somewhat surprised that the general population in Iraq would be able to write in English.

Ben E Lou

04-09-2003, 06:58 AM

Originally posted by Easy Mac
I just love the picture where they wrote the "Bye Bye Sadam" in English. Hmmm, kind of like those middle-east war protestors with english signs :)

And yes SD, thats exactly what I said :rollseyes: Thanks for knowing exactly what everyone thinks about every situation involving the war. But I guess rioting and looting is the American way, so they learn fast. It is amazing to me that anyone would want to scoff at these oppressed people's unmitigated joy in any way.

Ben E Lou

04-09-2003, 06:59 AM

Originally posted by Bee
True, but I'm somewhat surprised that the general population in Iraq would be able to write in English. Good point. Of course, most English-speakers spell it with two "D's", which makes me wonder if this was written by a barely-educated-in-English Iraqi.

Easy Mac

04-09-2003, 07:00 AM

And its amazing people can condone the violence and stealing of those same people (see also the picture of the Republican Guardsman being beaten). Doing things out of joy doesn't make it right. I'm happy today, maybe I should beat down people who I dont agree with.

Ben E Lou

04-09-2003, 07:04 AM

Originally posted by Easy Mac
And its amazing people can condone the violence and stealing of those same people (see also the picture of the Republican Guardsman being beaten). Doing things out of joy doesn't make it right. I'm happy today, maybe I should beat down people who I dont agree with. Exactly when did I say I condone it? I said I understand it. Everything I've read so far says that the looting has been of government buildings. I've yet to hear anything about violence/rioting. It is certainly understandable for a people who have been oppressed to take out their frustration on government buildings.

And if they beat a Republican Guardsman, that sounds to me like an oppressed people joining their liberators in the fight against their oppressors.

CamEdwards

04-09-2003, 07:04 AM

Bee

04-09-2003, 07:08 AM

The reports I've seen indicates this is happening with the Shiites, does anyone know if the Sunnis are celebrating as well? I'm very curious what their reaction will be.

AgPete

04-09-2003, 07:11 AM

Originally posted by SkyDog
Of course they're looting the government buildings. Wouldn't you?

Or, would you think it better that they had remained under Saddam's regime?

I can't speak for the Iraqis but I know I've always wanted a solid gold toilet seat. :D

Ben E Lou

04-09-2003, 07:12 AM

Originally posted by Bee
The reports I've seen indicates this is happening with the Shiites, does anyone know if the Sunnis are celebrating as well? I'm very curious what their reaction will be. Haven't heard. The big report was of a Shiite cleric. From CNN:But in the Baghdad suburb of Saddam City, residents were in the streets, celebrating the apparent end of the Iraqi regime. A Shiite Muslim leader told a group of 400 to 500 people, "The tyrant of the world is finished, thanks to the coalition. Thank God for Iraq the victorious."

Easy Mac

04-09-2003, 07:38 AM

Personally, I'm happy for the people of Iraq, they deserve this, to be free. I just think the article link is the main reservation I have with the looting. You don't have to agree, just read, and understand my hesitence.

link (http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/meast/04/09/otsc.irq.amin/)

Ben E Lou

04-09-2003, 07:42 AM

Originally posted by Easy Mac
Personally, I'm happy for the people of Iraq, they deserve this, to be free. I just think the article link is the main reservation I have with the looting. You don't have to agree, just read, and understand my hesitence.

link (http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/meast/04/09/otsc.irq.amin/) It makes some good points. However, CNN just reported a few minutes ago that our Marines in Baghdad are changing the battle plan to begin acting as police. Because of your general mistrust of the motives of our Commander-in-Chief and his military, I can see why you are hesitant. I, on the other hand, believe the Marines will do a fine job of policing things and restoring law and order.

Havok

04-09-2003, 08:09 AM

man im loving this. All those Anti-war people have to feel like dumasses now.

"There's gonna be 100,000's civilan casulties!!!!!!"

"US will lose 10,000+ Troops!!!!!"

"Rumsfield's War Plan is all wrong!!!"

"Blah Blah Blah!!!!"

Our tanks just rolled into Baghdad's city center with very little resistance. Chalk another one up for our troops.

NoMyths

04-09-2003, 08:15 AM

Unmitigated Iraqi Joy (http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/meast/04/09/sprj.irq.ali.charity/index.html)

P.S. It's not just government buildings getting looted...was hearing about a hotel getting ransacked for everything from faucets to doors earlier.

Fritz

04-09-2003, 08:18 AM

Originally posted by Easy Mac
And for all we know, its a soldier holding a sign.

Those are Arab arms and you know it. You can tell just by looking!

CamEdwards

04-09-2003, 08:23 AM

no Fritz, it's all CIA propaganda.

Ben E Lou

04-09-2003, 08:29 AM

Two guys have now climbed up on that HUGE statue of Saddam in the Government Square in Baghdad, and a bunch of people are below throwing shoes at the statue. I'd love to see our troops rig something up to help them take that sucker down.

Ben E Lou

04-09-2003, 08:30 AM

Dola! They're wrapping a big rope around it right now! This is gonna be fun to watch. :D :D :D

scooper

04-09-2003, 08:30 AM

Originally posted by SkyDog
http://www.msnbc.com/news/1857590.jpg

What is that? A water cooler? I'd like to have one of those for the office.

CamEdwards

04-09-2003, 08:30 AM

they're trying to tie ropes to the statue right now.

Ben E Lou

04-09-2003, 08:37 AM

Amazing that those Iraqi citizens were able to come up with a rope that long and thick so quickly. ;)

Havok

04-09-2003, 08:38 AM

yep... that sucker is coming down one way or the other.

Ben E Lou

04-09-2003, 08:41 AM

If Saddam is alive, I hope he's watching CNN right now.

scooper

04-09-2003, 08:43 AM

Originally posted by SkyDog
Amazing that those Iraqi citizens were able to come up with a rope that long and thick so quickly. ;)

Maybe they borrowed it from one of Saddam's torture chambers. My guess is it came from a storage compartment on an M-1 Abrams.

Speaking of torture chambers, I was flipping around last night and happened upon a story on MSNBC where the reporter was going through a torture/prison facility in Iraq. He was being guided through by former prisoners there who were giving him the lowdown on what had been done to them. Nasty stuff.

Bee

04-09-2003, 08:44 AM

I hope Americans realize they are celebrating their freedom from Saddam, not the US or our way of life.

CamEdwards

04-09-2003, 08:46 AM

Originally posted by Bee
I hope Americans realize they are celebrating their freedom from Saddam, not the US or our way of life.

I think it's fair to say they're celebrating their freedom from Saddam, but I think it's also fair to say they recognize who's brought them their freedom. That's why we're hearing chants of "Bush, Bush, Bush" and "We Love America" as well.

Ben E Lou

04-09-2003, 08:46 AM

Where is Peter Gabriel when we need him???

Ben E Lou

04-09-2003, 08:48 AM

That guy in the black tank top needs to be the new Chief of Police.

Bee

04-09-2003, 08:51 AM

Originally posted by CamEdwards
I think it's fair to say they're celebrating their freedom from Saddam, but I think it's also fair to say they recognize who's brought them their freedom. That's why we're hearing chants of "Bush, Bush, Bush" and "We Love America" as well.

The reports coming into CBS also include a lot of comments like "I don't like Saddam, but I hate seeing a foreign invader in the middle of Baghdad". These people have been fed a steady diet of anti-Americanism for decades. It's not going to be overcome easily.

Ben E Lou

04-09-2003, 08:56 AM

Originally posted by scooper
My guess is it came from a storage compartment on an M-1 Abrams.Yup, I'm thinking that sledgehammer might have been slipped to 'em as well. ;)

Ben E Lou

04-09-2003, 09:07 AM

American tank approaching the statue now.

Bee

04-09-2003, 09:16 AM

Originally posted by SkyDog
American tank approaching the statue now.

:D That might be a little overkill, but I like it.

JonInMiddleGA

04-09-2003, 09:28 AM

Gunfire reported around the area :(

{edit to add} -- apparently nothing serious

Ben E Lou

04-09-2003, 09:35 AM

OH BABY!!!! They just draped Old Glory over his face!!!! :D :D :D

Bee

04-09-2003, 09:36 AM

Originally posted by SkyDog
OH BABY!!!! They just draped Old Glory over his face!!!! :D :D :D

I hope they remove it before they use the tank...

Ben E Lou

04-09-2003, 09:38 AM

Originally posted by Bee
I hope they remove it before they use the tank... They did. That was VERY funny though!

scooper

04-09-2003, 09:38 AM

Thanks for the play by play. Keep it up. Man, I wish I was at home right now.

JonInMiddleGA

04-09-2003, 09:38 AM

Flag = bad p.r. move globally
Flag = popular move with crowd (judging from cheers)
Flag = they earned the right to do it, p.r. be damned

Now if somebody could find an Iraqi flag to duplicate the scene with, we'd have the best of both worlds

Ben E Lou

04-09-2003, 09:41 AM

Originally posted by JonInMiddleGA
Now if somebody could find an Iraqi flag to duplicate the scene with, we'd have the best of both worlds Looks like they're about to do that. A US Marine has the Iraqi flag about to put it up now.

JonInMiddleGA

04-09-2003, 09:41 AM

I love it, I oughta go into marketing or something ... hey, wait a minute :)

Ben E Lou

04-09-2003, 09:45 AM

Dang it would suck if the tank isn't strong enough...

JonInMiddleGA

04-09-2003, 09:47 AM

Dang Dog, you read my mind

Ben E Lou

04-09-2003, 09:49 AM

Originally posted by JonInMiddleGA
Dang Dog, you read my mind LOOKS LIKE WE HAD NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT THOUGH!

Craptacular

04-09-2003, 09:50 AM

MSNBC Live Video (http://www.msnbc.com/m/lv/default.asp?0cv=c644)

Craptacular

04-09-2003, 09:50 AM

There it goes!!!!1

JonInMiddleGA

04-09-2003, 09:53 AM

I'm reminded of the old Eddie Murphy routine with the line
"My shoe !!!"

Ben E Lou

04-09-2003, 09:53 AM

Wow. The Iraqis are now on the ground slapping the statue and jumping up and down on it.

Ben E Lou

04-09-2003, 09:55 AM

http://i.a.cnn.net/cnn/2003/images/04/09/top2.statue.down.ap.jpg

Ben E Lou

04-09-2003, 09:57 AM

http://wwwimage.cbsnews.com/images/2003/04/09/image548494x.jpg

Ben E Lou

04-09-2003, 09:57 AM

What amazes me is that they're letting the Iraqi citizens stand and celebrate on top of the tank.

Craptacular

04-09-2003, 10:03 AM

Al Jazeera is apparently focusing entirely on the brief appearance of the U.S. flag on the statue.

Bee

04-09-2003, 10:05 AM

Originally posted by Craptacular
Al Jazeera is apparently focusing entirely on the brief appearance of the U.S. flag on the statue.

They'll probably loop it and play it for hours. :rolleyes:

JonInMiddleGA

04-09-2003, 10:05 AM

Originally posted by Craptacular
Al Jazeera is apparently focusing entirely on the brief appearance of the U.S. flag on the statue.

What a shock :rolleyes:

Meanwhile, the BBC apparently didn't bother to show some of the early footage at all, opting instead to cover an earthquake in India.