On this day in history, America toppled the Hussein regime.
Posted on 04/08/2006 9:41:55 AM PDT by ARealMothersSonForever
There have been scenes of jubilation in Baghdad as US tanks rolled into the very heart of the Iraqi capital, confirming that the government of Saddam Hussein has been ousted from power. In the main square in Baghdad, a group of Iraqi men attempted to pull down a massive statue of Saddam Hussein in an unprecedented show of contempt for the Iraqi leader.
The metal plaque at the base of the statue was torn off and the statue's marble plinth attacked with a sledgehammer.
The men scaled the statue to secure a noose around its neck but were unable to pull it down.
Then US troops joined in, and used an armoured vehicle to gradually pull down the statue.
Flag controversy
The extraordinary scenes were watched by millions across the world live on television.
The square is opposite the Palestine Hotel, used as a base by the world's media during the war in Iraq.
A little before the statue came down, a US soldier climbed up and draped the face with a US flag.
The crowd did not welcome the move, seeing it as a step too far towards American triumphalism, and the flag was quickly removed.
A few minutes later, it was replaced by the old Iraqi flag, to roars of approval.
Contempt
As the statue fell to the ground at last, the crowd surged forward and jumped on it.
Chanting and jeering, they danced on the fallen effigy, kicking it and hitting it with their shoes in a symbolic gesture of contempt as it was torn to pieces.
They then severed the head, tied chains around it, and dragged it through the streets.
As news of the events in the square spread, more and more Iraqis gathered to watch, with women and children joining the crowds of men.
There were similar scenes across the capital, as the many hundreds of statues and pictures of Saddam Hussein that came to symbolise his regime were attacked and torn down.
The military campaign will continue, although the US Army has delivered its most upbeat assessment yet of the gains it is making in Iraq.
"Much of Iraq is free from years of repression," said Brigadier-General Vincent Brooks, the US Central Command spokesman in Qatar.
"With every day that passes, we are breaking the grip of the regime."
On this day in history, America toppled the Hussein regime.
And remember when a few weeks later they rolled out the "new" Iraqi flag which was also quickly removed as it looked too much like the Israeli flag?
This is a scan of a newspaper front page. The historical aspect is promoted. I still enjoy seeing this, from the historical perspective only ;) Otherwise, we would just be the only hyperpower in the world; projecting freedom wherever we darn well pleased.
People must feel optimistic and consider it a success, or the markets wouldn't have taken off like this.
bump!~
Opinion polls are meaningless.
People are voting with their money, and that spells SUCCESS.
Look at the Nasdaq up 70% since then, the Dow and S&P 500 up 35% and 50% respectively.
When people are worried, they pull their money out of the market, when they think the future looks bright, they keep buying.
A wonderful moment, for which our military and C-in-C are owed eternal thanks: and never mind the yelping dogs.
Only 2 years ago? Iraq is looking pretty good for only 2 years. I doubt it will be recognisable in 2 more years.
One of my favorite images is the one where the little kid is riding the statue's head while it's being pelted with shoes. Three years ago-dang time sure flies.
Bump for the evening crew.
A belated "Well said!"
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