The "Elite" Republican Guard

American Daily ^ | April 7, 2003 | Tom Barrt

[Jackson003]

The news media has repeated the phrase, "The elite Republican Guard" so many times that it is starting to seriously annoy me, for two reasons. First, I don't like the use of the word "Republican" being used to refer to anything connected with a dictatorship. To be fair, the media can't control that. It is the name of this group of thugs, whether we like it or not. But they can certainly refrain from using the word "elite" to describe a bunch of cowards who are not even real soldiers.

When Coalition forces reached the headquarters of what has been described as the very best of this "elite" fighting machine, the Medina Division, they found it empty. Military uniforms were scattered about. Our soldiers reported that these brave soldiers who were "prepared to fight to the death for Saddam," according to the Ministry of Information," had actually changed to civilian clothes and were hiding among the crowds welcoming their liberators.

If the Republican Guards were actually soldiers, they would report to the ministry of defense, as do other Iraqi soldiers. They do not. The various units of the Republican Guard are actually secret police; they report to the security directorate. Their main function is not to defend the country. It is to control the citizens of the country, and to protect its repressive dictator.

In the last few days, we have seen this "elite" fighting force do very little fighting. We have, instead, seen them hiding behind women and children. We have seen them deserting their posts. We have seen them firing at our troops from with religious shrines and hospitals, using civilians as shields. We have seen them dressing as civilians rather than standing and fighting as soldiers.

[Packer Pete]

Love Rush Limbaugh's quip: "Based on what we've seen, 'elite' means 'dead'!"

[sarasota]

Kinda like when you hear about the "elite" Hollywood types.
Nonesuch. No how.

[longtermmemmory]

They should call the piles of uniforms "indications of deserters"

Those soldiers are scared of surrendering and scared of fighting and dying.

[martin_fierro]

"Elite"? More like "DELETE". <|:)~

[Oldeconomybuyer]

Reminds me of the "elite" media.

[gridlock]

After the liberation, there needs to be a complete and thoroughgoing de-Ba'athification of Iraq. Participation in the Saddam regime or the Ba'ath party must be an automatic disqulification from holding any position of authority in the new, Free Iraq. Assests must be siezed and criminals must be tried. The Ba'ath party must be completely excized from the body politic if Free Iraq is to have any chance at all.

[Redbob]

This whole thing is just one big misunderstanding.
Someone years ago translated the Iraqi text "squiggle squiggle scratch squiggle curlicue" as "elite."

Actually, "elite" is "squiggle squiggle scratch curlicue squiggle".

The original scratches meant "Effete" Republican Guard - as we now well know!

[winner3000]

Our Republican Guard (Marines) are beating the h*ll out of theirs!

[wayoverontheright]

The only elite Republicans are our boys who are sacking Baghdad at this very moment.

[biblewonk]

Elite means they actually have a matching pair of boots to go with their AK-47.

[goldstategop]

This elite has nothing in common with the Marines.

[Yankee]

The effete Republican Guard

[vigilante2]

I hate to say it but it seems that the "elites" aren't actully doing the fighting and they've been forcing civilians to do it for them..they need to be weeded out after the uprising

[LS]

Jeez. This is the second time today I've pre-empted other writers/pundits/headliners. I posted earlier this week that no reporter, EVER, should refer to any third-world army unit as "elite," and should ALWAYS put "elite" in front of the 3rd Infantry Division and USMC.

[Major Matt Mason]

In the last few days, we have seen this "elite" fighting force do very little fighting. We have, instead, seen them hiding behind women and children. We have seen them deserting their posts. We have seen them firing at our troops from with religious shrines and hospitals, using civilians as shields. We have seen them dressing as civilians rather than standing and fighting as soldiers.

Bravely bold Sir Robin rode forth from Camelot

He was not afraid to die, O brave Sir Robin

He was not at all afraid to be killed in nasty ways

Brave, brave, brave, brave Sir Robin

He was not in the least bit scared to be mashed into a pulp

Or to have his eyes gouged out and his elbows broken

To have his kneecaps split and his body burned away

And all his limbs hacked and mangled, brave Sir Robin

His head smashed in and his heart cut out

And his liver removed and his bowels unplugged

And his nostrils raped and his bottom burnt off and his p*nis...

He is brave Sir Robin,

Brave Sir Robin who...

To fight and...............

Brave Sir Robin ran away

Bravely, ran away...away...

When danger reared its ugly head

He bravely turned his tail and fled

Yes, brave Sir Robin turned about

And gallantly he chickened out

Bravely taking to his feet

He beat a very brave retreat

Bravest of the brave, Sir Robin