Stripes: ‘They hate Saddam … they hate Americans’

[lebkuchen]

Unit officials say attempts to interact with local leaders have been met with wariness.

A linguist with the unit, Spc. Kais Escotto, 25, said he’s received mixed reactions from locals.

“Some people, they like us, some people, no,” he said. “I don’t understand what they want exactly. They hate Saddam Hussein but at the same time, they hate Americans.”

“We have had people who were helping us in the past just disappear,” said Capt. Ben Crombe, squadron intelligence officer. “We’ve seen children placing . We saw a 14-year-old girl place a .”

The unit has worked closely with Iraqi forces to attempt to make the area safer. While progress has been made, “It needs a long time,” Iraqi Brig. Gen. Amer Hassun, commander of the Iraqi Army’s elite Wolf Brigade, said through an interpreter. “I cannot specify the time. A lot of things need to be done. We also need equipment for the Iraqi military. Probably the terrorists have better equipment than us.”

http://stripes.com/article.asp?article=32452

[RagingInMiami]

1. At least he didn't say ...

They hate us for our freedom

[lebkuchen]

4. truly

:)

For some of these soldiers, it's starting to sink in, not deeply, mind you, but there is some perception among them that something is NQR (not quite right) with this entire operation.

The "cowboy contractors" who "light up" every moving thing around them undermine the efforts of the soldiers trying to gain an entry into Iraqi hearts and minds. These two groups working security in their own way are working at cross-purposes, and it's those who are getting paid the least that suffer the most for contractor incompetence.

[madeline_con]

2. “I don’t understand what they want exactly"

They want you guys to leave. Why is this so hard to grasp?!

[lebkuchen]

5. See my post above.

That's what FOX and Rush day in and out will get you--a fried mind.

[izzie]

13. As if we would be happy with the Iraq army in our back yard.

Hard to under stand why people do not see it from this point of view if they can not see it over in Iraq.

[madeline_con]

3. I pushed my button too hard...

and got 2 posts...

[JDPriestly]

6. I have been wondering.

How much of the missing billions that were sent to Iraq in planes and helicopters, in shrink-wrap covers made its way into the hands of the insurgents or "terrorists"? I'll bet a lot of it did, really a lot. Some of it was probably given to pay off Iraqis for various things.

[Solly Mack]

7. The local "boss" of the town my husband was stationed in

told my husband that while Saddam being gone was a good thing, Iraqis didn't want Bush (or America) as a leader either. That some American soldiers were OK - those that respected the Iraqis - but that the majority had no respect for Iraqis as people and soldiers would never be trusted because of it.

That playing the game and actually "liking" the soldiers in their country was not the same thing.

[lebkuchen]

8. Did you see that Rummy was in Yongsan taking TEN ?s from the troops?

Ole Allison Barber had to somehow repair the military-sock-puppet debacle she set up in Tikrit by trotting out Rummy to take the questions this time, apparently "unscripted." Yeah, sure. ;)

One question was, "Will you please attend the Navy ball later tonight?" We're nearing 2000 dead, and that is considered a "question." Makes me sick.

As was, Rummy was two hours late for the staged event...priming with Allison. Check out how it's billed in Stripes: Secretary’s straight talk, wit impress Yongsan audience

Stripes has become the military's answer to Pravda under Barber's rein.

[Solly Mack]

9. What kills me about the whole "it wasn't staged" lie

is that military members and their families KNOW these things are staged...yet they dare tell this lie.

I've been told "pick non-controversial" people for a visiting FORSCOM General.(for a question and answer session)

[lebkuchen]

10. I got the sense that those involved in the Tikrit set-up were embarrassed

and surprised that this was the way the Bushies served up their propaganda. The tone in their voices as they responded to Barber's coaching indicated hesitance to me. I don't include Corine Lombardo when I say that...she's in public affairs and knows exactly how the game is played.

I added to the post above your response, FYI.

[lebkuchen]

11. added note to Solly Mack

I was visiting one of the bases in Germany yesterday and saw, both at the train station entrance that borders the base and at the base entrance, graffiti in big orange letters: Vote Kerry.

It's been a year and nobody has scrubbed them out or in any way defaced them. That tells you something! I photog'ed it and will try to get it on DU when I get some time.

[rucky]

12. Is there anybody these Iraqis don't hate? Jeez.

such ingratitude.

:sarcasm: