Must-read of the day: INDC in Fallujah
posted at 2:19 pm on January 10, 2007 by Allahpundit
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How do you reclaim a country that’s so dangerous, firefighters are afraid to emerge from their station? Bill considers that question in his new piece for the Examiner. The can’t-miss, though, is the post he’s put up at INDC to complement it, an interview with a local civil servant named “Yusef” about the protection rackets being run by the jihadi mafia to fund the insurgency and what locals can do to stop them. Answer: follow the Patriquin plan.
I’m loath to blockquote any of it because it’s important enough that I want you to read it all. But:
We then discussed my camera, and whether I was going to take his picture. All Iraqis in civil positions shun pictures and cover their faces in public, lest the revelation of their identity cause them and their families to be killed.
Yusef: “Go ahead and take my picture, I’m not afraid, I’ve lost everything in Iraq. (The insurgents) killed my family, they killed my father in one spot, they killed my brother. They chopped my brother’s head off. So there is no more to lose.”
And:
Yusef: “Through my [experience as an enemy], the way I look at Americans, I look at them and feel like they are occupiers, occupying my country when the invasion happened. But when other parties showed up – especially the radicals and the Iranian militias, both who are not Iraqis – now I prefer the Americans. I’ve met [various Americans working for Fallujah]. It is my feeling that [they are] working hard, and (before I knew) you (Americans) I had a different image. Now that I know the Americans, I have a different impression. Now I deal honestly with them and feel they are really working for the benefit of my side.”
“I think the Americans are more for Iraq than the Iraqis themselves.”
Emphasis mine. Proceed.
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You won’t be reading any of that in the NYT. Olbermann would have to be dragged screaming and kicking to report it.
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GT on January 10, 2007 at 2:27 PM
It’s incredibly sad that the media is causing so much harm to these people.
If they would take some time out of their anti-american/anti-bush madness, maybe someone could let them know that “NO, Americans are not there to take your oil, or your first born.”
Damnit, just having Iraqi Oil on the market stabilizes the commoditity. Sell it to whoever you want, where-ever Whatever…
WE DON’T CARE.
But for the love of god, all we want to do is help people be free.
Jones Zemkophill on January 10, 2007 at 2:33 PM
The quote of the war…..
I am sure the MSM will publish this on the cover of the NYT in big, bold letters, along with some of the good that has actually been accomplished……….(crickets chirping)
And the Democrats will apologize for politicizing the war from the begining and giving aid and comfort to the enemies by their actions and statements………….. (more crickets chirping)
PinkyBigglesworth on January 10, 2007 at 2:45 PM
That is why we have to stay there and finish the job. If we leave now, nothing has changed. The more the Iraqis get to know Americans and realize our being there is also for their benefit, the more they will side with us and not the jihadists.
Here is the irony. The libs and Donks think that if we “just talk” with the enemy, we can find a non-miltaristic solution. The ones we need to talk with are the regular Iraqis, such as “Yusef,” to let them see we are not “the great Satan” after all and win them to our side. The jihadists, to whom we are supposed to reach out, will never listen to us. They are the ones that must be defeated militarily.
Mallard T. Drake on January 10, 2007 at 3:11 PM
Michael Moore summarized the left’s bigoted position on all of this a few weeks ago, a slightly modified position from the one they have always had. “They are not worth it”.
I saw a interview on the BBC with Rory Stewart that gives a bleak outlook. His personal experiences are disturbing (about 11:30 minutes in).
Is it Islam? Is it the Iraqis? There are parallels in history. Rwanda and Somalia support the left’s conclusion about “barbarians”. Consider Saddam’s war with Iran and the 250,000 “martyrs” sent out, unarmed, to overrun the Iraqis.
The left’s conclusion is that we can not “defeat” this enemy – we can only “kill” him. In contrast, I am reminded of words from Patton (I think) “Kick the enemy’s ass and his heart and mind will follow”.
According to Cindy Sheehan WE have killed 700,000 Iraqis. This lie reveals the left’s actual “hope” that we kill large numbers to support their overall view.
The left is afraid of or abhors killing the enemy. The fear is that the enemy is too stupid to stop. So stupid that you would have to kill millions or all of them.
This attitude reveals a fundamental position that “some people” are stupid, un-evolved, barbaric, incorrigible. The left, despite rhetoric, do not believe that “all men are created equal”.
To be fair, Muslims have not done much to counter this belief in recent times or through history. On the other hand take a look at .
Proof there are Muslims with hopes and dreams – until the others blow them up. Do we choose to fight for the former? No, we must fight with them. But not yet.
Agrippa2k on January 10, 2007 at 3:43 PM
Still trying to figure out the link thing. I saw a History Channel special on the Palm Resort in UAE. Las Vegas has nothing on these guys.
http://www.dubaipropertyauction.com/palmsales/video/palmmain/video.htm
Agrippa2k on January 10, 2007 at 3:45 PM
Agrippa2k – wow..thanks for that link. That’s incredible.
It’s like Adult Disneyland of Dubai..lol.
So beautiful, yet no way in Hell I’d venture into that area anytime soon, as a White, Christian female.
Wish I could though.
tickleddragon on January 10, 2007 at 4:58 PM
What irony that our former enemy in Fallujah supports the American presence in Iraq more than Ted Kennedy. Maybe he knows more than Teddy.
Tantor on January 10, 2007 at 5:17 PM
What’s wrong with this mind wiped moron? Doesn’t he know we’re just there to steal the oil?
Purple Avenger on January 10, 2007 at 5:22 PM
Here is one of the main problems in Iraq, in the expectations or hopes of the United States, and put so well in the concept of ““I think the Americans are more for Iraq than the Iraqis themselves.”
Perhaps the Iraqis identify more with sectarian clans than with a United Iraq. Until the majority of Iraqis gain that sense of nationalism, of care for their nation instead of their clan or relgious sect, the dream of a united Iraq will probably be a dream more cherished by Americans who want to go home than Iraqis who will call that dream their country.
Somehow I cannot see the Left supporting any effort to increase nationalism, but that is exactly what Iraq needs – along with dealing with foreign insurgents, especially from Iran.
omegaram on January 10, 2007 at 11:10 PM
The emphasized line is devastating and hearbreaking.
The last line is heartwarming. Made me smile for his hope.
Entelechy on January 11, 2007 at 12:46 AM
…of course “is devastating and heartbreaking” :(
Entelechy on January 11, 2007 at 12:48 AM
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