As I write this, the streets are full of cheering crowds, and some Iraqi citizens are preparing to topple the statue of Saddam Hussein in the Center Square of the city.

The reports are indicating that the number of troops in the area are relatively small, considering the chaos that is likely to ensue, especially after nightfall. People are looting government buildings and residences throughout the city.

I pray for all the people in Iraq... the citizens, the American and British troops, and even the remaining people loyal to the Ba'ath party... I pray for their safety, and for all to find wisdom in this move into the future.

I've been watching it and praying with you all morning.

Was it just me or did the scene seem eerily Tianamen (?)Square-ish?

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It reminded me of watching the Berlin Wall being brought down back in 89, but it is still very frighening to think of may still ensue. This war is still not over, our armies were sent in to protect and free these people, they have as it now seems freed them, but it is when the troops are sent home I fear those people will need the most protection. Let us all hope and pray that our Governments CAN deliver THIS promise of protection.

The happiness of most Iraqis seems genuine. I have heard a few people thanking the soldiers, and I've heard they they are celebrating religious holidays that Saddam had banned. I hope and pray that we can uphold this freedom and truly help this nation govern itself.

Yes, the happiness and cheering that we see on our televisions seems genuine... But last night, I saw a few clips of what is being shown on Arabic TV... looting and chaos in some areas... in other areas, citizens still afraid to leave their homes. Afraid of what? The chaos? the Americans? the remaining pockets of resistance in their neighborhood?

Our American televisions tend to show mostly scenes that cast a good light on our activities.

When the Iraqis were pulling down the statue yesterday morning, I was glad to see the Marines help them accomplish this... but to plaster an American flag on the statue? I know these kids didn't realize the political implications, and I am glad they were told to remove it, but I fear the damage has been done.

I am sure that this small action will be seen as a declaration of American dominance in the future of Iraq. This should not and cannot be allowed to happen!

Our difficult work is now before us... to aid the Iraqi people without dominating them. Can we do this? I don't think the current administration has a clue as to how. What Iraq needs is to be rebuilt in its own way... What America needs is a president who understands rebuilding and allowing people to find their own right direction.

(Did I hear someone say Jimmy Carter? I would love to see him back in the White House, but realistically that is not likely to happen.)

Jimmy might be getting too old to want to do it. But Carter and a fine team of local advisors could be an excellent group to administer a rebuilding coalition to get Iraq back to the Iraqies. Sane and Humane.

Chaos reigns ... and it may get worse before it gets better, I fear.

I read an early report just now, of a suicide bomber at a checkpoint in Baghdad... unknown how many casualties

And here is an excerpt from a report on the looting of the Hospitals in Baghdad:
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An ICRC Spokeswoman in Geneva said the Al Kindi hospital near the city center was attacked by armed looters who stripped it of everything, including beds, electrical fittings and medical equipment.

"Al Kindi has been looted by an armed group. Security in the city is very bad and people are not daring to go to the hospitals," spokeswoman Nada Doumani said.

"I want to really stress that it's the responsibility of the forces in charge to ensure hospitals and supply stations are safe and that people can get access to medical care. They have to ensure access to civilian infrastructure," Doumani said.
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I am praying with all I have in me. Please join with me!

Wyldflower, your post are really nice and filled with heart and emotion, I like that. Reading your posts I always imagine you sitting on a pink cloud, dreaming of Flowers and a better world.

But... did you really think it's over now ?? A few cheering crowds in Baghdad and all is well again ??

Heya, the show has just begun !!

Now the Kurds have taken Kirkuk with all it's oil, they're taking the opportunity now to reunion with the Turkish Kurds to build an independent state... that means dirty war between Turkey and the Kurds...

The Shiits (the biggest part of Iraqi people) want to do the same in the south with the Irani Shiits... Iran wouldn't like that either too much and this will mean dirty war between Iran and the Shiits.

After that you can wait for massacres at the Sunnits, which are probably the most hated people in Iraq...

And nobody of them all really likes Israel...

Please excuse when I can't sit down and say: "Oh how wonderful, the Iraqi people are free now, and they will build a wonderful democracy like we have in America !"

The same way you could go down to the zoo and open all the cages and say: "It was time to free them, those cages were embarassing to them and they suffered !"

Wyldflower, even if it does not fit your wishes, suffering has just begun...

It is exactly because I hope for better that I post as I do. I didn't for a second think that it was "over" - I knew and know that this is just the beginning. If you look at my messages, you can see the pain and fear there, as well as the hope. This is the duality of this world exemplified.

I can only hold my hopes and continue to pray that the pain will be as little as possible in the circumstance... My focus must be on trying to bring light and hope and love and peace... which are all one with truth.

I am hurting for the world. But I am holding onto that little glimmer of hope. We all need to hope... and love... and see the pretty pink clouds, even as we look at the images of bloody bodies... but never lose touch with the pain and anguish that exists.

My thoughts and prayers are small in comparison to the needs of the world. This is why I ask people to join me in prayer.

Riot Act... Martin...
I love you!
<img src="http://www.arlo.net/ubb/smilies/angel.gif" width=25 height=20>

Wyldflower, you're right... I guess that's nearly all we can do, and I think I don't have to join you because I did it all the time...

When I was 16 (that was when I first seen Arlo ) I was an angry young man, always looking for truth and justice, now I'm 45, somewhat elder, but not less angry about what's going on... (and still singin' Arlo songs in clubs here in Germany).

It's always the most dangerous thing when power and stupitity meet... and I guess that's the fact with that incredible president of yours (... sounds like he had been elected, haha), and the plans of those people around this chimp really make me frighten... and angry...

So please don't take me wrong

Lot'sa hugs to you, Wyld !!!

What "Baghdad" means to different people:

George W. Bush: "We" are going to Baghdad"!.

George W. Bush's twin daughters on the phone from college with Dad: "We are half in the bag Dad. Send more money.....hic!".

A soldier writing home to his family:
" I pray that I don't come home in a bag Dad".

I saw the statue topple on tv. which was interesting. May God be with everyone at this time & peace too... <img src="http://www.arlo.net/ubb/smilies/peace.gif" width=16 height=16>

Joioning my prayers to yours in hopes of the best possible resolution of the chaos. I believe in the ultimate goodness of the human spirit, even with all our weaknesses. Let's hope and pray the somehow in all this mess that goodness will triuimph.

Not sure which thread/topic to put this under. But I found on a website a thing doing a parody of Dubya to the tune of ALICES by Arlo. I like Dub but I thought this was funny & ya'll would like it since it seems to be anti-Dubya.
http://www.the-broadside.com/touchegalthirty.htm