Photo Opportunity vs. Reality in Iraq

Photo Opportunity vs. Reality in Iraq
 Impeach Bush Resource Center Opens

 Dear VoteNoWar Member,

 The Bush Administration, famous for its capacity to shamelessly lie about the
 war, is becoming equally famous for its "surprise" publicity stunts and for
 using real, living soldiers as nothing but extras for his photo-op backdrops.

 Bush flew into Baghdad yesterday for exactly 150 minutes to present a tearful
 pose with US GI's. He never left the airport. Knowing that Thanksgiving is a
 "slow news day," White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card used this as the
 latest marketing strategy for the Administration's illegal war and occupation.
 Card was the Administration official who cynically explained why the Bush
 Administration waited until September 2002 to declare that Iraq had become a
 grave and imminent danger by saying "you don't market a new product in
 August."

 Bush's Thanksgiving trip today to Iraq, like his "dramatic" landing on the
 USS Aircraft Carrier Abraham Lincoln last May 1, is designed solely for
 domestic political consumption. The Iraqi people, who have suffered so many
 deaths, dislocation and deterioration in their quality of life view Bush's
 trip with contempt.

 A Reuters dispatch of November 27 quotes ordinary Iraqis on their views about
 Bush's choreographed visit: 

 "As far as I'm concerned he's welcome to come and he's more than welcome to
 leave," said Abu Mohammed, 57, a cigarette and chewing gum vendor on the
 streets of the capital....

 Abu Sara, a restaurant owner in the capital, said if security and living
 standards under the Americans did not improve rapidly, more Iraqis would
 turn against the U.S. forces. 

 "We welcome Bush as we welcome any guest who comes peacefully," he said.
 "But we want to draw attention to the fact that there is no security, no
 jobs and no services well into the American occupation of Iraq....

 To try to quell guerrillas, U.S. forces have stepped up operations, dropping
 bombs on suspected rebel positions, firing mortars and missiles and raiding
 homes with heavy fire. 

 The aggressive tactics have angered many ordinary Iraqis and led some to
 compare Bush to imperial invaders of old. 

 "To hell with Bush. He is another Mongol in a line of invaders who have
 destroyed Iraq," said Mohammed al-Jubouri.  
 Iraqis waiting for hours to fill up with gasoline in the center of Baghdad
 said Bush was not liked at all. 

 "Look at what we have to go through. Our living conditions have become
 deplorable. The U.S. situation in Iraq will only become worse if things do
 not improve," said one taxi driver. 

 "Bush has zero popularity here" 
 While the canned images of Bush in Iraq are designed to tell one story, they
 don't allow the public to understand what the reality is for the soldiers
 left behind when Bush took off after his 150 minute stop-over. One soldier
 who attended the Bush photo-op told CNN "All I care about now is getting out
 of here alive." Another solider told the reporter that the "troops have been
 here too long," and should go home. 

 CNN put Bush's trip into perspective, commending the Administration on
 creating "splendid images as Mr. Bush goes into an election next year." 

 Bush's trip to Iraq was a desperate attempt to generate a one-day flurry of
 positive news media coverage to try to overcome the fact that the country,
 including the soldiers and their families, are turning against the
 administration's criminal war and occupation. VoteNoWar members are playing
 an important part in organizing this groundswell of grassroots opposition.

 In addition to participation in anti-war activities, including forming the
 Bring the Troops Home Now! committees, and planning for the March 20 global
 day of action, many VoteNoWar members have also been active in the movement
 to Impeach Bush. We wanted to let people know that a new
 

If you have a story to tell send it to me and I'll add it to this list. I do not publish names or email addresses unless requested. by you.
Dave Kaspersin

Email to:drk@dyrec.com Click here to send me a letter.