Apparently an al-Jazeera news anchor and the entire Arab world weren't the only ones shocked at the sight of a zealous -- and temporarily insane -- marine unfurl the Stars and Stripes over the pre-decapitated head of Saddam Hussein. There were "gasps" at the Pentagon and in Doha, Qatar "even U.S. troops watching the screen seemed upset at seeing the use of the U.S. flag."
Rather than unnecessarily inflame people's passions and suspicions, imagine the insanely huge PR coup for The Coalition had Cpl. Edward Chin followed orders, kept Old Glory in his pocket, and hung only the Iraqi flag.
UPDATE: Steve M. at No More Mister Nice Blog alerts us to today's front page of Rupert Murdoch's New York Post:
Indeed. Although listening to the "good ole boy's" on MPR, I think considering the consequences of one's actions is not part of our soldier's capacity. You'd think they could follow a stupid order correctly though.
Another point, is it good to have American tanks pull down the statues? I think the Russians did it themselves, and I would think the Iraqi's could come up with a stolen bulldozer or two to pull down their own statues.
Posted by: triple on April 10, 2003 08:41 AMSeen the front page of the New York Post?
Either Murdoch thinks Arabs and Muslims won't see this rubbed in their faces yet again or he doesn't give a goddamn what they think.
Posted by: Steve M. on April 10, 2003 08:47 AMTriple...
I think that looted city busses are more suited to the job of heavy towing and pulling.
-- bob
Posted by: bob on April 10, 2003 11:09 AMI don't think this is unique. The Toronto Star (a lefty publication by any measure) and my local daily ran the same front page photo as the New York Post.
Posted by: Steve on April 10, 2003 11:10 AMLet's see...
Of all the people worldwide who were celebrating yesterday, how many of them are terrorists? My guess is exactly NONE.
Of all the terrorists worldwide who watched video from yesterday's events, how many of them are now waving U.S. flags? My guess is exactly NONE.
Posted by: Drew on April 10, 2003 11:17 AMSpeaking of PR, the Today show interviewed Cpl. Chin, as well as the whole Chin family, all very happy to see each other. I think he said something about putting the flag up there "for a minute" because of something about 9-11. But nice damage control move, show the motivations of a single enthusiastic soldier, who's family loves him, rather than the imperial notions of a superpower.
Posted by: Jake on April 10, 2003 04:27 PM