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General discussion

Iraqis stage pro-coalition demonstrations

Dec 11, 2003 2:24PM PST

Discussion is locked

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Re:Iraqis stage pro-coalition demonstrations
Dec 11, 2003 7:27PM PST
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Re:Iraqis stage pro-coalition demonstrations -- Propaganda, Del.
Dec 11, 2003 9:35PM PST

Hi, Del.

I wish it were so, but there are parts of this that are outright fabrications. Do a little math:

There were demonstrations "in as many as 8" cities. And
"In Baghdad, the scene of the largest demonstration, an estimated 5,000 Iraqis...."

If I still remember my times tables w/o a calculator, 8 cities (max) times 5,000 (the LARGEST) gives a maximum participation level of 40,000. So what is the possible basis for the absurd claim "Although the CPA estimated participation at 15,000 to 20,000 people, Iraqi police and media sources cited numbers ranging from 100,000 to 1 million?"
-- Dave K.
Speakeasy Moderator
click here to email semods4@yahoo.com

The opinions expressed above are my own,
and do not necessarily reflect those of CNET!

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Shall we for once put the calculator away and just wish it was so NT
Dec 12, 2003 6:29AM PST
Happy
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Re: Shall we for once put the calculator away and just wish it was so NT
Dec 12, 2003 6:40AM PST

Hi, Steve.

My point is, why add a paragraph that's patently untrue? It certainly doesn't enhance the story -- if anything, it detracts by opening it to criticism. It reminds me (in a small way) of my favorite paradigm for over-reaching, Operation Market Garden in WWII, history's largest paratroop operation. Instead of being an unqualified success, it's primarily remembered today under the title of the book and film about it -- "A Bridge Too Far."

BTW as I said at the beginning of my previous comment, I hope this is indeed a turning point in Iraqi public sentiment.
-- Dave K.
Speakeasy Moderator
click here to email semods4@yahoo.com

The opinions expressed above are my own,
and do not necessarily reflect those of CNET!

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Re:Re: Shall we for once put the calculator away and just wish it was so NT
Dec 12, 2003 9:16AM PST
BTW as I said at the beginning of my previous comment, I hope this is indeed a turning point in Iraqi public sentiment
Your heart Dave is certainly in the right place on that one.
The figure discrepency I hope was just a mistake with the reporters, and the story is genuine.
I hear so much anti-American, anti-British comments coming from the country, I shall keep my fingers crossed that this really is a turning point against pro-Saddam supporters.
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Acknowledging the discrepcency, still it's good news
Dec 12, 2003 7:30AM PST

And "major demonstrations in as many as eight cities " doesn't exclude smaller demonstrations in more places does it? so straight math of number of cities and the largest demostration might not be appropriate.

I'll grant the numbers may be overstated, but I'm glad that any of the Iraq community is willing to stand up and condemn the terrorists hiding among them.

roger

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Oh, you mean like the "Millian Man/Mom March(s)"?
Dec 13, 2003 2:55AM PST

You seemed to believe the numbers at the time despite visual evidence to the contrary.

In ALL cases fairly accurate numbers are presented but you seem to want to concentrate on the improbable--pro improbable when it behooves you and anti when it does not.

Why?

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That is really great news Del and
Dec 12, 2003 6:24AM PST
The increased cooperation, they said, reflects the Iraqi's desire for a safe and secure environment and is resulting in more tipsters coming forward to provide information about insurgents and their activities.


That should really help our intelligence in locating where all those terrorists are hanging out.
Thanks for sharing the good news with us Del
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Details, Picky, Picky..........
Dec 12, 2003 7:00AM PST

Obviously, 'something' took place, and as I indicated,
these kinds of demonstrations are long overdue.

I'm glad that 'something' took place. I don't hang
much value on the statistical details that come along
with most news stories. I sure hope the day never dawns
that I fail to recognize the value of something simply
because I'm too busy criticizing over some meaningless
detail.

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Re: Thanks, Del. This is good news. Love it. (nt)
Dec 12, 2003 8:28AM PST

.

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Re:Iraqis stage pro-coalition demonstrations -- OTOH, some not-so-good news
Dec 13, 2003 1:59AM PST
Iraqi army pay to be reconsidered after desertions.
" The U.S.-led coalition will reconsider the pay scale for members of the new Iraqi army after about half of the recruits deserted, the U.S. general in charge of Iraqi military operations said today." An earlier version of the story said the reasons were "low pay, inadequate training, faulty equipment, ethnic tensions, and other concerns."
-- Dave K.
Speakeasy Moderator
click here to email semods4@yahoo.com

The opinions expressed above are my own,
and do not necessarily reflect those of CNET!
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You, the "champion of the minimum wage"...
Dec 13, 2003 3:03AM PST

want to call this "not so good news"?

The ONLY bad aspect is that the desertions happened--the rest, including that actions are being taken to rectify the situation, is all good news.

Their pay by the way was similar to what Saddam had been paying so the desertions can even be looked at as CONFIDENCE that the Coalition forces will not slaughter them and their families for deserting.

How empty is your glass Dave?

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(NT) Actually Ed, under Saddam their salaries were lower
Dec 13, 2003 3:05AM PST

.

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Re:Iraqis stage pro-coalition demonstrations
Dec 13, 2003 3:18AM PST

I have no doubt that there are far more Iraqus who appreciate what the coalition is doing than the extremists who are killing their own people.

Angeline
click here to email semods4@yahoo.com