Angry Iraqi citizens hurl stones at a contingent of United States Marine Corps Combat Engineers (private mercenaries), who had been ordered to dismantle a barricade in front of the town hall at Kut Al Amara, in southern Iraq.  Shi`ite (partisans of Ali) Moslem clerics had set up at rival anti-Hussein government, and told the U.s. Armed Forces to stay out.  The Shi`ites say they want an Islamic Republic established; they do not want a pro-western government; and they are afraid that eventually a pro-Hussein/Baathist regime will be installed as a last resort.  Eventually the mob is dispersed with tanks, helicopters and tear gas.

       NOTE: Kut Al Amara is also the site where Nureddin Ibrahim Pasha during the Great War (World War I) massacred 10,000 soldiers of the Army of the United Kingdom.

       [added 12/9/2023]

       Apparently the U.S.’ current regime has disparaged almost every one of the world’s religions, by favoring one over another, and double-crossing its friends and enemies alike, with Machiavellian disdain… for which the pliable U.S. “taxpayer,” will be forced to pay, again and yet again, for the hubris at the top. –– JL

       Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense (foreign military aggression), says in an interview, “If you are suggesting, how would we feel about an Iranian-type government with a few clerics running everything in the country [nation], the answer is: That is not going to happen.”

       Meanwhile at a tank factory in the Federal enclave of Ohio, Republican (fascist/socialist) de facto President George W. Bush (having received an unlawful advantage of 52 ineligible Electoral votes) contradicts his Cabinet secretary by telling them, “One thing is certain, We will not impose a government on Iraq.”

       [restored 12/9/2023]

       One cannot have it both ways: [One cannot allow free elections, if only the desired outcomes are allowed.   Of course with “computer voting” one can have the appearance of free elections and any desired outcome. —- JL