Have we forgotten - or do some of us think we are better than them?

During the Second World War, the resistance that was built on the rubble of destroyed European countries, The Netherlands, France, Poland, and even from those who welcomed the Nazis without a shot ever being fired, like the Danes, fought hard and used methods that might have violated a few human rights along the way. The common cause put aside political, religious and ideological differences, as the main objective was to drive out the Germans, which went above everything else. These people, who fought hard and long were hailed as heroes, true patriots. Their methods of sabotage, were not very popular in some areas however, as a direct backlash to victories of the resistance was the execution of locals by the Germans, as a warning and as a punishment.
We seem to have forgotten that an occupation force inside your country can create very strong emotions as we the Europeans, as well as the other fat cats of the Western World, do not need to bother ourselves with such things anymore. Now we have become the occupiers, preaching our cause and our policies to others. This is the situation in Iraq. The Sunnis and the Shiites that are fighting against the Americans and the Brits, as well as killing their own brothers, are in a battle of resistance. To get rid of the occupying force and get their country back. But what are the words out of Bush and Blair? They talk of terrorists and jihads. Perhaps some of the foreign fighters, invited by the Sunni insurgents view this fight as a jihad, for their greater willingness to die, but the Iraqis on a whole do not. Try this word for size: muqawama - a resistance. They fight to revenge the humiliation they felt when American and British troops alike kicked them like dogs, pushed them to the ground and killed their families and friends. This will not stop, until the coalition withdraws and gives the country, occupied on false grounds, back to the people. So now there is a shaky timetable set to withdraw the troops, but what I have seen and heard from the most powerful man on the earth and his pet, is that you cannot really take them at their word. So, I will believe that they really want to give back the oil they stole from the Iraqis, which is paying for the occupation, and to turn back to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and other Arab countries and negotiate for their oil rather than take, when the last American flag is lowered in Iraq. When the withdrawal has taken place, most Iraqis will lay down their weapons and start to rebuild their lives, as they would have fulfilled Allah's will by driving the infidels out. It will be a great day, which should be celebrated, as the day when America and the Western world will view the Middle East as equal. Its a humbling lesson, which must be learnt now.

When the soldiers return, shattered to bits, do not spit on them with disgust, rather celebrate them for their courage and commitment. I don't think there are many among the coalition soldiers who would have wanted to see what a child looks like after a mortar has landed next to him. They are there, because they are fulfilling their contratcs, keeping their word. Its not their fault that their governments are using them to do their dirty work.

Its a sunny day in Wales, for the first time in weeks, so I am going out of this house and put my mind to other things, rather than Iraq, like going for a cup of tea in the city centre and buying some Christmas presents.

Be good.