The Command Post - Iraq - Lawless Baghdad

April 10, 2003

Lawless Baghdad

A day after Hussein's government fell, signaling an end to three decades of ruthless Baath Party rule, Baghdad descended into lawlessness. Scenes of mayhem were repeated across a city relieved, anxious and vengeful. Hospitals and embassies were looted, as were ministries, government offices, Baath Party headquarters and homes like Majeed's in the Dora neighborhood. Ambulances were hijacked, as were public buses that ran their routes until the very moment of the government's collapse. ...
"We're like sheep. The shepherd's gone and everybody goes in their own direction." [a resident looter said] He thought for a moment, then added: "When will the Americans put an end to the looting?"

Posted By Christopher Rake at April 10, 2003 11:25 PM | TrackBack

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An aside - Having read this blurb and an artcile by Apple at the NYT today...am I paranoid if I am not satisfied with "some Iraqi I met said..." type quotes? I have no doubt that the Post and Times always follow the highest standards of journalistic integrity (cough, cough - excuse me), but it is remarkable how, in a sea of joy in Baghdad, some journalists are lucky enough to find the few people who share their world view and voice opposition and concern at the moment of their liberation. Interesting.

Posted by: ABC at April 10, 2003 11:32 PM

ABC: how dare you question RW "Johnny Quagmire" Apple!

Obviously the "resident looter" asked when the Americans would end the looting so he would know how much time he had left to loot.

Posted by: Clyde at April 10, 2003 11:37 PM

you made me piss my pants clyde NOW THAT WAS FUNNY...and also u have a criminal mind....lol

Posted by: aby normal at April 10, 2003 11:41 PM

you can not trust the resident looter,
his job is to mislead the press,,,along time ago we looted our grade one class of all its marbles durring a fire drill; so you can see i am familier with the looting seen. its very posible he was distracting the reporter while they looted his car.

Posted by: Bill at April 10, 2003 11:54 PM

bill give me back my marbles....

Posted by: aby normal at April 10, 2003 11:56 PM

"All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way"
Isaiah 53:6

Posted by: Gordon R. Durand at April 10, 2003 11:57 PM

Time for the Great Shepard... Who will heal the land and change the hearts...

Posted by: Original Mark at April 11, 2003 12:02 AM

and sort out all the dead iraqis?

Posted by: aby normal at April 11, 2003 12:03 AM

This will be soooo page 19 in a few days. For crying out loud we're still getting shot at.

Posted by: Brent at April 11, 2003 12:27 AM

Hey, I've got a job for you idle Iraqis in Baghdad.

Gas up some of your city buses, and go pick up those thousand conscripts, about 100 miles north, walking home.

Posted by: Kathleen at April 11, 2003 01:28 AM

There is no looting! There are no Americans here, we surround them all and spit on their mustaches at Saddam airport. You go check, you go see with your own eyes...

Posted by: Baghdad Bob at April 11, 2003 04:55 AM