Not making excuses for anyone here, but it's my understanding that the folks in those pictures would be in serious jeopardy from the insurgents should these be widely distributed. Come to think of it, now they are. Don't know if it's true or not, but I've heard that the insurgents have killed a lot of the people who were shown on the news with purple fingers after the elections. I personally have no doubt that a lot of Iraquis are grateful for the demise of Sadaam Hussien. But if the vast majority are, why are they not taking up arms and killing the insurgents. They all know who the insurgents are. Why do they protect them ?Why do they not kill them ? Why do they not at least tell the Americans where they hide ? Fear ? yes I am sure a lot of it is fear, but how much of it is the belief that they are a Muslim country and they want to be a Muslim country and they want a Theocracy and do not want a democracy because democracy means they have to share power with those they do not agree with. This is civil war at it's worst. They have to solve it themselves just as we did 140 something years ago. How many died at Gettysburg ? Bull Run ? I took a ride a few months ago and met some of you. I also met this nation's past as I rode through places who's names are burned into my physche. No one solved our problems, we solved them ourselves and the toll was horrific. We should all remember that and let the Iraqui's solve their own problems. Those that will die will die and those that wil survive will rule and that is the way of mankind. Might is right whether we delude ourselves with thinking elsewise or not. Sorry to get off track a bit, but too many Americans are dying for something we cannot hope to achieve. Democracy in a place which doesn't want it. I am not lying when I say I shed a tear every time I see or hear of another brave American who gave all in support of what their country asked of them. They are our greatest heros, but it is time for them to come home and let Iraq be whatever Iraq wants to be irregardless of how many Iraquis die in search of it.