The only problem with these reports is that there have been no visual signs of any traffic INTO Iraq from Syria and Jordan. They take a bus to the border where they supposedly leave for Baghdad, but the satellites and journalists and forces on the ground have seen no traffic. Where are they going?
I watched a recent interview with two Arabic women. Both had relatives in Baghdad and each took a stance for/against the war. It was very interesting. Both were very adament on their position but both have the same background and situation with family inside where the bombs are falling. What was also interesting is that both claimed their family members inside Iraq told them that no one can leave the city because there are guards and militia at every intersection leaving out of Iraq with orders to shoot anyone that tries to leave. According to the guards, though, they are just there for security. Maybe we will never get the whole story...

>>>Tom
>>>
>>>If the people are only going to rise up once SH is dead... why will that be a good thing for "whoever" is in charge at that time?
>>>
>>>Regards
>>>
>>>JR
>>
>>John;
>>
>>Personally, I think the people of Iraq are hesitant to celebrate until SH is no longer in the picture. After 30 years of suppression and God knows what people will have to find emotions that have been suppressed or non-existent. We are told that the militia is keeping people in line within the cities. Having an automatic weapon pointed at you or your family members will do wonders for forming the “correct attitude”.
>>
>>If the people of Iraq rise up after SH is gone, then that can take on several meanings. They can rise up in celebration, rise up against any government, rise up against the coalition or the world.
>>
>>At this point I do not think that anyone knows what is going to happen and there is no reason to "rise up" for anything. Just wait and see...
>>
>>Governments and leaders come and go throughout history. The plight of mankind remains the same. We are here to suffer.
>
>Tom,
>
>It is easy for outsiders like us to make the assumption when an Iraqi civilian says something like "when Saddam is dead" he is meaning that it is only then that he will dare to say what's really on his mind.
>What if he means 'once Saddam is dead, then I will back someone else', allowing that it will be some outsider???
>
>Personally I have lots of trouble rationalizing the reported 6,000+ mostly Iraqis living outside Iraq RETURNING to fight. Saddam has no grip on them where they are (Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, etc).
>
>>
>>Tom