You'll find that we (read Americans following and even during the revolutionary war) were in certain stages of chaos, though muted because of our own documents and pre-war decisions made the transition to our own self governing nation relatively easy compared to the events to take place in the future in Iraq. (1st and 2nd Continental Congress evolved into the Articles of Confederation, and the Constitution)
I do feel that the looting is being hyped up to an extent greater than it is and should be. What would you or I do if we'd lived through 3 decades of oppressive rule and that one day just suddenly came to an end. I'd think I'd want to seek and destroy every representitive item from that body of government and would feel quite good stomping on the leader's photographs and stealing back some of the items of luxury they used while I was starving and suffering at their hands.
Even American soldiers were guilty of this at the conclusion of WWII, even going so far as I'm sure you know taking MILLIONS in already once stolen artwork and gold. Not to mention another hundreds of millions in small trinkets, including ashtrays, flatware, silverware, flags and clothing. Some of which my grandfather brought home and my view represent a great (in this case great does not equal good) period in history.
At any rate, I have no problem (as if I have any say in the first place) with letting the Iraqi's take what they can carry from government buildings and offices. I hope they target only governmental property and saw images of store owners taking up arms to defend themselves should looters come their way. I hope this goes well. It's a good new start for the Iraqi's and I for one am excited for them because in the images on TV, I see the way the U.S. was back when the English were shown from our soil. I don't expect the rest of the world to have any idea what the Iraqi's are going through, even many Americans. Maybe it's my thinking, but the saying "Do on to others as you would want done to yourself" really hits home this time. I feel as though we're helping another people grab the gift of freedom. And, no, we cannot and should not think that we can give this gift, but only help someone realize it. No matter what anyone says, especially dictitorial nations, I feel now and have always felt that we are doing the right thing. No amount of world press could convince me otherwise.
