Tuesday, April 01, 2003

eBay Alert!
From the Boston Globe - Spoils of war include likenesses of Hussein:
UMM QASR, Iraq -- A US Navy truck pulled up onto the median of the now deserted main road through this strategic port at about midnight, and stopped just beneath a lamppost. A lone military man hoisted himself atop the truck, angling forward dangerously, machete in hand, and snatched a sought-after souvenir: the latex backlit portrait of Saddam Hussein triumphantly brandishing a rifle.

Such portraits of Hussein, in a multitude of shapes, sizes, and poses, flood the Iraqi landscape. With coalition troops in control of the Umm Qasr port, Hussein trophy hunting -- and desecration of the objects -- is rife.

US Central Command has issued orders against tampering with symbols of the Iraqi president. But his ubiquitous portrait has met a variety of ugly fates. One now decorates a Navy unit's quarters, with a new faux inscription: ''To Steve -- Thanks for all the memories. Saddam.''
Hmmm, I do need something to keep the crows out of the garden.