CNN is saying thousands of Iraqis will demostrate in the streets for Hezbo

[thepurpose]

llah. with Support of the Iraqi gov. Very nice this democracy we have created.

[Behind the Aegis]

1. No surprise.

They "support Lebanon." :eyes:

No...they hate Israel, that is why they 'support Lebanon.'

[dipsydoodle]

2. Yes - democracy

with complete unfettered freedom of expression. **** must be feeling realy proud

[thepurpose]

3. Too bad us Americans wouldn't be able to protest like this with a good

portion getting arrested by the government any way. Wouldn't matter what the issue was.

[Disturbed]

4. If they hate Israel

how do they feel about the US Govt.?

[wagthedogwar]

5. ...still waiting for the Open Society

Closed group tribalism...you could say the same thing about any group that feels it has the 'ultimate truth', just look at our own Taliborn-agains, they hate everybody too.

[dipsydoodle]

6. Good analogy

:)

[izzie]

7. Interesting to read around on the internet world newspapers.

People are sure not happy with us and they sure see this stuff in Lebanon as our fault. We could stop it they think. Also I think anti-US stuff is going on that we are not seeing on TV.

[BlueManDude]

8. We've won their hearts and minds. n/t

[Igel]

9. Probably Sadrists, although Hakim's guys can't be ruled out.

Sistani may even be keeping his nose out of things in the interests of preserving his authority.

Keep in mind a few things.

(1) Sadr's dad helped set up Amal in Lebanon--maybe a rival to Hezbollah, but Amal's in this with Hezbollah currently. Sadr's merely walking in the footsteps of his "moderate" dad, but less moderately.

(2) Iran supports at least some Shi'ite militias in Iraq. Iran supports the Shi'ite militia in Lebanon.

(3) After all, both Iraqi and Lebanese Shi'ites believe they're oppressed and downtrodden by the Zionists controlling the US and Israel. In this, they're like Sunnis, drinking from the same well. Both sets of militias and Shi'ites are feeling their oats, and want essentially the same things. Mutual support isn't a shock.

[htuttle]

10. Sadr is more of a radical, but he's less pro-Iranian than many others

There are other, larger, more pro-Iranian groups in Iraq than his. The Badr Brigades and the Daawa party are far more tied to Iran than Sadr is. In fact, earlier in the war, Sadr was sort of on the outs with the Iranian factions. I think he and Sistani had a talk one day and worked it out, however (back after Sadr's people were openly fighting the US military).

That doesn't mean that Sadr wouldn't support Hezbollah for his own reasons, but simply following Iranian orders is unlikely to be one of them (unless Sistani has actually 'tamed' him), unlike the Badr Bridages and the Daawa party.