(via mi compadre Elbert McDoolihan)
It was truly an amazing and compelling image: the huge statue of Saddam Hussein being pulled down by Iraqis and American troops. For pure sybolism, it was tough to beat: the larger-than-life symbol of a despotic regime brought to ground. The images were beamed worldwide, a representation of the righteousness and success of the Allied war effort.
Now there are those who are asking if the whole thing was staged. Was it little more than a propaganda ploy? I'm tempted to ask, so what? In the end, does it really matter how the statue came down? Sure, it made for good TV. The moment reeked of victory and symbolism. The fact that it was a symbol of a failed regime did not lessen the import of the moment, staged or no. Does it really matter if it was a photo opportunity or not? Not from where I sit.
