New National flag causing uproar in Iraq

New National flag causing uproar in Iraq

www.reuters.com

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - The Iraqi parliament's move to adopt a new, temporary national flag has provoked an outcry, with one city refusing to fly it and ordinary Iraqis attaching the old flag to their cars in a silent protest.

Iraqis have flooded chat rooms on the Internet with criticism of this week's decision, which had long been demanded by the country's Kurdish minority who say the Saddam Hussein-era banner was a reminder of his brutality.

Many Iraqi Arabs disagree. They see the old flag as having little to do with Saddam, a Sunni Arab, but as one under which countless soldiers died fighting for in various wars.

"It's shameful. Thousands of Iraqis lost their lives so this flag could fly ... Changing the flag ignores their sacrifice," said one Iraqi in a comment posted on an Arab chat room.

(visit the link for the full news article)

Hmm, not sure how I would feel either if our flag was suddenly changed. These people are sure having a LOT of changes crammed down their throats. No wonder they're constantly battling each other.

www.reuters.com
(visit the link for the full news article)

You kind of have to look at it from both viewpoints though. To a portion of the population, the old Iraqi flag is the equivalent of the confederate flag here in the states.

It's just a flag. No one fights for a flag. They may fight for a country or an idea, but not for a flag. The country or ideas don't disappear because the flag is changed. This should not be an issue.

Its just a flag .(as noted above) If this is there bigest worry then why are we there at all ? Sound like they need a Britney spears or iraqi idol.
Or maybe.
There just trying to incite a sense of nationalism . Get them to fight to keep there flag and it will feel more important.
Or take it away and they have nothing to unite under . This could be played both ways i suppose.

[edit on 26-1-2008 by oLDWoRLDDiSoRDeR]