Seeing is not always believing

I along with everyone else in this country saw the images being fed to us by CNN et al. of the statue of Saddam being toppled and Iraqis dancing in the street. They gave the impression of huge throngs of Iraqis celebrating their "liberation." These days, though, when I see corporate media broadcasts,I'm always wondering what I'm NOT being shown. Turns out, there's another view of this 'liberation.'

Consider these images. (note. Original photo courtesy of NYC IndyMedia)



Here is what most people saw. A crowd of Iraqis gathered 'round the statue. But here's what happens when you expand that view:



Hmm...seems like there's less people than originally though, doesn't it? Now let's look at the Big Picture shall we?



Not exactly what you'd expect at a "historic moment" comparable to the fall of the Berlin Wall, is it? I don't know about you, but I see US tanks stationed at each entrace to this square and a small crowd of US troops, press and Iraqis. Could this possibly have been a..*gasp*...staged media event? No! The USA would NEVER do something like that, would it?

Right. And the US military does not target Journalists.

And this just in: apparently there's been a suicide bombing in downtown Baghdad. Guess not everyone is thrilled with being "liberated" after all.