U.S. Marines seek Iraqi hearts with books, frisbees

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L15651677.htm

FALLUJA, Iraq, May 15 (Reuters) - U.S. Marines toting M-16s handed out frisbees and books to school children in Falluja on Saturday, stepping up a hearts-and-minds campaign after ending a siege of the rebellious city in which hundreds were killed.

But in a sign of the uphill publicity battle they face, U.S. commanders at the school were dogged by angry complaints of destroyed homes, a widening prisoner abuse scandal and news of U.S. tanks firing cannons next to Shi'ite shrines in the south.

Outside one classroom, Marine commanders were confronted by angry teachers demanding an explanation for the abuse at Abu Ghraib or for the combat in the holy cities of Kerbala and Najaf, where U.S. forces are hunting down militias loyal to an anti-American Shi'ite cleric.

"Why did you beat the prisoners? We saw it on the television. I have two relatives in Abu Ghraib. What is going to happen to them?" one teacher asked as Marines unloaded books.

"Why are you attacking Kerbala?" another teacher demanded.

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[rooboy]

1. "My house was destroyed"...

'Here, have a frisbee'.

[RoyGBiv]

2. Sorry we killed your parents, kid.

Here, have a Harry Potter book.

These people are freakin' morons.

[floda]

3. English books for 6-11 years old iraqis?

Bad choice too.

The donated books -- all of them in English -- were mostly volumes on American history and culture, including a book on science fiction movies with titles such as "The Invasion of the Saucermen" and "The Attack of the 50-foot woman". There were also some textbooks on biology and mathematics. The schools have students ranging in age from five to 11.

"What is this book about?" arts teacher Ibrahim Mardan, asked Marine Captain Jeff Stevenson, as he leafed through pictures of Frankenstein, Godzilla and E.T.

[Warren Stuart]

4. Hey kid go long!

Oh, by the way sorry about your dad, and about your sister I knocked up, I'll send a check every month, that is if she survives your older brother's need to avenge the family honor.