New Baghdad Sculpture Holds Little Meaning

[tuvor]

The sculpture that replaced the statue of Saddam Hussein toppled three years ago is supposed to represent freedom. But many Iraqis say it has little meaning when fear, violence and uncertainty dominate their lives.

"It has no meaning because there is no freedom," said Mohammed Ahmed, who operates a currency exchange shop nearby.

The modernist structure, with branches reaching up toward the sky and a crescent moon shape balancing a ball, sits on top of a concrete cylinder that once held a larger-than-life replica of Saddam wearing a suit, his right arm stretched out.

The statue in Firdous Square became famous when viewers across the world watched as U.S. Marines hauled it down on April 9, 2003. Iraqis cheered and started jumping on top of it to celebrate the end of Saddam's regime.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060409/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_post_saddam_sculpture

(Yeah, about a dozen Iraqis. What the hell is that thing, anyway?)

[Kutjara]

1. They should have erected a real...

...symbol of the New World Order: a gigantic pair of Golden Arches. Then at least they'd know what they'll get in return for all the suffering.

[tularetom]

2. I don't know but I'd be willing to bet

that OUR tax dollars paid for the fuckin thing. I'm surprised they don't have a statue of * in his space suit prancing around the deck of the carrier screeching "mission accomplished". They ought to tear it down and melt it down into armor for the humvee driving in front of it.