Dateline Tikrit

"U.S. Army Brings Internet to Saddam's Hometown" is not a bad headline, especially considering it is Reuters.

TIKRIT, Iraq (Reuters) - The U.S. army opened the first unrestricted Internet access in Saddam Hussein's home town of Tikrit Saturday in a bid to convince skeptical Iraqis their occupation will bring tangible benefits.

"This Internet cafe we are inaugurating gives people in Tikrit for the first time total freedom of access to the Web," Major Troy Rader, in charge of the project, told Reuters.
"It is one of many reconstruction projects we are doing here to help local people," he added at a ribbon-cutting ceremony in Tikrit closely guarded by troops.
Local residents said Internet access prior to the toppling of Saddam was restricted to government-approved sites and was closely monitored by state security services.

Just to recap: The US Military has replaced the tyrannical rule of Saddam, Uday and Qusay Hussein with an inchoate free society and has done it in a difficult and strategically important part of the world.

And: is "Major Troy Rader" the best name for a soldier or what? Thank you for your service, Major!

Posted by jk at August 23, 2003 08:27 AM