# Zsa Zsa Saddam? They think that'll work? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 18, 2003, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zsa-zsa-saddam-they-think-thatll-work/195996 "2003-08-18T16:53:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2003, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zsa-zsa-saddam-they-think-thatll-work/195996/1 "2003-08-18T16:53:32Z")
Just when you thought the occupying forces’ leadership couldn’t be any more clueless, something like [this](http://www.boston.com/news/world/middleeast/articles/2003/08/18/zsa_zsa_saddam_to_taunt_iraqi_regime_loyalists) (excerpt): > [@](#): > > In a campaign set to start Monday, U.S. forces plan to put up posters around Saddam’s hometown of Tikrit showing his face superimposed on Hollywood heroines and other stars in an attempt to enrage his followers and draw them out. > > As well as Saddam dolled up as a slinky Zsa Zsa Gabor, there is a busty Rita Hayworth Saddam, a grooving Elvis Saddam and even Saddam in the guise of British-born rocker Billy Idol. No doubt the guerrilla fighters will see this as their sign that they have no hope, and the US forces will win over a lot of hearts and minds. ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2003, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zsa-zsa-saddam-they-think-thatll-work/195996/2 "2003-08-18T17:06:50Z")
Wow that’s a pretty odd tactic. ---
**Author:** ![RTA](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b4bc9f/32.png) [@RTA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTA)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2003, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zsa-zsa-saddam-they-think-thatll-work/195996/3 "2003-08-18T19:44:14Z")
It seems like only yesterday that US troops were tearing _down_ images of Saddam. Is this part of the reconstruction package? ---
**Author:** ![istara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e79b87/32.png) [@istara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/istara)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2003, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zsa-zsa-saddam-they-think-thatll-work/195996/4 "2003-08-18T19:45:07Z")
It really does sound like a joke from South Park doesn’t it? > [@](#): > > \*\*“We’re going to do something devious with these,” said a chuckling Lieutenant-Colonel Steve Russell last week, as he checked out a range of spoof Saddam pictures taken from the Internet ([www.worth1000.com](http://www.worth1000.com)). > > “Most of the locals will love 'em and they’ll be laughing. But the bad guys are going to be upset, which will just make it easier for us to know who they are.”\*\* How many months have they been there now and they STILL don’t fucking get it? Fucking stupid fucking offensive meatheads. FODDER. ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2003, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zsa-zsa-saddam-they-think-thatll-work/195996/5 "2003-08-18T19:52:59Z")
Oh, for fuck’s sake . . . they’re using pics from Worth1000? D00d, the goons 0W%3|) them. At least it’s not fark, but still . . . ---
**Author:** ![Ale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@Ale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ale)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2003, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zsa-zsa-saddam-they-think-thatll-work/195996/6 "2003-08-18T20:06:56Z")
> [@](#): > > “But the bad guys are going to be upset, which will just make it easier for us to know who they are.” Oh, I see; that´s part of the “Bring it on” operation. Stirring up the population so when they loose their temper GIs whack them, brilliant. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Tars\_Tarkas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Tars\_Tarkas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tars_Tarkas)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2003, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zsa-zsa-saddam-they-think-thatll-work/195996/7 "2003-08-18T20:07:16Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by andros \* > \*\*Oh, for fuck’s sake . . . they’re using pics from Worth1000? > > D00d, the goons 0W%3|) them. > At least it’s not fark, but still . . . \*\* Yeah, WTF? SA should retaliate by photochopping Lieutenant-Colonel Steve Russell or something! ---
**Author:** ![Dissonance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/85f322/32.png) [@Dissonance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dissonance)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2003, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zsa-zsa-saddam-they-think-thatll-work/195996/8 "2003-08-18T20:59:18Z")
> [@](#): > > “Most of the locals will love 'em and they’ll be laughing. But the bad guys are going to be upset, which will just make it easier for us to know who they are.” It’s part of the new policy. Laughing, smiling Iraqis=good guys Angry looking Iraqis=bad guys It makes spotting guerillas a snap, people. When unsure, present them with a photoshopped picture of Saddam. No chuckle=guerilla. If the US had this technology in Vietnam, I’d have been a breeze. ---
**Author:** ![5\_time\_champ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/5/278dde/32.png) [@5\_time\_champ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/5_time_champ)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2003, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zsa-zsa-saddam-they-think-thatll-work/195996/9 "2003-08-18T21:11:56Z")
Well, it’s not like they can draw a moustache on Saddam’s picture. ---
**Author:** ![sailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@sailor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sailor)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2003, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zsa-zsa-saddam-they-think-thatll-work/195996/10 "2003-08-18T21:15:58Z")
I have to agree with Istara. This is beyond stupid. Like US forces don’t have enough problems already. This is just going to insult and alienate the locals and cause problems. You have to wonder how such stupidity goes unchecked. Let’s hope someone stops this like they stopped the “terrorism futures market”. There has to be some common sense somewhere. ---
**Author:** ![december](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/838e76/32.png) [@december](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/december)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2003, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zsa-zsa-saddam-they-think-thatll-work/195996/11 "2003-08-18T21:18:35Z")
I don’t understand all the fuss. Even if these silly posters don’t do any good, they won’t do any harm. ISTM they might help a bit. Ridiculing the enemy leader is a time-tested tactic for eroding his support. Some people just want to find fault with anything the Bush administration does. ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2003, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zsa-zsa-saddam-they-think-thatll-work/195996/12 "2003-08-18T21:21:45Z")
_ **"There has to be some common sense somewhere."** _ Why start now? ---
**Author:** ![minty\_green](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f6c823/32.png) [@minty\_green](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minty_green)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2003, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zsa-zsa-saddam-they-think-thatll-work/195996/13 "2003-08-18T21:48:45Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by december \* > Ridiculing the enemy leader is a time-tested tactic for eroding his support. It seems to me that a fair number of folks around here have been ridiculing Bush II for quite some time now. Yet strangely, your support for him has not eroded at all; if anything, it’s become more knee-jerk and unthinking than ever. Perhaps we need more pictures of Dubya in a dress to get you to abandon the enemy? ---
**Author:** ![december](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/838e76/32.png) [@december](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/december)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2003, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zsa-zsa-saddam-they-think-thatll-work/195996/14 "2003-08-18T21:59:56Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by minty green \* > \*\* Perhaps we need more pictures of Dubya in a dress to get you to abandon the enemy? \*\* I know you’re only joking, **minty** , but it’s jarring to see Bush referred to as “the enemy” at a time when we have real enemies who are trying to kill as many Americans as possible. Of course, your joke actually supports my point. Bush’s political adversaries do portray him as goofy looking. E.g., see [Page 4](http://www.ncfll.org/courier12_02.pdf), with Bush portrayed as The Grinch. ---
**Author:** ![sailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@sailor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sailor)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2003, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zsa-zsa-saddam-they-think-thatll-work/195996/15 "2003-08-18T22:35:24Z")
I never cease to be amazed by the stupidity being displayed by this Administration. The believe their own lies and just shut out anything which does not support their own biased views. They still really believe that the great majority of Iraqis are happy to have US forces occupying the country and only a minority of “Saddam supporters” and “foreign terrorists” are thos causing trouble. They really believe this in spite of all the evidence. > [@](#): > > [http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/meast/08/18/sprj.irq.main/index.html](http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/meast/08/18/sprj.irq.main/index.html) > > As apparent sabotage of water, petroleum and electrical lines continued to hamper U.S.-led efforts to return life in Iraq to normalcy, the U.S. administrator for reconstruction in Iraq expressed confidence Monday that the attackers would be halted. > > “It’s people who are fighting against the liberated Iraq, which most Iraqis welcome,” L. Paul Bremer told CNN. “It’s people who do not share the vision of a free Iraq with a vibrant economy the president has set forth and which Iraqis share. These are probably people left over from the old regime who are simply fighting a rear guard action.” > > In Washington, White House spokesman Scott McClellan vowed that “our troops are going after these remnants. They’re going after these foreign terrorists and finding them. And they will continue to do that and defeat them wherever they may be.” It is amazing how in history this mistake has been committed time and time again. When Napoleon invaded Spain, he sincerely thought Spaniards would love him for he was bringing progress to a very backwards country. He installed his brother Joseph on the throne of Spain with the job of modernising Spain but the Spanish people started fighting guerrilla wars against the French. Joseph told his brother Napoleon that the Spanish hated him but Napoleon said the Spanish needed to be taught for they were like children who cried and protested when you blew their nose. the fact is the Spanish preferred to be backwards and poor and independent than to be under French rule. The same thing can be said of Tibet. The Chinese say they have modernised the country but that does not stop Tibetans from hating them and yearning for freedom. 3/4 of the same can be said about the eagerness of the USA to control Cuba: it drove Cuba right into the hands of the enemy. We could mention Vietnam. . . The USA just does not get it: People want freedom from foreign domination more than anything else. The USA has got itself into a war of attrition and there is _no_ way it can win except by getting the hell out of there. As long as there are US forces occupying Iraq there will be Iraqis who will gladly risk their lives to expel the invaders. The Iraqis are no different from any other people and the type of thing mentioned in the OP of this thread will only serve to inflame more the Iraqis. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2003, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zsa-zsa-saddam-they-think-thatll-work/195996/16 "2003-08-18T23:14:31Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by december \* > **I know you’re only joking, minty, but it’s jarring to see Bush referred to…** Think that’s jarring?! The image of GeeDubya in a dress, thats goddam jarring! Not as ghastly an image as J. Edgar in pumps, perhaps, but still… This is a family board, **Minty** , for fucks sake! I think this focus on ridiculing Saddam is probably more or less harmless. But it does reveal mind-set. The Bushiviks are determined to believe that our troubles with “insurgents” are largely, if not entirely, due to Saddamite hold-outs and “dead-enders”. This narrow focus results from thier desperate fear that the “insurgency” is diffuse, unfocused, and worse, popularly based and supported. They _have_ to believe that they’re still fighting Saddam or they have to believe they are fighting something like a “People’s Front”. When this floats through President Rove’s dreams, he wakes up screaming. ---
**Author:** ![Mtgman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5a626/32.png) [@Mtgman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mtgman)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2003, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zsa-zsa-saddam-they-think-thatll-work/195996/17 "2003-08-18T23:38:52Z")
The article you found was very much like one a friend sent me earlier today. It seems to have been a subset of [this longer article by a Reuters correspondent](http://asia.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=oddlyEnoughNews&storyID=3293795). I think some of the excerpts are interesting, both for what they didn’t pick as well as what they did pick. For instance, the closing paragraphs of the longer article read thusly. > [@](#): > > Yet while the posters may help divide locals into the amused and the infuriated, they also run a serious risk of stoking fury among ordinary Iraqis who may not be pro-Saddam but still will not accept the idea of the Americans poking fun. > > One of the posters shows Saddam’s head on Elvis’s dancing body, a gold crucifix hanging around his hairy chest. > > Given fears in the Arab world that the invasion of Iraq was akin to a Christian crusade, some Iraqis say U.S. forces would do well to think twice about leaving the cross hanging around Saddam Elvis’s neck. > > “Maybe it is funny for the soldiers, but I think most locals will find it very insulting,” said Uday, a 22-year-old working as a translator at the U.S. army base in Tikrit. Enjoy, Steven ---
**Author:** ![sailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@sailor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sailor)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2003, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zsa-zsa-saddam-they-think-thatll-work/195996/18 "2003-08-18T23:59:17Z")
> [@](#): > > Officers from the 4th Infantry’s psychological operations unit say it is not necessarily a bad idea, although they tend to favor more subtle leaflet drops. Translation: It’s a terrible idea. > [@](#): > > “It’s mostly good for troop morale, but if we can put these posters up in Tikrit and the enemy can’t take them down, then at least it shows who owns the streets,” said Sergeant David Cade, a psychological operations specialist. Just what we need: soldiers guarding posters so they won’t be taken down. And what happens when people take them down anyway? They have just become “the enemy”. Shoot kids taking down the posters. yeah. Good strategy. ---
**Author:** ![Avalonian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ee7513/32.png) [@Avalonian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Avalonian)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2003, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zsa-zsa-saddam-they-think-thatll-work/195996/19 "2003-08-19T04:35:13Z")
Schoolyard taunts and juvenile pranks now dressed up as “military tactics” in the war on terror. _checks watch_ Yep. Right on time. Next up, Rummy puts his fingers in his ears and says “_NYAH-nyah!_” to Saddam on national television. Good times. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2003, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zsa-zsa-saddam-they-think-thatll-work/195996/20 "2003-08-19T04:59:41Z")
Dude, didn’t they do the same thing to Qadaffi? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zsa-zsa-saddam-they-think-thatll-work/195996.md?page=2)