Liberation or Occupation: Military fatigues are latest hit in Baghdad

[BarnacleBob]

"I joined the party militia yesterday because I want to defend my country and I will fight the Americans if they try to take Baghdad," said Jalal Jabar, a 50-year-old vegetable vendor, as he waited for someone to attend to him.

Where are the promulgated Iraqis that seek to oust Saddam? Hmmm..........Does this sound like we have won the hearts and minds of the Iraqi people??? To wit;

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BAGHDAD, March 26 (AFP) - Tailors on Baghdad's Alawi street are cashing in on Iraqi resistance to the US-British invasion, which has doubled demand for the olive green military fatigues worn by activists of the ruling Baath Party.

State television footage of resistance in Iraq's key southern cities, with American soldiers taken prisoner and the capture of an Apache helicopter, has brought a windfall to Fadel Baawa Ali Abu Kassem.

"Since March 21, I have been putting in 12-hour days," said the gray-haired tailor, who uses an old sewing machine to churn out the uniforms.

"Production has doubled to six uniforms a day," he said.

The top and trousers go for 20,000 dinars (seven dollars) a set and are delivered within 24 hours.

"I joined the party militia yesterday because I want to defend my country and I will fight the Americans if they try to take Baghdad," said Jalal Jabar, a 50-year-old vegetable vendor, as he waited for someone to attend to him.

Fadel Hussein, 38, tried on a shirt. The cab driver has also volunteered to fight and wanted a spare uniform.

"I have lots of work and I will soon have to buy more material," the tailor said.

The Fatah Pasha government-owned textile factory continues to function despite the bombs that have rained on Baghdad since the United States and Britain launched war last week.

Down the road, Ali Saleh, who sells ready-made uniforms, was also counting his blessings.

"A week ago, I sold barely five a day. But since we stood up to the mightiest army in the world, everyone wants to join the fight and sales have gone up to 13 a day," he said.

The US-British assault, coupled with the stiff resistance in southern Iraq, has fueled patriotism among many Iraqis, whatever they may think of President Saddam Hussein.

Washington's talk of installing a military government in a post-Saddam Iraq and the participation in the conflict of former colonial power Britain have led many Iraqis to the conclusion that this is a war with colonialist aims.

"We're all volunteers in the same army now. I want to fight the invaders face to face," said Saleh Hamdani, a stout 41-year-old, as he showed off his huge hands.

Hamdani, manager of a Baghdad construction firm, was buying a uniform in hopes of fighting in the main southern city of Basra.

Shops selling military accessories or insignia are also doing brisk business.

"It's going to be a protracted war and I've got to be able to boot them out of the country," explained Ali, a young militiaman, as he tried on a pair of shoes.

Another bought a belt. But holsters are what is selling best -- 15 to 20 a day, said shop-owner Anwar Hashem.

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Iraq-war-tailors

http://www.ptd.net/webnews/wed/ax/Qi....RNEk_DMQ.html

[IrishGold]

But holsters are what is selling best -- 15 to 20 a day, said shop-owner Anwar Hashem.

Let's see the sustained rate of fire for the M16A2 rifle is 12/15 rounds/minute, so I think we can keep up.