Powerful. And moving.

Do I hear Dean screaming in the background "Nooooooooooo!" ?

awesome.

BTW, that V is for VICTORY!

No more dirty, stinkin', hippy claims to it as the peace symbol.

Lebanese chicks are hot.

What do you think Burkhas are for? They're afraid rich westerners will swoop in and carry off all the hotties..

(And they're right to be afraid ;))

Martyrs' Square, scratch that, Freedom Square*

Hey Todd, we're on a roll.

For once, you can bless horney AP photographers. If they get a chance to take a picture of a pretty girl, they will. I've seen this again and again on the wire. Subject doesn't matter.

that's exactly what i was thinking when i saw this picture and the other hot girl with flags on her cheeks. :)

I would love to see a photo essay like this one that includes some pics of the "Not In My Name" folks (from before GWII), and some from the sites where people have posted pictures of themselves apologizing to the world for our actions...

That's the onliest one of them planes they is, so they best be kareful!

Does anyone else think that it's a little simplistic to say that the orange revolution had anything to do with GWB's policies? I mean, if anything, he bent over backwards to let Putin crush freedom in his own country and to try to do it in the Ukraine.

I'm a little skeptical about Lebanon as well. C'mon, Syria blew up the most popular guy in the country, as well as a dozen other people. Perhaps their massive miscalculation was the result of pressure from Bush (which seems unlikely), but the result was all Lebanese. GWB trying to take credit for this revolution is like Great Britian taking credit for our actions after 9/11 because we had their example of the Falklands war to emulate.

Inspiring photos, all.
Thanks.
And I feel an appalling pity for those who cannot emotionally connect with them.

Vince,

I think the Lebanese know they can win this fight now as US threats against Syria, made extremely credible through the actions in Iraq and Afghanistan, will very likely deter any Syrian military response against the protesters.

In the past, Syrian regimes have not always been willing to entertain such dissent. Now I imagine Assad would have to expect a military response in Damascus within 30 days of crushing these protests, possibly much faster.

So, the Lebanese are making a calculated gamble that they can win due to what is effectively timely US support.

Lew

The judge overseeing Saddam's case has just been assassinated i Baghdad. The modus operadi (sp?) of the terrorists hasn't changed much. How soon do the marines move against Assad? SHOCK AND AWE STRAIGHT INTO THE HEART OF DAMASCUS? Assad is cornered. The methodology, as I said, used by terrorists, continues until we put an end to the regimes. What's the time frame?

Vince: Your comment that Bush bent over backwards for Putin is nothing but revisionist history. Bush was squarely on the side of the Ukranians who contested the election (here's an editorial from the Washington Post, dated 11/25/04, praising Bush for being "Admirably frank and forceful this week in denouncing the fraud in Ukraine and in making clear to Ukrainians that it is on their side." : http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A11910-2004Nov25.html)

Puts it into perspective. Long live freedom to choose. The Iraqi's risked life and limb to vote. They have set the example and more and more will be willing to risk it all for freedom of choice. It is an amazing time to live in and I feel sorry for those who can not comprehend these truly extraordinary events in our lives.

Though I happen to believe that GW's policies have had a massive impact on the spread of democracy in various parts of the world, it wouldn't matter one bit if in fact all of these happenings were completely coincidental. Its still a beautiful thing to witness, no matter the cause.

Vince, I feel for ya pal. Things are going SO WELL for freedom in the world which means, of course, that things are going very POORLY for the Democrats that it is imperative to pour cold water on the good news at any and every opportunity.

Not that it will matter, though. I just get a kick out of your pathetic attempts.

Back on topic.

What the h--- kind of "election materials" were they delivering that had to go in that huge Antonov?

Sounds perilously like a euphemism .... as in, crates of Sharps rifles labeled "Beecher's Bibles" (for you American History fans).

Where is Dan Rather and his a$$ kissing interview with Saddam? Maybe he can hurry and interview Bashar Assad. Just to prove his rightful place in history.

Lebanese women are hot. My sister is married to a Lebanese guy. OK he's not hot, but you should see the sisters.

I smell a conspiracy A Cannon G2. Sounds alot like Gannon or maybe Guckert. Jeff Guckert that is. hemmmm.

Its all Karl Rove's doing. GWB was pissed because Chirac spoke in French and he criticized Cheney wearing a parka at Auschwitz.

So in order to get even Rove told the Mossad who told the Lebanese. Which is like telling the Syrians that something must be done. So the Syrians wanted to blow up something French but they missed.

Its all there in the clues. You just have to know where to look. Don't even get me started on Condi Rice's boots which is the next secret clue.

Either way, its the most extraordinary thing going down. First the Iron Curtain and now the Sand Curtain is getting ripped to pieces. I wonder what they will say 50 years from now.

With regards to the US bringing up Lebanon...

Prominent Lebanese oppositionists have specifically mentioned the Iraqi elections and said "if there, why not here?" This includes some who initially opposed the invasion. I think we need to step back and look at the big picture--four years ago, the Middle East was a hell-hole. Now, we have freedom in Afghanistan (OK so that's Central Asia, but still...), Iraq, minor elections in Saudi Arabia, calls for elections in Egypt, new starts in Palestine, and a rising against Syrian influence in Lebanon. Sure, all these things, bar Afghanistan and Iraq, have other causes too, but you can't help wonder what influence W had on all this...

I second the "Lebanese women are hot" motion. I have a Lebanese friend from college who was hot too. In fact, I challenge anyone to post a picture of an unattractive girl from Lebanon in these protests... I'm beginning to wonder if there are any

Glad to see I'm not the only one who's been noticing the Lebanese women this week. Here's a link for further - um - research on the topic: http://stopthebleating.typepad.com/stop_the_bleating/2005/03/special_midweek.html

enough's enough folks- W is not all powerful, all seeing and all over.A little reflection might be in order. Start by asking the Lebanese-followed by asking the Syrians why they would dare take such risks when everyone knows that W is all-seeing and vengeful and might very well smite down the bad, bad Syrians for their impertinance

enough's enough folks- W is not all powerful, all seeing and all over.A little reflection might be in order. Start by asking the Lebanese-followed by asking the Syrians why they would dare take such risks when everyone knows that W is all-seeing and vengeful and might very well smite down the bad, bad Syrians for their impertinance

Believe it: W was right: Freedom is on the march.

W is not all seeing, I agree--just look at the steel tarriffs. But on THIS, he was right.