Letter: Iraqis should be grateful and help rebuild country

Friday, May 2, 2003 | 5:30 a.m.

It's understandable we needed to rid the world of the dictator Saddam Hussein (although there's always another one somewhere down the road).

But I have been "awed" by the overwhelming change of attitude and now the ungratefulness of the citizens of Iraq.

The question remains: Did the U.S. use bad judgment thinking Iraqis need or want a democratic government? And what type of leadership will it take as the looting shows signs of a people well out of control?

After liberation, many showed no feeling toward the U.S. military and the loss of life in restoring their freedom. Are we going to make the usual mistake of staying in Iraq after closure?

The governments involved should make their deal, bring our boys home and let them do their own rebuilding. Instead of presenting anti-sentiment in the streets like "Yankee go home," Iraqis should pitch in to help in restoration of their city.

Not pertaining to all Arabs, but what I see of Iraqi behavior on TV shows me a civilization that's still living in the Middle Ages and wants to remain as such. Let's hope their new government will educate these people and change all that.

We did our deed for humanity. Let's not get involved any more than necessary with a people worshiping a religion many of us don't understand and a way of life that is far different than what we're familiar with.

CHARLES A. HAGEN