European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - August 18, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse Be our guest when it came to spanking Saddam might made right Michael Apichella guest columnist Hen things go right in a War they done to necessarily gel reported despite the canopy of news coverage Given to the persian Gulf War a Over the last year. The events in the Middle East deserve the recognition they have been Given in the worlds Media. After All the crushing defeat of Saddam Hussein a forces is Good news. But things have been going Well in another War the War of symbols. And As far As 1 can Sec americans need to know facts about the Progress of this War too. Ever since the fall of Baghdad world pupils have predicted that although Saddam was Defeated militarily history will show hell still come out As a Winner politically. Why hell be hailed by the Arab world As the latter Day Saladin who dared to stand up to the infidels led by the great satan America. There is truth in such predictions. Consider Arab leaders such As Nasser Qaddafi and Arafat. Each has become National heroes among arabs because they dared to stand up to the West. It is of no consequence that none managed to win wars for their people. Among arabs gestures Are As powerful As military victories. Hence the fact that Iraq has defied the West is As Good As its having Defeated it. Regardless of what other islamic states might privately think of his treatment of his own people Saddam put the cause of Arab nationalism on the worlds Agenda. Symbolically this was a toured Force for Arab nationalism. But the symbolic tide is beginning to turn. As the smoke clears in the aftermath of the liberation of Kuwait City and the news of the iraqi atrocities within its own Borders become known arabs gnash their Teeth in horror. For while its tempting for americans to View muslims As barbarians hellbent on retribution the fact is islam is a highly civilized culture. Honor dignity and fair play Are a Way of life among the majority of followers of islam. Since this is so the powerful symbolism of the Western alliances civilized treatment a indeed its Christian treatment a of its Defeated foe has caused thousands of arabs to rethink the years of anti Western propaganda upon which they have been fed in their Media. In Stark contrast to the civilized behaviour of the victorious West the evidence of the Wanton destruction meted upon men women and children by the iraqis is criminal in the eyes of Many arabs. Just As the majority of today a germans have not forgotten the things the nazis did to German jews in the name of the fatherland half a Century ago so too the majority of tomorrows islamic leaders will recall the powerful images of death and destruction doled out upon arabs by arabs in the name of islamic nationalism. As i said when things go right in a War they done to necessarily get the proper attention they deserve. In the face of All the bad news coming out of the Middle East currently we should take heart that Arab eyes Are open to the truth this so called latter Day Saladin Saddam Hussein has shown his Flag is not that of the red Crescent but father the Scull and Cross Bones of barbarism. To Many people in the Middle East today Saddam Hussein is not fit to be called a brother Arab. For peace Loving people the world Over this is Good news indeed. Michael Apichella is an English instructor with the University of Maryland at Raf upper Heyford and Greenham common in your column plus a photo of yourself to be our guest sunday Magazine the stars and stripes Apo 09211 or Postrach 11 14 37, d-6100 Darmstadt 11, Germany. It on i ims sex Bullet dancer Ron Reagan tries his hand at tale night television. Page 15. From the cover .4-6 the Wear and tear of teen fashions Andy Rooney. 7 what a to laugh about a books and language .8-9 Diana Ross takes a hit Odds amp ends. 10 Erma Bombeck runs through Good old Days. To plus .11 Hollywood can afford to be bad television listings.12-14 local Cable and satellite schedules. 1 on the tube .15 Ron Reagan a new late night show. Home entertainment. 16 a scenes from a mall Quot a hectic video. Joe Bob Briggs .17 Quot Tower of terror Quot High on violence. This weeks films .18-19 decent prescription in Quot Doc Hollywood. Quot Complete cafes circuit listings. Classified ads. 20-23 last laugh .24 Dave Barry blinks tit consumer issues. Wami Bro. Michael j. Fox plants himself in a winning role in Doc Hollywood. Page 19. Sunday is a weekly supplement of the stars and stripes editor Bucky Fox Art direction Sharon Kilday production Kelly Quinn Denise Adams editorial assistance Marian Hamilton Louis Pierce Page 2 a sunday August in 1991
