Mark's Pages

April 30, 2003:

We're here to liberate your cube.

Do not interfere with your liberation. Resistance will be met with prudent and well-directed fire in self-defense.

Do not confuse us with occupiers. We are not occupiers. Your cube belongs to you. It will be returned to you as soon as you elect a democratic government of our choosing.

We encourage you to destroy the symbols of the former regime. Please wait for the cameras to arrive. Feel free to loot your cube and the cubes around you. Liberation is an untidy thing.

Freedom Fries are now on sale in the lunchroom.

March of middleschoolers, small town west of Baghdad.

Holiday atmosphere, but with serious purpose. American paratroopers have occupied the schoolhouse. Yet now it's time for classes to resume. Could the Americans kindly find another barracks?

Gunfire without warning. Blood, shock, anger. In the street, children and adults waive their sandals at the occupiers, a traditional symbol of contempt. Thirteen shot dead, middleschoolers, many more wounded. "Prudent and well-directed fire in self-defense," says the American spokeswoman, as if the Airborne were endangered by schoolchildren. Now there are fifteen fewer to endanger them.

Later in the week, a protest march. Adults, now. Two more killed. In the press, unambiguous photos. The dead lie in puddles of blood, shot through the head by skilled snipers. There are no weapons to be seen.

What is our country? Republic, or empire?