Perhaps, O Cynical Martin, he's just judging them by basic human nature? Cos, in my experience, most people just want to be left alone to get on with their lives. Neither nationality nor creed, in anything I have ever experienced or read, make a great deal of difference to this simple human trait throughout history. The definition of freedom can vary enormously through time & culture. One man's tyranny is another mans freedom, so to speak. But for the most part, people just want to be left alone.

Family, clan, tribe, is about the usual social loyalties (however you define them), & many people struggle to see beyond family ('family' not necessarily meanining blood relative, BTW). But, for a given definition of 'me', it boils down to leave 'me' alone. The only real difference is how far into the abstract 'me' extends for a given individual...

In every report I have read from Iraq that focuses on their people, rather than on the newsworthy events, the same message comes across.

1) We'd like a reliable electricity supply.

2) We'd like a reliable water supply.

3) We'd like peace so we can get on with our lives...

So I say good luck to Iraq, & bad cess to the peddlers of hate. Whichever culture you think they belong to.

Rædwulf

P.S. Guest - you are a coward. Put a name to your views. There is no Saddam, Uday or Qusay here that will kill you for speaking your mind. Unlike the Iraqi's of years gone by that you seemingly feel so bitter on behalf of!