This happened across the street from my home last night at 5pm:
�About 25 Iraqi-Americans gathered at a Tustin home erupted with joy as CNN brought images and sounds of war into the living room Wednesday night. They had been invited to watch what they hoped would be the start of the liberation of their homeland. They listened as an announcer said the Iraqi government-run radio station had gone off the air momentarily, and then the microphones picked up an Iraqi voice: "This is the day we've been waiting for." The phrase energized the room, which burst with joyful applause. �My mind is with the people over there, what they're thinking right now," said Mohammad Alnajafi, the evening's host. "I know they're scared, but it's like they're in a tunnel running toward the light. These moments are like centuries for them. No one knows what Saddam might do, but he cannot take the country hostage forever." Moments later, when President George W. Bush addressed the nation, a hush fell over the room. Alnajafi's wife, Hasnik, nodded in agreement when Bush said millions of Americans were praying for the troops. Exclamations of "Long life to Bush" filled the room, and someone waved a red, white and black Iraqi flag. "I would like to go kiss Bush on his head," said Faiza Nouri, 62, speaking in Arabic and patting the top of her head, which was covered with a scarf. Her son has been missing in Iraq for more than 20 years. Many in Orange County's Iraqi community - perhaps some 2,000 people - believe the start of war marks the beginning of a new chapter in the lives of family and friends left behind. They say they are tired of diplomacy and waiting, but they are worried about the well-being of their loved ones. "If a lot of people get killed in the first hours, we've convinced ourselves that this is a good price to pay," he said. Bahia estimates that some 1.5 million people in the Middle East have lost their lives in the 23 years Saddam has been in power. "Oh, it's an incredible night," said Mazin Yousif, a member of the Iraqi National Congress who owns an engineering-design firm in Santa Ana. "Thirty-five years we've been waiting for this day. Once again I am proud to say I am an Iraqi and not part of a regime whose whole purpose is to amass weapons of mass destruction. "We look forward now to the next democratic government of Iraq, chosen for the people and by the people."
I had almost given up hopes on finding anyone who loves and supports this country enough to understand what we are doing in Iraq. These people are supporting us; not against their native country, but against this tyrant, because they have come here to escape terror and to pursue a life of freedom and joy, which is something they have not been able to do in their homeland for the past 23 years. They know first hand what Sadam is capable of. They have spent most of their life witnessing his reign of horror. If they can support this country in this time of war, what the hell is stopping the rest of you? I don�t need to say anymore. My neighbors have said enough. God bless them and their families. And God bless our troops.
The flag behind her reads �SADAM OUT�