even if george bush has replaced saddam as the dictator of iraq, iraq in some ways seems much freer then the USA. after all they get to own machine guns and we dont despite the fact we have a 2nd amendment.
Iraqi law allows households to own AK-47s, but with limitations.
http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/1226iraq-military26.html
Holiday 'another day' for GIs in Iraq
Ryan Lenz and Antonio Castaneda Associated Press Dec. 26, 2005 12:00 AM
BEIJI, Iraq - U.S. Army soldiers carried out raids in dusty Iraqi towns. Military doctors treated soldiers wounded by roadside bombs. Christmas in Iraq was just another day on the front lines for the U.S. military.
Troops woke long before sunrise on a cold, rainy Christmas morning to raid an upscale neighborhood a few miles from their base. In honor of the day, they dubbed the target "Whoville," after the town in the Dr. Seuss book The Grinch Who Stole Christmas.
Commanders said they ordered the operation because they did not know the identities of the neighborhood's residents and several roadside bombs had recently been planted near the district, which isn't far from Forward Operating Base Summerall in Beiji, 155 miles north of Baghdad.
U.S. patrols had never before ventured into the neighborhood, where the streets are lined with spacious homes.
Soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division's 3rd Brigade knew they weren't going to be welcome when they arrived in the dead of night. It just made sense to nickname the target after the village raided by Seuss' Grinch on Christmas morning, they said.
"It was appropriate. I did feel like the Grinch," said Pfc. John Parkes, 31, of Cortland, N.Y., a medic in one of several groups called "quick reaction teams" that respond to roadside explosions.
The raiders broke down doors, confiscated illegal machine guns, plastic bags of ammunition and gun clips. Iraqi law allows households to own AK-47s, but with limitations.
For many soldiers in the 101st, it was their second Christmas in Iraq since the U.S.-led invasion in March 2003. The brigade, known as "Rakkasans," also raided a village on Thanksgiving morning this year.
For many soldiers, the holidays are more of a benchmark for their time in Iraq than a special day.
"Believe it or not, I didn't realize it was Christmas until last night," said 1st Sgt. Andre Johnson, 38, of Baton Rouge, La. "It's just another day, man."
Another day on patrol. Another day walking the streets while the cold wind cut through their uniforms and a chilling drizzle coated their faces. The neighborhood's residents stayed inside, peeking through windows at the soldiers.
Sgt. Jared Jones, 21, of Lafayette, Ind., said Christmas away from home can be emotional for some, but he buries himself in his job.
"The mission comes first," he said, pulling heavily on a cigarette after returning to the base. "I was out here 15 months the last time I was in Iraq. Holidays don't matter much to me."
Maj. Alex Lee said, "Honestly, it doesn't feel like a holiday. But for the guys that are conscious, we try to say 'Merry Christmas' to them. But it is hard to keep holiday spirits up."