It's The Vision Thing, Stupid

The following are excerpts from speeches given by British and American military commanders to their troops on the eve of the war.
“if you are ferocious in battle remember to be magnanimous in victory. We got to liberate, not to conquer. We are entering Iraq to free a people and the only flag that will be flown in that ancient land is their own.
Don’t treat them as refugees, for they are in their own country. If there are casualties of war, then remember when they woke up and got dressed in the morning they did not plan to die this day. Allow them dignity in death. Bury them properly and mark their graves.
You will be shunned unless you conduct is of the highest, for your deeds will follow you down history. Iraq is steeped in history. It is the site of the Garden of Eden, of the Great Flood and the birth of Abraham. Tread lightly there.”
Lt. Col. Tim Collins
OIC Irish Guards

“When the president says ‘Go’, look out – it’s hammer time.”
Vice-Admiral Timothy Keating
(followed by Queen song We Will Rock You, played at high volume.)