For a few dollars, anyone can be an Iraqi policeman

[Barrett808]

For a few dollars, anyone can be an Iraqi policeman
by Nafia Abdel Jabbar and Patrick Fort

BAGHDAD (AFP) - A disreputable crew of unshaven men wearing police uniforms pounces on a businessman before the horrified eyes of his wife as he leaves his home in an upscale Baghdad neighborhood.

Luckily for the hapless commuter, two crisply dressed "heroes" show up, swiftly disarm the attackers and derisively tear off their fake "Iraqi Police" armbands.

Welcome to the world of state-owned television's public service announcements.

Outside in the real streets, however, the heroes don't always arrive and survivors of incident after bloody incident report being attacked by gunmen wearing apparently official security uniforms -- with total impunity.

The attacks have reached such a level that the interior ministry this week issued phone numbers for its operations room so people can call to confirm the identities of gunmen in uniform.

(more)

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060722/wl_mideast_afp/iraqunrestsecurity

[uppityperson]

1. Reminds me of Smothers Brothers skit

Tom: I see by your outfit that you are a cowboy
Dick: I see by your outfit that you are a cowboy too
Both: We see by our outfits that we are both cowboys
If you get an outfit, you can be a cowboy too!