The media tell us there are Iraqis rejoicing in the streets.

...and that many Iraqis are greeting their "liberators" with smiles and cheers.

The media tell us this is because they love us -- and that they are grateful we have come to "free" them from the clutches of Saddam Hussein.

The media tell us this display of affection is real -- and that it vindicates what we are doing over there.

*****

These same Iraqis are the people who just weeks ago were seen on Iraqi television hanging flowers around the neck of statues of Saddam Hussein -- who were shown kissing and hugging pictures of Saddam Hussein.

The media tell us they were doing all that because they were terrified of Saddam Hussein and of his soldiers and henchmen.

*****

I wonder why the media doesn't think the displays of affection -- and the cheers and greetings -- meager as they are -- might not be true affection, but simply fear of a new monster.

The affection is being shown to soldiers often riding on massive tanks with huge cannons poking out the front. The affection is being shown to soldiers in an army that has been bombarding all around them. The affection is being shown to a vastly superior force that has invaded their country.

*****

Any chance the media has simply lost its objectivity?

What do you think?