A great lead from today’s LA Times:

After Leveling City, U.S. Tries to Build Trust
In Fallouja, Marines are on a 'hearts and minds' campaign to woo residents and help keep rebels from returning.
By Tony Perry, January 7, 2005, The Los Angeles Times

FALLOUJA, Iraq — As he navigated his Humvee through rubble-strewn streets, Lance Cpl. Sunshine Yubeta articulated a question key to the Marines' mission here.

"I wonder," said the 23-year-old from Madras, Ore., nodding toward several sullen-looking men on a corner, "if they hate us or like us."

The answer, of course is it depends on who you are. Most of the reactions reported are like this:

"I didn't do anything wrong, but the Americans destroyed my house," said Sami Fafaj, 49, holding two bottles of water and two food packets.

"I want America to rebuild my house and give me money for what they have done," said Fayed Abdullah, 37, collecting food for his seven children.

"The Americans are rich and strong, but sometimes I wish they had never come to Iraq."

Although public expressions of anger directed at the Americans seem rare, many Falloujans appear to feel they have been wronged by U.S. forces.

"Fallouja did something bad and God sent the terrorists to punish us," said Mehdea Salah Jassam, a neighborhood sheik. "Then he sent the Americans to punish us some more."

On the other hand:

Some told horror stories of months living under insurgent control.

"I have a nephew that they beheaded," said truck driver Adnan Mohammed, flanked by two children. "You are our destiny."

Conclusion:

"It's hard to look these people in the eye after blowing everything up," said Staff Sgt. Travis McKinney, 31, of Vallejo, Calif. "These people were just victims."

I bet. I sometimes felt the same way in Vietnam. Sergeant McKinney is a victim too, in a different way, as are his dead and wounded colleagues. The entire article is at the link.