As someone who used to work in the film industry, I'm aware of the fact that film is fiction, regardless of the veracity of the events upon which the film is based. I'm sure everyone who frequents this board is able to separate fiction from reality.

I never suggested that the news story linked in my original post carried a statistically-sound sampling of Somali opinion...merely that the reaction to the screening of the film was sad and ridiculous, as was the boasting that should our military return, we would be taught another lesson.

If America is forced back to Somalia to continue the fight against terrorism, I personally would not want to be a gun-toting Somali. IMHO, it's extremely unlikely that our forces would return as part of some blue-helmet police brigade, so it would be a whole new ballgame. I doubt their "technicals" would be much of a match for what America sends in.

I agree that it's not America's job to impose stability on Somalia, but that's not why people are talking about going back...it's because that country--if it can be called such--harbors terrorists. It may well be, however, that American action will present Somalia with an opportunity to stabalize itself, just as Afghanistan has been given the opportunity to shake off a terrible oppression. Yes, two dramatically different situations, but one can hope.

Look, I never said "They cheered the wrong parts of the movie, let's go get 'em." I merely pointed out how sad it is that at least some of them are spoiling for a fight, apparently without any understanding of what would be coming at them.