Looting, hooting, not much shooting

Iraqis turned out by the thousands to welcome Marines entering the city from the east and to loot government building, especially the Al-Sinaa Sports Complex that held thousands of new athletic shoes.

“It’s like Los Angeles after the Rodney King verdict. I was there too,” said Capt. Mike Martin of Palm Springs, Calif., K Company commander of the 3rd Battalion of the 1st Marine Division.

Martin said the Marines and the Army have nearly secured Baghdad.

“It’s in the end game now,” he said.