SOMEBODY WANT TO SHOW THIS TO SEN. JOHN KERRY ET AL?

Coalition troops are dug in and watching their backs across much of Iraq, but in some parts of the country the crowds are still offering hugs and kisses, not gunshots.

At a church in Baghdad on Friday, young mothers brought their babies over to be photographed with a small group of soldiers, children squealed with delight and scrambled all around the Humvees, and older people sent their regards to George Bush.

"We are extremely happy for their liberation of our country. We were waiting a very long time, and we are sure [the Americans] will bring us a happier future for us, and particularly for the Christians," said Jacqueline Joseph, who put her 5-month-old son Laith into the arms of Sergeant First Class Jim Caldwell.

"This is just the third time in over 100 days we've gotten the chance to go out and meet some people. It makes it all worthwhile," said Caldwell, who is from Savannah, Ga., and part of the 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division...

"The American soldiers, they were very kind to us. They helped us with rebuilding a fence," said Siad Abraham, a groundskeeper at the Hamdullah and Toma Mosque in Baghdad, who said the troops based nearby also helped provide security to the mosque.

And across religious and ethnic divides, the coalition forces still have the potential to capitalize on their role in following after an especially brutal dictator.

"Saddam was like a vampire. He needed blood all the time," Abraham said.

Back at the Baghdad church, Abdul Masih said, "Give my peace to Mr. Bush.

"I love him," he added. "He saved us from the criminal."

Indeed.