We spent this morning at an Interior Ministry parade in central Baghdad.
They had everything, from suicide squads swathed in white sheets to firemen carrying kalashnikovs, speeding past on scarlet fire engines.
There were a dozen men carrying swords, mounted on slightly moth-eaten horses followed by guys on Suzuki motorbikes with photographs of President Saddam Hussein plastered onto their windshields.
Plus the normal marching formations, carrying kalashnikovs and rocket launchers and the police in brand new cars with sirens blaring - all filmed by the massed ranks of the international media.
But where was the public? The road had been closed, and the audience of clapping women turned out to be all employees of the Interior Ministry.
Only a handful of people came out on their balconies to watch. The general in charge of civil defence told me that the parade was held for the benefit of the Ministry staff - presumably to boost their morale and show their loyalty. Other Iraqis will watch it on television.
After it was over, we watched the banners being rolled up.
One read: "The officers, men and employees of the Interior Ministry are martyrdom projects in the defence of Great Iraq."
We then went up to Mustanseria University. I was curious to find out what educated young people make of the news they're receiving.
For a start, no one seemed to be aware of the Ministry parade. Those who listened to Radio Monte Carlo, the BBC and VOA and other foreign radio stations were convinced that war was inevitable.
"I've got internet access so I can see what's happening in the world," said a young man called Mohammed, whose father was a retired diplomat. "
I think it will be a terrible war, and many children will die. President Bush is insisting on this war. I heard that America will bomb us with mass destruction weapons."
One young woman said "Bush and Blair are devils", but she still thought Iraq could talk to the devil and negotiate peace.
She said her main source of news was Iraq's youth channel, Shabab TV.
"I do not think there will be war, Our government will not allow it."
I asked if her family had made preparations nonetheless. "Yes," she said, "We have stocked up with water, food and oil."
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