Exiles could not stomach the mandatory reverence for Saddam

Evidence

But all the necessary worship of Saddam at these events was like gargling with motor oil. It disgusted him, and he would find himself unable to hold in his feelings. — Moustafa Bayoumi, How Does It Feel to Be a Problem? Being…, 592

Categorization

• CANDY: ‘Gargling with motor oil’ is a memorable, tweetable simile for performative political obeisance.