Why were the guys on the aircraft carrier for the "Mission Accomplished" speech dressed like the Teletubbies?

Well the main reason is to be highly visible. Aircraft carriers are one of the most dangerous jobs in the Navy. Always have been and will be. In WWII my father had a friend killed in the dark when he walked into a propeller arc. It was messy. Now there are jet intakes and exhaust areas and a million other hazards. Carriers are larger, but so are all the hazards. I would agree with you about " Mission Accomplished". My Daddy would have laughed his head off. I have been raised to believe you don't even think like that until the other side begs for peace on its knee's. It is unpopular view today with many. But I don't care if we free other countries or not. We freed ourselves and if other nations peoples feel that strongly they can do the same. In Iraq the people fighting us could have revolted against Saddam long ago and freed themselves. Their casualties would have probably been no worse. If a nations people let their freedom be taken from them they don't deserve it.