Location Location Location
Is that Abu Ghraib behind me???
Wow, here I am within clear site of the Baghdad Airport Control tower--as seen on TV during the (amazingly successful) invasion. I can see it all day long from work. From my tent, close by, I hear helicopters, jets, anything that flys coming in and out of here all hours of the day. And night. But at least mail from America gets to me in 5 days, no less!
And, it turns out the prison right across the street from work...is Abu Ghraib??? That’s right, Saddam used to chill right here! In fact we had a BBQ on the other side of the prison wall the other night. Coalition members, palaces, dignitaries, all right here in the neighborhood.
At the DFAC (dinning facility) I sit next to or across from Iraqis that work here. They are polite and respectful and generally cheerful. I love watching them gaze at the huge amounts of food and pile their plates high. They deserve it--centuries of tyranny have left many of them in a third world situation even though they sit on an unimaginable wealth in black gold.
Only now, from here, their shot at democracy and prosperity is being secured. 85 Billion dollars a year and American bravery and blood fuel this giant engine of freedom. I think these people are worth it and I marvel that I am here at this virtual fulcrum of history. If the Middle East is ever civilized, it will have begun here.
Chemical warfare provides an opportunity for fashionable protective wear.
Wow, here I am within clear site of the Baghdad Airport Control tower--as seen on TV during the (amazingly successful) invasion. I can see it all day long from work. From my tent, close by, I hear helicopters, jets, anything that flys coming in and out of here all hours of the day. And night. But at least mail from America gets to me in 5 days, no less!
And, it turns out the prison right across the street from work...is Abu Ghraib??? That’s right, Saddam used to chill right here! In fact we had a BBQ on the other side of the prison wall the other night. Coalition members, palaces, dignitaries, all right here in the neighborhood.
At the DFAC (dinning facility) I sit next to or across from Iraqis that work here. They are polite and respectful and generally cheerful. I love watching them gaze at the huge amounts of food and pile their plates high. They deserve it--centuries of tyranny have left many of them in a third world situation even though they sit on an unimaginable wealth in black gold.
Only now, from here, their shot at democracy and prosperity is being secured. 85 Billion dollars a year and American bravery and blood fuel this giant engine of freedom. I think these people are worth it and I marvel that I am here at this virtual fulcrum of history. If the Middle East is ever civilized, it will have begun here.
Chemical warfare provides an opportunity for fashionable protective wear.
posted by Ernest at 9:02 AM
5 Comments:
What a wonderful post. :)
Took us the good part of the 17th century to learn what the Iraqis have, in a few short years...
ps: Bet ya have to drink with a straw, with that that thing on. (*,,,,*)
True, but we did not have great mentors like the Iraqis now have:-)
Yes, the founders of our Great Country struggled long and literally gave all to set the pattern for written constitutions now copied by over 200 countries around the world. But what a gift!
P.S. As for the masks, sure a drag at parties...
>mentors
This is exactly right :) And too bad that those who don't understand the complexities of the mission, expect democracy to be instant...
You're all doing a good job!
Ernie,
That guy in the mask looks a might bit familiar....That wouldn't be Mr. Weigand now would it???? Anyway, Love your Stuff Brother!!! Nick
Yeah, love your stuff too!(?) ha ha anyway, that is not Mike W. We all are wondering what happened to him--he seems to have fallen off the face of the earth. Any ideas?
P.S. MB--thanks always for the postive comments!
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