Is Sally Struthers there?
Seriously, I don’t have anything to ask. But be safe, and…
…when come back, bring pie!
- I’d just like to know whether you’re safe ?
Spiny I am indeed safe, thank you for thinking of me. For the next couple of days, I am in the quiet and beautiful north of the country. I head back to Baghdad soon.
I don’t know who was killed in Fallujah, I heard it was people from a security firm, but I havent’ heard any names. I really feel for any family member of someone in that town when they hear news reports like this, it must be horrible. Our project pulled out of Fallujah after yesterday’s attacks.
Fallujah is the heart of anti-coalition sentiment. There have been other incidents there and our project has had some close calls in that area. Most of these have been quick little attacks. I was driving near there at night when someone fired tracer rounds over my car, we just kept going, I have no idea what that was about.
But everyone in the international community is just stunned by the ferocity of the attacks. When something like this happens it really rattles people. My wife has said I’m back in May end o’ story. I’d rather face the crowds in Fallujah then her when she’s put her foot down 
We drive around in these big SUVs and everyone can tell we are expats. When I was here last summer, we moved around in local cars and tried to keep a lower profile. Let me tell you, when you are sitting in a traffic jam in one of those SUVs you feel like you have a target painted on you. I think all the trappings of security (guards, big cars, kevlar vests etc.) make us feel secure, but actually put us in danger.
Anyway, I really appreciate you asking after me, it’s nice that someone who has never met me went out of his way to check in, kinda made my day.
You don’t have to worry aobut me unless you hear about a guy from Takoma Park Maryland, whose picture looks like Ernie Douglas from my three sons getting ripped apart by a mob, that’d be me.
I’m glad to hear you’re away from Fallujah now, and USAID is out of there now.
You live and work a lot in the Green Zone? How much of your time is spent in there? What’s it like?
“There is no legitimacy being built for a transitional government” Do you think Chalabi will be in the new government? I’m asking because he lived outside of Iraq the last 40 (?) years, got convicted in absentia for fraud in Jordan, and lied to the Bush administration about the WMD. And has floated to the top.
It seems the strategy of the resistance is an ugly one, driving wedges between Americans and Iraqis, targetting Iraqi police, interpreters, drivers, administrators, anyone working with the occupation for a stable, normal future. “A lot of these people are truly committed to rebuilding their country and take considerable risks to do it. The insurgents have targeted Iraqis working for aid projects.
Iraqis who have heard of impending attacks on us have risked their lives to warn us. It’s not reported enough, imho, about Iraqis who are working hard for their society. I find the people great.”
Does the resistance have anything they claim to be working for? What is their justification for the destructiveness? Is there anything beyond “America bad, guerillas good”? For an example, do they press for the Arab League to take the place of America in assisting in stabilizing society and funding the rebuilding? or any other actual programs?
Hope all is still OK with you.
What events from your life there might be interesting and informative for those who have never gone there?