What the heck is that building "across the street" they're always showing in Baghdad?

Factual Questions
1

Since the beginning of the war CNN (and I think other channels) has shown a low-slung modernish building on the corner of a Bahgdad intersection. I’m sure the building is nothing special and was chosen merely because it was across the street from an easy place to hang a camera. But out of curiousity, what the heck is this place that has got to be one of the most televised structures in the world these days?

It’s light-colored stone or concrete, two-stories tall, with windows running along its length and an overhanging top floor. It looks like a Middle-American modern college library or professional building.

2

Don’t know about the building, but Carol Costello, the late night CNN anchor looks just like Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler.

3

I think it’s a new sports bar called “Balls.”

4

Probably the synagogue. Or the PFLAG meeting hall.

5

I thought you’d be asking about the really tall spire or whatever it is that looks just like a dildo.

6

Is this that parking-garage type structure that always has armed guards standing at the entrance?

7

Yea I was curious about this as well.

Looks like a simple office building to me.

MtM

8

Isn’t the camera at the Ministry of Information? Maybe it’s a building associated with them.

9

I thought that was the Mother of All Battles Mosque.

10

I was watching Newsnight with Aaron Brown on CNN last night and Aaron Brown mentioned what the mystery building is.

His comment is burried a bit more than half way down this transcript: http://www.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0303/26/asb.00.html

11

Good answer, rsa.

My question would be;
Why havent any Iraqis gone up there and pulled the plug on these cameras yet? They must know that the whole world is watching via these cameras. There is no secret as to their location either. Why?

12

I have a question here regarding the Baghdad cam:

Why do we see people walking and cars moving? I have seen some people get picked up by a taxi or someone giving them a lift.

If there is shrapnel falling, is it that important to go out and get a cup of coffee?

I sure don’t see a whole lot of ‘skyline’ activity here. Maybe the camera is pointing in a direction away from Baghdad.

13

I’m guessing you’re being facetious, but there are in fact synagogues in Baghdad.

14

Peter Arnett was practically swearing up and down that the MOI was not going to be a target. He’s the Squire of Bag End…err Dahd!

So it got smacked the other day. I am sure that some low level Lt. Col called the ministry five minutes before and told those eggheads to get the yolk outta there!