Cyndi Scarlett in Baghdad

Many have written asking about the bombing in the IZ and whether or not I’m OK so I thought I’d update everyone about the situation.

While the Convention Center is technically in the IZ, it sits on the outskirts and really is in what might be better described as a “yellow zone” - between the IZ or “green zone” and the “red zone”.  However, you likely will never hear it described this way.

The Convention Center is surrounded by “T” walls - and has security on all sides that one has to go through before entering the complex.  The side closest to the “red zone” is manned by the Iraqi Police and it is my understanding that they are in charge of the security there - and actually the security going in and out of the actual convention center itself.

The side of the Convention Center closest to the IZ or “green zone” is manned by the coalition forces with oversight by the US forces.  Security going into the Convention Center from the IZ side is tight - but I believe an assumption is made that full security screenings took place on anyone that came into the IZ from another check point in the red zone and therefore, security is while not lax, is less.

LEAVING the Convention Center however and coming back into the IZ can take up to three hours.  Security is VERY tight.  Why?  Because we know that folks could have come from the Iraqi, red zone side of the entrance into the Center, through the Center and then want access to the inside wire or IZ “green zone” from this yellow zone.  We know that the Iraqis have control of the other checkpoints - and that they may be willing to let people in, as happened yesterday, that want to do damage to us or others.

Initial reports would indicate that this was an “inside” job and the homicide bomber was a member of the security detail of one of the Sunni Member’s of Parliament.  While he would have had the correct ID to get into the building, he clearly had help to pass through the Iraqi security system wearing a suicide vest.  It’s doubtful he would have gotten into the IZ wearing this as there are three rings of security getting in here, none of them Iraqi.

If this all sounds confusing, my apologies!  Nothing is simple here and I’m still trying to figure stuff out eight months later.  I say all of this to try and ease your minds that someone didn’t actually get into the green zone or IZ with explosives.  They got close.  Will they keep trying?  Absolutely.  Is the army ever vigilent?  Absolutely.  Security has been stepped up hugely around here which is frustrating until something like this happens and we realize why everyone is checked all the time, everywhere.  Even me, who is blue-eyed and blond headed and speaks with an obvious Yank accent isn’t taken at face value.  It’s part of living here.  It’s frustrating.  It can make life and getting around a challenge sometimes.  It can make doing our work a challenge because everything slows down. I undertand it. Rather be safe than sorry.

I’m fine.  I have a wonderful personal security detail who take very good of us.  They have intel reports daily and are very proactive.  I go no where without my PSD.  Don’t worry about me.  I’m not!

Blessings to all of you!

Growing up in South Africa,  I had an “uncle” named Rex Emslie.  He was a funny guy, long gone now but remembered very fondly.   When told something news-worthy or sort of unbelievable, he’d exclaim in a loud voice “Go Oooooon”  It was sort of his version of “really”? or “tell me more”  or “nooooooo way”!

I have been reminded of him several times this past week for some reason.  We have a team visiting Iraq carrying out an evaluation of a large national program.  One has to wonder what people are thinking when they agree to come to probably the most dangerous country in the world right now - at least one actively at war.   The situation this past week has not been great here in Iraq with over 1,000 incidences reported country-wide.  An incidence would be some sort of insurgent attack - could be a car bomb, suicide bomb, improvised explosive device, death squads, rocket attacks - you get get the picture.  This is the sad reality in which we live every day.  You see it on the news - we and most of all the Iraqis, live with it.  There should be no doubt to anyone arriving here within less than an hour of being in the country that this is a country at war and there are active military operations on going.

Why then, would someone, who was well briefed before accepting the assignment and her arrival,  be in a constant state of anxiety when she hears gun fire - rockets falling - bombs exploding…. I have wanted to say numerous times this week “go on”  in true Rex Emslie fashion.   I find myself just having to laugh or I’d cry.  We have a job to do here - it’s not always pleasant - things are not always great - we are at war - but we have a job to do.  I guess in my impatience at feeling like I’m having to baby sit, I have to wonder when I became so jaded.  I almost don’t hear the sounds of war anymore.   A rocket has to fall near enough to shake the villa almost before I look up from my computer.   I wonder when that happened?  I guess it’s must be somewhat of a coping mechanism otherwise I guess it would be difficult to stay here for any length of time. 

So, while I’m finding myself a little impatient with one of my visitor’s who almost seems afraid of her own shadow,  it’s also served to wake me up that this is not a “normal” environment in which I’m living.  A good jolt of reality, no doubt!

Blessings to all

I’m well aware that what I’m going to write is going to make a lot of people reading this blog unhappy but I have to call it like I see it - and those of you who know me, know I always have.

You might be aware that Senator McCain in in country on a visit.  I’m not sure how many people caught him on CNN today - I admit I didn’t, I only heard about it.  But boy, have I heard about it.  Apparently, he told a group of reporters that the streets of Baghdad are safe and that General Patreus runs around the streets of Baghdad in a soft-skinned vehicle without any guards. 

I don’t know where Senator McCain got his information - but I’m here to tell you, the streets of Baghdad are certainly NOT safe - in fact if anything they are less safe than they were a month ago. There are a variety of reasons for that none of which I’m here to discuss in this blog. 

What I do want to discuss is why Senator McCain is putting out such bad information.  I wonder, does he really believe this?  Has he been briefed incorrectly?  Is there a caveat to what he’s saying that he didn’t give?  I was over at the Embassy this evening and couldn’t help but get caught up in his motorcade.  We are talking a HUGE amount of fire power - both civilian and military. They even had the Iraqi army involved - probably to show McCain’s contingent that Iraqis are involved in solving their problems, who knows.  And this is just to move the CODEL (Congressional Delegation, they’re always here - I wonder if they ever get anything done at home) - from one spot IN the IZ to another.  Probably one of the most fortified places in the world.  I can’t think of anywhere else I’ve ever lived or worked where I would have come across a huge Abrams tank with its barrel point directly at me - knowing if I moved another foot in my vehicle, I’d be blown away.  Yes, things are taken very seriously here and those who don’t often end up dead.  I tend to get very, very serious when I’m out.  Never, ever relax.

So - perhaps some of you caught McCain’s press conference from Baghdad.  I might suggest that no matter how much you like and admire the man - and how much you think he might be a great president, please don’t take his words at face  value.  If you have any questions, please let me know.  I’ll try my best to answer them.   I don’t have a bone to pick with him - or any of the cadidates right now.  I personally wish they’d just be quiet… this is going to be SUCH a long election.  

We were all laughing over at the palace wondering who McCain has been talking to - or what dope he’s been smoking.  I’m not sure why politicians have this abilitiy to spin the truth to make it sound OK for those of us who don’t know any better.  And for those of us who do?  Well, it simply opens up a huge question mark in my mind

Please excuse  my politicizing…. someone though needs to stand up and say what is.  I’m not there yet - but I’m getting close.

Blessings to all!

Hello All:

I’ve been chastised for not writing in a while for which I apologize.  To catch you up…

In early March I was able to take a break and go to Dubai for what was supposed to be a week.  My niece Brigit - my favorite niece, as she reminds me (I only have one!) was able to come and visit me there.  It was GREAT to have her around and we spent five days in a whirlwind from a day at the spa - to an evening into the desert that included 4X4 drives up and down sand dunes ending with a dinner in a camp. All was well organized.  Back to the hotel for shopping at the “Gold Souk” … imagine a huge mall in the US and then imagine every store in the mall is a jewlery store - with LOTS of jewels all displayed in the window - so much gold and diamonds and every other kind of stone imaginable that it looked fake - even though it wasn’t.  If you’re interested in jewelry, Dubai is the place to go.  Just remember to ask for their “best, best” price - which I did - much to Brigit’s humiliation.  She soon found out it works!  Lots of haggling going on.  Dubai is EXPENSIVE in every other aspect - and in my estimation, not that great.  It’s going to end up being a huge concrete and glass jungle.  They say that most of the world’s large cranes are in Dubai.  The building goes on 24/7.  It’s the most amazing thing to see. 

I was supposed to come back to Baghdad on the 7th but when we called to confirm my ticket, the “airline” didn’t have my reservation and knew nothing about me.  After much prodding, we found out they had cancelled their Monday and Wednesday flights into Baghdad so those folks were pushed to Friday.  The Friday folks were just out of luck.  I finally got a seat on Monday coming back into Baghdad on Iraqi Airways.  I have to admit I was a little worried about flying Iraqi Airways but it was fine. 

I came back to a mountain of work that made me wonder why I had even taken a break - and two days later headed for Amman, Jordan for a meeting with one of our partners.  Two days later, back in Baghdad in time to meet and greet a team of consultants that are here doing an evaluation for me on one of USAID’s huge programs dealing with civil society.  No matter how low maintenance a team might be, it’s always a challenge to have added folks on the ground.  Just trying to get them where they need to go in a timely fashion and back is a huge deal.

I went with the evaluation team up north to Kurdistan to a town called Erbil last Thursday.  We were supposed to return to Baghdad on Iraqi Airways on Saturday however, the government apparently comandeered the aircraft so that was cancelled…. we finally got a flight home on Monday but had to leave half of my security detail up in Erbil - which meant another team had to be mobilized to pick us up from the airport.  Kurdistan is an amazing place.  It’s safe - we walked around without our armor on - literally walked down the street with just our PSD - who only had side arms on.  There is a huge amount of building going on up there and people are hopeful about their future.  If one didn’t know better, one wouldn’t know it’s Iraq.  It seems to me that the folks down south could take a page out of the Kurds book in terms of how to do things - but what do I know.  I really enjoyed being up there with one small exception.  EVERYONE smokes - I mean everyone.  It was absolutely awful.  You can’t get away from it anywhere and it was in my eyes - they were constantly burning and red.  I pretty much had to stay in my room and even there is was difficult to escape because even in the hall outside the roomwas filled with smoke. 

I should have been keeping up with what I’ve been doing because there are stories to tell on every one of my trips - mostly very funny.   Perhaps some day I’ll write about everything but at this point, there is simply too little time.  The team is here for another 3 weeks so it’s going to be busy, busy.  I’m putting them on a helo flight to South Central Iraq tonight at 1:35 am….  neither have been on a military helo before - they are scared to death.  I don’t have time to go with them because I have a huge meeting to attend tomorrow.  I wish I could be with them just to see their faces.  It will be quite an experience for them.  The military flies mostly at night now to avoid being shot down.  It’s far safer and of course that’s the primary focus - I’m glad for that… but it means one has to be ready to leave and go places at the oddest times.  Makes for VERY long days. 

We have a new full time colleague that arrived last week.  She is going to take a huge load off when she is fully oriented.  Right now, there is just so much for her to learn.  I’m very thankful that she’s here.  My other colleague has been here since 2003 and has about had enough of Iraq.  Can’t say I blame him!  He will be leaving as soon as we are able to replace him.  He’s going to be a huge loss to the team here.  Please pray with me that we find an excellent replacement.

Well, I have two cheesecakes in the oven - I’m sending them down to South Central as thanks for all the help the folks there have given me in getting the team there tomorrow.  It’s been a headache!  Thank God for helpful people!

Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers.  I’ll try and do better with my writing.  Hopefully, one of these days, things are going to calm down enough that I can sit down and thoughtfully write something meaningful.

Blessings to all!

I finally made it to the Land of Ur this week. 

After reporting to the Australian HQ at 0700 and waiting around 12 hours to get on the C120 and a 45 minute flight, we landed in Tallil Iraq - otherwise known as Ur.

The place I was visiting is huge - one of Saddam’s airforce bases in the province of Dhi Qar (pronounced The Car).  My security manager Tom and I arrived at the PRT about 10pm just in time really, to get settled after a long day of  waiting into our “wonderful” rooms for the night.  This PRT is run by the Italians although they no longer have troops in theater.  I guess the Italians don’t have much use for privacy as all bathrooms are coed.  Thankfully I had Tom along and I made him stand guard outside the bathroom as I showered.  Quite outside of his role as security manager but I wasn’t about to shower and change in a room with a row of showers with little more than a curtain for privacy.  Very strange!  No one seemed to think this is a big deal except me.  Strange that!

After my meetings the next day, the US representative to the PRT took Tom and I across the base to the ruins of Ur.   The ruins are “inside the wire” so we didn’t need a security detail along with us.  On the way there, our guide Ken told us that at one time, the Persian Gulf covered most of Ur and that it is surmised that after the flood when the waters receded, the Gulf receded as well.  I’m thinking right… the Persian Gulf came all the way up and actually past Ur?  No way.  Until that is, I got out and started walking around the ruins which if one looks carefully, can find seashells all over the place.  Natually I had to pick some up and bring them home.  As I stood there holding these shells in my hand I realized that I was holding something that had survived 1000’s of years.  Can you imagine?  I can’t. 

The ruins were found and originally excavated by the British in I believe the early 1900’s.  It was almost more than I could comprehend to believe that I was walking around and looking at ruins that were built 1,500 years before the pyramids - and that the father of the human race, Abraham had actually walked the same hills.  At some point, the Euphrates river used to flow right through the ruins making the area at the time extremely lush.  At some point, we don’t know exactly when, the Euphrates shifted course.  One can still see however, the old river bed.  It’s also interesting to see the ancient irrigation systems that had been built.

There is a temple on the site that is still standing - I climbed all 136 steps to the top.  It almost looks like an Aztec ruin.  I’ve always been fascinated by the similarities among antiquities I’ve visited all over the world.  In any event, it was very impressive to see.  That is until I got home and was told by my assistant that Saddam ordered the temple rebuilt in the 1980’s as a tourist attraction!  I guess most if not all the bricks are original but we can’t even be sure of that.  So much for the temple built to the “moon” god.  At least the other ruins have not been touched as far as I am aware.    There were tons of pottery shards all over the ground.  I must admit I was tempted to pick something up but thought better of it.  I felt bad enough picking up a couple of sea shells although there are 1000’s there.  At one point, Ur was a thriving metropolis - up until the reign of Nebuchadnezzar after which for reasons no one quite understands, it fell into ruin.

After some very productive meetings, we got back on the plane yesterday and returned to Baghdad arriving in time to experience the airport being shelled.  That was a bit exciting, I must say!  I’ve never actually been outside watching incoming rockets land.  Thankfully, they arrived a fair distance away in fields and did little damage and didn’t injure anyone.

With all the waiting around, I was introduced to a hotel for coalition generals and other VIPs out at the airport.  I guess my status allows me to stay there.  I told you in an earlier blog that the area out next to the airport was Saddam’s hunting lodge.  Well the hotel is actually where he housed distinguished guests.  It has over 100 rooms - lots of marble - fake chandeliers and stained glass windows and the most awful furniture you can imagine.  It’s sort of this fake gold-leaf french provincial furniture  - really, really ugly cheap stuff.  Come to find out all the USO visitors stay there - senators and congress men and women who are visiting.  And me.  Because my security doesn’t like to travel the airport road after dark, I had a reservation at the hotel for last night in the event we got back after dark.  Luckily, we arrived back well before dark but my security detail wasn’t able to pick me up immediately so I was able to stay warm and relax at the hotel while waiting for my team to come from the IZ to pick me up.   Something interesting to see while I waited.

This part of the world truly is the cradle of civilization.  Despite everything going on, I’m so blessed to be here!

Peace to all

Talk about simple pleasures.  Today, I made my assistant a big, sloppy Wendy’s-like hamburger and watched as he ate it - the first he’d ever eaten in his life.  He pronouced it good and said that most Iraqis think because hamburgers are called “ham” burgers, they think they’re made of ham and therefore would never eat one.  He was so happy to eat something new and different and for me, it was such a pleasure just watching him learn about something new.  I told him that hamburgers seem to be one of America’s biggest exports and also one of it’s most dubious, health-wise.  We had a chat about American culture and food and he said that if McDonald’s ever came to Iraq, they would make a fortune.  In this climate unfortunately, it would be bombed by the extremists before ever opening.  Perhaps not a bad thing!

This afternoon, we were looking at the statistics of schools that have recently been rehabilitated.  I was interested in knowing how many boys schools vs. girls schools have been rehabbed.  Given the current situation, I thought perhaps  girls schooling would not have priority and therefore fewer would have been rehabilitated.  I was glad to find out my thinking was wrong.

While discussing education however, my assistant began telling me that his father and his grandfather were both teachers and that he comes from a long and distinguished line of educators going back to the Ottoman empire.  With tears in his eyes, he told me that the clerics are now influencing what Iraqi children are learning and that he fears my premise that educating girls would decline as time goes on will probably become reality unless something is done to stop these “madmen”. 

I asked him how things are going right now in Baghdad.  He told me that yesterday “only” twenty dead bodies were found.  This down from the usual sixty to one-hundred that are usually found scattered around the city on any given day.   He said the worst thing though, is that while things are getting better, he believes those that have been carrying out this violence are simply waiting for the US to pull out because our Congress has said we won’t stay here…

He along with every Iraqi I’ve talked to are just sick about this.  They don’t want us here forever - but they do want us to stick around long enough to give them time to get things right.   Iraqis are stoic by nature and to see him sitting here with tears running down his cheeks was heartbreaking.

I would ask that you continue to put pressure on the Congress and media to do the right thing.  This situation appears to have become so politicized pretty much it seems along party lines which is very sad to me.  Continue to pray too for wisdom for our leaders both in the States and our military here. 

Peace to all!

I was supposed to fly down to Ur yesterday for a meeting and was really excited about it. Apparently, the place I was going is right near the ruins of Abraham’s original birthplace - well, at least where legend and perhaps even archeologists believe he might have been born. 

I was going to fly with the Australians and was told to report to their HQ out near the airport at 0700.  Off we set, in good time to report in just before dawn.  My PSD waited until the last minute to leave because they really don’t like driving on the airport road in the dark.  NOT because of insurgent activity as much as no one really travels that road after dark or before dawn except the military and anyone else moving on the road can be seen as hostile.  The troops can shoot and ask questions later - with good reason.

Once we checked in, we were told to hang out until 1300 when we’d be transported to the flight line.  We were in a very interesting place actually - it used to be Saddam’s “hunting” palace grounds where he’d bring friends.  It’s not far outside of Baghdad and like I said, hear Baghdad International Airport. 

It’s very interesting to me that almost everywhere around, even in the IZ, there are man- made lakes and canals.  Yesterday, there were bull rushes all along the canals and these large homes and palaces all around with sidewalks down to the water.  I wonder if he had some romanticized notion of his being something like the Egyptian Pharaohs living like I pictured the Pharaoh living when Moses was found in the bull rushes. 

I had the chance to talk to some of our troops while hanging around.  I told them how proud I am of what they are doing.  They were so appreciative.  Once again, they said they don’t hear that very often.  Where is the disconnect I wonder? 

After checking back in, we were taken by bus over to the flight line.  The plane was supposed to be arriving within the hour.  No such luck.  We waited, and waited and waited…

Sitting in the lounge waiting, I took the opportunity to talk to the colonels that were waiting for their flights.   I was really interested to hear what they had to say about what’s going on.   They do not understand why the Congress is debating these “non-binding” resolutions.  They said that this is extremely demoralizing for the troops which I found particularly intersting because I just heard one of our Congressmen saying that they DO support the troops and these debates aren’t demoralizing  - what’s demoralizing is not having the right equipment to do the job - night vision goggles - armored vehicles etc.   How would he know, I wonder?  When was he last out here talking to the troops or their commanders? 

We talked about the challenges we’re facing trying to rebuild Iraq and implementing development programs and projects in the middle of a war zone.  We discussed all kinds of ways the various government departments and agencies over here could better work together.  These were switched on, smart men who really care about the mission and their troops.  I was so heartened as I sat and listened to them talk about what they’re doing and changes that are being made as a result of the President’s plan.  We sat and watched the media say that the American people shouldn’t support the surge because it’s just more troops with no change in plan.  Sort of weird to sit there and watch the various news shows interviewing political people who make all these comments when there I sat with men charged with implementing the plan and to hear their comments in rebuttal. 

Of COURSE things have not gone well here - and of COURSE we are facing huge challenges ahead and are facing huge challenges - but could we please just give this a chance?   There is NO doubt this war was ill conceived - I’ve said that many times before.  This Administration got it SO wrong - I’m sure of that.  I’m also sure that we have so destabilized the Middle East that if we don’t get this right, we are going to be reaping the results of this fiasco for years to come.  We should never have come here - but we did.  I need not get in a rant here.  If you want to hear me rant, go back and read some of my earlier blogs.

Well, at about 1800, the flight was finally cancelled.  The sun had set and I had to get back to the IZ.  I thought of trying to hop on a helo heading back to the IZ with my PSD but the flights were full and we would have had to go “Space A” (Space Available) - and could have been there all night waiting to get a spot.  So, we did what we had to do… called the mobile team to come and get us by road. 

Needless to say, they weren’t happy about that but that’s what they’re here to do.  I made it home by 2100 so tired I didn’t even unpack my suitcase.  My colleagues just laughed.  That’s what one has to do here.  Nothing is ever “easy”.  That said, I’m just so thankful that I had the time to spend the day talking to our troops. I hope I was able to be an encouragement to some of them by letting them know that we are appreciative - we do care and we are keeping them in our prayers.

Blessings to all of you!

The situation in Baghdad according to my local friends appears to be calming down.  They say there is an  obvous increase in troops both American and Iraqi - more road blocks and my assistant said that for the first time ever, he was actually stopped and his car searched, which by the way, he said he welcomed.

Thing is, according to these same Iraqis, there are huge concerns about a couple of things - 1) the American people and the Congress appear to have made it very clear that we don’t have the will to stay here until things are really on the way towards a bright, democratic future.  They get it - at some point, we WILL cut and run….

They believe that the insurgents and particularly Iran know this and are very patient and will bide their time all the while training up new troops and developing even more sophisticated weapons.  The other thing they’re worried about is the numbers of troops that have been asked for in the surge.  They don’t think it’s nearly enough and that while we might get Baghdad somewhat under control, the insurgents and clerical armies will just move operations to other parts of Iraq and then what?

I believe their concerns are valid.  I have to wonder if no one has paid attention to or learned from our past mistakes most recently in Afhganistan…. we went into Afghanistan with the help of the Northern Alliance.  Does anyone know that most if not all of the Northern Alliance were/are made up of the warlords that the Taliban had overthrown for many good reasons years before?  They are evil, extremely dangerous men who rule Afghanistan by sections funded mostly by the production of poppies for heroin.  Anyone who knows, knows that Karzai (the President of Afghanistan) doesn’t have any control of the country outside of Kabul.  We left Afghanistan in part because we needed the troop strength to invade Iraq, didn’t finish the job there and have now left a vacuum where the Taliban are coming back in, better, bigger and stronger than ever.  We’ll eventually have to go back.  Mark my words.  Or, should I say, we should eventually go back if we are to do the right thing by the Afghans but I doubt we’ll have the political will to do so.

Another Apache was shot down yesterday late afternoon.  There is no doubt the insurgents are fighting back the best way they know how.  As the ground becomes more safe, it appears that the skies are now quite vulnerable.  I hate this and admit that I have a somewhat selfish motive as this is the way I get around the country.  I used to not give much thought to jumping on a helo and going from point A to point B.  It’s not that simple anymore.  To do my job, it’s really important that I be able to get around the country.  I hope the skies won’t become so dangerous that we aren’t able to travel readily that way as well.   This is all so tragic.  It makes my heart hurt.

I will tell you that the soldiers on the ground have the will to make this work.  Everyone I’ve talked to both a State and AID and other USG agencies want to see this work.  Normal everyday Iraqis like you and me want to see this work.  The only people it seems to me, that don’t want to see this work - possibly because they believe we’ve already lost are the politicians. 

Please, please write your congress men and women.  I can’t stress this enough.  They DO listen to the American people.  They currently believe because of the big Democratic win in the last elections, that there is a mandate against the war…  well, the American people need to be better educated - and not just by the biased media.  We have to do our part. 

We could get this right - we actually have a chance in fact, I believe with the Iraqis that this is our only chance.  I would ask all of you reading this to do the following:

• Call your congress men and women - in the house and the senate and tell them you expect them to support the war in Iraq - particularly over the long-term both with the increase in troops and support funding.  This includes approving far more troops including enough to control the borders.  Pay attention to the fact that Congress is getting ready to vote on support of the war effort.  Time is critical.  Fire up the emails and phone lines.  I sit here and listen to what’s coming out of our capital and it makes me ill.  These people fly in and out for a couple of days or hours and come back thinking they know everything there is to know.  They don’t know - they don’t live here - they don’t talk to ordinary Iraqis.  They don’t spend hours talking to the troops.  If they did, they wouldn’t have the opinons they are espousing. 
• Write letters to media editors print, radio and TV asking them to start reporting the facts in an unbiased way - it is especially important to contact the media that is not traditionally considered “conservative”  People need to understand the role that Iran has been playing and continues to play in destabilizing Iraq. 
• Educate yourselves about what is going on here - don’t listen to me alone - read, read, read - hear every side and make up your own minds.   THEN DO SOMETHING!
• Most importantly, pray.  Pray for General Patreus (sp) and his staff.  Pray for our troops,  pray for the Iraqi people and most importantly pray for our leaders. 

I know I’m having an about face in my opinions about this.   This comes after much thoughtful and prayerful consideration and after having talked to scores of people here on the ground.

I apologize to those who don’t want to read policial commentary in my blogs - but I have to speak out.  I find it interesting that people like Hillary Clinton are changing their positions… they are probably well informed - they KNOW what’s going on here.  It’s sad to me that Hillary has changed her position and has been willing to sell out for votes.  Of course this comes as no surprise to me as her husband didn’t seem to have much resolve of his own during his presidency but rather led by poll numbers. 

YOu CAN make a difference and I URGE you to do so.

Blessings to all!

I’ve spent the greater part of the last two days in meetings talking about the surge - what it means to programming here - the resources needed and planning a way forward to provide ancillary support for the military surge requested by President Bush.

There were local people in attendance at these meetings and I found their comments the most interesting part of the two days.   I had the opportunity to eat lunch with two of them yesterday giving me an opportunity to talk more in depth about their views and that of their fellow Iraqis.

Without exception, the Iraqis said that the 90 - 95% of population who simply want peace - who do not participate in the insurgent and sectarian violence and who feel quite helpless in light of what is currently happening to them, are hopeful that with this surge, the situation here will finally be brought under control.  They welcome the surge in troops as they don’t trust their government, the armed forces or their police force.  That’s a sad commentary on the current political environment here however, one has to wonder yet again, why this is not being reported by the media in the US.

We discussed today the possiblity that in fact, this surge might not happen - or at least not be implemented as requested by the leadership of the armed forces because of the nine bills that have been presented in Congress to stop President Bush from as they see it, escalating the war - and what would happen in the country if this happens. Without exception, the Iraqis said if the surge is not allowed to go forward,  Iraq is going to slip into utter chaos the likes of which we haven’t begun to see here and that this is the last, best hope for Iraq. That’s rather frightening.

I admit I vascilate back and forth having not agreed with our invasion of Iraq - and being so disturbed by the death and maiming of 1,000s of our troops, not to mention local Iraqis.  On one hand, I think we should just up and leave. On the other, I realize we brought this mess on ourselves for reasons I’ve written about in previous blogs and we should have the courage to stay the course and help Iraqis bring stability to their country.  I guess after the past couple of days, I firmly believe that we simply have to push to support this surge.

I’d encourage you all to write your congress men and women and tell them to support this surge.   Painful as it is, I don’t see any other way forward.  We know that for the most part, the media shapes the opinions of the American public by what they choose to cover.  After talking to numerous Iraqis in the past three weeks - and since coming here - and hearing their views - almost 100% of whom want us here - want the violence to stop - want to live in peace and do not have a fight to pick with the Americans we really do need to continue putting the pressure on the Iraqi government - and our own congress to do the right thing.  We should also start putting pressure on the media to provide more balanced coverage. 

I can feel a rant coming on so I’ll stop.  What’s going on in Congress is a disgrace.  What’s gone on in Congress is a disgrace.  How the media is covering this war is a disgrace…

I urge you to speak out. 

Blessings to all!

As is my habit, I’m an early riser so I can get a jump on my day while things are quiet.

In the past 10 minutes, I’ve heard three major explosions - all coming from the RZ - but large enough to be signficantly heard from where I’m sitting.

This just makes my heart ache.  This is the busiest time of the morning here - about 0600 - people are up and about going to the market - making their way to work - lining up at checkpoints all over the city to come into the IZ.  They can often spend hours at the checkpoints as everyone is searched coming into the IZ.

I know that in the past 20 minutes people have been killed and lives have been forever changed.

Please pray for  the people of Iraq.  Most just want peace and are pushed and pulled between a number of different groups none of which have the ordinary people of Iraq’s best interest at heart.

This is such a desparate situation.   Another large explosion just as I’ve been sitting here writing this.  This one close enough to shake the villa a little. 

Your prayers are appreciated.

Blessings to all