Cyndi Scarlett in Baghdad

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!