Have you seen Abdullah yet? At least you can see one of your friends that left Baghdad…

Zaid, what are you singing/playing at the beginning?

Inshallah you can return to Baghdad and your house soon.

Dahlia

Good Luck,

James

“As memory may be a paradise from which we cannot be driven, it may also be a hell from which we cannot escape.”

Quote “John Lancaster”

It’s all about the Iraqi people: Their lives, their choices, their future, and their timeline
http://www.aim.org/guest_column/5462_0_6_0_C/
http://tinyurl.com/262sac
May 17, 2007

excerpt:

[The American government, on the other hand, is playing its all-too-public political games. Though he may have thought of it as just being between him and his “friends” in the mainstream media and on the fringe, Daily Kos left, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s (D-NV.) comment that “the war is lost” and “the surge�hasn’t accomplished anything” was splashed on the front page of every news outlet from Al Jazeera to the Iranian state newspaper, all of whom flaunted it as a sign of America’s capitulation to the power of the Islamic “freedom fighters” in the Middle East. Contrary to the beliefs of all too many Americans who seem tied to the notion that the Iraqi people are both blind and ignorant, Congress’s votes to set a withdrawal date from Iraq � much like their other, similar votes and statements � were heard loud and clear by Iraqis, as well as by the insurgents who can take heart knowing that they are again winning in many areas of the psychological front of this war (even Ayman al-Zawahiri, al Qaeda’s noted “second in command,” said the resolutions “reflect American failure”). Iran can only take heart from such statements, which demonstrate their effect on the war effort, and can only encourage the Islamic Republic to increase its involvement even more, as they are seeing an increasing political return on their deadly investment in this war. (A Colonel within the MNF-I political apparatus told me that “if you take [Iran] out of the equation�we could probably reduce our casualties almost in half.”)

“I’ve had people coming up to me as we patrolled the neighborhoods [the day after these statements and votes] saying, ‘We heard you were leaving!,’ an officer with Quarter Cav told me. “They don’t understand our process; they don’t know that this is just rhetoric, or that it will be vetoed. All they know is that the leaders of our Congress said that it’s a lost cause, and that our government has voted to pick up and go home.”

Such statements by America’s political leaders are “terrible,” an Army public affairs soldier told me. She continued, “I understand political posturing and all that but it really is terrible. If the war is lost and we need to go home, then why do we need to stay here five more months, when I could die or my friends could die before we go home? The war is either over or it isn’t; this just doesn’t make sense.

“What we want is to keep helping the people here. The people at home who say these things, they don’t understand that these are people who have to live here after we leave, whatever the situation is. These people and the things that happen here aren’t real to them, and they can’t understand unless they’ve been here and seen it.”

There are several soldiers who, like many Americans at home, would like nothing more than to see the US end its involvement with Iraq as soon as possible. There are also many, though, who, having established a presence on the ground, and having spent time among the people of Iraq, want to see this mission through to its successful conclusion, not only for America’s sake, but for the sake of the people of Iraq whom they have gotten to know during their time in country.

A remarkable conversation to this effect was shared with a bespectacled captain of infantry, who was on his second tour in Iraq and had been there since just before Gen. Petraeus’s confirmation as the new head of MNF-I. We spoke at length about the war, and about the differences between his first tour and now. I asked what he thought about the mission in Iraq, and what he thought the prospects for success were. Gazing pensively at the ground, he took a moment to collect his thoughts, and said, “Well, politically, staying here probably isn’t the best decision.” Given the situation at home, he added, “winning here seems less possible all the time, even though we’re now doing what it is we probably should have been doing all along.” Moving on from that moment of near despair, he paused and glanced up, looking earnestly at me through his thick, military-issue glasses, and said, “There’s not a single one of my soldiers who doesn’t look at the neighborhood we’re in, look at the children there, and not want to do whatever they can to give these kids as bright a future as possible. We want to finish this job, and we know we can do it.”]

[The abandoning of Iraq by America while it is in such a violent, unstable state is not an option being entertained by many of the soldiers or Iraqis with whom I have spoken to this point; rather, it appears to be almost solely the purview of those at home who think that they know better than the soldiers and the Iraqis themselves what is good for them. What the troops, and the Iraqi people, appear both to want and to need is to be given the support and the resources which will allow them to establish a free and secure state which can endure without an overt American presence � and, more than anything else, the time to do so successfully. For the sake of the Iraqi people, let us, and let them, make the right decisions, and not abandon them to the incredibly increased levels of carnage and barbarism which they know full well would immediately ensue should America make a precipitous withdrawal.]

please read the whole thing, it’s spot on, frank & honest..

==

The news over here does not tell us of the struggles of ordinary people just trying to live their lives, which is why this is such a great website… to show the reality of life in Iraq. To show that Iraqis are people, just like everyone else in the world, trying to live life to the fullest.

Good luck in everything you do and I wish the best for you and your wonderful friends!

This was a hard one to watch, especially with the haunting guitar music you play that captures the feeling better than any words in any language.

Most people have only their memories and a few photographs. You have these beautifully edited videos complete with soundtrack. Does watching these now help you heal or only make you nostalgic and depressed?

{Hugs}

Your friend,
Tracy

PS - Noor is so beautiful. Does she have some secret tips she’d like to share with the rest of us?

Stay well,
Ahmed–Baghdad

I am so pleased to hear that you are safe Saif.
Peace
Billie

I noticed you were watering your beautiful garden. Do all Iraqi’s homes have running water in Baghdad?

I was under the assumption that this wasn’t possible, but here you are watering a garden. Very interesting.

I have read that you are now out of Iraq. Did you get your Degree or doing something else for a living in Jordan?

What job are you doing in Jordan? Are you a Dentist now?

http://www.rebuilding-iraq.net/pls/portal/docs/PAGE/PCO_CONTENT/HOME/DOWNLOADS/RECONSTRUCTION_UPDATE.PDF

Inside this IssuePage

2 Primary School Nears CompletionCapacity Development: Critical to InfrastructurePage

3 Sector OverviewPage

4 Weekly Status ReportInternational Compact Set for May

Page 5 Well Projects Benefit Iraqi VillagesPage

6 Shaping a New WorldIn the NewsPage

7 Profile: U.S. Ambassador to IraqWorld Bank Project UpdatePage

8 Relief & Reconstruction Total Program MapPage 9 DoD Reconstruction PartnershipGulf

•Completed GRD water treatment projects have added 463,000 m3 ofdaily water treatment capacity, which potentially benefits 2.5 million Iraqis. At the end of the program, an additional 1,136,000 m3 of water treatment capacity will benefit approximately 5.2 million Iraqis(and all USG agencies’projects will benefit 8.4 million Iraqis).

•Completed GRD generation projects have provided an additional 1,420MW of potential generation capacity to Iraq’s national grid. At the end of the program, GRD projects will have added 1,879 MW of potential generation capacity, which can serve an estimated 1.7 million homes. All USG agencies’projects will add or restore a total of 2,555MW at the end of the program.

•Al NawrasUnited Company completed construction on the $546,000 TalhaReverse Osmosis Water Unit located in the BasrahProvince. This new water treatment plant with a reverse osmosis unit will provide domestic water and drinking water to more than 40,000 residents of the Talhadistrict.

•The completed AboJisraato Al WajihiyaFeeder lines in DiyalaProvince provide direct, more reliable power to the 5,000 local residents of AboJisraa.

•The water supply system project which serves the neighborhoods of Al Moa’alemeenand Al Ta’aleebin Karbala Province, now provides clean, potable water and enhanced fire-fighting capability to local residents. •The completed

I just wanted to show my appreciation for what you guys are doing for everyone around the globe. Even though we’ve never met, it breaks my heart to watch what you guys have to live with everyday. My prayers are with you and thank you for sharing your world with us.

From Canada,
Helen

Did you have a chance to check out the Reconstruction Update?

It’s amazing how much has been done!

Of course there is much still to be improved, because I’m sure you know Saddam Hussen chose to spend his money on building new Palaces for himself rather than update Iraq’s schools, sewer system, electricity lines, power plants, roads, etc….

Did you know Baghdad has problems with keeping constant power is due to all the new televisions and electrical components Iraqis have been purchasing?

The reason Baghdad had power under Saddam is because he deprived other areas of Iraq electricity, also.

http://www.csmonitor.com/2003/0822/p07s01-woiq.htm

Saddam Hussein didn’t update the Power Plants and electricity lines so they can’t meet the demand for all the power Iraqis are now using, but they are working on it(Iraqis and Americans).

Oh, the humanity!

Iraqis are using more power with computers, televisions, etc and Saddam didn’t update Iraq’s Power capabilities he just deprived other areas of Iraq power to feed Baghdad power.

That wasn’t a solution it just created more problems for Iraqis today!!

” Ever since the 1991 Gulf War, Iraq’s outlying areas were left with a net power deficit as Saddam Hussein began diverting electricity to Baghdad.
In towns like Mosul, Nasiriyah, and Basra, one-man power companies became the lifeblood for most communities.”

Did you read that most of the power stations were old and stations in Al Dora and the Rasheed plant in the south of Baghdad are based on 1960s technology??

Iraq’s power capacity began to drop in the 1990s.

Saddam Hussein chose to build himself new Palaces rather than invest in Iraq’s infrastructure like the Power Plants and lines. These are ANTIQUATED and all need replaced.
http://www.fas.org/news/iraq/2000/02/iraq99.htm#misuse

Did you know Saddam deprived other parts of Iraq power to feed Baghdad power?

This is from the article.

“In Baghdad, long a beneficiary of the nation’s power grid, a shortage of generation capacity has left the city in the lurch.

The fuel-oil station in Al Dora and the Rasheed plant in the south of Baghdad are based on 1960s technology and are all but obsolete.

The Mosul Dam station, which used to be switched on to provide Baghdad with extra power, has not been working since the war began.”

It’s going to take time, but did you read about all the reconstruction that is going on right now and what has been accomplished in Iraqi reconstruction??

http://www.rebuilding-iraq.net/pls/portal/docs/
PAGE/PCO_CONTENT/HOME/DOWNLOADS/RECONSTRUCTION_UPDATE.PDF

I plan on visiting Iraq someday. Shall we meet at Fardus Square?

.

I have no idea why you are insisting on making this meaningless comparison Gunner sgt!!

The Kurds were able to get a head start on Democracy, because they were protected by the No Fly Zone in the 1990s.

Once security improves everywhere Iraq’s future will be very bright.

When Iraq begins sharing oil revenues with all Iraqis they will be the richest in the Middle East. Iraq will someday look like Dubai:
http://www.burjdubaiskyscraper.com/

What kind of car do you plan on buying with your oil money Konfused Kid?

This is amazing video of prospering Kurds in Northern Iraq!!!

Will the rest of Iraq follow?

http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/i_video/main500251.shtml?id=2491526n

I don’t want to make anyone angry, but I believe you have a bright future and it will get better.
I am praying for you.
Assalamu Allaikum….

I have 2 comments awaiting “moderation”.

I didn’t do a good job of clarifying my point, but Mike should be posting them soon.

I apologize if I offended anyone that was not my intention.

I am rooting for Iraq.

My point was not only is Iraq’s Power Plants and eletrical lines outdated, but electricity demands have INCREASED with all the new technolgy that Iraqis are purchasing like television, computers, refriderators, etc….

I’m sorry if I offended you.

Salaam….

IRTN englishnews
http://media.podcastingmanager.com/73319-3505/Media/englishnews.mp3
http://tinyurl.com/25nkqg
May 18, 2007

has snippit of news re: electricity in Baghdad..

==

The first attack consisted of three vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices targeting the Badush Bridge northwest of the city at 5:15 p.m., followed by another attack at 5:45 p.m. on the Aski-Mosul Bridge, further west of the city. Two more VBIEDs exploded outside a police station and the transition jail. The first VBIED was a dump truck, which detonated upon reaching the entrance to the station. The driver of the second VBIED attempted to enter the compound but the ISF killed him, preventing the terrorists from hitting their intended target.

At the same time, small-arms fire broke out as the terrorists attempted to breach the jail and release prisoners. Again, the ISF were able to turn back the attackers and keep the facility secure. A total of 15 terrorists were killed this was all done by the ISF holding their ground. No civilians or police were injured during this incident.

The next morning, Iraqi police discovered three vehicles with numerous weapons and detained 30 suspects. The Iraqi army and police continue to sweep the area, while local leaders are restricting movement around key infrastructure.

Good news by the ISF it’s only a matter of time till they can stand up on their own feet and allow safety for all of Iraq citizens to continue on with their lives.

Peace,

Iraq Living Conditions Survey 2004
http://www.iq.undp.org/ILCS/infrastructure.htm
http://tinyurl.com/yul26x

[The intensive use of the infrastructure in Iraq combined with three wars, sanctions, and improper policies of the former regime, contributed to the deterioration of the infrastructure, services, and maintenance.

Infrastructure and services provided to the families were administered by the government and funded by the general budget, which led to the provision of electrical, water, and sanitation services to most of the families. However, the bigger challenge was to maintain the stability of the services, as opposed to mere connection.

Despite the violence in the country and the deliberate destruction of the infrastructure, there are noticeable changes in the level of these services, as the Government of Iraq, UN and other International Organizations, in addition to the Coalition Forces in Iraq are putting effort into improving the infrastructure in the country.]

Reconstruction Report/s
http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=category&sectionid=5&id=32&Itemid=47&Itemid=47
http://tinyurl.com/2zkg84

==

Now,all this is for Nokia phones, I don’t know if it is exactly the same for the rest but I think the variations are small.
Hope I managed to help

Love,
Nadia.

Saif you ‘re looking good

Really miss you so much brother

But for all over here , am sure that evry night should be followed by Morning , but the problem is ……when that god damn morning would come ?????

This could restore our reputation but the issue still remains with out contracts in foreign countrys where do we come up with the billions of dollars we need to support our own country. We gotta go back to our roots this can’t be an American / Iraq soulotion its not working its creating more fundamentilists. We can win the war on terror but not before we see are the cause of its creation through numerous occupations.

Ron Paul said we have been bombing Iraq for 10 years and the occupation in the ME this is the source. This man is listening to the ME, and the American people. We need to stay in Iraq and help out till they can stand on their own but we gotta look with in now to much is at stake. We can change the world but we gotta change our corruption first and the Iraq war is showing us we lost our way.

We gotta get back to our roots and become patriots again. The same patriots that defied Great Britain to become America. The same patriots that gave hope to millions through opportunity. The same patriots that has been resource full with new ideas. We gotta go back through too the past and find new soulutions. We have a new enemy who hides in the darkness we must take away the reason for them to stop growing. We must create one world under god and justice and liberty for all. This is the belief of America we need this to be realized again but with a new meaning, times have changed.

Attached is a clip of the GOP debate the following day. Numerous American callers flooded the lines we need change, check it out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5VeaUW12pY

GOP Debate

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Hfa7vT02lA

My fellow Americans and citizens of the world I think we just found a soulution. Get involved and spread the word!

Peace,

You picked a fine time to leave me, Lucille.
Something - something - something
And the crops in the field.

You picked a fine time to leave me, Lucille

http://gatewaypundit.blogspot.com/2007/05/biggest-trial-you-may-never-hear-about.html

Having this terrorist scum, off the streets of Iraq, is fantastic for the Iraqi people.

Take care guys

Peace
Billie

In a bar in Toledo, across from the depot
On a bar stool she took off her ring
I thought I’d get closer so I walked on over
I sat down and asked her her name
When the drinks finally hit her she said I’m no quitter
But I finally quit living on dreams
I’m hungry for laughter and here ever after
I’m after what ever the other life brings

In the mirror I saw him and I closely watched him
I thought how he looked out of place
He came to the woman who sat there beside me
He had a strange look on his face
The big hands were calloused he looked like a mountain
For a minute I thought I was dead
But he started shaking his big heart was breaking
He turned to the woman and said

You picked a fine time to leave me Lucille
With four hungry children and a crop in the field
I’ve had some bad times, lived through some sad times
But this time your hurting won’t heal
You picked a fine time to leave me Lucille

After he left us I ordered more whisky
I thought how she’d made him look small
From the lights of the bar room to a rented hotel room
We walked without talking at all
She was a beauty but when she came to me
She must have thought I’d lost my mind
I couldn’t hold her ‘cos the words that he told her
Kept coming back time after time

You picked a fine time to leave me Lucille
With four hungry children and a crop in the field
I’ve had some bad times, lived through some sad times
This time your hurting won’t heal
You picked a fine time to leave me Lucille

You picked a fine time to leave me Lucille
With four hungry children and a crop in the field
I’ve had some bad times lived through some sad times
But this time your hurting won’t heal
You picked a fine time to leave me Lucille

Saif, that music you play is beautiful. This may seem a little strange, and I would certainly understand any reluctance or no from your end as I’m essentially Random Internet Guy #98,546,227, but I’d really like to get in touch with you through email, talk about music, see if we can’t introduce each other to new (to each other) bands and styles. As my father was want to say before he left this world, “No man is so rich that he can afford to turn away new friends.” And I must know more about shisha, since a quick google search made me wonder how it is I could not have known about such an Awesome thing before.

And if you don’t want to chat through email, then at the least know there’s an Irishman in Florida wishing you all the best. And if my people’s country can finally make peace with itself, I know yours can too.

May the road rise to greet you.

Peace be with you,

Whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it, and to institute new government…”

“Thomas Jefferson”

Vote RON PAUL 08″

You’re doing a great service with your optimism.

Melly

Saif , Ahmed , Lelly , Tracy , Mike and Lovely Karenne …..

I think we have to make the golden oldies return back one day , and am sure we will do that coz we have the power and have faith , friendship , love to people and our country , MINDS and finaly we have HOPE .

This song is one of my favorites and its for the Star of the stars (((((Kenny Rogers ))))))) …….

I think NOW there is Person who LOOKED LIKE A MOUNTAIN and WAS SO HARD THAT HAD CARRIED ALL EDUCATION FRON EARLY LIFE , and
This Person is Iraq
Now this Person is shakin and breakin’ and saying :::::::
You picked a fine time to leave me Iraqis
With 26 milion sufferin people die with no please
I’ve had some bad times, lived through some sad times
But this time your hurting HOPE heal
I HOPE TO GET FINE TIME TO GET U ALLLLL OVER HERE

Best Regards
Zaid

ps. I agree with Tracy, Noor is very beautiful (she definately needs to share her beauty tips with us)

Saif - I hope you get to rejoin you friends and family where ever they may be. I am concerned that Iraq is losing its most educated citizens it need for reconstruction and preserving a secular federal goverment. It is the uneducated who are most likely to become violent insurgents and/or terrorists.

Regards

Zaid Al Bender

Comparto tu dolor y espero que veras tu familia cuantos antes y podras volver a Iraq. Cui date mi hermana Iraki,

Sally

(sorry about the accents, I don’t know how to do them on my computer!)

hehehehehhhehheheheh

Lets ask Saif about this song !!!
I know he likes it …..
where are you Saif ???

Mama,just killed a man,
Put a gun against his head,
Pulled my trigger,now he’s dead,
Mama,life had just begun,
But now I’ve gone and thrown it all away
Mama ooo,
Didnt mean to make you cry
If Im not back again this time tomorrow
Carry on, carry on, as if nothing really matters

It’s my fav Queen song :D, I love everything about it… there is a solo violin version of bohemian rhapsody by Lucia Micarelli , it’s pretty good, check it if you like violins

now Saif, tell us, what do you think of this song??!