While I was in Beirut, one of Ali's relatives, an Iraqi, told us about the horrible situation her family in Baghdad is in. They no longer have running water or regular electricity. People are more afraid of the rampant lawlessness and kidnappings than of bombing. Her aunt's husband of 20 years tried to kill her because she is of a different sect of Islam. I asked her what she thought the US should do, and she said it was impossible to know what to do, that nothing the US can do will improve the situation for Iraqis. Listening to her, feeling her anguish, I felt so guilty and responsible. Ali's cousin, a Lebanese with American citizenship, seemed to sense my distress and told me, "You're not alone... All the Americans who live here feel the same way... They know the truth, and they can't stop the government anyway."
Getting out of Iraq seems like the best strategic move for the US, but it's unlikely to happen soon. And sending in more troops is unlikely to help the Iraqis. Why didn't those crapheads in Washington listen to the world when we protested before the war?!
Getting out of Iraq seems like the best strategic move for the US, but it's unlikely to happen soon. And sending in more troops is unlikely to help the Iraqis. Why didn't those crapheads in Washington listen to the world when we protested before the war?!
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