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Thursday,
January 1, 2004
I
came across word that CPA (in its infinite ineptitude) is
placing restrictions similar to those found in most US cities on
demonstrations. Just another example of how counter productive
CPA, aka Can’t Produce Anything, can be. The last protest I
had read about was one that happened after an Iraqi street
vendor was killed by a bomb planted for the Americans; the crowd
gathered around, got pissed, and started chanting “No to
terrorism.” Arabiya TV put its usual slant on it; but
nonetheless this policy like countless other ones will probably
be rescinded once they realize how misguided it is; and even if
it isn’t, it won’t matter after CPA dissolves in a few
months. I really like walking around CPA and asking civilians in
some offices what they do only to find they aren’t always sure
themselves. The military working there actually have some focus
and goals (i.e. like the task forces and groups working on gas
and power issues).
Wednesday,
December 31, 2003
My
wish list for Iraq in the new year:
1.
No power or water shortages
2.
A functioning court system that people actually trust
3.
All countries that Iraq owes money (mostly to buy wasted
soviet-era weapons) to forgive those debts, especially the
Saudis and Kuwaitis since they used Iraq to fight Iran on their
behalf (1980-88)
4.
Iraq to serve as a mediator and go between to encourage US-Iran
cooperation (and inshaaAllah - by the will of Allah - a
peaceful democratic revolution in that country)
5.
A complete rejection of sectarian politics dividing people,
especially along Shia-Sunni lines (Come on people! It’s
un-Islamic, backwards, and kind of like shooting yourself in the
foot.)
6.
Maybe an Iraqi version of the TV show “Cops,” and a ton of
hidden camera investigations exposing corrupt officials (Hint:
Mr. Rumsfeld, they'll start watching that instead of Al Jazeera.)
7.
Starbucks-Baghdad
8.
More people involved in the democratic process, taking civic
ownership in their communities (Never expect the government to
do everything for you; it becomes easy for things to get
twisted.)
9.
A free press where Arab intellectuals can come and discuss
reform, religious scholars can engage in ijtihad
(critical thinking that usually leads to moderation). This,
along with a stable democracy, even with its struggles, scares
all the dictators in the Middle East more than anything does.
The thought of their own people saying “screw this, I want my
opinion counted and to be treated with dignity,” scares them
almost as much as a cruise missile.
10.
Truth and Reconciliation Commissions to address the past and
move past it
Sergeant
Mohammed Omar Masry is a 24-year-old Muslim US Army
Civil Affairs Sergeant in Baghdad. He is assigned to the 354th
Civil Affairs Brigade, a Civil Affairs Unit, out of Maryland.
His unit was activated in March for Operation Iraqi Freedom and
he expects to stay in Iraq for a year. Omar was born and raised
in California. His mother was born in Makkah, Saudi Arabia and
his father was born in Nigeria to a Lebanese father and an
Armenian mother. Sgt. Omar Masry can be reached at mohammed.masry@us.army.mil
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