Whooda thunk it. Jim Muir of BBC did a report on Nove. 28 daying positive things about U.S. efforts to bring security and stability to Baghdad. See it at
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/7116717.stm
Cheers
Friday, November 30, 2007
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Friday, November 23, 2007
Thanksgiving Day at the Embassy Annex
Well, Thanksgiving Day here was marvelous. It really was almost a day off. I did have to go and take notes at a high-level meeting, but what's two hours out of a holiday for the good of the Republic? Everyone in the office I'm in and a few spouses (also Embassy personnel) got together for Thanksgiving Feast - tablecloths on two wooden picnic table cum benches under a canopy next to the pool - food courtesy of KBR and the U.S. taxpayer. Great stuff, though I missed the cranberries in the stuffing (or filling as we Philly natives call it). And, several bottles of fine Lebanese wine accompanied the feast, so the holiday spirit and giving of thanks was in full swing. See atttached menu (if I figured out how to do that) 
Fortunately, the shelling, InDirectFire (IDF) did not start until we were at the coffee following the dessert course. Unfortunately, several Iraqis in the International Zone (aka the green zone) and one foreign guard qwere injured - no deaths in that barrage though, thank God for small favors! Only the touch football at the park or on the front/back lawn with family and relatives was missing. But at my age, i'd likely have gotten a cracked rib or two, so better to stop that "rough touch" football.
Fortunately, the shelling, InDirectFire (IDF) did not start until we were at the coffee following the dessert course. Unfortunately, several Iraqis in the International Zone (aka the green zone) and one foreign guard qwere injured - no deaths in that barrage though, thank God for small favors! Only the touch football at the park or on the front/back lawn with family and relatives was missing. But at my age, i'd likely have gotten a cracked rib or two, so better to stop that "rough touch" football.Thursday, November 22, 2007
Thanksgiving in the Baghdad Embassy Annex
Much to be thankful for. We are safe and sound, though it is a dangerous place. Violence is down though AG-I and sectarian militias still threaten. Economy here is picking up. Weather is fine. Etc. Yes, it is most useful to pause and give thanks. Sadly, many are working all day though it is a day off. As for me, well, took some notes at a meeting, but now off to change into casual clothes and prepare to gorge myself on turkey and fixings.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Church life in the International Zone, or more precisely, the Embassy Annex:
Having lots of military here on the Embassy Annex grunds mean there are plenty of church services. In fact, sunday morning is about the only time the soldiers get downtime. I guess it's too bad if you are an observant Jew or Muslim, eh? (well, the military does try to respect the Jewish and Muslim senstitivites, they just keep the Christian Sabbath more by giving that time off, at least the military here.) So, the military chaplaincy program provides services for Protestants and Catholics. I haven't been to the Protestant services, though one lapsed Catholic now a so-called born-again Christian (is there any other kind?) tried to get me to go with him one sunday. i told him I preferred the sunday services of the OTC. then explained that OTC stands for One True Church - that put him off. well, i was being a little jestful. a little.
So, to the real biz - Mass at the Embassy Annex. Services are held every weekday at noon and on Saturday and Sundays at several times. I go to the Saturday evening Mass at 1830. Priest is a good guy, even though he likes to be address as Fr. first name not Fr. surname. Likely has to do with his surname being a monastic title. Almost as bad as Captain Major or Lieutenant Major. Then, on Sundays, we have Mass en espanol, for the hispanic community. Many of the guards here are from Peru - so send a big poster of St. Rose of Lima for the Chapel lectern. Desgraciadamente, the priest can read but not really speak Spanish. His Italian is brilliant, so we've done a little pronunciation coaching. Asi es, I've returned to my roots as a Spanish speaker and accomplished hispanohablante anglo. Next step is for me to write out some prayers of petition for him in Spanish so he could practice them and use them for Mass instead of reading them out in English and having someone subsequently translate. we'll see how that goes.
This Saturday Mass will be early to accommodate the Missionaries of charity and the Papal Nuncios First Secretary who are going to visit us. I plan to give the First Secretary a copy of the new book of Mother Theresa's spiritual journey.
I like going to the English Mass because many of my faves in the Embassy go at that time. But, I like even more the Spanish Mass because those Peruvian guards put so much energy into the Mass. Last Sunday we were singing Alabare (accent on the last syllable). great stuff.
So, pray for me, pray for Iraq, and be safe - it's a dangerous world.
Having lots of military here on the Embassy Annex grunds mean there are plenty of church services. In fact, sunday morning is about the only time the soldiers get downtime. I guess it's too bad if you are an observant Jew or Muslim, eh? (well, the military does try to respect the Jewish and Muslim senstitivites, they just keep the Christian Sabbath more by giving that time off, at least the military here.) So, the military chaplaincy program provides services for Protestants and Catholics. I haven't been to the Protestant services, though one lapsed Catholic now a so-called born-again Christian (is there any other kind?) tried to get me to go with him one sunday. i told him I preferred the sunday services of the OTC. then explained that OTC stands for One True Church - that put him off. well, i was being a little jestful. a little.
So, to the real biz - Mass at the Embassy Annex. Services are held every weekday at noon and on Saturday and Sundays at several times. I go to the Saturday evening Mass at 1830. Priest is a good guy, even though he likes to be address as Fr. first name not Fr. surname. Likely has to do with his surname being a monastic title. Almost as bad as Captain Major or Lieutenant Major. Then, on Sundays, we have Mass en espanol, for the hispanic community. Many of the guards here are from Peru - so send a big poster of St. Rose of Lima for the Chapel lectern. Desgraciadamente, the priest can read but not really speak Spanish. His Italian is brilliant, so we've done a little pronunciation coaching. Asi es, I've returned to my roots as a Spanish speaker and accomplished hispanohablante anglo. Next step is for me to write out some prayers of petition for him in Spanish so he could practice them and use them for Mass instead of reading them out in English and having someone subsequently translate. we'll see how that goes.
This Saturday Mass will be early to accommodate the Missionaries of charity and the Papal Nuncios First Secretary who are going to visit us. I plan to give the First Secretary a copy of the new book of Mother Theresa's spiritual journey.
I like going to the English Mass because many of my faves in the Embassy go at that time. But, I like even more the Spanish Mass because those Peruvian guards put so much energy into the Mass. Last Sunday we were singing Alabare (accent on the last syllable). great stuff.
So, pray for me, pray for Iraq, and be safe - it's a dangerous world.
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Well, it has been a while since I posted anything here. Today was not a good day to be out in Baghdad. Around 0700 Sunday the 18th, rockets and mortars were sent off in the general direction of several u.s. military posts. fortunately, no u.s. or other coalition personnel were seriously wounded. this type of attack is referred to as IDF - InDirectFire. It is not pleasant, but not as effective as planted IEDs - ImprovisedExplosiveDevices - which target convoys or foot patrols, etc. An Iraqi min of finance was targeted by an IED, but he made it safely, though one of his bodyguards was wounded. sadly, 5 bystanders were killed. just remember, that is what our enemies are like - total disregard for human life and a willingness to murder innocents.
as for us at the embassy in the so-called green zone, we have not had IDF in a while - though a few stray rounds have sent people scurrying from time to time. "the bullet you hear didn't kill you" is my attitude on the stray rounds.
On a lighter note, I had to visit the British Embassy today. Much like ours, that is the security is very serious and intense, and it is a bad idea to upset a Gurkha, but, drum roll, they have a tennis court! So, now I try to figure out how to worm myself an invitation to play tennis there. i mean, how can I be a diplomat without playing tennis. of course, gallows humor, lobbing one on this court might take on a whole new meaning.
the work remains very interesting, and I am getting out a bit more, though the security provisions, necessary of course, to make an office call in the red zone are time consuming and onerous. but, it sure beats returning home in a zippered plastic bag.
a bit too much gallows humor, but this was inspired by watching the town hall meeting at state to discuss directed assignments. someone, i think his name was croddy or cruddy, said that sending us to Baghdad was a "potential death sentence." well, yeah, but life is a potential death sentence, or rather, it is a death sentence - i don't know of anyone who has lived forever. i do take mr. croddy/cruddy's point, but I think he is off base. is it more dangerous here than in d.c.? sure it is, but it is not so dangerous to call this a death sentence. yes, u.s. civilians as well as military have died here, but not many, so the odds are not so great that one can call it a death sentence. i just felt his whole speech was whiney. having said that, i am sympathetic to those who see no reason to serve here because of family obligations - but to complain about the danger, well, stop driving the beltway or i-95 if you want to be safe.
weather now is beautiful. keep that in mind for when tourism returns. cool, crisp mornings in Baghdad. not too hot at midday, and the mud-producing rains have not started.
went recently to the ar rashid hotel. best not to go alone - abductors are lurking looking for some revenue. abductees are a commodity to be traded like oil futures. scary. but, if accompanied, quite a nice place with a cozy coffee bar and lots of overpriced trinket shops, and, one very good carpet shop.
okay, that's all today from the banks of the Tigris.
as for us at the embassy in the so-called green zone, we have not had IDF in a while - though a few stray rounds have sent people scurrying from time to time. "the bullet you hear didn't kill you" is my attitude on the stray rounds.
On a lighter note, I had to visit the British Embassy today. Much like ours, that is the security is very serious and intense, and it is a bad idea to upset a Gurkha, but, drum roll, they have a tennis court! So, now I try to figure out how to worm myself an invitation to play tennis there. i mean, how can I be a diplomat without playing tennis. of course, gallows humor, lobbing one on this court might take on a whole new meaning.
the work remains very interesting, and I am getting out a bit more, though the security provisions, necessary of course, to make an office call in the red zone are time consuming and onerous. but, it sure beats returning home in a zippered plastic bag.
a bit too much gallows humor, but this was inspired by watching the town hall meeting at state to discuss directed assignments. someone, i think his name was croddy or cruddy, said that sending us to Baghdad was a "potential death sentence." well, yeah, but life is a potential death sentence, or rather, it is a death sentence - i don't know of anyone who has lived forever. i do take mr. croddy/cruddy's point, but I think he is off base. is it more dangerous here than in d.c.? sure it is, but it is not so dangerous to call this a death sentence. yes, u.s. civilians as well as military have died here, but not many, so the odds are not so great that one can call it a death sentence. i just felt his whole speech was whiney. having said that, i am sympathetic to those who see no reason to serve here because of family obligations - but to complain about the danger, well, stop driving the beltway or i-95 if you want to be safe.
weather now is beautiful. keep that in mind for when tourism returns. cool, crisp mornings in Baghdad. not too hot at midday, and the mud-producing rains have not started.
went recently to the ar rashid hotel. best not to go alone - abductors are lurking looking for some revenue. abductees are a commodity to be traded like oil futures. scary. but, if accompanied, quite a nice place with a cozy coffee bar and lots of overpriced trinket shops, and, one very good carpet shop.
okay, that's all today from the banks of the Tigris.
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