As Bush readys his veto pen, I’ve been listening to some new and interesting voices about the situation in Iraq. A New York-based firm Chat the Planet worked with Iraqi producers to get video cameras to several young Iraqi men (too bad they’re all men – but so it goes). They are doing video diaries about their lives that are posted at a web site/blog Hometown Baghdad. At the blog, there are also wonderful conversations going on between young people all over the world, including the young men featured in the videos.
Here’s a sample of one of the 20 videos that are currently posted:
In the blog discussion about this video, one of the commentors asks these young men if they want the US troops to leave. Here is how Ausama, one of the young men in the video answers:
it would be great if the american troops leave the country ( it’s not only good for us but good for the american famillies ! ) but Unfortunatly , there’s a terrible instability in my country … all the militias are growing stronger ! ! !
so now if you ask me if the pull out is good or not ? I would definity say it’s not , they have to change their policies and try to be honest about building good , fair Iraqi security forces not just to leave the country…. or you know ? they just have to let the UN forces handle the Iraq.
Iraqis are dying , the american soliders are dying … they have to act fast while they still can , and leaving the country and lying about how did they built a good democratic system is not the solution !
There are alot of Solutions , they just have to lose that arrogance for a while !
(what I mean by ” they ” is the american government ofcourse ! )
The videos range from a tour of the college campus where teachers and students have been killed, to a group of young men who sneak into an abandonded house to swim in the pool and escape the Baghdad heat. In total, a pretty good picture of what life is like for young men in Baghdad these days. But here’s the one that had the most impact on me:
I’d invite everyone to go – watch, read and learn.
For another view of the situation in Iraq, check out this clip from Crooks and Liars of Michael Ware being interviewed by Anderson Cooper. Ware is just back from Iraq and talks about the “delusional nature of the debate” here in the US. He’s got a different take on what’s happening and what could work – don’t know if I agree – but worth listening to.
Here is another voice to be heard. Check out this video at Crooks and Liars of a military wife laying her soul bare to Bill Kristol about the impact this war is having on her family. It will break your heart – but did not even touch Mr. Kristol’s.
Most likely because people like Kristol don’t have hearts only agenda’s.