... how things are here.  I don't think pictures would do it much justice, either.  The reason words don't work is because no matter what is said, it is fairly easy to say "oh, yeah?!  What about..." and that question is entirely legitimate (if sometimes misguided).  For instance, if I said "things are going remarkably well here.  It is generally quiet and peaceful, and almost every aspect of 'normal' life is returning!" a wag could easily say "oh, yeah?  What about the suicide bomber at the sheikh meeting in Kharma last month?  Is THAT 'normal'?!"

So let me just say that having seen Al Anbar go from bad to worse to really, really bad, it is now better than it's been at any time since I started hanging out here.  When I drive downtown, the streets are full of people going about their lives (I know I've said this before... but I take SO LONG between entries, that I forget), there are traffic jams.  I can stand out in front of the Government Center and point at the bullet holes that resulted from somebody trying to kill me back in 2006... and NOT get shot at.  Yes, bad things still happen and good men still get wounded and killed.  It's still a war, of sorts.  But it's good.  Hot, but good.

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Topic Change: SOMETHING I WOULD HAVE LIKE TO HAVE SEEN

Okay, I don't really want to get into the whole political thing too much... I don't want to say something bad about somebody that's ends up being my commander in chief, dontcha know.  But... here's a conversation I would have liked to have seen (and it didn't happen... oh, well)

Prime Minister Maliki: "Ah, un-named American Political Candidate, I am so glad that you have come to see Iraq!  Welcome."

Un-named American Political Candidate: "Thank you, sir.  It is really great to be here.  Thank you for your hospitality!"

PMM: "Ah, it is nothing.  I do, however, have one question for you.  I hope you will not think it rude or impertinent."

UNAPC: "Please, ask away!"

PMM: "I was just curious, now that you are here shaking my hand and looking me in the eye... how long WOULD you have allowed us to be dominated by Saddam Hussein?  If ousting him when you did was a bad idea, which, unless I have misread the American press as badly as Der Spiegel translates my speeches, you have said many times, then when, my friend, my dear friend, would you have felt that providing freedom to 27 million souls was a good thing?  And, do you think, now, with my hand in yours and our eyes locked together and in front of the entire news army of the free world, are you telling me that you would have preferred to let us go it alone before our army and police were ready to shoulder the burden?  Do you believe that 'tough love' would have helped us rise above the terror and intimidation that Al Qaeda was able to inflict in the last few years?"

UNAPC: "Uh... it's not that simple... uh... I think that I need to refine my thoughts on this..."

PMM: "I am sorry.  We are both politicians... I don't know what came over me and made me say what I was really thinking or feeling.  Come, let us smile for the camera's some more and pretend that you believe I and my family are worth fighting for!  I certainly don't wan't to alienate you on the off chance that my entire continued existence is dependent on your good graces in years to come."

Another great observation of our world as it is! TNX!!!!

I thought I had a reasonable hope before a certain candidate's visit to the troops. I could understand campaign grandstanding. But he seemed sincere. My hope was that once he actually spoke with our Generals on the front lines, he's listen. I was so disappointed at the deaf rhetoric after that candidate visited Iraq then regurgitated the same ol’ same ol’. Sigh.......

Keep up the good work bro!
G.