Wednesday, August 11, 2004

Good morning:)))

Hey guyz:))
Yesterday was a very nice day, really, I went out to have lunch with a british friend, who is doing a very nice work on the issue of external dept of Iraq, after lunch we moved to the Faqma, the most famous ice creams shop in Baghdad and we had this great Iraqi-size ice cream, that I bet you cant finish half of it, and its just so delicious! With small peaces of pineapples inside it, liquid chocolate on the top, and a big cookie in the bottom of the glass, that you discover after eating everything inside it, that its eatable too, oh God o love food!
Anyway :D
As most of you know, I am Palestinian originally, but I live in Baghdad since 1991, I love this city, before this last war (can you name another country where its not enough to say "the war", you have to specify which war you are talking about?! ) we were in Jordan, in our summer vacation, since we have Jordanian nationalities, and we lived in Jordan, and many other countries, before coming to Iraq.
As we look Iraqi (ya... the mustache, the dark skin, the tummy, you know…) and everything, since my mother is Iraqi, and I talk Iraqi "language" (as I call it) very good to the point that Iraqis who I meet in my daily life, don’t know that I am not Iraqi.
But still of course, inside our house and among the family, we talk Palestinian, we eat Palestinian food most of the time, we go to Jordan every year (more than 60% of the population are Palestinians, and much more that that in Amman), so back to the subject, we were in Amman right before the war, but we took the decision to come back to Baghdad, just few days before the war, we could let Baghdad go through this alone.
As arabs, not Iraqis we had a very difficult life in Saddam's time, we didn’t have the right to invest, we didn’t have the right to buy a house, we didn’t have the right to buy a car, we didn’t have the right to have a deposit account in the bank, we didn’t have the right to buy a telephone line (you can buy a phone line, but only form another arab, don’t ask me why) in a word, everything we have, everything we own, wasnt registered in our names, everything was registered in names of Iraqis, friends and relatives.
What I am trying to say, that our interests were severely damaged by Saddam, I hope this answers one of the questions I read above.
Have I been in jail? No why have you?
But I am surprised actually that I never went to jail, or anyone of my family members, because of our stand of the bath, but thank God, we were never "caught" criticizing anything.
Enough about me, I hate talking about myself, so please stop asking questions and making comments about me, this is a place to discuss Iraq, politics, not my personal life, so lets agree on something: I am tiered of the stupid stories about us benefiting from Saddam, can we get over it, and make questions a bit more relevant to the Irqi issue?
I read some people talking about the debate between me and ladybird, I decline that, there is no debate here, ladybird made some comments, that I found irrelevant, and tried to answer sometimes, but there is no debate going on here, sorry!
As she doesn’t live here, I was interested in showing her what is happening here, as I am in the field, and she is not, but after her funny announcement where she said:
"Believe me, there is not a single Iraqi, I repeat not a single Iraqi and responsible of what I am saying is Anti-coalition from patriotic feelings. They just lost something with the fall of sad dam, they can’t say it in public and they need a mask, so anti-coalition, anti occupation is the name for the mask " after this seinfield-funny annoucement, from ladybird who KNOWS, cause she is HERE and cause she knows each one of the 22 000 000 iraqi, you must believe her guyz! Try to at least, I mean, after all, "she is responsible for what she is saying" :))
I am so out of here!
Namrud is one of he most important kings in the old hesoty of Iraq, (old hestory, know what is that jeff?) and its totally impolite to make such comments on the person who used the name, rudness is the weapon of weak, if I wanted to play your game I would refer to that your name, means in arabic a ******************************, while ladybird, as my dectionary says, means *********, but i wouldnt play that game, totally not my style;)
So, we are done with this, lets move on with our lives:)))
I met a very hi-ranked american officer, a very interesting event, I will talk about it next time, inshalla.
Take care…
Me*
ps: aw aw, remember that Sadr-irani thing? out of the 1200 member of Almahdi army who were caught, 4, yes only four were Iranian, best regards for your theory.

39 Comments

#8/11/2004 02:20:00 pm Assalam Aleikom Blogger Khalid

aw, jeff, why dont you answer namrud instead of insulting him, why did you bann ibm battuta nd his friends, and everyone else who disagrees with you from your comments section? and as you said, you reported him to the CIA cause you suspected him, right? did you report everyone who disagrees with you to the CIA jeff?
aw i mean, everyone you "suspect" ?
me*

 
#8/11/2004 02:35:00 pm Assalam Aleikom Blogger Mohammed

Khaled.. Khaled....Khaled...
You see... You defend yourself and your family and you criticize lady bird's fictious thoughts about Iraq...
That's fine..
But then... Why take cheap shots at people in a sort of saying : they take cheap shots at me, and I can do that too, but i'm not doingh that, but then I'll do that right now to flex a muscle or two...
If you want to keep your moral standards don't call people parts of women genitalia...
btw, I'm an Arab, and I know almost all Arabic dialects- espcially swear words :D- so which word was the genitalia word?
jeff? umm? bathr? or do u mean jafeer not jeffery?
( shafeer or jafeer would refer to the labias for the non-Arabic speakers out there)
I don't get it...:P

 
#8/11/2004 04:08:00 pm Assalam Aleikom Anonymous Anonymous

A Palistinian ?? that's explain the rest, your patriotism, your Anti-coalition feelings.

Travel every year in the time Iraqis are not allowed to travel...etc and why don't you tell What RIGHTS did the palistinians had in Iraq and the Iraqis did not had???
Or maybe I will count them for you.

So you live in Iraq since 1991 and you speak in the name of the Iraqis ?? that is funny as hell. If I new before I wouldn't take you very serious and start from now I will not.

By the way Nimrud is an Assyrian CITY and not a KING.

LadyBird

 
#8/11/2004 05:23:00 pm Assalam Aleikom Blogger Khalid

Mohammed you are right;) i am sorry, but i think iwas trying to experience the feeling of being mean, i want to know why some people are addicted to it.
and lady bird: i mean no offence really, btu "not taking me seriously, does it include not commenting on my articles?" please say yes please say yes.
you werent doing that good when you were taking me seriously actually:) besides, discribing silly things as "funny" is my line, you cant use it, and hell isnt funny at all.
:))
take care.
ps: i dont like the mean me, i will get back to the nice me, promise!
me*
!

 
#8/11/2004 05:36:00 pm Assalam Aleikom Blogger emigre

RETC (Rolling Eyes Toward Ceiling). Boys, please, no swearing. I am serious about the PG 13 comments policy, it applies to everyone.

thank you.

 
#8/11/2004 06:05:00 pm Assalam Aleikom Anonymous Anonymous

"not taking me seriously, does it include not commenting on my articles?"

Yes, That is included.

 
#8/11/2004 06:30:00 pm Assalam Aleikom Anonymous Anonymous

OK this is the last one I have to say it because it's itching.

You forget to say as a palestinian you don't have to serve in the Army and to die...Iraqis do.

You can choose to go to any college or study.. Iraqis cannot.
And many, many more you had rights in Iraq more than the Iraqis....so when does it damaged ?? now or then ??

 
#8/11/2004 06:58:00 pm Assalam Aleikom Anonymous Anonymous

Khalid --

Check out the previous thread commenting on one of your articles for what I think of Jeffrey's name - calling. I was enjoying the beating that Ibn Battutah was dishing out at Jeff's home site; I guess things simply got a bit hot for our paranoid CIA informant. And, I have to disagree with you with being nasty to people ... barring straight flames ... sometimes there are individuals that richly deserve scorn and derision.

Ladybird --

My question to you is : what exactly has the US done to give you the idea that it wants a truly independent Iraqi democracy in Iraq, as opposed to a US client state?

I think you are setting yourself up for a big disappointment.

--Bruno--

 
#8/11/2004 07:05:00 pm Assalam Aleikom Blogger Khalid

serve in the army?! :))
why do you serve in the army in europe? do you serve in every country you visit? i have a jordanian nationality, should i serve in jordan, iraq, palestine, and everywhere?
besides, its true that "some" palestinians, who have palestinian nationality, have the write to go for college for free, not true that they can chose any college they want, they compete with other arabs on a limited number of chairs in universites, but the rest of arabs, and the rest of palestininas, pay over 3000$ a year, while its totally free for iraqis.
take care...
me*

 
#8/11/2004 07:14:00 pm Assalam Aleikom Blogger emigre

i give up.

--Bruno--

i'm not sure you understand the motivation behind this weblog. quick reminder for everyone, emigre's theme tune; "nobody deserves scorn and derision". now i don't expect everyone to hum it, but...

 
#8/11/2004 07:20:00 pm Assalam Aleikom Anonymous Anonymous

Emigre

So sorry If I want to respond I will do on my websit.

Ladybird

 
#8/11/2004 07:22:00 pm Assalam Aleikom Blogger Khalid

guys, i am having a terrible feel of guilt for what i said about jeff and ladybird, i edited the post and deleted what i said about them, and i apologize to them.
but i have to say that they totally pushed me to do that by focusing on my person, not my ideas or what i say, so, ia m asking the adminstrator to delcear that we should focus on the content, not who said it, deal?
i apologize again.
me* ;)

 
#8/11/2004 07:23:00 pm Assalam Aleikom Blogger emigre

This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

 
#8/11/2004 07:26:00 pm Assalam Aleikom Blogger emigre

Ladybird

it's ok, you can respond here. enough order has, i think, been restored.

 
#8/12/2004 08:08:00 am Assalam Aleikom Blogger madtom

me*,


Why did you take so long to open this door?
SH been gone a while now.
You have not told enough about you yet.
We still need more, please share.

Madtom

 
#8/12/2004 10:10:00 am Assalam Aleikom Anonymous Anonymous

Emigre --

Fair enough.

I'll leave the attitude outside your parlour, despite how I feel about certain hotheads and their words.

:)

--Bruno--

 
#8/12/2004 01:26:00 pm Assalam Aleikom Blogger Khalid

hey!
matdog (forgive me if i didnt spell it right):
you can check my profile, khalid jarrar, and you can read my blog, secretsinbaghdad.blogspot.com
me*
ps: i have never been really hiding my identity:)

 
#8/12/2004 05:50:00 pm Assalam Aleikom Anonymous Anonymous

Khalid,

Okay, let's debate. Nice and slow now.

You can understand why some Iraqis might not appreciate a Palestinian holding a Jordanian passport calling the Iraqi Allawi a "dirty arrogant fascist," right?

One's personal situation always makes a difference. In historiography, one of the first rules of analyzing a text is to learn as much as possible about the person who wrote it. All of that personal information helps in the interpretation. Same thing here. The fact that you are a Palestinian living in Iraq helps us interpret your comments. In the vernacular, we learn a little about "where you're coming from."

Ladybird is correct to inquire about your family history. Opinions and ideas are not held in a vacuum. Of course, we also need to talk about the ideas themselves.

You and your family called Bremer a fascist for months and now you paste the same label on Allawi. Who would you like to lead Iraq until elections in January? Let's have a constructive suggestion here, please. Are there any politicians out there who you think could do a better job right now.

I'm listening.

*

 
#8/12/2004 05:59:00 pm Assalam Aleikom Blogger madtom

Me*,

Can you post the links to your old post that address my questions directly. I only have so much time to read a day.
I think the term in English is lapdog, but maybe it was just a spelling error. That's all right.
It's was just a simple question, but maybe the answer will help us see past the words on a screen.


Madtom

 
#8/12/2004 08:56:00 pm Assalam Aleikom Anonymous Anonymous

Nimrude,

Certainly I never claimed to be Iraqi. So I guess you're referring to Ladybird?

Why don't you ask her?

BTW, I've heard from many Iraqis who complained about Palestinians speaking on the behalf of Iraqis. Just check the archives.

Anyway, this tit-for-tat will go nowhere. You know that and I know that.

So, Nimrude, who do YOU want to be PM until elections in January?

Can I please get at least ONE Iraqi or Palestinian or whatever to offer an alternative. Pachachi? Who?

*

 
#8/12/2004 10:29:00 pm Assalam Aleikom Anonymous Anonymous

Screw politics. Iraq is playing a great soccer game against Portugal.

Halftime 2-2.

Go Iraq!!!

*

 
#8/13/2004 03:43:00 am Assalam Aleikom Blogger Khalid

hi!
i dont have time to answer for everything, i will just say that i consider myself very much iraqi, what papers say doesnt really matter, i live her since 13 years, my first love, and my lsat love and the oe between them ( and few others, aw i was a naughy guy;) all were iraqi, i love this country, i love its people, they consider me iraqi, and i consider myself iraqi too, my mom is iraqi, i have been in iraqi schools and universities for the last 13 ye ars, i chose to be iraqi, and i chose to live here inspite of the terrible situation, and i chose to live the war too, i think, that makes me very much iraqi more than many who ran out at the first chance they got, you know that i am anti-saddam, and that i was hurt alot in his time, you know i am studying engineering, you know who is my family, each member, what they do, where they are, what do you need to know more, the colour of my tooth bruch?
and i really dont know who should be the PM, cause there have not been any poleticians in saddam time, but i knwo that there are many iraqi great men who would make great PM, wether they lived in iraq or were outside, but i know for sure who i dont want to be my PM, that would be every one americans bring!
and do you think we, war-death haters, enjoy to critsice you bush-warshippers? i assure you we dont, but its our patriotic responsibility, as least speaking about myself, as a person who had the chance to be in contact with outside iraq and know about the world and poletics, i find it my resposibility to defend my people against the occupation, and all its games.
thank you!
as for julienn, i will answer soon, promise:)
me*

 
#8/13/2004 03:00:00 pm Assalam Aleikom Anonymous Anonymous

Jeffrey --

Your analysis of Khalid's worthiness or unworthiness to speak for Iraqis is hilarious. According to your own logic, what gives you as an *American* the right to dictate to Iraqis what their policies ought to be, or to judge their worthiness as true "Iraqis"? Basically ... you have no right at all, according to you.

"You can understand why some Iraqis might not appreciate a Palestinian holding a Jordanian passport calling the Iraqi Allawi a "dirty arrogant fascist," right?"

Well, surely *you* can understand why some Iraqis might not appreciate an American living in New York telling them how they ought to live their lives, right?"

I think you just shot yourself in the foot.

Julieann --

"To anonymous who posed the question to someone else about whether the U.S. wanted a truly independent Iraqi democracy as opposed to a U.S. client state: Why not ask those who author this blog? Their opinion matters the most."

I agree. If Ladybird does not want to answer it's fine, but consider it an open question ... if there is anybody who wants to answer that, be my guest. Basically we are asking : "Why is the US in Iraq?" To me it is (based on US history and current events) as clear as day that the US is simply after a client state.

That is why I reckon there will be no elections in January, and when, one day, there are, they will be heavily rigged towards an American puppet. Just watch.

--Bruno--

 
#8/13/2004 04:42:00 pm Assalam Aleikom Anonymous Anonymous

Brunhilda,

Come over to Iraqi Bloggers Central and I'll eviscerate you there. I will NOT do that on Emigre's blog. It won't be pretty. Come on over, friend.

*

 
#8/13/2004 05:20:00 pm Assalam Aleikom Blogger emigre

Jeffrey

Extraordinary. Quoting Jeffrey; "one of the first rules of analyzing a text is to learn as much as possible about the person who wrote it". Jeffrey, do you understand how with your own logic you have just dis-credited almost every word you ever wrote?

 
#8/13/2004 05:35:00 pm Assalam Aleikom Blogger emigre

btw Jeffrey ~ don't you think it would be fairer if you invited --Bruno-- to spar somewhere you aren't tempted to edit his comments?

If you are both interested i could create a thread especially for the two of you here, i would even promise to delete neither of you.

 
#8/13/2004 06:27:00 pm Assalam Aleikom Anonymous Anonymous

Emigre,

No. Don't follow that. Explain.

Just so you understand. I finished my undergraduate degree in English/Latin & Greek back in 1982. By then I had spent several years writing research papers using any number of analytical methods on texts. Rhetorical analysis, whether it was a poem by Catullus in Latin or a dialogue by Plato in Greek or the Anglo-Saxon of Beowulf, was part of my daily activity. Later, there was graduate school and teaching. Still teaching now. Primary sources need to be "questioned." Part of that questioning is learning as much as possible about the person behind the document or opinion. This is Historiography 101.

That I am an American living in New York City and that one of my students died in the World Trade Center is important to my views on matters in the Arab/Muslim world. No question about it.

We can certainly analyze ideas in a vacuum, but that is often risky. Like I said yesterday, any good historian or contemporary commentator will learn as much as possible about the personal background of their sources and interlocutors.

 
#8/13/2004 06:51:00 pm Assalam Aleikom Blogger madtom

BTW: What color IS your toothbrush? :)
julieann

Thank you, and I would like to associate myself with your comments.

Madtom

 
#8/13/2004 07:06:00 pm Assalam Aleikom Blogger emigre

Jeffrey

Yes, readers often want to find out more about the writers they read. Perhaps it is to help provide "analytical" context or perhaps it is just to satisfy a desire for connection, because humans are innately social animals.

Whatever it is, when a writer writes from the heart a reader can hear that. Sincerity does not need to be put through a meat grinder. Meaning can be distilled in many ways. Hopes, imaginings, pains and pleasures, all these things a writer gives to a reader. Every word is a small peice of a writers soul.

In terms of documents that purport to be wholey factual and scientific, then yes of course you are right to question the writers background and motives. But in terms of a blogger posting their soul to the world ~ what more personal a background could you find then that?

 
#8/13/2004 07:42:00 pm Assalam Aleikom Anonymous Anonymous

Emigre,

This is a layperson's misunderstanding. Even a chart of numbers is created by someone or some group of people and there are reasons behind the collection and display of numbers. And good analysis will search for the reasons behind the production of the chart. There is no such thing as completely neutral language. Even the research article, one of the most uncontroversial genres of writing, reflects values and priorities.

Okay, let's make this concrete. Doesn't it surprise you that just a week or so into Allawi's temporary leadership Khalid immediately labels him a "dirty arrogant fascist"? Because he was cross with someone at a news conference, Allawi suddenly becomes as bad as Saddam? Doesn't that set off a few alarm bells for you? What is the source of this extraordinary hatred?

Listen, Emigre, I know you want a nice dialogue here. But take it from one who has been teaching argument perhaps for longer than you have been alive. There are real and often irreconcilable differences between parties in an argument. We need to find out what we share and what separates our views. For example, I want a prosperous and successful Iraq and I think Khalid does too. How do we get there? This may be where we part. I say support Allawi until January and then vote for someone you want to lead your country? and Khalid? What is his view? Hang Allawi from a streetlamp in Falluja? Bring back Saddam? Let Muqty run the country? Let Kofi Annan run the country? What?

One more point. You cannot expect real debate if you demand short replies. The first thing I did after starting my blog was paying to expand my comments pages from 1000 to 3000 letters.

*

 
#8/13/2004 08:44:00 pm Assalam Aleikom Blogger emigre

Jeffrey

yes, you are certainly right about a laypersons misunderstanding. i couldn't agree more with the first paragraph of your last comment.

my point is that we are not publishing charts of numbers here. you originally asked a blogger to tell you more about himself. does this not seem ironic to you?

 
#8/13/2004 09:42:00 pm Assalam Aleikom Anonymous Anonymous

No.

Okay, let's try something new here. I propose something that has NEVER been attempted on a weblog. give us a brief personal description and offer any ideas on how you think your own background affects your views on the situation in Iraq.

I'll start.

Born in 1956 in a small town in Iowa, USA, to Catholic parents whose ancestry is mostly from Luxembourg but also from France and Germany. 5 sisters; 2 brothers. One brother years ago was a Marine. Worked in a factory for a year before college to save money and worked all the way through school. After graduating, I lived all over the place. All over the US and 3 times in Europe (lived in Berlin BEFORE the wall came down!). Have also travelled in China and have come to really respect the Chinese. Voted for Gore in 2000. However, even though I am a registered Democrat, I will vote for Bush in 2004 because I think he made the right decisions while in office so far. I was teaching in Queens on 9/11. By the time I got home both towers were down and all we could see was smoke. New York stank from the burning for two weeks straight. Started following the Iraqi Bloggers about a year ago and became friends with Omar, Ali, and Mohammed. Started by own blog in May.

Okay, analysis. While living in Berlin, no one predicted an end to the Soviet Union. So I know how quick events can change, even ones that seem permament. So I believe Iraq can become a democracy, even though it often looks bleak. Going through 9/11 here in NYC I have a visceral response to Muslim fanatics and thus my hatred of even someone like Al-Sadr. As a Westerner today, the idea that a religious leader has his own militia is strange. In Europe's past, religion and the sword did indeed go together, but it's been a long time since then. As an American, I am very proud of the US military and the fine job they've done in Iraq, so calling Bremer a "fascist" is laughable. I've been around long enough and read enough history to know that only people with the slimmest knowledge of the world would charaterize either Bremer or Allawi as "fascists." Okay, that's a start. I might add more later.

*

 
#8/14/2004 08:20:00 am Assalam Aleikom Anonymous Anonymous

Julieann,

I do indeed have a weblog:

Iraqi Bloggers CentralI try to hyperlink interesting blog posts and articles related to Iraq each day. And occasionally I make comments, sometimes serious, sometimes humorous.

Stop by if you have time.

Hey, BTW, the town where I grew up is where they filmed the Kevin Costner baseball film, Field of Dreams.

"Is this heaven?"

"No, this is Iowa."

*

 
#8/14/2004 08:33:00 am Assalam Aleikom Anonymous Anonymous

Julieann,

One more bit you might like. My Aunt Mildred, who passed away just this year, taught in one of those one-room schoolhouses outside my hometown back in the early Thirties. When the weather was bad, she would stay at the farmhouse that Kevin Costner lives in and right where that baseball field was made. You can imagine her surprise when she saw the film! The very house she had slept in sixty years earlier!

The baseball field from the movie is still there and every summer people come from all over the US and sometimes from other countries to run the bases there surrounded by the high cornfields and under the enormous blue sky.

*

 
#8/14/2004 01:44:00 pm Assalam Aleikom Blogger emigre

Hello Jeffrey

I appreciate you sharing your background.

Now do you understand that i meant your original comment applies as much to your own text as to anyone else's? (Your original comment > "one of the first rules of analyzing a text is to learn as much as possible about the person who wrote it").

The irony relating to your comment is that many bloggers tell all about themselves quite openly while at the time constantly employing your first rule in discussing other texts, be the texts those of political leaders, journalists or other bloggers. blogging is a personal and analytical commentary on life as the blogger sees it. I have no disagreement with you there.

 
#8/14/2004 03:02:00 pm Assalam Aleikom Blogger Khalid

emigre wrote:
" Whatever it is, when a writer writes from the heart a reader can hear that. Sincerity does not need to be put through a meat grinder. Meaning can be distilled in many ways. Hopes, imaginings, pains and pleasures, all these things a writer gives to a reader. Every word is a small peice of a writers soul.

In terms of documents that purport to be wholey factual and scientific, then yes of course you are right to question the writers background and motives. But in terms of a blogger posting their soul to the world ~ what more personal a background could you find then that?"

these lines should be written in gold, framed with silver, and hanged on every wall, very beautiful, i think that emigre needs to start a blog, we need to shut up and just read what she writes:)
me*

 
#8/14/2004 08:42:00 pm Assalam Aleikom Blogger Khalid

and, my toothbrush is green, i bought two similer toothbrushes, but majid stole one of them, the dark blue one, my favourite colour, and left me the frog green one, its awful!
me*

 
#8/15/2004 01:45:00 pm Assalam Aleikom Blogger emigre

too funny, mines transparent purple at the moment. why are we still hanging around on last week's threads?

 
#8/16/2004 05:30:00 pm Assalam Aleikom Anonymous Anonymous

Jeffrey --

''Come over to Iraqi Bloggers Central and I'll eviscerate you there."

Yes! That would be a great idea! So, when you get parts of your anatomy handed to you, you'll do an "Ibn Battutah" on me and have me plead for my miserable existence. I think not. Secondly, my internet time is too limited to deal with you and all ten of your friends at once, alone, despite ( based on past experience) the pleasure it would give me. I think Emigre's offer is more interesting.

Emigre --

Your kind suggestion of a seperate thread is appreciated.

While I do not have the time to deal with an entire weblog, I think I can keep a thread alive quite well, thank you. I'll do it if he'll do it.

I'll even keep foul language out of it, what do you say?

--Bruno--

 

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