The Baghdad Blogger goes to Washington

[LibLabUK]

Day One

While I was meditating on the whiteness of the White House, four American soldiers wearing desert fatigues came and joined the gawkers, and the only thing I could think of was how much I missed home. I mean, how sad is that: I see soldiers in combat fatigues and go all gooey, like ET wanting to go home. No prizes for identifying what's wrong with this picture.

Since walking around the White house was out of the question, I thought maybe I'd go inside to find a black stone to kiss, the next step in this, my pilgrimage to the capital that wants to bring freedom and democracy to the malnourished, undereducated third world.

I locate a guard and ask about White House tours. She tells me these have to be arranged through my senator. Oh, shucks. Now, how am I going to get in touch with John D Negroponte all the way back in the US ambassador's dugout in Baghdad?

Throwing stones at the pillar of evil also had to be abandoned because I don't think anyone here will find an Iraqi throwing seven pebbles at the Washington Monument amusing. Only one ritual remains; running between the Safa and Marwa mounds. The Mall seems the place to do that, and I finally get a sign: the ground is spattered with Run Against Bush stickers. So what else to do but run?

Both funny and sad at the same time.

[demnan]

1. Thanks for posting this

Salam Pax is a good writer, he holds your interest and he is a keen observer of life.

[Katarina]

2. Day 4

And thank you so much for posting this.

<snip>
But instead I stay awake and keep clicking. The news channels melt into each other. I recognise the names but it is the first time I'm seeing many of these anchormen and reporters. I stick with Wolf Blitzer of CNN: that's a face I know.

The news channels here are not like the news channels I am used to. You should try watching al-Jazeera - Bad news! Serious news! More bad news! - and see what it does to your day. These people here are doing a live entertainment show, not news. The breakfast shows are the ones that annoy me most. I can't stand all this happiness this early in the morning. News about explosions in Baghdad and American troops refusing to follow orders is sprinkled with the cheerful banter of Mr Weatherman and jokey Miss Anchorwoman, and it all gets watered down.
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Salam get's it. Jon Stewart get's it. We get it. Sadly though it's all still theater and it never changes.