Just when you though it couldn't get more surreal : Iraq Amusement Park

[Tripper11]

U.S. businessman aims to bring 'badly needed' fun to Baghdad
SONIA VERMA

From Wednesday's Globe and Mail

April 23, 2008 at 4:31 AM EDT

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES — Llewellyn Werner acknowledges he is facing obstacles most amusement park developers never have to deal with. Such as mortar attacks, stray gunfire and random looting.

But when you're building your amusement park in downtown Baghdad, those risks come with the territory.

The California businessman is pouring millions of dollars into developing the Baghdad Zoo and Entertainment Experience, a massive U.S.-style amusement park that will feature a skateboard park, rides, a concert theatre and a museum.

"The people of Iraq need this kind of positive influence. It's going to have a huge psychological impact," said Mr. Werner, chairman of C3, a Los Angeles based holding company for private-equity firms.

The mayor of Baghdad has granted Mr. Werner a 50-year lease on a development property for an undisclosed sum.


http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080423.wiraq23/BNStory/International/?page=rss&id=RTGAM.20080423.wiraq23

Later in the article....

Ali al-Dabbagh, a spokesman for the Iraqi government, is equally optimistic: "There is a shortage of entertainment in the city. Cinemas can't open. Playgrounds can't open."

Ok if cinemas and playgrounds can't open, how in there "right" minds do they think an amusement park adjacent to the green Zone is going to fair???


All I can say is ....:wtf:

[demnan]

1. I thought this was Onion for a minute

n/a

[Solly Mack]

2. Coming attraction! IED Safari!!! A duck and cover experience

as you navigate your way through town without triggering an IED!! Along the way, dodge sniper fire and kidnappings!

[sarge43]

3. We've gone completely barking, bat shit crazy. That's all. n/t

[Tripper11]

4. Duck & Cover takes on a whole new meaning!

It's so absurd, that it has to be true! :crazy::crazy::crazy::crazy:

[sinkingfeeling]

5. "..a skateboard park, rides, a concert theatre and a museum" until they're blown to bits!!

Isn't it great that this true-blue American is going to build a museum in an amusement park after we allowed Iraqi museums to be looted and have destroyed some of the world's oldest archeology sites?

[OregonBlue]

6. C3, a Los Angeles based holding company for private-equity firms.

So who are these guys really. This has to be a sham. Somebody is going to make lots of money but it won't be off rides, skateboarding, etc.

[angstlessk]

7. I dont want to be on the ferris wheel when the electricity is cut for 8 hours

or in the tunnel of 'love' unaccompanied by a male relative..or lose my hajib on the roller coaster and be arrested or shot at the end of the ride..so many reasons NOT to have an amusement park in Baghdad