Demonstration.

Wow, I get back from Taji (and Husaynia, Rashadiya, etc...) and now it's crazy street demonsration time here.

Dr. Harith Al Dhari (head of the Sunii AMS) and Muqtada Al-Sadr (Y'all know who he is) BOTH called for a big demonstrations today when they had Friday prayers yesterday. These are some peaceful demonstrations at the square where Hussein's statue was torn down (Firdos Square Downtown). I do not think these are turning out as big as they were expecting. Here in West Baghdad nothing unusual is going on. (The same as in most of the city).

I am glad to see peaceful demonstrations here. Even if Muqtada is no friend of ours, he at least requested Iraqi Police and Iraqi Army protection of his own demonstrators, that shows some confidence in the IP / IA abilities.

If I had my way, I would be off to the side of the demonstration giving the people bottles of water and telling them "enjoy your freedom to demonstrate, courtesy of my Brothers and Sisters in Arms". Maybe that would put things in perspective. The commander said he loved the idea (minus the sarcastic message) of supporting a peaceful demonstration - but that the timetable was too short, even for us.

Oh, and by the way, to anyone who asked if I was OK out in the Iraqi countryside, yes, everything turned out fine. Country people are much more hospitable than their city brethren here (as with most of the planet) and will become nearly enraged if you do not accept their hospitality.

Hey, I'm from the MidWest, I KNOW about country hospitality - but these guys are serious about it.

Other people around Taji hate us in a way I am not used to. In Sadr City and other places they throw rocks and chant anti-american things and sometimes shoot or set roadside bombs - but they are very open about their feelings. Around Taji they are silent towards us - even afraid to speak to us. Children hide behind their parents or inside. It takes hours to finally get someone to talk to you about what is going on in their area. Different.

Well anyways - I am alive and well, I am now almost certain to be back in the states in 2005 - unless I find a technology-themed contractor gig to keep me here (I will only do something I can do well - like tower work or desktop / network support - nothing where I would be stuck doing half-assed work for a year). I hope the demonstration goes well, these people need a voice.

Oh and my condolences to all the Catholics (and the rest of the World) for the loss of a great Pope who made some courageous strides forward during his time. I may not share his view of heaven, but I hope he is at peace.

Hasta Luego.