Iraqi Politics

Iraqi Politics - somehow or another that has got to be an oxymoron. After witnessing my first governance meeting I am struck with some observations. I keep wondering about my middle school civics classes - the Iraqi leadership could use some of that stuff. It is amazing how we (Americans) take that stuff for granted. It is astonishing to think that most of the political experience is either dead or exile in some country. To think that regular men just a few years ago were students, shop keepers, etc ... and now find themselves in the midst of rebuilding from the ground floor - with very little infrastructure. I know it is sad, but the people in that room fell into two categories 1) The ones that want to help themselves 2) The ones that want the Americans to do everything for them. I am glad to note that the majority of them fall into the first category. It is just baffling how some can complain that they don't have this ... or can we fix this for them - just one more time. I think they will come to a startling reality when the day comes that we (the Coalition Forces) pack up our crap and head back to the states.

In other news, I must post the sublime reminder that it is hot. It is already over 110. I wish that I could say that it is unbearably hot - but the truth is that it is just another day. I guess you really do get used to it. Byron, claims that the weather in Phoenix is just like this - dry heat - I don't care. Lets just call it way too damn hot and be done with it. The ancient folks were fools to start life in this fertile crescent (?) ... smoking way too much of the hookah.

Lastly, another package came for me today courtesy of the Money Hill Monarchs. Thank you very much. Of all my deployments combined - I have nearly doubled my mail collection in these past few months. Mail is a good thing. Thank you very much.