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Iraq |
Zeyad Speaks about Demonstrations. |
2003-11-05 |
From HealingIraq - EFL:First, I have to explain to some western idealists that public demonstrations is an alien idea to the majority of Iraqis. We have been forced to demonstrate in favour of Saddam, the Ba’ath, Palestine, and Arab nationalism for 3 decades. Just to give you an idea on how that was like for us; party members would surround colleges, schools, and govt. offices. They block all outlets and shove people into buses which head to wherever the demonstrations are to be held. You simply cannot refuse to demonstrate. I remember hiding in the toilet back in high school whenever the buses came into the park to herd us to the demos. It wasn’t a pleasant experience I can tell you. Once I got stuck and had to shout anti-imperialist slogans at one of these rallies just two years ago. You don’t have the slightest idea of what it is like to live your life daily in fear.Harsh words but they need to be heard..... |
Posted by:mercutio |
#4 If any Iraqi will get there, Zayed will. And he'll get there by a much more difficult road than we had - being taught fair-play in almost everything we did. He's never even seen it before, except maybe on the soccer pitch - and that's a big maybe. But he'll figure it out for himself - and it'll be the genuine article. |
Posted by: .com 2003-11-5 10:38:22 PM |
#3 --The Americans are more interested in being nice and all about human rights and free speech and stuff.-- As another blogger pointed out, he doesn't understand that these things ARE necessary to build a democracy. |
Posted by: Anonymous-not above 2003-11-5 10:19:05 PM |
#2 I like to see more Iraqis involved in security as long as we don't set up a system where peaceful demonstrations are surpressed by the new governemtn using the same tool that we created to protect freedom. Loved the hiding in the bathroom to avoid demonstrating. Zeyed is a classic. |
Posted by: Super Hose 2003-11-5 8:47:44 PM |
#1 Kick-ass. Obviously, his heart is truly in each and every word and he's pointed in the right direction. He's dead right about Americans who still get their daily dose of pablum / bullshit / soma from the major "news" outlets, too. Not only should the coalition find a way to air this man's thoughts to other Iraqis, he would do a world of good if he was heard by all Americans. Dubya should be quoting this guy in every speech and citing his URL - he's simply the most eloquent and intelligent voice coming out of Iraq today. As for his anger at us doing it in our own way, I certainly get it - given how personal and painful his world is at this moment, it's almost impossible to imagine him saying otherwise. This guy just drips class - he'll rise above his anger and pain someday soon, I'd bet. If there's any hope for Iraq / Arabia - guys like this need to be allowed an opportunity to be heard and chosen by his peers to lead them out of their phantasy worlds. My 2nd favorite blog site. ;-) |
Posted by: .com 2003-11-5 4:48:36 PM |