Suitcases selling well in Iraq

[Cocoa]

AP Blog: Suitcases selling well in Iraq

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/world/15225012.htm

Aug. 8, 2006, 4 p.m. local

BAGHDAD

The only store open last weekend at a shopping district in Baghdad's Mansour neighborhood was the one selling suitcases. And business was brisk.

It seems like every Iraqi in what passes for the middle class either knows someone who has left or is planning to leave. Better-off Iraqis head for Jordan, Syria or the United Arab Emirates - or send their families there.

Those without enough money head for areas within Iraq where their religious sect is in the majority. With sectarian death squads lurking, there's safety in numbers. Those who stay put in places where they are in the minority are not necessarily the bravest: they just don't have enough money to leave.

Moving isn't that simple. Rents have skyrocketed in Baghdad neighborhoods that are deemed safe, a relative term here in Iraq. Many of those who flee the capital altogether end up living with relatives since chances of finding another job in provincial cities are not good.

more...

[CottonBear]

1. Iraq is devolving into Taliban era Afghanistan.

I saw a TV report this AM about modern, independent Iraqi women who have careers and always wore western style clothing (when Hussein was in power) who can now no longer wear what they want to and they can't drive themselves either.
:cry: She was crying. She said if this was democracy then she didn't want it. :(

[chat_noir]

2. Look for Halliburton to purchase Samonsite

[Cocoa]

4. no war for luggage!

forget the oil, I think you've hit on the real reason for the war.

Halliburton luggage

[saigon68]

5. They can go into coffins too. or maybe body bags

Wholesale Body Bags Proudly Made in USA Buy American!





http://www.seaservices.com/t/

TCP-1B Protector body bag is a new disposable body bag constructed of a proprietary formula poly.

Added chemicals insure extra strength and features. Not made of inferior poly vinyl chloride as are inexpensive Chinese imports. This American product is simply the best value available anywhere.

Measuring 36" x 90", each bag is mirror glazed for easier handling during transfers. The bags contain no chlorides nor carbon, permitting their use in crematories.

(Crematories can not burn bags that have chlorides or carbon. They pollute the environment and manufacturers caution that they can cause damage to retort chambers.

[Ravenseye]

3. Yup

Everyone who can is fleeing, even though it's hard and expensive.

This pretty much describes my grandmother who we got out a couple of months ago now. Had to get some more suitcases, the landlord on the house we were renting for her was all of a sudden demanding more money even though we had a multi year lease and then threatened to put her on the street if we didn't pay up, not to mention getting a car and gas to drive to Jordan (no Iraqi's fly out)...

Luckily she's out and hopefully we'll get her into the U.S. soon to stay with our family here.

Everyone who can (not just afford the trip, but be willing to leave most of their belongings and home behind, and have somewhere to go, and someone who they can stay with, or money to support themselves temporarily in another country) is getting out.

[necso]

6. Baghdad is a difficult case

for sectarian separation: there are so many of each sect in such close proximity and so (previously) integrated, a circumstance that developed (to the previous extent) when sectarian-violence of the current sort wasn't happening. And even should Iraq split up, the city of Baghdad and the province could become long-term battlegrounds.

(Let me express my unhappiness with the violent reemergence of old quarrels -- and with those who seek to personally benefit from such things, especially by stirring them up. If there are truly godless acts, it is such as these -- profiting (in whatever way: wealth, power, prestige, fame, recognition, etc) from hatred and fear, crimes and horrors, violence and terror, under the cover of religion -- and using the name of God to bring these things about... and to "justify" them.)

But the notion of "subduing" Baghdad (now) with the forces available seems ludicrous (from what little data I have) -- and risks triggering anti-American violence on a large scale.

The best hope for stopping sectarian violence lies in the sects themselves -- but unless each sect (group, whatever) is willing to physically prevent "their own" from committing such acts, then the situation isn't hopeful.

[ugarte]

7. I wish they were selling them to Americans...nt

[jpkenny]

8. Suitcases and caskets. nt