The Word on the Street in Baghdad -- Turi Munthe

[On the Road]

Good article from Slate:

(snip)

I've been here three weeks, trying to pick up the word on the streets, trying to find out where Iraqis think they're headed. Iraqi society no longer exists. The thriving middle class of the '70s and '80s no longer exists. Professionals earn a fraction of a taxi driver's wage. The most secular country in the region is taking a sharp turn toward God. I have two advantages: I speak Arabic, and if I'm a bad journalist, I'm a good listener.

(snip)

And the students talked for hours. Amongst the seven or so who sat with me around a table and shared Pepsis, there was not a single shared opinion. Some wanted monarchy, others swore on the republic. They disdain the current various political pretenders, but they have no sense of an alternative. There was relish—savage and vengeful—at the Baath Party's demise, and calls for clemency, and despair. The students agreed about nothing except their terror of anarchy. Then they asked me if I wanted to talk to a Baathist. To my immense surprise, a young man sitting behind me volunteered.


(snip)

On Edit: Here's the link. Thanks for asking nicely.

http://slate.msn.com/id/2085234/entry/0

[wtmusic]

1. ribo, got a link?

x

[Maple]

2. Sounds interesting.

Link?

[patdem]

3. No link

giggle...my first post on DU2!

Please provide a link. :shrug: