Friendly fire!
Posted on 12/31/2007 5:39:56 PM PST by period end of story
It was something not seen in Baghdad since before the 2003 invasion — people publicly welcoming a new year with singing, dancing and alcohol-fueled revelry. The ballrooms of two landmark hotels — the Palestine and the Sheraton — were full of people for the first New Year's Eve celebrations after four years of violence that has bloodied Iraq.
"This place is now more secure," said Zahraa, 23, adorned with heavy black eyeliner and red lipstick, sitting with colleagues at the Palestine hotel, which was the target of huge car bombs in 2005. "Yes, we are still afraid, but we need to lighten our moods occasionally."
Like all those interviewed, she declined to give her last name, however. All cited concerns about their security, indicating worries still exist.
But after years of car bombings, mortar fire and suicide attacks, Iraq's capital was sufficiently calm to warrant the two high-end parties in the once-posh hotels.
About 200 guests, mostly men, danced to traditional Iraqi music at the large hall in the Palestine, decorated with blue, white and yellow chiffon. A woman in a glittery pink, spaghetti-strap dress sang for the crowd, which alternately hooted and danced.
At the door, a Western reporter was chastised for carrying in a can of beer: Alcohol was strictly forbidden at the parties in accordance with Islamic teachings.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
Happy New Year, Iraq!
Hot diggity dog! Happy New Year Iraq!
Friendly fire!
Happy New Year to the Iraqis!
And to all here on FR, of course.
Things have certainly improved since 10 years ago.
AP report on Iraq January 2, 1998, (while Clinton was President of the US)
The State Department said Wednesday that it has received credible reports that Iraq may have ordered the summary execution of "hundreds, if not thousands" of political detainees in recent weeks.According to the reports, many of those killed were serving sentences of 15 to 20 years for such crimes as insulting the regime or membership in an opposition political party. State Department spokesman James Foley said.
The reports indicate that families of the victims have been receiving remains that bear clear signs of torture, he said.
"These reports are shocking, and we are actively seeking independent confirmation of them," Foley said.
Foley said the U.N. special envoy to Iraq on human rights is looking into the situation.
Reported Mass Executions at Iraqi Prison
It boggles my mind that there is a Sheraton in Baghdad.
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO IRAQ AND OUR BRAVE SOLDIERS!!
Q: A few weeks ago, you had some visitors from Afghanistan -- Taliban.FOLEY: Yes.
Q: They met with officials of the State Department. ...
REAL friendly fire!
Well, I think this is wonderful! Read that great story about Christians celebrating mass on Christmas day with Sunni and Shiite clerics attending in support of the Christians. And now celebrating New Years!! God bless Gen. Petraeus and our troops! Happy New Year and may it last!
If the democrats had their way the country would be in civil war and terrorist would be controlling the oil taps, It is amazing how forgiving the American people are of the democrats. I guess I will never understand how the republicans can look so bad for such a small infraction and the democrats can be guilty of treason and be forgiven.
I am Not A Republican or Democrat by party. Never signed up to be a party boy but, seeing how bad wrong the democrats have been and not speaking out about it is wrong.
Indeed! Never the less...
Happy New Year Iraq!
Happy New Year President Bush and our brave heroes who made it all possible.
Happy New Year FReepers!
“It is amazing how forgiving the American people are of the democrats.” I’m not the forgiving type, hee hee. It irks me to no end why the Republicans don’t stand up to those weenies! Happy New Year and God bless our troops!
And there's a little negative spin in there.
I've been to plenty of Iraqi parties where alcohol is out in the open.
And it is not at all unusual to see women dressed completely western as the those mentioned in this article apparently were.
The religious fanatics have tried to dampen these things down, but it really doesn't appear that they've had any success.
You are so right. People like murtha, durbin, kennedy and hagel (haven’t heard much from him lately have we?) should be ridiculed publicly and daily by the Republican leadership. Their treasonous words should be used against them.
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