Iraqi New Year!
It is impossible for even Reuters to ignore the fact that things have changed so much in Iraq that this year civilians are partying to ring in the new year.
2008 arrived in a less-violent Baghdad, and residents said it was the first real party they had seen in years.
At the stroke of midnight, exuberant locals fired into the air with automatic rifles, sending red tracer fire streaking over the city, as fireworks lit up the sky.
While the city is still far from peaceful and many of the festive gatherings had a tentative feel, many said it was a happier occasion than they could have dared to hope just a few months ago.
"The security has changed and it took us by surprise. We're very happy. Especially us young people," said al-Azzawi, a 22-year-old student taking a break from dancing to a traditional Iraqi band in the ballroom of the Palestine Hotel.
"I haven't seen a happy place like this in so long. I wanted to see if I could maybe meet a few girls!" he said. "I only hope the Iraqi people can enjoy more happy times like this."
Salah al-Lami, 27, the singer who performed at the Palestine ballroom and then for another New Year's Eve crowd at the Sheraton Hotel across the street, said it was the first time he had sung before a live audience in four years.
"This will be the year that we take our freedom!" he told Reuters after singing through a boisterous set in front of a packed dancefloor.
The difference that General Petraeus and his surge strategy has made is phenomenal. I looked back at what I posted about on January 1st, 2007 and there was not one thing about Iraq - meaning that I had no good news to discuss. Things are still not perfect in Iraq, but despite the efforts of Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid to lose the war, things have turned around. That's good for our troops and even better for the Iraqi people. Happy New Year!
Other Links to this Post
-
Public Secrets: from the files of the Irishspy — Tuesday, 1 January , 2008 @ 10:48 am
By feeblemind, Tuesday, 1 January , 2008 @ 9:23 am
I was surprised to read this. Surprised that the Iraqis use the Christian calendar to observe the New Year. I always assumed our calendar was pretty much ignored by Moslems except for business arrangements with the West.
By martian, Tuesday, 1 January , 2008 @ 10:09 am
One other thing we really need to get across to these people - what goes up must come down. QUIT FIRING AUTOMATIC WEAPONS IN THE AIR FOR CELEBRATIONS! Every time I hear about this moronic practice I cringe. Every one of those bullets is a deadly projectile with the potential to wound or kill people, pets, livestock, etc. This would make for a much less than happy new year for the victim.
By martian, Tuesday, 1 January , 2008 @ 10:12 am
Lest anyone think my previous comment missed the point of the post - I heartily agree and congratulate Gen. Petraeus and Pres. Bush on their success at snatching victory from the jaws of the defeat the Democrats tried to engineer.
By Maggie, Tuesday, 1 January , 2008 @ 4:41 pm
martian -
I agree about the celebratory gun firing.
I’d say me and you invest in a fireworks franchise over there … But the “bad guys” don’t need anymore sources of explosives … But still, we’d be RICH if we could convert them from firing off guns to shooting off cherry bombs!
By Bleepless, Tuesday, 1 January , 2008 @ 5:47 pm
The New York Times both reported this and propagandized against it. Their title is “Iraqi Revelers Embrace the New Year.” So far so good. However, the subtitle is, “Partygoers Put Aside Fears Despite a Spate of Recent Violence.” So, kiddies, the real story is about those brave, perhaps reckless, Iraqis holding celebrations despite the extreme danger to themselves and their loved ones. Surge? What’s that? Drop in deaths? Huh?
The nice thing about the NYT is that it saves so much time. Just mention the topic and you need not waste your time going over the same, tedious cliches again and again. You have read it all before, and will again.
By Maggie, Tuesday, 1 January , 2008 @ 6:34 pm
Bleepless -
Speaking of the NYTimes … newsbusters has posted regarding an “editorial” penned by one of their bed-wetters (NYTimes). Two guesses “who” the writer takes a swipe at :
http://newsbusters.org/blogs/p-j-gladnick/2008/01/01/nyt-editorial-accuses-american-soldiers-war-crimes
By Bleepless, Wednesday, 2 January , 2008 @ 4:54 pm
Maggie -
Thanks and ugh. Because of you, I just learned that it is possible to gag and guffaw simultaneously.