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Puck
The Texan
Joined: 05 Jan 2004
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 Mon Jan 24, 2005 7:39 pm Fallujah: "Our hearts are burned." |
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CNN.com
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Election leaves war-weary Fallujans cold
By Arwa Damon
CNN
FALLUJA, Iraq (CNN) -- About 2,200 Fallujans daily come through what the U.S. military calls "Dave's Field," a dusty former soccer field in east-central Falluja that has been turned into one of three humanitarian aid sites in the city.
Men, women and children pile their arms high with rations being handed out by U.S. Marines -- ready-to-eat meals in dull pink packages, medicine and water in five-gallon drums. Residents are allowed to take as much as they can carry.
They also line up to get Falluja ID cards, and many talk disparagingly about the upcoming elections. Sunday, Iraqis will cast ballots for the 275-member transitional national assembly, which will be charged with preparing a draft constitution to be put up for a vote.
Khalil Ibrahim, standing in line with about 40 other men waiting for an ID card, said angrily, "My house is burned and looted. Burned and looted. My whole street. Were (the residents of the houses) all terrorists?"
In November, Falluja was the scene of intense fighting as U.S. and Iraqi troops waged a campaign to clear the city of insurgents.
Ibrahim said his shop also was burned and looted. But he said he had no choice but to bring his family of six back to Falluja because rent was too expensive in Baghdad where they had fled.
"Our hearts are burned," he said. And the wounds are something democracy can't heal. "How can we vote when we don't believe in what we are voting for?" he asked.
Most of the men standing in line said they would not be voting.
But Khader Mohammad Ishlan said he will. "Why should things be different for us? We don't want one flag for Falluja, we are all Iraq."
Whatever the number of Fallujans voting in Sunday's election, it won't be near the city's pre-war population, which was estimated at 250,000 to 300,000.
Iraqi officials estimate that 140,000 Falluja residents have come back to to survey the damage brought about by the U.S.-led military campaign to oust insurgents, but only a fraction, about 15,000, are staying in Falluja.
At Dave's Field, while there is talk of democracy, the focus is on necessities. Despite the need for food and basic supplies, the item in highest demand is the wheelbarrow.
"My house was destroyed," said 14-year-old Ali Daoud whose mother sent him to pick up a wheelbarrow so that they could start clearing out the rubble.
"I came yesterday, but they are out," said Leyla Haraj, whose husband was killed in a U.S. invasion of the city in April. Haraj returned in December, when U.S. and Iraqi officials announced residents of certain neighborhoods would be allowed back following another assault.
Haraj and her sister came with their 10 kids, saying they could not afford to pay rent outside of Falluja.
"I have been coming for 15 days for a wheelbarrow. Our house was destroyed. How am I supposed to clear it out?" asked Nawfar Mohanna, a mother of seven. Her family from the Andalus neighborhood had been staying in a school outside Falluja, but authorities made them leave.
Most neighborhoods are without electricity and water. U.S. Marines have set up water storage units every few blocks. An employee with the Ministry of Electricity said it would be one or two months before power is back. Residents said no gasoline is available.
U.S. and Iraqi authorities promised financial compensation for those whose homes were damaged or destroyed. Some residents have filed claims, and some said officials from the Ministry of Housing had been by to assess the damage. But, according to U.S. military officials, the Iraqi government is still figuring out compensation procedures.
Perceptions of disrespect
Less than a week before the election, problems with trust and respect run deep. Many of the men in the ID card line complained that the Iraq security forces were abusive and disrespectful.
"They tell us that they will stomp our faces with their shoes," one man said angrily. "If I had a gun I would kill them, and then let the Americans kill me, because they disrespect us and disrespect our women."
Iraqi Army Capt. Ahmad, who would not disclose his last name, addressed the group at Dave's Field, saying that they had to work together. "Half of you here could be insurgents. We have no way of knowing," he said. "It's you -- the residents of the city -- who know who the strangers are."
He added, "Yes, there are infiltrators in the Iraqi forces, and those who are abusive. But we need the people to help us identify them. If there are problems then they need to come and talk to the officers about it, so we can find a solution together. This is not going to be easy."
Capt. Tom Tennant with Charlie Company of the 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, said one of the biggest challenges was transitioning from viewing Iraqi men as possible suspects to viewing them as respected heads of households.
He said most of the feedback he got from residents was positive, and people seemed happy the Marines were in the city.
But their needs are immediate and basic. Tennant said the most frequently asked question is when power will return.
South of Dave's Field, in Falluja's Shuha'daa neighborhood, residents sifted through rubble and swept up broken glass as children darted around.
Abd El-Rahman Al-Zobari, surveying the damage to his house, said he and his friends are not going to vote on Sunday. "Is this what they call democracy?" he said. "We don't want democracy that comes on the back of a tank."
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Puck
The Texan
Joined: 05 Jan 2004
Posts: 5596
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| Mon Jan 24, 2005 7:43 pm |
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Less than a week before the election, problems with trust and respect run deep. Many of the men in the ID card line complained that the Iraq security forces were abusive and disrespectful.
"They tell us that they will stomp our faces with their shoes," one man said angrily. "If I had a gun I would kill them, and then let the Americans kill me, because they disrespect us and disrespect our women."
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| Quote: | | "Our hearts are burned," he said. And the wounds are something democracy can't heal. "How can we vote when we don't believe in what we are voting for?" he asked. |
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Defiant
Fleet Admiral
Joined: 04 Jul 2001
Posts: 15946
Location: Oregon City, OR
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| Mon Jan 24, 2005 7:48 pm |
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A compelling article. I think its very true and ive seen a thing like this coming.
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Founder
Dominion Leader
Joined: 21 Jun 2004
Posts: 12755
Location: Gamma Quadrant
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| Mon Jan 24, 2005 7:59 pm |
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They make an interesting point. Democracy can not be forced on anyone. But I stand firm that Saddam had to go.
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Theresa
Lux Mihi Deus
Joined: 17 Jun 2001
Posts: 27256
Location: United States of America
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| Mon Jan 24, 2005 8:56 pm |
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| Quote: | Khalil Ibrahim, standing in line with about 40 other men waiting for an ID card, said angrily, "My house is burned and looted. Burned and looted. My whole street. Were (the residents of the houses) all terrorists?"
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You have to love journalists, though. Honestly, who do we think burned and looted their houses? The soldiers who are passing out the food, etc... and who are going to have to help rebuild it all, or perhaps the Iraqi insurgents?
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Leo Wyatt
Sweetest Angel
Joined: 25 Feb 2004
Posts: 19045
Location: Investigating A Crime Scene. What did Quark do this time?
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| Mon Jan 24, 2005 9:04 pm |
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I don't believe a word of CNN. All they do is lie in my opinion
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Founder
Dominion Leader
Joined: 21 Jun 2004
Posts: 12755
Location: Gamma Quadrant
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| Mon Jan 24, 2005 9:05 pm |
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I would also like to point out that this is one of the few troubling regions of Iraq. Also the majority of Iraqis want us there and do want democracy. I know RM isn't supposed to be mentioned but doesn't anyone remember when he talked about an Iraqi Council women who spoke at his school(I think it was his school or some political function, I could be wrong.)? I mention that because it shows a vital point. Obviously someone wants us there.
I guess the media finds the negative sides more entertaining..... 
You also make an excellant point Theresa.
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Leo Wyatt
Sweetest Angel
Joined: 25 Feb 2004
Posts: 19045
Location: Investigating A Crime Scene. What did Quark do this time?
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| Mon Jan 24, 2005 9:06 pm |
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Cnn or any other news do not show the good that our troops is doing, all they want us to see is their lies they are telling us.
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Puck
The Texan
Joined: 05 Jan 2004
Posts: 5596
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| Mon Jan 24, 2005 9:19 pm |
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Ok, these are Iraqis that said this stuff, not CNN. And even though it isn't our troops' fault, you can see why they feel the way they feel.
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Founder
Dominion Leader
Joined: 21 Jun 2004
Posts: 12755
Location: Gamma Quadrant
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| Mon Jan 24, 2005 9:26 pm |
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| JanewayIsHott wrote: | | Ok, these are Iraqis that said this stuff, not CNN. And even though it isn't our troops' fault, you can see why they feel the way they feel. |
Yes I can see how they would feel that way. Our point is that there are Iraqis who want us there. Are they ever seen? No. Who do you think is reporting what these people are saying? The media. They skip over the good stories and go straight for that.
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Puck
The Texan
Joined: 05 Jan 2004
Posts: 5596
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| Mon Jan 24, 2005 9:28 pm |
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If the media always reported the good though, in some cases people would never find an incentive to change the bad.
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Founder
Dominion Leader
Joined: 21 Jun 2004
Posts: 12755
Location: Gamma Quadrant
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| Mon Jan 24, 2005 9:34 pm |
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| JanewayIsHott wrote: | | If the media always reported the good though, in some cases people would never find an incentive to change the bad. |
But they NEVER report the good. They only report the bad and thats whats causing all this anti war sentiment here.
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Defiant
Fleet Admiral
Joined: 04 Jul 2001
Posts: 15946
Location: Oregon City, OR
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| Mon Jan 24, 2005 11:42 pm |
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No, the media always tries to push the pro-war, pro-troops message. All the time. Its good that we finally get a real perspective of whats happening.
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Founder
Dominion Leader
Joined: 21 Jun 2004
Posts: 12755
Location: Gamma Quadrant
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| Mon Jan 24, 2005 11:43 pm |
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| Defiant wrote: | | No, the media always tries to push the pro-war, pro-troops message. All the time. Its good that we finally get a real perspective of whats happening. |
What!? What kinda news do you watch?
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Defiant
Fleet Admiral
Joined: 04 Jul 2001
Posts: 15946
Location: Oregon City, OR
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| Mon Jan 24, 2005 11:50 pm |
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All of them. They always show the pro-war side of everything. Never a naysayer, even though there damn well should be.
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Founder
Dominion Leader
Joined: 21 Jun 2004
Posts: 12755
Location: Gamma Quadrant
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| Mon Jan 24, 2005 11:52 pm |
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| Defiant wrote: | | All of them. They always show the pro-war side of everything. Never a naysayer, even though there damn well should be. |
*can't stop laughing*
Maybe you're TV is magical? You get news that no one else does? 
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MJ
Lieutenant Commander
Joined: 17 Jan 2005
Posts: 266
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| Tue Jan 25, 2005 4:08 am |
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| Theresa wrote: | | Quote: | Khalil Ibrahim, standing in line with about 40 other men waiting for an ID card, said angrily, "My house is burned and looted. Burned and looted. My whole street. Were (the residents of the houses) all terrorists?"
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You have to love journalists, though. Honestly, who do we think burned and looted their houses? The soldiers who are passing out the food, etc... and who are going to have to help rebuild it all, or perhaps the Iraqi insurgents? |
He's pointing out that before the invasion took place that had not happened yet. Weren't they supposed to keep order, clearly they had dismantled the social infrastructure of the country, isn't it their responsibilty then? And the soldiers over there do more than just rebuild, play with little kids and pass out food or do charity work. 
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MJ
Lieutenant Commander
Joined: 17 Jan 2005
Posts: 266
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| Tue Jan 25, 2005 4:12 am |
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| Founder wrote: | | Defiant wrote: | | All of them. They always show the pro-war side of everything. Never a naysayer, even though there damn well should be. |
*can't stop laughing*
Maybe you're TV is magical? You get news that no one else does? |
The laughing bit is quite disrepectful and doesn't serve any other purpose than to mock his comments. IMHO.
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Leo Wyatt
Sweetest Angel
Joined: 25 Feb 2004
Posts: 19045
Location: Investigating A Crime Scene. What did Quark do this time?
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| Tue Jan 25, 2005 4:42 am |
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Pfft, the news sucks and it lies spins, and Iraqi may have said it but there are more Iraqis that want our troops there.
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Republican_Man
STV's Premier Conservative
Joined: 26 Mar 2004
Posts: 14823
Location: Classified
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| Wed Jan 26, 2005 6:07 pm |
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| Founder wrote: | I would also like to point out that this is one of the few troubling regions of Iraq. Also the majority of Iraqis want us there and do want democracy. I know RM isn't supposed to be mentioned but doesn't anyone remember when he talked about an Iraqi Council women who spoke at his school(I think it was his school or some political function, I could be wrong.)? I mention that because it shows a vital point. Obviously someone wants us there.
I guess the media finds the negative sides more entertaining.....
You also make an excellant point Theresa. |
Exactly.
Although in EXTREMELY RARE cases, the media does show some good. However, the truth is that Iraq is only dangerous in relatively few areas. Insurgents are really only in the Fallujah-Mosul-Baghdad area (Sunni triangle) and maybe a FEW scattered about, but there are NOT many, and things ARE getting better. Terrorism is not all over, and they DO have a certain future. The Iraqi ambassador testified to that last night on O'Reilly. The terrorism is in relatively few regions.
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