Changes they are a comin'

While most of the folks in America were pinned to their TV's watching copious amounts of hyperbole on Anna Nicole Smith's mysterious death and unfolding paternity battles, we in Iraq witnessed a potentially pivotal historic event. Today after over 2 1/2 years of continuous duty, our Commanding General - Multi-National Forces- Iraq, Gen. George Casey, (One of the folks I broadcast the morning briefing too) turned over command to incoming Lt Gen. David Petraeus. While history will inevitably tell this story, the writing on the wall tells me we are about to take an exciting but challenging ride. Time and public opinion are not on his side – he has a lot to do and not much time. The most immediate affect to me – after all this blog is all about me – I get another "field trip" escorting media out to Al Faw Palace at Camp Victory. YeeHa! That’s right; I actually did some real Public Affairs work. Go figure. This great trip includes a yet another convoy down Route Irish, this time in what's lovingly known as the Rhino. Think heavily armored tank meets the short bus. Regardless I enjoy getting out and about. Its actually fun interacting with all those news correspondents I recently spent so much time watching on CNN, Fox, CBS, etc. during my media capture days. While at the Palace I run into "The Diplomat" a close friend from my Navy combat training program. We play catch-up and his stories about living conditions in Victory make me really appreciate life at the Embassy. (It's good to see old friends) At least I have a restroom and shower in my hooch instead of having to walk 300 yards for the facilities. The transition takes place without a hitch and interestingly enough, doesn’t have a lot of the fanfare of other ceremonies I've seen.

We get back to the IZ after lunchtime at the DFAC, so we decide to take a quick detour at the Al Rashid Hotel for a bite. This is the hotel made infamous by Bob Arnot of CNN and all the US Networks during Gulf War One. Unlike most things I've seen here in Iraq, this place has potential to be a world class hotel (that is if you don’t mind your world-class hotels having huge built-in guard towers) and based on the great Genie in the Jug fountain that looks like something out of Las Vegas, there is evidence of a once opulent hotel but war and time have done this place no favors.

We sat down to eat lunch at an extremely large dining room with few tables and even fewer dinners. This may have once been a really busy place, but now its one step above the hotel in "The Shining." Oh except it's in Iraq and there's no snow. OK well it's almost empty. The waiter comes over to inform us that all they have is Iraqi food – in a warning tone. "Outstanding – Something not cooked, processed, or served by KBR… I'll take whatever you got." The waiters (yes multiple –as in more waiters than customers) laugh at our delight and then begin bending over backwards to serve us. Humus, salad and olives - Outstanding. Mixed Grill – I think I have my appetite back. Iraqi bread – Woohoo we scored - Let's eat! I realize I'm eating on actual stoneware with actual metal utensils. Its not plastic plastic and more plastic. For a few minutes I almost feel like a person again. Then we get the bill… In Iraqi Dinar… Oh yeah I remember this process. You eat something you pay for it. Well Alright I guess I can do that… but do you take US dollars?


For the past couple of days I've seen more of Iraq than I have in my two months time in the rut of back and forth between my hooch and my office space. If we are here to support these folks and help them help themselves, being visible is a good thing. If we want to continue isolating ourselves and create a bigger rift from their population then staying in our rut of is the better policy. If you read Lt Gen Petraeus doctrine he believes in getting his forces out and about to the communities… I love my newly found field trips - Here's to hoping we work his doctrine.