All the way to work, I kept thinking about how did the people who were on al-Sarrafiya bridge feel when they found their bodies riddled with shrapnel. I put myself in their shoes and imagined how the whole thing happened. Driving, going to work or school, thinking of death while driving and then Boom! Everything is gone, the bridge and themselves. Images of people’s bodies falling in the Tigris haunted me. What were these poor people saying to themselves in the distance between the river and the destroyed bridge as they were falling?
It’s killing me to see my beautiful Baghdad dying like this. These bloodthirsty new Talibans who came to Iraq are demolishing every aspect of life. They are doing exactly what they did in Afghanistan. The people became powerless. They don’t know what to do. On one hand, they have to deal with their sectarian and corrupted government and on the other they have to find a way to defeat these criminals.
When is this madness going to stop? Oh Baghdad, my heart breaks for you with every brick falling, with every blood dropping, with every tear flowing, with every Iraqi dying.
I heard about the bombing of this bridge. I am sad for the people injured and killed. As a person with a deep background in structural engineering, I know very well what is involved in the design and construction of such a major bridge. Under the best of circumstances, it would probably take at least a year, and most probably more, to replace a bridge like this one (assuming that the bridge piers are undamaged). Amidst the violence of Baghdad, I'm not sure if this bridge can be replaced. However, I expect that U.S. Army Engineers can rig up a temporary bridge fairly quickly, if they have the time and resources.
ReplyDeleteTaking out a major bridge can seriously effect a lot of lives. What if there is an important hospital on one side of the river and people needing medical treatment on the other side? The harmful effects of this senseless destruction will continue for a long time!
I am now reminded that the U.S. has destroyed many Iraqi bridges in the past. I am reminded that Israel recently did the same thing in Lebanon. Sometimes its really hard to tell who the "good guys" are.
Is it possible that even if the every sectarian militia murder ends that these types of bombings, as well as the attack on Parliament, will continue?
ReplyDeleteSay the "surge" works, the Iraq Government is able to bring back some semblance of security, could these bombings still occur?
Does this prove that the surge is not working?
I am filled with frustration. These are just streams of consciousness.
A major bridge destroyed and the Parliament attacked, killing lawmakers? In the middle of Bagdad? Maybe John McCain could return to Bagdad and bring all that safety he was talking about?
If any of the newscasts here in the US lead with anything but this story...anyway....Don Imus and Duke Lacrosse...
The bridge is broken at two distinctive points and the extensive damage as visible in pictures looks like the result of experienced demolition engineers.
ReplyDeletei can't help but wonder if this is part of the plan to divide baghdad into separate 'gated' communities.
on a separate topic discussed on the earlier 'you both suck' thread here is a post that may be of interest
lak hay lesh removed me from your blogroll, bassita, I will re-remove you too!
ReplyDeleteThis is a big, big mess. DOn't really know what to say. I hope your folks in Iraq are keeping safe, that's all.
ReplyDeleteHi B.T
ReplyDelete"It’s killing me to see my beautiful Baghdad dying like this"
Yes, you're right , it's really killing me , but I'm not dead! I'm alive to suffer more, it would be much better if it kills me once and I don't suffer anymore isn't it?
Isn't it horrible to live till such moment, the moment when we loose everything, every symbol, what worse could happen?
[Poor Sancho]: “If any of the newscasts here in the US lead with anything but this story...anyway....Don Imus and Duke Lacrosse...”
ReplyDeleteBecause that’s what people want to hear. Who cares about al-Sarrafiya bridge?
[Annie]: “The bridge is broken at two distinctive points and the extensive damage as visible in pictures looks like the result of experienced demolition engineers.”
I am not really surprised they were able to destroy a bridge. Seriously. They destroyed a huge holy shrine earlier and used chlorine gas in their attacks. They are well organized. A few years ago, I read an article about their techniques where they use high technology techniques on the web and other places depending on professional computer engineers. I am sure it’s the same with the bridge. Probably they used building and construction engineers to tell them where the bombs should be put so that they collapse the bridge when the bomb explodes.
These should not be let do their crimes and we should not think of them as a weak group. No, they are very professional and we should act according to that.
Hi KK Kid,
Sorry! I was just being fair with people who linked my blog on theirs. When changed the blogroll, I went over the blogs and didn’t find mine on yours. But seriously, I am more than honored to put you back their. I enjoy reading your blog and when I don’t link to blogs, it doesn’t mean I don’t read them ;)
David: “I'm not sure if this bridge can be replaced.”
Oh never be sure, my friend. It’s been four years and there was no construction at all leaving the city to be destroyed from its beautiful shape into a deserted city with garbage and dust. Most of the building that were bombed during the invasion are still nothing but rubble and a daily reminder to everyone of the humiliation people had to go thorough.
A&Eiraqi: “Isn't it horrible to live till such moment, the moment when we loose everything, every symbol, what worse could happen?”
Oh my friend. Just wait and see. These bastards will turn Baghdad into Kabul for decades. But we’ll go back one day and we’ll restore all these symbols with something new which we’ll be proud of for the rest of life for the next generations. Who built Iraq after the US aggression in 1991? Wasn’t it Iraqis only who restored everything in a few months? When we get rid of these criminals and the corrupted parliament government, Iraq will stand on its feet again. Trust me. Let’s keep hope.
don't worry about it habibi, i was just messing i am not annoyed by that thing.
ReplyDeleteda atshaqa, you can read me or not or you can put me on or not. it's ur call.
1) beautiful beautiful pictures to look at while reading the comments to your post.
ReplyDelete2) treasure, I think this situation is like the human body attacking itself. Why does it attack itself in certain diseases? This is both as a result of defenses breaking down within, an inability to tell harmful agents from beneficcial ones, etc. Any medical person could continue this analogy. This is my theme. Part of us, are responsible for what is happening in Iraq, no I don't just mean the US soldiers, I mean all of us, you, me, original Jeff, Annie, Mr, eccentric Jew, Boris, all my friends, we have a part within ourselves that, if unchecked is harmful, and fortunately or luckily or with skill we keep that part under control. However there are others who can't or won't, etc. they are an extension of ourselves. So the body of mankind is at war....with itself.
We are destroying one another. Of course everything is proportional, and comparative.
Yet, in OUR country of Iraq.....you see, we have to reach that stage where we think of IRAQ as part of our country... and we don't.
We are a looooooooooooooooooonnnnnng way from reaching that extension of identity. We are still calling it YOUR country, or THAT country WAYYYYY over there, not quite the FAR East, but certainly not part of MY country...
Does the body, the human body regard the foot as part of itself? Does the brain think the foot (or even the asshole) as completely out of bounds regarding the identity of the self and what constitutes the self? If so, then that body has or will have some problems it won't be able to cope with.
This is an issue of "awareness". The normal human body is aware of the foot as being important and will not shoot it, or alow it to be shot without some resistance to the idea. Ok wise guys, ;-) you know what I mean. ;-) ;-)
Anyhow, this concept of identity seems fairly distant from where we are now. First we have to work on stopping the bleeding. And I think that will take sacrifice. Are the terrorists the only ones who understand the meaning of "sacrifices"? No, I don't mean American GI's going into a room armed and shooting as sacrificing anything for peace. I mean people willing to die for the cause of peace. I might be wrong, but I think it will take that to stop the war, I don't see any Ghandi among the Iraqi politicians arising yet. If people are waiting for that pure soul to stand up before they will sacrifice themselves.......
Yes, its easy for me to say living here in LA LA Land/Japan. I am wrong about alot of things....
Take care,
regards from Saitama.
Edo, I like your human body anology.
ReplyDeleteRe: "sacrifice", there are thousands of Iraqis who are joining the Army and Police force to stand up for their country. From time to time I read stories of them sacrificing themselves to stop a suicide bombing or putting country ahead of sect to help all Iraqis. Problem is, the IA and IP have some corrupt and criminal elements too, and some infiltration by Badr or JAM. So the bulk of them who aren't bad will never get the credit they deserve from some people.
Bridges can be replaced. Lives cannot.
ReplyDeletewell, Condi said that this doesn't mean the security plan is failing!
ReplyDeletewhat is left in iraq? only death and destruction.
Mojo,
ReplyDeleteYou reminded me with a Taxi driver when I was 11 sgortly after the 1991 attacks on Iraq. The man said, "bridges and buildings can be rebuilt, but what about the souls?"
You are so right.
Omar,
Condi lo Shakarlama? loooooool
what is left in iraq?
ReplyDeleteit just seems sometimes like only death and destruction 24. there are millions of good iraqis in iraq!
iraqs future is in iraq!
BT, thank you for your explanation. it is a sad thing there are people who choose chaos and mayhem to further their agenda.
edo.. i love our body analogy.
Hello Treasure of Baghdad or do I have to say Ex- beautiful Baghdad?!! what is left in the city so called: Baghdad?
ReplyDeleteI am so upset with what happened and can't express my anger, no matter what I say it won't heal any wounds nor retrieve what was standing before!
Sigh and 100000000 sighs.
My heart is breaking for you and for all things bright and beautiful.
ReplyDelete