The New World

Sooner or later it had to be done, I suppose. Yesterday the Coalition Provisional Authority turned over control of Iraq to the new Iraqi government, in a small cerimony with very little press coverage, at least until after it was over. The fact that is was done ahead of schedule was not much of a suprise, and didn't seem change much of anything. I did notice that the Iraqi army here was caught completely unaware. Not like they are paying much attention to what goes on around them. I should give them some credit though, at least they are making an effort to stablize this country.

Well, it is a pretty good day when you get to watch people go home. We had some Soldiers going home today, or, at least starting to make their way for the airport, which, in this country, is pretty good. Its easy to tell the guys who are getting ready to leave. They walk a little taller, smile a lot more. Its nice to see, as if the war is no longer something they have to worry about. Well, that won't last long, since most of those soldiers will probably be back here within the next 5 months. But its nice to see, and I am glad to have served with them.

I spoke in great detail with some of the Iraqi's we work with, and they are very concerned about the immediate future of this country. The believe that the new leaders of this country are not really Iraqi's, having been living outside of the country for the past 10 or 20 years. They do not understand the problems, the people, they come from money, from privilege. I can see there point. They feel that the leaders are out of touch, and they want to know how it is that the common man has a say in his own future. Well, I told them with hope and hard work, and the belief that what they are doing is the right thing. I tell them focus on what is important; your family, your friends, staying alive. I tell them that the reason we are here, the reason we stay, is because Americans believe, hope, and strive to make a better future. We understand that it takes time, and nothing changes overnight. He tells me that the people here believed that freedom in Iraq meant big changes overnight, but when they didn't come, the people became aggitated.

Maybe I am just kidding myself though. Its all just crap..

what is the date anyway?

Its amazing to me how easy it is to forget the day around here. Days are the same, over and over again, until the time is measured by SUN UP, or SUN DOWN. I don't know how the locals do it. But sometimes I think I understand what they must feel. Time is not very important over here, its just a way to measure progress, or the growth of crops, the seasons. Hours, minutes, seconds, don't matter much here. Not like home, where progress is measures in micro-seconds. I actually find myself envying these people, if anybody can believe that.

Well, I am currently assigned to a unit that is supposed to teach the Iraqi army to be an army. Its different, to say the least. I will say that they do try very hard. They try to learn, try to hide, try to be like us, try to hate us, all in the same day. I try to start each day with a couple of goals, but by the end of the day I am disillusioned by my achievements. Its not the same when your successes include things like getting the soldiers to pick up their trash, or stop brushing your teeth with your fingers and use the toothbrush we gave you. Small steps, they tell us. Small victories.

Excuse my spelling, its miserably hot and my fingers are sticking together some. And if you don't like it, well, to bad, you have the freedom to stop reading at any time. Doesn't that sound just great.