Example of relations between Iraqis and US patrols

Beth sent this short exchange along, when she and Even found eachother on-line the other day. It speaks volumes.

EVAN: we arrested some kidnappers/hitmen/assasin types the other day, they had come up from baghdad. they might have been after some our iraqi buddies, or just looking to make some money with kidnapping, dunno, other than that its been pretty quiet really

BETH: how did you find the kidnappers?

EVAN: one of the locals told us about some suspicious people driving around in a new car

BETH: are new cars not very common?

EVAN: not out here, its really rural - mostly decent, but well-used toyotas and chinese knock-offs of toyotas

BETH: toyotas have knockoffs?

EVAN: oh yeah (our interpreter): "japanese cars very nice, very expensive though" and those (morons) were driving around a mercedes

Not much news from Iraq

We were away for a short holiday in the mountains last week when we missed Evan's call home. At least he called, so we know things were OK last week. He may be back at his post or still in Baghdad. It's tough getting calls out, but he's supposed to be getting a laptop which should make emails and maybe Skype video calls a possibility.

One little nugget passed on through Beth when he was in the Green Zone a couple weeks ago. He was especially taken with a sign by one of Saddam's palace pools: "No Drinking While Armed." Would have been a good souvenir, but he passed.

Good news source about Iraq

If you're dissatisfied by the cursory view of Iraq offered by the mainstream US news media, check out this site. You'll be amazed by what you've been missing:

http://www.iraqslogger.com/index.php

In the "Green Zone"

Evan was unexpectedly whisked by Blackhawk helicopter from his rural digs to busy downtown Baghdad-- the green zone. The ride, at 500 ft., was spectacular, and he was especially impressed with the aerial view of Saddam's notorious crossed swords monument. He sent an email from an Internet cafe "set up in an old palace. It's a mind-blowing building. Huge vaulted ceilings, intricate stone carvings and chandeliers everywhere." Ever the curious tourist, he hopes to visit the crossed swords monument and take a few souvenir snapshots. Maybe he'll buy me a T-shirt.