Summary: The ability of Iraqis to work together to improve their situation increases nearly every day. Recently, an Iraqi Air Force transport plane took five children and their families to Turkey where doctors helped repair the children's eyesight.The Pentagon Channel shows a television program each day that I enjoy watching when I get a chance, called Freedom Journal Iraq. I’ve learned such things as that an oil production site was recently completed in Um Kasr, that several large weapons stockpiles have been found, and that Iraqi policemen and soldiers are becoming better trained and more able to maintain order and promote growth and prosperity in their country.
But the most touching story I heard was about five children who were recently flown to Turkey for eye surgery. After receiving permission from the Iraqi Defense Minister, and Iraqi Air Force crew flew an Iraqi C-130 airplane to Turkey with the five eye patients and their families. The video taken of the families during the trip showed marked relief and happiness on their faces as their children underwent various successful surgeries.
All of the children showed a new inquisitiveness about life following their operations. One child walked about the airplane, looking at everything and touching nearly everything he saw, according to the report. One child, who had had a particularly bad problem with his eyesight prior to surgery, enjoyed simply sitting in his father’s lap, touching every part of his face and giving him an occasional hug. For the first time in his life, he was able to say “Daddy, I can see your face now!”
Iraq is improving all the time.
You know, that would have made a really good story for the America evening news. But I guess they had more important things to report about.
4 comments:
As I read your blog it sounds like you are moving toward the conclusion that Iraq can't really be a country. Why not then split it up, with a part to Iran, a part to Syria, and an independent Kurdistan?
I certainly don't get that idea, Frank. That is, unless that's how you feel about it, which is completely fine. I would like to say, regardless of your personal opinion, that Lebanon is coming together despite religious differences (Druze, Muslim, and Christian) after thirty years of bloddy war. However, Hizb Allah still controls the southern part (specifically the Bekka Valley where WMD from Iraq are rumored to be buried). This completely getting off subject of the post. I think that's great that the kids got their eyesight back. Having undergone three eye surgeries in my lifetime (just to correct wandering eye), I have a micro iota of a feeling of how they felt. What I mean is, after an eye surgery, your eye (in my case) tends to be quite bloody, you involuntarily shed bloody tears, and hurts to move. Did we provide them the C-130 do you know by chance? I didn't realize it was Wednesday over there already. It's only 11:15 p.m. here.
Elizabeth, I appreciate your reading my blog. I read a bit in yours as well. It looks like our political opinions are very different from each others'. In my blog, I actually am trying to convey the idea that Iraq is doing a great job of becoming a real country for the first time. The concept of country is hollow when you have no liberties, and they finally are achieving what we in America take for granted. I wish things were moving along more quickly, but I see progress here all the time. I--like Matt--am pleased at the progress that is being made in other areas of the Middle East, such as Lebanon. I'm interested in whether Elizabeth supports the view that "part [of Iraq should go] to Iran, a part to Syria, and an independent Kurdistan." To answer Matt's last question, the TV story only said that it was an "Iraqi C-130", which gives me the impression that they got it sometime in the past, and not just for that particular mission, but I can't say for sure.
I don't know what would be best for Iraq, ultimately.
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