RaceChic
04-09-03, 05:51 AM
I sit here watching CNN. I see the Iraqi people in the streets of Baghdad cheering and happy that thay no longer have to live under a reign of fear. The simple fact that they now can speak out and cheer like that on public television without fear of death is incredible. That is something we have always had. We are very lucky.
My friend who I met recently as a resident in the ICU I work at is from Iraq. He told me that we don't really realize how good we have it. That he thinks we had taken our freedom for granted until 9-11 for so many years. That we know our freedom is invaluable now but that one never REALLY knows exactly how much unless you lived where he did all of his life and could experience the true difference. That the things the media has made us aware of about Saddam Hussein is only a miniscule portion of the way it really is. The things he saw everyday growing up. The fear that man used to rule that country. The way he tortured and killed his people to have control. He said we really could never imagine. He fled Iraq after the Gulf War or he would have had to serve the military. He had just finished medical school and was about to begin his residency. He left his family behind. Payed $$ to be snuck out illegally "in the back woods" so to speak. Spent the first year fleeing in fear from country to country over there in those countries surrounding Iraq like Yemen etc. The poverty, filth and pestulence was attrocious he said. He saw dead people all over the sides of streets everyday that died from starvation. He woke up everyday not knowing where he would sleep or if he would eat. Finally he made it into the USA then into Canada. Worked many small jobs to write his medical exams and begin his residency. Lived in povery while doing it. It makes me shudder to think I am angry and disgusted at what I know of SH and that it is a small peice of the actual reality. He drove to our capital city of Ottawa a week ago to speak to the Red Cross to see if he could somehow contact his family that live in Baghdad. He is scared and upset. He was crying in front of me as he spoke of this. Said he has never spoke of this to anyone since he left Iraq. I saw a man in front of me who was very traumatized all of his life. It was a terrible thing.
I am proud of what has happened here. I know I am not American or British, but I am still proud. I am happy we fight to protect the freedom we have and fight so the rest of the world can have it also. I hope good things are to come for the Iraqi people.
God Bless America and us all.
Lastly, I hope my friend finds his family alive and well soon. I pray for him and his family every day. I pray the war ends soon and the rest of the troops can come home alive and well. :(
My friend who I met recently as a resident in the ICU I work at is from Iraq. He told me that we don't really realize how good we have it. That he thinks we had taken our freedom for granted until 9-11 for so many years. That we know our freedom is invaluable now but that one never REALLY knows exactly how much unless you lived where he did all of his life and could experience the true difference. That the things the media has made us aware of about Saddam Hussein is only a miniscule portion of the way it really is. The things he saw everyday growing up. The fear that man used to rule that country. The way he tortured and killed his people to have control. He said we really could never imagine. He fled Iraq after the Gulf War or he would have had to serve the military. He had just finished medical school and was about to begin his residency. He left his family behind. Payed $$ to be snuck out illegally "in the back woods" so to speak. Spent the first year fleeing in fear from country to country over there in those countries surrounding Iraq like Yemen etc. The poverty, filth and pestulence was attrocious he said. He saw dead people all over the sides of streets everyday that died from starvation. He woke up everyday not knowing where he would sleep or if he would eat. Finally he made it into the USA then into Canada. Worked many small jobs to write his medical exams and begin his residency. Lived in povery while doing it. It makes me shudder to think I am angry and disgusted at what I know of SH and that it is a small peice of the actual reality. He drove to our capital city of Ottawa a week ago to speak to the Red Cross to see if he could somehow contact his family that live in Baghdad. He is scared and upset. He was crying in front of me as he spoke of this. Said he has never spoke of this to anyone since he left Iraq. I saw a man in front of me who was very traumatized all of his life. It was a terrible thing.
I am proud of what has happened here. I know I am not American or British, but I am still proud. I am happy we fight to protect the freedom we have and fight so the rest of the world can have it also. I hope good things are to come for the Iraqi people.
God Bless America and us all.
Lastly, I hope my friend finds his family alive and well soon. I pray for him and his family every day. I pray the war ends soon and the rest of the troops can come home alive and well. :(