For Basra's Christians, Hussein era the good old days

[Rose Siding]

Basra, Iraq -- For the Christians in Basra, the downfall of Saddam Hussein has meant a terrible loss of religious freedom.

The social club where Yousef Lyon and his friends would gather in the evening to play dominoes, where families danced or listened to live music on holidays, is closed. Wedding celebrations are held quietly at home.

"Of course, during the Saddam regime, it was better," said Lyon, 40, a member of the city's small Armenian community. "Now we are afraid from the religious parties that maybe they will throw a bomb at us."

Not just the Christians, but many of the city's minorities -- from obscure sects like the ancient Sabeans to the sizable Sunni Muslim community - - live in fear of the hard-line Shiite religious parties and their militias that now rule Iraq's second-largest city.

Freedom has been curtailed for women, regardless of their religion. Several decades ago, almost no woman in Basra covered her head. Now, they all do, under fear of harassment or worse.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2005/08/28/MNGS5EEJOM1.DTL

"Our efforts in Iraq and the broader Middle East will require more time, more sacrifice and continued resolve," he said. "Yet people across the Middle East are choosing a future of freedom and prosperity and hope. And as they take these brave steps, Americans will continue to stand with them because we know that free and democratic nations are peaceful nations." -Radio Address 8/27/05

[Prodemsouth]

1. So now one more reason is shot, bring Freedom to the Iraqi

people. The posting of comments from Bush's radio address caused me to see red- I am infurated with these people.

[jackster]

2. uh oh....

what do you think the 'murkin christo-fascists think about this?

[nankerphelge]

3. Edited.

Same sentiment as previous post, but I like 'murkin christo fascists better than I had.