IRAQ: Through Occupation, The Very Dreams Change

[nosmokes]

We're all so over Iraq.It's so early first decade of the 21st century. Unless of course you happen to be an Iraqi. Or in the US military. Then you are well and truly fucked.
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original-ips

IRAQ: Through Occupation, The Very Dreams Change

By Ahmed Ali and Dahr Jamail*

BAQUBA, May 27 (IPS) - After more than five years of U.S. occupation, the very dreams of the people of Baquba have changed. For a start, they are no longer about the future.

Today, a shower is a dream. Or that the electricity supply continues just that little bit longer.

"These needs are very trivial for people of other countries," 43-year-old political leader Saad Tahir told IPS. "But in Iraq, people dream more of these things than of some ambition or success."

Abdullah Mahdi, a retired 51-year-old trader, says he dreams only of electricity.

"Like millions here, I hope supply gets better to help us to sleep in this hot summer," Mahdi told IPS. "We have been suffering from this problem since the 1991 Kuwait war, and this current occupation only made things worse."

Others dream of freedom of movement. "I dream of travelling among the Iraqi provinces freely and safely," a local resident said. "For more than two years now, I have not travelled to any province of my country." Lack of security means Iraqis can rarely travel even to a neighbouring area.

Children also seem to have begun to dream differently.

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complete article here

[gateley]

1. K&R nt