'Just World News' with Helena Cobban

Riverbend on Iraqi hyper-inflation

Go read Riverbend's post of Wednesday on daily life for Baghdadis in the aftermath of the "wonderful" election that Prez Bush has been gushing so much about, recently. It is all worth reading-- what a fine, fine writer she is.

It ends thus:

There is talk of major mismanagement and theft in the Oil Ministry. Chalabi took over several days ago and a friend who works in the ministry says the takeover is a joke. “You know how they used to check our handbags when we first walked into the ministry?” She asked the day after Chalabi crowned himself Oil Emperor, “Now WE check our handbags after we leave the ministry- you know- to see if Chalabi stole anything.”

I guess the Iraqis who thought the US was going to turn Iraq into another America weren’t really far from the mark- we too now enjoy inane leaders, shady elections, a shaky economy, large-scale unemployment and soaring gas prices.

Goodbye 2005- the year of SCIRI, fraudulent elections, secret torture chambers, car bombs, white phosphorous, assassinations, sectarianism and fundamentalism… you will not be missed.

Let us see what 2006 has in store for us.

I think the courage and humorous spirit of this young woman-- even in the midst of adversity that most westerners can barely even imagine-- are a real beacon of hope. For Iraq and for the all of us. The very best of luck to you in 2006, dear Riverbend.