The streets were beautiful

Thursday started as an ordinary day in Baghdad, but just like any other day in this city, you never know what’s going to happen next.

I was working in my office when I heard the first explosion. I ran to the window to see where the location of the explosion was. I could see smoke rising from the streets.

Then a minute later I saw more smoke and heard the sound of another explosion, and than another.

The explosion was a series of mortars, rockets, and a car bomb in the upscale Karradah neighborhood that ended up killing at least 31 people, and wounding 153.

The scene of destruction was terrible. It was like a war zone.

‘Honest Iraqi resistance?’
Immediately I began to phone my friends to see if they were all OK. You can imagine what I heard from them – all about the buildings that were destroyed and the cars that were burned. People were shocked.

I tried to go to the scene to see what have really happened, but the police force and the Iraqi army closed all the roads near the location of the explosions.

So, I went back to my office to see the news of the attacks on the TV. I was shocked to see the size of the disaster. As I heard people talking about the explosion, I couldn’t believe anyone was lucky enough to survive.

Some of the people on the scene began to launch insults at Saddam Hussein. Thursday was the also last day of his trial, but during his appearance in court on Wednesday he had mentioned what he called the "honest Iraqi resistance."

People on the scene of the Karradah attacks were yelling and asking if this was the "honest Iraqi resistance" Saddam was talking about? The killing of innocent people, the destruction of families, the creation of orphans, and the displacement of others? I don’t think so.

Used to be beautiful
I drive or walk the streets the explosions targeted everyday. It’s a commercial area. I used to think these streets were beautiful.

I used to walk by and marvel at all of the electronics stores, and the people coming and going, buying and selling. Many of my friends and neighbors would even come to me for help when they were buying electrical appliances, but not anymore.

Now most of my friends and neighbors have left Iraq fearing for their lives. A few of them are still here and I wonder if we will ever see our streets and neighborhoods in Baghdad as beautiful again.

*The names of local journalists in Baghdad are not being used to protect their identity.

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54 COMMENTS

Well it's obvious to see that the same liberal nutcases that watch MSNBC also read the website. It's so EASY to blame Bush for everything isn't it? Our country was being attacked by terrorist long before Bush was elected, going back to hijackings in the 70's, bombing of the Marine barracks in Beirut in 83, various U.S. embassies around the world for several years, USS Cole boming and WTC in 90's and the list goes on and on. Your liberal 'savior' Bill Clinton did nothing about the USS Cole bombing or the WTC bombings except fire a few cruise missles into the sand, as well as pass on taking OBL into custody when he was given the chance...well done Billy. Muslims and Jews have been at war for thousands of years but again, liberal morons blame Bush for this as well. Do you people really think that if our military were not fighting terrorists in Iraq/Afghanastan that this would all just go away? You people need to realize that we are in a world war against radical Islam, and regardless of who is the leader of the U.S., they will continue their jihad. You cannot negotiate with fanatics, they have one goal and one goal only, to kill all infidels, plain and simple. If you don't understand that or don't believe that, you are terribly naive, misguided, stupid or all of the above.

Matt - Lincoln, NE. (Sent Aug 4, 2006 2:05:47 PM)

So no one likes the idea of forgiveness?

steve (Sent Aug 6, 2006 1:03:30 AM)

isnt it time for people to make a stand for what they believe in and go out and tell these sorry elected officials that its TIME TO END THIS HORRIBLE NIGHTMARE

shahbaz (Sent Aug 6, 2006 4:50:27 PM)

Lincoln, Nebraska sounds like a nice friendly town.

It's not a Liberal or Conservative thing sir. Try losing the labels and applying some common sense. Obviously many people under-estimated Osama Bin Ladin. Clinton, Bush, the American intelligence community, us, etc. The question is, what did Iraq have to do with 9/11? The answer is, nothing. Get it? It's niether liberal nor conservative. That's just another way for them to divide us. We were lied to. Our boys and girls, as well as the Iraqis, are dying for a lie. The question is, why? The answer is open to speculation since our elected officials and the machine that controls them will not tell us. Probably because if we knew the truth we would tell them to take a leap in front of the cross-town bus. But I can promise you this, we're not there to liberate anyone. Liberal, Conservative or otherwise.

Dave, Lowell, Massachusetts (Sent Aug 9, 2006 9:56:03 PM)

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Life beyond the violence
Suicide attacks and murders due to sectarian conflict continue around Iraq. See how residents live their lives amid the attacks.