Posted on 11/07/2006 7:03:58 PM PST by Impeach98
Report from FREE IRAQ by FReeper Kristinn Taylor
I wanted to follow up on yesterday's report from Erbil, Iraq with some more details. By now the news is out about the scathing comments made by the Prime Minister of Iraqi Kurdistanabout the media's coverage of Iraq.
WorldNetDaily: 'CNN, Al-Jazeera coverage of Iraq war equally biased'
CNSNews: Iraqi Leader Disparages US Media Coverage
We all were in agreement with him. He said the media makes it look like Iraq is on the verge of collapse, when that is not the case. Yes, there are troubles in Baghdad and a few other provinces, but where we are it is peaceful and the northern Iraqi provinces are experiencing an economic boom.
In our travels we are seeing roads being built (and rebuilt), buildings and homes going up everywhere, the power grid being expanded, retail stores and car dealerships opening and busy. Oh yeah, we haven't seen any fighting or bombs going off, go figure.
Even though gasoline and kerosene cannot be delivered from the south because they make inviting targets for terrorists down there, courageous Kurdish entrepeneurs travel south and bring back barrels of fuel to sell by the roadside. As a result, the streets are teeming with vehicular traffic like any other large city in the world. The KRG is planning to open up oil fields and build refineries in their region next year to stabalize the fuel situation.
The Iraqi people here have been very friendly and welcoming--from President Barzani to the kids in the street. There is a strong sense that they recognize that this is their once-in-a-lifetime chance to secure their freedom. And unlike their brethren to the south, they have put aside any thoughts of revenge and are seizing the moment.
The Iraqi Kurdistan Prime Minister Nerchivan Barzani told us yesterday that we could go most anywhere in Iraq and meet people who would tell us how grateful they are for liberating them from Saddam. He emphasized the word 'liberation.' He does not see us as occupiers.
A few nights ago, we met an American woman who has been living in Iraq for the past three years helping the Iraqis build their democracy and economy.
She told us of a taxi driver in Erbil who, when learning she was American, proudly rolled up his sleeve to show her his bicep that was tattoed with the image of President Bush!
We spent last evening at the home of the widow of the slain deputy prime minister of the KRG. Her husband and son had been killed by a suicide bomber in February 2004. It was an emotional night as the Kurdish and American parents shared their grief over the loss of their loved ones in the fight for freedom.
This trip has been overwhelming in so many ways for all of us. We have three more days until we start heading home.
More later.... Stay tuned to www.MoveAmericaForward.org for complete updates.
Kristinn Taylor
P.S. I also posted a thread with a live chat between Gold Star Families on this trip from FREE IRAQ with you, our fellow FReepers. CLICK HERE TO READ IT!
FReeper Kristinn makes Report #2 from FREE IRAQ!! PING.
Kristinn bump
Kristinn reports from FREE IRAQ ping-a-ling!
Kristinn makes his 2nd report from FREE IRAQ - PING!!!
Good on Kristinn!
BTTT
Thank you for the ping. I love hearing about this unreported story!
Free Iraq BTTT!
Thank you for the ping IMpeach!
PING!! Can you please tell the people on the PING list who wanted to hear reports about the trip?
In fairness I would say under-reported.
The Associated Press has reported on the trip. Also Reuters.
Fox News Channel reported briefly on it. There have been some local TV reports. There were also local radio reports.
A number of newspapers around the country have reported on it. So too the online conservative news sites (WorldNetDaily, CNSNews, Newsmax, Newsbusters, etc...)
Has the trip received the coverage it deserves? Not yet. But, we've been pushing hard to get this story out.
The web traffic to MoveAmericaForward.org has been spiking the past few days.
BUMP!
Bump!
BUMP!
God's speed, and THANK THE TROOPS ("stuck in Iraq") when you see 'em!! :)
You're correct. It's just a very pain-filled evening.
Awesome!!! Zing!
Thanks for taking the time to share these great stories with us Kristinn. I'm looking forward to hearing more.
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