Kurdish Ping.
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A much loved and widely respected leader within Iraq and among the Kurds. I wish that the world had more men like him.
A sad loss for us, but it was a blessing that his leadership was available for the tough transformative years after Saddam.
So glad that he got to live a long full life, to taste success, and to see the Kurdish Independence Referendum.
This death hit me harder than I would have expected. I knew he was old, and so many people have died or been horribly injured in the struggles in Iraq, that I expected to just register his passing with respect.
I was surprised to find tears rolling down my cheeks, as I attempted to go about my business. Jalal Talabani was just lovable. He was a man of deep commitment and good character, in a time and place that was rampant with others at their worst - rife with self-serving corruption at the expense of the nation and everyone else. He was a re-assurance that all was not lost for Iraq during dark times - that there were still wise and good mento deal with in building a better future.
May God bless him, comfort his family, and care for Iraq and Kurdistan.
Farewell to a great and good man.