"In Fallujah, Marines Feel Shock of War"
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...2004Nov13.html

Thought I should post a pointer to J. Spinner's mood report from Falluja. It is well written, I think, except perhaps the title.

Meanwhile, things seem to be developing in Mosul as the fighting between foreign fighters(probably) and local security forces get more severe. According to this, as much as 60% of the local police stations has been overrun. The BBC mentioned today that a brigade bound for Falluja was diverted to Mosul. Also, someone seems to have shot a few mortar rounds into the Green Zone again, while more fighting was observed in a town south of Bagdad. In almost the same vein, the casualties reported from for instance Landstuhl in Germany, one of the biggest military hospitals, have been increasing steadily the last few days. The numbers, according to a spokesperson there, went from about 30- 50 a day to 102 arrivals on Thursday. And they only take care of the "severe, but stable" conditions. In other news, Turkey- Kurdish relations are perhaps more tense than ever, as the pretext for launching a pacifying mission over the border might very well be forming as the situation in Mosul and the nearby areas steadily gets worse. Outside Falluja, about 200.000 refugees are fighting against starvation and several diseases common in such situations. Typhoid, for instance. And generally, war is hell. Good luck, or something would be in order, I guess. Yes, good luck with the post- war re- planning, mr. Bush.

I have heard that mr. Bush never went to ANY foreign country before he became president. After he became president it became impossible for him to experience any foreign country in any normal way (for example due to security concerns).

Before understanding how different (good and bad) other cultures can be, you have to visit at least one other culture, especially if you go alone to immerse yourself more. The difference is sort of like the difference between watching football on TV or actually playing it (or having played it or having played any sport for that matter).

If you have never been in another culture it is impossible not to presume that people in another culture are more like you than they actually are. It is also very easy by lack of info to feel superior, based on ... liking to feel superior.

It seems therefore that the Bush's arrogance in starting the iraqi war is for a large part based on ignorance. Also his attitude towards europe has shown a lot of this attitude. It is sad that the most powerful man in the world uses his power without barely any empathy or understanding.

PS: Shit, now I have gone and depressed myself.