(Riverbend) House of Horrors...

The whole world heard about the one in Jadriya, recently raided by the Americans. Jadriya was once one of the best areas in Baghdad. It's an area on the river and is special in that it's greener, and cleaner, than most areas. Baghdads largest university, Baghdad University, is located in Jadriya (with a campus in another area). Jadriya had some of the best shops and restaurants- not to mention some of Baghdad's most elegant homes...… and apparently, now, a torture house.

We hear constantly about these torture dungeons. Right after the war, certain areas became infamous for them. The world knows them as 'torture houses' for the obvious reasons- they were once ordinary homes, and now they've become torture centers for suspects and innocents alike. The Iraqi government conveniently calls them 'detention centers' and the Iraqi Ministry of Interior oversees and funds them.

One area which was well-known for its torture houses immediately after the war was Sadir City in Baghdad. Except they weren't called torture houses back then. The people who ran them called them 'ma7akim' or 'courts'. They would bring 'suspects' in for interrogation- often ordinary citizens- and beat and whip them for various confessions involving accusations and alleged crimes. A 'Sayid' would then come in and sentence the culprit- the sentence would sometimes involve cutting off a hand or a foot and at other times it might be death. We heard this from an aunts neighbor who was mistakenly taken in and beaten as a suspected former security agent. His family connections with influential Shia clerics in the area were the only things that got him out alive- bruised and broken- but alive.

These torture houses have existed since the beginning of the occupation. While it is generally known that SCIRI is behind them, other religious parties are not innocent. The Americans know they exist- why the sudden shock and outrage? This is hardly news for Americans in the Green Zone. The timing is quite interesting- it shouldn't matter that this raid came immediately after the whole white phosphorous story came out, but the Pentagon and American military have proven to be the ultimate masters of diversion.

Riverbend

I've noticed on many occasions that the repugs come out with news of exactly the things THEY are being accused of (and actually carrying out)at home!

Remember the Yugoslavians out in the streets after the stolen election...the repugs were right on it- as they had just stolen the presidency here.x(

I read the blogs of Riverbend and was impressed with her perception of what was coming down...of her fear of what was around the corner, and her apprehension of how it would change her beloved country.

To ease her fears, I emailed her and tried to explain how much better her life would be when they were free...when they were able to make their own decisions without fear...when they were living under a democracy.

I just emailed her again to apologize and to let her know how ashamed I am. Bless them all.

I also like Raed and Electronic Iraq has some good things. Like the different jobs they all do so it gives you a feel of what is really going on and what people of every day type living are thinking.

reminds us how we would feel if we were in our circumstances. And anyone who reminds us that "the enemy", "them", are actually just like "us" is to be treasured and recommended as widely as possible.