Signs of progress in Iraq

Baghdad florist's business is wilting like a thirsty rose
Tina Susman / Los Angeles Times
Yousif Mohammed in his Babylon Flower Shop in Baghdad, where few people buy fresh flowers anymore.
After seeing shops close, his customers flee, his wares droop in power outages, Yousif Mohammed still loves a good bloom. But please, don't make him sell you the plastic lilies.
By Tina Susman and Caesar Ahmed, Los Angeles Times Staff Writers
May 13, 2008
Baghdad

Love is in the air in Yousif Mohammed's shop.

So is death, but that's OK, because Mohammed's business is selling flowers, and in Baghdad, where bouquets rarely top shopping lists these days, weddings and funerals are his mainstay.

It wasn't always like this. Before the war, Iraqis loved buying fresh flowers to brighten up their homes and offices, or to present with a flourish to the objects of their affection. Restaurants, hotels and other businesses bought flowers in bulk to adorn tables, counters and guest rooms.

http://www.latimes.com/news/la-fg-flowers13-2008may13,0,5962410.story?track=ntothtml


Well that would be progress in bu$h's terms anyway

I Hear The Poppys are Blooming In Afghanistan...

And freshly planted IEDs all over Iraq...

Two professions that never suffer during tough times....morticians and florists. So I guess this is what Wolfie meant when he said we'd be greeting with "hearts and flowers" :sarcasm:

What's ironic is that a greenhouse needs lot of water and electricity...two items still in short supply in Baghdad, yet they persevere. I honestly can't begin to fathom how rough it must be for those who live in that hellhole city. I used to love reading Riversbend, but even she had to get out.