open Democracy News Analysis - A Family in Baghdad--blogger site, - Comments

michaelgd on "A Family in Baghdad--blogger site"

michaelgd — Wed, 14 May 2008 20:36:40 +0100

I am mentioning this here because it seemed appropriate; I hope it is okay. A new book, The Iraq War Blog, has been published. The book is based on the writings of Faiza Al-Araji, Raed Jarrar, and Khalid Jarrar, who are members of the blog, A Family in Baghdad. The book is available for ordering now on Amazon and will be shipped on its June 15, 2008 publication date.

Thank you...

erinleonard2 on "A Family in Baghdad--blogger site"

erinleonard2 — Sat, 24 Apr 2004 04:33:31 +0100

No my friend, thank you for such a wonderful web site! I just received an email from one of the family members that says they read what's on openDemocracy "regularly." I believe this site has been such a gift, a window to look out of or into, to many people. So allow me...a complete and formal bow to you all who work so hard to make this site a working reality for so many of us to learn, listen, shoot our mouths off... :). May we all find a few extra dollars to send your way soon so this site can continue to explore how to connect people and ideas and debate round and round the planet. My sincere thanks to you all.

Solana Larsen on "A Family in Baghdad--blogger site"

Solana Larsen — Thu, 22 Apr 2004 14:15:49 +0100

Thanks for the great link, Erin. If you click on the Links tab above, you'll now see it at the top of the list. Solana - forum moderator

erinleonard2 on "A Family in Baghdad--blogger site"

erinleonard2 — Thu, 22 Apr 2004 00:07:18 +0100

The site/linked site is a family--mother and three sons, with dad having no interest. I didn't really spend any time with emails written to the family [I plan to revisit and spend more time]but what they--the Iraqi family, thought and was experiencing. No "arm-chair" warriors--they. Though it is interesting to see what Americans or those outside of Iraq are choosing to write. If anything I think the choice to publish those letters is meant to educate what Americans are trying to express to a family who has no other choice but to be caught in the middle. Some Americans do feel that Iraq was invaded for control over oil alone and are angry that innocent people are dying. Could be their choice of publishing is and act of agreement, did it say so? What I appreciate about the site is that it allows me to "see" human faces. Many, many, many, many times I've tried to put myself/family in their place, living in Iraq with no choice but to live in the midst of conflict and combat. With this site I can identify with the mother because I have a son and teenage daughter who are very outspoken with opinion [no idea where it comes from :)] Lord knows what kind of fire would be coming out of my mouth if our lives were reversed. I greatly respect this family's efforts to connect and perhaps change the world. I did email this family with a link to openDemocracy to check out the articles and debate.

bettyann on "A Family in Baghdad--blogger site"

bettyann — Wed, 21 Apr 2004 22:00:59 +0100

Erin: Thanks so much for this link, it's the kind of thing I personally would rather read. One thing though - I was reading through it and noticed some letters of the kind you read here - where someone starts spouting their rhetoric -"language with a persuasive or impressive effect, but often lacking sincerity or meaningful content". In other words, their stupid opinions. I'm thinking in particular of the writer, an American, who said we were there to steal their oil. That was very un-cool. Views like that are extreme and unhelpful. I liked and believe what the soldier wrote, that he believed we were there to get rid of Saddam, but also foster a non-extremist western friendly nation in the middle east. I hope no one from here (openDemocracy) would strain the people of Iraq with further duress by making such statements to sincere and real people, right there in the middle of the mess. They don't need to hear that sort of thing, but be encouraged by comraderie.

A Family in Baghdad--blogger site,

erinleonard2 — Wed, 21 Apr 2004 19:09:40 +0100

Trying their best to put a daily positive spin on what is going on in Iraq, a link to a USA news article about the increase of internet cafes in Iraq was provided and in that article was a reference to an Iraq family blogger site....check it out! http://afamilyinbaghdad.blogspot.com/2004_04_01_afamilyinbaghdad_archive.html