I used to think that Iraq and Vietnam were similar: wars fought thousands of miles from home, for reasons later found to be false, with thousands dead and wounded (on both sides), and our troops unable to figure out who was actually on our side.
I was wrong.
Because after reading about this, I came to the conclusion that Iraq is nothing like Vietnam. There is absolutely no way that anyone serving or fighting in Vietnam was as delusional as the Pentagon braniacs who think an entertainment complex in the heart of Baghdad is a good idea - and a solid financial investment!
Luckily for all the chickehawk pro-war cowards on the right, soon they'll have a family-friendly tourist destination in Baghdad where they can relax at the Marriott (yeah, I'll bet the Book of Mormon will be well received in Iraq...) sipping mai-tais wearing flak vests and telling the kiddies to stay clear of incoming mortar fire.
BAGHDAD - Forget rocket attacks, concrete blast walls and no sewer system and try picturing luxury hotels, a shopping center and even condos in the heart of Baghdad.
It’s all part of an ambitious five-year development “dream list” to transform the U.S.-protected Green Zone from a walled fortress into a gleaming centerpiece for Baghdad’s future.
The $5 billion plan has Pentagon backing and apparently the interest of leading hotel developers, said Navy Capt. Thomas Karnowski, who led the team that created the development plan.
Of course there are a few problems to be worked out:
"There is no sewer system, no working power system. Everything here is done on generators. No road system repair work. There are no city services other than the minimal amount we provide to get by," Karnowski said.
About 50 percent of the area is now occupied by coalition forces, the U.S. State Department or private foreign companies. If all were to go according to Karnowski's plan, only 5 percent of land in the Green Zone will be in foreigners' hands in five years.
Privately, American diplomats say the plan is, at best, wishful thinking."
And the locals aren't keen on the idea:
Security is nowhere near the level needed for major development projects. Then there is the question of whether the Iraqi government even wants U.S. involvement in developing the center of their capital.
One diplomat, who asked not to be named because of no authorization to speak to the media, said they did not think Iraqis would want Washington to "turn this area into downtown Kansas City."
And it's never good when you're compared to the previous tenant, S. Hussein:
"Some Iraqi leaders even have drawn parallels to the U.S.-backed development plan and what Saddam Hussein did in the area — known by its Iraqi name of Tashri during his regime.
Hussein stocked the neighborhood with family and tribal allies, political loyalists and members of his elite Republican Guard. Karnowski called the accusation "partially true."
"Why do people build fences around their house? The intent is until such time as it's much safer around here, you want to be able to influence what goes on," he said.
No worries though... if you build it they will come, so pack your bags and get ready for the trip of a lifetime...to beautiful downtown Baghdad!!!
"If you talk to people at the State Department, they still believe a hotel isn't going up. But it is a done deal," Karnowski said of the Marriott project.
Seriously, I cannot envision a time at any point in the future when a) State Department and military families will be allowed to live in the Green Zone and b) anyone with an ounce of sanity would ever want to take their families there. Add this project to the very long list of projects that never happens - but the taxpayers end up paying for anyways.
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