iraqis policing themselves

yesterday i had the great opportunity of taking a reporter to the baghdad police college to tour the new forensics lab and witness some of the training that is going on there. now it is no csi but the lessons being taught to iraqi police officers will eventually help solve crimes, which are plentiful in iraq.

the classes of students ranged in age from the the high forties to just over twenty. i was most impressed by how willing the men were to being interviewed by western media and how the reasons given for serving were not financially motivated but rather duty to their neighbors and pride in iraq, the new iraq.

the iraqi police certainly have a huge job ahead of them but each day the police make great strides in protecting the people. All of the classes at the college are now taught by iraqis and any role we play is purely support to ensure they have the right tools for modern policing.

in a country were the average day claims 100 civilian lives, the police are not in an enviable position. but iraq can be proud of these officers for their dedication and bravery.

christmas in baghdad

oddly enough christmas in baghdad is just like any other day only without the work. the joke about being here is that you feel like the movie "groundhog day." every day is the same and you are so stuck in your routine that the cycle continues until you depart for home. i am determined to avoid the groundhog day effect.

the sites were the same and i even made it into the office to check some email and talk with colleagues but otherwise i spent time with a few friends and have had the most uneventful (and this is a good thing) christmas ever.

for lunch the dining facility was decked out in a variety of holiday decorations, officers served the meals, a live band led the hall in carols and there was enough food to feed, well an army! I stuck with the lobster and turkey with stuffing, mac and cheese and a cup of eggnog. but it gets better; i took my meal out to the pool for a little poolside, sun warming christmas lunch.

the best part is that i didn't have to clean up a thing.

so that is christmas in baghdad. i find myself now in my trailer and it is a little after 9:00pm, the heater is on and i am ready to curl up with a good book and hit the hay before another work day tomorrow. as our security team says, "feliz navidad" be blessed this christmas.