Constructive gadfly
Published on September 18, 2007 By stevendedalus In Politics

According to The Washington Post the Dora market, one of Baghdad’s largest, and by pre-war standards had over 850 thriving shops, many opened till midnight. Last December Dora was a war-zone for Sunni, Shia and al Qaeda. Now with the help of the surge and setting up numerous barricades known as “gated,” the number of shops are on the rise as much as 300. Because this was Petraeus’ show piece, the military has been handing out to shopkeepers $2500 incentives each to open up for business. Most owners take the money and do business in the morning but close by noon; others simply go through the motion and open to dusty shelves and empty bins because it is still a dangerous place—still lurking in the shadows is al-Sadr’s militia. Nonetheless money talks; maybe they should try this aspect of the surge in New Orleans.


Comments
on Sep 18, 2007
I wonder, how many stores were open on the pacific islands during the island hopping thing? Also, while you are complaining about shorter hours for the markets in Baghdad, why not (in fairness) talk about all the towns in Iraq that now have markets that didn't under Hussein. Let's talk about all the parts of Iraq that now have running water and electricity... that didn't under Hussein. I'm sure you don't mind a little fairness here ;~D
on Sep 18, 2007

lurking in the shadows is al-Sadr’s militia

They are in the shadows of New orleans too?

on Sep 19, 2007

Let's talk about all the parts of Iraq that now have running water and electricity

I'll leave that to your expertise and bent vision. The Post is talking about one area in Baghdad where to some degree the surge is working--sort of..

 

I wonder, how many stores were open on the pacific islands during the island hopping thing?
You're great with apples and oranges.

on Sep 19, 2007
Yes, but in sheep's clothing--FEMA.