Little Green Footballs - You Have Trodden Welcoming Land

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You Have Trodden Welcoming Land

Fri, Nov 28, 2003 at 6:07:37 pm PST

Reuters and the Associated Press and the rest of the anti-American world media are doing their best to portray President Bush’s Iraq visit as a tiny blip on their radar screen of negativism, but an Iraqi blogger named Alaa has an eloquent post that refutes them all with the simple logic of the heart: Ahalan Wa Sahlan; GWB.

IN THE NAME OF GOD THE COMPASSIONATE; THE MERCIFUL
Ahalan (= Kinsmen: it means you have come amongst kinsmen)

Wa = and

Sahlan (= Plateau or plain easy land: meaning you have trodden welcoming land)

These are the traditional words of welcome in the Arabic language.

Yes GWB, though the visit was brief, it was very meaningful. We know that you have come, not as the President of an invading nation, but as the friend who wishes to renew commitment to our people, and as long as your intentions are what you have repeatedly said (and we don't doubt your sincerity), the land and the hearts welcome you.

It gives us pain that the visit is so short and that the masses cannot in the present circumstances come out to give you the welcome that you deserve, but the day will come, the day will come (God's Willing). Yes the day will come when the millions will come out to welcome the best friend that the Mesopotamian people have ever had, and he will be amongst the most devoted and allied people that America will ever have.

The bones in the mass graves salute you, Avenger of the Bones.

Hail, Friend and Ally, Hail, Sheikh of Sheikhs, GWB; Descendant of the Noble Ancient Celt.

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57 comments

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evariste Fri, Nov 28, 2003 4:13:50pm

I thought it was really appropriate, and fortuitous, that Eid and Thanksgiving were concurrent this year.

cba Fri, Nov 28, 2003 4:14:02pm

My favourite part:

The bones in the mass graves salute you, Avenger of the Bones.

Very moving.

Ben F Fri, Nov 28, 2003 4:14:33pm

Thanksgiving is obviously being extended this year. Thanks for passing on more good news!

evariste Fri, Nov 28, 2003 4:14:45pm

Avenger of the Bones! That's funny in an I-want-to-cry way.

Ms. Andi Fri, Nov 28, 2003 4:15:12pm

I really like Alaa's blog.

The anti-war crowd has really polluted the comment sections on the Iraqi blogs lately. It's astonishing to read their venom preaching to Iraqis on why the liberation was wrong.

evariste Fri, Nov 28, 2003 4:18:07pm

Ms. Andi-yeah, ingrates trying to turn others into ingrates, because it's sophisticated. What sickos.

JerryC Fri, Nov 28, 2003 4:19:06pm

I have been reading his blog for awhile now and like it very much. Another good blog is Healing Iraq. The silent majority is finding its voice.

Watcher Fri, Nov 28, 2003 4:20:31pm

It's good to see so many Iraqi bloggers springing up... though I definitely suggest you avoid that nutty Riverbend chick.

Charles Fri, Nov 28, 2003 4:21:41pm

Riverbend is the Hesiod of Iraq.

Maui Girl Fri, Nov 28, 2003 4:22:59pm

"Avenger of the Bones"! Tears are welling up in my eyes.

Go Bush!

evariste Fri, Nov 28, 2003 4:24:18pm

Watcher-I heard about Riverbend; fuck her and the camel she rode in on. The good people of Iraq will prosper with our help despite the machinations of her kind.

evariste Fri, Nov 28, 2003 4:25:03pm

O! Charles puts the hurt on.
Yeowch!

zulubaby Fri, Nov 28, 2003 4:28:27pm

Very moving, I hope someone tells President Bush about it.

Watcher Fri, Nov 28, 2003 4:30:32pm

"Riverbend is the Hesiod of Iraq"

LOL

evariste Fri, Nov 28, 2003 4:32:03pm

zulubaby-I was thinking the same thing, I wish someone with access to the President would print it out for him.

Model4 Fri, Nov 28, 2003 4:40:13pm

Thanks Alaa. Hopefully you are dropping dimes on the jihadis in your area, and encouraging everyone else to do the same. And are kicking the crap out of the "Kill the Infidel" agitators where you live, even if they are the guys with the bushiest beard at the local mosque.

That's what's really going to make a difference. For thirty years you had that bastard Saddam, and I can honestly understand not being able to overthrow him in a coup. But now, you've got as short as one year's time to build a decent society that rejects violence and oppression, and you have the best friend of freedom the world has ever seen there to help you out. But Uncle Sam won't be there forever.

Pass on this opportunity, leave it in the hands of others, and you know damn well what awaits. Baathists infiltrating from Syria. Wahabbists infiltrating from Saudi Arabia. Radicals infiltrating from Iran. Homegrown Saddam loyalists setting up shop all over again. None of whom could care less about your dignity or quality of life. All of them wanting the power and wealth that seizing your country would confer upon them. The best you'll have to hope for is to be starving with an AK-47 in your hands, fighting against this faction or that in the hopes you won't be executed, tortured and/or mutilated. Throw in the same for your loved ones, with the addition of being raped.

Things may be hard now, but they're a fair piece easier than they were two years ago. And a lot easier than they'll be two to five years from now, should you choose to sit on your hands.

Sharkman Fri, Nov 28, 2003 4:41:22pm

GWB Akhbar!!!!!!! (Trilling sound with tongue . . . . )

Mohammed Al Mashat-Myself Fri, Nov 28, 2003 4:48:41pm

...."The bones in the mass graves salute you, Avenger of the Bones."

Yes, you go, President Bush. Nice to see a President on the side of the richeous at last.

God Bless George Bush.

God Bless America.

Josh Fri, Nov 28, 2003 4:53:42pm

Great guy. We should do some awards for the best blogs from Iraq.

This is why we fight!

Mordred Fri, Nov 28, 2003 5:05:04pm

MORE GOOD NEWS FROM IRAQ:

Hundreds march in a demonstration against terrorism:

[Link: www.telegraph.co.uk...]

evariste Fri, Nov 28, 2003 5:05:53pm

Mohammed Al Mashat-Myself-it's righteous. Just FYI :-)
Funny misspelling though.

cba Fri, Nov 28, 2003 5:07:44pm

#4 evariste:

Avenger of the Bones! That's funny in an I-want-to-cry way.

Thanks for putting into words what I was trying to say.

As I said on the Surprise Thanksgiving Dinner thread (where CAM posted a link to that site), I think Avenger of the Bones would be a great addition to Charles's random title list.

Amos Fri, Nov 28, 2003 5:22:13pm

You people are pathetically deluded. In 20 years Iraq will be a free and prosperous nation, and it's people will hate Americans just like the Fench, South Koreans and all the other ungratefull scum do.

America is undertaking this project in her own self interest, to refom a filthy, barbaric failed state that was a festering threat to her security and the entire region. If we can get the useless, worthless ungrateful and treacherous Arabs to behave like half-civilised people and spread some democratic reform in the middle east it will be a big win for the US and humanity and worth the price in American blood.

THAT'S what we're paying for, otherwise I wouldn't trade one American life for a thousand Arabs.

But don't look for gratetude, you will get only spitting and curses from these people. In 20 years their well-off middle class kids will be wearing American blue jeans, listening to American hip-hop and burning the American flag in the street, just like all the others, from Belgium to Seoul.

Fuck 'em. These swine are getting democracy for OUR own good, not theirs. Try to have a little perspective, people.

torchy Fri, Nov 28, 2003 5:26:53pm

from blog:
P.S. I remember that the Thanks Giving occasion has a very moving origin of persecuted people thanking God for their delivery.

A more concise and poignant description of our holidays meaning I have not heard.

#13 zulu and #15 evariste- I just fowarded the URL to the White House at president@whitehouse.gov

Kirk Fri, Nov 28, 2003 5:30:21pm

Things like this make it worthwhile.

torchy Fri, Nov 28, 2003 5:37:06pm

#23 Amos- How the fuck are we to gain "perspective" except by looking at the good and the bad in that desperate situation?The Iraqi people are some of the most intelligent people in the entire Mideast,if any country can cope with a complete change it is these people.This is an example of the good,you can dwell on the bad if you wish but you put yourself in the position of not being able to tell anyone what they should or should not be thinking about the situation in Iraq.You can find reams of analysis about the bad on this site without looking very far,let us enjoy what is good,in peace.Your use of the word "swine" to describe Arabs sounds very much like what the Muslim clerics call Jews,you share their "perspective".

evariste Fri, Nov 28, 2003 5:38:12pm

cba-agreed, it would be a great add to the rotation!
torchy-duh! :-) why do such obvious things escape me?

jr2 Fri, Nov 28, 2003 5:47:48pm

Here's a link to the article on "Healing Iraq" about Bush's visit:

Bush in Iraq

evariste Fri, Nov 28, 2003 5:48:19pm

We're pathetically deluded? You're the one making empty prophecies that you won't be around to take responsibility for twenty years from now. What, does past human behavior guarantee future repetition? Are you incapable or unwilling of giving the Iraqis the benefit of the doubt, that they might end up OK after all? Why are you trying to defeat those that would encourage them before they'd even started?
By the way, not all French and Korean people can fairly be characterised to share their governments' opinions. It's pretty well known that the French republic is an amplifier of unelected elites' influence to a far larger degree than the anglosphere systems, which is why a country with probably at least 35% of the population, maybe more, that are grateful friends of America can be totally drowned out by the rest. As for Korea, the percentage is far higher than that. The anti-Americans there are a far smaller minority, mostly of young people.
Why don't you try having a little perspective, Cassandra?
Thanks for shitting on the parade, asshole.

Lewis, proudly posting from Fort Orange Fri, Nov 28, 2003 5:55:35pm

Actually, I've considered the possibility that Iraq will turn into another France. And I'm okay with it.

If it happens, I think that's a big win for us.

evariste Fri, Nov 28, 2003 5:58:55pm

Lewis, me too. It's just that I'd hesitate to state that possibility with certainty, like our smug oracle Amos.

Donnah Fri, Nov 28, 2003 5:59:15pm

When I saw this post earlier today over on The Mesopotamian's site, I mailed it to several friends. I thought it was just lovely. A very powerful tribute.

Lewis, proudly posting from Fort Orange Fri, Nov 28, 2003 6:05:06pm

evariste

Actually, I think Iraq --> France is one of the better-case scenarios.

I'd settle for that in a heartbeat.

Connecticut Yankee Fri, Nov 28, 2003 6:11:30pm

Alaa's blog has a link to this blog:
[Link: iraqthemodel.blogspot.com...]

Friday, November 28, 2003

I was there.

A wonderful sunny day in Baghdad, I couldn't sleep last night, I was anxious.
The day is my day.
I've stayed awake late watching the news channels broadcasting the news about president bush's visit to Baghdad.
I tried to figure out the meanings behind this visit.
I shared the tears with him, tears of joy, anxiety, and care for the future of his country men.
I was also afraid for the future of my people and I felt some kind of unity of feelings with all the good on earth.
I expressed that today as I marched with my brothers in the demo. That fights the terrorism and defends freedom and democracy....

There were 3 cars carrying symbolic coffins for the victims of terrorism.
There were people from some Iraqi ethnic minorities and others who represented no particular party or group.
We decided -regardless of the small number- to march to al-Firdows square where the statue of the tyrant was knocked down on the 9th. of April.
The people who were standing or passing by through the ever crowded (Saadoon street) were watching carelessly and reading our signs.
After a while some men joined us, ordinary simple people with their simple clothes telling their suffering.
Fear started to vanish away from their hearts and people continued to join us and the small crowd grew bigger.

We became several thousands, and I saw the future in their eyes, I didn't feel they were strangers; we were closer to each other than ever, carrying the same feelings and ambitions.
I found myself walking amongst a group of the demonstrators carrying the flag of the Turkman's front, and I tried to say the same words they were saying, although I don't know their language but I was sure that these words represent my feelings too.
This the first time I march in a demo.
No one forced me, and I remembered the old days when we were obliged- by the tyrant's orders- to march in huge crowds in faked demos. crying out with his name and our love for our beloved leader.
His security men used to be surrounding us, watching the expression on our faces and how damn unlucky a man is if they notice that he was not doing the desired effort (shouting loudly).
We used to consider the police men as our enemies and there was even a proverb that says:" a police man will never see heaven"
Today, we consider them our defenders and our brothers.
they're sacrificing their lives tacking the front position to face the terrorists, they will definitely get rid of the bad reputation they earned in the past and they will learn to treat us respectfully, we're their brothers and our enemy doesn't distinguish between a civilian and a police man.

I've been there, and I came back stronger with a deeper belief that there are others who care for us, and next time, the participation will be wider.
Our victory in this challenge is a victory for all the honest, good and free people on earth.

I hope this site and others like it get the message to these brave souls how many there are of us who care for them. Thanks, Charles.

Darleen Fri, Nov 28, 2003 6:20:20pm

Avenger of the Bones

Oh my goodness... That's a turn of phrase that cannot be forgotten... to be tossed at every idiotarian "GW's fraud war" line around.

BTW Amos, I'm under no illusion that we did NOT do this for our self interest. Democracy and at least a passing nod to human rights is in our self-interest.

I have no doubt that somewhere in the future many Iraqi's will sneer and shove us away at arms length.

What, you've never had teenagers?

Somewhere beyond that, if they survive the inevitable upheavels that any democracy goes through, they will be an ally. And many, such as Alaa, WILL remember from whence their freedom sprung.

Ginger Liz Fri, Nov 28, 2003 6:33:36pm

I like Alaa too. It is refreshing to have a viewpoint from an educated Iraqi who has an interest in his country's future progress, rather than regressing to the 12th century.

(And for what it's worth, I reckon Riverbend or someone close to her could have been bigwigs in the Ba'ath Party. You never know.)

ploome Fri, Nov 28, 2003 6:42:17pm

8 Watcher

well, you finally got me to click on your blog site..

why dont you buy ad space?

LOL

gymnast Fri, Nov 28, 2003 7:18:40pm

#23. Amos you are a living example of what makes America a great and free country. No matter how -ucked up you are you get to express your opinion and demonstrate your character and wake up safe and sound through the continuing efforts of your betters.

evariste Fri, Nov 28, 2003 7:41:18pm

You know what's great? Google is known for magnifying blogs' influence over certain keywords, especially the author's name, beyond all proportion to their actual importance. (This is an excellent trick for blog fans with the google toolbar-type "allah" and get allah, "joel" and get joelonsoftware, "lgf" and get little green footballs, "misha" for the emperor, etc etc.)
Well, Hesiod is only the third Hesiod on Google. *snicker
And Google ta'ala knows best!

papertiger[deleted] Fri, Nov 28, 2003 7:58:12pm

papertiger Fri, Nov 28, 2003 8:10:27pm

#40 is from the Mesopotamian not me .

(sorry I must be subconsciously jealous of a guy who has a front row seat of the birth of freedom in his homeland)

Billy Hank Fri, Nov 28, 2003 9:49:08pm

Between Conan, Crusher of Bad Guy Bones, and W, Avenger of Good Guy Bones, that's quite a bicoastal tag team match.

The original Amos from Israel (not the prophet) Fri, Nov 28, 2003 11:42:21pm

Folks,

Just a heads-up. The posting by Amos in this thread is not mine, for good or for bad. For one thing, Amos is quite obviously American, while I'm Israeli (that's one of the ways I discovered it wasn't mine...)

For purposes of clarification, the above nick is how I'll sign from now on (unless I find something really, really, but really nifty).

Marcus Fri, Nov 28, 2003 11:54:49pm

I'd love to send this letter to every one of the idiots who demonstrated against your President's visit in London.

Peter Hayo Sat, Nov 29, 2003 12:11:22am

Alaa, best wishes,veel geluk, Salaam.

Richard G Sat, Nov 29, 2003 1:38:15am

President Bush just said

'Ich bin ein Berliner.'

In Arabic.

I think that's going to produce severe gastric distress in several thousand people who didn't want Saddam to fall; Some of them will be Europeans and Americans.

Can't happen to a more deserving crowd.

Jimbo Sat, Nov 29, 2003 4:00:45am

'Ich bin ein bozo.'

is more like it.

Speaking of which, check out the
Newsday header on w's goofy escapade:

AWOL on Air Force One

Ya gotta love it.

Don Sat, Nov 29, 2003 4:30:26am

Gives me chills each time I read Alaa's post.

EJ Sat, Nov 29, 2003 5:49:17am

Reading Alaa's posts chokes me up. Why? Because in him, and other Iraqis like him, I see real hope for the future of the Middle East, and for a just and lasting peace between the peoples of the Islamic world and the West. It is crucial that the Coalition not falter in its resolve so that this hope is not dashed.

God bless the freedom-loving people in the West and Iraq, and especially those who risk all in order to win and secure freedom for those who have never known it.

Clutch Sat, Nov 29, 2003 5:50:20am

Jimbo, meet Amos. Amos, Jimbo. Now crawl up each others a$$hole until both of you $hits disappear. Thank you.

Charles Sat, Nov 29, 2003 6:27:53am

Hey there, Jimbo! Any comment on the fact that you were caught red-handed trying to spread a lie about a pay cut for the armed forces, using a discredited article that was more than four months old?

Or are you just going to follow the usual lefty game plan when caught in a lie -- ignore it and change the subject?

FreedomWatcher Sat, Nov 29, 2003 7:25:06am

Re: #47

Hey Jimbo. Crawl back to your DUH! site and stew in your collective misery. You will find plenty of brain-washed trolls there who'll join your sniveling and hatred of America.

McBain Sat, Nov 29, 2003 8:21:44am

Just as I read this and think that there's some hope for the Iraqis, I scan the FoxNews.com site and see a bunch of animals gloating over the bodies of terror victims...

FoxNews Link

Iraqis who wish to live in freedom need to take decisive action (read: summary execution, etc.) against those who would see their country sink back into tyranny or chaos.

erp Sat, Nov 29, 2003 8:28:49am

Maybe Islam really is the religion of peace. I'll become a believer when we hear from more people like Alaa.

Thank you, sir, for expressing your feelings so eloquently. I hope your numbers increase and we can all live peacefully in the very near future.

CAM Sat, Nov 29, 2003 9:20:27am

How lucky we are (to have citizens like this):

A soldier counts his blessings

evariste Sat, Nov 29, 2003 10:19:57am

That certainly shut Jimbo right up!

Chris Sun, Nov 30, 2003 6:06:11pm

#46 Richard G

(OT) Bush said he was going to be an arabic jelly doughnut? (German grammar joke) ;)

(back on-topic)

I have to giggle at this part:

Descendant of the Noble Ancient Celt

I'm a descendant of the Noble Ancient Celt too, and they were mostly murderous butchers, but eventually we grew out of it. Let's hope Alaa and his pals learn more from the decendant than from his ancestors.