It was extremely boring to have read this story. The author really sucks

The problem Iraq faces right now is lack of leadership. They have various politicians who want to be elected, but they all depend on different interest groups supporting them, and those interest groups have vested interests including their religious and political persuasions. Iraq needs above everything else development of its infrastructure, such as the provision of clean water and uninterrupted electricity, to allow small businesses to develop and prosper. It also needs leadership that is tough on crime. Development and peacekeeping are hampered by the vested interests of regional, tribal and religious groupings. Iraq needs a leader strong enough to rise above these vested interests and impose a vision of a united nation constructing its own infrastructure and the rule of law to help the nation prosper. Such a leader should be able to to overlook the conflicting interests of the different racial, tribal and religious groups in his nation and determine what is best for Iraq.

Loathsome, unpleasant and murderous as he was, Saddam Hussein was such a leader. Ask any Iraqi, except those few lucky enough to be able to emigrate to the USA, whether their life was better or worse before Saddam was toppled and then topped. Sadly, when the USA initiated its plan to depose Saddam, it did not and still does not have an adequate replacement. When the USA leaves Iraq, within a few years, will it be a better country than when they invaded? Of course the Baghdad airport has re-opened and possibly oil money may flow more freely. Otherwise, probably not much. Eventually, Iraq may get the strong leadership needed to make the country prosperous again.

Will the Iraqi people of the next generation really care how loathsome, unpleasant and murderous their new strong leadership is, if that leadership has brought economic prosperity, sustainable infrastructure and the rule of law to their country? After all, the people of the USA would be more than willing to live under the same conditions.

This really is a great story which takes you away from the start till the end! This shows so good how the West thinks that their way of living is the best and should be copied all around the world while most often people in developing countries are more living in harmony and happiness while in the West jealousy and agony has the upper hand

wow, now that is powerful journalism.

So the best and the brightest (or even the average Joes) are fleeing Iraq. Mission Accomplished!

The human spirit cannot be conquered.

I just want to comment about ( More freedom) and less security. Just yesterday, all the bars and the social clubs for writers and ordinary people were closed and for good in Baghdad, because people drink there ,and in the education ministery they have appointed 10000 male and only 2000 female as teachers and this is all against equal rights for women and freedoms that was given by the Constitution. so please don't say more freedom, yes more freedom for the extremists to implement their agendas, but no freedom for the educated secular people at all.

I love it. Thank you for the human touch and bringing the realities from far away home to us readers.

A great Human story that shows the suffering of all Iraqis. As an Iraqi American and whenever I speak to a distant relative, I only hear that so and so had left Iraq and now they are in the US, UK, Canada, UAE, Australia etc.. Everybody in Iraq is suffering now and it is about time that the world should know about it. It is not a dictator or a weak government that Iraqis need, but it is the fact that Iraqis never had a government that represented them, cared for them and offered them a better life. Iraqis need a chance to live, inside or outside Iraq.

Thank you for providing something that touches the heart instead of destorying it.

is this what we deserve?

This story was amazing. Thank you for bringing insight and a true look at what can happen to someone's life. My family and I made that journey of starting over with only 2 suit cases after the Gulf War. Leaving everything behind. My memories are bittersweet and even though I was a young girl I can still remember all of it. I can understand these people's pain that you speak of and the sadness of knowing you can never go back. Thank you again for your story.

P.S. – NOT BORING and you are TERRIFIC, it's great to hear someone's first hand account without the propaganda that the media spins on current events sometimes.

@Andrew

Bravo!! Excellent Post. You said it all.

Many people from Iraq view the US as invaders. Even though Saddam Hussein was treacherous, he was able to lead a cohesive country. Now it is fragmented with conflict between the different Muslim tribes.

It seems to me that America has not learned the lessons from the Vietnam war. The loss of life is catastrophic and tragic for all involved. Not to mention the psychological and physical traumas that will reside deep with the individual and manifest in physical as well as emotional scaring for the rest of the individual's life. Very sad! ~ Nina

What are we doing in Iraq anyway? No, seriously. Don't tell me it was WMD stockpiles because there were none. Nor mention Saddam was "a bad man" because our Chinese friends raped Tibet and rolled tanks over civilians in Tienanmen Sq and there was no call to arms to "invade China".

So what then? Surely it was not for Iraqi OIL, was it? What a horrible thought.

@ Andrew some of the things you say make some sense but overall very asinine. Take into account all of the poor shi'a majority that were pushed out of their homes, murdered, and had all of their spiritual and political figures martyred by Saddam. You clearly do not know what you are talking about otherwise you would know that Iraq does have a government in place and has had such for about 2 months now. Furthermore Allawi's Bloc is supported by a majority of the sunni as well as the Kurds and the Shi'a that it represents.

First, they say they hate the USA and UK because these two nations were the most involved in overthrowing Saddam and occupying Iraq. Now, no combat troops remain - the result, educated and better off Iraqis are leaving in droves.

Yet where do they wish to go? To the USA and the UK, of course, because underneath all the stupid propaganda, they know the truth. They leave behind a country that, despite claims otherwise, it seems that most don't ever want to see again. They will return one day to visit family, but not to remember the good old days and see the sights.

Terribly sad.

TC,
The Iraqis are not trying to move to America. Your confusing them with the Mexicans.

Even Americans are trying to get out of America, before the FED destroys the dollar and completely kills the feature of the USA.

Iraqis know this and they don't wish to live in food stamp America. America is the "Land of the broke and the home of the homeless".

Captain,

I don't know where you are heading but if you don't like the liberal, democratic, capitalist model, the other alternatives may well consider defamation as an offence comparable to treason!