I recently wrote a letter to the editor of the Christian Science Monitor about a ridiculous story: "What Would Really Rebuild Iraq". I'm sure you've heard of the writer, Walter Rodgers, he provided legendary coverage of major world events such as Jimmy Carter's concession and the Falklands War. Rodgers was also an eyewitness during the attempt on Reagan's life. So he's been nearby when great things have happened. He also loves stripes:
His kind of journalism reminds me of why I love the New Yorker magazine so much. I just read Paumgarten's article about elevators; it deepened my appreciate of the City and our urban culture--there was something revealing about his work. Paumgarten, Frazier, Acocella, Sedaris, Buford: they are belletrists, not just writers. They explain events and ideas; they don't just stand close by.
Anyway, back to Rodgers' opinions, we can talk style later. I'll post my letter to the editor below. It was published on the CSM website last week.
Dear Editor,
I was shocked to read Walter Rodgers and Yasmeen Alamiri's article lamenting school development in Iraq. As a U.S. Army Captain in charge of projects for the Yusufiya area in South Baghdad I've had first-hand experience with local schools. They're flourishing! And the military, both Iraqi and American, is assisting the local government with repairing and securing schools. As early as November last year our unit, 3-187th Infantry Regiment, paid over 140,000 dollars to renovate classrooms for over 300 students. Our unit has provided 10 other schools throughout the area with this type of assistance--which includes contracting, supervising, and paying for the work. The Iraqi Ministry of Education has been conducting surveys, inventories, and providing equipment as well.
Supporting and enabling education and family is a priority for our unit. We have built and repaired community centers, supplied food and clothes to needy families, dramatically improved sanitation, and installed an Iraqi staffed
radio station. All this in addition to our regular patrols and combat operations. Insurgents fear us not only because we are the 187th Infantry Regiment but also because we are part of the Iraqi families in our area. We share meals together, we share hardships together, we are rebuilding Iraq together.
I'm not surprised Rodgers' evidence was anecdotal jokes and UN reports. His other complaints about the dearth of chai and sheesha are just ridiculous. Even in Yusufiya, a rural farm area, there's plenty chai. In fact, if Rodgers is willing to visit I'll take him down the street to the house of Sheik Somer and we'll enjoy a cuppa.
The Monitor ended up censoring (editing) my last paragraph. I guess Walter doesn't accept personal invites. I looked on my computer and found a picture of us distributing new backpacks to kids last October. We've spent almost 1 million dollars on schools in Yusufiya since. As for the chai, you can see a picture of some at the top of this page.
