What a difference 24 hours makes. Tanks and Bradleys on the streets of the green zone, and anyone with a weapon is carrying it locked and loaded. There's been a marked increase in the number of troops on the ground and at checkpoints, strengthening of security everywhere and we're wearing body armour and helmets 24/7. I'm sitting here watching a live press conference on BBC World News which is taking place in a conference room next door to me. It's in the same conference room from which Paul Bremer uttered those memorable words, "Ladies and gentlemen, we got him!" and its being held by US Army General Sanchez who is in command of the military operations currently taking place across the country. Many of the local 'journalists' here aren't journalists at all and use press conferences to ask 'questions' which are really no more than anti-coalition political statements. Something like 200 'newspapers' opened in Baghdad after the war but have never had an issue printed - the 'journos' use them to get press accreditation. Gradually, they're being weeded out, although Sanchez has handled them rather well thus far. Various reports coming in on the wire as I write - two bombs defused within the green zone and there are unconfirmed reports of a US forces heliciopter having been shot down by insurgents. I'm still trying to get confirmation on that. Last night was one of the worst so far for activity - constant explosions from incoming mortar rounds, rockets. Tracer fire arcing into the night sky, Apaches unleashing their own personal hell in response, and no end of gunfire. In an attempt to preserve some sort of normality (and relieve the boredom of being confined to the green zone) I drove down to one of Uday's palaces yesterday afternoon to see the lions. I've mentioned in an earlier entry from here that he used to feed them on his victims - the women he raped, people he'd tired of - but since the occupation, they've been nurtured, protected and cared for by the Americans. I went along at feeding time - these two were the youngest and really quite delightful, both gaurding their food jealously as they attacked it with vigour. She's got something they want! I was shooting straight towards the sun with this one so wasn't overly hopeful of a stunning results, but I love the way the shadows fall and how the sunlight provides backlighting to highlight the flies. If looks could kill, she'd be a hungry cub. There's something alluring about big cats, and I love the social structure to their groups - one male, several females and the young all working together for the common good. One of the cubs - I think it was the one in the pic above - decided she wanted to play after eating and made a jump at the male's back - he was distinctly unimpressed but he did emit the most incredible roar. If we can get out, I'm going out tonight with a few of the guys to the Chinese - sort of a farewell dinner as I fly out of here soon, and back to normality. Will blog more as and when I know it Il a l-liqa
LOCKDOWN
8.4.04 13:19
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(8.4.04 13:38) The lions are stunning its so sad to think they were there originaly for such a vile purpose!! I hope they are well cared for in future once (if ever) the troops leave for good |
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(8.4.04 13:43) Gorgeous photos! |
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(8.4.04 14:17) Big Cats are great, although its awful what they were used for  the news is full of whats going on over there at the moment.Your fearless Blackrat, stay safe... |
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(8.4.04 15:03) Cor Blimey Blackrat, I've forgotten all about John Simpson - YOU'RE THE MAIN MAN! I hope you get your Chinese tonight and it's really sad that you didn't get to visit the Kurds while you were there. Perhaps you will in the near future. I love the photograph of the lions feeding with all the flies around. It's funny that we take some photographs sometimes, sure of ourselves that they won't be very good and then voila they're totally brilliant! Yet another great blog - Take Care. |
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(8.4.04 19:08) Impressive pics, blackrat! And I was really appalled when I read how these creatures used to be fed. Have a good time this evening, and take care. Again, congrats on such a fantastic blog MJ |
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M (9.4.04 13:09) It's a shame that they've not continued to feed humans to the Lions, I have an exhaustive list of politicians deserving of such a demise. Sad thing about man eating Lions is that once they've tasted human flesh, they don't revert to their normal quarry. Humans are easy pickings and hence the animals have to be destroyed. I know that is true of the African Lion (P. Leo), not sure about the Asiatic but would imagine it holds true. What happens when the coalition leaves? People are unable to sustain themselves and as the Lions can't be freed. Looks bleak.
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EmilyC / Website (11.4.04 11:42) Sounds dangerous mate! Stay safe now with all the extra fighting going on at the moment; I need some Rae pictures! All the best, Emily. |
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(11.4.04 16:39) Beautiful, photos, again... Nice to see that there is other things but weapons that is a potiential danger. heh. Things is getting scarier over there, good for you to get home. |
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(12.4.04 11:58) No postings for 4 days hope all is well ! |
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(12.4.04 22:36) I'll echo Hjordan...hope all is well and that you are staying safe! |
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(13.4.04 02:47) Hey Blackrat, just popping by, long time no hear, hope everythings ok. Things must be pretty hectic over there at the mo, hope to see you back in the uk safe and sound soon.. Oh, and it appears you have an admirer, check this :- http://www.20six.co.uk/joshe, he could be your mini-me. |
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(13.4.04 10:14) As my Spanish aint much good (=0!!) I translated it using babel .... Always there is one first time. Good already it was hour of which it began to write, I have been making this fix blog, to change to the design the colors to adapt it to my taste and to which I mean by aqui. I have been seeing Blogs of people and I have realized that uses it like a newspaper species that everybody can read. He is well interesting, is like entering the thoughts (that they select) of those people, nevertheless, is not that what I try to do aqui, perhaps only a little. I in the personal thing already have somebody with that to share each one of my thoughts without selecting them, for that reason perhaps does not need to me to write them. But good returning to the subject of the content of this Blog. As they will be possible to be had given account my idea are several sections to the top of this page is to write my opinion on each one of those subjects (that they are some of the things that interest to me more in the life) in addition to reproduction of informed articles and photos taken from the Web and/or by my from those subjects and everything what is leaving in the way. Everything of course with the touch intimo that has a Blog. Good that one is more or less, I do not hope that this he is blog famous nor nothing of the sort, is the more I do not believe that there are people interested in knowing of the life of a common type of 23 years that speaks on macs (the best computers of the world, yes! alla of Windows exists world more), on subjects of the present time, music and one that another thing on "vida gay" (the comiles perhaps explain in another one post)...... Currently playing: Cnn in Spanish (in TV) Still dont have a clue what he is on about!! |
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(23.4.04 19:35) Your pics are fucking amazing! The military shots twist my stomach though. I appreciate a blog with substance.... |
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(24.4.04 01:05) HJordan: The US Army seem to be taking pretty good care of them now. Looda: Thank you! Peter: Cheers, fella. Markpat: So much for the Chinese - the bombs soon put paid to that. Still, I've raised a glass tonight to friends still there - and I'm plannng a reunion with the customs dudes now we're all back in Blighty. MJinBaires: Thank you! Mukiwa: Since the US is never going to relinquish its hold on Iraq, the lions at least should be look after well. emily: Nice to see you over here - thanks for the comment, and I'll see what I can do re: Rae. Tris: Thank you, hon. Hjordan, PonnyJ, Peter: All well - just a rather convoluted and lengthy escape from Baghdad meant no access to PC for some days. Thanks for your concern. PrettyPunky: Why thank you, hon! Welcome to 20six - thanks for taking the time out to read my blog. Appreciate the kind comments and the sweetie. |
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