If You Have an Election On Superbowl Weekend Will Anyone Notice?

For most of the month of December and January I was immersed in planning contingency operations for the provincial elections that were held all over Iraq. My piece was very, very small but very rewarding.

I learned a lot about Iraqi government. I learned that it is completely unlike ours. Theirs is a system based on a forty year old system of communist style command and control, designed to “top down” keep the masses in line. That same system is now turned so that it is supposed to flow “bottom up.” In other words, the system is supposed to now represent the people, not the government.

There are other significant structural issues to this system that confuse and confound people who look at it. For example; the government does not collect taxes. However, because the local governments have no source of income except for what it provided by Baghdad, the town councils and muhdirs (moo’-Deer), or mayor, have no control over the local officials who run the essential services. No, the people who clean up trash, make sure the lights are on, and ensure teachers are in schools are all from a parallel system of service ministries. Confused yet? Keep in mind NI3E (Nothing In Iraq Is Easy).

As convoluted as the system is, the fact remains that it works. Although imperfect, the people understand where to go and how to get things done.

The elections in January were a big deal in this country. This was really the first time citizens could vote from an “open ballot” and choose the representative of their specific choosing. The provincial elections in Babil saw over 1400 people run in 78 different political parties for just 30 seats. Over 14,000 people ran for office all over Iraq! This was a big deal because no one imagined that we’d get this far in the security of the country to hold them.

In Babil, 56% of the registered voters went to the polls on January 31st to cast their ballot. That’s about 10% more than the turn out for the US elections. The election went off with very little violence, although there was some, and the winners are now in “school” to learn how to be provincial leaders. If these new leaders can/will begin to actually represent the people then the country will have turned another small corner towards a stable future.

I was home on the weekend of the elections. The first Sunday in February fell on that weekend. A Sunday holy to sports fans and advertizing executives all over the US. Superbowl Sunday.

I looked for news of the elections. Having left in a hurry on Januray 31st I didn’t know if the polling sites stayed secure, or if there were mass casualty incidents. Coming home I anxiously looked for news on the elections. It was hard to find any information about the elections at all.
Then, live, from Iraq, breaking news! Soldiers watching the Superbowl will get to drink two real beers! Really?! That’s the best CNN, NBC, whatever could do? We relaxed General Order #1 and let Soldiers drink beer while watching the big game?

News networks are closing their Baghdad offices and moving on to where the “story” is – Afghanistan. There is no more news here in Iraq. Iraq is old news, it’s over; forgetting the cost in American dollars and lives and forgetting the shattered bodies and minds of those that served and those who love them.

What a shame. You missed the big win.

"How's It Going?"

I have been asked that question many times over the past few weeks. Let me answer.

How’s it going with your family?
Lisa and I got through a tough time over the past few weeks. We delivered the baby on February 3rd and baptized her with the name, Rebecca Lucy. We are still looking for answers to the how and why questions that we still have. While in the hospital we found a way to laugh, and cry, and rejoice in the strength of our family. Lisa is an amazingly strong person and I am a lucky man.

Being home unexpectedly with my family allowed me time with the kids. TJ has only seen me in pictures and on the video on the computer for the last six months. His face lit up when I realized I was actually in the house. His attitude was along the lines of, “Oh, hey, there you are. Do you want to see my new toys?” He is a beautiful child and I love to see him laugh and smile. We took him sledding for the first time and he loved it and even helped pull the sled up the hill.

Samantha proved to be a patient pre-teen by allowing me to take care of Lisa first. She did very, very well on her report card making all of us so proud – she makes it seem easy. I went to visit her when she was ice skating with her 6th grade class. I never realized how tall she was until I compared her against 200 other 6th graders. She is tall and beautiful. Wow. She continues to be a great big sister and wonderful daughter.

How’s it going over there?
That’s other question I answered a lot. My answer is that, here, in Babil, we are doing well. No one could have imagined this situation twenty four months ago. The example I use is the provincial elections that were held on the day I returned home, January 31st. In Babil province alone over 1400 men and women ran in 78 different political parties for 30 available seats. Amazing. Amazing that 1400 people chose to run for office against such long odds (there were 14,000 people running nationwide). It speaks to the stability and security that they feel to be able to run for office. Election posters were everywhere. Why would people do that if they didn’t want to be part of the process of improving this country?

In Iraq there is no internal threat that can disrupt the slow but deliberate momentum the country is gaining. It will never be without corruption, nepotism, or intimidation, but then, hey, that’s Iraq. 2009 will bring slow economic growth and a new government. What I tell people who ask is that this is what it feels to be on the doorstep of win; slow, boring at times, and hopeful.

How’s it going with you?
Me? The loss of Rebecca hit me hardest when I left Lisa and the kids to return to Iraq. I am still sorting and making sense of everything. The distance from Lisa makes it harder than I want it to. In the past month I was able to find a lot of old high school friends via FaceBook and catch up on 25 years of adulthood. It’s funny how those memories pull me back to the days of designer jeans and “Frankie Says Relax” shirts. I am still suffering from jet lag following a 50 hour trip back to the FOB. In a way I am glad to be back in the mission. I was greeted by Soldiers with hugs and smiles – the sign of a strong unit and great people.

I have taken many moments to pause and reflect on my luck as a husband, parent, friend, soldier over the past few weeks. How am I? I am doing well.