Revelers Celebrate New Years

Happy New Year!

Yahoo/AP reports revelers stayed up to all hours of the night drinking and singing to welcome in the New Year. Some quotes.

About 200 guests, mostly men, danced to traditional Iraqi music at the large hall...., decorated with blue, white and yellow chiffon. A woman in a glittery pink, spaghetti-strap dress sang for the crowd, which alternately hooted and danced.

At the door, a Western reporter was chastised for carrying in a can of beer: Alcohol was strictly forbidden at the parties....One man helped steady a friend, while other men in sport coats stood around chain-smoking cigarettes.

What city was this great event taking place in? New York, Chicago, Los Angeles. Quite possibly, but this article refers to none other than Baghdad. Yes, Baghdad, and many other parts of Iraq, enjoyed its first terror free New Year celebrations.

Looking through several articles, I cannot find one instance of a New Year's Party in Iraq being broken up by a suicide bomber, a vehicle bomber, or any other extremist Islamic movement.

Also note that during these parties women were scantily clad; there was singing, dancing, and rejoicing. Alcohol, while forbidden, was obviously being served discreetly, yet Al Qaeda was nowhere to be found to interrupt the joyous festivities.

However, the AP reporter does share some insights.

In recent years, Muslim extremists have killed hairdressers, barbers and alcohol sellers — all perceived as symbols of a Western lifestyle — even though Iraq's cities were once relatively tolerant, liberal places in comparison to other areas in the Middle East. (emphasis added)

And here during an interview with a female singer.

The singer, Fatina Wardi, also an actress for television shows and theater, said she was performing for the extra money — $250 for each show. But she also sang partly to defy rising Islamic conservatism in Iraq, she said. (emphasis added)

Islamic conservatism has arisen in two quarters in Iraq, from Al Qaeda and Shiite extremists like Sadr and his Mahdi Army. However, neither of these extremist organizations are significant issues is Iraq now. The final quote is most telling.

"I've lived through four wars," Wardi said after a show, slightly slurring her words. "One either lives or dies — I choose to live and not fear death. If I die, I'll die for my country, as a martyr for freedom." (emphasis added)

That word again, freedom. Iraqis along with Americans and other Coalition Forces are fighting and dying for this word freedom and its ideals.

Not only are Sheikhs espousing the ideal of freedom, but so are singers and the 200 revelers noted in this AP article.

The word freedom and its ideal of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are first and foremost in the minds of all Iraqis.

Just sharing.