Reality In Iraq

E. was watching a Lebanese 'reality tv' show where around 20 young people were gathered to train to become singers and dancers. It focused on their daily routine of… singing and dancing. E. scoffed, "That's not reality… are we even living in the same universe?!" No. It's not reality… reality is the washer, clanging away at 2:30 a.m. because you don't know when there'll be electricity again… and imaginary sheep that mock you in the dark, night after night.

My head has been spinning these last few days with decision No. 173 on changing Family Law to Shari'a. I've been darkly mulling over the endless possibilities. I'm not the only one- everyone I talk to is shaking their head in dismay. How is this happening? How are we caving in to fundamentalism?

- Riverbend Baghdad Burning