We had a mighty thunderstorm tonight. It is the first one I have seen out here.
I chose that moment to take a walk to the Post Exchange, which is like a tiny little General Store, electronics shop, gift shop, and grocer, all packed into a little building that is next to what used to be one of Saddam's outdoor pools. The rain started coming down heavily as I reached the halfway point. It was cold, and the wind whipped at me with enthusiasm.
I rather enjoyed it.
The locals tell me that they haven't seen this much rain since before Saddam took power. They see it as a good sign. I had been wondering, actually, what they thought of the rain, and if it was a nusance or a blessing to see so much.
There are other words on the street, though. On the one hand, some would like the Coalition to take more responsibility for the daily security of the streets and businesses of citties and towns throughout the country. They would like to feel safe walking to market, or sending their children to the new schools. I understand their desire, but don't agree that handing the problem to the Coalition is the answer.
There are others that want the Coalition to leave. There is talk of a 1930's-style revolution, which would wrest control of the national government from the Coalition. I can testify that the Coalition agrees on one point; they want to hand the reins of responsibility to the people of Iraq. They would insist on it following an orderly course, though.
I recall a similar situation in South Korea. There are demonstrations every year, suggesting that the American soldiers leave South Korea. The Soldiers are told to stay away from the demonstrations. The soldiers do so, but some of them I have spoken to think they should attend.
"We have a common purpose," one said. "They want the American Soldiers to go home, and we want the American Soldiers to go home, too."
The fact is, no one is leaving South Korea, or Iraq, any time soon. The situations in Korea and Iraq are too unstable to just walk away now. America and the Coalition do not want to leave a house of cards in the hands of inexperienced leaders in Iraq, and American feels the threat of North Korea too keenly to leave that region.
So the rumblings will continue, and the rain will fall, but little will be washed away in the end.