hw 25 "Just Around the Riverbend"

"Baghdad Burning" is the title given to the book written by the anonomyous Iraqi girl known only as "Riverbend." It is a compilation of blogs, recounting her feelings and political and insight about the war in Iraq. Now, the reason that this book is set apart from the others is made clear in the foreword of the book, written by Ahdaf Soueif. In the foreword Soueif makes the point that the view of Riverbend is different from the views we are use to. Hers is from the unseen perspective of an Iraqi living through the trials and tribulations the Iraqi people are being forced to live through. Instead of casting a negative effect on Americans, she is against anti-Americanism. She is confused by the fact that Americans must have faith in their military and government to be considered good patriotic Americans. She focuses mostly on the good aspects of life and instead of asking why something has happened, she instead focused on the effects of the things that are happening. Ridgeway is the next author that comes into play. He further illustrates the lifestyle of Riverbend and what it is she is going through. It is quite clear he is against the war in Iraq; not unlike myself. From my work already it should be abundantly clear that I am extremely against the Bush administration. I believe that wars in the Middle East were being planned a long time before they happened and that, like Vietnam, they are not meant to have an ending. Profit is the number one factor that drives this war, the longer it takes place the more many companies like Haliburtan can make money. It is a very good thing that Riverbend is able to speak out like this; it will be interesting reading a story from her perspective.