tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51577272011-11-27T10:28:53.083-06:00The Waiting Place......Contemplations on those who left, by those left behindTrish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.comBlogger1151100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-17002265674681989162011-09-21T08:15:00.002-05:002011-09-21T08:18:37.808-05:00Justice Delayed
My son-in-law Meran's case was decided in the U.S. 4th Circuit Court of Appeals this week, against him and the other Appellants.
The case was brought by Meran, his Uncle Mossa, and other Kurdish survivors of Saddam's genocidal chemical campaigns in northern Iraq.
I hope they have recourse to appeal further, and do so...
Trish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-61346971175578593062009-05-07T06:38:00.006-05:002009-05-07T07:03:39.046-05:00So Eva catches me on MSN Messenger last night and tells she, Meran, and the boys are all in...Fort Benning, GA...Why? Read on... Eva/Nirgaz says:Hey! I am in GAFrau Maus says:why?Eva/Nirgaz says:The boys and I went to visit Meran in Columbus, GA...near Ft. Benning...where he is staying till he knows if got clearance to deploy or notFrau Maus says:heck is he getting that close? whoa NSA?Eva/NirgazTrish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-87841593781519875962009-04-11T19:23:00.003-05:002009-04-11T19:26:57.464-05:00Meran and his family have started a class action against the chemical companies and the Iraqi government for the gassing of their villages over 20 years ago. Good luck, Son-in-Law!Ethnic Kurds file class action in Baltimore against chemical makersBEN MOOKDaily Record Assistant Business EditorApril 9, 2009 7:32 PMFive survivors of the 1988 poison gas attacks of ethnic Kurds in Iraq have filed a Trish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-27708638641166224422008-10-14T09:53:00.000-05:002008-10-14T09:54:15.842-05:00Great article on Kurdish women fighters - fighting for their culture, and equality.Amen, Sisters...Trish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-74667916493708864182007-02-12T18:24:00.001-06:002007-02-12T18:24:19.787-06:00From Alive in Baghdad: Alive in Baghdad was formed to counter the sound-bite driven, “Live From” news model. Through the work of a team of Americans and Iraqi correspondents on the ground, Alive in Baghdad shows the occupation through the voices of Iraqis. Alive in Baghdad brings testimonies from individual Iraqis, footage of daily life in Iraq, and short news segments from Iraq to you.Trish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-35001559862131310632006-12-31T23:44:00.000-06:002006-12-31T23:47:34.517-06:00He is gone, but never forgotten.Trish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1162273017438740802006-10-30T23:26:00.000-06:002006-10-30T23:36:57.450-06:00Eva just told me that "...I ran into this BBC reporter at Salahadeen Mosque on Saturday and in the midst of our conversation we talked about the Saddam trial and I mentioned about Meran's Uncle...she was very familiar with him and wanted to speak to him...so one thing led to another and I helped arrange a meeting with her, him, and Meran. Also I was Mossa's translator and was also recorded. It Trish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1160728584739156322006-10-13T03:35:00.000-05:002006-10-30T23:25:49.170-06:00Kill Us, Too: We Are Also Americans The leader of al-Qaida in Iraq, Abu Hamza al-Muhajer, recently issued a decree to its supporters: Kill at least one American in the next two weeks. Well, I am an American too.By Aslam Abdullah, September 12, 2006The leader of al-Qaida in Iraq, Abu Hamza al-Muhajer, recently issued a decree to its supporters: Kill at least one American in the next two weeks "Nirgazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07765360178496055531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1157301837491159332006-09-03T11:39:00.002-05:002011-04-13T20:00:41.100-05:00Meran, my son-in-law (on the right), shares his story with local Nashville media recently...
See more below (click on images to enlarge and read) - you can also try your luck here for the video of this interview, although I don't know how much longer the link will work...
NOTE: August 25, 1988 was the day Meran's parents and brother died
Trish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1136266723564144402006-01-02T23:32:00.000-06:002006-01-02T23:38:43.580-06:00I discovered a very professionally-done website today, promoting the Kurdish region of Iraq. It has been created in partnership with Kurdistan Development Corporation, and the Kurdish Regional Government.Trish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1125037589760523152005-08-26T01:23:00.000-05:002005-08-26T01:26:29.766-05:00Amazing photos...Trish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1124845832517358542005-08-23T20:05:00.000-05:002005-08-23T20:11:17.453-05:00My daughter sent me this today; I had already seen the news story, but didn't know the reactions among the American Muslim population. Interesting to say the least, and really, how else could it be characterized from their point of view?In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, Most MercifulPAT ROBERTSON'S FATWAMAS Freedom Calls on Administration to Distance Itself from Television Evangelist Trish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1121781173837276142005-07-19T08:47:00.000-05:002005-07-19T08:52:53.843-05:00Chatted with Eva last night. Job hunting for Meran is going slow, but that's mainly because he's not actively pursuing it right now either. I can only assume it's because he feels he needs some time to unwind after 2 plus years in Iraq. She's been busy with her friends helping run a day camp for the Muslim youth, which they've enjoyed a lot. Some great news, too - her friend Zainab, who is Trish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1118632450314276452005-06-12T22:13:00.000-05:002005-06-12T22:14:10.320-05:00A powerful message of peace...Trish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1118432004764265162005-06-10T14:31:00.000-05:002005-06-10T14:36:18.160-05:00As readers to this blog may know, my daughter Eva - aka Nirgaz - has been busy raising three sons, working a part-time job, and performing volunteer work at a local mosque. Her husband - my son-in-law Meran - recently returned from over 2 years in Iraq is not only busy catching up with home life, but actively seeking the next chapter of his life. While I was visiting, he went on interviews withTrish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1118347948778654172005-06-09T15:05:00.000-05:002005-06-09T15:12:28.786-05:00umsalih@hotmail.com says:Hey, Sorry I have not been on so much lately...seems like I have had time to check mail and log off again...Trishymouse says:Jesus, don't DO that!umsalih@hotmail.com says:I got laid off for the summer though...along with many others...so maybe I will have more time until the fall when I get hired again...umsalih@hotmail.com says:What?Trishymouse says:I just sat down at myTrish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1118346641115135432005-06-09T14:39:00.000-05:002005-06-09T14:56:46.130-05:00It's been awhile since either Eva or I posted, but for a really great reason - Meran is home!He came home in mid-May. A week later my companion Christopher and I flew down to Nashville to see Meran, Eva, and the boys. We spent a hectic, busy, wonderful week with everyone. I got to do some Kurdish-style dancing at a womens-only graduation party. Another day we went on a tour of a large Trish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1113503372119227522005-04-14T13:06:00.000-05:002005-04-14T13:29:32.120-05:00Meran informed me that he may not come back for good this time...Honestly what am I suppose to say to that?I am burnt out...with living apart from my husband, from the lack of support (not financial, but otherwise) with raising our three children. And not to mention how the boys, although they have grown use to him being gone, still think of him a lot and its getting harder and harder for them Nirgazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07765360178496055531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1108256002532441372005-02-12T18:42:00.000-06:002005-02-12T18:56:52.490-06:00Eva and I had an online chat a couple of days ago about what's been happening recently on Boileryard. Eva had this to say about how her recent efforts to talk through things with her neighbor and friend has went...Anyways about Suad...well, I asked Kasar to talk with her, try to explain my side of things,cause if anyone could do it, it would be her, but I underestimated how Suad won't budge...So Trish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1107755089387094622005-02-06T23:41:00.000-06:002005-02-06T23:44:49.386-06:00Election Day in Gayara: Meran's Perspective
Since i read the story by Nirgaz it expired me to write my story during the election day in Q-West,Iraq. we had the same kind of the day it was cold but not rainy. i went THT office to talk to someone about all these Iraqi to vote for thier country that work for us fanilly we had a word late in the after noon about 7:00 that all iraqi's that work with Nirgazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07765360178496055531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1107754830295521132005-02-06T23:39:00.000-06:002005-02-06T23:40:30.296-06:00Mossa Mossa, former Peshmerga, and wife, Jemila Hadi outside election site in Nashville on their way to vote.
(Mossa Mossa is the uncle of Meran)
Despite the drizzling rain and overcast sky, nothing yesterday could dampen the spirit of Mossa Mossa. Mossa, a former Peshmerga (Kurdish Freedom Fighter),has had this day coming for a long time, something he only dreamed of before. He, along with Nirgazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07765360178496055531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1106962959225133962005-01-28T19:42:00.000-06:002005-01-28T19:42:39.226-06:00This is my son-in-law, Meran Abdullah. Meran is an honorable young man who has been through more than most of us, and thankfully has become better for it. I am so proud of both him and my daughter, and what they are doing to make their lives and family. Here, Meran is shown getting ready to fly to another location where he is needed as a translator/interpreter. He has mainly worked in the Trish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1104535656598334982004-12-31T17:26:00.000-06:002004-12-31T17:27:36.596-06:00Eva wrote me this week to say,
Just thought you might be interested in how my visit today went with the Psychiatrist Zainab recommended to me...
His name is, Shaidul Islam, and as his name implies he is a Muslim...He was also very nice and in the entryway I saw he was a Captain in US Navy...honorably discharged in 2003.
I filled out this rather long form about symptoms and then answered Trish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1104174844868527672004-12-27T13:12:00.000-06:002004-12-27T13:14:04.870-06:00Meran, ever the entrepreneur, emailed me today about investment opportunities in Iraq (most probably in the north, where he's from...) He said*, "Hay if you are thinking of buying some iraqi dinar let me know i will buy it for you becuase i think there is a chance of worth a lot more after elections or in couple years.
for example $1000 dollars will become $1,000,000 iraqi dinar and may be
laterTrish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1103771970873664222004-12-22T21:16:00.000-06:002004-12-27T13:12:31.623-06:00I was manning the front desk at work today, and a man came to the window. He was an interpreter who was looking for a hearing that he thought was at our office. I checked the sheet he had been given and yes, it was our address and today's date, but no hearing was scheduled according to our records. We left a voice message to a phone number on his sheet explaining the problem, but before he left,Trish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1102486265360801502004-12-08T00:11:00.000-06:002004-12-08T00:11:05.360-06:00Eva and Meran become overcome with emotion as he is called to board the plane... Trish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1102486218488949092004-12-08T00:10:00.000-06:002004-12-08T00:10:18.486-06:00Meran says goodbye to his boys; he returns to Iraq to continue his job as interpreter/translator... Trish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1102485826252929352004-12-08T00:03:00.000-06:002004-12-08T00:03:46.253-06:00Meran is tackled by the boys on the new trampoline! Trish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1102482152312598682004-12-07T23:02:00.000-06:002004-12-07T23:02:32.313-06:00Mu'min proudly displays his new work of art (December 2004) Trish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1102025891982715592004-12-02T16:13:00.000-06:002004-12-02T16:18:11.983-06:00Call me crazy, but the more I read and hear about pain/war/injustice around the world (or am I just becoming more sensitive to what's been going on all along...?), the more I am being pushed by my conscience to get directly involved. If you hear about me pulling up stakes, and becoming one of those funny old lady peace volunteer/activists you hear about, going overseas to help whereever & Trish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1102024403628594442004-12-02T15:52:00.000-06:002004-12-02T15:53:23.626-06:00These are some of my heroes...
Trish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1101798891425105952004-11-30T01:14:00.000-06:002004-11-30T01:14:51.426-06:00I'm stunned. My sister forwarded this article to me tonight. For those that know me, you'll understand. For those that do not, let me explain...
Shortly after I received the message from my sister, I received another from a mutual friend of ours we grew up with. He is now a tenured professor at a prestigious Eastern university...I lived in Turkey and in North Africa and have a very different Trish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1101101037133499212004-11-21T23:19:00.000-06:002004-11-21T23:23:57.133-06:00Kevin Sites, a reporter whose work I follow and respect, talks about a recent incident that left some big questions...
Trish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1100065071096750302004-11-09T23:14:00.000-06:002004-11-09T23:42:23.150-06:00I have been reading that a good share of the "Iraqi forces" that are being used in conjunction with American troop in Fullujah are Kurdish. Kurds in general are getting more and more nervous. Kurdish children are being kidnapped, and some have been executed, being held for ransom. Fingers have long been pointing north with "Collaborators" being whispered on many lips. They see Kurds as Trish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1096924557938435422004-10-04T16:01:00.000-05:002004-10-05T00:46:34.060-05:00How is it really in Iraq?
That seems to be what's on everyone's minds these days...Well where my husband, Meran, is working as a translator for the coalition forces...Things are not good.
He tells me of people higher up quitting left and right, for example he is suppose to have a site manager that visits every now and then to address their employees, Titan corporation, concerns and to authorizeNirgazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07765360178496055531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1096776438064303072004-10-02T21:51:00.000-05:002004-10-03T00:04:48.676-05:00Guantanamo Bay represents an attempt by the Bush regime to place itself above the law in a manner unprecedented since the seventeenth century crisis, which produced the English civil war and the beheading of Charles I. - From Guantanamo Bay, Habeas Corpus and the Texan Who Would be KingWe've all been hearing about Guantanamo Bay, Cuba for a long time, and in reference to post-September 11th Trish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1093015518875197332004-08-20T10:24:00.000-05:002004-08-20T10:25:18.876-05:00BBC Photo Journal: Baghdad Surgeon
Trish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1091826236480443152004-08-06T16:01:00.000-05:002004-08-06T16:03:56.480-05:00I read everyone I can. To be exclusionary is to limit yourself. I want many perspectives, and I use my own common sense, then I draw conclusions.
I say conclusions, but they really aren't. They are opinions that are constantly in a state of flux because I feel it is crucial to remain open-minded. Leaders don't have that luxury.
I cannot imagine what I would do as, say, President of my Trish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1091648033795883082004-08-04T14:33:00.000-05:002004-08-04T14:33:53.796-05:00My son-in-law Meran is a translator/interpreter for the Titan Corporation, which is under investigation* for various charges by our government, who contracted with them in the first place.
For me, it is fascinating on two levels. First, my son-in-law, a decent, hard-working man, is getting caught up in a typical profiteering atmosphere common in war situations where rebuilding is going on. He Trish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1091166678904331962004-07-30T01:36:00.000-05:002004-09-21T15:18:34.653-05:00My mother has repeatedly told me that I HAVE to get out what I am feeling. That's easier said then done when you feel like you are constantly stuck in a pit of quicksand...
Since I returned from Iraq/Kurdistan, I have found it very difficult to get back into the swing of things. Daily things seem like chores which I begrudgingly force myself to do, from dressing and cooking to reading my Nirgazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07765360178496055531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1090988706180755152004-07-27T23:21:00.000-05:002004-07-27T23:25:06.180-05:00Eva says that Meran continues to be in the town of Gayara near the northern town of Mosul. Meran hopes to know more in about month on whether or not he can assigned further north nearer his relatives, and where it would be safer for Eva and the boys to join him...
Trish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1090957769735903642004-07-27T14:30:00.000-05:002004-07-27T14:50:47.296-05:00"They endured the repulsive Saddam. They endured our shameful UN sanctions. They endured our invasion. And now they must endure the anarchy we call freedom."Even though I've never stepped foot in Iraq, my gut is telling me that Robert Fisk sums it up pretty well.
"...what I saw was infinitely more disturbing: a nation whose government rules only its capital, a country about which we fantasize atTrish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1088971646402978192004-07-04T15:00:00.000-05:002004-07-29T22:14:34.666-05:00Up in the AirI asked Eva last night if she had any news on Meran - where he is, what he's doing?
She said yes, she did. He will be going to Al-Qayyarah, south of Mosul a little bit in the next day or so instead of Ba'qubah like previously mentioned. The reason was because he was reassigned from Special Forces and requested an assignment in the North. He told her that depending on where he gets assigned Trish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1088474053470723692004-06-28T20:44:00.000-05:002004-06-28T20:54:13.470-05:00Iraq is sovereign again.
Meran left last week, but was in Germany until this weekend. By now, he will be back in Iraq, but to a new as yet unknown assignment.
In the meantime, I try to engage my daughter Eva online in chat, but she responds back, "...if you don't mind I can't talk right now, but I will try and talk to you later; I am writing a letter to Meran. He arrived in Mosul and I am Trish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1088134120857743992004-06-24T22:28:00.000-05:002004-06-24T22:31:44.883-05:00Da Mouse says:
how are YOU?
Eva/Nirgaz says:
not so well
Da Mouse says:
tell me what's up
Eva/Nirgaz says:
I am unsure of what the future between Me and Meran holds, not as secure about US as before, and due to that I am very anxious, plus I miss him a lot. He left early Tuesday morning
Da Mouse says:
I thought he was leaving next week. I guess this IS next week. And yes, I can imagine I wouldTrish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1087962234715853622004-06-22T22:07:00.000-05:002004-06-22T22:43:54.716-05:00It's been over three weeks since Meran, Eva, and the boys visited for a little over five days, three longer than originally planned due to car problems. [I had a running joke with Meran that I had placed a curse on the car that would not allow them to go yet...] A visit much anticipated and so welcomed.
The time passed all too quickly. Catching up on news, finding out what Meran did for his Trish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1085891590265824082004-05-29T23:16:00.000-05:002004-06-22T22:44:57.810-05:00Eva hasn't been posting much to her private blog, 5 Hours North of Baghdad because she has been back in the United States for the last 5 months very busy with creating a new home in the new house Meran built before he left early last year. She will be going back with Meran to Iraq at the end of the month, with hopes and intentions of doing more writing, both online, and freelance for hire.
Trish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1085890451602243782004-05-29T23:07:00.000-05:002004-05-29T23:14:11.603-05:00Eva and Meran are here!
Eva called today at about 1:00pm to say they were in town. I was so thrilled to see the local number on my caller ID! They got over to my place at around 1:30 or so. Chris came with the car, and we hung out here for a bit, showing her around my apartment. Then we picked up my mother and headed over to my sister's for a family barbecue. It was great to have everyone Trish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1085627303058344232004-05-26T22:00:00.000-05:002004-05-29T23:35:49.953-05:00Last night I caught Eva online and I approached her for a chat. I asked if there was news on their coming, and how she was. She responded back that she still didn't want to talk more yet. I told her I respect that, and she said I appreciate you understanding.
I was supposed to call her tonight, but I have not been feeling well. I also hesitate because I don't want to be a pest. I will tryTrish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1085626792303015152004-05-24T21:48:00.000-05:002004-05-26T21:59:52.303-05:00I called Eva today to find out when to expect them. She was very quiet and hesitant, then quickly saying that they may not be coming. I asked why. "I don't want to talk about it now." I asked if it was because she couldn't talk now, she said now, that she just didn't want to. Of course, I wasn't going to just let that go. It was totally unlike her, and I knew something was wrong.
In the Trish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1085367013935341962004-05-23T21:45:00.000-05:002004-05-23T21:50:13.936-05:00I couldn't stand it. This afternoon I called Eva to find out what the heck is going on. Golizar answered (Meran's sister), I asked for Eva. I heard more voices than I expected in the background. That got me wondering. Next thing I knew, there's a very familiar voice saying hello. "Meran?!" I exclaimed. "Hello, hello!" he laughed. "You got home!" "Yes, it's good to be back." Eva came on Trish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1084986187599012272004-05-17T11:39:00.000-05:002004-05-19T12:03:07.600-05:00Eva and I just chatted. She said Meran called last night. He's very discouraged on how long it's taking him to obtain transportation. I guess that's all that's holding him up now. So Eva gave him their credit card number, and he's going to pay for his own ticket to get home! Whatever works...! Their hope is that he'll get in sometime early next week, then take off by Thursday, and be up Trish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1084138446298852282004-05-09T16:34:00.000-05:002004-05-09T16:38:29.950-05:00Encouraging news comes from Eva. Despite delayed paperwork, it looks like Meran will come. Possible dates now are either May 16th or 26th. We're hoping for the earlier date, but as long as he gets here, we'll be thankful!
Trish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1083990415529377512004-05-07T23:26:00.000-05:002004-05-07T23:47:18.250-05:00Eva/Nirgaz says:Still no word from Meran*.Da Mouse says:Is the plan that he was to be on touch by now about when exactly he'll be coming...?Eva/Nirgaz says:Although yesterday I called his Uncle Issa, he said Meran was there the other night and told him he still had not received word of when he would be able to take vacation and there was a possibility of him being moved to Mosul I told him to Trish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1083596215928189862004-05-03T09:56:00.000-05:002004-05-03T10:01:02.373-05:00Eva and I are both so excited! Only a week until Meran is coming home to the United States. Then I have to wait another 2.5 weeks before they come. Oh, the anticipation!!
Trish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1083596148555983312004-05-03T09:55:00.000-05:002004-05-03T09:59:55.013-05:00You must read Jo's writing. It is the voice of people who do not have a voice. It is the face of the faceless. They are real people with real pain and loss. We need to hear them and have compassion...
Trish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1083447890085425152004-05-01T16:44:00.000-05:002004-05-01T16:49:03.216-05:00Iraq, one year later, in photographs with commentary.
Trish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1083351640074615242004-04-30T14:00:00.000-05:002004-04-30T14:07:48.670-05:00Iraq Analogies: It's Vietnam. It's Lebanon. It's Algeria. It's ... Hell, you can even make comparisons to ancient Rome and how they governed their provinces. One thing for sure, as Solomon once said, there's nothing new under the sun, including the mess we're in, in Iraq...
Trish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1083129312737221062004-04-28T00:15:00.000-05:002004-04-28T00:19:21.216-05:00This blog is reviewed; it's good to hear what an outsider's point-of-view is...
Trish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1082958937636401982004-04-26T00:55:00.000-05:002004-04-26T01:00:40.186-05:00
This is Dohuk, Iraq. Dohuk is a Kurdish city in the north of Iraq. It is also where my son-in-law has been living and working for some time now.
Many of his family and friends live in this city, some others live in Zakho. The village Bigdowdi that he remembers the most from his childhood, no longer exists, thanks to Saddam.
Meran will be coming home soon. We are all so looking forward to Trish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1082958026715522202004-04-26T00:40:00.000-05:002004-04-26T00:44:32.250-05:00Very exciting news, from someone I consider a friend. I've never met him in person, only communicated with him online. But his search for truth, and the integrity he has demonstrated over the past 2 years since I've come to know him, has made it an honor to consider him a friend.
Christopher Allbritton is about to embark on another trip to Iraq. Before he goes, he shared with his supporters, Trish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1082785473802502002004-04-24T00:44:00.000-05:002004-04-28T00:14:06.450-05:00But what I tell myself is this: I can't change the course of this at the moment and if they do point a rifle at me or hold a knife to my throat and I know it's the last moment of my life then for sure there's nothing I can do then I'm determined not to beg or flinch because I was right to come to Falluja and to try to evacuate people and get supplies to the hospitals and to die for trying to do Trish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1082587706277700422004-04-21T17:48:00.000-05:002004-04-21T22:21:38.250-05:00Eva/Nirgaz says:
I just had a webcam conversation with Gullizar's brother-in-law Ferhad, he is a friend of mine. He is a lawyer and is online frequently. It was just cool to see someone in Iraq. I told him to bring Meran with him next time.
Da Mouse says:
How are things where he is (where is he?)
Eva/Nirgaz says:
In Duhok...Almost everyone we know lives in Duhok, a couple of families live in Trish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1082587185899188202004-04-20T17:38:00.000-05:002004-04-21T17:47:31.233-05:00So I'm chatting with Eva online, and she lets slip that Meran will be home for his visit on May 10th!
The plans? Eva plans on taking her family to the Tennessee Renaissance Festival for some plain old family fun. For the practical side of things, she plans on working with Meran to resolve the problems concerning his direct house payments, i.e., too much is going to the house, much more than Trish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1082152648057040612004-04-16T16:57:00.000-05:002004-04-16T17:03:43.606-05:00A conversation between Eva my daughter, and myself...Ajiza is separated from her hubby, pending divorce. He proved to be a very irresponsible young man. He had over 20 jobs last year. She got him a good job with Dell Computers, Assembly work, but a good job with good pay. He has no education so he can't be picky, but he quit after only two weeks. She also is immature, and together they are Trish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1081142542984456112004-04-05T00:22:00.000-05:002004-04-05T00:26:00.950-05:00Many people in the last two weeks have published links to Elena, the biker, and her amazing photographs and commentary concerning her solo trip to Chernobyl. However, little if any notice has been given to this particular mirror site, done in honor to Elena - and eventually gaining her official approval.*
If you have not seen her images and words, I highly recommend you making the time.
*OnTrish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1080711951569561232004-03-30T23:45:00.000-06:002004-03-30T23:49:22.606-06:00These days it's difficult to show casualties of war on evening newscasts or in any American media outlets. The images become politically charged; take on meaning beyond their face value. But more often than not, the violence is just too grim, too hard to stomach at dinnertime.Omar's Arm
Trish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1079851853302738872004-03-21T00:50:00.000-06:002004-03-21T00:54:11.140-06:00As we await Meran's return for a long-anticipated visit, Eva sent me this update about a friend of Meran's that was charged with murdering his wife back in 2002. A trial date has finally be set after long delay. Eva feels the new evidence casts more doubt on the likelihood that he is guilty. The wife was American, and he is Kurdish. There is an 11 year age difference (she was older). I thinkTrish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1079635858807896892004-03-18T12:50:00.000-06:002004-03-18T12:54:14.123-06:00...a city on a hill cannot be hidden.It grows increasingly apparent that the Syrian Kurds are attempting to leverage the political advances their southern Kurdish brothers and sisters have been obtaining in Iraq, to their own advantage in Syria. At the same time, the Baathists in power in Syria are continuing to persecute their Kurdish population. Demonstrations within Syria by native Kurds, Trish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1078781779240603372004-03-08T15:36:00.000-06:002004-03-08T15:52:42.843-06:00We filled the hillside with laughter, the very thing, I suppose, that those people died fighting for, the men joining in as well, joyfully bouncing the football around the fabric, some unable to work because of wounds from their time in the resistance. They really needed to play like children.Jo Wilding shares experiences in northern Iraq/Kurdistan earlier today. At the end of the long but Trish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1077862554213754282004-02-27T00:15:00.000-06:002004-02-27T00:22:00.090-06:00The Kurds need to take responsibility for their own security within the framework of a new Iraqi state in order to prevent similar attacks as those that took place in Hewler, Halabja and the Anfal campaign. The Kurds also need the active and unambiguous support of democratic countries. The Kurds are demanding as much independence as they can under the new Iraq. They're not talking independence Trish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1077687174375346922004-02-24T23:32:00.000-06:002004-02-24T23:35:39.373-06:00I was shocked, but not surprised at your encounter on Saturday.
You had me almost crying at how you stood up for me and stood against ignorance.
Thank you...words cannot express how proud I am to be your daughter right now.
Love, Eva XXXXXXXXOOOOOOOOO
Evanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1077388986800979122004-02-21T12:43:00.000-06:002004-02-21T12:55:30.246-06:00Prejudice and intolerance comes in many forms. Some even come wrapped in love.
When recently visiting my mother, who lives in a nearby nursing home, relatives of my brother-in-law arrived. I was thinking about leaving as they came in, but I decided to stay a bit longer to exchange pleasantries.
After initial greetings, one of them asked after my daughter, as well as my grandchildren. Then Trish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1076786689936773912004-02-14T13:24:00.000-06:002004-02-14T13:27:21.360-06:00Another chat with Eva, another slice of life of how the war is affecting individuals...Eva/Nirgaz says:
We were calling Iraq...Gullizar's Husband...
Trishymouse says:
How is he?
Eva/Nirgaz says:
Not so good...He and Gullizar were not able to get across the Jordanian border...he went back and she came back
Trishymouse says:
I didn't know she was trying to help him get out. Wow! Why couldn't heTrish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1076568649087084682004-02-12T00:50:00.000-06:002004-02-12T00:53:16.686-06:00I am concerned for my daughter, Eva. We've been talking recently about how her separation from Meran, due to his job in the War efforts keeping them apart, has increasingly taken their toll on her mentally and emotionally. She worries about Meran's safety. She worries about the boys, especially Salih the oldest, especially when Salih says he feels like he doesn't have a father. She misses Trish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1076098213348586712004-02-06T14:10:00.000-06:002004-02-06T14:13:45.076-06:00Circus Jo hears from many everyday Iraqis as her troup tours the country. One told her yesterday, “The Americans are the same as Saddam,” Abu Ahmed declared, “They are from the same line. We can criticise the Americans, that’s true. We went on a big demonstration a few weeks ago and chanted against the Americans and the British and the Governing Council and we were not stopped. We can complain, Trish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1075667382798676342004-02-01T14:29:00.000-06:002004-02-01T14:31:56.950-06:00Several members of Abdulrahman's family were also killed, including a young member named Saleh, who was considered a rising star. A few family members have already been buried in Duhok* in keeping with tradition.Back-to-Iraq reports more specifics on the bombing of the Kurds in the north.
* Duhok is where Meran is currently based.
Trish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1075663344607059672004-02-01T13:22:00.000-06:002004-02-01T13:24:49.763-06:00This really scares me in a personal way. The violence is creeping closer to where Meran is. Where will it stop?Trish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1075270310712662782004-01-28T00:11:00.000-06:002004-01-28T00:19:37.716-06:00This evening, my daughter Eva and I were talking on MSN Messenger. Some concerns were brought up about the continued separation of her and the boys from Meran...Eva/Nirgaz says:
I am going to go apply for a job with sprint tomorrow, wish me luck
Eva/Nirgaz says:
That's not the field I want, the sprint job, but it is a job until I can either finish writing something to publish, or find a job in Trish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1074314180845236702004-01-16T22:36:00.000-06:002004-01-16T22:38:35.606-06:00Kurds are making moves to secure their political power and independence in the new Iraq. They know they've been good friends to the United States as it freed their country, and now they're calling in the favor. I can't say I blame them. Of course, their neighbors in Syria and Turkey are none too pleased. They're worried 'their' Kurds will get too big for their britches and demand more Trish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1072891145302152692003-12-31T11:19:00.000-06:002003-12-31T11:21:44.076-06:00While the southern events are important...the Kurds could be the match that lights a larger fire.Chris Allbritton continues to intrigue me with comments and insights about the Kurds in Iraq, over at Back-to-Iraq. I'll be very interested to see not only what an essay he's working on right now about this subject will have to say, but what reports he'll be sending us when he's back in-country in Trish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1072819430659778072003-12-30T15:23:00.000-06:002003-12-30T15:31:13.966-06:00This article, brought to my attention by a recent posting on Back-to-Iraq, is rather interesting. There appears to be an emerging pattern of support by some Jews for an independent Kurdistan, or at least an autonomous state within Iraq.
Which leads me to this article, talking about how the Kurds are asserting themselves in the current political process of rebuilding Iraq. Now is definitely Trish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-10721928488360392003-12-23T09:20:00.000-06:002003-12-23T09:22:09.983-06:00Alas, new information makes it look like the so-called Kurdish claims were never made by the Kurds themselves, but were a product of bad journalism...
Trish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1072127607959779432003-12-22T15:13:00.000-06:002003-12-22T15:14:48.263-06:00Kurds make claim to Kirkurk for historical, not economic reasons. However, it would be a wonderful coupe for them to have the revenue the oil fields would bring them to build the new Kurdistan. The current situation is making the Kurdish political parties bold; now is definitely the time to make such claims!
Trish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1072127355261749982003-12-22T15:09:00.000-06:002003-12-22T15:10:35.653-06:00Kurds claim that they were the ones responsible for Saddam's capture, that without their military intelligence and expertise, Saddam would still be at large...
Trish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1071944221934148322003-12-20T12:17:00.000-06:002003-12-20T12:20:17.356-06:00I just spoke with Eva on the phone. She is home in Nashville! She arrived late Thursday evening, and spent yesterday arranging for her house utilities to be turned on. She hopes to be in her home tomorrow.
She said she ended up being in Damascus for almost a week, having to rearrange flights due to schedule limitations. While in Damascus, she was in the hotel most of the time, but towards Trish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1071468985473972342003-12-15T00:16:00.000-06:002003-12-18T09:55:02.263-06:00The local Kurdish community celebrated Sunday night due to Saddam's capture! According to this (and many other independent sources), the Kurds in Iraq had a key role in Saddam's capture...
Trish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1071419687129942502003-12-14T10:34:00.000-06:002003-12-14T10:35:56.403-06:00Hussein was reportedly “tired” and “resigned” when captured in a dirt hole outside of Adwar, a town about 10 miles from Tikrit. Kurdish peshmergas helped locate him, according to some statements from the Iraqi Governing Council.Chris Allbritton writes that he has serious doubts that the insurgents will back down despite Saddam being captured, and explains why...
Trish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1071416861685619042003-12-14T09:47:00.000-06:002003-12-14T09:48:50.623-06:00From my son-in-law Meran, via email...Date: Sun, 14 Dec 2003 06:54:14 -0500
Goooooooood news Saddam Hussien got captured last night. I am very happy. Thank Allah and long life U.S.A. The sky of dohuk is lighting up from AK-47's bullets, every body are celebrating in Dohuk city... Trish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1071416519496855372003-12-14T09:41:00.000-06:002003-12-14T09:43:08.496-06:00A powerful website of women from Iraq, mostly in exile, who are fighting politically for a free and open society in their home country. Many are Kurds...
Trish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1071272577868347762003-12-12T17:42:00.000-06:002003-12-12T17:47:46.106-06:00From PBS' FRONTLINE'For several weeks, here exclusively on FRONTLINE's website, we're presenting an inside, behind-the-scenes look at the making of an upcoming FRONTLINE documentary on Iraq. Beginning with a dispatch from the chaotic border between Turkey and Iraq, the team that produced the recent "Truth, War and Consequences" and last year's "In Search of Al Qaeda" -- correspondent and producerTrish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1071092437785391432003-12-10T15:40:00.000-06:002003-12-10T23:15:51.093-06:00Eva was finally able to get through to me on her satellite 'call through' phone at about 2:30pm today! I was thrilled to hear from her at last. She was calling from Meran's uncle's home in Dohuk, the city Meran is now stationed in. They were having a send-off gettogether for Eva and the boys...
She's leaving tomorrow at 8:30am local time. Due to what seems like rather arbitrary travel Trish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1070984541340741782003-12-09T09:42:00.000-06:002003-12-09T09:43:23.733-06:00Chief Wiggles shares about his organization's most recent 'side-trip' to the main game - giving out toys to Kurdish children in a village in the north. It was covered, he said, by Kurdish TV and broadcast around the world via Satellite.
The Chief is one of the best of the best, trying to help sort out the mess that is currently Iraq. It isn't easy, with corruption everywhere...
Trish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1070835697422378632003-12-07T16:21:00.000-06:002003-12-07T16:22:37.856-06:00While I was out yesterday, Eva got ahold of my sister on Messenger chat...Eva/Nirgaz says:
Hello Aunt Betty!
BettyBoop says:
EVA IS THAT YOU????
Eva/Nirgaz says:
yes
Eva/Nirgaz says:
Mom told you I am overseas right?
BettyBoop says:
Where are you, at this moment?
BettyBoop says:
Oh yes.
BettyBoop says:
Are you still sick???
Eva/Nirgaz says:
In Duhok, Iraq
BettyBoop says:
How are the kids??
Eva/Trish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1070643070209112952003-12-05T10:51:00.000-06:002003-12-05T10:52:07.340-06:00I received email from Meran that Eva and the boys are now feeling better. That is great news! Whatever it was they had, they are on the mend. He also gave a date for their return: December 15th. It will be good to have them back home in the States...
I could tell Meran was disappointed, and I know Eva is, too, that it didn't work out as they had hoped. He was willing to rent a home just Trish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1070632313452148502003-12-05T07:51:00.000-06:002003-12-05T07:58:23.560-06:00"If there's such a thing as reincarnation, I must've been a Kurd in my past life. How could you not respect and admire the people who have survived some of the most vicious attacks by enemies from near and far for a big part of modern history, yet have managed to maintain their dignity, their unique sense of culture and arts, their wonderful customs and language, and their distinctive outlook on Trish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1070393194861689412003-12-02T13:26:00.000-06:002003-12-02T13:27:28.513-06:00This travel warning from the State Department recommends no travel by US citizens in Iraq. Increasing security concerns even in relatively quiet areas overide any guarantees of safety. I continue to hope that Eva, Salih, Bilal, and Mu'min return home soon.
In the meantime, I've been reading up on Malaria*. Sounds nasty. Hope they're feeling better by now, or at least getting necessary Trish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1070301341190524792003-12-01T11:55:00.000-06:002003-12-01T23:46:58.983-06:00Below is a recent email exchange between my son-in-law and myself (just this past weekend...) It is in chronological order, from most recent backwards.
I learned that things have definitely changed for them due to health concerns. My hunch is that Eva and the boys may be experiencing malaria. Either way, I urged him in another email to make sure they get seen by a doctor ASAP, if they haven'tTrish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1069396131327819012003-11-21T00:28:00.000-06:002003-11-21T00:29:28.700-06:00Bribes are alive and well, according to Salam Pax...
Trish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157727.post-1068413197853815012003-11-09T15:26:00.000-06:002003-11-09T16:00:01.093-06:00On Back-to-Iraq today:
The top human rights official for the CPA [Coalition Provisional Authority] says Saddam Hussein killed at least 300,000 opponents and buried them in 263 mass graves located around the country..."...the majority of people buried in the mass graves are believed to be Kurds killed by Saddam in the 1980s after rebelling against the government and Shiites killed after an Trish Short Lewisnoreply@blogger.com0