HW 25: Responding to Riverbend

In the introduction of Baghdad Burning, it explains the affect the the war is having to Iraqi people. Riverbend explicitly explains the terror that Iraq is going through, they were having enough problems before when the war wasn't going on but it is taking a toll on all of the citizens who live there. The Gulf War had already put their country behind in developing, and it has never recovered from all of that damage. Emphasising that " Food supplies were reduced, amd by the mid-1990's, one-third of the country's children under the age of five were malnourished" (Riverbend, xv), the country suffered from many deaths and the poverty rate increased. Many outbreaks of disease were exposed, due to poor health and healthcare. During the Gulf War the sewages were destroyed and it limited their water resources.The country had a downfall from there, but was in the process of rebuilding until another war approached in 2003. This demolished the country even more, and inevitably put the people at very dangerous risks. There is very limited education in Iraq now, and what there is to offer people are afraid to send their children. There is the fear that someone may kidnap them or kill them even. Before, women and men were beginning to accept eachother but now it has fallen apart. The invasion of the U.S. to Iraq is putting their country at serious risk for many things. Americans are demolishing them, and Iraq had an idea. They wanted to limit the damage that we are doing to them by having volunteers patrol their weapons and other dangerous substances. There were not enough people to volunteer and take part in this action, so they will have to do their best. The devostation that these people are going through is crutial. If Riverbend had never expressed her thoughts through writing, than us Americans would be left unknowledgable about the tragedies and experiences of an Iraqi's lifestyle right now.
My own memories of the US invasion will impact my life forever. Although it does not impact my everyday life of having to go outside of my home not knowing whether I will make it back alive or not, it has left many imprints in my mind and emotions. I know people who have gone into Iraq to fight for their country, and have not returned home. Many of my friends left for the marines, army, and national guard after graduating high school. It leaves me with the thoughts and wonders of why people must be put through such torture and hatred. The thought in mind of wondering whether I will see them again or not is very upsetting. For all of the hatred America has towards Iraq, I do not take part in any of it. I may have some form of hatred for the people who took part in the 9/11 terrorist attacks, but the people of Iraq had no say in it. I feel as if the war in Iraq should come to an end, because all that it's causing is more hatred to innocent people.