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Letter Re: Mobs of Young Beggars on the Streets of Baghdad
Jim
I definitely look forward to reading your blog every morning as I begin my
day here in Baghdad. I wanted to share some perspective on what I see on a
daily basis as an American GI patrolling the streets of Baghdad on the topic
of begging.
I think your readers might eventually come face to face with this type of behavior
and it might not be pleasant for them if not dealt with correctly. When my
team stops at a project site or we conduct patrols throughout the various neighborhoods
of Baghdad, we are besieged by Iraqi children asking us for items such as candy,
pencils, pens, and soccer balls. There are two ways these scenarios usually
play out. One, if soldiers hand out any items, the floodgates open and more
children appear as word spreads that items are being given away. A mob typically
surrounds the soldier and/or vehicle. Even if those children get that which
they ask for, they do not leave. Rather, they continue to ask for more.
Fights typically break out amongst the throng of children as they fight over
what
is given out. When we ask our interpreters why the children are not happy with
what they've been given, we are told that because they are poor (but no longer
starving, mind you, since the USA put an end to the UN Food For Oil scandal
and Saddam's reign of terror) and the Americans are perceived as being rich.
Another way this is dealt with is the children are told "Mako Shay" which
in Arabic means "I Have Nothing". If said soldier stands firm and
refuses to give in to the pleas of the beggars, they usually dissipate and
go on to other soldiers to beg from or go on to playing with their friends.
The key here is to stand firm and tell them that you have nothing to give them.
I see strong parallels between this daily occurrence here in Iraq and that
which could occur should the [American] populace flees their homes in search
of food
and shelter.
Just some food for thought, should the SHTF.
Regards, - The Survivalist
