The Daily Hell of Baghdad

Saturday, Sep. 16, 2006

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Correspondent Aparisim Ghosh's unflinching diary of his days and nights in Baghdad proved eye-opening to readers. Scores wrote to thank him, many finding sobering contrast between how they lead their lives and how Ghosh, Baghdad citizens and coalition troops must cope during wartime

Reading Aparisim Ghosh's brilliantly evocative "Baghdad Diary" [Aug. 28] at the back door of my typically English bungalow on a gently warm late summer's day was utterly bizarre. From his description of the terrifying descent into Baghdad airport to the final words of his article, I was lost in his powerful rhetoric. Fortunately, we have Ghosh to describe the situation in Baghdad. Otherwise we would have to rely on the ever optimistic, honeyed official government reports, which would have us believe Iraq will soon be free of anarchy, death and destruction — a claim that has been made since that mission accomplished banner was displayed behind President Bush in the halcyon days of May 2003.
Philip A. Roe
Stamford Bridge, England

Ghosh's story made me believe there are only two ways to deal with the mess in Iraq. One is withdrawal of all the troops and letting the Iraqis sort it out, which is unacceptable. The other is partition with cooperation from the other Arab countries. It would be nice to think this proposal alone would stir the Iraqi Parliament into finding a solution.
Maira Empey
Chelmsford, England

Ghosh offered an amazing view of hell on earth. I grew up in Ireland during the Troubles and know the anguish one experiences during times like that. It is indeed pure hell being worried your mother and father will be dragged from their home at night, never to be seen again; looking at everything as a potential bomb; and asking why no one offers help. Once again I realize I'm only one person and feel helpless to stop the suffering.
Sandra Hoye
Spokane, Washington, U.S.

On a rare occasion, a book, a movie or, in this case, an article confronts you with enough power to jar you out of your comfort zone. Living a relatively privileged life, we can easily lose sight of basic freedoms we take for granted: to be able to shop at a market without the fear of a bomb going off, to trust that our justice system will treat us fairly and to have confidence that our families and friends will be alive tomorrow. Although I disagreed with the decision to initiate war in Iraq, I can now imagine the consequences of Bush's withdrawing American troops. Thank you for shedding light on the situation in Iraq. More importantly, thank you for your remarkable insight and brutal honesty.
Erika Jang
Evanston, Illinois, U.S.

I failed to find where Ghosh was "unstinting in his praise and admiration for the courage and integrity of the American servicemen and -women in Iraq," as indicated by managing editor Richard Stengel in his To Our Readers column. In all the gloom, surely there is a ray of hope resulting from the actions of the courageous troops in Iraq.
Frank Bacon
Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.

Ghosh's "Baghdad Diary" put me in mind of a famous World War II saying: We sure liberated the hell out of that place.
Connie Chapman
Woodbridge, Virginia, U.S.

What an absolutely stunning piece of journalism. Ghosh's "Baghdad Diary" should be required reading for all political and military analysts and decision makers who think they know how to achieve peace in the world.
Alvin Jacobson
Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S.

I don't understand the many references to sectarianism. It seems to me that the war is more about control of people and territory than religion. If changing your name protects you from attack, then you can't tell your enemy by looking at him or even knowing what he believes. The agony in Baghdad seems more like territorial gang warfare than religious strife, more about revenge than an attempt to make people believe in a different theology.
Mark Larsen
Grants Pass, Oregon, U.S.

I read Ghosh's account of his trip to Baghdad on the "Highway of Death" from the safety of a train headed from Los Angeles to San Diego. There could be no more striking contrast between the scenic sunset I saw over the Pacific Ocean and his views of rubble from roadside bombs. I heard the roar of the surf and the sounds of children laughing as they ran toward the sea. He heard the "deep rumble" of M-16s and the "higher-pitched clatter" of AK-47s.
Michelle Pietzak
Los Angeles