RIVERBEND RETURNS

If  you remember the Baghdad blogger, Riverbend, a young Iraqi woman, who blogged from post-invasion Iraq at Baghdad Burning, you'll be interested to know that, she posted for the first time in five and a half years.  After suffering hardships during the occupation, Riverbend and her family, concerned for their safety, made a harrowing journey from Iraq to Syria.  Subsequently, she and her family left Syria before the worst of the fighting began there for another Arab country, stayed a year, and then left for a third Arab country. 

She asks of the people of the US:

Finally, after all is said and done, we shouldn't forget what this was about - making America safer... And are you safer Americans? If you are, why is it that we hear more and more about attacks on your embassies and diplomats? Why is it that you are constantly warned to not go to this country or that one? Is it better now, ten years down the line? Do you feel safer, with hundreds of thousands of Iraqis out of the way (granted half of them were women and children, but children grow up, right?)?

No, Riverbend, we are not safer.  The invasion of your country was a mad scheme of the Cheney/Bush maladministration based on lies and misinformation.  Americans owe you and the people of Iraq our deepest apologies.  Some of us tried to stop the madness, but to no avail.   May you be safe and at peace in your present home.  Although you say your post may be your last, I hope you change your mind and let us hear from you again.

... I'll meet you 'round the bend my friend, where hearts can heal and souls can mend...

H/T to Athenae at First Draft.