From the New Yorker - Iraqis Betrayed === from George Packer

"with Americans (in Baghdad) coming and going every six to twelve months, "the lowest rung on your ladder ends up being the real institutional memory and repository of expertise- which is always a tension, because, it's totally at odds with their status"". ....... and not to mention field level egos.

Responsibility for these people is farmed out to a contracted organization... getting to and from their homes was and is the most dangerious part of their day... but they are not covered for Insurance to and from work...."troublemakers" were reassigned or fired without cause.

one thing was clear... our enemies realized the important role that these people play in making Iraq a better place.....I hope that our institutions can realize before we have to leave one way or another.

I witnessed the blood of good friend leaving his home, leaving his courtyard to come to work..... he never made it but his spirit stays with me. I saw the sorrow in the eyes of his family and we shared that sorrow for minutes... but we had a mission and grief would have to wait....

so my home will be open to any of my brothers and their families if it comes to that.

PEACE