I've posted before on DKos as a heads up to anyone who isn't aware of Riverbend's (an Iraqi women who writes on post-war Iraq and more specifically Baghdad) excellent site
Baghdad Burning.
There is a new post up today about the effect of creeping religious madness on life in Baghdad since Dubya and the whole neocon cabal (including my prime minister Bliar) so graciously introduced 'Democracy' into Iraq.
More below
'Democracy' which results in:
hole-ridden black banners all over Baghdad, announcing deaths and wakes
'Democracy' which means that:
Karrada was one of the best mercantile areas in Baghdad prior to the war. It was the area you went to when you had a list of unrelated necessities- like shoes, a potato peeler, pink nail polish and a dozen blank CDs. You were sure to find everything you needed in under an hour.
'Democracy' for consumers:
After the war, and various threats in the form of letters and broken windows, G. began running the shop personally and in addition to cosmetics, he introduced an appropriately dark line of flowing abbayas and headscarves.
'Democracy' for women
Sadr's militia control parts of Iraq now. Just a couple of days ago, his militia, with the help of Badr, were keeping women from visiting the market in the southern city of Karbala.
'Democracy' for shopkeepers
.. shop owners were complaining that their businesses were suffering.
'Democracy' for sports fans
After the occupation, we won a football match against someone or another and we'd console ourselves with "Well we lose wars- but we win football!" From a country that once celebrated sports- football (soccer) especially- to a country that worries if the male football players are wearing long enough shorts or whether all sports fans will face eternal damnation...
Sorry I don't have more comment, but it's late and I just noticed the new post and wanted to bring attention to Riverbend's writing before I turn in.
She also has a book in case anyone wants to read more.