The rot gnawing away at Baghdad's innards

[maddezmom]

BAGHDAD (AFP) - Its traditional wooden-balconied Shanasheel houses in ruins, other buildings crumbling and muddied streets reeking of rubbish, Al-Batawin neighbourhood in the centre of Baghdad is an abject picture of just how far the rot has set in to the once-proud Iraqi capital.

Before the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, Al-Batawin's main thoroughfare Al-Sadun Street bustled with restaurants, hotels, upmarket stores and -- most famously -- medical centres.

Today just a scattering of businesses still bother to open their doors, residential blocks stand empty, and those buildings that are occupied have few tenants willing to risk living above the first floor.

Electricity is supplied only sporadically and water in a trickle, and there are no other services to speak of, so it makes no sense to live too far from the ground in what is now a rapidly eroding urban wasteland.

Most Iraqis know Al-Sadun Street for its medical centres and pharmacies. Many travelled from afar and waited in long queues to see a doctor. And after the consultation there were some 200 pharmacies within a few blocks ready to fill the prescriptions.

more:http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080504/wl_mideast_afp/iraqunrestbaghdadbuildings_080504231152;_ylt=AvqJS5eqDvXYQUCXkyMhmthX6GMA

[TomInTib]

1. Never to be re-built, as long as we're there.

Shock n Awe, Baby.

KnR

[MadMaddie]

2. This is * improvement for Iraqi lives.

He is no longer concerned with Iraq, he is concerned about his legacy in other areas now.

[shraby]

3. What has the Bush administration rebuilt?

Not Iraq
Not New Orleans
Not the twin towers
Not one damn thing that they've destroyed or allowed to be destroyed. Bush only knows how to fail.

[libodem]

4. So sad

everything is ruined beyond repair. And yet bush is so proud of all the 'good progress'. He'll stand up and lie and deny all the devastation as long as he can make a speech. That lap dog media is also remiss. I'm surprised that this story is so accurate.