A bit of fictionalization from Iraq

Now, reading from Iraq The Model on the 12 JAN 07 post by Mohammed I think that a slightly different and extremely highly fictionalized view of what he put out might just help get some folks into the spirit of things... Yes, I am no fiction writer... but... it does call out for this sort of treatment.

So, my highly and extremely biased bit of poor writing is as follows for two sections that really do need highlighting, I think. First the al-Sistani portion:

Don al-Sistani, sitting down at his desk, two of his followers in plain clothes on either side, standing, the study backlit from the window behind the Don. Some dust filters through the bright shafts of sunlight while the Don sits, slowly writing out a piece by hand. The doors to the study open, and a young, petulant mafioso walks in, adjusting his garb, the two guards behind him close the doors.

The Don looks up, and says softly with a bit of a rasp, "Come in Moqtada."

The young mafioso walks in and up to the desk of Don Sistani.

"Greetings, Don Sistani. It has been awhile since we last talked."

The Don sits back, the pen down, "Yes it has, young Moqtada a year or so. Do you remember what we spoke of then?"

Moqtada looks down, "Yes, Don Sistani."

"Tell me what you remember young Moqtada."

"Don Sistani, we had talked about Don Khamenei."

Don Sistani nods, "That we did young Moqtada. And do you remember what I had said about the Don Khamenei?"

The young mafioso shuffles his feet then glances up, "Yes, Don Sistani. You had warned that a time would come to choose between you two. That there was not going to be two leaders of the Family one day."

Closing his eyes slowly Don Sistani nods, "That is right, young Moqtada. Our responsibilities put us on different paths. It is a hard thing to see that from your level, I know. The territory cannot hold two Family heads."

Moqtada swallows, is sweating some, "Yes, Don Sistani."

Don Sistani opens his eyes slowly and leans forward, elbows on the desk, hands clasped together, the two men on either side watch Moqtada silently. "And what did we speak of about you, young Moqtada."

The young mafioso raises his head slightly, "You praised my father, Don Sistani. And said that he had been a great man, and that I had a great path before me if I followed that path."

Don Sistani inclined his head slightly to the right, "That I did, young Moqtada. Don Sadr was a great man and with him there could be Two Heads of the Family. Have you chosen his path, young Moqtada?"

Beads of sweat form on the forehead of Moqtada, "I.... I.... don't know, Don Sistani."

Don Sistani squints slightly, "I suggest you read your Father's works again and soon, young Moqtada."

Moqtada shivers, whispers, "I will, Don Sistani."

"See that you do, young Moqtada, and soon. Your path is perilous and you could not be Don if anything happens to me. You know how the Family would react."

Looking down, Moqtada clasps his hands together, "Yes, Don Sistani. I know that."

"See that you do, young Moqtada. The path to choose and time for it grows limited. I cannot help you soon if you don't choose the right one."

"I understand, Don Sistani."

The Don shifts in his chair, takes up his pen, gives a final look to Moqtada, "Good-bye, young Moqtada."

"Thank you, Don Sistani. Farewell."

With that the doors open and Moqtada walks out, the Don writes a bit and then looks to the left hand lieutenant after the doors close.

"See that he is taken care of."

The man smiles deeply, "My pleasure, Don Sistani."

The Don shakes his head slowly. "Its just Business. He isn't part of the Family anymore."

Now *that* is a rendering that probably will offend scads of people, but should get the idea across of what is going on there. Yes, I do have my lacks as a writer, but the general sense of how I see it should be quite clear from that.

On the Parliamentary side, let us move the setting to something quite high and noble, like the House of Commons in Great Britain! Yes, that should serve well enough... and to any person reading this from a Parliamentary based Nation, do remember, I only give you what I can recall from bits and pieces of memory, a few late-night Question Periods on C-Span and lots of fiction. Yes, so sorry!

The Speaker of the House, outfitted in multiple black robes and a powdered wig, spectacles perched on the end of his nose, calls out, "And next on the order of business is MP Al-Inizi. Please rise to address the House."

MP Al-Inizi, stands, straightens his wig and robes and then looks out to the House : "Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I rise in question of the American troop increase coming to our land. We have, apparently, Mr. Speaker, not been consulted with before this nor has the Parliament been asked about this. While PM al-Maliki is given broad deference in these times of trouble, there are some outlooks that do need to be discussed about such things."

In the background an MP says 'hear, hear!'

Raising his arms out, robes sliding slightly down his arms, MP Al-Inizi continues: "Are we or are we not the elected Parliament?"

A few voices cry out, 'hear! hear!'

Slowly lowering his arms and adjusting his robe MP Al-Inizi goes on: "Iraq is not an American state and President Bush must consult with us before making such decisions..."

MP Al-Alusi stands from the other side: "I object, Mr. Speaker!"

Over the murmur the Speaker says: "Order! There shall be order in the House!"

He bangs his gavel once, twice... and the House quiets.

The Speaker Addresses MP Al-Alusi: "You shall have your response in a moment, as Mr. Al-Inzini is near the end of his quota."

Turning to address MP Al-Inzini: "Are you finished Mr. Al-Inzini?"

MP Al-Inzini stands straighter: "No, Mr. Speaker I am not finished."

The Speaker gazes at him momentarily: "Then your additional comments will be added via the usual channels and counted as read into the record, you may sit down."

MP Al-Inzini had obviously been prepared for more, but sits quietly.

"You may rise in response, Mr. Al-Alusi."

MP Al-Alusi leans forward then scans the House: "I thank you, Mr. Speaker. As a Parliament have we or have we not elected a Government?"

Multiple voices heard in a babble, 'hear! hear!', 'so true!', 'without doubt!'.

The gavel raps once.

MP Al-Alusi nods slightly to the Speaker: "May I remind the House that we would not be sitting here from our ridings if the United States had not come in to help us?"

Again the babble of voices in the background, 'hear! hear!', 'yes, exactly!', 'dawning day!'

It subsides quickly, the Speaker lifting the gavel but not rapping it down.

MP Al-Alusi gazes intently at the minority party: "The Americans have come from a far off land to help us and protect us to build a democracy where none had ever been before! And look at how we treat them by the way our own security forces have been unable to stop the hot heads!"

Many members stomp their feet rhythmically over and over, no voice can be heard.

The gavel comes down: "There shall be order in the House!"

The members slow and then stop, mindful of their place.

MP Al-Alusi purses his lips, then looks over the House: "But what do you have? Shall we stop this bluster and nonsense? By building a democracy we do have the right to vote if the members will it! May I table the motion to have the Parliament vote on accepting the American offer, Mr. Speaker?"

A stunned silence goes throughout the House.

"Gladly, Mr. Al-Alusi. Member Al-Alusi has tabled a motion to have the House vote on accepting or rejecting the American proposal to send more American troops to help the Iraqi Security situation. Can we have a second for this motion?"

Silence is heard throughout the House.

MP Al-Alusi smiles as he looks around, his voting block smiling or frowning, knowing that any 'second' would soon bring down the Government. The Opposition was likewise silent... speak up now and things get worse very, very quickly.

"Not hearing the necessary 'second' the motion is taken from the table for consideration."

Yes, I have mangled so much there it is astounding! Probably never have so many mistakes been made in so short a space on so much. I *do* try harder.

But it should help to give just a bit of perspective on things.

Remember that YESTERDAY was the last day for complaints.