Arabs on a rope. Where do they get those people? Where do they find them? In the good biography of Kahlil Gibran (we call him Jubran Khalil Jubran) by his nephew--or so he says--it is reported that Gibran was rather worried when he started receiving some attention in New York City early in the 20th century. He wrote to a friend that he worried that he would be used as a "monkey on a rope"--to amuse the White Man I am sure. I mean, look at those people who they find to write in New York Times op-ed page: "Building a free press in Iraq was one of America's greatest achievements. When the American-led coalition installed itself in the Green Zone, it created the Combined International Press Center, where American soldiers issued press passes to Iraqis and Westerners alike. Just like American reporters, we could embed ourselves with the United States Army and we could attend coalition press conferences, where we addressed critical questions to American officials as well as to Iraqi officials. Many of the biggest stories were either written by Iraqis or reported by them." Oh, yes. They let you escort the occupation troops. How nice. They also fed you written and prepared propaganda stories and let you translate them and put your names on them. How nice of them. Did they let you stand and sit with a permission? Did they give you bathroom breaks? Are you aware how pathetic you sound Mr. Fadhil, and how eager to please the occupiers? Did they let you cross your legs in their presence? Who are those people that are paraded on the pages of the New York Times becausee they have no dignity. Like you Mr. Ben Jelloun, and like you mr. Fadhil.