FOXNews.com On The Scene

Time Out In Baghdad

By Ghalib Tawfiq & David Mac Dougall, Baghdad Bureau

We don’t often get the chance to show you what life is like after dark in Iraq’s capital city. For a start, it’s still probably too dangerous for Western journalists to venture out very much when the sun goes down – personally, I don’t think I’d feel very comfortable visiting restaurants and cafes for any length of time.

For Iraqis of course, it’s a different matter: they don’t have a much of a choice about the city they live in. And after many years of violence, they’re keen to get out and about, and resume as much of their old lives as possible. So we decided to send our cameras out to show you what a bustling city Baghdad can be – and how people enjoy themselves now that the security situation is improving.

Bureau producer Ghalib Tawfiq narrates the story of a night out in Baghdad. Enjoy his video!

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12 Responses to “Time Out In Baghdad”

Comment by Anastasia

Very interesting to watch.
Keep up the good job!

 
Comment by ur mama

Americans walk to Washington on July 4, 2008. Affirming the principles that this country was founded on-The Declaration of Independence:
“We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal; that they are endowed, by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed; that whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute a new government, laying its foundation on such principles, and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness.”
Drive as far as you can, park on the side on the interstate, and then walk the rest of the way. The Red Cross needs to set up tents; we need port –o- potties, plenty of water, and First Aide available. The National Guard needs to supply military rations, and access into and out of Washington. If you’re in the Military do not abandon your post. If you work in hospitals or in utilities please stay in your position, otherwise walk.
• Walker’s – Leave things exactly as you find them.
• Everyone leave water and whatever food you can out on your porch for the walkers- then walk yourself.
• No propaganda- leave your party affiliation at home- be an American first.
• The network/corporate news agencies are not invited-only PBS is allowed to be there.

All Congressman, Senators, etc., need to walk. Native Americans- you need to ride or walk.

African Americans- you need to walk./Paris Hilton and kind- you need to walk.

Hip-Hop Artists- you need to walk./Actors of all mediums- you need to walk.

Hispanic Americans- you need to walk./All State Governors- you need to walk.

Jewish Americans- you need to walk./Environmentalists- you need to walk.

Muslim Americans- you need to walk./Capitalists- you need to walk.

Christian Americans- you need to walk./Animal Rights activists- you need to walk.

Buddhists/Taoists/Hindu’s- you need to walk.Immigrants-you need to walk.

Vietnam Veterans- you need to walk, or roll.Future citizens- you need to walk.

Iraq Veterans- you need to walk, or roll.Musicians- you need to walk.

Hippies of the 60’s – 70’s- you need to walk.Students- you need to walk.

Educators/Professors/Teachers- you need to walk./Gay’s and/or Lesbians- you need to walk.

Disabled Americans- you need to walk or roll./Farmers-you need to walk or ride.

Food producers-you need to walk or ride./All City Employees- you need to walk.

Motorcyclists- you need to walk or ride./Military on leave- you need to walk.

Military Dependents- you need to walk./All Business owners- you need to walk.

*Average Joe/Jane- you are not so average- you alone can make the difference- you need to walk.

 
Comment by Kathi-AR

Yes, this was very interesting. Would love to see more of these stories. Thanks!

 
Comment by Brad

Very informative video. It shows the Iraqi peoples lives are getting back to normal.

 

TIME OUT IN BAGHDAD- VIDEO
What an amazing video. I enjoyed it and like to suggest it be shown on national TV for all Americans to see. It’s refreshing to see life and movement in a city where many of our men and women are living. The Iraqis freedom of movement is different from the scenes we usually see of war and troops. Ghalib Tawfiq showed his people as they are! jon p

 
Comment by r. bauer

Interesting – ALL MALES – no women, suppose the women are chained up by the kitchen stove.
For this we are fighting????

A culture like this needs to be isolated to implode – nobody can drag them out of the dark ages, they have to do it by themselves.

 
Comment by VetForFreedom

What a farce! You don’t show us what life is in Baghdad during the day. I am disappointed with Fox news coverage of Iraq…the American people need to be shown what a busy day in Baghdad is like, what is happening around Irbil…people think is not part of Iraq for some reason. How many times have you shown the potential of the farms around the rivers, how much arable land there is, how good the average Iraqi longs for peace and prosperity. This video’s reference to life being more active before the 2003 invasion is very interesting. Was it better for all those people found in the mass graves? Come on Fox, you can do a lot better than this.

 
Comment by VetForFreedom

This is a great video.

 
Comment by R. Peebles

as stated before where are the women, oh I forgot must be 4th class . Shows you what class the men are in Iraqi. Sad. No wonder they can’t stand up and be men they don’t have it.

 
Comment by LAYLA

very nice informative video…but short…wished it could go on some more…keep up the good work

 
Comment by Yasmine Alkadi

Time out In Baghdad, is a very interesting piece! There is a lot of need for more articles/coverage of this nature that attempt to show a ‘human’ side to Iraq. The daily reports of bloodshed have clearly given some observers a tainted view of a beautiful, historic civilisation.

‘Bauer’ for one is a perfect example of the senseless, misconceived, unsubstantiated commentary that does not benefit any dialogue on the topic.

I look forward to seeing more programmes and articles like this, very good work Ghalib Tawfiq!

 
Comment by Yasmine Alkadi

Very interesting piece. There is a need for more articles/coverage of this nature that attempt to show a ‘human’ side to Iraq. The daily reports of bloodshed have clearly given some observers a tainted view of a beautiful, historic civilisation.

‘Bauer’ for one is a perfect example of the senseless, misconceived, unsubstantiated commentary that does not benefit any dialogue on the topic.

Remember that Iraqis are only human beings attempting to regain some control over their lives by ‘normalising’ day-to-day activities – what this piece is all about.

I look forward to watching more pieces like this. Good work Ghalib Tawfiq!

 

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