Hey, I'm an aerospace engineer. Don't tell granny how to suck eggs.

I hate to burst your bubble, but go anywhere in America or the rest of the world, and get estimates to do an engineering job (or ANY job for that matter) from a small family company and a large multi-national corporation. ESPECIALLY if they find out the government is paying the bills. Surprise!

The fact that some people and companies are harvesting pork in Iraq, or from the Homeland Security funds, or pretty much anything in government, is no big surprise either. I would like to see this particular incident reported back to higher levels of the U.S. administration. I would think they would take a dim view of spending unnecessary funds right now.

The blog is interesting, if predictable. For some reason, Iraqis complaining on the Internet about how awful everything is never seem to have anything to say about their years under Saddam. Her only comment is that she worked for a computer outfit. Did no one they know die? Did nothing bad ever happen to them or people they knew? Any blogs on the Net from one of the Marsh Arabs, or the Shiites?

There is a certain type of person who thrives under a tyranny. Who doesn't mind people being taken away in the night, as long as it isn't him. Who joins the right parties--although he never really gets involved--toes the right line when asked, and never makes trouble. Who doesn't volunteer information but cooperates with the authorities when asked, and doesn't rock the boat. Who LIKES the fact that the state fills his needs, however badly. A pittance without effort is still easier than responsiblity. Such people, who may never commit an overtly evil act in their lives, often live to ripe old ages in dictatorships while the mass graves are being filled. I'm not saying this blogger, or any of the others, is such a person, but the silence I keep getting about their lives under Saddam is odd.

It should not go unnoticed that while "Riverbend" complains about the occupation, and heaps abuse on the Iraqi interim government, nobody is hauling her away in the night for her opinions.