immortal one
03-24-2003, 10:52 PM
An interesting story of a friend, a native of Iraq, which was recently published in my local S. E. Michigan evening newspaper.
S.E. Michigan has the largest concentration of people of Mid-Eastern descent outside of the Mid-East.
Luna Pier man, Iraqi native, lived in Saddam’s neighborhood
By RAY KISONAS
LUNA PIER — When he was a young man living in Iraq, Walid Bally of Luna Pier often would come across a certain prime minister who loved to talk politics in the neighborhood coffee shops.
That person was none other than Saddam Hussein. Mr. Bally and his family lived in the same neighborhood as the dictator and even back then they knew he was bad news.
“My father used to tell us ‘don’t even get involved with that guy, just stay away from him,’ ” Mr. Bally said. “He always opened his mouth.”
Mr. Bally said they lived about a city block away from each other and he would see the future dictator two or three times a week. He said the vast majority of Iraqis feel the same about Saddam as he does.
“I hate him with a passion,” Mr. Bally said. “The guy’s no good.”
Mr. Bally, 55, left Iraq in 1969 and never went back. He came to Monroe County 10 years later and settled in Luna Pier, where he created a life as a business owner who also served on the city council for six years.
This morning he recalled his days growing up in Baghdad and how he was discriminated against because he was Christian. He graduated from high school and attended college in his homeland, but decided to come to America.
“As soon as they find out you’re a Christian, you’re done,” Mr. Bally said.
He still has several half brothers and sisters living in Baghdad and is concerned for their safety. Mr. Bally said he would never go back to Iraq under the current regime.
“They’re afraid and they’re scared,” he said about his family. “I’m concerned.”
Mr. Bally said he has not spoken with any family members in Iraq for about six months because lines of communication have been severed.
“There’s no way you can talk to them,” he said.
The owner of Ida Food Center and Bally’s Discount Drinks in Monroe, Mr. Bally said several Iraqis live in Monroe County and most are Chaldeans who are completely against Saddam’s regime.
“This man is insane,” Mr. Bally said. “We should have taken him out in ’91.”
Mr. Bally said he thinks that instead of war the American government should have paid the people of Iraq to eliminate Saddam. Billions of dollars are being spent to attack Iraq and only a fraction of that could have rid the country of the dictator.
“The only way to do it is to pay those people to get rid of him out of there,” Mr. Bally said. “They could have started a coup. Why do our soldiers have to die? For what?”
Mr. Bally is concerned that Saddam will keep his promise to not go quietly.
“He’s going to bomb everything just to show his power,” he said. “This guy is not going to give up.”
Mr. Bally, who was raised Catholic, said his entire family came to America to create a life of freedom. He’s lived here 34 years and his father is buried in Michigan. He still has 17 brothers and sisters living in the region.
“I love this country and I would die for it,” he said. “This is my home. This is Heaven.”
S.E. Michigan has the largest concentration of people of Mid-Eastern descent outside of the Mid-East.
Luna Pier man, Iraqi native, lived in Saddam’s neighborhood
By RAY KISONAS
LUNA PIER — When he was a young man living in Iraq, Walid Bally of Luna Pier often would come across a certain prime minister who loved to talk politics in the neighborhood coffee shops.
That person was none other than Saddam Hussein. Mr. Bally and his family lived in the same neighborhood as the dictator and even back then they knew he was bad news.
“My father used to tell us ‘don’t even get involved with that guy, just stay away from him,’ ” Mr. Bally said. “He always opened his mouth.”
Mr. Bally said they lived about a city block away from each other and he would see the future dictator two or three times a week. He said the vast majority of Iraqis feel the same about Saddam as he does.
“I hate him with a passion,” Mr. Bally said. “The guy’s no good.”
Mr. Bally, 55, left Iraq in 1969 and never went back. He came to Monroe County 10 years later and settled in Luna Pier, where he created a life as a business owner who also served on the city council for six years.
This morning he recalled his days growing up in Baghdad and how he was discriminated against because he was Christian. He graduated from high school and attended college in his homeland, but decided to come to America.
“As soon as they find out you’re a Christian, you’re done,” Mr. Bally said.
He still has several half brothers and sisters living in Baghdad and is concerned for their safety. Mr. Bally said he would never go back to Iraq under the current regime.
“They’re afraid and they’re scared,” he said about his family. “I’m concerned.”
Mr. Bally said he has not spoken with any family members in Iraq for about six months because lines of communication have been severed.
“There’s no way you can talk to them,” he said.
The owner of Ida Food Center and Bally’s Discount Drinks in Monroe, Mr. Bally said several Iraqis live in Monroe County and most are Chaldeans who are completely against Saddam’s regime.
“This man is insane,” Mr. Bally said. “We should have taken him out in ’91.”
Mr. Bally said he thinks that instead of war the American government should have paid the people of Iraq to eliminate Saddam. Billions of dollars are being spent to attack Iraq and only a fraction of that could have rid the country of the dictator.
“The only way to do it is to pay those people to get rid of him out of there,” Mr. Bally said. “They could have started a coup. Why do our soldiers have to die? For what?”
Mr. Bally is concerned that Saddam will keep his promise to not go quietly.
“He’s going to bomb everything just to show his power,” he said. “This guy is not going to give up.”
Mr. Bally, who was raised Catholic, said his entire family came to America to create a life of freedom. He’s lived here 34 years and his father is buried in Michigan. He still has 17 brothers and sisters living in the region.
“I love this country and I would die for it,” he said. “This is my home. This is Heaven.”