Theme

One theme Riverbend tries to point out throughout her blog is how Iraqis are more similar to Americans than most think. Riverbend feels that American try to portray Iraqis as primitive and savage-like, when that is not the case. She emphasizes that most Iraqis are technologically and intellectually on the same level as Americans.

1. "Myth: Iraqis, prior to occupation, lived in little beige tents set up on the sides on little dirt roads all over Baghdad." (pg. 34)

2. "The Truth: Iraqis lived in houses with running water and electricity. Thousands of them owned computers." (pg. 34)

3. "Many modern day sheikhs in Iraq have college degrees. Many have lived abroad and own property in London, Beirut, and various other glamorous capitals...they ride around in Mercedes and live in sprawling villas fully furnished with Victorian furniture, Persian carpets, oil paintings, and air conditioners." (pg. 88)

4. "As to my connection with Western culture...you wouldn't believe how many young Iraqi people know so much about American/British/French pop culture. They know about Arnold Schwarzenegger, Brad Pitt, Whitney Houston, McDonalds, and M.I.B's" (pg. 20)

5. "You know what really bugs me about posting on the internet, chat room, or message boards? The first reaction (usually from Americans) is 'You're lying, you're not Iraqi.' Why am I not Iraqi, well because a. I have internet access (Iraqis have no internet)....How is it that we're seen as another Afghanistan?" (pg. 6)

6. "I wasn't dancing because the faces on the screen, could have been the same faces in front of the Amiriyah shelter on February 13...it's strange how horror obliterates ethnic differences- all faces look the same when they are witnessing the death of loved ones." (pg. 48)

7. "Before the war about 50% of college students were females, and over 50% of the working force was composed of females." (pg. 17)