Good news in Iraq = Bad news at the DUmp

[dutch508]

Let's see how this one goes:

sabra  (1000+ posts)       Wed Aug-27-08 04:31 PM
Original message
Iraq official: Baghdad to build giant Ferris wheel 
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x3456825

Source: USA Today

BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraq is calling on companies to submit designs to build a giant Ferris wheel in Baghdad — the latest in a string of lavish proposals painting the capital as a leisure friendly city.

The Ferris wheel, dubbed the Baghdad Eye, will soar more than 650 feet over the city and feature air-conditioned compartments that would each carry up to 30 passengers, Adel al-Ardawi, a media official with Baghdad's municipality, said Wednesday.

"This wheel will be taller than the iconic 443-foot London Eye," al-Ardawi told The Associated Press.

Three possible locations in Baghdad have been selected, but officials are waiting to see what proposals are submitted before picking one, he said, declining to give an estimated construction cost or timeline.

"We hope to attract a great number of customers who will be able to see the whole city and enjoy the restaurants and pools on ground below," al-Ardawi added.

...

Officials are also using the downturn in violence to begin promoting tourism — a tough sell in a country where infrastructure is weak and bombings still occur on a daily basis.

Read more: http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq/2008-08-27-Iraq...

 

Kutjara  (1000+ posts)       Wed Aug-27-08 04:33 PM
Response to Original message
2. Too bad they didn't decide to name it "Sauron's Eye."
 It's not often I get the chance to use "fiddling while Rome burns" and "making a silk purse out of a sow's ear" in the same sentence.

wtmusic  (1000+ posts)      Wed Aug-27-08 04:33 PM
Response to Original message
3. Cool, now they just need some electricity to make it turn 'round. nt

 

Democrats_win (1000+ posts)      Wed Aug-27-08 04:36 PM
Response to Original message
6. Paid for by the United States. 

 

global1 (1000+ posts)      Wed Aug-27-08 04:36 PM
Response to Original message
7. And When You Get To The Top As Far As The Eye Can See You Can ......
 check out the destruction that the U.S. did to the city. Shock & Awe!!!!!

JonLP24  (204 posts)      Wed Aug-27-08 04:45 PM
Response to Original message
11. The last time I was in Baghdad was April 2007
 Everything was so war torn with no one out and about (it was night time)

Has the war turned that much to actually consider promoting tourism? 

 

nightrain (117 posts)      Wed Aug-27-08 04:51 PM
Response to Original message
14. what a waste of resources when Baghdadis need electricity in their homes
 and running water etc! Must be a Halliburton/KBR contract!

balantz  (1000+ posts)      Wed Aug-27-08 04:57 PM
Response to Original message
15. Will it be made from a framework of human skin stretched over human bones?
 Surely there has been enough of that raw material produced there.

Yup.

About what I expected.

[TheSarge]

I can't wait to see their reaction when the first U.S. air carrier announces daily service toBIAP.

[Crazy Horse]

Then hear today that the US is gonna give iraq control of Anbar...............................they just can't accept it.