IN HIS EYES: An Average Iraqi meets a not so Average Iraqi

  This is a real story that happened during the years Saddam was in power. I was telling it yesterday to my friend Mad Canuck, and that was when the idea of turning it into a post evolved, he was the one with the suggestion to make it an IN HIS EYES post, I really liked the idea, and here it is in a post. I hope you enjoy:

"I'm the manager of one of the steam based Iraqi electric plants, I remember clearly that day, we were running low on steam, which made our production less than 100%, and I was running everywhere trying to find a solution to the problem, then, the phone rang at my office, announcing that someone "Really high up" was coming to the plant today. OH CRAP. The last thing I need now, is someone in power going through the plant and asking, why haven't you done that and that. Not to mention that I might lose my head today, if HE didn't like something here.

"That someone was Hussein Kamel, he was the minister of industry at that time, someone that has only went as far as primary school, then quit studying, anything could go wrong if he misunderstood something. As I was showing him around, I kept trying to sound in charge, the man for the job, maybe I'll through the day that way. The he asked:

HK: "So I see, but you haven't told US the reason why the plant is not going on full power"   Easy one


AVIRAQI: "Well sir, the plant is going low on steam"   I said the whole phrase in Arabic, but I said the word (steam) in English.


HK: "Is that the only reason???"   One is enough


AVIRAQI: "Yes sir, steam is our only problem now.."


HK: "Alright then, I'll get you all the steam you need"   What the....

He turned to his bodyguard

HK:"Issue these orders: I want all the steam in the country packed up and brought to this plant, NOW."   Oh my GOD, didn't see that coming..

"He left the plant, unaware of his fault, as I was TERRIFIED to tell him. Later in the evening, a presidential order was issued, that no technician was allowed anymore to speak any foreign word in front of any government employee..."

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