The following is an introduction of Riverbend by Buzzflash:
Riverbend Is a Blogger, “Embedded” in the Real Baghdad, Telling It Like It Is, Helping Us See With New Eyes
* * *
Jump the fold —
“Riverbend” is a storyteller. Her “Baghdad Burning” blog is one part Anne Frank, another part Scheherazade and “A Thousand and One Arabian Nights” — from cyberspace. As she wrote in her first weblog entry, dated August 17, 2003: “So this is the beginning for me, I guess … expect a lot of complaining and ranting. … A little bit about myself: I’m female, Iraqi and 24. I survived the war. That’s all you need to know. It’s all that matters these days anyway.”
Riverbend’s experience of war, her political commentary and nuanced slice-of-life descriptions, have won her worldwide respect and appreciation. Now her weblog writings have been published in paperback and are available as a BuzzFlash premium. BuzzFlash is grateful to Riverbend for all she has shared in “Baghdad Burning,” as well as for her e-mailed comments to us (below) on why she writes, how she experiences American propaganda, Iraqis’ hopes, fears and disappointments, and the elusiveness of “normal” life in Baghdad.
* * *
… I’ll meet you ’round the bend my friend, where hearts can heal and souls can mend…
Monday, April 18, 2005
Good News and Bad News…
Bad news first: Brave, young Marla Ruzicka was killed in Baghdad while travelling along the Baghdad Airport road. Read more about her work and the lives she touched here: CIVIC Worldwide. Read more about her personally on Justin Alexander’s site and Raed’s “Raed in the Middle”.
The good news: Another shipment of emergency aid for Iraqi civilians has been sent out. Raed’s family started and are organizing the whole thing. He has listed all the people who donated money and has taken endless pictures and scanned receipts- it’s well documented on his blog.
Some of the amazing people behind this effort:
– Raed and Niki
– Khalid
– Majid
– Faiza
– posted by river @ 1:17 PM
Here, I’m afraid, you will not see a laughing “Adele” so often.
Yahoo News Search on Marla Ruzicka
Franz Ruzicka – artist
Oui – Liberté – Egalité – Fraternité
by the loss of Marla Ruzicka.
A powerful advocate for peace in Iraq and justice for the Iraqi civilian loss of life.
See her work for CIVIC Worldwide.
A recent diary:
Claims of Iraqi ‘peace’ in tatters; US aid worker killed
by susanhbu Sun Apr 17th, 2005
Oui – Liberté – Egalité – Fraternité
The diary Susan posted over on Dkos the other day was deeply appreciated. I didn’t know Marla, but an old friend of mine did. Her loss is as he put it, was shattering. A bright flame which will continue on even though she is gone.
I’ve posted that link to Buzz interview also and periodically post Riverbends link. Everyone should really read her to find out how daily life is going and her clear thinking on all subjects and issues happening in Iraq.
Buzz also has her put all her blog enteries into a book which I think is a great idea.