Iraqi Khuder Al-Emeri became a marked man after challenging Saddam Hussein's rule, and fled to Seattle. Now he has returned home. Seattle Times reporter Hal Bernton tells his story, and it's a must-read.

Most important of all, for Al-Emeri, his hometown is finally free of Saddam.

For years, the Shiite Muslim community suffered at the hands of Saddam's Sunni government. Many people here now revere President Bush and eagerly seek copies of his picture to hang on their walls. But many Shiites also are frustrated by the lack of jobs and security, and they are impatient with U.S. military control. Within the past week, they have taken to the streets by the thousands in Baghdad and other cities to press for elections this spring to determine a new government.

"Now we are one with the American people and need to maintain that relationship. But once we have a new Iraqi government, the Americans need to go," says Arkan Trad, a City Council member.

This call is echoed forcefully at a nearby mosque. There, an imam on Fridays talks of an Islamic state, free of the United States

Yes, I guess separation of church and state is a GOOD thing. And so is our continuing presence in Iraq.

Posted by Matt Rosenberg at January 27, 2004 10:58 AM

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