Ted has a blog post about a conversation he recently had with a man from Fallujah. This man had his home destroyed, his livelihood or career changed and what is this Iraqi man from Fallujah most concerned with?

FALLUJAH, Iraq—One of the greatest things about my job except for being able to lead Marines in combat is that I get to interact with the local Iraqis on a regular basis. On a recent trip to Fallujah I spoke with Ali Hadi Salah Alfhdawi “Hadi”, the manager of Fallujah Public Radio. Hadi, was born and raised in Fallujah. In his lifetime he has survived under the brutal dictatorship of the Saddam era, seen his country at or near a constant state of war, and witnessed his city practically leveled to the ground during the battle of Fallujah. Yet despite all he has lived through, he is an optimistic beacon of hope shining in the dim haze that is Iraq.

In Ted’s conversation with Hadi the man kept talking about his city and how the people there were peaceful loving people. He wouldn’t stop talking about this particular topic. Why? Because he didn’t want Americans to think all people in his city were insurgents.

Perception is a powerful force and Hadi isn’t off center in his concerns. I’m guilty of thinking this way.

Go read about Ted’s conversation with Hadi for a different perspective on Fallujah.

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