http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/02/10/usnews/whispers/main4790166.shtmlBy Bonnie Erbe
Feb 9, 2009
(US News) Here's a sad story, sure to tug at your heartstrings. The Iraqi state minister for women's affairs has resigned in protest, because the country's puppet government (set up by the invading Bush administration, claims of a democratic election notwithstanding) is not giving her enough money to support the women driven into poverty by the U.S. invasion of Iraq:
"In an interview Sunday with The Associated Press, Nawal al-Samarraie described how her office's budget was so tight that she often found herself dipping into her own pockets for the women who came begging for help.
She said she finally submitted her resignation last week in part because her budget was slashed from $7,500 to $1,500 per month -- part of overall government spending cuts forced by plunging oil prices. The figure didn't include staff salaries.
"I reached to the point that I will never be able to help the women," said al-Samarraie, whose job lasted just six months. "The budget is very limited ... so what can I do?"