Demise of Iraqi water park illustrates limitations, abuse of U.S. funding program

[unhappycamper]

Demise of Iraqi water park illustrates limitations, abuse of U.S. funding program
By Ernesto Londoño
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, January 3, 2011; 12:59 AM

BAGHDAD - In the spring of 2008, Gen. David H. Petraeus decided he had spent enough time gazing from his helicopter at an empty and desolate lake on the banks of the Tigris River. He ordered the lake refilled and turned into a water park for all of Baghdad to enjoy.

The military doctrine behind the project holds that cash can be as effective as bullets. Under Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq at the time, that principle gained unprecedented emphasis, and it has become a cornerstone of the war effort in Afghanistan, now under Petraeus's command.

But today the Baghdad park is nearly waterless, more than two years after a U.S. military inauguration ceremony that included a marching band and water-scooter rides. Much of the compound is in ruins, swing sets have become piles of twisted steel, and the personal watercraft's engines have been gutted for spare parts.

The troubled history of the venture speaks to the limitations and mishandling of a program that has provided U.S. military commanders with $5 billion for projects in Iraq and Afghanistan over the past six years. The program has given officers enormous flexibility to address urgent needs with few bureaucratic hassles.

But in many cases, such as that of the Jadriyah Lake park, the investments under the plan, known as the Commander's Emergency Response Program, have created no more than a temporary illusion of progress. They have also shown a lack of U.S. foresight and highlighted the shortcomings of an Iraqi government the Americans were trying to boost.

[no_hypocrisy]

1. If a simple water park can't be maintained, how can Iraqis trust this country to

rebuild its water, sewerage, electrical, and transportation systems? We destroyed all of them.

[FreakinDJ]

2. Who needs a waterpark when you don't have electricity, or water

[itsrobert]

3. Let them eat cake

Where did I hear that before?

[justabob]

4. really

I am pretty sure Iraqis would like to be able to turn their taps and find both cold and hot running water.... not bask in the sun at Wet and effing Wild. geez

[hatrack]

5. Exactly - who needs water or sewers when you've got Schlitterbahn East?

Fucking unbelievable.

[somone]

6. Well, we HAD to make some Iraqis very rich

the contractors and government officials. Some well-connected Americans too.