35 grand for a cab ride

[stellanoir]

On MTP the journalist from the NYT (didn't catch his name) just said to get to the airport in Baghdad down the 6 mile "road of death" a company charges 35 thousand bucks. Ah that's just one way. If you miss your plane you're charged again for the ride back. He also said, "they earn their money."

Sheesh.

Must be great to be "liberated" of all that dough.

[SheilaT]

1. So do the journalists there

typically carry several hundred thousand dollars in cash at all times? Do the cab drivers take American Express? I'm quite curious about just how this works.

[stellanoir]

3. He didn't say

but I've heard other journalists say that they have to carry massive amounts of cash.

He said that the NYT's has a house there with a massive 24 foot wall of concrete around it and that they have their own vehicles and travel with military escorts. So I didn't get the impression that he personally used this service. So I guess it's for Iraqi's and other foreign nationals. He said the company had an armored vehicle.

I would guess that they'd take credit cards if the cab company was established prior to the war. Just guessin though.

[Sannum]

2. damn....

and I thought my cab fares were steep.

[jedr]

4. capitalism at it's best!!!..

[anarchy1999]

5. I was not amused this am with either one of these "journalist's"! Would

someone please bring on Fisk, Palast, Riverbend, Dahr Jamail, Kelley, Rahul Mahajan, anyone? These are all journalist covering this realistically. Why do we continue to accept the BS?

So, where is the NASCAR race today, DADDY?

Here is the thread I started, maybe they should be combined, I don't know?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=3493252#3493331

[stellanoir]

7. I agree with you

wholeheartedly. It was pretty much a whitewash. That's why I posted this thread because it was one of the only, it not the only statement made that indicated how frigging dangerous it is there.

As for combining the threads, it's fine with me if they do but leave it up to the mods. Sometimes they do sometimes they don't. There were a couple other threads about MTP as well.

[lonestarnot]

6. Sweet smell of freedom...LOL

[stellanoir]

8. yup

maybe freedom isn't really "on the march."

It's far too busy taking over priced cab rides to avoid being blown to smithereens.

[lonestarnot]

9. LOL and freedom is IN the march AGAINST THESE MFRS!

[omega minimo]

10. Freedom on the Meter

:evilgrin:

[stellanoir]

11. LOL good one

but I got the distinct impression that it was a flat rate.

[omega minimo]

14. Free Market on the March

Isn't that what Bush War II is about?

[KharmaTrain]

12. Check Out The CSPAN Replay Of The Journalist Roundtable

A bunch of journalists...and I'm assuming this is the NYT Reporter who was on that panel gave a real harrowing report on what's going on in Baghdad.

He talked about the "Road Of Death"...the highway that is constantly targeted for attacks on American vehicles. He said that was a far cry from the quiet little ride he took in the Saddam days, but also mentioned how every movement he made was under the eyes of a "Baghdad Bob" minder. One set of restrictions now replaced by another.

He related a story of being chased on that highway...even in an armored Humvee...and how their access is highly restricted due to safety issues. A woman photog said how she has to keep her American identity hidden when she ventures out and how the locals no longer want to have her around...she can't stay in any one location for more than 15 minutes in fear of being targeted.

If the Times wants the story...and the real story...and this guy is willing to take the risks; for whatever purposes, he's worth every penny he's paid.

Recently, I read email from a former Contractor who said that the country was awash in cash. People throw $100 bills there like we through around singles and keeping thousands of dollars in cash at hand is the best insurance policy one can have.

Yep, we're sure winning those hearts and minds. And the sad part, is this panel had to really try hard to put a favorable light on what they saw, and still had to face several wingnuts in the audience who questioned their "patriotism".

[DrDebug]

13. One thing I don't understand about "The Road of Death"

is that they can't even get the slighest control over that road. It's just a small stretch of highway with no level crossings, so put a huge wall on either side and it's safe. Or am I being overly simplistic?

I don't really blame the taxidrivers for asking $35000. I wouldn't want to drive that road at any costs myself.

[Cocoa]

15. Halliburton Cab Co. n/t

[sundancekid]

16. and then, whatta ya get for 35K? a shot in the arm ... just ask Sgrena