NPR: The Funniest Things Happen in Basra...

The Funniest Things Happen in Basra...

If you want to read something about Iraq and laugh for a change, then have I got the ticket for you.

Corey Flintoff, a longtime NPR newscaster who recently spent time reporting in Iraq and now writes foreign news for NPR.org, offers a collection of anecdotes from our contract reporter in Basra. As Corey notes, most of the time the stringer is sending reports on the normal happenings in the city ... you know, bombings, sectarian warfare, etc. But "every now and then he gets tired of reporting mayhem and sends us an e-mail about things that strike him as funny, weird or revealing about his home place."

My personal favorites: observations about a fatwa on imported chickens and the oddity of wearing seat belts in Iraq.

5:29 PM ET | 10- 3-2007 | permalink

Comments (Send a comment)

Very funny. Ha Ha. Whoever is laughing at the missing minarets and and the funeral tents doesn't have a brain.
We have ruined these people's lives with our unjustified war...why not laugh too. We could laugh at your correspondent if something happens to him, but would it really be funny. A funeral tent can be reaised for him too.

Sent by Filomeni | 7:07 PM ET | 10-03-2007

I am highly disappointed that NPR would allow even the tiniest distraction from the horrors the war criminals in this administration have perpetrated on Iraq. Are you looking for the "good news" Bush whines is not being reported? Shame NPR!

Sent by Jim Mckeown | 9:10 AM ET | 10-04-2007

Actually, I find this to be evidence that human beings are able to find good cheer in any situation, no matter how bad current events are. I reading an article on the upsurge of popular political satire on Iraqi television these days. People need humor, even if it is gallows. If the Iraqi people themselves find some humor in these situations who are we to tell them that it is in bad taste?

Kudos, Mr. Regan, for bringing this blog to light.

Sent by Juni Ingle | 11:18 AM ET | 10-04-2007

It is a very human reaction to try to find the wry humor in prolonged tragedy. It would feel very different if this story involved outsiders poking fun at Iraq and Iraqis, but this is an insider doing what embattled people have always done to keep their sanity and their humanity: laughing at the irony of it all. I applaud the valiant spirit of those who continue to struggle to live a decent and normal life in the midst of insanity, pray that the necessity for it will soon end, and fear that their resolve may be tested far more before they find relief.

Sent by Sukali | 11:18 AM ET | 10-04-2007

Aarfy: Anything the matter?
Yossarian: My parachute. It's gone!
Aarfy: Don't worry about it.
Yossarian: What do you mean don't worry about it? What do I do if I have to bail out? Use my handkerchief?
Aarfy (grins):That's the kind of humour in the face of adversity keeps America strong. I like you Yossarian.
Yossarian: Aardvark, I' d like to kill you, but I haven't got time right now.
Aarfy: You could have my chute but I gave it to Milo.
Yossarian: You gave it to Milo?
Aarfy: Yeah, he's got all the chutes. He's got a hell of a deal going for silk in Alexandria.
Yossarian (grabs at Aarfy's neck): Maybe I do have time to kill you.

Sent by John R. Otten | 2:33 PM ET | 10-05-2007

wow. that was garbage.

Sent by Larry | 7:18 PM ET | 10-06-2007

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