Soap operas will save American GIs in Iraq

[Mandate My Ass]

I think they must be dropping acid in the Inquirer newsroom these days. You can't make up shit this good unless your brain has been chemically altered. :wtf:

http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/news/columnists/trudy_rubin/6361478.htm

<snip>

Here's a suggestion for saving American lives in Baghdad.

Soap opera.

I'm not joking. One of the most inexplicable and dangerous failings of U.S. occupation authorities is their failure to communicate with the Iraqi people. Ordinary Iraqis don't know who's in charge or what U.S. officials are doing. This breeds suspicion and hostility along with false and vicious rumors about the actions of American troops.

<snip>

Through soap operas, Iraqis could see actors resolve their problems, could feel they weren't alone, could even watch as CPA officials did (or didn't) do things right. There might even be a U.S. soldier-hero - like some of the young officers I met who are building schools or setting up new city councils.

And in between the soap segments, bulletins could keep Iraqis apprised of real news.