MIKE KELLY has reported from such far-away spots as Belfast, Jerusalem, the West Bank, Gaza City, Malaysia, Kenya and the detention camps at Guantanamo Bay. The Record columnist is featured regularly on radio and TV and is the author of two books.
TYSON TRISH covers all kinds of assignments for The Record and logs hundreds of miles each week traversing Bergen and Passaic counties. He was born in Colorado, raised in California, schooled in Washington, D.C., and now calls the Garden State home.As thrones go, the one that sits in the lobby of Saddam Hussein’s Al-Faw Palace has new life.
It’s a photo op.
The throne, made mostly of lacquered wood, was given to Hussein by Palestinian leader Yasar Arafat. Besides a seat – a prerequisite for a throne obviously – it also has room for a carved rendition of Jerusalem’s Dome of the Rock mosque and another carved rendition of Arafat’s trademark head scarf.
In short, it’s gaudy.
Today, the location of the throne can seem startling. The Al-Faw Palace, which sits on a lake on the outskirts of Baghdad, near the airport, is the military headquarters of the Multinational Force.
And, these days, almost every soldier who enters the Al-Faw palace takes a few moments to sit in the chair and pose for a photo. So many soldiers have sat on the throne that the tan cushion seat is wearing out.
-- Mike Kelly
These heros fighting to end terrorism deserve a throne each. Hope you come home safely to your families soon and for a war job well done, I'll stand you all a beer (we only have a couch in our bar though ) XXXX
Posted by: Gazza | 08/02/2009 at 01:07 PM
i like this part of the blog:"Today, the location of the throne can seem startling. The Al-Faw Palace, which sits on a lake on the outskirts of Baghdad, near the airport, is the military headquarters of the Multinational Force." is very good
Posted by: generic propecia | 04/25/2010 at 12:02 PM
saddam was lion and bush is hyna he live with hounor and dies with hounor but bush is like a dog
Posted by: tanveer | 05/14/2010 at 06:53 AM
Saddams photo op throne still a photo op.. He-he-he :)
Posted by: njmg.typepad.com | 03/27/2011 at 02:06 PM