This blogger thought he had stumbled upon The Onion when he read a piece on the 'Net about Los Angeles businessman Llewellyn Werner’s grand plan to open a Disneyland-like park smack dab in the heart of Baghdad.
It was The Times (London), however, that reported Werner’s $500M scheme to give entertainment-deprived Iraqis something to do when they are not dodging suicide bombs and launching insurgent attacks. Demonstrating that can-do American spirit, Werner says he plans to make a lot of money with his 50-acre plot next to the “Green Zone” that he hopes one day will feature a refurbished zoo, rides, skateboard park, concert hall, museum, housing and hotels. Animals for the zoo are arriving daily to replace the ones that were starved, looted, killed or eaten following the `03 invasion.
Werner is confident that Iraqis won't bomb his fantasy land because both Shia and Sunni children need somewhere to play. The Iraqi government has given Werner a 50-year lease on the land, and promises to provide security. Note to Werner: round up some of the guys from Blackwater to run the rides.
Werner sees a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity in Iraq because of its large unemployed skilled workforce and huge oil reserves. General David Petraeus, the head of U.S. forces in Iraq, is said to be a “big supporter” of Werner’s idea. He wants Iraqis to blow off some steam in an amusement park rather than blow up Americans.
A tip of the cap goes to Werner for his entrepreneurial spirit, but his hare-brained development is the last thing Iraqis want.
Iraqis -- as do most Americans -- want the U.S. out of Iraq. They don’t want a symbol of American culture plucked down in the heart of their capital city for the next half century.
Werner should think things over. Coney Island could sure use some new rides.