Where Iraqis live in virtual self-exile

A day in the life of an Iraqi, Georgies Liberation of the Iraqi People Ali Shaker Ali, Aljazeera.net

As US and Iraqi security forces hint at a series of trenches, moats and berms to cordon off the capital Baghdad in hopes of stemming the daily violence, many Iraqis are shrugging the measures off. Security measures come and go, they say, but the daily death rates continue to increase. And if there is one word to describe the most enduring constant in addition to nearly daily car bombs, curfew would be it, most Iraqis agree. Curfew hours in Baghdad last from 9pm till 5am every day and are extended on Fridays, the Muslim holy day. But in addition to the government curfews and motor vehicular bans, Iraqi civilians are imposing a self-styled exile of sorts avoiding busy streets, market places, bus stops, stations and most restaurants...

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