This is my Iraqi word of the day.

"Shaku Maku" is a colloquial term frequently used by Iraqis - it is not used anywhere else. It is roughly equivalent to the American "what's up?" Evidently, it is Babylonian in origin and about 3000 years old.  I like it because its easy to remember...  it sounds a lot like "Shaka Broder" which  I use to hear in Hawaii back in the 70s!  For the Iraqi's I meet, it’s an easy way to just say "Hi".

In other news... the referendum is almost here.  It has been a difficult road getting here because now there is a political fight going on as well as the one in the streets.  There has been a lot of talk of what outcome the US desires...  I think it’s fair to say, that the most important thing is for as many Iraqis to VOTE and it does look like many of the Sunnis realize that they missed the boat last January.  The political maneuvering however continues to the end!