On September 10, the City of Baghdad posted a notice on its website announcing hearings at which the public can weigh in on future uses for al-Zawra park. The first order of business: Design proposals for a 650-foot-high Ferris wheel, which would be the tallest in the world — and an irresistible target for terrorists, according to critics.
It's already become a target here in Colorado. On September 24, the Barack Obama campaign started airing an attack ad that takes aim at the project. "Well, the Iraqi government is finally spending some of its $79 billion surplus from oil," a voice says over a background of carnival music, describing the Ferris wheel proposal at a time when projects here at home are going unfunded. "John McCain wants America to keep spending $10 billion a month in Iraq when we should be rebuilding America."
The ad is being used in several other swing states, including Virginia and Nevada.
If voters get worked up about a Ferris wheel, what will they think about peace through skateboard parks?
