American Firm to Build Amusement Park in Baghdad
April 24th, 2008Via: Times Online:
Llewellyn Werner admits he is facing obstacles most amusement park developers never have to deal with – insurgent attacks and looting.
When you are building an amusement park in downtown Baghdad, those risks come with the territory.
Mr Werner, chairman of C3, a Los Angeles-based holding company for private equity firms, is pouring millions of dollars into developing the Baghdad Zoo and Entertainment Experience, a massive American-style amusement park that will feature a skateboard park, rides, a concert theatre and a museum. It is being designed by the firm that developed Disneyland. “The people need this kind of positive influence. It’s going to have a huge psychological impact,” Mr Werner said.
Related: The American Culture Bomb: Satire from the Onion and a Long Forgotten U.S. Army War College Essay
Somewhere, Kurt Vonnegut is laughing his head off and thinking, “I wish I had thought of that…”
Get in line kiddies, for the funnest ride you’ve ever been on! The Rendition to Baghdad! First, you’ll be blindfolded and stuffed into a (mock) Gulfstream jet, which will whisk you away to the Abu Ghraib Disenchanted Castle, where you’ll be forced to strip naked (hey, its awfully hot this time of year in Baghdad, anyway!). Then, you and your pals will get to form a human pyramid, while we stick wires to your private parts. Wheee! And finally, you’ll get to visit our “petting zoo”, where German Sheperds will take chunks out of your flesh. All for the sake of some good, clean fun. Be sure to get your cotton candy and a “I was renditioned to Baghdad and all I got was this lousy t-shirt” t-shirt from the concession stand on the way out!