Requires the Willful Suspension of Disbelief
Let's repeat it again:
POLITICAL PROGRESS in IRAQ:
GEN Petraeus told Wolf Blitzer on Jan 27, 2008 that the Iraqi government:
- Passed a pensions law that extends pension rights to tens of thousands of individuals who were left out in earlier arrangement several years ago.
- they passed the Iraqi flag law in the council of representatives. Now, you might think that’s purely symbolic. It’s not. It has been a contentious issue for several years. The current flag does not fly in portions of the Kurdish regional government are in Iraq. And so this is an important step forward.
- The de-Baathification reform bill, so-called accountability and justice law, has passed
- The 2008 budget is being debated right now in the council of representatives, and it distributes oil revenues in a way that is in line with the oil revenue-sharing bill that could be debated later in the year
- So, again, all of a sudden, it’s as if there’s a new dynamism in the council of representatives.
Not only that, but the Iraqi Parliament has been more effective than the U.S. Congress:
The House Committee on Foreign Affairs compares Bills Signed Into Law:
- Democratic Congress – 48
- Iraqi Parliament – 53
Progress Report on Iraqi Parliament
Reconstruction progress via the US Army Corps of Engineers
Desperate Al-Qaeda Resorts to Using Retarded Women in Attacks
Al-Qaeda Car Bombs Decrease Dramatically in Iraq
Iraqi Officer Challenges Media Misinformation about Coalition Forces
U.S. To Transfer Authority of Anbar Province Back to Iraq
Soldiers Celebrate Safest Christmas Ever in Iraq
Sunni, Shia March Together in Baghdad for Peace
Inflation Drops 90% In Iraq (and other good news)
- Year-to-date inflation as of October 2007 is 4.2%, compared to year-to-date inflation through October 2006 of 42.7%
- The continued appreciation of the Iraqi dinar went from 1,475 dinars per U.S. dollar in late 2006 to 1,218 dinars per U.S. dollar currently.
- Electrical output/production is up 14% from this time last year.
- The postwar electricity production record for one day (123,000 MWh) was broken on October 12, 2007 with the production of 125,000 MWh.
- Violence and casualties are down
- Security is up
- Sectarian deaths have plummeted
- In NOV 2006 there were 6 Iraqi Division Headquarters, 30 Brigade Headquarters and 91 Battalions.
- In NOV 2007 there are 10 Division Headquarters, 34 Brigade Headquarters and 108 Battalions.
Updated with
Iraqi Police Impress U.S. Troops
More good news for Pelosi to deny
The Real State of Iraq
Labels: 110th Congress, Baghdad Security Plan, Iraq, pro-victory, White Flag Democrats
posted by The WordSmith from Nantucket at 2/19/2008 10:56:00 AM
9 Comments:
Well this is certainly good news.
However, the word on the ground (outside the wire) that my son is currently receiving in e-mails and instant messages from a few of his fellow army buddies that are back over there for the 3rd and 4th time, is that the situation is "hopeless" and "worse than it's ever been".
Hmm...maybe somebody needs to tell these soldiers it's getting better and that their eyes deceive them.
I am going to copy and paste this Word so I can shove this down that Federalist guy's throat.
Great Post BTW
Marty,
I have a son that is getting ready to be called back up and I guess it's where the Soldiers are that bad things are happening maybe but I have read violence across all of Iraq has dropped 80% and dropping.
My son still talks to his buddies in theatre too and he rarely hears of any attacks anymore.
As a matter of fact they are telling him how things have changed dramatically since he left!
Then again he was there when it all first started so I dont know, I guess it all depends on what Soldiers you talk too.
Those that are against the war are going to say that, and people like my son and his buddies that believe in finishing the mission say something entirely different.
But I think Word pretty much put up the facts there.
The dinar, electricity and inflation rates are very significant. for those factors affect the Iraqi people lives directly as individuals.
the rest of the laws are needed to give greater stability to the government and a sense of unity to the country. and tho some might consider them trivial or symbolic they still were important.
we need to remember they still are in the process of formation of a new govvernment and that take time.
marty,
Thanks for weighing in, and speaking up from their perspective. Do you know what part of Iraq they are stationed at? Your son and his friends are negative on the war; it just so happens that it also gives validity to your political perspectives, too. As marie suggests, this isn't a perspective that is shared by everyone over there. I suppose, like anything else, you will get a variety of experiences and perspectives, influenced by personal political beliefs.
Seems like there one of those guys in every unit that complains about everything and nothing is any good. Must be of democrat persuasion. The democrats have to be crushed, that's all there is too it.
Screw McCain that weasel but I hate democrats much worse. Thanks for the inspiration marty. Keep talking.
Wordsmith I'm not sure where they are. I didn't ask. I would guess in and around Baghdad. These are not guys that are necessarily against the war either. They are career...seasoned soldiers. They were just telling my son what they were experiencing. One was my son's gunner. He's been blown up 11 times, twice with my son and 9 times since. He is having black outs and been diagnosed with Traumatic Brain Injury. I would really appreciate prayers for him. His name is Rodney.
No one wants thing to improve over there more than me Wordsmith. I hope this is really the case and not propaganda before an election. Time will tell I suppose.
Rodney is in my prayers; God bless him for his service and sacrifice!
It was rather presumptuous of me to assume the politics of your son's friends over there. Thanks for setting me straight and keeping me honest.
You're a stand-up guy, Wordsmith, and your apology proves it. :)
I'm sure things are worse in some parts of the country than in others, but it is undeniable that progress has been made.
I pray you guys are right. I want them home. I want them safe. I want them whole in body, mind, and soul. I want them taken care of if their not.
Thanks for the prayers Wordsmith.
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