[kellynla]

"There are also positive economic indicators that receive little or no coverage in the Western media. For all the insurgents' attempts to sabotage the Iraqi economy, the Brookings Institution reports that per capita income has doubled since 2003 and is now 30% higher than it was before the war. Thanks primarily to the increase in oil prices, the Iraqi economy is projected to grow at a whopping 16.8% next year. According to Brookings' Iraq index, there are five times more cars on the streets than in Saddam Hussein's day, five times more telephone subscribers and 32 times more Internet users.

The growth of the independent media — a prerequisite of liberal democracy — is even more inspiring. Before 2003 there was not a single independent media outlet in Iraq. Today, Brookings reports, there are 44 commercial TV stations, 72 radio stations and more than 100 newspapers. newspapers."

[pogo101]

bttt.

[rightinthemiddle]

47% of Iraqis polled said their country was headed in the right direction, as opposed to 37% who said they thought that it was going in the wrong direction. And 56% thought things would be better in six months. Only 16% thought they would be worse.

__________

Amazing. Iraqis think more of their country than Americans think of ours.

[Jeff Chandler]

Before 2003 there was not a single independent media outlet in Iraq. Today, Brookings reports, there are 44 commercial TV stations, 72 radio stations and more than 100 newspapers. newspapers."

"Bush lied and Oppression died."

[JamesP81]

Thanks primarily to the increase in oil prices, the Iraqi economy is projected to grow at a whopping 16.8% next year.

Better call my broker and have him by Iraqi stocks.

[Rippin]

Great to hear some good news in an Old Media paper but how the hey can per capita income double since 2003 but only be 30% higher than it was before the war??? Strange stats indeed.

[2001convSVT]

I hope that when Iraqi becomes a shining star of democratic reform in the middle of the Arab world, the people of America remember who really lied to us about the true state of Iraqi affairs!

[MNJohnnie]

Article should be nailed to the top of the Free Republic Masthead. Then we should tattoo it to the back of every "Journalists" hands.

Not to scum bag Democrats. We, the American People, will not allow you to turn the successful mission in Iraq into Vietnam 2.0 If you persist in waging the 2006 election campaign around this issue, you will deservedly get the same result you got in 2002 and 2004. Grow up your supercilious Democrat twits. You lust for political power does not trump your duty to the American people. As long as you focus on your winning power over winning the war, you will remain a minority party.

[bnelson44]

I didn't know the Marines were having problems recruiting. First I've heard of that. Is it true?

I think the Army has pulled things around. But they did lower standards to do it.

[jagusafr]

"a survey of American elites that found that 64% of military officers are confident that we will succeed in establishing a stable democracy in Iraq. The comparable figures for journalists and academics are 33% and 27%, respectively."

Jeez, I didn't know I was an elite. Wonder if my kids'll show a little more respect? Naaahhhhhhhh...

Colonel, USAFR

[Names Ash Housewares]

shhhh, dont tell the MSM.

Imagine how shocked they will be.

Lets keep it for a surprise.

[knews_hound]

This is just too funny.

Just as we are about to win, the Dems try to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory yet again.

Like this http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1527405/posts?page=1

Cheers,

knews hound

http://knewshound.blogspot.com/

[MikeA]

"Yet in a survey last month from the U.S.-based International Republican Institute, 47% of Iraqis polled said their country was headed in the right direction, as opposed to 37% who said they thought that it was going in the wrong direction."

That's better than the number of whiney ass Americans who have never had it so good saying their country is going in the right direction, with something like 60% inexplicably saying we're off on the wrong track. But then again, those polls all over-represent Democrats relative to their actual numbers in the voting population.

[SuziQ]

The media is trying desperately to re-create their 'Anti-Vietnam' glory, and it ain't working. The networks and the major newspapers have big competition now in the form of radio and the Internet.

People may not have been able to keep in close touch with their soldiers in the war in past years, but the soldiers today can send e-mail to let family members know how they're doing and how things are going in their areas of operation. These family members then spread the word among family and friends, and who will they be more inclined to believe, the media, or an eye-witness they know personally?

[VOA]

American soldiers are also much more optimistic than American civilians.

Because...
1. They don't have all day to sit around listening to ABC/CBS/NBC/CNN
reporters trying to bag Pulitzer Prizes for doing a repeat of their
effort to help the enemy win during the Vietnam War.
AND, perhaps more importantly...
2. They are on the ground and actually know what's going on.

[lilylangtree]

I like this one that was posted a few days ago:

In the Body Count War: U.S. Wins 25-1
usnews.com ^ | 11-20-05

Frustrated GOP lawmakers are desperate for President Bush to do more to show how troops are winning the war in Iraq, and Indiana Rep. Mike Pence has an idea: Tell how many insurgents the U.S. troops are killing, not just the American death toll. "This is football season," says the Republican, who takes time to mourn with constituents who lose family members in combat. "People want to know if we're winning or losing . . . what's the score." Fresh from a trip to Iraq, Pence says he knows the score: just over 2,000 Americans dead, compared with 50,000 to 60,000 enemy combatants.

[wayoverontheright]

I used to dread Thanksgiving, because I have to share the table with my brother and sister, both of whom are flaming anti-war leftists. In previous years they have berated me with the usual Dem talking points, and I have learned to prepare. This article will be a big help.

For the rest of you, some of whom will face the same dilemna, I offer up the following retort for the most recent leftist thrust re the Iraq war.

It will be their contention no doubt, that we withdraw now. I plan to ask them why we should withdraw. It will be easy to guide them to the conclusion that we should withdraw....BECAUSE WE ARE LOSING. My question to them will then be:

Will you itemize for me please, which of the STRATEGIC GOALS of our ENEMY.....have been ACCOMPLISHED?

"Think now sis, think, brother of mine, before you speak......did the civil war break out between Sunnis and Shi'ites?....did the insurgency prevent the election of the interim government?...did the insurgency prevent the vote on the constitution?....have they succeeded in any way to sway public opinion against the American "occupation"?....which side has had to resort to sending in 10 year olds, the retarded, and important lieutenants to die for the cause?....which side's field commander got a written rebuke from his commander in chief?....

Am I loaded for bear, or what?

[Lancer_N3502A]

When it's all over I'd love to see the Republicans come out with the facts on national television; highlighting everything good done over there and how the MSM subverted the good news for the bad.

[George Smiley]

I forget where I read it, but a study found that one of the main factors by which one could determine whether a fledgling democracy would succeed or fail was a per capita income of $3000 per year.

[Libloather]

There are also positive economic indicators that receive little or no coverage in the Western media. For all the insurgents' attempts to sabotage the Iraqi economy, the Brookings Institution reports that per capita income has doubled since 2003 and is now 30% higher than it was before the war. Thanks primarily to the increase in oil prices, the Iraqi economy is projected to grow at a whopping 16.8% next year.

Ollie North was on Hannity's radio show. He said that the Brookings Institution also found that there are more Iraqi kids in school than ever before. Pass the good news around!