Yep! And due to near surgical strikes, precious damage was done. At this point in time, Iraq is far better off than before the war with nearly all citizens in Baghdad receiving water in their homes; flush toilets; electricity, schools and hospitals operating and more being opened.
There are some parts of the country where these things never existed nor will anytime soon. But at least the people are free of a tyrant and his sons so they can go about their lives without the fear of reprisals from the least little bump in the road. Like almost all mid-east countries, the air is rank with human and animal refuse, the people are NOT in even the 20th century and they will most likely stay that way in rural areas, it is their culture and in our western view, extremely backwards, but not in theirs. The system of tribes, feudal lordships if you will, work well for these people in the small towns and villages, as a form of government. Most have rules, i.e. law and order.
Our purpose now is to see that Iraq’s cities have a modern infrastructure and stable democratic government to enable them to be self sufficient.
There are those who fear this success and like FR’s visitors on this thread who rail against Paul Bremer, the Coalition forces and President Bush for not instantly putting things right; Childish nano-sound-bite mentality with apparently no interest in history, truth or what is really happening in Iraq. Parroting the ‘party line’, sounding fairly hostile about their country while American men and women are in harms way; what on earth gives some on this thread the right to do so. How many of you would fight for your countrymen and country as these courageous people are doing. You should get your taxes back for education – you haven’t learned anything.
It is regrettable that we waited so long to start improving the rest of the world. With all the friends we have made in the mideast, the only downside will be when they decide the tearing down, rebuilding process is so successful that they wish to return the favor. Perhaps that is what Ridge was thinking when he grabbed his crayolas and instituted Code Orange.