Soldier says Iraq is turning around

The Register-Guard ^ | 09/25/04 | Greg Bolt

[nypokerface]

Like a lot of people who work in big cities, Lance Varney puts in long hours, goes to a lot of meetings and spends a lot of time stuck in traffic. Unlike most people, Varney does his work in a war zone.

A major in the 1st Cavalry Division, Varney spends his days navigating the streets of Baghdad as part of the U.S. military's efforts to rebuild the city. And while Varney, the son of Florence residents Ben and Linda Stovall, doesn't make light of the dangers, he says Iraq isn't the scene of unrelenting chaos and destruction people might think from news reports.

"I think we're already seeing a turning point in most of the communities, despite what may be prevalent in the news," he said during a telephone interview following a long Friday on the job. "The markets are full of people shopping, driving. The open-air markets are completely full, the streets are packed with people driving up and down selling all kinds of stuff. Kids are back at school. Soccer fields are being used that used to be trash heaps."

As a member of what's called a governorate support team, he works closely with top advisers to Baghdad Mayor Alaa Mahmood al-Tamimi coordinating infrastructure projects. Since arriving seven months ago, his unit has been working to repair and improve water and sewer facilities, restore electric and garbage services, and get schools, police stations and fire stations back in operation.

The unit's marquee project is restoring Abu Nawas Street, a former boulevard of parks, restaurants and shops along the Tigris River that once was the gem of Baghdad. Crews recently finished clearing rubble from the two-mile riverside esplanade and are preparing to lay new water and electric lines before putting in new walkways, fountains and lawns.

After that, Iraqi contractors will begin repair and construction of shops and restaurants in the area. The project is a top priority for Tamimi, who sees it as a tangible example of the city's slow return to normalcy and proof of the U.S. military's commitment to rebuilding Iraq.

"He made a commitment to give that park back to the people of Baghdad," Varney said.

Although things are getting better in Baghdad, Varney said there's no question that dangers remain. Troops wear body armor and travel in armored vehicles whenever they leave the relative safety of the well-guarded international zone at the city's center, and when they're not carrying weapons they have them within easy reach.

"I'll just say this up front: There are some bad things that happen here in Iraq, no one can refute that," said Varney, whose unit is not involved in combat operations. "What that means, in our daily routine, is that we have to be extremely cautious when we go places outside our immediate secure area. We go fully prepared, we go with the right armored vehicle, we go with the right force protection, we go with the right personal protective equipment, because it's a lifesaver."

That said, Varney asserts that most of the violence in Baghdad is caused by a very small number of people, many of them fighters from outside Iraq determined to thwart the American effort. The vast majority of Baghdadis seem to support the troops and their rebuilding projects, he said.

"When we drive by in our military vehicles going from Point A to Point B, the people for the most part, especially the kids, wave and give us the thumbs up sign," Varney said. "Women and children wave. That's kind of reassuring to see."

The city itself also is showing signs of recovery, he said. Trash and rubble are being cleared up, business are reopening and the streets are crowded. Even billboards are reappearing along major streets.

The effort has rehabilitated hundreds of schools, rebuilt a hospital and made noticeable strides in restoring basic services. Varney said Army units have put police and fire stations back in operation so that when attacks do occur, Iraqis often are first on the scene.

"Back in March, you didn't see any first-responders out there," he said. "Now when something unfortunate or tragic happens, all the things we would normally see (at home) are there immediately."

Varney works closely with the mayor's staff, so much so that he's made a number of close friends among the engineers and advisers helping to plan the infrastructure projects.

"The people I work with in the mayor's office endured the entire regime of Saddam Hussein," he said. "They talk to me about what it used to be like when everything was rationed, all decisions were micromanaged. There was a great amount of tyranny and fear among the people, and they were destitute, they had nothing. And now they have a lot."

Varney said there's no question that the American effort has a long way to go before life in Baghdad is anything like that in a modern democracy. But he said the people, by and large, believe it will happen.

"It's not a question of, do they trust us. They know exactly what we're trying to achieve, and for the most part we're partnering up to achieve what they want," he said. "They're optimistic. I think they're very optimistic."

[Law is not justice but process]

"Back in March, you didn't see any first-responders out there," he said. "Now when something unfortunate or tragic happens, all the things we would normally see (at home) are there immediately."

That is exactly the kind of observation the press should be reporting. But no, it doesn't fit the template. I know the Mainstream Press would not be interested, but why hasn't Fox News or the Washington Times noticed this?

[ride the whirlwind]

Bump

[kayak]

bttt

[WOSG]

Great article - Another 'we are winning in Iraq' story that crops up in, yet somehow never makes it to the MSM.

[BykrBayb]

Good article. Nice to see the truth being printed. It's a shame the truth is so well hidden by MSM.

[Robert A Cook PE]

Outside fighters, eh?

Time to close those borders as well ...

[doug from upland]

I have created a Kerry crossword puzzle. If I fax it, who can scan and post it???

[Mike Bates]

Thankee.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Yesterday I was talking with a neighbor whose brother is a marine recently sent to Iraq.

She's originally from El Salvador and she speaks fair but somewhat broken English. She said, after he calls her, she calls her father who lives nearby to give him any news and then he in turn calls another and so on, so everyone in the family gets word of him and his news.

She said that "they" lie about.....She was trying to find the words weapons of mass destruction WMD. She said that they do find WMD....The "they" she was telling me was the media.

She said her brother told her it is important that he is there, that what he is doing is helping - that this is the right thing to do. This seems to be the constant thing I hear from the men and women in Iraq.

So we discussed how the media, by talking down the war, are helping our enemy and hurting our military. I told her if Kerry is elected, the troops will be withdrawn and/or decisions about the war against terrorism will be made by a U.N./EU type process. We agreed this would not be right.

She also said her brother told her a lot of the people over there are, what she called "two-faced." I suggested that a lot of that could come from living under a brutal dictatorship for so long - you don't always know who is the good guy, or who is going to hear about what you say or do. AND that with our presidential election in full steam, and the prospect of a Kerry Administration, they are more than likely very worried that if Kerry wins, he will work to get our military out, just as he worked to get out of Vietnam and leave them at the "mercy" of the terrorists. They must be holding their breath praying for a Bush victory - a Bush victory will be a victory for Iraq too.

It was a good talk, at the end of my driveway, on a beautiful Saturday afternoon, with with a sweet, caring sister about her dear brother and one of our brave men in Iraq.

[kanawa]

Ping

[windchime]

Bump!

[Taxman]

Thanks for the ping, Tonk. Good news is always welcome!

[MEG33]

Great story!

[E.G.C.]

BTTT!!!!!!!!

[blackie]

Good News ~ Bump!

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

A major in the 1st Cavalry Division, (Major Lance) Varney spends his days navigating the streets of Baghdad as part of the U.S. military's efforts to rebuild the city. And while Varney, the son of Florence residents Ben and Linda Stovall, doesn't make light of the dangers, he says Iraq isn't the scene of unrelenting chaos and destruction people might think from news reports.

~*~

1st Cav, bump!

Thanks to Greg Bolt, The Register-Guard, Eugene, Oregon.

[IM2MAD]

I think we need a "Good News from Iraq" thread. Anyone want to start one?

[Barlowmaker]

FYI: "Good News from Iraq" (Right Margin)

[SandRat]

He's lying. Allawi is lying. What would they know? They just live there. We all know it's a quagmire. Wrong time. Wrong war. Wrong place. I want my Mommy. Tah Ray Zuh! Whhhhhaaaaaaa!

[TADSLOS]

"The markets are full of people shopping, driving. The open-air markets are completely full, the streets are packed with people driving up and down selling all kinds of stuff. Kids are back at school. Soccer fields are being used that used to be trash heaps."

Scenes that remain totally absent on the media landscape. One gets the distinct impression from watching any news clip or reading any news account that the whole country resides within the confines of Fallujah.