Shared hope in action

The Washington Times Commentary ^ | Oct 4, 2004 | Robert B. Charles

[oldtimer2]

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Here is a report from Bagdad that will never be reported in any liberal media outlet. If we remain steadfast we can be a winner in Iraq as GWB states.

Shared hope in action

From the Commentary section BAGHDAD.

   Iraq is filled with irony. Progress is real, but uneven. Mashed potatoes with lumps. There is no creamy, reassuring consistency yet.

    Security is noticeably better, but not everywhere. In southern Baghdad, Marines have taken casualties handing out food. Nameless, faceless cowards recently chucked two grenades at a convoy delivering humanitarian aid.

    Confidence is higher and taking many forms. Progress on many fronts is registered, if incrementally, day-by-day, week-by-week, month-by-month. Electricity, out at times, is up and more widely distributed than before the w ar.

    Rare under Saddam Hussein, satellite dishes sprout everywhere like mushrooms after a spring rain. Commerce seems almost normal on streets bombed only days ago. There are, again, traffic jams.

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Robert B. Charles is the assistant secretary of state for the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs. He recently returned from Baghdad, where he worked to advance the training of Iraqi police

[oldtimer2]

This should be required reading for any national candidates for office.