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Embattled Baghdad shows signs of hope
McClatchy Newspapers ^ | Nov 14 | Leila Fadel

Posted on 11/14/2007 11:25:18 AM PST by Aristotelian

BAGHDAD — Taking advantage of a dramatic drop in car bombings and sectarian murders, Baghdad residents are once again venturing out to local markets and restaurants after dark in many parts of the city. They're celebrating weddings and birthdays in public places and eating grilled carp on the Tigris River late into the night.

A local television station has begun a feature called "Baghdad Nights," showing the capital's residents shopping, eating and socializing after the sun has set— a sight that until recently was unheard of in most neighborhoods.

In Mansour, in central Baghdad , eight young brides, dripping in new gold given to them by their grooms, visited Tanya's hair salon this week. Just two months ago, the shop was lucky to get one bride a month. "Before there used to be no merrymaking for the bride," said Suad, a young hairdresser who would only give her first name for safety reasons. "Now they are coming again."

As Baghdad has changed, even security barriers have had a makeover, incorporated, if that's possible, into the urban landscape. Over the past six months, artists have painted them with depictions of Iraqi life, ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics and fantasy pictures of peaceful scenes.

But Baghdad residents are skeptical that their new freedom will last.

"It's in the hands of God now," said Umm Fatma , her roots covered in bleach at the hairdresser's. "We don't know the future."

McClatchy reporters who drove through Baghdad and telephoned residents across the capital discovered a city that's become calmer. The calm, however, is the result of a divided city.

(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Front Page News; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: gwot; iraq; supportthemission; supportthetroops; wot
What's so amazing about this article is that it comes from McClatchy Newspapers, no fan of Bush or the Iraq war. Of course, the writer can't restrain herself, having to downplay the good news with comments like "The calm, however, is the result of a divided city."

Still, the positive developments in Iraq are too apparent to be denied. The media simply can't ignore what's happening. Eventually, the news may get through to the broader public, although there will always be those Bush critics who will refuse to accept any good news from Iraq.

1 posted on 11/14/2007 11:25:18 AM PST by Aristotelian
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To: Aristotelian
Wow! That had to hurt. Earlier this week BBC had to report factually about the good news from Iraq, now McClatchy Newspaper, the DNC pet new service, is having to report the same!

I mean it cold today but I did not realize it was THAT cold?

2 posted on 11/14/2007 11:31:38 AM PST by MNJohnnie ("Hillary is polarizing, deceitful, and liberal. And those are are her good points!" Beaversmom)
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To: Aristotelian

Wonder if Dingy Harry and Nancy will read this?


3 posted on 11/14/2007 11:33:36 AM PST by Old Retired Army Guy (tHE)
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To: Aristotelian

Time is short. There is still time to lose this thig. VOTE DEMOCRAT!!


4 posted on 11/14/2007 11:35:37 AM PST by blue-duncan
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To: Aristotelian

“thig”

That’s “thing”. I bought this computer from a Democrat.


5 posted on 11/14/2007 11:37:25 AM PST by blue-duncan
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To: MNJohnnie

Question is, is 12 months enough time for the good news from Iraq to filter through the electorate and change opinions prior to next November’s elections?


6 posted on 11/14/2007 11:46:50 AM PST by Aristotelian
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To: jveritas; FARS; Ernest_at_the_Beach; knighthawk; Marine_Uncle; SandRat; Steel Wolf; CAP; ...

Reporting on good news but looking hard for the downside ping.


7 posted on 11/14/2007 12:13:04 PM PST by elhombrelibre (RUN Paul - a man proudly putting al Qaeda's interest ahead of America's.)
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To: Aristotelian
Isn’t this the fish wrap paper whose reporter tried to act tough with one of our soldiers while trying to get back into the green zone without his ID?

Looks as if they’ve had a “come to Jesus moment”.

8 posted on 11/14/2007 12:15:47 PM PST by aroundabout
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To: elhombrelibre

Victory is at hand.


9 posted on 11/14/2007 2:14:51 PM PST by jveritas (God bless our brave troops and President Bush)
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To: Aristotelian
Embattled Baghdad shows signs of hope

Dems deeply saddened.

10 posted on 11/14/2007 2:21:58 PM PST by MEGoody (Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.)
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To: Aristotelian

Praise God and may He bless our troops!


11 posted on 11/14/2007 4:22:19 PM PST by fishergirl (My warrior, my soldier, my hero - my son. God bless our troops!)
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To: elhombrelibre
What these people need is a Prime Minister who will get on the TV and give them hope. One who will admonish them to work together regardless of sectarian background, and help rebuild a new Iraq that Saddam denied them all.
They in short need a real statesman, who shows strength and compassion at the same time. This, I have observed, seems to be lacking in their present line up. They need some one to rally them to work good deeds and help the local, provincial, and central government put a complete stop to the roving criminal gangs, often classified as al Qaeda or insurgents.
Then again. Perhaps Maliki has been doing this to some extent and news articles simply do not show us how he addresses his country.
12 posted on 11/14/2007 9:43:39 PM PST by Marine_Uncle (Duncan Hunter for POTUS)
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