a good news roundup
There is good news coming out of Iraq:
The neighboring country of Jordan is hosting an Expo during which private companies can compete for the best benefit-reaping rebuilding projects in Iraq.
It will soon be possible to fly non-stop from three Iraqi cities to Guangzhou, China.
The rebuilding effort has netted 200 million euros from Italy. Depending on the way the Italian election swings tonight, maybe the money will keep flowing.
The U.S. Corps of Engineers is mentoring Iraqi businesswomen.
A courthouse in Tikrit has been renovated.
The army provided free medical care for 375 people in the town of Tarmiya for one day.
A canal in Basra is undergoing emergency repairs.
One power plant opened south of Basra, creating 500 jobs and increasing electrical output by five percent.
Another power plant is going to be built by Japan in a couple years.
The country's largest seaport has a renovation budget.
Iraq has elected an official "Queen of Beauty" in it's first beauty pageant. Only 45% of the contestants dropped out rather than risk association with such a taboo competition.
Lots of weapons have been captured and some people we think are terrorists have been killed.
The Iraqi military is "taking over more pieces of the mission" and are "capable of protecting the Iraqi people." For example, an Iraqi military unit with U.S. military backup managed to defeat three attacking gunmen.
A couple of terrorist blew themselves up by accident. Of course, that was just lucky.
One of Zarqawi's top aides was captured. We think he has valuable information.
Three hostages were rescued in Mosul.
And - the best news of all - according to a military general, the United States has an adequate number of soldiers to maintain current troop levels in Iraq forever.
There you have it. The good news. Source.
Good things happen. This is certain. But for those of you to whom this list seems rather arbitrary and less than complete, I give you a brief on the official stability assessment.
I don't care how much good news is reported in the press, I will always be somewhat less than optimistic. I think the leaders of our country have put all our chips down on a hand we can't win.
The neighboring country of Jordan is hosting an Expo during which private companies can compete for the best benefit-reaping rebuilding projects in Iraq.
It will soon be possible to fly non-stop from three Iraqi cities to Guangzhou, China.
The rebuilding effort has netted 200 million euros from Italy. Depending on the way the Italian election swings tonight, maybe the money will keep flowing.
The U.S. Corps of Engineers is mentoring Iraqi businesswomen.
A courthouse in Tikrit has been renovated.
The army provided free medical care for 375 people in the town of Tarmiya for one day.
A canal in Basra is undergoing emergency repairs.
One power plant opened south of Basra, creating 500 jobs and increasing electrical output by five percent.
Another power plant is going to be built by Japan in a couple years.
The country's largest seaport has a renovation budget.
Iraq has elected an official "Queen of Beauty" in it's first beauty pageant. Only 45% of the contestants dropped out rather than risk association with such a taboo competition.
Lots of weapons have been captured and some people we think are terrorists have been killed.
The Iraqi military is "taking over more pieces of the mission" and are "capable of protecting the Iraqi people." For example, an Iraqi military unit with U.S. military backup managed to defeat three attacking gunmen.
A couple of terrorist blew themselves up by accident. Of course, that was just lucky.
One of Zarqawi's top aides was captured. We think he has valuable information.
Three hostages were rescued in Mosul.
And - the best news of all - according to a military general, the United States has an adequate number of soldiers to maintain current troop levels in Iraq forever.
There you have it. The good news. Source.
Good things happen. This is certain. But for those of you to whom this list seems rather arbitrary and less than complete, I give you a brief on the official stability assessment.
I don't care how much good news is reported in the press, I will always be somewhat less than optimistic. I think the leaders of our country have put all our chips down on a hand we can't win.
posted by stoerzie at
6:14 PM
