Here are some facts to ponder.

* 47 countries have re-established their embassies in Iraq.

* The Iraqi government currently employs 1.2 million Iraqi people.

* 3100 schools have been renovated, 364 schools are under rehabilitation, 263 schools are now under construction and 38 new schools have been built in Iraq.

* Iraq's higher educational structure consists of 20 Universities, 46 Institutes or colleges and 4 research centers, all currently operating.

* 25 Iraqi students departed for the United States in January 2005 for the re-established Fulbright program.

* The Iraqi Navy is operational. They have 5- 100-foot patrol craft, 34 smaller vessels and a naval infantry regiment.

* Iraq's Air Force consists of three operational squadrons, which includes 9 reconnaissance and 3 US C-130 transport aircraft (under Iraqi operational control) which operate day and night, and will soon add 16 UH-1 helicopters and 4 bell jet rangers.

* Iraq has a counter-terrorist unit and a Commando Battalion.

* The Iraqi Police Service has over 55,000 fully trained and equipped police officers.


* There are 5 Police Academies in Iraq that produce over 3500 new officers each 8 weeks.


* There are more than 1100 building projects going on in Iraq. They include 364 schools, 67 public clinics, 15 hospitals, 83 railroad stations, 22 oil facilities, 93 water facilities and 69 electrical facilities.


* 96% of Iraqi children under the age of 5 have received the first 2 series of polio vaccinations.


* 4.3 million Iraqi children were enrolled in primary school by mid October.


* There are 1,192,000 cell phone subscribers in Iraq and phone use has gone up 158%.


* Iraq has an independent media that consist of 75 radio stations, 180 newspapers and 10 television stations.


* The Baghdad Stock Exchange opened in June of 2004.


* 2 candidates in the Iraqi presidential election had a televised debate recently.


Hard to believe for some people out there, huh? Don't believe the facts above? Verify them at www.dod.mil and www.mnf-iraq.com

I'd say things are coming along quite nicely.

I did an oral presentation about how Iraq was going multiple months ago. I got about a B+ despite my teachers and such being left wing.

Its good to hear that the country is getting better.

Thanks for that list of accomplishments, Top. Should give the naysayers something to chew on.

That's great! We are always seeing bombings and shootings and casualties on the news but we rarely see anyone reporting anything positive, this definitely paints a more complete picture and acknowledges the achievements by the US troops in Iraq.

Well people are still diying in large numbers aswell as the new iraqi military.

Originally Posted by Charge_7

Thanks for that list of accomplishments, Top. Should give the naysayers something to chew on.

Yep, the naysayers will always remain the same. Negativity makes headlines and sells papers. Many media people (and others) choose to dwell on doom and gloom and to ignore signs of hope and accomplishment.
Reporting the positive aspects of the reconstruction efforts won't win them any prizes for journalism so these things aren't often found in the news. It's a shame but I think it's really that simple.

Originally Posted by IAmFighter

I'd say things are coming along quite nicely.

indeed, but is it fast enough?

Thank you DTop. you know what I'm using this for...

Originally Posted by serbianpower

indeed, but is it fast enough?

It really doesn't get any faster than this.