"Since President Bush declared an end to major combat on May 1..."

Coalition Provisional Authority, White House ^ | Oct. 19, 2003 | L Paul Bremer, VP Cheney (w/ liberties taken by me)

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Since President Bush declared an end to major combat on May 1...the first battalion of the new Iraqi Army has graduated and is on active duty·   

Since President  Bush declared an end to major combat on May 1... over 60,000 Iraqis now provide security to their fellow citizens.

Since  President Bush declared an end to major combat on May 1...nearly all of Iraq’s 400 courts are functioning. 

Since President Bush declared an end to major combat on May 1... the Iraqi judiciary is fully independent.

Since President Bush declared an end to major combat on May 1...on Monday, October 6 power generation hit 4,518 megawatts—exceeding the pre-war average.

Since President  Bush declared an end to major combat on May 1...all 22 universities and 43 technical institutes and colleges are open, as are nearly all primary and secondary schools.

Since President Bush declared an end to major combat on May 1, by October 1, Coalition forces had rehabbed over 1,500 schools - 500 more than their target. 

Since President Bush declared an end to major combat on May 1... teachers earn from 12 to 25 times their former salaries.

Since President Bush declared an end to major combat on May 1...all 240 hospitals and more than 1200 clinics are open.

Since President  Bush declared an end to major combat on May 1...doctors’ salaries are at least eight times what they were under Saddam.

Since President Bush declared an end to major combat on May 1...pharmaceutical distribution has gone from essentially nothing to 700 tons in May to a current total of 12,000 tons.

Since President Bush declared an end to major combat on May 1...the Coalition has helped administer over 22 million vaccination doses to Iraq’s children.

Since President Bush declared an end to major combat on May 1...a Coalition program has cleared over 14,000 kilometers of Iraq's 27,000 kilometers of weed-choked canals.  They now irrigate tens of thousands of farms.  This project has created jobs for more than 100,000 Iraqi men and women.

Since President  Bush declared an end to major combat on May 1...we have restored over three-quarters of pre-war telephone services and over two-thirds of the potable water production.

Since President Bush declared an end to major combat on May 1... there are 4,900 full-service connections.  We expect 50,000 by January first.

Since President  Bush declared an end to major combat on May 1...the wheels of commerce are turning.  From bicycles to satellite dishes to cars and trucks, businesses are coming to life in all major cities and towns.

Since President Bush declared an end to major combat on May 1...95 percent of all pre-war bank customers have service and first-time customers are opening accounts daily.

Since  President Bush declared an end to major combat on May 1... Iraqi banks are making loans to finance businesses.

Since President Bush declared an end to major combat on May 1...the central bank is fully independent.

Since President Bush declared an end to major combat on May 1... Iraq has one of the world’s most growth-oriented investment and banking laws.

Since President Bush declared an end to major combat on May 1... Iraq (has) a single, unified currency for the first time in 15 years.

Since  President Bush declared an end to major combat on May 1...satellite dishes are legal.

Since President Bush declared an end to major combat on May 1...foreign journalists aren't  on 10-day visas paying mandatory and extortionate fees to the Ministry of Information for “minders” and other government spies. 

Since President Bush declared an end to major combat on May 1... there is no Ministry of Information.

Since President Bush declared an end to major combat on May 1...there are more than 170 newspapers.

Since President Bush declared an end to major combat on May 1... you can buy satellite dishes on what seems like every street corner.

Since President  Bush declared an end to major combat on May 1... foreign journalists and everyone else are free to come and go.

Since President Bush declared an end to major combat on May 1...a nation that  had not one single element—legislative, judicial or executive-- of a representative government, does.

Since President  Bush declared an end to major combat on May 1...in Baghdad alone residents have selected 88 advisory councils.  Baghdad’s first democratic transfer of power in 35 years happened when the city council elected its new chairman.

Since President Bush declared an end to major combat on May 1...today in Iraq chambers of commerce, business, school and professional organizations are electing their leaders all over the country.

Since President  Bush declared an end to major combat on May 1... 25 ministers, selected by the most representative governing body in Iraq’s history, run the day-to-day business of government.

Since President Bush declared an end to major combat on May 1...the Iraqi government regularly participates in international events.  Since July the Iraqi government has been represented in over two dozen international meetings, including those of the UN General Assembly, the Arab League, the World Bank and IMF and, today, the Islamic Conference Summit.  The Ministry of Foreign Affairs today announced that it is reopening over 30 Iraqi embassies around the world.

Since President Bush declared an end to major combat on May 1...Shia religious festivals that were all but banned, aren't. 

Since President Bush declared an end to major combat on May 1... for the first time in 35 years, in Karbala thousands of Shiites celebrate the pilgrimage of the 12^th Imam.

Since President  Bush declared an end to major combat on May 1...the Coalition has completed over 13,000 reconstruction projects, large and small, as part of (a) strategic plan for the reconstruction of Iraq.

 Coalition Provisional Authority Administrator Press Conference 9 October 2003

-----

Since President  Bush declared an end to major combat on May 1...Uday and Queasy are dead - and no longer feeding innocent Iraqis to his zoo lions, raping the young daughters of local leaders to force cooperation, torturing Iraq's soccer players for losing games...murdering critics.

 

Since President  Bush declared an end to major combat on May 1...children aren't  imprisoned or murdered when their parents disagree with the government.

 

Since President  Bush declared an end to major combat on May 1...political opponents aren't imprisoned, tortured, executed, maimed, or are forced to watch their families die for disagreeing with Saddam.

 

Since President  Bush declared an end to major combat on May 1...millions of longsuffering Iraqis no longer live in perpetual terror.

 

Since President Bush declared an end to major combat on May 1...Saudis will hold municipal elections.*

 

Since President Bush declared an end to major combat on May 1... Qatar is reforming education to give more choices to parents.*

 

Since President Bush declared an end to major combat on May 1... Jordan is accelerating market economic reforms.*

 

Since President Bush declared an end to major combat on May 1... the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded for the first time to an Iranian -- a Muslim woman who speaks out with courage for human rights, for democracy and for peace.*  ~ * VP Cheney, 10/17

 

Since President  Bush declared an end to major combat on May 1...he has not faltered or failed.

 

Since President  Bush declared an end to major combat on May 1...Saddam is gone.

 

Since President  Bush declared an end to major combat on May 1... Iraq is free.

 

 

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

 Thanks, Tonkin!

[AHerald]

You're something special, Ragtime. Thanks for putting this together.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Since President Bush declared an end to major combat on May 1...Iraq is free.

Please share the facts with your neighbors, the press, pols.

Thank you.

If you want on or off my Pro-Coalition ping list, please Freepmail me. Warning: it is a high volume ping list on good days. (Most days are good days).

[snippy_about_it]

Excellent post RC, good job and thanks for all you do!!!!

[Cacophonous]

So why are we still there?

[RightOnGOP]

Good News Bump.

[Let's Roll]

More things need doing.

[SandRat]

HU-AH! Ragtime. This is first rate.

[FairOpinion]

One of the Republican Senators who visited Iraq recently said on FoxNews, that more was accomplished in Iraq in 6 months, than was accomplished in Bosnia in 6 years.

But we don't hear about that.

[gatorbait]

One of the Republican Senators who visited Iraq recently said on FoxNews, that more was accomplished in Iraq in 6 months, than was accomplished in Bosnia in 6 years.

But we don't hear about that.


And, we won't...

[Cacophonous]

By us? By all accounts, Iraq now has the infrastructure - to include education, legal system, physical plant, free press, police, hospitals...are they not capable of self governance now? How much more money do we need to pour into this?

[smith288]

boo hoo, Cacophoney

[Gumption]

Since President Bush declared an end to major combat OPERATIONS!

It makes a difference.

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

(You're something special, Ragtime. Thanks for putting this together.)(from post 2)
DITTO
Thanks

[tsmith130]

Do you have any children? Did you force them to walk before they were able to? Did you abandon them because they couldn't?

This is a list of some pretty amazing accomplishments in 6 months time. (See: post war Japan, post war Germany, post war Kosovo). It is by no means complete and to cut and run now is suicide for the US and the Iraqi people.

Try to touch base with reality every now and then.

[Naspino]

Koppel: But our independent surveys are showing that Americans are increasingly against the war and Bush's approval ratings are the lowest that they have been thus far. Why is it -- do you believe -- that Bush has failed and why is it -- do you believe -- that the effort in Iraq is not going as planned?

Let me give you an example, back in May we had the Deputy Secretary of the Deputy Janitor of the Deputy Assistant of the Deputy of Foreign Affairs at IDAC on this program. He told our millions of viewers in that interview that the reconstruction would cost only one billion dollars.

It is the contention of some that the effort is going badly and the media coverage and thus ratings declines are negative because the Bush Administration has yet to come clean that it lied about the reconstruction costs. Do you agree with that assessment? Sorry my narrative was so long that we are out of time.

[Lyford]

Bump

[ChadGore]

Amazing ! *Applause* a FReeper must read!

[Broadside Joe]

Now this proves once and for all that there is no liberal bias in the press.

/sarcasm

[ChadGore]

bump

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

The Iraqis will be holding their Constitutional convention, drafting a Constitution, then holding popular elections. Steps 4-6 of the 7-step plan for restoring sovereignty to Iraq. Step 7 is our leaving.

CPA's plans also include a 4-step reconstruction plan to get the basic infrastructure into shape to allow the Iraqis to get their oil to market and electricity, etc., into their homes. CPA's post-major combat stabilization plans are part of #7 and #8 of the original 8 objectives of Gen. Franks's plan, which the Coalition is still completing, with some expected adjustments as needed.

Why the Iraqi people can't just get back on their feet and take over? Over 30 years of being terrorized by a mass-murdering monster left them a bit hesitant. Saddam's still around. Last time we left, he destroyed whole villages.

The Iraqi people are risking their lives and the lives of their families to help us stabilize and rebuild their own country.

Courageous people.

[SkyPilot]

BUMP!

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

More things need doing.

Yep.

[SandRat]

They need a Constitution, and an Election. Then they need about a few of years of PaPa watching over them so the other bullies in the neighborhood won't beat them up, before they can go it totally on their own.

[roses of sharon]

He was also welcoming a carrier home that had been at sea, FOR A YEAR!

His visit was their "parade".

[mystery-ak]

Applause....you've outdone yourself...thanks for posting this....you are a treasure on FR.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Since President Bush declared an end to major combat OPERATIONS!

Yes, it does make a difference. I copied the quote (which, of course, didn't include the word OPERATIONS), from one of this morning's usual mainstream negativity-hyping articles.

[Cacophonous]

Did you force them to walk before they were able to? Did you abandon them because they couldn't?

Of course not. I also would never claim they were capable of walking before they are able.

Just like I would not claim Iraq - or any country - is truly free while it is dependend on another, as Iraq is on us. The reality is, Iraq is NOT yet free, while it is dependent on the US.

I heard on Fox News either Tony Snow or Brit Hume - I forget which - say something like allowing the naturally democratic tendencies of Iraqis to take root (I forget the exact words, but that was the gist). Sorry, but they don't have naturally democratic tendencies; were governance allowed to take its natural course in Iraq, they would undoubtedly end up with a Saddam-type dictatorship. The US will not - and would not - allow that to happen; so Iraq is not yet truly free, is it?

Yes, we have accomplished some amazing things over there, and not enough attention or merit is given. But let's not fool ourselves. Blithely tossing about terms like "Iraq is now free" is mindless bubblegum sloganeering. What can be said, is that we have made life immeasurably better for Iraqis, and someday, they will be free. With our help.

Just like my child will someday walk and run. With my help.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

((Hugs)). My pleasure.

Tell Mike we'll keep fighting domestic enemies for them on the homefront.

[SandRat]

Remind me never to get you angry with or at me! Ouch! Ouch!

You sure took Cauc--- however he spells his posting name, to the woodshed and about wore out that willow switch.


I thoroughly enjoyed every second of reading your reply post back to Cauc---, whatever. Cheshire-Cat Smiles to you.

[Naspino]

Now this proves once and for all that there is no liberal bias in the press.

Koppel: I have to take issue with that statement. Americans have long believed the Internet as a form of press. The fact that this was posted on the internet therefore contradicts that there is a bias in the press.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Freedom is messy. They are not under Saddam's thumb. They are electing their own government, writing their own Constitution, have an independent judiciary...they are free.

They have many enemies within and without. They are most afraid of our leaving before they have independent elections and can stand against their neighbors. Please at least read the link to the atrocities Saddam committed on these people.

Six months is a very short time. They hope to hold elections by next year. The CPA is not a "Nanny" - far from it. They're forcing fast reform.

[Empireoftheatom48]

This is great it's a shame it will not be in the Mainstram press. Well anyway send a copy to Fox and Friends maybe it would just get on. Who knows?

[Cacophonous]

My only point is that they cannot be truly free until they are capable of self-governance, which, as you have pointed out, hasn't happened yet.

[Cacophonous]

Hey you don't have to convince me of Saddam's evil. As I said, there is not question the Iraqis are better off immeasurably.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Just thought of this this morning.

It's mostly copied from the CPA report. Please use it if you can, and you'd rather.

[Broadside Joe]

So are you saying you agree with Koppel or that his statement proves his twisted logic?

[Joe Hadenuf]

We are providing fleets of trash trucks, police motorcycles/cars and many other things.....What a country....

[boxerblues]

WOOHOO Excellent Ragtime. Thanks for putting this out, I will definately be passing this on to some naysayers I know

[not_apathetic_anymore]

bump

[PISANO]

Thanks for reminding US ALL there is NOTHING more precious than FREEDOM.

[prognostigaator]

ditto writ huge

[HarryH]

!ping

Thank you!

[NutCrackerBoy]

I shed a fierce tear reading your wonderful post. If that makes me a pansy liberal, so be it.

I am for freedom in Iran, Cuba, ... It happens that our security is on the line in establishing Iraqi freedom.

[blackie]

The evidence is there ~ Too bad that the pro-terrorist democrats and their left-wing lackeys in the media are so brain dead!

Be Well ~ Be Armed ~ Be Safe ~ Molon Labe!

[blackie]

For your information, Lady.

[tsmith130]

I think the message in RC's post is to point to the fact that many milestones have been reached on the Iraqis Road to Freedom (in a short time and by many courageous people). You seem to want to beat her up over the last 3 words..."Iraq is Free". I think that's an unfair assessment of her intentions.

[Cacophonous]

I'm not trying to beat up on anyone; I've read enough of Cowgirl's posts to know she's nothing if not absolutely sincere, intelligent and purely patriotic. I wouldn't insult her at all.

Perhaps I came on a little strong, and for that I apologize. But here is my point:

We all know how eagerly the libs and dems latch onto words uttered without thought (remember the 16-word "imminent threat" hullabaloo).

You can bet that if the GOP uses in its campaign the words "Iraq is free", the dems and libs will jump all over it with the same questions I had (though in an entirely different spirit). "If Iraq is free now, why do we need to be over there? If Iraq is free, why are US troops being shot?" You know the drill, and you know I'm right. So I'm just warning the GOP of the obvious: be careful what you say.

A better - and truer - thing to emphasize is how much better off the Iraqis are, and how much better things are going to get, emphasizing that it ain't over yet.

[Luis Gonzalez]

Because we're not finished yet.

Not only that, but leaving behind the sort of unstable situation we see every day there, is the equivalent of doing a half-assed job, something normally attributed to liberals.

If you want a more complex answer, Iraq also acts as a base of operations for the broader War on Terror, as well as a rented battlefield.

Let them come at us there, on foreign soil, not here on ours.

We will leave when the job is done properly, instead of leaving behind a different problem like we've done so many times before.

[Luis Gonzalez]

Nice job RC.