Testing our resolve!

TESTING OUR RESOLVE

Here's a "chain-letter" e-mail I received today. Although it was probably initiated by the Secretary of Defense's Public Information Office, it offers a perspective of Iraq most Americans (and the world, for that matter) don't have. It was entitled:

"OF COURSE WE DIDN'T KNOW!"

How could we, with all the “noise” generated by world-wide, anti-American media?

Let’s review the facts. Did you know that,

· 47 countries have re-established their embassies in Iraq?

· the Iraqi government currently employs 1.2 million Iraqis?

· 3,100 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 Iraq students departed for the United States in January 2005 for the re-established Fulbright program?

· the Iraqi Navy is operational? They have five 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) that 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 3,500 new officers each 8 weeks?

· there are more than 1,100 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 independent media consisting of 75 radio stations, 180 newspapers, and 10 television stations?

· the Baghdad Stock Exchange opened in June of 2004?

· two candidates in the Iraqi presidential election had a televised debate recently?

· the nationwide constitutional referendum passed on October 15th?

I answered with the following return e-mail, which I post here--not to illustrate an original perspective--but to record candidly that even my determination to "stay the course" is being tested (if I'm losing heart, I wonder about my fellow Americans out there):

NOW, if only someone'd throw the main to deliver electric power 24/7, re-establish regular garbage pick-up, water and sewage services--at least in Baghdad! That, added to the reported progress in all the other projects cited--together with a restoration of a regular rhythm of life by eliminating the destabilizing insurgent/terrorist attacks--will restore the confident rhythm of life for the average Iraqi citizen, finally allowing us to leave that beleaguered country with a clear national conscience (NOT as we did from Vietnam).

The nut of the problem is that insurgency/terrorism is so rampant and widespread that it's neutralizing our good (and very expensive) efforts, because it's impractical to put an armed guard out with each garbage worker. If we can't stamp out or politically neutralize the insurgents/terrorists--yes, that includes NEGOTIATING with the bastards--it'll soon end in a Mexican stand-off or devolve into an endless war of attrition. Fiscally or politically--we can't afford either outcome.

Bush has three years to see this through. If not fixed (or well on the way to getting that way) when the next administration takes office--whether Dem or GOP-- it'll be another "tuck-tail-and-run operation" (behind familiar Nixonian withdrawal slogans such as "peace with honor"). My prognostication may not hold even three more years if the administration becomes mired into the muck of allegations of criminality (Valerie Plame affair), sleaze (Abramoff and his proteges), and cronyism (FEMA-Mike Brown or SCOTUS nominee-Harriett Mier). And frankly, the president's "spontaneous interview" by feed-TV from Iraq with a dozen GI's didn't do much for my morale. Maybe I was unduly influenced by an angry and politically biased, but nonetheless excellent, op-ed piece by Robert Higgs this morning.

You can tell--my resolve is being tested. I don't know about you, but my sphincter is beginning to pucker, and I'm not even responsible for the war and reconstruction. I often wonder the state of that anatomy belonging to those who are. For that matter, I'm also wondering just how the prez's is holding up. I won't pray for him. Instead, I'll pray for Iraq and the future of America. These are indeed critical, but very stressful days!

NOTE: Here are the blogs of a couple of young Iraqis (with links to their families' and friends' blogs) who will give you current real-world, hands-on insight into what everyday life is like: www.healingiraq.blogspot.com and www.astarfrommosul.blogspot.com . Surfing a few minutes will reveal that blogging is a hugely popular and interactive medium among Iraqi citizens.