Comments on: Why are there no “Good News Stories” in Iraq anymore?

By: bandit.three.six

bandit.three.six — Wed, 20 Sep 2006 04:15:58 +0000

C Stanley,
1 – My personal observation is that the level of troops in Baghdad is high enough to accomplish the mission. There are very few US troops that are conducting the “hold” phase of the operation, that is being conducted by the Iraqi Security Forces which outnumber Coalition forces by 2 to 1. US troops are focusing on active clearing; door to door searches and patrols. Once an area is cleared the US troops move on to the next along with the Iraqi troops who will be holding the area.

2 – As for tribal leaders coming together, I’d have to say that things are definately looking positive. Several weeks ago here in Baghdad, hundreds of sheiks from around the country gathered and signed a pact of honor aimed at unity and getting rid of terrorism, embracing the political process.
As for Maliki’s clout; people realize that he’s in a tough position, but he’s making good progress. Everything I’ve seen so far points toward sincerity.

3 – Most Iraqis see US troops as a necessary unpleasantness. No one want’s to see foreign troops in their cities, but Iraqis know what the alternative is and that would be much worse. For the time, it seems that Iraqis are content to tolerate the presence of Coalition troops, but as the ISF steps up and gains the trust of those they protect then we will increasingly be a 5th wheel – which is good because it means that we’ll be winning and heading home.

By: Kim Ritter

Kim Ritter — Tue, 19 Sep 2006 20:13:18 +0000

Andrew Wilson-

Let him say it. Good intentions are NOT enough. In this case our success was based 100% on our performance, and our performance was laughable.
I agree with everything you wrote, and hope you write more- as it has the ring of something you seldom hear anymore -from the left OR right-the truth!

By: andrew wilson

andrew wilson — Tue, 19 Sep 2006 19:54:19 +0000

The media repeatedly failed to report the bad news. although it touched on the story only a few days ago to the Post come out and describe how competent individuals were excluded from the CPA in favor of the politically correct. The degree of corruption with Iraqi funds that we awere involved in dwarfs the food for oil scandal. The degree of criminality following the fall was not stressed. Nor the damage to infrastructure. The rise of the militias is years old and there is still no mention of the potential tensions of the Kurds and Kirkuk.

Maybe we didn’t get enough of the 3,000 painted schools and 500 painted clinics, we certainly didn’t get enough of the individuals struggling some with some success in clinics without drugs and all those other places. There were lots of heroes American and Iraqi true to our hopes. As in Southeast Asia they will pay most deeply.

The tragedy will be veneered because we don’t like to here things like how when Saigon fell we didn’t bother to destroy the records of a half million Vietnamese who cooperated with us. We always have good intentiions and if you say that’s not enough young lads from Holland will call you an appeaser.

By: pacatrue

pacatrue — Tue, 19 Sep 2006 18:48:38 +0000

I just wanted to say that as someone who disagreed with the invasion of Iraq, essentially because it seemed to be playing dice with a nation and its people, I very much want to hear the good news. I want to know what is working and what isn’t. If we know what we are able to do successfully, then that will help us adjust failing strategies to improve them. And if we are not able to do the reconstruction the way we desire, then we will learn why. This could help us in making correct decisions in the future.

By: C Stanley

C Stanley — Tue, 19 Sep 2006 14:35:17 +0000

bandit.three.six,
Thanks for the link…your blog looks very interesting and I’ll be checking back. I wonder if you could give us your insider’s view of the situation, for example:

1. What is your opinion on the troop density now in Baghdad…enough to accomplish the mission or not?

2. You had one blog post about Ramadi tribes organizing to support efforts to roust terrorists. Is this going on elsewhere, and in general, what is the feeling on the ground about Maliki’s political clout? Do people generally feel that he is sincere in the reconcilation agreement, and if so, do they think that he has the political power to implement it?

3. Is it your experience that most Iraqis want the US troops there for now, or that they see them as a hindrance?

Thanks in advance, and more importantly, thank you for your sacrifice and service.

By: Rudi

Rudi — Tue, 19 Sep 2006 13:35:36 +0000

sorry about the double post.

By: Rudi

Rudi — Tue, 19 Sep 2006 13:34:33 +0000

I remember back when Laura Ingrahm made her ‘good news’ tour. All one had to do is look at the itinerary on her own website. She reported from the Green zone, a large US military base and with a large security detail fro another base. She didn’t go to Mosul or Basra. Her comments were disgraceful(Nancy Grace like – LOL) considering the dead and wounded reporters.

By: Rudi

Rudi — Tue, 19 Sep 2006 13:34:32 +0000

By: bandit.three.six

bandit.three.six — Tue, 19 Sep 2006 05:48:06 +0000

If you want good news from Iraq then you need to read B36 News.

By: grognard

grognard — Tue, 19 Sep 2006 03:34:46 +0000

The Kurdish areas are relatively peaceful, but only because Arabs are not allowed in, more of a proof that a split up of the country produces peace than â€œstaying the courseâ€œ. The statement was made not too long ago by a member of Congress that Iraq was no more dangerous than some major cities in the US, and with 60 or so bodies showing up everyday in the Tigress easily disproved. â€œDismalâ€? intelligence reports not disclosed to the press only reinforce the perception that the White House is not telling us all. Credibility is everything and the constant proclamations of progress has been shown false as far as seeing some decline in the violence, which ultimately is the only way we can judge how things are truly going.

By: Elrod

Elrod — Tue, 19 Sep 2006 03:29:01 +0000

Gary,
I’m trying to find the link to that story about insurgents blowing up reconstruction projects but I couldn’t find it. I distinctly remember reading it about a year ago when a US military guy was trying to show why he couldn’t invite the media to see his work. I think the insurgents were trying to do both things. All of which was part of a propaganda campaign (on both sides). The problem, now, is that the reconstruction work is largely on hold.

Michael or Joe,
Thanks for the “good news, bad news” graphic. I love it!

By: Swaraaj

Swaraaj — Tue, 19 Sep 2006 03:06:42 +0000

My question. In Iraq with controlled reporting and a majority of ‘embedded’ journalists present wouldn’t any ‘good’ or ‘bad’ news item taken with a bagful of salt?

Morever talking of ‘good’ stories, in the case of Iraq, is like first entering a woman’s house, criminally assaulting her, and then asking the world why is she complaining when she is being provided the ‘good things’ in life!!!

There has to be some dividing line between fact and fiction!!!

By: Gary

Gary — Tue, 19 Sep 2006 02:36:20 +0000

Elrod,

Thank you for that round up of sources and your opinion. I had some vague notions in this direction but it was refreshing to see it put into some detail.

I was particularly amazed by the point that the insurgents were destroying any positive news reported. Do you think it was simply to destroy the progress that was reported–or are they actively preventing the reporting of “good news” as has been noted?

Gary