Iraq: Did You Know

[Brett]

Did you know?

I didn't know!

How could we?



Did you know that 47 countries' have
reestablished their embassies in Iraq ?



Did you know that the Iraqi government
currently employs 1.2 million Iraqi people?



Did you know

that 3100 schools have been renovated,
364 schools are under rehabilitation,
263 new schools are now under construction;
and 38 new schools have been completed in Iraq ?


Did you know

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





Did you know
that 25 Iraq students departed for the United States in
January 2005 for the re-established Fulbright program?





Did you know
that the Iraqi Navy is operational?
They have 5 - 100-foot patrol craft,
34 smaller vessels and a naval infantry regiment.





Did you know
that 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?






Did you know
that Iraq has a counter-terrorist unit and a Commando Battalion?






Did you know
that the Iraqi Police Service has over 55,000
fully trained and equipped police officers?



Did you know
that there are 5 Police Academies in Iraq
that produce over 3500 new officers every 8 weeks?





Did you know
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.





Did you know
that 96% of Iraqi children under the age of 5
have received the first 2 series of polio vaccinations?





Did you know
that 4.3 million Iraqi children were enrolled in primary school by mid October?





Did you know
that there are 1,192,000 cell phone subscribers in Iraq
and phone use has gone up 158%?





Did you know
that Iraq has an independent media that consists of
75 radio stations, 180 newspapers and 10 television stations?






Did you know
that the Baghdad Stock Exchange opened in June of 2004?






Did you know
that 2 candidates in the Iraqi presidential election had a
televised debate recently?






OF COURSE WE DIDN'T KNOW!






WHY DIDN'T WE KNOW?






BECAUSE OUR MEDIA WON'T TELL US!





Instead of reflecting our love for our country,
w e get photos of flag burning incidents at Abu Ghraib
and people throwing snowballs at the presidential motorcades.



Tragically, the lack of accentuating the positive
in Iraq serves two purposes:



It is intended to undermine the world's perception
of the United States thus minimizing consequent support;
and it is intended to discourage American citizens.




----
Above facts are verifiable on the Department of Defense web site.

http://www.defenselink.mil/

[Ran]

I didn't know.

[Got Milk?]

wow, i didnt know any of that stuff. Pretty good stuff. reps

[95alty]

Did you know that from experience... those iraqi "commandos/cops/dummys" cant shoot for Sh*t and are the dumbest group of people to work with

Did you know most of the iraqi police run when their is live fire combat

Did you know most of those schools house terrorist children

Did you know those iraqi commandos cause most of the friendly fire amongst themselves?

Did you know i cant stand working with those homos?

[bafbrian]

Did you know that from experience... those iraqi "commandos/cops/dummys" cant shoot for Sh*t and are the dumbest group of people to work with

Did you know most of the iraqi police run when their is live fire combat

Did you know most of those schools house terrorist children

Did you know those iraqi commandos cause most of the friendly fire amongst themselves?

Did you know i cant stand working with those homos?

So, how long have they been conducting these operations by themselves ?

How long has the US Military ?

When compared to the US Military, or any established military, of course they aren't gonna be as secure with their actions. This coming from a member of the US Army, myself. But, you are entitled to your opinion.

[RutRoe]

So, just to play devil's advocate....

Brett- you didn't witness all of these things first hand, correct? you're going on what someone else has reported to you....

I'm not saying any of those are right or wrong, but I believe them just as much as I believed "Mission Accomplished" from our very own President a few YEARS ago.

Believe it or not, there's so much crap like that where people put their own spin on stuff, positive or negative, it's really hard to believe.

Again, not saying some or all of those aren't true in some way, but if you heard about it, it was probably from a media source, therefor you can only still believe so much of it, just like anything else in the news.

A grain of salt should be taken with all news. Just like your above copy and pasted report.

If you ever want to get down to why people are still so upset about what's happening over there, in the end, I don't believe it's all about money or "lies" that got us over there or anything else but the fact that young people go over there ever single day and get killed. That's my 2 pennies. If no one was getting killed, we'd have a much different political atmosphere, but in the end, people are dying... and others are asking "for what ?"

[Sledlude]

^werd

[TIGERJC]

But do know who is Paying for all that? Americans

Do you know who is in debt? U.S.

[BKgen®]

Did you know nobody cares?

[tony]

If Iraq was some 3rd world country and not one of the largest Oil Producers in the world I would be impressed.

We claim that Iraq had technology to build Nuclear weapons but would like to believe they could not send their children to school?

I was installing lines for a soldier who just came back and I asked her if the media reports accurately about Iraq, verbatim she said to me "No, its worse." I hardly think Iraq was in great despair before we invaded.

[JITB]

how many of that stuff is repairing what was ruined..

[soul]

So, just to play devil's advocate....

Brett- you didn't witness all of these things first hand, correct? you're going on what someone else has reported to you....

I'm not saying any of those are right or wrong, but I believe them just as much as I believed "Mission Accomplished" from our very own President a few YEARS ago.

Believe it or not, there's so much crap like that where people put their own spin on stuff, positive or negative, it's really hard to believe.

Again, not saying some or all of those aren't true in some way, but if you heard about it, it was probably from a media source, therefor you can only still believe so much of it, just like anything else in the news.

A grain of salt should be taken with all news. Just like your above copy and pasted report.

If you ever want to get down to why people are still so upset about what's happening over there, in the end, I don't believe it's all about money or "lies" that got us over there or anything else but the fact that young people go over there ever single day and get killed. That's my 2 pennies. If no one was getting killed, we'd have a much different political atmosphere, but in the end, people are dying... and others are asking "for what ?"

6 year long war and only 4200 or so deaths, pretty fuc king good war if you ask me

[BKgen®]

Believe it or not, there's so much crap like that where people put their own spin on stuff, positive or negative, it's really hard to believe.

lol, true -- just go to wikipedia...

[Brett]

So, just to play devil's advocate....

Brett- you didn't witness all of these things first hand, correct? you're going on what someone else has reported to you....

I'm not saying any of those are right or wrong, but I believe them just as much as I believed "Mission Accomplished" from our very own President a few YEARS ago.

Believe it or not, there's so much crap like that where people put their own spin on stuff, positive or negative, it's really hard to believe.

Again, not saying some or all of those aren't true in some way, but if you heard about it, it was probably from a media source, therefor you can only still believe so much of it, just like anything else in the news.

A grain of salt should be taken with all news. Just like your above copy and pasted report.

If you ever want to get down to why people are still so upset about what's happening over there, in the end, I don't believe it's all about money or "lies" that got us over there or anything else but the fact that young people go over there ever single day and get killed. That's my 2 pennies. If no one was getting killed, we'd have a much different political atmosphere, but in the end, people are dying... and others are asking "for what ?"

I didnt write it, I just posted it because when I read it, I thought it was interesting

[Doppelgänger]

6 year long war and only 4200 or so deaths, pretty fuc king good war if you ask me

Dumbass of the day award goes to you. 4200 completely avoidable deaths.

Yup, 4000 dead US soldiers for NO GOOD REASON.
****ty economy, for NO GOOD REASON

It seems that the reason for the invasion was NO GOOD REASON.

**** Bush.

[soul]

Dumbass of the day award goes to you. 4200 completely avoidable deaths.

Yup, 4000 dead US soldiers for NO GOOD REASON.
****ty economy, for NO GOOD REASON

It seems that the reason for the invasion was NO GOOD REASON.

**** Bush.

your a dumbass. i didnt mention economy or anything, just posting a statistical fact about the war. compare it to anyother pointless war weve been in....

f cuk you dumbass go get high

[blaknoize]

^Yes I also believe it was for no good reason. Yea yea yea, we can all debate about the 3 random planes that managed to take down 2 towers meant to take hits and somehow land right in FRONT of the Pentagon. But this is a fight over oil, which obviously isnt getting cheaper. Out of all the oil we have used while fighting a war over oil. Nothing has been accomplished.

[soul]

^Yes I also believe it was for no good reason. Yea yea yea, we can all debate about the 3 random planes that managed to take down 2 towers meant to take hits and somehow land right in FRONT of the Pentagon. But this is a fight over oil, which obviously isnt getting cheaper. Out of all the oil we have used while fighting a war over oil. Nothing has been accomplished.

were doing the same thing thats been going on for thousands of years, and thats to unite and instill democracy in the middle east for personal an global benefact, nothing new going on....

[tony]

Dumbass of the day award goes to you. 4200 completely avoidable deaths.

Yup, 4000 dead US soldiers for NO GOOD REASON.
****ty economy, for NO GOOD REASON

It seems that the reason for the invasion was NO GOOD REASON.

**** Bush.

It's refreshing to know SOME people get it. Again I think some of you act like this is a video game.. where death is just a number. THESE ARE AMERICAN LIVES! Brothers, Sons, Fathers.. Mothers, Sisters and Daughters, let me make it more human for you.

[BKgen®]

It's refreshing to know SOME people get it. Again I think some of you act like this is a video game.. where death is just a number. THESE ARE AMERICAN LIVES! Brothers, Sons, Fathers.. Mothers, Sisters and Daughters, let me make it more human for you.

+whatever i give.

this why nobody likes you, soul.

[blaknoize]

Bunch of Duke Nukem fans counting us all as numbers not people.

[soul]

It's refreshing to know SOME people get it. Again I think some of you act like this is a video game.. where death is just a number. THESE ARE AMERICAN LIVES! Brothers, Sons, Fathers.. Mothers, Sisters and Daughters, let me make it more human for you.

ok.........i understand that, but also understand when enlisting in the military unless your a complete f ucktard you should understand the fact along as anyone else should, DEATH is a risk you sign up for and knowingly aknowledge and have to deal with., get the f uck over it

[DESTRO_91]

From experience, Iraq is a really bad country. And from the perspective of the average service member who has served over there; chances are they saw absolutely no difference in the country from the day they got there to the day they left, but you constantly hear commanders say that the country is in a better state. Point is, the scope of this war is well beyond the ramblings of the people on this forum, service members included (myself, active duty army, served in iraq twice). We will never be "in the know" as to what is really going on and why. It frustrates me to even think about it. Being in the medical field, my job is to support my fellow soldiers and keep them alive, even though I have a million "why's" in my head. Thanks to all those who support us no matter what.

[blaknoize]

Why cant we be the country that RESOLVES issues, not makes them. I mean, we are pros at that. Punkin other countries, talkin trash, pissin on their flowers. But why cant we resolve issues. (I'm not going into detail, cuz I dont have facts) but still. All u see and hear from this country is killing and stealing. And all we have to show is a large amount of debt that this generation and the next is going to have to deal with, cuz some dumbass likes to fight.

I wonder if I'll even be able to retire safely sometimes... hearing news that our SS fund is giving out more than its recieving.

[Reaper]

It's sad that you all view your OWN country in the manner that you do. Clearly you believe what you see in the mainstream media and dont think for yourself. Your the type of person who is so ashamed of your own country and makes it worse on everyone else. This is why, like RUT said take it with a grain of salt...I personally say take the media with a shot of pincillin. It's all mistconstrued to make our President and our country look bad. I'm not a fan of Bush but things could be a hell of a lot worse.

And just for ya'll who think we "police" the world and we always start fights but never better anything or "resolve" anything...Look at Korea. North Korea vs. South Korea and try to tell me that the Korean war was pointless. Yes we lost 52,000 SOLDIERS(my grandfather being one of them) but I PROMISE there are over 34million Koreans that will disagree with you, that are active and bettering themselves, there country and the world.

[Reaper]

here's what my cousin has to say about all this...

I am currenlty stationed in Iraq and got a chance to read this forum through a link I got from my cousin. First things first, you talk about all that building being done and the Iraqi Army and the Iraq Police being trained and puttin out recruits..who do you think builds the buildings? trains the police and the army? who teaches them to fly these jets and helicopters..I'll tell you who..The American service memebers. Another point is about all the "pointless deaths" that's bull**** because if any American dies in a foreign conflict then it's not pointless at all..and I dont have the exact statictics but I'd say atleast 70% of the losses we've had in this war are from men and women who enlisted after 9/11 and knew full well that they we're gonna deploy and ran the risk of being killed. I know I thought that when I signed the papers but it's something you get used too and you learn to live with being here. It's been 7 months since i've seen my friends or family and my girl..but I do it because I love my country and want to see it stay safe! I understand many peoples anger about the war..I just ask you don't take you're hate to the Service memebers..ESP those who've served or are currently serving in Iraq because believe me friend they've been through Hell and back and the last thing they need is Ridicule.. I thank you for hearing me out if you took the time to read this..and James stay strong and I'll be seein ya and the rest of the family in June....Sincerly, Spc Brian M. Bennett

[Frög]

wow this is the biggest load of fu.cking crap i have ever seen on this site..

haha we were supposed to be there for "couple months, but no longer than 6 months"

lol we are going down, if we are doing so good, why are we thinking of leaving? get real, stop reading this bias BS..

[Reaper]

wow this is the biggest load of fu.cking crap i have ever seen on this site..

haha we were supposed to be there for "couple months, but no longer than 6 months"

lol we are going down, if we are doing so good, why are we thinking of leaving? get real, stop reading this bias BS..

were not thinking of leaving, there is too much invested in the re-building and building process to just pack up and go. Believe it or not, the people there love the troops..

[TIGERJC]

Yea we can't leave iraq, because it more of a threat to the U.S and our interest than it ever was under Saddam rule.

[Frög]

Above facts are verifiable on the Department of Defense web site.

http://www.defenselink.mil/

thats not a bias source..

can't use bias sources..

the fact is, war in Iraq is not going well.. we know it, the world knows it.. now why try to make something that is harming our country look positive?

its not because of pity things, or news of protest with burning flags! we get those same acts on our soil all the time!!!!!!

[Frög]

were not thinking of leaving, there is too much invested in the re-building and building process to just pack up and go. Believe it or not, the people there love the troops..

Yea we can't leave iraq, because it more of a threat to the U.S and our interest than it ever was under Saddam rule.

of course we can't leave.. it will be civil war between all the different tribes if we leave..

[redrumracer]

Dumbass of the day award goes to you. 4200 completely avoidable deaths.

Yup, 4000 dead US soldiers for NO GOOD REASON.
****ty economy, for NO GOOD REASON

It seems that the reason for the invasion was NO GOOD REASON.

**** Bush.

lol yall say **** bush but yet bush doesnt control the economy. the economy did take a turn for the worse till we had a democratic controlled congress. 4200 soldiers dead for no good reason, tell that to all the thousands that were killed in iraq just for having an opinion. yea its not our country but being the only real superpower left is a big responsibility, so no only 4200 isnt that bad for a 6 year war. so before yall condemn bush lets take a look at who really has power in theis country. a spokesperson with a little power or whole group of people that vote and decide how things run. and of course there will be a liberal response to this, saying its not our fault(liberals are used to placing blame instead of taking it)

[Sledlude]

6 year long war and only 4200 or so deaths, pretty fuc king good war if you ask me

DUDE? u crazy.
4200 deaths is not 'good' no matter how you spin it. did you happen to know any of those people? jack ass.

and these are just American soldiers that have died... countless Iraqis have been killed, as well as service men and women from other countries.

[tony]

lol yall say **** bush but yet bush doesnt control the economy. the economy did take a turn for the worse till we had a democratic controlled congress. 4200 soldiers dead for no good reason, tell that to all the thousands that were killed in iraq just for having an opinion. yea its not our country but being the only real superpower left is a big responsibility, so no only 4200 isnt that bad for a 6 year war. so before yall condemn bush lets take a look at who really has power in theis country. a spokesperson with a little power or whole group of people that vote and decide how things run. and of course there will be a liberal response to this, saying its not our fault(liberals are used to placing blame instead of taking it)

Your first mistake is that you see this entire issue as Partisan and not International Policy. People who cannot take responsibility for their actions almost immediately point the finger, you prove this point very well. This isn't a democrat or "liberal" issue.. I myself voted for Bush twice and can say I was wrong. You "conservatives" like to praise Reagan so much but Reagan believed in working across party lines.. this conflicts with the reasoning behind this statement. O yeah.. he believed in Diplomacy instead of war as well.

[tony]

lol yall say **** bush but yet bush doesnt control the economy.

I just thought about this, the Executive Branch.. Commander in Chief is not responsible for the state of the United States Economy? The man who ultimately has Veto power over anything Congress approves and sign into law ANY bill isn't responsible?

lol You've got to be kidding me, I'm sure if the economy was exploding you would say we need to thank Bush but now its not his fault? Well why have a president then? I guess we can just get things done on our own.

Bad Economic policy is wasting $400 Billion on a war that shows no return on investment while your people are losing jobs to other countries, losing their homes and the value of your currency is plummeting at an alarming rate. Bad economic policy is not investing in infrastructure for energy independence while your citizens are held captive by the Oil industry because there is no competition and essentially.. a monopoly. Good economic policy would not leave millions of citizens without proper healthcare and allow an affordable solution for much needed medications.

Bush himself doctored "No Child Left Behind" and now almost half of our teenagers are not graduating from high school. Please explain how George Bush, the one man with the most control over domestic policy over the last 8 years bears not an ounce of burden over the state of the U.S?

[Ran]

4200 deaths is not 'good' no matter how you spin it.

4200 deaths over a period of 6 years is actually pretty good for a "war". Granted that any loss of a serviceman sucks, but statistically speaking that's not bad at all.

Also, yes, I have known friends that died overseas.

[RutRoe]

Reaper- that's really awesome that you got your cousin to read this. That really speaks volumes for him that he'd come over and leave that. I'm really impressed.

My original point was just that- it's all opinion and every source "spins" stuff. I'd much rather listen to the opinion of a soldier that's been there and experienced it, then any talking head, on any channel, on any side of the fence.

I'm not saying we shouldn't have spirited debates about stuff, because that's how change happens, but most of the time it's just noise, it's not actually discussion.

[redrumracer]

I just thought about this, the Executive Branch.. Commander in Chief is not responsible for the state of the United States Economy? The man who ultimately has Veto power over anything Congress approves and sign into law ANY bill isn't responsible?

lol You've got to be kidding me, I'm sure if the economy was exploding you would say we need to thank Bush but now its not his fault? Well why have a president then? I guess we can just get things done on our own.

Bad Economic policy is wasting $400 Billion on a war that shows no return on investment while your people are losing jobs to other countries, losing their homes and the value of your currency is plummeting at an alarming rate. Bad economic policy is not investing in infrastructure for energy independence while your citizens are held captive by the Oil industry because there is no competition and essentially.. a monopoly. Good economic policy would not leave millions of citizens without proper healthcare and allow an affordable solution for much needed medications.

Bush himself doctored "No Child Left Behind" and now almost half of our teenagers are not graduating from high school. Please explain how George Bush, the one man with the most control over domestic policy over the last 8 years bears not an ounce of burden over the state of the U.S?

just as quick as the president can veto something the congress can still overturn his veto. he alone can not make the decision to go to war. it has to be voted upon and approved. he can do a military campaign but only so long until it has to be voted on and the troops brought home. also healthcare shouldnt be the responsibility of the government it should be up to the individual and no child left behind act is a public law that was still voted upon and accepted by congress. does bush deserve some of the blame? sure, but all of it? no. he is in the public eye all the time and as such is the easiest target. and no he doesnt have the most control the congress has the most control

[Alan®]

good post man

[OhMyGodfather]

here's what my cousin has to say about all this...

I am currenlty stationed in Iraq and got a chance to read this forum through a link I got from my cousin. First things first, you talk about all that building being done and the Iraqi Army and the Iraq Police being trained and puttin out recruits..who do you think builds the buildings? trains the police and the army? who teaches them to fly these jets and helicopters..I'll tell you who..The American service memebers. Another point is about all the "pointless deaths" that's bull**** because if any American dies in a foreign conflict then it's not pointless at all..and I dont have the exact statictics but I'd say atleast 70% of the losses we've had in this war are from men and women who enlisted after 9/11 and knew full well that they we're gonna deploy and ran the risk of being killed. I know I thought that when I signed the papers but it's something you get used too and you learn to live with being here. It's been 7 months since i've seen my friends or family and my girl..but I do it because I love my country and want to see it stay safe! I understand many peoples anger about the war..I just ask you don't take you're hate to the Service memebers..ESP those who've served or are currently serving in Iraq because believe me friend they've been through Hell and back and the last thing they need is Ridicule.. I thank you for hearing me out if you took the time to read this..and James stay strong and I'll be seein ya and the rest of the family in June....Sincerly, Spc Brian M. Bennett

quoted so the people actually read it...people are still arguing about the economy and completely forgetting the real point of this thread, words from a soldier who has seen it all guys..listen... ^^^^