Iraq's progress "magnificent," U.S. contends

[NNN0LHI]

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2002988713_iraq12.html

BAGHDAD, Iraq — The top U.S. military spokesman in Iraq acknowledged Thursday a recent spike in violence against civilians but said the nation has made "magnificent" progress toward building stability, in large part because of its improved security forces.

A day after Iraq's president reported that the Baghdad morgue had received 1,091 murder victims in the month of April, U.S. Maj. Gen. Rick Lynch said Iraqi authorities have increased police and army patrols and been able to stave off worse carnage because civilians have been delivering a record number of tips about suspected insurgents.

"People want to talk about what the enemy did. But they don't talk about what the enemy couldn't do," Lynch said. "And there is a lot he couldn't do because of that increased presence."

Lynch said that the last 10 weeks have seen a particularly high number of attacks on civilians, about 80 percent higher than late last year. In recent days, there have been an average of 85 attacks around the nation, he said.

[FloridaPat]

1. In what universe is this true?

[marmar]

2. Baghdad Rick...

I bet Baghdad Bob is saying, "Welcome to my world."

[Roland99]

3. 'e said it again! "recent spike in violence". Is that all it is? HMMMM...

EarlG had this tremendous post a couple of months ago:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=364&topic_id=574939

[grytpype]

4. 1,091 murders in one month in one city = magnificent.

I would hate to see what mediocre would look like.

[baby_mouse]

5. "Beginner's luck!"

"A few bad apples spoling the barrel!"
"Swings and Roundabouts!"
"Que sera sera!"
"Meeeeeeeehh LIBRULS."

[Hubert Flottz]

6. Yeah Right!

And The Government is "only tracking call going out of coming into the country!"

[leftchick]

7. It's Vietnam all over again

I hope it does not last as long. :(

[dipsydoodle]

8. Compared with what ?

Edsel sales.:rofl:

[Viking12]

9. Are These Morons Getting Dumber or Just Louder?

1. Per Capita GDP (USD) for 2005 is forecast to increase from the previous year to $1,051. In 2002 it was $802.

Super. Glad to see that we can successfully increase the per capita GDP of country under crippling sanctions by 25% in four years.

-snip-

5. Crude oil production reached 2.14 million barrels a day (MBD) in April of this year. It had dropped to 0.3 MBD in May of 2003.

Yes, that's quite the comparison. Surely, if you want to demonstrate progress, the best base metric is to refer to production the month after the war started.

-snip-

6. Revenues from oil export have only slightly increased from pre-war levels of $0.2 billion, to $0.62 billion in April.

Just out of curiosity, what were oil prices like before the war, and what do they look like now? Oh, yeah.

-snip-

7. Electrical output is almost at the pre-war level of 3,958 megawatts. April's production was 3,600 megawatts. In May of 2003, production was only 500 megawatts. The goal is to reach 6,000 megawatts.

See #5. Viking's footnote: the 6000 MW goal was for June 2004


http://lefarkins.blogspot.com/2006/05/are-these-morons-getting-dumber-or.html

[Justice Is Comin]

10. Is he on Mars?

I just heard the woman commentator on MSNBC said there was 850 attacks by insurgents a day in Iraq.! I almost fell off my chair.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

11. "Mission accomplished"...again?