Almost Four Years in Iraq

March 20th will be the sad anniversary of the invasion if Iraq. What started with the infamous "Shock and Awe" which was widely broadcasted on our televisions like some sort of dazziling fireworks always from a distance and at night, (no close-ups of buildings being blown up and body parts splattered all over) has become a "Surge" to the highest number of American troups yet. A surge that started at 21,500 more troups, now stands at 28,700 with all the additional personnel needed for further anticipated detentions (military police) and service support personnel. This in contrast to the pullouts and planned pullouts of many other "coalition of the willing" forces.

The claim of spreading democracy and freedom while murdering innocent populations of people,( some say upwards of 600,000) cannot be justified by the emotional reactions to 9/11 or any other terrorist attack. What we have done is further the idea that might is right and when you have the "power" it doesn't matter who gets in your way when you want something. We might have learned to bolster our defenses and pay attention, but that still hasn't happened even yet after all the commissions and meetings and rhetoric.

It is said it is always darkest before the dawn. Let's hope that this is that darkness and that dawn will bring a new way of dealing with our brothers and sisters in this fragile world of ours.

Here are some interesting statistics according to an article titled:
From Shock and Awe to the "Surge" Without End by Raymond Whitaker
The Independent UK:

2,000,000 Iraqis now live outside Iraq, according to UNHCR

12,000 doctors have fled Iraq since the war began. Another 2,000 are said to have been killed, and at least 250 kidnapped

50% Average inflation in 2006, according to the World Bank

6.3 hours of electricity daily in Baghdad in December 2006. In May 2003 there were 16-24 hours

32 percentage of people in Iraq with drinkable water

3,700,000 Iraqis now receive food aid from the UN World Food Programme

16% Proportion of Iraqis who said in January that their income meets their basic needs

Peace to all. There is plenty of everything to go around, really.