Since May 1
By Charles Mitchell
The next time you hear a network news story, or read a
newspaper, keep these facts in mind and ask, why isn't this being
reported? Below is the list that NEVER makes the Media Moguls'
"news" headlines. They just keep printing the explosions,
shootings, deaths and failures. Have faith!
"Since May 1..."
Since May 1...the first battalion of the new Iraqi
Army has graduated and is on active duty*
Since May 1... over 60,000 Iraqis now provide security
to their fellow citizens.
Since May 1...nearly all of Iraq's 400 courts are
functioning.
Since May 1... the Iraqi judiciary is fully
independent.
Since May 1...on Monday, October 6 power generation
hit 4,518 megawatts-exceeding the pre-war average.
Since May 1...all 22 universities and 43 technical
institutes and colleges are open, as are nearly all primary and
secondary schools.
Since May 1... as of October 1, Coalition forces had
rehabbed over 1,500 schools - 500 more than their target.
Since May 1... teachers earn from 12 to 25 times their
former salaries.
Since May 1...all 240 hospitals and more than 1200
clinics are open.
Since May 1...doctors' salaries are at least eight
times what they were under Saddam.
Since May 1...pharmaceutical distribution has gone
from essentially nothing to 700 tons in May to a current total of 12,000
tons.
Since May 1...the Coalition has helped administer over
22 million vaccinations doses to Iraq's children.
Since May 1...a Coalition program has cleared over
14,000 kilometers of Iraq's 27,000 kilometers of weed-choked canals.
They now irrigate tens of thousands of farms. This project has created
jobs for more than 100,000 Iraqi men and women.
Since May 1...we have restored over three-quarters of
pre-war telephone services and over two-thirds of the potable water
production.
Since May 1... there are 4,900 full-service
connections. We expect 50,000 by January first.
Since May 1...the wheels of commerce are turning. From
bicycles to satellite dishes to cars and trucks, businesses are coming
to life in all major cities and towns.
Since May 1...95 percent of all pre-war bank customers
have service and first-time customers are opening accounts daily.
Since May 1... Iraqi banks are making loans to finance
businesses.
Since May 1...the central bank is fully independent.
Since May 1... Iraq has some of the world's most
growth-oriented investment and banking laws.
Since May 1... Iraq (has) a single, unified currency
for the first time in 15 years.
