Doesn't look like it's something they have to fear with Iraq.

I guess you've been reading up on the Iraqi economy eh?

Ah, but wait, you're one of those guys who really wants things to succeed over there, I forgot


Blood and Money

In what might be called the mother of all surprises, Iraq's economy is growing strong, even booming in places.

By Silvia Spring
Newsweek International

Dec. 25, 2006 - Jan. 1, 2007 issue - It may sound unreal, given the daily images of carnage and chaos. But for a certain plucky breed of businessmen, there's good money to be made in Iraq. Consider Iraqna, the leading mobile-phone company. For sure, its quarterly reports seldom make for dull reading. Despite employees kidnapped, cell-phone towers bombed, storefronts shot up and a huge security budget—up to four guards for each employee—the company posted revenues of $333 million in 2005. This year, it's on track to take in $520 million. The U.S. State Department reports that there are now 7.1 million mobile-phone subscribers in Iraq, up from just 1.4 million two years ago. Says Wael Ziada, an analyst in Cairo who tracks Iraqna: "There will always be pockets of money and wealth, no matter how bad the situation gets."


Civil war or not, Iraq has an economy, and—mother of all surprises—it's doing remarkably well. Real estate is booming. Construction, retail and wholesale trade sectors are healthy, too, according to a report by Global Insight in London. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce reports 34,000 registered companies in Iraq, up from 8,000 three years ago. Sales of secondhand cars, televisions and mobile phones have all risen sharply. Estimates vary, but one from Global Insight puts GDP growth at 17 percent last year and projects 13 percent for 2006. The World Bank has it lower: at 4 percent this year. But, given all the attention paid to deteriorating security, the startling fact is that Iraq is growing at all.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16241340/site/newsweek/

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"A theory that explains everything, explains nothing"

Get real. Until the economy at least gets back to a pre-invasion level, it's a joke to talk about.

Pre invasion levels? It's surpassed pre-invasion levels. That's what you get for relying on the MSM for all your information.

The statistics are all taken from the World Bank's data from 2006. Note that in 2000, 3 years prior to the war, Iraq's GDP was lower than in 2005, and almost half of the projected GDP for this year. It's why securing Bagdhad is key at this point.

2004 No data available current US$ billions
2003 12.6 current US$ billions - World Bank Data Profile Tables 2006
2002 19.0 current US$ billions - World Bank Data Profile Tables 2006
2001 18.9 current US$ billions - World Bank Data Profile Tables 2006
2000 25.9 current US$ billions - World Bank Data Profile Tables 2006

Annual GDP growth
2005 No data available percent
2004 46.5 percent World Bank Data Profile Tables 2006
2003 -41.3 percent World Bank Data Profile Tables 2006
2002 -7.8 percent World Bank Data Profile Tables 2006
2001 -6.6 percent World Bank Data Profile Tables 2006
2000 -4.3 percent

http://www.alertnet.org/printable.ht...db/cp/iraq.htm


Key economic data - GDP

2003 <> 12,602 Billion

2004 <> 25,763 Billion

2005 <> 33,624 Billion

2006p <> 50,926 Billion

2007f <> 62,038 Billion

http://siteresources.worldbank.org/I...tMarch2007.pdf

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"A theory that explains everything, explains nothing"

I disagree with a phased pull-out. We should load the planes, back up the trucks, and fill the ships and get out in as little time as is physically - not politically - feasible. We have no business there.

The rest of the stuff I can support. Diplomacy is an art that neo-con Jesus freaks don't understand because it conflicts with the end-time prophesies.

I don't mind having common ground.

That must be easy for you to say. You don't have to care for a loved one who's missing half his head.

I must say, you are the most war mongering fundie I've ever met. But, Im guessing your just another fraud Bushie hiding behind the cloth, but thats just me.

Like this guy...

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"I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve." - Isoroku Yamamoto's quote following the attack on Pearl Harbor

USA today had a whole raft of numbers today, polling Iraqis about a list of issues (security, daily life in general, etc.,) vs. how they felt about them in 2005. In just about every case, whether Sunni, Shiite, or Kurd, the people polled said things had gotten worse.

So it seems this poll (yours) is good for the US, in that Iraqis don't take their disintegrating situation to be worse than the reign of Saddam. But the trend line does not look good.

Not arguing either way. Just saying, take the polling data together, and you get a picture of a polling group trumpeting that things still aren't as bad as under Saddam. But they're getting there.

PFnV

So if you didn't want your loved one to get injured, why did you allow him/her to go into the military??

I've lost loved ones to war -- many of them. I do not begrudge their loss to the American government one bit. If you aren't willing to make the sacrifice, don't sign up.


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