SwiftVets.com

[Arty Guy]

My oldest son is in Iraq, currently employed by the State Dept in the embassy. He writes regular dispatches and I thought I might share one on this forum.
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Where have all the rockets gone?

Baghdad - April 11, 2005

Just two more weeks and I will have been in Baghdad for one full year in addition to being outside the States for the longest period in my life thus far. Of course, I have not totally been isolated from home - after all, I do live at an American Embassy. But somehow, it is not the same. I particularly miss grilling baby back ribs on summer evenings in California. That will be my next big trip. Back home at last! At least for a little while . . .

This may sound rather strange but I became very excited today at the opening of several fast food restaurants in the International Zone. Burger King, Subway, Pizza Inn (kind of a counterfeit Pizza Hut), and Gyro King have now opened their doors. In one swoop, this more than doubles the dining alternatives here. When one lives in a place like this, it is the little things that truly count.

Regarding life in general, I can report with great satisfaction that things are looking up. The last couple months have seen a tremendous drop in the number of mortars and rockets being fired into the International Zone. It is strange but one has to actually has to make a concious effort to realize what is happening. People hardly speak about the decrease in attacks. Of course, when things were getting worse during last fall, everyone always commented on the number of attacks. Inactivity is difficult to notice. Apart from the general ease in tensions this has spread throughout the local IZ population, the lack of mortars and rockets reveal a trend that is only slowly making itself known; we are winning.

What do I mean by "winning"? First off, the number of US soldier casualties has dropped significantly since the elections on January 30th. For instance, March's total was 40 compared to 127 in January. This is the
lowest number since February 2004. Second, the number of insurgent attacks is also down significantly. The number of monthly attacks now is a third of what it was in the fall. Third, the popularly elected National Assembly is very close to deciding on all of the major government
posts. The Speaker of the National Assembly, the President, and two Vice Presidents have all been chosen. Indeed, the President is a Khurd! This is a tremendous accomplishment and should not be blown off. Fourth, from direct personal experience, as I noted above, mortar and rocket attacks on the International Zone are significantly reduced. Apparently, the insurgents are either unwilling or unable to launch these attacks.

These are all symptoms of progress.

Are we out of the woods? Certainly not. But the path is getting clearer. May there yet be tremendous acts of violence? Of course. Will there be setbacks? Assuredly. However, I believe that we have turned a corner. Should we redouble efforts? You're damn right!

And what have we done to achieve success?

From my current position, I have seen records of the tremendous progress that has been made on the ground in the reconstruction effort. For instance, I doubt many know this but the local coalition military
commanders are responsible for disbursing discretionary funds for basic infrastructure projects. I have have seen the lists of projects completed.
They number in the hundreds and they include everything from repairing schools, hospitals, sewer and water lines, electric grids, and roads to building soccer stadiums, libraries, telecom infrastructure, and local marketplaces. I do not doubt that this relatively under-the-radar effort has helped to set things on the right course.

Naturally, these types of successes hardly ever take the front page of the news. After following the media coverage and the books that are coming out on this effort, I have also taken notice of another phenomenon. I believe that media coverage has been largely partisan on both sides of the political spectrum left and right. I get the feeling that much of the criticism and praise of this operation is not backed up by objective reporting but actually reflects previous political leanings. This is harmful to public opinion in that it may be perceived that the good news is primarily coming from those who are prone to support the administration and its policies in any case. I am thankful that I am here as a witness and
with my own healthy skepticism of both political sides to see Iraq as it is really playing out.

Right now, things are playing out well. We must keep up the momentum. We must not play down our defeats and mistakes but likewise, we must not underplay our achievements.

[RogerRabbit]

Thanks for sharing Arty Guy very informative - say hello to the son for us in your next email
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"Si vis pacem, para bellum"

[Rdtf]

I've been in that line of work too - but not in a war zone! Give your talented and brave son my best wishes and many thanks.

[Harvuskong]

Do I have the permission to repost the "Where have all the rockets gone?" dispatch on other discussion groups??

[SBD]

Same question, would like to send it to my email list.

SBD

[Arty Guy]

Permission granted.

[Navy_Navy_Navy]

Good read, Arty Guy!

Our best wishes to your son - God bless him and keep him and bring him home safe and sound and soon!

Well done - we're proud of you, son of Arty Guy!
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~ Echo Juliet ~
Altering course to starboard - On Fire, Keep Clear
Navy woman, Navy wife, Navy mother

[Beatrice1000]

Thanks so much for the report Arty Guy. May your son stay safe! Please let him know that his good work in getting out the truth is very much appreciated.

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