Despite the latest rantings from liberal antiwar hawk John Murtha that “There’s not only no progress, it’s worse than it was prewar,” accusations that continually get a free pass from the media, Iraqis feel much differently.
QUESTION TO IRAQIS: THINKING ABOUT ANY HARDSHIPS YOU MIGHT HAVE SUFFERED SINCE THE US-BRITAIN INVASION, DO YOU PERSONALLY THINK THAT OUSTING SADDAM HUSSEIN WAS WORTH IT OR NOT? (chart shows those who responded “worth it”).
Brookings Institute -June 19, 2006
Recent scientific samplings of Iraqi opinion confirms the benefits of the US-led regime change.
To give one relevant example, a recent Brookings Institute report on Iraq, shows the majority (yes, that means more than 50%) of Iraqis are living fairly safe and secure lives:
“Insurgent attacks tended to be concentrated (85%) in 4 of 18 provinces. These provinces contain less than 42% of the Iraqi population. Half of the Iraqi population (12 provinces) lives in areas that experience 6% of all attacks. 6 provinces listed a statistically insignificant number of attacks based on population size. 80% of all attacks are directed towards Coalition Forces. 80% of all casualties are suffered by the Iraqi population.”
Moreover, that same report shows most Iraqis still say that they are better off now than before the invasion.
Daily attacks are down since February of this year.
Multi National-Force Iraq
If that’s not enough for you, most Iraqis in 2004 thought the US invasion of Iraq was “right or absolutely right,” and most thought that the war was better characterized as “liberation” than “humilation” or something else.
Back together again…
Mansur Sulayman Mansur Khalif al-Mahsadani (aka Sheikh Mansur shown on left and with Abu Zarqawi in his last known video) was killed this week by coalition forces in Iraq.
Op-For has more on Sheikh Mansur.
This 2006 survey also shows quite a bit of optimism for the near future, even though it was taken before the government was established and Zarqawi was eliminated.
Big Hat Tip to Byron Black
Update: Bones sends the latest poll that shows that Murtha may be in trouble.
Murtha Must Go blog has more.
** And more bad news for the hawk… The Washington Times has news today of Murtha’s very questionable dealings with his brother’s lobbying firm and Rep. Pelosi’s nephew.
Things don’t look good for John Murtha.
