"John H." wrote in message
news
On Tue, 13 Dec 2005 12:43:27 -0500, DSK wrote:

NOYB wrote:

Poll: Broad Optimism in Iraq, But Also Deep Divisions Among Groups
On the Eve of the Elections, Most Iraqis Want Iraq To Stay Unified
Analysis By GARY LANGER and JON COHEN
Dec. 12, 2005 - - Surprising levels of optimism prevail in Iraq with
living
conditions improved, security more a national worry than a local one,
and
expectations for the future high.

Gee, that sounds great. When do you suppose public utilities
like water & electricity will be supplied at levels
comparable to before the US invasion?

If the Iraqis are optimistic, that's very good. OTOH it
could also be due to the $300 million feel-good publicity
campaign recently carried out over there (paid for by our
tax money)....

DSK


"Average household incomes have soared by 60 percent in the last 20 months
(to $263 a month), 70
percent of Iraqis rate their own economic situation positively, and
consumer goods are sweeping the
country. In early 2004, 6 percent of Iraqi households had cell phones; now
it's 62 percent.
Ownership of satellite dishes has nearly tripled, and many more families
now own air conditioners
(58 percent, up from 44 percent), cars, washing machines and kitchen
appliances."

I wonder why all those people are buying satellite dishes and air
conditioners, when they don't have
electricity?
--

The generator business is booming.

John H. wrote:
"Average household incomes have soared by 60 percent in the last 20 months (to $263 a month), 70
percent of Iraqis rate their own economic situation positively,

That's good

... and consumer goods are sweeping the
country.

On credit, no doubt, just like here.

... In early 2004, 6 percent of Iraqi households had cell phones; now it's 62 percent.

Because it's more difficult to tear down cell phone towers &
sell them on the black market than it is to rip down & sell
wire.

Ownership of satellite dishes has nearly tripled,

Notice how they don't tell you how many owned satellite
dishes before. 2? So that means 6 own them now? Isn't that
great?


I wonder why all those people are buying satellite dishes and air conditioners, when they don't have
electricity?

Gee, I dunno, but it's real easy to find reports...
including from those darn libby-rull traitors at the State
Dept... that electricity in Baghdad is *still* not produced
& supplied in the amount nor with the reliability of pre-war
standards. And that people get in line for water from a truck.

But hey, if they're happy, that's great. Maybe by now,
they've been doing it for so long that they're used to it.

Funny how the spending of $300 million US taxpayer dollars
for feel-good advertising in Iraq doesn't offend any of the
"conservatives" in this bunch.

DSK

On Tue, 13 Dec 2005 13:16:34 -0500, DSK wrote:

John H. wrote:
"Average household incomes have soared by 60 percent in the last 20 months (to $263 a month), 70
percent of Iraqis rate their own economic situation positively,

That's good

... and consumer goods are sweeping the
country.

On credit, no doubt, just like here.

... In early 2004, 6 percent of Iraqi households had cell phones; now it's 62 percent.

Because it's more difficult to tear down cell phone towers &
sell them on the black market than it is to rip down & sell
wire.

Ownership of satellite dishes has nearly tripled,

Notice how they don't tell you how many owned satellite
dishes before. 2? So that means 6 own them now? Isn't that
great?


I wonder why all those people are buying satellite dishes and air conditioners, when they don't have
electricity?

Gee, I dunno, but it's real easy to find reports...
including from those darn libby-rull traitors at the State
Dept... that electricity in Baghdad is *still* not produced
& supplied in the amount nor with the reliability of pre-war
standards. And that people get in line for water from a truck.

But hey, if they're happy, that's great. Maybe by now,
they've been doing it for so long that they're used to it.

Funny how the spending of $300 million US taxpayer dollars
for feel-good advertising in Iraq doesn't offend any of the
"conservatives" in this bunch.

DSK

Never mind. NOYB explained it.
--
John Herring

Hope your Christmas is Spectacular!
....and your New Year even Better!