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. But views of the country's situation
overall are far less positive, and there are vast differences in views among
Iraqi groups -- a study in contrasts between increasingly disaffected Sunni
areas and vastly more positive Shiite and Kurdish provinces.

An ABC News poll in Iraq, conducted with Time magazine and other media
partners, includes some remarkable results: Despite the daily violence
there, most living conditions are rated positively, seven in 10 Iraqis say
their own lives are going well, and nearly two-thirds expect things to
improve in the year ahead.

Surprisingly, given the insurgents' attacks on Iraqi civilians, more than
six in 10 Iraqis feel very safe in their own neighborhoods, up sharply from
just 40 percent in a poll in June 2004. And 61 percent say local security is
good -- up from 49 percent in the first ABC News poll in Iraq in February
2004.



http://abcnews.go.com/International/print?id=1389228

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Can't win, Mr. Dean?

On Mon, 12 Dec 2005 20:03:01 GMT, "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. But views of the country's situation
overall are far less positive, and there are vast differences in views among
Iraqi groups -- a study in contrasts between increasingly disaffected Sunni
areas and vastly more positive Shiite and Kurdish provinces.

An ABC News poll in Iraq, conducted with Time magazine and other media
partners, includes some remarkable results: Despite the daily violence
there, most living conditions are rated positively, seven in 10 Iraqis say
their own lives are going well, and nearly two-thirds expect things to
improve in the year ahead.

Surprisingly, given the insurgents' attacks on Iraqi civilians, more than
six in 10 Iraqis feel very safe in their own neighborhoods, up sharply from
just 40 percent in a poll in June 2004. And 61 percent say local security is
good -- up from 49 percent in the first ABC News poll in Iraq in February
2004.



http://abcnews.go.com/International/print?id=1389228

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Can't win, Mr. Dean?


The Democrat pundits, including Murtha, are saying 80% of Iraqis want us out now. That ABC poll,
which I've not seen on TV *anywhere* yet, says, "Specifically, 26 percent of Iraqis say U.S. and
other coalition forces should "leave now" and another 19 percent say they should go after the
government chosen in this week's election takes office; that adds to 45 percent."

Is ABC telling the truth here? Are all those folks spouting 80% telling the truth? Someone is full
of pferdeäpfel.

The two paragraphs you quoted sure tell a different story than one hears from NBC, CNN, or any
Democrat congress person (except Lieberman, of course).
--
John Herring

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

On Mon, 12 Dec 2005 20:03:01 +0000, NOYB wrote:


Can't win, Mr. Dean?

Define win. We have traded the lives of over two thousand young
Americans, for one SOB. I have a hard time considering that a win. We
have shed as much American blood for Iraqi freedom, as we did in our own
Revolutionary War.

While that survey shows there is hope for Iraq, it isn't all roses. Last
year's survey showed similar levels of optimism, but the level of
violence increased. There are still high levels of Sunni dissatisfaction,
and the insurgency will continue. I have stated that I believe we have to
stay the course, but don't be calling this a "win".

As for your neo-con dream of having bases to provoke Syria and Iran,
forget it. If you read the numbers from that survey, at least 92% of
Iraqis want us out. Timing is their only differentiation.

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

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?
--
John Herring

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

"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!