Did you Know?

The following information is all verifiable at the Department of Defense website, www.defenselink.mil. Thanks to Kathryn Wilberding for sharing it with me...I will now share it with you all.

Did you know that 47 countries have re-established their embassies in Iraq? How about the fact that the Iraq government employs 1.2 million Iraqi people? Or that 2 candidates in the Iraqi presidential election had a televised debate?

Did you know that there are 1,192,000 cell phone subscribers in Iraq? Yes, and phone usage has gone up 158%. How about the fact that Iraq has an independent media consisting of 75 radio stations, 180 newspapers and 10 television stations? Did you know that the Baghdad Stock Exchange opened in June of 2004? Yes, in the middle of the warzone.

Did you know that 3100 schools have been renovated, 364 schools are under rehabilitation, 263 new schools are now under construction and 38 new schools have been completed in Iraq? Did you know that Iraq's higher education system now consists of 20 Universities, 46 Institutes or colleges as well as 4 research centers, all currently operating? How about the 4.3 million Iraqi children that were enrolled in primary school by mid October? No?

Did you know that the Iraqi Navy is operational? They have 5 patrol craft, 34 smaller vessels and a naval infantry regiment. Did you know that Iraq's Air Force consists of three operational squadrons, including 9 reconnaissance aircraft and 3 C-130 transport aircraft which operate day and night. They have also since added 16 UH-1 helicopters and 4 Bell Jet Rangers. Did you know that Iraq has a counter-terrorist unit and a Commando Battalion?

Did you know that the Iraqi Police Service has over 55,000 fully trained and equipped police officers? Or of the 5 Police Academies in Iraq that produce over 3500 new officers each 8 weeks? I didn't.

Did you know there are more than 1100 building projects going on in Iraq? They consist of the 364 the schools, 67 public clinics, 15 hospitals, 83 railroad stations, 22 oil facilities, 93 water facilities and 69 electrical facilities. Yes, progress for the people.

Finally, did you know that 96% of Iraqi children under the age of 5 have now received the first 2 series of polio vaccinations?

Course you didn't know. I didn't even know. The reason is because the high and mighty media sees fit not to discuss the positives of our actions, which undermines the perception of the United States. This all leads to more seperation in our society and a weaker nation overall as we stare into the face of a dangerous and determined enemy.