Iraq: The Other Side of the Story

Washington, D.C.— There is another side of the story about Iraq.  It is one that demonstrates what can happen when people taste freedom and democracy starts to take a foothold.  Stories of everyday experiences that we, as Americans, take for granted in our daily lives.  One where women and young girls can go to school, information can be shared and contrasting viewpoints expressed, and people of different ethnic and religious sects can start to peacefully co-exist. 

As a member of the United States Congress, I have had the honor to visit our brave men and women of the U.S. armed forces in Iraq twice, and I can tell you firsthand that what is being reported by the mainstream media does not accurately reflect the day to day acts of goodwill toward the Iraqi people.

            For far too long, Saddam’s evil regime stole the Iraqi people’s hopes and dreams of freedom-- but no more.  Today, there are great things being done everyday in Iraq that bring smiles to the faces of children and a sense of pride to the hearts and minds of so many in what is now a liberated nation.  Gone are the days of torture chambers, rape rooms and mass graves.  No longer do the Iraqi people fear expressing their views when contrary to their neighbors or government.  In fact, there are currently over 170 newspapers published everyday in Iraq that are experiencing the liberty of free speech and a free press.

            Upon returning from my second visit to Iraq, I can tell you that what the troops told me did not sound remotely similar to the non-stop negative stories being promoted by the major media sources.  I learned about what was being done to improve the non-existent education system, to find that 3,700 schools had been renovated or were soon to be completed since the overthrow of Saddam. Over 9 million new math and science textbooks have been printed and distributed with the pro-Saddam propaganda extracted. 

            The new healthcare budget for the Iraqi Ministry of Health is now $1 billion; 25 times greater than the $16 million annual budget under Saddam’s reign.  Now 85% of Iraqi children have been immunized and over 700,000 pregnant Iraqi women have received a tetanus vaccination to improve their pre-natal healthcare.  Why don’t we hear any of this in the media?

            Some of the troops shared with me that when they return home and see the media coverage of Iraq that they are shocked to see nothing but negative stories.  Our troops are confused by many Americans’ belief that the people of Iraq do not appreciate what we are doing to liberate them.  This is simply not the case and the positive stories must be told. 

            It took nearly 3 years to rebuild Germany and Japan after WWII and install a democratic way of life for them.  Here we are just one year after the fall of Saddam’s regime, and already 20 million of the country’s 27 million citizens receive clean water due to new water and sanitation projects.  Amazingly, 85% of Iraqi cities had fully functioning municipalities only 4 months after the start of the war.  In terms of government participation, 81 women currently serve on neighborhood and district councils around Baghdad and 6 Iraqi women have been appointed to Cabinet-level ministries in the newly formed Iraq government.  The number under Saddam’s regime was zero.

            There are so many good things going on in Iraq right now and our troops who are making them happen deserve our support.  Let’s start acknowledging their efforts and honoring their accomplishments by telling the untold truth about Iraq.

I would encourage everyone to visit http://untoldiraq.org to learn more.