Remember when the violence in Baghdad led off practically every news cast? Those were the days when the anti-war crowd could really crow. Now with things going much better, they are reduced to whining about how things are better despite the US (thank you Senator Schumer).
Ever wonder how this reduction in violence happened since our beloved mainstream media sees fit not to tell us?
Here's a recent story that sheds some light on the matter.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Iraqi Police Surge DramaticallyReduces Baghdad Violence
WASHINGTON (American Forces Press Service, Sept. 24, 2007) - Violence in Baghdad has been cut in half, thanks to a massive influx of new Iraqi police officers, a top U.S. military advisor said.
"Along with the surge of U.S. forces is also the surge of Iraqi police," Brig. Gen. David Phillips told online journalists and "bloggers" during a conference call from Baghdad Sept. 21.
As deputy commanding general of the Civilian Police Assistance Training Team, Brig. Gen. Phillips helped stand up the Baghdad Police Academy in January 2004. On Sept. 20, he watched 744 brand new officers graduate from that academy.
"A community in which in the past we saw a significant al Qaeda presence now has concerned local citizens come forward (to join) the police forces," Brig. Gen. Phillips said. "You saw a lot of pride in these new police officers as they graduated."
An additional 1,000 Iraqi police officers are set to graduate in a few days at a temporary academy set up in Abu Ghraib, just west of central Baghdad.
"We're talking almost 2,000 new police officers ... within two months," Brig. Gen. Phillips said.
Applications to join Iraqi police forces far outnumber available positions, the general said, noting that nearly 6,000 Iraqi citizens applied for the two Baghdad-area academy classes.
"We're having no problem filling all of these slots," Brig. Gen. Phillips said. "If anything, we're turning away literally hundreds if not thousands of people in some areas who want to join the police forces."
In Anbar province, 3,000 new recruits were recently accepted, and in Diyala province, 5,000 students will soon begin police training, the general said.
"All academies are taught by Iraqis," Brig. Gen. Phillips said, noting that American troops offer only a support role. "The best instructors are Iraqi instructors."
Iraqi police applicants who are turned away are encouraged to join the equivalent of a "police auxiliary."
"We equip them with a cell phone, and they pick up that cell phone and use that cell phone and give us some very good actionable intel," Brig. Gen. Phillips said. "They are guarding their own community. They know who belongs and who doesn't."
Many Iraqis who once felt a strong sense of belonging in their neighborhoods fled because of death threats, the general explained, but thanks to a wider deployment of local police, that's changing in Baghdad.
"We are seeing a significant downward turn in violence," Brig. Gen. Phillips said. "And we are seeing some of the mixed communities coexist much better than they were about six months ago."
As a prominent example of police presence prompting exiled Iraqis to return, Brig. Gen. Phillips mentioned an influential Baghdad resident who was hired in 2003 to lead Iraq's police internal affairs division, but who was forced to flee the country with his family in 2005 amid insurgent threats.
"He said he watched from Jordan long enough, and it was his turn to come back and try to get things fixed over here," Brig. Gen. Phillips said. "That's one individual in a country, but I think he's just a representative of the tip of the iceberg with people coming back."
"Along with the surge of U.S. forces is also the surge of Iraqi police," Brig. Gen. David Phillips told online journalists and "bloggers" during a conference call from Baghdad Sept. 21.
As deputy commanding general of the Civilian Police Assistance Training Team, Brig. Gen. Phillips helped stand up the Baghdad Police Academy in January 2004. On Sept. 20, he watched 744 brand new officers graduate from that academy.
"A community in which in the past we saw a significant al Qaeda presence now has concerned local citizens come forward (to join) the police forces," Brig. Gen. Phillips said. "You saw a lot of pride in these new police officers as they graduated."
An additional 1,000 Iraqi police officers are set to graduate in a few days at a temporary academy set up in Abu Ghraib, just west of central Baghdad.
"We're talking almost 2,000 new police officers ... within two months," Brig. Gen. Phillips said.
Applications to join Iraqi police forces far outnumber available positions, the general said, noting that nearly 6,000 Iraqi citizens applied for the two Baghdad-area academy classes.
"We're having no problem filling all of these slots," Brig. Gen. Phillips said. "If anything, we're turning away literally hundreds if not thousands of people in some areas who want to join the police forces."
In Anbar province, 3,000 new recruits were recently accepted, and in Diyala province, 5,000 students will soon begin police training, the general said.
"All academies are taught by Iraqis," Brig. Gen. Phillips said, noting that American troops offer only a support role. "The best instructors are Iraqi instructors."
Iraqi police applicants who are turned away are encouraged to join the equivalent of a "police auxiliary."
"We equip them with a cell phone, and they pick up that cell phone and use that cell phone and give us some very good actionable intel," Brig. Gen. Phillips said. "They are guarding their own community. They know who belongs and who doesn't."
Many Iraqis who once felt a strong sense of belonging in their neighborhoods fled because of death threats, the general explained, but thanks to a wider deployment of local police, that's changing in Baghdad.
"We are seeing a significant downward turn in violence," Brig. Gen. Phillips said. "And we are seeing some of the mixed communities coexist much better than they were about six months ago."
As a prominent example of police presence prompting exiled Iraqis to return, Brig. Gen. Phillips mentioned an influential Baghdad resident who was hired in 2003 to lead Iraq's police internal affairs division, but who was forced to flee the country with his family in 2005 amid insurgent threats.
"He said he watched from Jordan long enough, and it was his turn to come back and try to get things fixed over here," Brig. Gen. Phillips said. "That's one individual in a country, but I think he's just a representative of the tip of the iceberg with people coming back."
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
For the website, go to: http://www.army.mil/-news/2007/09/24/5010-iraqi-police-surge-dramatically-reduces-baghdad-violence/
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Does anyone ever wonder why we don't hear these reports?
rate
email
print
link to this page
Comments: 23
Shouldn't the headline be "Iraqi Violence cut in Half"?
The left wants mored civilains dead so they can prove their point?
Somebody has been smoking something.
Dancing with my Dream (Vote Round Two)" Please stop by to read and rate. Thanks.
-"great news thanks for letting us know the truth" - Victor
What does this mean Victor? That everything is better?
-"Isn't it sad that we can't get this kind of news from our mainstream media?"-Dale
WHAT? So we are not getting fairly accurate information about the successes and failures of the war?
-" I just said, to my husband this morning. Why, dont we hear anything about Iraq anymore? I never gave it a thought, that they might not be reporting about Iraq, cause the news would be good news. Thanks, Dale, but I believe you are right about this. "- Vickey
Okay, enough! You guys need to go back down in the cellar.
You pick ONE feel good story and all of the sudden - Things are better?
Here, educate yourself:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3jk4kJG1Sg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2XlEoiqX2U&mode=related&search=
Tell you what - show me when there were more than one positive news story from the same major media outlet in a month (because, every blue moon, there is something written that is positive).
You show me these stories and I'll feature them in my group - Positive War News.
I hope to be proven wrong.
How very Lefty of you. "Educate yourself?" Don't you mean "read Media Matters or MoveOn.org so you can believe everything the Left Wing wants you to believe"?
Yea, that's probably what you meant............
Just because you feel that MoveOn and MediaMatters is biased (and I am sure they are on issues), that doesn't mean that they are wrong all the time.
I happen to get my information from as many sources as possible. Only then do I feel that I can make an educated opinion. And I definitely wouldn't tell you that I am right. What I am saying is that it is almost negligent to point fingers at the opposition and blame them for the perception of the American public.
And why would anyone expect that the mainstream media is looking out for the best interest of anyone other than the dollars that are generated from viewership? It doesn't help their cause and it's not their AGENDA to INFLUENCE the public to lean left.
If you can tell me how they ACTUALLY benefit from running articles that portray stories as "liberal", I would be interested to hear that.
You (and a lot of disgruntled conservatives; Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, etc.) seem to think that the media is somehow in the "liberal" pocket. You are mistaken (In my opinion). It is the constant censorship and protest throughout history from the conservative voice and their controlling attitude towards television and radio that has turned the media into merely a moral and ethical medium for the American people.
It's conservative views which have unfortunately turned the media left. Look at your history and you will see:
*Prohibition
*Child Labor
*Sexism
*Racism
*ACLU
These issues defined America's culture, and in every case, the conservative voice was on the losing end. Why would the media allow racism, bigotry, sexism and even homophobia? They wouldn't. That's why it is always harder for the right-wing conservative voice to sing out. They are the voice of censorship. They are the voice of suppression.
Until conservatives (and in most cases- Republicans) can learn humility and civility, the media will always be the voice of objectiveness ironically enough. It just so happens that in this day and age, that voice is more "liberal".
Is THAT what I've been hearing all these years from Carville, Dean, Clinton (both), et.al. telling me how stupid and unenlightened I am for adhering to conservative views and principles?
Give me a f - ing break. That's just more erudite condescension from another Liberal.
But I think there was a Persian name for them long ago.
The Forty Thieves.
Remember Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves?
And, anyway, I would rather be a little condescending than self-righteous anyday.
Also, here are your feel good stories that don't exist:
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070916/COL24/709160571/1019
This is a Detroit Free Press article about rebuilding Iraq. It spins pretty nicely, but I did notice this paragraph:
-"Lakeshore Engineering Services, which started in 1994 and does environmental cleanup and other services, won the contract from the U.S. Air Force after expanding into federal government contract work more than five years ago."
http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=local&id=5681134
Here is an article with video from ABC7News in California. It highlights a mayor's involvement in assisting women in Afghanistan
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/opinions/articles/0929satlets3-291.html
And here is an article(Arizona Republic) about the importance of our military veterans serving in Iraq, their return home and the reactions and support they receive from their community
When is it okay for conservatives to say "You know what, Doug? You may be somewhat right about our history." I mean, conservatives are still doing the same things. Are you going to tell me that you should have the right to persecute homosexuals? Are you going to tell me that because Affirmative Action has drawbacks that it should be eliminated because is your mind there is no more prejudice? Are you going to tell me that YOUR church is the one true church.
I've heard it all before. And so has the rest of the world.
Unfortunately, you're still trying to shove your beliefs down everyone's throat.
If I am wrong, I apologize.
Ummm, Dougie. I think you're being both right there.
If I am wrong, I apologize.
I'll accept, if it's sincere.
The 35 year run of Liberalism (which I see as a parallel with the rise and fall of the Baby Boomers), is almost over. Boomers are starting to retire, and at the same time their political power is waning. The country as a whole has been shifting ever so slightly to the right ever since Reagan. I don't see that abating any time soon. However, the sunset of the Liberal agenda in America is happening right now.
Condesceding is the same thing as self righteousness. If you were honest with yourself you'd know that.
Are you going to tell me that you should have the right to persecute homosexuals?
Recognizing historical precedent since the beginning of time, and seeking to ensure marriage is not redefined, is not persecution. Legal rights are one thing, and civil unions are of course the logical answer, but even this is not required for "all of the same legal benefits" heterosexuals receive. The power of attorney suffices for such things.
Standing firm upon the principles of a division between church and state, there is no civil authority available to legally usurp a divine institution of the church, and defending these principles in no way constitutions "persecution."
Are you going to tell me that because Affirmative Action has drawbacks that it should be eliminated because is your mind there is no more prejudice?
No, I'm going to tell you it should be abolished, because I have a dream, just like MLK, where a man is judged by the content of his mind, and not the color of his skin. I believe it should be abolished because it implies the black man is a victim, requiring special assistance to "get ahead."
I believe it should be abolished, because it is prejudice in action.
Are you going to tell me that YOUR church is the one true church.
No, I'm not. This red herring doesn't even require a response, that's just how far out of left field it is.
The only people really doing the throat shoving, are activists, and those folks are on both sides of the aisle, and none of them are conservatives, no matter what they call themselves.
On the republiturds side, we have the bible toting thumpers, seeking to implement their version of utopia, and on the left we have the misguided humanists that are usually far out kookie commie pink-0s too.
In the middle, about 60% of america, are the normal people. But it's the freaky 40%, 20 on either side, that really does the moving and the shaking.
Most of the 60% just sits and watches, shaking their head.
To what "liberal agenda" are you referring upon which the sun is setting?
The last time I checked, conservatives had control of the White House, both Houses of Congress and a majority of supreme court justices for the first six years of this century. And basically most folks concluded they ran the place into the ground... or did you miss the elections of '06?
I just wish the idea "Love thy neighbor as thyself" had some true meaning behind it in the USA. The children of Iraq deserve to play outside like the kids do here. The mom's in Iraq should be able to have electricity 24/7 for housework like we do here. Dad's should be able to watch TV at night like Dad's do here. They should all be free to say and do whatever we are free to say and do, just like here. We need to love them enough that if the roles were reversed that we would be cared enough about too.