Iraq Statistics Not a Point of Pride for Ongoing US Action

Indybay carries a story today with statistics revealing the brutal truth of the effect of 4 years of military intervention in Iraq:

"The terrible violence in Iraq has masked the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
Malnutrition amongst children has dramatically increased and basic services, ruined by years of war and sanctions, cannot meet the needs of the Iraqi people." Jeremy Hobbs, director of Oxfam International

" The agencies' report " Rising to the Humanitarian Challenge in Iraq" says although the appalling security situation is the biggest problem facing most ordinary Iraqis, the government of Iraq and other influential governments should do more to meet basic needs for water, sanitation, food and shelter.

"According to the report:

• Four million Iraqis – 15% - regularly cannot buy enough to eat.
• 70% are without adequate water supplies, compared to 50% in 2003.
• 28% of children are malnourished, compared to 19% before the 2003 invasion.
• 92% of Iraqi children suffer learning problems, mostly due to the climate of fear.
• More than two million people – mostly women and children - have been displaced inside Iraq.
• A further two million Iraqis have become refugees, mainly in Syria and Jordan.">>more

What do you suppose would happen if we concentrated on actually helping the people of Iraq: working to bring about self-sufficiency, raising the standard of living through education, programs to promote industry, better farming and food distribution, programs to provide good water, housing programs. And why can't we see that this is the real war.

It reminds me of a quote from Dianetics the Modern Science of Mental Health by L. Ron Hubbard, founder of the Scientology religion:

"There is no national problem in the world today which cannot be resolved by reason alone. All factors inhibiting a solution of the problem of war and weapons arbitrary factors and have no more validity than the justified explanations of a thief or murderer."

^{Happiness and strength endure only in the absence of hate. To hate alone is the road to disaster. To love is the road to strength. To love in spite of all is the secret of greatness. And may very well be the greatest secret in this universe.~~L. Ron Hubbard, founder of theScientology relgion}