http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/19/94397.aspxBy Truus Bos, NBC News Producer Last week several generals, both Iraqi and American, made a point of describing how certain areas in Baghdad, especially some markets and shopping districts, were reviving due to the security crackdown. "It's one of theen-USCommunityServer 2.0 (Build: 60608.1)http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/19/94397.aspx#94661Tue, 20 Mar 2007 08:43:12 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:94661Ray Null, Huntsville Alabama (Iraq)True un-bias comments...yeah right. As I sit here watching traffic on the roads...people in the market and businesses downtown...I see some normal actions. The question posed to the interperts would be the same as asking a friend to take you to the heart of Watts at night. You are a target ...due to your afflitation. Drop the hidden agenda and embrace the fact that this society has not matured enough to stop killing each other yet and they should be attacked on that thought.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/19/94397.aspx#94684Tue, 20 Mar 2007 11:13:42 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:94684Theresa Solberg, East Lansing, MichiganSo often in the early years of the war, we heard, as demonstration of the growing success of the U.S. efforts, that, in spite of all the violence, schools and clinics were being constructed, or renovated, or stocked and equipped. "Yes, but look at the schools and clinics," became the response of anyone countering the obvious which was that the situation in Iraq was steadily deteriorating. In the same way, this new disinformation from the generals and other military personnel "on the ground" has taken the place of the "schools 'n clinics" refrain. "We're seeing some slight but measurable signs of success," the generals say. "Storekeepers are re-opening and people are returning to the shopping districts." We're hearing that kind of talk over and over, almost since the start of the so-called surge. It's become the new mantra; it's taken the place of the "schools and clinics" happy talk. Yet, when you look at icasualties.org and read other sources that continue to report from Iraq, this information from the generals seems to be just simply untrue. Reports still come in regularly of dead and tortured bodies, killed and injured U.S. and Iraqi soldiers, destroyed mosques (recently, a bombed Sunni mosque), killed and injured civilians caught in crossfire and bombings -- now even chlorine gas attacks. It just never ends. We've entered the fifth year of this disaster. The people who regularly trumpet signs of progress like re-supplied vegetable markets are delusional and/or are (once again) working vigorously to spin information and misinform the American and Iraqi people. http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/19/94397.aspx#94704Tue, 20 Mar 2007 11:59:54 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:94704Tim O'Dell Morris Plains N.J.where are the good blogs? It can't be all that bad 30 million people and all we hear is killing. What about kids at school, water plants working? The locals going to work and prayer.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/19/94397.aspx#94708Tue, 20 Mar 2007 12:05:29 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:94708BobSorry, I prefer to get my own news from sources without an agenda. Examples might be http://pajamasmedia.com/2007/03/baghdad_report_checkpoint_and.php http://iraqthemodel.blogspot.com/ NBC along with the other ancient media can try as hard as they like but more and more people each day are learning just how spoonfed they've been getting their news. Well the wiser ones, that is.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/19/94397.aspx#94712Tue, 20 Mar 2007 12:11:36 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:94712GinnyDoesn't sound like normal to me - and surely not for the long-term. Bring our troops home!http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/19/94397.aspx#94715Tue, 20 Mar 2007 12:16:45 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:94715Ron Knode, Hopkins, MNPJlenty of cities in the U.S. and many other parts of the world where you wouldn't consider venturing out on your own. So why don't you report something good for a change. Doom and gloom..........sick of it. How can you live such a hateful negative life?http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/19/94397.aspx#94726Tue, 20 Mar 2007 12:27:26 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:94726chuck jones, portland, oregonyet again our government lies, fabricates, and misleads the american public. does anyone else think a peaceful revolution of new government is in order. vote democrat in 2008. just get the republican nazi's out of powerhttp://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/19/94397.aspx#94727Tue, 20 Mar 2007 12:27:50 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:94727Chris Nissen, Philadelphia, PAApparently not only our esteemed president but also some of his top military men on the scene have a hard time seeing/telling the truth. It's just more of the same sickening behavior from this administration and the men who either make money or gain higher ranks from playing along with the party line. Disgraceful!.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/19/94397.aspx#94733Tue, 20 Mar 2007 12:35:28 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:94733john floridaAs usual the glass is half empty, did you ever stop to think that the fact that the market is open and people are shopping there is a good thing. If i was in the military i would not take the time to take you to the market either.The only outcome would be that you report that you could not go to the market without a militaty escort or that to imply that the military is afraid to go in.That is a win win for you, put the military in a position that no matter what they do they look bad and that nothing is working there. Oh and i know "YOU SUPPORT THE TROOPS" The veil on this report was a little thin even by your standards.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/19/94397.aspx#94754Tue, 20 Mar 2007 13:00:10 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:94754Don DownesWe don't care to watch what you are filming in the markets because you are acting as a black hole that draws sniper fire and other attacks not only on yourselves but on many innocent people. If you MUST shoot videos, go out to the boonies.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/19/94397.aspx#94769Tue, 20 Mar 2007 13:19:53 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:94769Delmont, PADaaahhh - it is a war and the "surge" has just started with 25% of our great troops added. Wonder what you would say if you were in one of the many cities during the height of their share of bombing - perhaps Dresden during WWII. You'd be hunkered down in a bomb shelter. For fair and balanced reports instead of leftie bloggers - see http://iraqthemodel.blogspot.com/ http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/19/94397.aspx#94777Tue, 20 Mar 2007 13:27:10 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:94777jillian RoccoAlthough still dangerous, I have heard from my husband who is in Iraq that the crackdown has helped a great deal. Unless you live in Iraq day to day, it is extremely hard to see the progress. My husband started in October 2006 and has been there ever since. The conversations we had over the past three-four months have gone from pure terror of what was going on to somewhat normal. I realize there are some folks in the USA who have developed this idea that without perfect or fixing of the situation, we have failed. My husband expresses quite frequently how a small amount of progress in the war on terror is profound. With all the riches and saftey we have here in the USA, it is hard to imagine why that is. http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/19/94397.aspx#94787Tue, 20 Mar 2007 13:32:32 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:94787Alex, Brewster, NY"It's as if the culprits want to destroy any signs of normality and stop any claims of success." -Really, you think so? Perhaps if you were not facilitating their operations by providing a world stage, the culprets would not feel that a violent act would be as effective. http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/19/94397.aspx#94791Tue, 20 Mar 2007 13:33:58 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:94791Alan Thomas, Nutley, NJSo, in other words, the major general quoted is lying. (His name isn't Westmoreland, is it?) Of course, we could give the General the benefit of the doubt - I mean, perhaps the General shops in Istanbul in a kevlar vest and helmet as a matter of routine. The real concern is that this General's lies undoubtedly go up the chain of command to the White House and Fox's News. And I thought one of the things they teach you in command school is to always provide superior officers with accurate assessments -otherwise, men die.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/19/94397.aspx#94792Tue, 20 Mar 2007 13:35:09 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:94792Chris, Chicago, ILOh, here we go again. The MSM and their dire reports from Iraq! Always reporting on 'hand grenades' and 'car bombs'! Clearly, as the blogger is forced to admit, NO ONE was killed at the market on Friday! The Surge is working! Why wasn't THAT the focus of the article??? And where were those ungrateful Iraqis that were present Friday, not getting killed? Shouldn't they have been out on Sunday spreading Democracy, preventing those unpleasant things that happened on Sunday/Monday (which I see no reason to discuss further, certainly not in public)?http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/19/94397.aspx#94804Tue, 20 Mar 2007 13:41:14 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:94804Erik W.Wars are not won in a day. Look at WWII, that took 7 years and it was against an enemy that actually wore uniforms and adhered to Geneva conventions. Trying to change these people is like trying to change our medias mindset. It will take a long time. http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/19/94397.aspx#94810Tue, 20 Mar 2007 13:45:29 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:94810Tom LemmerWe need to support our troops. Talk to those who have returned and ask them if they think it's worth it. The great majority are in favor of getting the job done. For those of you that are dellusional thinking pulling out will make everything better, get ready for US Jihad! The terrorists would love for us to leave tomorrow, so why don't we leave when we feel the job is done and not on a time table. Remember WWII was long ago and we still have troops in Europe. http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/19/94397.aspx#94830Tue, 20 Mar 2007 14:03:24 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:94830Sean, Torrington CT"Mission Accomplished!" Hahahah...oh the US Military might be well trained, well equiped, and brave...but it is being led by the retarded. I can't believe the Ape-In-Chief actually believed that this 'nation' of tribes with 1000 years of war-like history would just jump up and fellate democracy. I told you so, and now I'm going to sit back and smirk as you war-mongers lay in your beds. If only the government wasn't picking my pocket to support the PWT fantasy of killing non-Christians who never attacked this nation. I'm disgusted by the animalistic comments spewed by the war-supporters. Too stupid to know you've been lied to? Meh. http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/19/94397.aspx#94844Tue, 20 Mar 2007 14:19:19 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:94844Randy Fanackerpan, Toronto ONto those respondents who feel all is well in Baghdad...what colour is the sky in your world?http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/19/94397.aspx#94854Tue, 20 Mar 2007 14:27:34 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:94854Bush Whacked, somewhere, OhioI'm also tired of the doom and gloom, but what's the alternative? The administration has been painting a rosy picture of this war since before the first troops hit the ground. Donald Rumsfeld's first publicized estimate was that it would take no more than 6 months of our troops on the ground to dominate, liberate, and evacuate. I'm willing to put up with the doom and gloom reporting if it creates a balance with the equal amount of biased information from our government. After all, was the story of Walter Reed doom and gloom? Because if it was never written, OUR troops whom had sacrificed life and limb would still be living in those deplorable conditions. What about the rest of Iraq? I'm thankful that the streets of Baghdad are safer, but my God is that what 3200 American lives and hundreds of billions of dollars was worth? God bless America and God Bless the troops. http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/19/94397.aspx#94916Tue, 20 Mar 2007 15:24:44 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:94916Rick,N.YWhat about the good newes ??? Is there anny reports the posative or are all of them about the negitive.How manny years did it take to rebuild germany after ww11. and when are the dems going to pull the troops out of europe?? How about the troops in japan will the dems pull them out also?? What about the troops in corea when will the dems pull them out ??? Whell were wating.....http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/19/94397.aspx#94920Tue, 20 Mar 2007 15:29:25 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:94920James FrederickFor God's sake think for yourselves! "We need to support our troops. US Jihad. Mission Accomplished" Sounds like a broken record. You will not get other people on board to support either side by jamming it down their throats! The party lines are drawn, but it cannot go on like this. THe division in this country right now is so counterproductive. I wish no harm to the iraqi's or US troops. But I will not support what the US troops are doing, my right to do so. Albeit most troops in Iraq are from the US, there are also international troops both in Iraq & Afgahnistan, or have you already forgotten about that country we invaded. I for one am sick of hearing about US troops. Americans aren't the only people on this planet! People round the world are sick and tired of hearing about how important Americans are. Please stop doing this to the reputation of the USA. This country has lost it's way, and should seek the support of the world at large. That ironically is democracy. To get others on board like me, this debate needs to become a little less self involved. Yes I lean slightly left, but I am willing to listen. Telling me http://iraqthemodel.blogspot.com/ or moveon.org is the truth doesn't help, because both are swayed one way or the other. There is no absolute truth in either of these because they offer opposing viewpoints of the same events!http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/19/94397.aspx#94932Tue, 20 Mar 2007 15:40:00 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:94932Warren, Houston, TXI have only one wish as it relates to reporting on the topic of Iraq. That wish is that the sick mindset of those who blow up children and detonate bombs at a funeral would be given even 10% of the focus. How about a report on the words of these killers and why these opinions are held? How about some honesty by the media on the role that Islam has upon their murderous mentality? "Hard hitting" reporting sadly only exists when journalists desire to point out the deficiencies of our current administration and the problems with American foriegn policy. Such reporting is harmful to America in many ways.