Capitol visit center that was to cost 200 million. Now 2 years behind and will cost over 500 million. Another good job by congress who yes is in charge of this project.
It's our money?
- Thread starter djv
- Start date
and you advocate we give more money to the government as if they can manage it and hand it our better than the citizenry?
lunacy!
lunacy!
Not this Congress. It calls it self conservative. They need a Bob Dole around. That would be closer to real.
Freeze,
You would have smoke coming out of your head if there was a Democratic Prez/House/Senate carrying on like this and the spending. Not just the 'war.' Everything.
You would have smoke coming out of your head if there was a Democratic Prez/House/Senate carrying on like this and the spending. Not just the 'war.' Everything.
dr. freeze said:
Ok, let's just say you would be a bit more, ummm, vocal about it. Probably non-stop.
On a similar note, your prior posts indicate that you support our 6 billion/month farce in Iraq. The farce that will install or has installed(however we want to look at it), a pro-Iranian government.
Every few months or so, I throw it out there but really get little response. For 350 billion (so far), 2600 lives, 18,000 wounded.....how has this helped America, especially considering the new government is not a foil to Iran in the least, but is/will be a strong ally of Iran's?
One of the much earlier lame answers from people was, 'well, the civilians of Iraq are better.'
Most(60-65% I believe) don't have electricity, half don't have water, oil production is down from 2003. So even bleeding heart Neo-cons so worried about the plight of the common Iraqi have to re-think that.
So wtf, chuck?
Lots of these go only into 04--would be interested if you had any more current data Matt.
Electricity
After overthrowing the previous Iraqi government, the coalition forces have sent aid to restore electric service knocked out during combat. The Associated Press says that electrical power generation and distribution, curtailed due to combat operations and sabotage, has been restored to above prewar levels. German firm Elbe Maschinenbau has signed an agreement to build three new power plants in Iraq, and three new ones have already been completed in the Anbar region. Despite this reported improvements there are frequent disruptions to the electric grid in the country including incidents like the one on September 13, 2004 where nearly all power in the country was lost after an attack by insurgents.
Food
The World Food Program says that almost all Iraqis have been receiving enough food since June 2003, since the Coalition took over the oil for food program from the United Nations. The coalition is slated to reduce support in June 2004.
Water
Although the water supply has reached prewar levels in some provinces, aging and poorly maintained equipment combined with looting and vandalism leaves the drinking water system substandard. 157 wells are being constructed in Arbeel, Kirkuk, Al-Sulaymaniyah and Dhouk governorates, and several dams are being constructed across the country, including in Al-Sulaymaniyah governorate and the Western Desert. According to a U.N. survey taken in 2004, about 54% of Iraq has access to drinking water.[1]
However, conditions look to be improved. A new water canal has been constructed to supply clean water to Basrah and Thi Qar in April of 2006. [2]
Sewage
Untreated waste is polluting the Euphrates River, and many treatment plants require repair. More than 45 pipelines have exploded.
Garbage
The first modern landfill in Iraqi history is currently being developed in southwest Baghdad, with the capacity to handle 2,230 cubic meters of waste per day. USAID is helping to build a second landfill north of Baghdad, which will handle 3,000 cubic yards (2,300 m?) of waste per day. Both landfills will be built to international environmental standards.
Schools
Almost all schools have reopened, including all 22 universities.
Media
Main article: Communications in Iraq
Iraqis now enjoy freedom of speech, with the one stipulation that there be no direct attempt to incite insurrection against the new government. This freedom is currently being exercised by the several hundred new newspapers that have sprung up since the fall of Saddam in April 2003. Television stations, both satellite (Al Fayhaa, etc.) and terrestrial (Al Sharqiya, Alhurra, etc.), and radio stations (Radio Dijla, etc.) broadcast freely, and no longer have their content dictated by the government. On April 3, 2003, Al Jazeera withdrew its journalists from the country, citing unreasonable interference by the Iraqi government (Al Jazeera).
Jobs
Many Iraqis were left jobless by the collapse of the old government and by the war. An estimated 500,000 Iraqis were laid off by the CPA.[3] An American public works program was created to provide new jobs, and there are projects to attract foreign investment and to encourage local business development. According to the Gulf Daily News, the Iraq Project and Contracting Office employed 80,000 Iraqis each day in the early weeks of August 2004. 100 job sites have opened across Iraq, and 900 more are expected to open in late 2004.
Oil
Oil production still lags behind prewar levels, due in large part to continuing warfare and political instability. The US has started to rebuild oil refineries that had been destroyed by Saddam Hussein's regime before its downfall.
Repair contracts have been awarded to a Halliburton subsidiary, Kellogg, Brown and Root, a global engineering, technology, and services company. The US "is counting on oil revenues to help pay for reconstruction of the country." (AP) Some in the international community have expressed frustration of the Pentagon's refusal to award contracts to nations that opposed the war.[4]
In mid-2004, the Iraqi Oil Ministry announced plans to dig 2,000 new oil wells in 2005, and to build four new oil refineries in central and southern Iraq. Average oil exports from Iraq in July, 2004 are estimated at 1.5 million barrels per day, a number which is expected to rise sharply by the end of 2004.
Military
The arms embargo against Iraq was lifted with the fall of Saddam's government. One newly formed Iraqi battalion is on duty, with 27 scheduled for activation by summer 2004. Eligibility is denied to men over 40 or who served as colonels or generals under Saddam. According to DefenseLink, "As of July 28, 2004, Iraqi army, coastal defense, air, and National Guard forces had received more than 2,500 vehicles, 600 radios, 55,000 weapons and 25,000 pieces of body armor. Interior ministry forces, including police, border enforcement and facilities protection services, had received more than 6,800 vehicles, 14,000 radios, 101,000 weapons, and nearly 46,000 pieces of body armor. Equipment totals for all forces eventually reach nearly 290,000 weapons, 24,000 vehicles, 75,000 radios, and more than 190,000 pieces of body armor, officials said."
The Iraqi people are becoming to increasingly trust the new Iraqi army and Police force [5], and the Iraqi army is beginning to take control of more battlespace. [6] The Iraqi Air Force has begun to grow. [7] [8]
Further information: Multinational force in Iraq
[edit]
Economy and commerce
Main articles: Economy of Iraq and Transportation in Iraq
Iraq's bond market opened in mid-June, 2004. Interest rates are being set by the free market, as opposed to government control, for the first time. The Iraq Stock Exchange also opened in June, and 500 million shares were traded on the first day, which is more shares than the previous stock exchange, the Baghdad Stock Market, had ever traded. As of August, 2004, it has 27 listed companies, with about 100 more due to go public through September and October
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reconstruction_of_Iraq
Electricity
After overthrowing the previous Iraqi government, the coalition forces have sent aid to restore electric service knocked out during combat. The Associated Press says that electrical power generation and distribution, curtailed due to combat operations and sabotage, has been restored to above prewar levels. German firm Elbe Maschinenbau has signed an agreement to build three new power plants in Iraq, and three new ones have already been completed in the Anbar region. Despite this reported improvements there are frequent disruptions to the electric grid in the country including incidents like the one on September 13, 2004 where nearly all power in the country was lost after an attack by insurgents.
Food
The World Food Program says that almost all Iraqis have been receiving enough food since June 2003, since the Coalition took over the oil for food program from the United Nations. The coalition is slated to reduce support in June 2004.
Water
Although the water supply has reached prewar levels in some provinces, aging and poorly maintained equipment combined with looting and vandalism leaves the drinking water system substandard. 157 wells are being constructed in Arbeel, Kirkuk, Al-Sulaymaniyah and Dhouk governorates, and several dams are being constructed across the country, including in Al-Sulaymaniyah governorate and the Western Desert. According to a U.N. survey taken in 2004, about 54% of Iraq has access to drinking water.[1]
However, conditions look to be improved. A new water canal has been constructed to supply clean water to Basrah and Thi Qar in April of 2006. [2]
Sewage
Untreated waste is polluting the Euphrates River, and many treatment plants require repair. More than 45 pipelines have exploded.
Garbage
The first modern landfill in Iraqi history is currently being developed in southwest Baghdad, with the capacity to handle 2,230 cubic meters of waste per day. USAID is helping to build a second landfill north of Baghdad, which will handle 3,000 cubic yards (2,300 m?) of waste per day. Both landfills will be built to international environmental standards.
Schools
Almost all schools have reopened, including all 22 universities.
Media
Main article: Communications in Iraq
Iraqis now enjoy freedom of speech, with the one stipulation that there be no direct attempt to incite insurrection against the new government. This freedom is currently being exercised by the several hundred new newspapers that have sprung up since the fall of Saddam in April 2003. Television stations, both satellite (Al Fayhaa, etc.) and terrestrial (Al Sharqiya, Alhurra, etc.), and radio stations (Radio Dijla, etc.) broadcast freely, and no longer have their content dictated by the government. On April 3, 2003, Al Jazeera withdrew its journalists from the country, citing unreasonable interference by the Iraqi government (Al Jazeera).
Jobs
Many Iraqis were left jobless by the collapse of the old government and by the war. An estimated 500,000 Iraqis were laid off by the CPA.[3] An American public works program was created to provide new jobs, and there are projects to attract foreign investment and to encourage local business development. According to the Gulf Daily News, the Iraq Project and Contracting Office employed 80,000 Iraqis each day in the early weeks of August 2004. 100 job sites have opened across Iraq, and 900 more are expected to open in late 2004.
Oil
Oil production still lags behind prewar levels, due in large part to continuing warfare and political instability. The US has started to rebuild oil refineries that had been destroyed by Saddam Hussein's regime before its downfall.
Repair contracts have been awarded to a Halliburton subsidiary, Kellogg, Brown and Root, a global engineering, technology, and services company. The US "is counting on oil revenues to help pay for reconstruction of the country." (AP) Some in the international community have expressed frustration of the Pentagon's refusal to award contracts to nations that opposed the war.[4]
In mid-2004, the Iraqi Oil Ministry announced plans to dig 2,000 new oil wells in 2005, and to build four new oil refineries in central and southern Iraq. Average oil exports from Iraq in July, 2004 are estimated at 1.5 million barrels per day, a number which is expected to rise sharply by the end of 2004.
Military
The arms embargo against Iraq was lifted with the fall of Saddam's government. One newly formed Iraqi battalion is on duty, with 27 scheduled for activation by summer 2004. Eligibility is denied to men over 40 or who served as colonels or generals under Saddam. According to DefenseLink, "As of July 28, 2004, Iraqi army, coastal defense, air, and National Guard forces had received more than 2,500 vehicles, 600 radios, 55,000 weapons and 25,000 pieces of body armor. Interior ministry forces, including police, border enforcement and facilities protection services, had received more than 6,800 vehicles, 14,000 radios, 101,000 weapons, and nearly 46,000 pieces of body armor. Equipment totals for all forces eventually reach nearly 290,000 weapons, 24,000 vehicles, 75,000 radios, and more than 190,000 pieces of body armor, officials said."
The Iraqi people are becoming to increasingly trust the new Iraqi army and Police force [5], and the Iraqi army is beginning to take control of more battlespace. [6] The Iraqi Air Force has begun to grow. [7] [8]
Further information: Multinational force in Iraq
[edit]
Economy and commerce
Main articles: Economy of Iraq and Transportation in Iraq
Iraq's bond market opened in mid-June, 2004. Interest rates are being set by the free market, as opposed to government control, for the first time. The Iraq Stock Exchange also opened in June, and 500 million shares were traded on the first day, which is more shares than the previous stock exchange, the Baghdad Stock Market, had ever traded. As of August, 2004, it has 27 listed companies, with about 100 more due to go public through September and October
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reconstruction_of_Iraq
I'll look around, Wayne, but since I don't have a source available right now I won't argue the point. The water and oil stats are in line with what I wrote.
The electricity area seems a little optimistic compared to what i've seen on Fox and other outlets fairly recently. (within last 6 months)
I'll look around when I get time though.
The electricity area seems a little optimistic compared to what i've seen on Fox and other outlets fairly recently. (within last 6 months)
I'll look around when I get time though.
Here's something from 11/05 from a self-described non-partisan site. What I find ironic is that we are always talking in terms of getting things back to the 'pre-war level.' Know what I mean?
http://www.cfr.org/publication/9185/iraqs_reconstruction_ailments.html
Oil. Much of the post-war reconstruction was supposed to be financed by oil revenues. However, daily oil production in Iraq is around 2.14 million barrels, which is less than the average 2.5 million barrels before the 2003 Iraq War. ?We?ve spent over $2 billion [on oil-related projects], and the situation is actually worse than we arrived,? said Representative Henry Waxman (D-CA) before an October 18 National Security Hearing. Domestic demand for oil is up. Iraqis are buying more cars but waiting long hours to fill their tanks. The sluggish production is due to pipeline attacks by insurgents, poor infrastructure, and lack of refineries. According to the International Oil Daily, oil shortages in Iraq are costing the country billions of dollars in lost export revenues. Further, government subsidies on fuel provide incentives for sabotage and smuggling oil products out of Iraq; more than $2 billion-worth of gas and diesel-fuel supplies is smuggled out of Iraq every year.
Electricity. Roughly $4.4 billion has been spent to boost Iraq?s electricity production, yielding mixed results. According to the U.S. State Department, power generation, currently at 4,600 megawatts, has only recently exceeded the prewar level of 4,400 megawatts. That?s still shy of the 6,000 megawatt objective stated by the Coalition Provisional Authority in September 2003. Nationwide, Iraqis on average have power for just half the day. Security forms a large part of this problem, too: a July 2005 report from the Government Accountability Office found that USAID nixed two electricity-generating projects in March 2004 because of the increased security costs of a separate electricity project. Several other power-generation projects have been cancelled or delayed. Barton says a better solution would have been to hand out 500 generators.
Water. In an effort to provide potable water to 90 percent of Iraqis, some $1.2 billion was allocated for water and sanitation-works projects. Yet the IRMO says just 66 percent of Iraqis have access to drinkable water. Further, the GAO report says that between $52 million and $200 million worth of water-sanitation projects were either inoperable or operating below capacity. Thirteen of Iraq ?s wastewater-treatment plants are operating at about a quarter of capacity, according to U.S. News & World Report. Experts point to looting, power shortages, and a poorly trained Iraqi staff as causes of the shortfall.
http://www.cfr.org/publication/9185/iraqs_reconstruction_ailments.html
Oil. Much of the post-war reconstruction was supposed to be financed by oil revenues. However, daily oil production in Iraq is around 2.14 million barrels, which is less than the average 2.5 million barrels before the 2003 Iraq War. ?We?ve spent over $2 billion [on oil-related projects], and the situation is actually worse than we arrived,? said Representative Henry Waxman (D-CA) before an October 18 National Security Hearing. Domestic demand for oil is up. Iraqis are buying more cars but waiting long hours to fill their tanks. The sluggish production is due to pipeline attacks by insurgents, poor infrastructure, and lack of refineries. According to the International Oil Daily, oil shortages in Iraq are costing the country billions of dollars in lost export revenues. Further, government subsidies on fuel provide incentives for sabotage and smuggling oil products out of Iraq; more than $2 billion-worth of gas and diesel-fuel supplies is smuggled out of Iraq every year.
Electricity. Roughly $4.4 billion has been spent to boost Iraq?s electricity production, yielding mixed results. According to the U.S. State Department, power generation, currently at 4,600 megawatts, has only recently exceeded the prewar level of 4,400 megawatts. That?s still shy of the 6,000 megawatt objective stated by the Coalition Provisional Authority in September 2003. Nationwide, Iraqis on average have power for just half the day. Security forms a large part of this problem, too: a July 2005 report from the Government Accountability Office found that USAID nixed two electricity-generating projects in March 2004 because of the increased security costs of a separate electricity project. Several other power-generation projects have been cancelled or delayed. Barton says a better solution would have been to hand out 500 generators.
Water. In an effort to provide potable water to 90 percent of Iraqis, some $1.2 billion was allocated for water and sanitation-works projects. Yet the IRMO says just 66 percent of Iraqis have access to drinkable water. Further, the GAO report says that between $52 million and $200 million worth of water-sanitation projects were either inoperable or operating below capacity. Thirteen of Iraq ?s wastewater-treatment plants are operating at about a quarter of capacity, according to U.S. News & World Report. Experts point to looting, power shortages, and a poorly trained Iraqi staff as causes of the shortfall.
Thanks Matt I was interested in more up to date figures than I had found. Appreciate your efforts my friend.
