Todd Tiahrt: “3 weeks ago, I had to opportunity to travel to Iraq with Chairman Lewis and several of my fellow members of the House…”

“3 weeks ago, I had to opportunity to travel to Iraq with Chairman Lewis and several of my fellow members of the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee. While in Iraq, I had the opportunity to not only talk to our men and women in uniform, but also members of the Iraqi Governing Council and local citizens about the situation they are facing. Quite frankly, things are much better than what I had heard on the evening news and read in the newspapers. Most of the national media accounts of the situation in Iraq paint a picture of a country in rubble with unwelcome American troops being attacked and killed by the Iraqi people. After spending time there, I can attest that reality is quite different than what is being reported by many in the media. Republicans and Democrats who have been to Iraq have said the same. The Iraqi people appreciate the job we are doing, and enjoy the improvements in infrastructure and security the United States is providing. Despite what the American people are constantly told, all of the hospitals in Iraq are open, the markets are open, and the electricity is on in most places. The roads and bridges in Baghdad are actually quite good, and, with a few exceptions, the only damaged structures are government buildings, Saddam's palaces and military sites. There is no question about the need to improve and update the country's utility, agricultural and financial infrastructure. However, this need is not due to the U.S.…”