Iraqi shopkeepers' confidence growing by the day

[charrison]

from the afp

BAGHDAD, July 12 (AFP) - While some no longer hesitate before displaying cars for sale in the street, others are investing in what they herald as a prosperous future by equipping shops with marble service counters.

In short, signs of confidence among shopkeepers in Iraq, despite continued unrest three months since the collapse of Saddam Hussein's regime, are now growing strongly.

"My optimism grows ten-fold every day," says retailer Fadil Emara.

The 48-year-old shopkeeper looks genuinely enthusiastic as workers kit out the 1,800 square-metre space that is to become his household electric appliance shop.

....

For his part, Emara sees only "small pockets of unrest" in the capital

....


Neither can he disguise his dislike for the toppled Iraqi president.

"He occupied Iraq for 25 years. Its not important that the Americans are here. What is important is that they got rid of Saddam Hussein."

....

Now I feel free," he finishes before inviting us to "come back next year and witness the Iraqi miracle".

 

[AnImuS]

i can pretty much guarantee you wont get much reply here since your post isnt anti-bush, if so i would be very surprised...

 

[AEB]

bush isnt perfect but he has done some good, but i do agree ATOT does seem full of bush haters, whereas i would rather have another conesrvative in office over bush, i dont think any of the democratic hopefulls are even half as good. Hillaray is pulling for bush to win because if a dem wins he will be put up for re-election in 2008 which would botch her plans

 

[Moonbeam]

Lincoln would really be pissed at Bush.

Prolog is a facist web site.

I know an unhappy shop keeper so America sucks.

 

[jjones]

Originally posted by: Moonbeam
Lincoln would really be pissed at Bush.

Prolog is a facist web site.

I know an unhappy shop keeper so America sucks.

Lincoln would be happy the slaves have been freed and a state has been forced into line for a higher purpose. Facism is dead. Don't let the door hit you on the ass on the way out. 😛

 

[CaptnKirk]

Oh yes jonesy, after al the rhetoric, we're now supposed to believe France in an internet website.

Story</CLARI-ITEM> from <CLARI-ITEM FROM>AFP / Bertrand Rosenthal</CLARI-ITEM>
<CLARI-ITEM COPYRIGHT>Copyright 2003 by Agence France-Presse (via ClariNet</CLARI-ITEM>

(My sources say otherwise)

 

[jjones]

Do you know what AFP is? They're one of the biggest news agencies in the world.

I read quite a few stories out of AFP and I'm sure you have as well although you may not have noted it; their stories have appeared with regularity in several news outlets. They don't seem to be any more or less biased than any other international news source. Believe it or not. It's up to you. I take all news articles with a smidgen of skepticism, after all, it's usually just one small side of a story, but that doesn't make the story any less true when put into the greater context.

Or we could just say the article is BS because we're all absolutely positive that there's not a single person in Iraq that is happy about what may be happening there. Is that what your sources claim?

 

[Czar]

AFP is like Reauters and AP

 

[jjones]

Originally posted by: Czar
AFP is like Reauters and AP

Exactly. This from the BBC in regards to its news sources:

A wide variety of sources is used in the preparation of material - including BBC News, BBC World Service and a large number of internationally-recognised news agencies. They include the Press Association, Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse.

 

[Czar]

Originally posted by: jjones

Originally posted by: Czar
AFP is like Reauters and AP

Exactly. This from the BBC in regards to its news sources:

A wide variety of sources is used in the preparation of material - including BBC News, BBC World Service and a large number of internationally-recognised news agencies. They include the Press Association, Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse.

sad thing is that AFP has often been discredited by France bashers on this forum

 

[jjones]

Originally posted by: Czar

Originally posted by: jjones

Originally posted by: Czar
AFP is like Reauters and AP

Exactly. This from the BBC in regards to its news sources:

A wide variety of sources is used in the preparation of material - including BBC News, BBC World Service and a large number of internationally-recognised news agencies. They include the Press Association, Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse.

sad thing is that AFP has often been discredited by France bashers on this forum

Yeah, I know but on the whole I haven't really found them to be any more or less biased than anyone else. It just depends on the story and the particular angle the writer wants to portray, just like any news article. The problem is that most stories, from any news agency, tend to be narrow in scope and rarely address the broad spectrum. At least this seems to pertain to most articles that end up being quoted in this forum.

 

[rchiu]

Originally posted by: charrison
from the afp

BAGHDAD, July 12 (AFP) - While some no longer hesitate before displaying cars for sale in the street, others are investing in what they herald as a prosperous future by equipping shops with marble service counters.

In short, signs of confidence among shopkeepers in Iraq, despite continued unrest three months since the collapse of Saddam Hussein's regime, are now growing strongly.

"My optimism grows ten-fold every day," says retailer Fadil Emara.

The 48-year-old shopkeeper looks genuinely enthusiastic as workers kit out the 1,800 square-metre space that is to become his household electric appliance shop.

....

For his part, Emara sees only "small pockets of unrest" in the capital

....


Neither can he disguise his dislike for the toppled Iraqi president.

"He occupied Iraq for 25 years. Its not important that the Americans are here. What is important is that they got rid of Saddam Hussein."

....

Now I feel free," he finishes before inviting us to "come back next year and witness the Iraqi miracle".

What's the point of the article? So now that a couple of shop keepers in Baghdad are happy makes the whole situation OK? It doesn't matter that thousands of Iraqis died from the war. It doesn't matter that hundreds of American died, and our soldiers is still dying. It doesn't matter billions and billions of dollars are spent and still being spent? It doesn't matter that Bush Admin sold the war to American based on Iraqis have nuclear and biological weapon, which the nuclear claim has been totally discredited and not an ounce of biological weapon has been found?

Sure during the transit of power, some people are gonna benefit from it. Just look at the ex-exiles now sitting at the so called governing council trying to represent people they never talked to for the past 15+ years. Member of the council Sure some smart business men with good American connection are going to be happy now that they don't have to pay tax and they got new friends and protector that can help them make big money. Go read some article in Time Magazine and you will find ordinary people who still don't have electricity, gas and everyday necessities, and being harassed by American soldier because of all the initiatives trying to find Saddam supporter and weapon. And you will find ordinary American soldiers who are in extreme hot weather, dangerous missions and a government penny and dim their benefit because all the money our lovely government is spending now in nation building.

Bush bashing in the forum? There are just more smart people who see through the BS this government is sending our way on a daily basis. There are just more people who actually go out of their little town and little circle and know what the world thinks and different views exists.

 

[CaptnKirk]

My point isthat it was a 'Feel Good' story, without specific merit for the country as a whole.

 

[CADsortaGUY]

Originally posted by: CaptnKirk
My point isthat it was a 'Feel Good' story, without specific merit for the country as a whole.

Yeah, the nation as a whole thinks it sucks

CkG

 

[charrison]

Originally posted by: CaptnKirk
My point isthat it was a 'Feel Good' story, without specific merit for the country as a whole.

Yes i forgot only negative can be reported here about the Iraq situtation. I will try not to let it happen again

 

[Moonbeam]

AFP is like Reauters and AP
-----------------
Not if they publish something you don't want to hear. Then they're commies of fascists, as you choose.

jj, I felt a license to say whatever I wanted by way of absurd stereotyping since the thread author had no problem assuming everybody against Bush would smear any good news. What kind of ass assumes people opposed to Bush don't want the best for Iraq.

That means, in short, the story is wonderful news. How significant it is we shall have to wait and see.

 

[jjones]

Originally posted by: Moonbeam

jj, I felt a license to say whatever I wanted by way of absurd stereotyping since the thread author had no problem assuming everybody against Bush would smear any good news. What kind of ass assumes people opposed to Bush don't want the best for Iraq.

Yeah, I know; hence my tongue-in-cheek response. 😀

 

[DealMonkey]

Just like the Jessica Lynch story: One wrong turn in Iraq and you're labeled a 'hero' -- an interview with one resident of Baghdad turns into an analogy for the whole country. Unfortunately, sometimes the bar seems set rather low.

Don't get me wrong though, I really want to see a peaceful, happy and prosperous Iraq, I really do... I just don't think we're quite there yet...