Not all the News from Iraq is Bad

Given the bloody violence in Iraq, it would be easy to conclude that the entire country is in a state of civil war and chaos. And that it's Karl Rove's fault.

But it's Monday, and that means that Part 31 of Arthur Chrenkoff's "Good News from Iraq" is up. From progress writing a constitution, to involvement of the Sunnis, to the emergence of a hallmark of democracy -- parliamentary debate -- there really is good news from Iraq.

If you're not a regular reader of Arthur's good news series from Iraq and Afghanistan, scroll through his latest post. It's no sugar-coated, vacuous, sentimental rendition of obscure news items. Rather, it serves to bring into sharper focus the bravery, sacrifices, and determination of the people of both nations, who are working hard to overcome decades of brutal dictatorship. Civil society isn't built in a day, and critics of Iraqis and Afghans who expect each country to be as calm as Iowa aren't merely unfair: they're mendacious, for they must know that constructing peaceful societies is a long-range plan. Whatever the mistakes American or native decision-makers have made, real progress is being made, and failure to acknowledge that fact simply makes critics look small.

Good work again, Arthur. Another member of the alternative media gets it right.