Betcha didn’t know these facts…

Did you know that 47 countries’ have reestablished their embassies in Iraq?

Did you know that the Iraqi government currently employs 1.2 million Iraqi people?

Did you know that 3100 schools have been renovated, 364 schools are under rehabilitation, 263 new schools are now under construction; and 38 new schools have been completed in Iraq ?

Did you know that Iraq ‘s higher educational structure consists of 20 Universities, 46 Institutes or colleges and 4 research centers, all currently operating?

Did you know that 25 Iraq students departed for the United States in January 2005 for the re-established Fulbright program?

Did you know that the Iraqi Navy is operational? They have 5 – 100-foot patrol craft, 34 smaller vessels and a naval infantry regiment.

Did you know that Iraq ‘ s Air Force consists of three operational squadrons, which includes 9 reconnaissance and 3 US C-130 transport aircraft (under Iraqi operational control) which operate day and night, and will soon add 16 UH-1 helicopters and 4 Bell Jet Rangers?

Did you know that Iraq has a counter-terrorist unit and a Commando Battalion?

Did you know that the Iraqi Police Service has over 55,000 fully trained and equipped police officers?

Did you know that there are 5 Police Academies in Iraq that produce over 3500 new officers every 8 weeks?

Did you know there are more than 1100 building projects going on in Iraq ? They include 364 schools, 67 public clinics, 15 hospitals, 83 railroad stations, 22 oil facilities, 93 water facilities and 69 electrical facilities.

Did you know that 96% of Iraqi children under the age of 5 have received the first 2 series of polio vaccinations?

Did you know that 4.3 million Iraqi children were enrolled in primary school by mid October?

Did you know that there are 1,192,000 cell phone subscribers in Iraq and phone use has gone up 158%?

Did you know that Iraq has an independent media that consists of 75 radio stations, 180 newspapers and 10 television stations?

Did you know that the Baghdad Stock Exchange opened in June of 2004?

Did you know that 2 candidates in the Iraqi presidential election had a televised debate recently?

From http://www.defenselink.mil/

On another note, is anybody else just a hair curious about the scoring for the US gymnasts?

Sure seems funny to me that the US girls seemed to do dang near perfect routines, yet got significantly lower marks that the Chinese girls did…

I guess the “fix” is still in! Of course the scoring now is even more complicated than last time, so I have even less understanding, but something isn’t right.

At least Phelps et al shut the French guys mouths last night in the relay- They can’t take that away from those guys!

Comments

Betcha didn’t know these facts… — 6 Comments

  1. As I watched the routines, I myself was wondering what was up with the scores. I also wondered about the synchronized diving, we should have at least got on the medal block, but I digress on that.

    The race last nice was amazing, I nearly jumped out of my shoes when we won. Just like the French, do a lot of talking and then can’t back it up.

    Great blog by the way, I really enjoy it.

    Anthony

  2. The men’s swimming relay was so AWESOME! Nothing feels better than to serve some crow to people who trash-talk and can’t back it up.

    Didn’t watch much of the women’s gymnastics. Caught the end of it. I was impressed with how they constantly built each other up and looked at the positives to be found.

  3. Anthony- Thanks!

    RT- Good points

    ADM- Agreed 🙂 Beach volleyball for God sakes… Just another excuse for T&A

  4. Speaking of Beach Volleyball and T&A…the 13 year old son was watching the ladies play. He never heard me walk in the room, he never heard me talk to him and he never knew I was there until I thumped him on the head.

    Apparently all systems are go with the kid. 😀

  5. By every measurable statistic it reads success.

    I lost my enjoyment of the Olympics when I heard it was being held in Peking. Even the US womens water polo team could not get me watching.