Distant Voices: Or Up Close and Very Personal

"Bush's speech does not change anything for the Iraqi people and does not meet their needs for water, electricity, transportation and security from car bombs," said Kurdish legislator Mahmoud Othman. "I think the Iraqi people do not care about the speech."

We've heard a lot about the American soldiers and casualties in Iraq, the various opinions and findings of politicians, pundits and public, and the ever-present, ever-changing poll numbers. But in our media's usual myopic USA-centric view, we seldom hear about Iraq and the Iraqi people.

Recently, we've heard about Iraqi military and police recruits, and members of the Iraqi government. And we hear the numbers after each insurgent attack, a daily body count. But aside from occasional stories about training Iraqi soldiers and police officers, we rarely hear or read anything about Iraq and her citizens, and their opinions and hopes for their country.

As today's green button link shows, Iraqis have mixed feeling about the American presence in their country. As this Associated Press report shows, the Iraqi infrastructure, which was deemed so important after Saddam was ousted from power, remains in a shambles. Iraqis face frequent shortages of fuel, electricity, and drinking water, not to mention danger from the insurgent attacks. And while some are the foreign insurgents so often blamed by the Administration for the ongoing civil conflict, most of the insurgents are home-grown; their neighbors, friends, and relatives.

Also lost in our collective navel-gazing are the numbers of Iraqi casualties since the war began. Estimates range from 22582 to 25590 Iraqi deaths, nearly all of them civilians; men, women, and children.

For the most recent numbers and information, visit:

http://www.iraqbodycount.net/

The Iraqi people are the foundation on which this fledgling democracy will be built. Their opinions, dreams, suffering, and sacrifice matter a great deal more than the President's approval rating. They are the building blocks for the government Iraq will create. And in the end, they alone will determine the success or failure of Bush's goal for a democractic Iraq.

Iraq is their home. The war is happening in their own backyards. For them the stakes are higher, and much more personal.

This is their future we're talking about, half a world away.

So why aren't they part of the media picture?