Television To Iraq example essay topic

INTRODUCTION The birth of the television was originally introduced here, in the United States. The impact of this new technology was not only evident here in the US, but in other countries as well. In Iraq, television caused immediate changes, which in turn caused adjustments in everyday living. The benefits and negative impacts varied, but overall as in most other countries, television shapes the images and views of everything that is broadcast ed. Television currently has taken the place of past leisure activities. Being informed of the news, sports, and global issues consisted of hearing it only through radio and prior to that just word of mouth.

"People gathered around the TV set as they had gathered around the radio, much like their ancestors had gathered around campfire storytellers" (Schwab, 2004, p. 3). With an objective to capture light in a series of lines and beams, the television was introduced as a product of moving images. With the help of several investors, Philip T. Farnsworth invented the television in the 1920's. With help from others including Vladimir Zworkyn, John Baird, and Charles Jenkins, the television underwent many trials and tests before its final completion.

In a collaborative effort the previously mentioned men worked to establish a way to broadcast pictures through the colors of black and white to its present color TV. Television images are portrayed simultaneously around the network". Accurate timing of devices and split-second movements of cameras are the essentials of television operation" (Television Volume, 1938, p. 1). Currently the media plays a highly influential role that is evident amongst the citizens of Iraq. Some speak of the US in particular as having distorted views, focusing too much on tragedy.

Currently the US media displays all of the negative activity due to the war and deducts the success of Iraq. "The introduction of the television shows progress... new car sales have skyrocketed in Iraq, along with newspapers, peaceful demonstrations and other signs of a political system that has replaced totalitarianism" (T. Roeder, The Gazette). According to the article, Iraqis critical media, television leaves out other positive progressions of the country, such as renovated schools and hospitals, in addition to repaired water and sewer systems. Perceptions about the war seem to be the highlight of the distorted view publicized on television currently. According the Asia Times, Fox news is criticized for its chauvinistic coverage in news. A survey was conducted and the results showed that 80% of viewers grasp at least one misperception, while CBS, CNN, and NBC followed (web).

The publishing and evidence of Iraq's own media distribution is quite developed. More conservative and conformist in nature, the citizens of Iraq find there cultural way of living to be more understood. Once referred to as the Mesopotamia, meaning land between rivers, Iraq is aware of the issues at hand when it comes to television. There are both positive and negative aspects of the impacts regarding television.

Television today provides updated domestic and international news, as well as an additional outlet for advertising. Edward M. Schwab suggests, "Once a person or a family tuned to a specific channel, they were likely to stay tuned to it for a while" (Schwab, 2004, p. 4). This allowed for advertisers to rely on promoting their brands and specific products. Whether good advertising or distorted views of the war, television is both a technological advancement and threat. "There are countless issues that need to be addressed when producing enhanced content, generating the transport stream, and designing receivers" (Television Volume, 1938, p. 4). HISTORY Iraq consists of lands considered to be the ancient Near East.

Historians theorize this is the location of the earliest civilizations. According to the Old Testament and older Near Eastern texts, what once was Mesopotamia is now the country of Iraq (Morse, 1973, p. 404). Ancient Mesopotamia in Western mythology and religious belief was a land abundant in plants, animals and water. Settling of this area occurred around 6000 B.C. by Turkish and Iranian nomads (web). Life in ancient Mesopotamia was impacted by two main elements: the Tigris and Euphrates rivers and the river valley itself. The fertile river valley made it possible for the first time in our history, to have an excess amount of food.

However, the crops needed protection from the rivers and the development of flood control became essential. With the capability to grow more food and the progression of flood control, the genesis of Iraq was secured. Iraq established itself as a "Republic" on July 14, 1958, with the end of the rule of King Faisal II (Morse, 1973, p. 408). Between this time and the rise of Saddam Hussein in June of 1979 (al-Kahlil, 1989, p. ), the history of Iraq is riddled with violent uprisings and coup attempts. Saddam Hussein created a period of stability never before seen in Iraq. He used capital from oil sales to decrease unemployment, start large building projects and to greatly improve health care and the educational system.

These results bonded a large number of Iraqis to the Baath Party. Another first for Iraq after the rise of Saddam Hussein was the creation of a national identity. The success of Saddam Hussein and the thriving Iraqi society would however, be short-lived. The start of the Iraqi decline began with the invasion of Iran on September 22, 1980 (Davis, 2003, p. 281-282). The war forever changed the history of Iraq and disrupted the Iraqi political, social and economic structures.

On August 2, 1990, Iraq invaded Kuwait (Davis, 2003, p. 175). After the Gulf War ended, the UN Security Council made it mandatory that Iraq get rid of all weapons of mass destruction and make way for UN weapons inspections. Continued nonconformance to the UN Security Council regulations came to a head with the US-led invasion of Iraq in March 2003, resulting in the overthrow of Saddam Hussein and the Baath Party (web). The major issue facing Iraq today is building a nation-state with a national identity out of a war torn diverse society. Coalition forces are still in Iraq fighting the insurgents. There is much to be done with assisting the Iraqi Interim Government and getting the basic facilities and services back on line for the Iraqi people.

Economy Like many middle- eastern countries Iraq's economy was controlled by the sale of oil. Oil sales comprised 95% of its foreign exchange earnings (web). Radical changes occurred in the economy with the invasion of Kuwait, sanctions, and damage done by the war. The war along with an economy controlled by the superior authority of the government had retarded economic expansion, incapacitated basic services and necessary installations to support the population of Iraq. Not until 1996 did the living conditions start to improve with the establishment of the UN oil-for-food program (web). The idea behind this program was to allow very restricted amounts of oil to be traded for medicines, food, and parts to repair basic services such as water and electricity.

With lower oil prices and a slower global economy the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) plunged in 2001-2002 (web). Today, in order for serious GDP growth to occur, it is necessary to establish sufficient security, sustain dependable operation of basic infrastructure, expand oil production, and secure private investments. Today, income per capita is steadily declining. A substantial increase in the GDP occurred in 2004, however it is noted that the GDP started from an incredibly low number (web). As the future for Iraq unfolds, oil will still be a dominant force in the Iraqi economy, and areas such as agriculture will contribute only a small fraction. Expansion of oil production has stunted agricultural growth along with the depleted supply of water caused by dam building on the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.

Many challenges lie ahead for the Iraqi Interim Government. Establishing an economic policy is imperative, paying back enormous amounts of debt and dealing with the current unemployment rate are just a few examples. To assist in reconstruction efforts, The World Bank has committed hundreds of millions of dollars in economic aid to war torn Iraq. UNICEF has calculated a need for another $183 million dollars to aid in humanitarian efforts (web). According to the CIA Fact book, (web), for the years 2004-2007 foreign pledges need to account for another $33 billion to aid in Iraq's recovery.

Population Information Information on the population of Iraq, if available, is not that reliable. "The government estimates that 76 percent of the people are Arab; 19 percent are Kurds; while Turkomans, Assyrians, Armenians, and other relatively small groups make up the rest" (web). The Islamic portion of the population is divided into two main sects, Sunni and Shia, with the Shias as the majority. The Kurds represent the largest non-Arab ethnic minority. The Turkomans, who are village dwellers living between the Kurdish and Arab regions, make up less than two percent of the population (web). The Assyrians are the third largest ethnic minority in Iraq.

The Central Intelligence Agency Fact Book (web) reports the population breaks down by age and sex is as follows: o 0-14 years: 40% (male 5,293,709/female 5,130,826) o 15-64 years: 57% (male 7,530,619/female 7,338,109) o 65 years and over: 3% (male 367,832/female 413,811) Infant mortality today (107 deaths per 1,000 live births) is more than double what it was at the end of the 1980's (web). Leading causes of death include malnutrition, diarrhea and respiratory infections. The lack of sanitation, clean water, and health care are other factors related to the well-being of the children. Children numbering nearly 25 million make up almost half of the population in Iraq, and of that, half of them are under eighteen (web). In the last twenty years children living in Iraq have been exposed to war three times; the war with Iran that lasted eight years, the Gulf War in 1991 (Davis, 2003, p. 176), and the war that is currently taking place.

Despite the very difficult circumstances, UNICEF continues its daily efforts to deliver emergency medical supplies, water, and food to the assist the children of Iraq. The official language of Iraq is Arabic, spoken by approximately 76 percent of population (web). Minorities speak Turkic and Armenian. The official language of a country is typically what is used in the legislative body and is one that is given special status in the country. However, even the official language is not exempt from controversy. Serious violent protests and even terrorist activity have occurred over whether the official language should remain Arabic or be changed to Kurdish, the language spoken by the largest non-Arab ethnic minority.

Religion Iraq has three major religions; Islam, Sunnis, and Shia Muslims. Islam was introduced to Iraq in A. D 637 with the Muslim victory over the Sassaians in the battle of Al Qadisiya (web). Islam, the most prevalent, is the official religion of Iraq. Muslims believe that God (Allah) made known to the Prophet Muhammad rules concerning the governing society and the proper conduct of society's members. It is therefore the duty of all Muslims to live in a manner directed by the law and for the community to build the perfect earthly human society according to holy law. "Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world today outpacing Christianity, Buddhism, and all other belief systems through a mixture of conversion and natural increase.

However, even more eye opening is the fact that Islam is also the fastest-growing religion in North America" (Emerick, 2002 p. 3). Both Sunnis and the Shia Muslims are sects of the Islam religion. Sunnis believe that they can approach God directly; the idea of clerical hierarchy does not exist. Imams, male prayer leaders in the mosque, need not have any formal training. Their position is based more on intellect. According to the Sunnis sect, any righteous Muslim man can be elected caliph, a religious leader regarded as Muhammad's successor.

Sunnis do not require that caliphs be direct descendants Muhammad. The decision of who should be the first caliph, is what triggered the split in Islam. Shia Muslims share the fundamental beliefs of other Muslims, along with the distinctive institution of Shia Islam. They believe only a descendant of the Prophet Muhammad has the right to rule. The Shi " as have developed doctrines of their own. These are based on the fact that if anyone followed a caliph other than Ali, was a sinner.

Ali is the founder of the Shia Muslim sect also the cousin and son-in-law to Muhammad. "During the time of the split, some believed Ali should be the first caliph, but he was passed over. Ali eventually became the fourth caliph, but was assassinated in 661" (Di Giovanni, 2004 p. 2 -35). Shi " as praise Ali in their prayers and have holidays celebrating special dates in his life. Technology Technology in Iraq was considered good in the late 1980's. In 1988 there were 632,000 telephones and 972,000 television sets (web).

Television stations were located in major cities and broadcasting consisted of two networks. All television and radio stations were government owned. However, as with every other sector in Iraq, the invasion of Iran was the start of its decline. Today the current war continues to have an extreme effect on telecommunications. Repairs are being made to the networks but sabotage is a big problem. Geography Iraq is a Middle Eastern country comparable in size to Wyoming and South Dakota combined, or twice the size of Idaho.

It is bordered by the Persian Gulf, between Iran and Kuwait. Geographers break down the geography of Iraq into zones. These zones include the desert in the west and southwest; the rolling upland between the upper Tigris and Euphrates rivers; the highlands in the north and the northeast, and the alluvial plain through which the Tigris and Euphrates flow. The climate consists mostly of desert; northern mountainous regions have cold winters with a few heavy snows that melt in the spring. Terrain consists of broad plains and reedy marshes along Iranian border in south with large flooded areas.

Mountains run along the borders with Iran and Turkey. (web). Natural Resources of Iraq include petroleum, natural gas, phosphates and sulfur. Environmental issues plaguing the country are air quality, water quality, and soil pollution as well as the effects of government water projects that have drained marsh areas, making them inhabitable (web). Current Events Today's Iraqi government is a developing government that faces the many challenges of change and transition.

The Iraqi Interim Government (IG) was appointed on 1 June 2004, and the Cabinet now consists of 15 Shiite Arab ministers, seven Kurds, four Sunnis and one Christian (web). Work has begun in helping the Iraqi Interim Government with rebuilding the infrastructure and getting services back on line for the Iraqi people. The government needs to establish an economic policy in order to start paying back the enormous amounts of debt owed and find answers to issues like unemployment, refugees, education, and health care. Commenting on Iraq's future, a Western diplomat stated, "This is going to be hard, nothing in Iraq has been easy-not one damn thing" (Iiana, Saleh, 2005). HISTORICAL OVERVIEW OF TELEVISION Human beings have always tried to communicate with neighbors beyond the horizon. They would use tom-toms, smoke signals and sometimes semaphore.

The desire has been a matter of commerce, curiosity, or most importantly, warfare. Written messages were sent by ships, horses, birds, and shank's mare. But these were slow, cumbersome, and subject to the whims of weather, terrain, or the endurance of animals. The first steps towards instant communications were really taken by seventeenth- and eighteenth-century scientists such as Luigi Galvani, Alle sandro Volta, Hans C. Oersted, Andr'e Amp " ere, George S. Ohm, Michael Faraday, and James Clerk Maxwell, who found that electrical currents could flow through certain materials as well as interact with magnetic forces (Smith, 1995, p. 13). Mary Bellis (2005) points out that television was not invented by a single inventor, instead many people working together and alone, contributed to the evolution of TV. However, it was Philo Farnsworth gave the first public demonstration of all-electric television by a demonstration unit at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia.

In 1922 a 14-year-old farm boy first sketched his idea for television for his science teacher. The boy, Philo T. Farnsworth, knew very little about electronic theory. Because he was intrigued with the electron and electricity, he persuaded his chemistry teacher, to give him special instruction and to allow him to audit a senior course (Postman, 1999). His teacher and he spent several weeks working on the idea until it seemed that Philo's idea would work. Even though his family suffered hardships, Philo was determined to go to college. When he was not studying at Brigham Young University, his spent his time learning about vacuum tubes and cathode ray tubes.

However, without money he had no hope of building a working model of his television idea. He and one of his friends took correspondence courses in radio technology. He shared his idea with his friend and his boss. Both seemed very interested in Philo's idea.

Philo knew that companies such as G.E. and Bell Labs were still working with mirrors and disks. So, he had time to pursue his idea. His boss gave him the money to test his idea. Eventually, more money was invested in Philo's idea, and on January 7, 1927 Philo applied for his first patent. He was the first to successfully demonstrate the principle, in his lab in San Francisco on September 7, 1927 (Schatz kin, 2001). This is considered the official date of the invention of television.

Television is the electronic delivery of moving images and sound from a source to a receiver. Television programs are sent to your home through electrical signals that travel on electromagnetic waves. The television mixes three colors in different ways to show all the colors that you see on the screen. Almost all Televisions in use today rely on a device known as the cathode ray tube, or CRT, to display their images (Brian, 2005). Besides electromagnetic waves over the ground, TV programs can be sent to your TV through other ways such as satellite and cable broadcast ing. Home life has never been the same since the advent of television, particularly since television began to be considered as the household medium in a very large part of the world.

Since television entered the home -- and each home has had its own family and television chronology -- much else has changed besides the mere size of the television audience. The family itself as a unit has been under pressure for reasons of which television has been only one. Changes in family structure and the rise in the number of single parent families have transformed the scene. 'Family values' have themselves been in question (Smith, 1995, p. 191). Television drama and entertainment programming are at the heart of every broadcasting schedule.

They offer a mirror and a window to the culture of the audience they seek to serve. Con dry (1987) mentions that television is one of the greatest educators ever invented. They inspire and entertain, criticize, challenge, and amuse. They play a part in defining the make-up of citizenship in a modern society. That they also recruit audiences to the television screen to sell to advertisers greatly influences what is produced.

It has been subject to a process of continual change, with constant innovations, whether aesthetic and formal, or merely commercial in search of new audiences, bringing about phases of experiment which alternate with phases of exploitation or mere duplication of successful formats. THE SOCIETAL IMAP CT OF TELEVISION During Saddam Hussein's twenty four year rein as dictator of Iraq, television was quite different from the programming available in that country today. The advent of this technological expansion has affected the Iraqi people in a variety of ways. Iraqi television viewing habits, for entertainment purposes, have certainly changed, but television has had an economic and political impact on Iraq as well.

From exposure to marketing, to differing generational opinions, the expanded availability of television has, and continues to profoundly affect Iraqi society. Along with democracy, America brought television to Iraq. Prior to the fall of Saddam Hussein, most Iraqi's had access to only a few local television stations. Even these were strongly censored. Hussein's Ministry of Information was largely in control of media outlets, which were used to boost the dictator's image in the Arab world. Hussein's elder son Uday extended media control even further, ensuring that no outlet escaped government censorship.

Then in April of 2003 (Feldman, 2004), all of that changed when the Iraqi capitol of Baghdad was taken by American troops and Hussein's reign came to an end. For the first time in the lives of many Iraqis, their sources of news and information were no longer censored. By 2004, an estimated 80 percent (Asquith, 2004) of Iraqi households had access to satellite television. As Iraqis began to experience satellite television, the demand for this product quickly grew. The result was an economic opportunity.

Entrepreneurs quickly made small fortunes (Lomax, 2005) as demand for satellite television service increased. As one Iraqi sociologist put it, "I thought this country was hungry for food, but they were hungry for television" (Lomax, 2005). Until now, Iraq was a commercial free society. Methods of advertising such as billboards, which we have become accustomed to in the United States, are not common in Iraq. The increased exposure to marketing seems to be especially effective on youth, as Iraqi children have begun to feel as if they need western clothing and the latest toys (Asquith, 2004). Parents in Iraq have a new concern when it comes to their children and television viewing.

Some feel that their children want to watch television too much; others feel that many shows contain inappropriate content. Since Iraq currently has no body equivalent to America's FCC, dealing with the issue of content is made more difficult. The Islamic faith, which is predominate in Iraq, has traditionally held conservative views (Eliade, 1995) in comparison to what many Americans find suitable for television viewing. Bare mid-drifts, images of couples kissing, and music videos are considered by many in the Iraqi conservative community to be tactless and even vulgar. Many Iraqi parents are not opposed to educational programming (Asquith, 2004), but are also alarmed by some of the programming now coming into their homes. Adults in Iraq have taken to comedies and satires.

Programs such as the popular "Caricature" (Lomax, 2005) provide relief in the form of humor to the often stressful lives of people living in a war torn country. Although there is a demand for Iraqi television shows, production can prove quite challenging. Producers in Iraq must deal with power outages, loudspeakers from mosques, and the more complex challenge of balancing the demand for cutting edge entertainment with respect for the conservative community. Still, production of new shows does proceed, including that of Iraqi news programs.

Iraqi's now have access to a variety of news programming, each offering different viewpoint on the news of the day. The Gulf based Al-Jazeera and the U.S. funded Al-Iraq iya are often at odds, offering opposing opinions of political and social happenings in Iraq. This availability of new viewpoints has facilitated more discussion of current events among Iraqis. Besides an expanded view of world events, Iraqis have benefited from television in another way. After decades of censorship, life under the dictatorship of Saddam Hussein is being depicted as negative. Iraqis are now using television to tell the stories of life in Iraq, before and after the fall of Hussein.

As Iraq emerges from war as a democracy, television and all of its effects will certainly accompany this changing society. Education and political discussion can be encouraged through the used of television. However, increased materialism and decreased productivity may also possible consequences of regular television viewing. The full effect of television in Iraq remains to be seen. With curiosity, concern, and fascination, Iraqis greet the arrival of satellite television, a technology that has likely come to stay in their country. CONCLUSION Today Iraq's economy is driven mainly by their immense petroleum reserves.

The oil sector is government-owned and accounts for a majority of the money brought in by exports. Iraq is the second largest oil exporter in the world. However, during their eight-year war with Iran, Iraq sustained massive damage to their oil export facilities and suffered losses in the area of $100 billion due to economic sanctions and their incapability to export as much oil as they had in the past. Eventually, the construction of new pipelines and restoration of damaged export facilities helped bring their economy out of its slump (Shah, 2004).

The 20th century revealed that Iraq's real GDP, adjusted for inflation, fell 75 percent. Iraq now has the second largest economy in the Arab world after Saudi Arabia, and the third largest in the Middle East. Oil contributes approximately half the gross domestic product (GDP), industry and agriculture about 10 percent each, and services about a third. Massive oil revenues have enabled the government to set ambitious development goals, including industrial diversification, reduction of imported manufactured goods, agricultural self-sufficiency, and a large increase in non-oil exports. The GDP per capita is currently about $2500 (Shah, 2004). The actual number of persons who make up the household is determined by the family's economic circumstances, pattern of living, and mode of habitation.

In an agricultural setting, as long as ownership of land and other possessions is vested in the family as a whole, the possibilities for a young man to set up an independent household are limited. In urban centers on the other hand, young men can find themselves wage-earning employment (Simpson, 2003). In rural areas, new households are not usually set up until many years after the initial recognition of a marriage. In general, the wife moves in with her husband's parents, where the young couple remains for some time. Often this arrangement is maintained until the death of the father. Even when the father dies, the brothers sometimes stay together, forming joint family households that include themselves, their wives, and their children.

Authority within the family is determined by seniority and sex. The father, in theory, has absolute authority over the activities of the members of the household, both within the confines of the house and outside. He decides what education his children will receive, what occupations his sons will enter, and, usually in consultation with his wife, whom his children will marry (Simpson, 2003). These authority patterns also have been greatly weakened in the urban environment and by the shift of more and more responsibilities from the family to larger social institutions, such as the schools. Economic motivation, social status, and family strength all contribute to the high value placed on large families. The greater the number of children, especially sons, the greater prestige the father has which in turn reflects the entire family status.

Boys are especially welcome because they are the carriers of the family tradition, and because they " re economic contribution in an agricultural society is greater than that of girls (Simpson, 2003). The Government's human rights record remained extremely poor. Citizens do not have the rights to change their government. The Government continued to be responsible for disappearances, and to kill and torture persons suspected or related to persons suspected of economic crimes, military desertion, and a variety of other activities. Violence and discrimination against women is common.

The Government neglects the health and nutritional needs of children, and discriminates against religious minorities and ethnic groups. The Government restricts workers rights, child labor persists, and there have been instances of force labor (Simpson, 2003). There was no freedom of speech in Iraq and everything in the society was marked by the one-man rule of Saddam Hussein. Heavy and effective political control has also existed. By its constitution, Iraq has a democratic structure, where there are parliament elections in which all citizens can vote. The president is then elected by the parliament.

This system, however democratic, is only in theory, as are the parties allowed to participate. No opposing candidate would, in the present political climate, dare to challenge Saddam in the president elections of the past (Shaw, 2003). Saddam Hussein has often been compared with Adolph Hitler of Germany and Joseph Stalin of Russia. Both created totalitarian societies in which every aspect of life was dominated by the state, and one man dominated the state. Saddam forged a similar totalitarianism in Iraq. Like Hitler, he used a vast system of spies and informers.

Criticizing the government or even making jokes about "the Leader" became a crime that carried the death penalty. Careless words met with harsh reprisals. Once while visiting a school, Saddam once asked a boy, "Do you know who I am?" The boy unwarily replied, "Yes, you are the man who makes my father curse whenever you come on television". The boy and his family disappeared; their house was bulldozed into nothingness. Anecdotes about such incidents created a mood of universal fear, mistrust, and suspicion.

People were urged to turn in neighbors, co-workers, or family members who spoke against the state. One foreign journalist reported after visiting Iraq that the country consisted of three million people spying on the other eleven million (Shaw, 2003). Iraqis, whose television habits for years were at the mercy of Saddam Hussein's censors and police, are now hurrying to get satellite dishes to enjoy the outside world. While under Saddam's regime, which had controlled just about every word the people heard, dishes were only for the elite, or those brave enough not to fear being put in prison. During Saddam's two-and-a-half decades at the helm, foreign media channels were strictly off-limits to ordinary Iraqis. In the past few years the regime has offered programming from other Arab countries, but only after the shows were carefully screened by police.

But even that glimpse of the world around them was unavailable for most Iraqis due to economic hardship. Their sole viewing choices were propaganda-driven television and Youth Television, which, while a bit more lively, were under the watchful eye of the president's elder son Uday. For the last three decades, under Iraq's current rulers, Iraqis have been living under the worst possible conditions. A never ending series of wars, a fully militarized society, lack of democracy, and disdain for basic human rights have rendered life in Iraq an endless nightmare, added to the irrational economical sanctions that caused scores of Iraqis, living under external and internal siege to leave their homeland to all directions (Simpson, 2003). It is important to note that these sanctions have only made the Iraqi regime stronger and more oppressive. The international community did little to help the suffering Iraqi people.

On the contrary, the regime is using them, as well as its oil seduction through begging compassion with one hand, and waving with the huge oil wealth with the other to seek assistance to be rehabilitated. A horrible percentage of 25% of the population is said to have immigrated. If this is correct, then we are facing a horrible catastrophe. It is the duty of every Iraqi to rebuild a new, civilized, free, and democratic Iraq. The basis of any future constitution in Iraq should be the International Declaration of Human Rights. Once the Iraqi Citizen is freed from fear, hatred, discrimination, and oppression, then the building process can go on endlessly.

It is the free men and women that can cross the line of the future, rather than herd-like mass lot ready to slaughter and be slaughtered aimlessly, helplessly, and hopelessly (Hitchens, 2003). Saddam Hussein's regime has spent more than three decades oppressing Iraq's people. His regime has attacked Iraq's neighbors, as well as threatened world peace. Now, with the regime of Saddam Hussein gone forever, a few remaining holdouts are trying to prevent the advance of order and freedom.

They are targeting our success in rebuilding Iraq, they " re killing new police graduates, and they " re shooting at people that are guarding the universities and power plants and oil facilities (Shah, 2003). As our work in Iraq continues, we know that our forces are doing their duty under difficult circumstances. Our nation will give the support and all the tools and support they need to complete their mission. A free Iraq will not destabilize the Middle East. A free Iraq can set a hopeful example to the entire region and lead other nations to choose freedom. As the pursuits of freedom replace hatred and resentment and terror in the Middle East, the American people will be more secure (Shaw, 2003).

America has taken on a great responsibility for Iraq's future. Yet, we do not bear these responsibilities alone. Nineteen nations are providing more than 13,000 troops to help stabilize Iraq. More than two-dozen nations have pledged funds that will go directly towards relief and reconstruction efforts. We " re restoring the damaged water, electrical and communication systems. And when we introduce a new Iraqi currency later this year, it will be the first time in 12 years that the whole country is using the same currency (Shah, 2003).

Our greatest alliance in the vital work of stabilizing and rebuilding a democratic and prosperous Iraq is the Iraqi people themselves. Our goal is to turn over authority to Iraqis as quickly as possible. Coalition authorities are training Iraqi police forces to help patrol Iraqi cities and villages. Most importantly, a few weeks ago, Iraqis formed a new governing council. The council represents all of Iraq's groups, and it has given responsible positions to religious authorities and to women.

The council is going to be naming ministers to establish control over Iraq's ministries, and the council is drawing up a new budget. The process of drafting a constitution will soon be underway, and this will prepare the way for elections. The plan sets out ambitious timetables and clear benchmarks to measure progress and practical methods for achieving results. Rebuilding Iraq will require a sustained commitment.

America and our partners kept our promise to remove the dictator and the threat he posed, not only to the Iraqi people, but to the world (Anonymous, 2005).

Bibliography

Al-Khalil, S. (2003).
Republic of fear. New York: Pantheon Books. Anonymous. (2005, May) The Aftermath: Iraq's perilous future under U.
S. control, 21. Retrieved May 17, 2005, from Proquest Database.
Asquith, Christina. (2004).
Satellite television is Iraq's new teacher. Retrieved May 15, 2005, from web Mary.
2005).
History of television timeline. Retrieved May 16, 2005, from web television timeline.
htm Brian, Marshall. (2005).
How television works. Retrieved May 30, 2005, from web Central Intelligence Agency Fact Book.
Retrieved May 15, 2005, from web John C.
1987).
TV as Educator. Action in teacher education, 9, 15-26. Retrieved May 15, 2005, from ERIC database.
Davis, C. (2003).
The middle east for dummies. Wiley Publishing: New Jersey. Di Giovanni J. (2004, June).
The Shiites of Iraq. National Geographic, 205 (6) 2-35. Eliade, Mircea. (1995).
Islam: An Overview. The Encyclopedia of Religion. (7,432). New York: Simon, Schuster & MacMillan. Emerick, Y. (2002).
The complete idiot's guide to understanding Islam. Indianapolis: Alpha Books. Feldman, N. (2004).
What we owe Iraq: War and the ethics of nation building. New Jersey: Princeton University Press. Goldsmith, A.N. (1938-1941).
Television Volume. Princeton, New Jersey: RCA Review. Hitchens, Christopher. (2003).
A long short War: The postponed liberation of Iraq. New York: Nathan Alexander. Iiana Ozernoy, Amer Saleh. (2005, May).
Learning to Live with the Bomb. U.S. News & World Report, 138 (19), 33. Retrieved May 19, 2005, from ProQuest Database.
Document ID: 840212831). Iraq Country Studies. (1988).
Retrieved June 02, 2005, from web Kahl id, A.
2004).
Iraqis critical of media: Visitors say U.S. news gives distorted view. Colorado Springs, CO: The Gazette. Kaplan, D. (2005, April 25).
Hearts, Minds and Dollars. Newsweek, 28. Lobe, J. (2003).
Middle East: We report, you get it wrong. Asia Times. Lomax, D. (2005).
Iraq's television revolution. Retrieved Monday May 2, 2005, from web M.
Blinded by the sunlight. New York: Harper Collins. Morse, J. (1973).
Iraq. Funk & Wagnalls New Encyclopedia. (13,339). New York: Funk & Wagnalls Inc. Postman, Neil. (1999, March 29).
Philo Farnsworth. Time, 1-3. S cahill, J. (2002).
Trading with the enemy: Corporations say they will continue to do business with Iraq. Retrieved Sunday, May 1, 2005, from.