That's even higher than their original forecast. The growth in GDP leads to huge growth in revenues (taxes paid) which shrinks the huge budget deficit.

They need to stop spending. But at least the economy is pumping dollars in faster then they're pumping new dollars out.

sharptalk

First, there has been a rash of terror activity in Baghdad in recent days. In fact, yesterday a 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. curfew was put into place, but then removed later in the day as I understand it.

My heart goes out to these folks whose world has turned continually violent since we came in. They used to be able to run their businesses and even worship without fear of being blown up or shot. Not any more. This may be a confirmation of the "devil you know" theory. Still, it nearly destroyed America to rid itself of slavery 150 years ago. And to rid itself of a world threat, it's nearly destroying Iraq.

On the positive side, recent news out of Baghdad is that many of the Sunni leaders of the insurgency have approached the Iraqi government about finding a way out of the terror business and into the government. These talks have been called unprecedented and have surged since the death of Al-Zarqawi.

Could his death really have been the turning point we've been praying for? I hope so. For our sake and theirs.

sharptalk

A few current facts that haven't made the headlines:

U.S. budget receipts grow more in 2004 and 2005 than last 25 years
States are busting with cash (from Bloomberg)
Budget deficit now predicted 20% lower than expected last summer
Unemployment drops to 4.6%
Productivity continues to surge
Crude oil stockpiles continue to surge in the U.S.
Wages rising faster than inflation
WMD's (over 500 chemical weapons) found in Iraq since 2003
Major Al-Qaeda figures and hundreds of members arrested or killed in last 2 weeks
Crackdown in Baghdad has led to relative calm in that city

Now, here is what MSNBC headlines look like today:

"Losing Ground" Middle class neighborhoods shrinking
"Hastert, other lawmakers defend big profits"
"8 U.S. troops face murder charges"
"Why U.S. has a bad reputation in Europe"
"Al-Qaida exhorts Afghans to rise up"
"Four U.S. marines killed in West Iraq"
"State (pension) plans under pressure"
"Bush has a hard time selling U.S. to Europe"

and one bone they threw:

"Wall Street boosted by earnings"

I wonder why people think we're on the wrong track?

sharptalk

They got another one. This guy apparently was very close to Zarqawi. I guess he's even closer now. More raids, more arrests, more dead terrorists, more weapons caches recovered.

The news about our soldiers kidnapped and murdered (brutally) is horrendous. But it should remind us what we're fighting against. These same terrorists mutilate women and little children. They cut the heads off unarmed men. And they praise their God (Satan) while they do it. And they incite the standard uneducated Muslim by saying some American somewhere handled the Koran wrong. What if we were cutting off heads and blowing up children? Where's the international community condemning the terror groups?

God Bless George Bush for having the guts to fight when so many want to run and hide - as if the bad guys would just leave us alone.

Their opinion matters. But they're wrong. And thank God they're not in charge.

sharptalk

Coalition forces waited until more than 50 members of a group known to make improvised explosive devices and to carry out raids against the military and civilians had gathered. Then they attacked.

They killed about 45 in that location and another 5 in a different raid on a known terror hideout.

They also found 8 pounds of opium.

To put all of this into context. Two known terror cells were attacked and destroyed. Weapons and drugs seized. For their side, insurgents killed more civilians today - in this case, poor civilians trying to sell 2nd hand clothes.

Seems like we're being more effective. Am I missing something or does their strategy sound like it doesn't come from God?

sharptalk