Rebuilding Iraq

It's still tough going in the rebuilding of Iraq's economy, but there is light. Tim at Cpt Patti has the goods:

Though still very low, Iraqi living standards are higher than at any time since the 1990 Gulf War, economists say, despite the ongoing bombings and killings. Oil revenues, which fund the government and its social safety net, are near prewar levels. The World Bank estimates that the economy will grow by 30 percent this year, after shrinking last year.