Five Years Later: The Chickens Come Home to Roost

<p>There were no WMD in Iraq. There was no connection to al-Qaeda or 9/11. There was no democracy or human-rights advancement of any significance in Iraq, only chaos, death, illiberalism and the devastation of the country. But at least chicken farming is almost at prewar levels.<br />

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<a id="f7hj" href="http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=49294" title="This is an actual press release from the Pentagon">This is an actual press release that the Pentagon sent to reporters</a>. It is, as best I can tell, an attempt at reporting the good news from Iraq and not a parody.</p>

<blockquote><span id="lblArticleContent"> FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq, March 17, 2008 &ndash; Chicken farming in Iraq is moving toward pre-war levels, as coalition forces work with farmers to overcome challenges.</span><br />

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<span id="lblArticleContent"> Dialogue has begun on how to increase production with the owners of seven chicken houses in the region where the 3rd Infantry Division&rsquo;s 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, operates.&nbsp; …</span><br />

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<span id="lblArticleContent">Of the initial 7,500 chicks, only 210 died during this cycle, a 2.8 percent loss for Abdul Sataar. He will sell the chickens to the highest bidder from the Baghdad, Karbala or Hilla markets. </span><br />

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<span id="lblArticleContent">&ldquo;This is an absolute success story,&rdquo; said Capt. David Stewart, commander of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3-7th Infantry Regiment. &ldquo;Abdul conducts his business without coalition assistance and is able to maintain profitability.&rdquo; </span><br />

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