CORRUPTION is one of the greatest barriers to progress in this world.

Iraqis Tallying Range of Graft in Rebuilding - New York Times

Gee, I wonder why things are progressing so slowly in Iraq. Between Washington's refusal to provide enough troops and support, leaving TONS (literally) of high-grade explosives unguarded (US troops actually WATCHED as trucks carried it away), "independant" security personnel who aren't accountable to ANYONE, Halliburton getting no-bid contracts then overcharging/gouging Iraqis and American taxpayers, and finally Iraqis (bureaucrats and business people) themselves taking full advantage of the lack of OVERSIGHT/CONTROL and the disorganization inherent when rebuilding on such a massive scale while a war is going on.

I'll say it 'till I'm blue in the face... CORRUPTION is one of the greatest barriers to progress in this world.

My hat's off to all the DECENT Iraqis... Those in the government working to make a better future for their country AND ordinary citizens who have put up with SO much in the past 30 years or so.