Some noteworthy statistics from Iraq, compiled by AP:

OIL PRODUCTION:

Prewar: 2.58 million barrels per day.

May 25, 2008: 2.52 million barrels per day.

TELEPHONES:

Prewar land lines: 833,000.

April 4, 2008: 1,360,000.

Prewar cell phones: 80,000.

April 30, 2008: More than 12 million.

WATER:

Prewar: 12.9 million people had potable water.

April 30, 2008: 20.9 million people have potable water.

SEWERAGE:

Prewar: 6.2 million people served.

April 30, 2008: 11.3 million people served.

Plenty of less positive indicators of course still out there (displaced persons, electricity generation). But look at the explosion of access Iraqis have now to modern communications, plus the millions of people enjoying better water.

Hard work. But moving in a good pluralist direction.

All we need to do is stick with it.