Staff Writer, Adrienne Ziegler and our local newspaper, the Daily Press, should be commended for providing readers with some rare good news from Iraq ("Fort Irwin officer speaks from Iraq" Victor Valley Daily Press November 20, 2005).

It was encouraging to be informed about the positive work being done in Iraq by Fort Irwin's Lt. Col. James Blackburn and his 1st Squadron of the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. After securing the City of Abu Ghraib against insurgents ruling the streets, Col. Blackburn reported that the Squadron went about the work of improving the lives of the inhabitants by rebuilding schools, building sewer lines, obtaining clean water for schools, working on the power grid, setting up a local government and promoting economic growth. Clearly, coupled with individual reports from soldiers returning from many other areas in Iraq, it's obvious why the Iraqi people are grateful for presence and assistance of U.S. troops, enabling them to begin building their own future.

Even more encouraging is the fact that despite relentless negative comments and reporting by posturing politicians and the biased news media -- including the Associated Press, which unfortunately, most local newspapers must rely on for news from Iraq -- the morale and sense of accomplishment among our troops is good, the lives of the Iraqi people are improving, and they are looking forward to the December 15th national election and the formation of their own democratic government.

Still, it's distressing to see how the selfish interests of partisan political forces are determined to undermine the efforts in Iraq, and to demoralize our troops, their families and the American people, simply to make the Bush administration look bad so they can take over Congress in the 2006 elections and the White House in the 2008 election.

Cheapening our democracy with a political domestic dispute about Iraq is dangerous to our security and our future. It sets a poor example for the Iraqi people, and increases instability in the Middle East. Being antiwar is one thing. Being anti-Bush is another. However, intentionally impeding success in Iraq is reprehensible, and censoring good news from Iraq is unforgivable.