It is hard to get a reliable picture of what is actually happenig in Iraq a year after the overthrow of Saddam Hussein because of our media's usual focus on violence. There is a poll by Oxford Research International that sheds some light on the current attitudes of the Iraqi people. I was impressed by two things: their optimism and their desire to assume responsibility for their own country. I also get the impression that they would like to get Coalition Forces out of their country as soon as possible once security is not a problem. Oh yes, according this poll, most Iraqis think things are generally better now than they were a year ago. I wonder how optimistic about the future the Iraqis were under Saddam. Read it and see what you think.