OCTOBER'S OVER, HUH? (via Kevin Whited):

In a Sign of Optimism, Iraqis Spending More: Many merchants report better business leading up to the Eid holiday, but Sunni Arabs are mostly pessimistic. Inflation is a concern. (Borzou Daragahi, November 2, 2005, LA Times)

Despite the ongoing insurgency, sectarian violence and an infrastructure ravaged by sabotage and neglect, Iraqis interviewed around the country generally appeared to be spending more money in the days leading up to Eid this year than last year, a possible indication of increased consumer confidence.

Some store owners and shoppers complained that times had gotten worse. But many more said recent political milestones had spread optimism about the country's future.

"Business is better than previous years," said Saleh Abed, 34, a Baghdad clothing wholesaler. "Although there is terrorism and the country is going through a very rough time, there is some kind of stability. We have an army. We have police. We have a constitution."

The poor Democrats, they were promised a quagmire.

Posted by Orrin Judd at November 2, 2005 12:37 PM