SHOULD?

If you read this site frequently you know that I am an optimist about what we are doing in Iraq.

But I can't help but note that discussions of how the Iraqis "should" feel just aren't going cut it.

As COL Tucker told us back in July, the Iraqis respect action.

I'd suggest the Provisional Authority figure that out.

Iraqis should measure their progress by the freedoms they enjoy, not the services they don't have, the top U.S. civilian administrator for Iraq said Tuesday.

L. Paul Bremer told a news conference that while Iraqis complain of unsafe streets and shortages of power, they must also realize that the fall of Saddam Hussein has made their lives better.

''Freedom matters,'' Bremer said. ''I think it's important to ... look beyond the shootouts and blackouts and remind ourselves of a range of rights that Iraqis enjoy today because of the coalition's military victory.''

Iraqi frustration over power outages and fuel shortages has boiled over in recent days. Summer temperatures creeping above 120 have exacerbated the problems.