into some perspective, a CNN Intl reporter was commenting on just how difficult it is to get out into Baghdad to talk to Iraqi's. He said he wanted to go just 6 km out of the Green Zone to the worst neighborhood in Baghdad. In order to do that, he could not ride in an armoured car the 6 km, as it is too dangerous on the road. He had to fly in a helicopter way to the North of the country and join an armoured convoy coming to Baghdad. What would normally be a 15 minute journey took him 7 1/2 hours to accomplish.
He also showed pictures of himself sitting on Sadam's fallen statue right after it was taken down - no helmet - no bullet proof vest. He said today, if he walked out into the street wearing no protection, he would be dead in one minute.
And so goes the Surge.