As the surge cranks up a story is beginning to spin that things are getting better in Iraq. John McCain on CNN talked about people walking the streets of some neighborhoods unmolested by the violence which haunts the rest of the country. He also suggests General Petrais drives around Baghdad without a security detail. Of course, when pressed on these comments Senator McCain backed down. It is nevertheless, time to start pushing back on this self-serving political meme and get the truth regarding the violence in Iraq out in front of the Republican machine.
More below the fold:
Over the past few days we have witnessed an increase in sectarian violence in Baghdad. Just today 130 Shiites were killed in a market by two suicide bombers wearing explosive belts. Most of the dead are women and children. With the increase of US Army presence in the streets of Baghdad came an increase in security. Insurgents use fewer car bombs in order to avoid security check points.
The core violence in recent weeks, however, is outside Baghdad.
"At about the same time, three suicide car bombs exploded within minutes of each other in Khalis, 80 km (50 miles) north of Baghdad, killing 53 people and wounding 103, police said.
There has been a spike in bloodshed, particularly outside the Iraqi capital, in recent days."
It appears the surge is not slowing the violence in Iraq, rather, it is simply displacing it from Baghdad to other parts of the country.
"On Tuesday two lorry bombs killed 85 people in a Shi'ite area of Tal Afar in northern Iraq. In the hours after those blasts Shi'ite gunmen [which Arab television claims to confirm were actually Shi'ite police], shot dead up to 70 Sunni Arab men in reprisal."
(emphasis mine)
Juan Cole reports the State department is suggesting people in the Green Zone wear armor before going out. Did you read that Senator McCain: The Green Zone, apparently the only safe neighborhood in Baghdad is no longer safe.
The US embassy in Baghdad circulated a memo to all Americans working for the US government in the Green Zone. It ordered them to wear protective gear whenever they were outside in the Green Zone, including just moving from one building to another. Guerrillas have managed to lob a number of rockets into the area in recent days, and killed one US GI on Tuesday.
The Green Zone is therefore actually the Red Zone. I.e., it is no longer an area of good security contrasting to what is around it. Senator McCain was more wrong than can easily be imagined. Not only can American officials not just stroll through Baghdad districts unarmed and unprotected by armor, but they can't even move that way from one building to the next inside the Green Zone!
Mark my words, if we do nothing about this ridiculousness it will become "The Story". My guess is the plan is to ramp up the surge and declare victory whether it is true or not. The next step will to use our so-called victory to justify keeping the US Soldier in place - not bring them home. I can hear the president now, "We can't pull the troops out because it will compromise the progress we have made." Even if no progress has been made. The Bush Administration is famous for constantly moving the goal post. We must anticipate this move and start countering the meme before it begins. If we do not, our soldiers will be in this war much much longer.
I understand the disappointment expressed by some how slow things are in Washington. It sometimes appears the Democrats are not organized or they are unable to show a unified front. I think this is just the way of democracies. We saw 12 years of a unified Congress under the Republicans. What did it get us but an unnecessary war and bucket loads of corruption. Frankly, I would rather our politicians argue things out and struggle to find an answer. I may disagree with some of the Bluedogs, but I often find myself disagreeing with the left as well. I figure this is what keeps the system honest.
So if you are the kind to write letters to the editor or call your Senators or Representatives then start doing so. They can use some help and it is possible to make a difference. It is not enough to read these pages and nod your head in agreement. If we want to make a difference then we must keep pushing back at these conservative bastards and never let them get away with something like Iraq again. So call your Senators and Congress-persons; write a letter to the editor - Do Something!!! The soldiers in Iraq need our help.