Well, it’s official ... according to the print media.
Washington Post: “Despite the end of the occupation …”
Knight Ridder: “Iraqis see hope in end of U.S.-led occupation”
Los Angeles Times: “…end of a deeply divisive American-led occupation…”
San Francisco Chronicle: “the U.S.-led military occupation had formally ended…”
Miami Herald: “…ended its occupation of Iraq…”
Associated Press: “…the end of the American occupation …”
Arizona Republic:: “…the 160,000 foreign troops in Iraq were transformed from occupiers into guests of a U.S.-backed government.”
Okay, we Americans can sometimes be fairly gullible, especially when it comes to foreign affairs. But somehow I doubt even diehards like Sean Hannity are going to switch from “U.S. occupation forces” to the “U.S. bed and breakfast brigades.”
Therefore, your job tonight is to come up with a catchy phrase that will allow our media to avoid saying “occupation forces” every time there’s a firefight, roadside bombing or aerial attack on insurgents in Iraq.