Look for more themed open threads as our permanent model exists in perpetuity above us.
I saw WWIR on PBS last night (no transcript available), and heard Martha Raditz, the ABC correspondent, describe her depressing Iraq visit. Not only is it dangerous, she said, but the soldiers are (having to be) remarkably aggressive to the population to survive. No hearts and minds won here.
What struck me also is her comment that the media doesn't even write about the carnage anymore unless something 'above the high-set bar' (her words) happens. Six soldiers killed wounded? What else is new. 14 Iraqi police killed? Yawn.
We're up to around 90 at least 40 attacks on US/allied forces a day. If you didn't watch BBC, you probably missed it.