Today In Iraq

Today's headlines from Iraq:

Fighting continues unabated in Basra

Across Iraq, battles erupt with Mahdi Army

123 Iraqis, 3 US Contractors Killed; 191 Iraqis Wounded

Thousands in Baghdad Protest Basra Assault

Growing clashes with US troops in Iraq

Baghdad's Green Zone attacked for 4th day this week

Bombers attack Basra oil pipeline

Iraqi spokesman kidnapped in Baghdad

U.S. military fatalities in Iraq; 4,004

George Bush today on his upcoming and latest new "way forward" in Iraq:

As this debate unfolds, I ask people on both sides to keep an open mind, and to take a close look at the situation on the ground.

And from John McCain, the presumptive nominee for George Bush's third term:

We're succeeding.  I don't care what anybody says.

...even if it takes 100 years.  

•  WSJ Last Week: "Whatever Happened to Moqtada?"

  In another unfortunate case of premature Iraq elation, the Wall Street Journal last week celebrated the decline and fall of Iraqi Shiite leader Moqtada Al-Sadr. Echoing the "bring 'em on" taunt of their former boss, ex-Bush advisers Dan Senor and Roman Martinez triumphantly asked "Whatever Happened to Moqtada?" But as the renewed turmoil in Baghdad and violent chaos in Basra suggest, the answer may be, "he's back."

  For the details, see:
  "Moqtada Al-Sadr Answers the Wall Street Journal."

  by Avenging Angel on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:04:38 PM PDT

  •  Premature Iraq Elation ....

    classic.

    by RichardWoodcockII on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:12:25 PM PDT

    •  That and "Iraq-Style Dysfunction"...

      ...were entries in the 2005 "Name That Bush Scandal Contest."

      by Avenging Angel on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:14:07 PM PDT

      •  Please ring the "GONG".....

        and get these Bush bozos off the stage.

        by Barry Leonardini on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:17:01 PM PDT

    •  More Like Premature ...

      "Iraqulation"

       

      Bush had his "early emission" in his flight suit while strutting under his "Mission Accomplished" banner ...

      by Kdoug on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:33:19 PM PDT

      •  This is what Bush's "Mission Accomplished" ...

        really looked like.

        by Kdoug on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:37:42 PM PDT

  •  He must have been out...

    ...getting his laundry done, or cleaning his weapons, or something likethat.

    by Randall Sherman on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:17:20 PM PDT

  •  This is what happened to Moqtada al Sadr

    Mahdi Army Occupies Kut

    There was heavy fighting Wednesday and Thursday morning in the Jumhuriya district of the southern oil port of Basra. That is a stronghold of the Mahdi Army militia of Muqtada al-Sadr, now under assault by the Iraqi military, with rocket propelled grenades, mortars and small arms fire raining down on the civilian neighborhood.

    Al-Zaman reports in Arabic that the Mahdi Army still controls its neighborhoods in Basra. It says that there are reports that rival militiamen, presumably the Badr Corps of the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq, have converged on the Sadrist neighborhoods and have joined the fight against the Mahdi Army side by side with government troops.

    Sayyid Muqtada al-Sadr, the leader of the Sadrists, demanded that Prime Minister al-Maliki leave Basra so that local notables and clergy could negotiate a settlement of the crisis. That was his reply to al-Maliki's ultimatum that the Mahdi Army disarm within three days.

    by Dave the Wave on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:23:24 PM PDT

    •  Spreading to Naseriya.

      KUNA is reporting heavy military-on-militia fighting in Naseriya and Shatra.

      The South is getting hotter and hotter and Maliki's PR move of "I shall lead my troops to victory" is ringing hollower by the hour.

      by Crashing Vor on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:36:49 PM PDT

  •  I see the WSJ was also a victim

    of the Iraq news blackout, not just the American people. If only the WSJ had access to journalists or the internet who could tell them what's been happening since February.

    by just some lurker guy on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 02:37:43 PM PDT

•  It's all starting to unwind.

  Out.

  Now.

  Completely.

  by ek hornbeck on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:05:09 PM PDT

  •  It is scary shit. There will be blowback.

    And we will get attacked because of this at some point even if it takes years.

    Scarier even is that Cheney thinks this is the perfect reason/moment to go into Iran.  I am sure we will hear the drums beating for going into Iran before long.

    by DefendOurConstitution on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:09:01 PM PDT

    •  You know...

      I'm tired of worrying about what the stupidist 30% thinks.

      by ek hornbeck on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:14:22 PM PDT

      •  me too

        I wonder what Republicans have been smoking in recent years.

        by pine on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:27:56 PM PDT

    •  That's the problem with this kind of "success"

      Fair to assume our enemies are familiar with Tsun Tzu....when your enemy advances, retreat.  When your enemy rests, attack.

      Given this urban warfare setting and our ill defined mission, we can surge all we want, but the minute we stop, it is EASY to sabatoge all the progress.  

      One bomb here, some mass killngs there, and ...poof. you may as well not have "surged."

      by RichardWoodcockII on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:14:34 PM PDT

    •  the perfect reason/moment to go into Iran...

      Right.  Even though in Iraq, the U.S. and Iran are both supporting the same side.  Iran created the  Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq  (now the Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council) and is reportedly training members of the Badr Brigades. SIIC is allied with Maliki's ad-Dawa party, who we're backing against Jaysh al-Mahdi.  

      But what's a little bombing campaign between allies?

      by toasterhead on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:38:39 PM PDT

      •  Unfortunately leadership in DC doesn't even see

        that this is going on.  Our "allies" against AlSadr are the militia that has been training with Iran for decades and is loyal to Iran.  Ironic and moronic.

        by DefendOurConstitution on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 07:06:07 PM PDT

•  Freaking Emporer's New Clothes with these guys

  by WSComn on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:05:21 PM PDT

  •  The Republican Blinders Syndrome...

    In response to reporter mentioning that three quarters of Americans are against the war...

    Cheney: "So."

    Now, McCain's "I don't care what anybody says."

    They're clueless as to what it means to represent the American people.  Thus, we must reject them.
    These guys just plain suck.

    by jiminy on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 11:12:27 PM PDT

•  I don't care what anybody says

  should be changed to "I don't care how many people die"

  by XNeeOhCon on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:05:22 PM PDT

  •  "We're Making Progress."

    Should be:

    "Lot's more people being killed and maimed."

    by Kdoug on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:16:14 PM PDT

•  "I don't care what anybody says"

  That sounds like somebody we all know, doesn't it? He sounds more like Bush every time he opens his mouth.

  by Blue Intrigue on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:05:24 PM PDT

  •  Or Dick "SO?" Cheney n/t

    by XNeeOhCon on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:11:23 PM PDT

    •  AKA So "dick".

      Someone on MSNBC pointed out last night that Cheney's acuity has suffered since his last two heart attacks.

      That oxygen deprivation is brutal.

      by bobdevo on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:30:14 PM PDT

  •  Certainly

    Not very Presidential.

    In the Reality-Based Community, anyway.

    by potownman on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:14:37 PM PDT

    •  Amazed me

      When I read this I simply could not believe that any reasonable human being would say something like that:

      We're succeeding.  I don't care what anybody says.

      Really?  You don't care what ANYONE says?  Just stick your fingers in your ears and hum the national anthem while the rest of the world tries to explain what is really going on.  And you think this makes you qualified to be the POTUS?  Amazing.  How did this guy ever get to be a Senator?

      by Tom Paul on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:56:36 PM PDT

•  Anymore I honestly don't know

  what it would take to make Bush or McCain actually see the truth of the situation. Amazing how they find their way around wearing such huge blinders.

  Yeah, we're succeeding alright...in continuing to look like overlords and wrecking the economy here and there. I'm just so pissed anymore.

  by Its any one guess on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:05:29 PM PDT

  •  I'm afraid...

    ...the Chump in Chief and the senile coot from Arizona are both beyond the point where they can ever see the truth about Iraq.  Their continued presence in positions of supposed authority is a cancer eating away at our country and the world.  the only sane way is to unite against McCain, destroy him on Election Day, and then begin the long slow process of treating the damage caused by Bush & Co.

    by Randall Sherman on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:21:58 PM PDT

    •  I must agree

      it's simply that the wait is irritating. What a freakin' mash up Iraq continues to be. After listening to loser-boy Bush today I just wanted to yank him back by the collar so hard.....grrrr. Everything is so out-of-whack...listen to Bush; he's just a clueless a moran who will NOT be wrong no matter what, Mc Cain, another moran of the Nam era type, the Officer boots on the ground pretty much parrot Bush(facts to fit a strategy that never quite fit) and the everyday soldiers don't dare speak any truth for fear of reprisal( I know some are and I thank them).It just all really pissed me off today...I best go relax for a bit.}:>

      by Its any one guess on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:37:08 PM PDT

  •  the drafting of their children

    Nothing short of their own children being drafted into the military would force the chickenhawks to re-evaluate their own positions. Only then would the war be personal to them. But there is no draft, so this hypothetical situation is a moot point.

    On a related note, I think Bush implicitly realizes this on a subconscious level. It explains his snippy exchange with Jim Webb.

    by pine on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:30:28 PM PDT

    •  Keith Olbermann made this point last year too

      I think his special comment on sacrifice is worth re-posting in the unfortunate event that anyone hasn't seen it. This was last January - the idea of a "surge" had just been floated, to give you some context.

      by Ivey476 on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 02:22:56 PM PDT

•  And to hear CNN reporting the Bush Spin,

  that the violence is good!!!  Bush is saying this is good, because it shows that progress is being made. This is such crap.

  by kanuk on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:05:31 PM PDT

  •  Haven't they been claiming progress

    for the past few months because violence was down "due to the surge"?

    by XNeeOhCon on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:13:12 PM PDT

    •  How about for the past 5 years? n/t

      by doc superdog on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:19:42 PM PDT

    •  The media suffers from dementia

      it has allowed the Bush Admin. to change the story and facts to suit their own agenda, and the media never calls them out on it.

      by kanuk on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:23:23 PM PDT

    •  Everything is good

      Violence down? Shows the surge is controlling violence.  Violence up?  Shows the surge is making the terrorists overreact in their death throws. Violence the same?  Shows the country is stabilizing.  Everything is a sign of progress.

      by Tom Paul on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 02:01:34 PM PDT

  •  CNN ..so dense it has its own gravity

    Really.  These guys are incapable of analyzing or challenging basic false premises, or using actual facts, formerly known as news, to properly frame debate.

    SOsickandfuckingtiredofthemIcouldpuke.

    by RichardWoodcockII on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:16:10 PM PDT

  •  Tell that to the mom

    who needs food for her toddler.

    They just declared martial law in Baghdad.

    We have no business being there. US out UN relief caravans in.

    by greendem on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:21:45 PM PDT

    •  You do realize

      .....that the UN would be absolutely helpless in Iraq, right?  They yanked their people from the country very early on (not that I can blame them)

      We have fucked that country on so many levels

      by jds1978 on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:38:39 PM PDT

      •  Too bad Saddam is dead

        He always knew how to keep a lid on the place.

        We could hire him as a contractor throuhg KBR.

        by greendem on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 02:20:11 PM PDT

•  So if McCain wins

  apparently he will take over occupancy of Bush's bubble.

  by gizmo59 on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:05:49 PM PDT

•  You can always count on some things

  If George Bush is pushing the positive aspect of any issue, then it follows (by rule) that the issue is certainly not going positively.  

  by otto on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:05:55 PM PDT

  •  But the media is pushing this

    not one word on CNN.com about the violence, the story is just Bush.  It is shameful!!  Its pure bullshit!!

    http://www.cnn.com/...

    by kanuk on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:09:37 PM PDT

    •  What Is This "The Surge Is Working."

      shit.

      by Kdoug on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:17:44 PM PDT

    •  I just wrote a complaint to CNN.com

      Everyone here should.

      Go here to complain about CNN.com's coverage of Iraq.

      Go here to complain about CNN TV news' coverage of Iraq.

      by just some lurker guy on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 02:45:23 PM PDT

•  The War will soon be a big issue again

  The economy and the war are tied together

  by aaraujo on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:06:01 PM PDT

  •  Fed Reserve Gov. now talking of rescession

    Fed policy-maker warns U.S. near recession
    so you have to know things are goint to be bad in the months to come.

    by brjzn on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:30:02 PM PDT

    •  but Bush says it is just a blimp or bubble

      and the economy is stronger than ever?

      by kanuk on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:36:16 PM PDT

    •  Corzine was on Morning Joe today, and said we

      ARE in a recession.  Joe was surprised to hear it---then realized that he was taking to an ex-Wall St broker who made millions.

      Fucking Rethugs think everything is just fine---rebate checks are coming...

      by Phil S 33 on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:45:33 PM PDT

  •  how so?

    Out-of-control spending?

    by pine on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:31:20 PM PDT

    •  yes and more

      spending debt is devaluing the dollar causing oil and imports to rise in costs.

      but also diverting tax dollars outside of the US vs reinvesting into the US.

      Schools, infratsructure, healthcare, etc all take hits as money is diverted away from America and into Iraq.

      by aaraujo on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:40:24 PM PDT

•  Where'd the recommended diaries go?

  by Marc in CA on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:06:14 PM PDT

  •  I think dKos is angry this afternoon...n/t

    by ClapClapSnap on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:10:49 PM PDT

    •  The Kos Must Be Crazy nt

      by Gooserock on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:15:40 PM PDT

    •  It's metajesus.

      He just woke up and he's PISSED.

      metajesus is braiding the Flying Spaghetti Monster into a Cat-O-Nine-Tails and he's FIRED UP AND READY TO GO.

      I forget what happens next.

      by spotDawa on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:15:59 PM PDT

      •  But,

        I'm on the edge of my seat...

        by ClapClapSnap on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:29:48 PM PDT

  •  I thought it was just me! n/t

    by Ekaterin on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:14:18 PM PDT

  •  Still Gone or Me Too nt

    by Gooserock on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:14:59 PM PDT

    •  Country & Western song?

      Well, it's still...gone...fer me too.
      Yeah, it's still ...gone...fer me too...

      I drove round the bend, fer a fine whiskey blend,
      but when I got back the diaries...were gone....

      by spotDawa on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:18:11 PM PDT

•  "Makin' progress" lol n/t

  by doc superdog on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:06:28 PM PDT

  •  Euphemism for we've got no clue.

    by DefendOurConstitution on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:09:44 PM PDT

    •  What a hoot! I love it. n/t

      by doc superdog on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:14:05 PM PDT

•  This may sound like an odd thing to say

  But I'm glad that Iraq is getting attention again in the media. We owe it to our soldiers to stay informed on what's going on over there.

  by droogie6655321 on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:07:16 PM PDT

  •  I don't think it's odd

    I think it absolutely should be front page every damn day. Instead of having some focus on this nightmare all we get is way too much "gotcha" preacher man.

    by Its any one guess on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:08:56 PM PDT

•  "this will be Lebanon on steroids."

  Yikes.

  by Omen on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:07:36 PM PDT

  •  Except a involving about 1000x more people

    and dozens of countries.

    by DefendOurConstitution on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 07:11:42 PM PDT

•  I remember Pearl Harbor and that...

  ...my friends was the good ol days.

  A war that you didn't have to lie about to get people to support.

  Vote for me and I'll give you a few more good wars.
  John McCain.

  by Silence Do Good on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:07:45 PM PDT

•  It's shit like this

  that should stop EVERY Democrat from engaging in childish spitefulness when the general election comes.  I don't care if you are pissed off beyond belief that Obama/HRC doesn't get the nomination, McCain guarantees us a third Bush term.

  by Slim Tyranny on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:07:46 PM PDT

  •  This thing is broken

    It's only letting me rec you once.

    by droogie6655321 on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:12:12 PM PDT

    •  LOL

      ;}

      by jds1978 on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:40:03 PM PDT

    •  You're good people

      by Slim Tyranny on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 02:10:37 PM PDT

  •  Even worse

    I think he would almost immediately invade Iran--that is if GW Bitch doesn't do it before he abdicates.

    by marknspokane on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:56:23 PM PDT

•  More from Intel Dump

  Intel Dump

  It's difficult to see how this ends well. This is some of the nastiest intra-sectarian fighting we've seen in Iraq. Second, it looks pretty clear that Maliki is using the Iraqi security forces to consolidate his own power and eliminate his rivals. Third, I can only imagine the trepidation being felt by Sunni leaders who are watching this and wondering whether they're next on Maliki's hit list. For now, the heavy fighting remains limited to Basra, although skirmishes have erupted throughout the country. If this clash in Basra lasts longer than a week, that's going to be really bad for the Maliki government. If the heavy fighting spreads, that's going to be even worse.

  by bhagamu on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:08:20 PM PDT

  •  The elections are in October....

      Their polling showed them that al-Maliki was going to lose by large margins. This attack was finalized last week when Cheney was in Baghdad to visit the Middle East. Bush/Cheney can not afford another Democracy in action like the wins by Hamas in Palestine. Cheney decided the al-Sadr militia had to be taken out now. This is not going to end well.

    by NC Dem on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:14:19 PM PDT

  •  Methinks Cheney did it

    I can't believe the US Command in Iraq wanted this to happen, it runs the very real risk of destroying everything they have done in the last 12 months, but Cheney was just there and he is crazed and stupid enough to have given Maliki the Green light to go after the Mahdi Militias. I don't believe for a second Maliki is capable of leading this to success with the Iraqi forces alone, so our troops are probaly going to get sucked into this mess to bail him out.

    As a foot note: before this kicked-off, Oil was set for a pretty big plunge due to the coming recession. Lo and Behold, it's now back up to $104 a barrel, screwing our economy even more with every tick upwards. I'm sure if you asked Cheney about this, he would just say: "So?".

    by fetalposition on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 11:14:58 PM PDT

•  Green Zone more dangerous than Tuzla in 1996.

  U.S. military death toll for March already worse than February and December.

  by Marinesquire on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:08:27 PM PDT

•  If pushed hard enough McCain will say

  This is just like Vietnam--and this time I'm gonna win, g'd it.

  And everyone under 50 will realize he is nuts.

  by Kab ibn al Ashraf on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:09:51 PM PDT

  •  Want the Draft again? Votte for John McCain!

    by DefendOurConstitution on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:10:46 PM PDT

    •  We need a draft.

      Really, if we are going to "win" on this hold and build strategy, you can't do it without ALOT more manpower.  Bush won't say it.  Won't acknowledge it.  Because it is political kryptonite that will galvanize this nation against this war faster than Viet Nam.

      Which begs the question:  Why doesn't someone ask him if more manpower would help his strategy, why he doesn't consider a draft instead of "stop-lossing" these poor bastards and putting it all on the back of the Guard and Reserves?

      It's a legit question.  His answer will suggest his total lack of true leadership.

      by RichardWoodcockII on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:19:48 PM PDT

      •  Absolutely

        There should be an AUTOMATIC draft before ANY military action.  Then people might think twice before signing off on wars like Iraq.  The ONE real reason that war is still exactly the same as it was in May 2003 is because as Americans, we've personally sacrificed virtually nothing.  Do you think that if your own son or daughter stood to be drafted for something like this you would be so cavalier about letting a dictator like Bush move forward with it?  I know I wouldn't.

        by marknspokane on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:59:58 PM PDT

  •  A lot of us over 50 ...

    already realize he is nuts.

    by fritzrth on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:11:57 PM PDT

•  We're making progress ...

  Just give it six more months.

  by fritzrth on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:10:07 PM PDT

  •  Or six more years, or six more decades, ...

    by DefendOurConstitution on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:11:19 PM PDT

•  Getting Strategy Lectures from Bush is like ....

  getting culinary advice from Jeff Dommer?
  getting diet advice from Jabba the Hut?

  ...let the similes begin:

  by RichardWoodcockII on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:11:00 PM PDT

  •  Having my kids set the house rules

    by DefendOurConstitution on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:12:14 PM PDT

  •  Guitar playing lessons ...

    Horseback riding lessons from ...
    Carpentry skills lessons from ...
    Public Speaking lessons from ...
    Segway riding lessons from ...
    Diplomacy advice from ... uhhm ... Bush.

    by fritzrth on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:14:43 PM PDT

  •  Getting anger management tips from Bob Knight.

    Getting advice on how to make friends from Ann Coulter.

    by Sister Havana on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:17:13 PM PDT

  •  Getting war stories from Hillary Clinton. n/t

    by Dragon5616 on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:28:54 PM PDT

  •  oh, this could be fun

    . . . Getting Democratic strategy tips from Joe Lieberman.

    . . . Getting parenting advice from Britney Spears.

    . . . Getting natural workout advice from Barry Bonds.

    by pine on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:38:11 PM PDT

•  Bush to make it so bad - The nation will be....

  Horrified and believe that only a WAR VETERAN CAN CONTINUE THE FIGHT.  Brilliant move on the Republican part.  Meanwhile - the dems look helpless.  

  by BronxBoy71 on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:13:14 PM PDT

  •  Somehow I don't think

    renewed fighting is a plus for McBush.

    by Dragon5616 on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:15:13 PM PDT

•  Bad news.

  It's going to get bloody again for our people and the Iraqis, and we can't change it until Jan. 2009.

  It's just sad.

  by Dragon5616 on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:13:47 PM PDT

  •  Badder news

    Things aren't likely to change much in 2009, by the admission of all three candidates to date.

    But what the hell?  The fathers, sons, brothers, cousins, friends dying in Iraq is all about the FREEDOM.  So turn on American Idol and enjoy rotting from the inside.

    by marknspokane on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:49:20 PM PDT

•  Republicans living in the land of make believe,

  where the rich get richer and the poor work for free.  Where American soldiers spill their blood so oil barrons and the military industrial complex can make fabulous profits.  Where the surge is working for those same oil barrons and military industrialists because it's giving them fabulous profits.  And where George Bush, Dick Cheney and John McCain are telling us all the truth AS THEY SEE IT, in the land of Republican make believe.  

  Also known as Hell on Earth.

  Peace.  Impeach.  Now.

  by Little Lulu on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:14:11 PM PDT

  •  Why weren't they impeached a long time ago? n/t

    by doc superdog on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:25:10 PM PDT

    •  Because 67 senators won't vote to convict. n/t

      by Dragon5616 on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:30:21 PM PDT

    •  Because our congressional Democrats ...

      don't believe protecting and defending the Constitution is worth fighting for.

      by fritzrth on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:41:16 PM PDT

•  This is definitely a turning point - Al Sadr will

  rule Iraq and unfortunately he's no better than Saddam Hussein.

  by DefendOurConstitution on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:14:25 PM PDT

  •  Hussein Was Known, Before the War,

    As "The Mayor of Baghdad."

    by potownman on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:18:59 PM PDT

  •  true

    I fear we've simply replaced a secular dictator with a religious one.

    by pine on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:39:40 PM PDT

  •  As-Sadr will rule Iraq?

    I doubt that.  Not all of Iraq.  Just the southern third at best, and some of the ethnically-cleansed portions of Baghdad.  He's not THAT populr.

    by toasterhead on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:47:56 PM PDT

    •  Well he intends to rule as much as he can.

      In practice, he will probably settle for about 50% as long as it includes all southern oil fields.

      by DefendOurConstitution on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 07:03:44 PM PDT

•  Politically motivated

  death squads is one way to describe the Hakim/Iraqi security forces that Maliki has unleashed. Now, I do not want to give Sadr any slack either.. it is a fight between political parties at this point and he would probably do the same.

  I guess the split between Maliki and Sadr is complete now. Not good.

  bottom line..who do we believe now?
  Hakin is iranian-backed as is Maliki.
  Sadr is a nationalist not in the Iranian pockets as much?

  Follow the oil..we all know that is the real prize driving this push for political power.

  So discouraging. Have e-mailed my son at Camp Loyalty in Bagdad the last 3 days but have heard nothing back. Probably busy trying to survive with his mates right now. I hope is calms down asap.

  by Hawkjt on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:14:49 PM PDT

  •  Thank him for his service ...

    and let him know there are those here who want to get him home safely.

    by fritzrth on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:17:39 PM PDT

  •  I wish him and his comrades "good luck"

       I agree with your analysis. This is all about the election in October. I see Cheney's hands all over this full court press on al-Sadr. Too much oil was being diverted in Basra and Cheney and his band weren't getting their share.

    by NC Dem on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:18:36 PM PDT

•  Mission accomplished!

  Hey, Halliburton and the oil companies are making out like bandits. Who cares about anyone else? They all volunteered!

  /snark

  by Sister Havana on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:14:52 PM PDT

•  surge was expensive1/2 time show for occupatn/war

  sorry about the sports metephor, but the surge has all the trappings of football 1/2 time show ,so the opposing teams could regroup , lick wounds and plan 2nd half assault. Im sure they get great pep talks from the coaches showing Bush talking like an idiot.

  by eddienic on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:15:28 PM PDT

•  Basra..

  I'm betting the British are glad they got their asses out of there!

  by steelman on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:16:14 PM PDT

  •  They are still there, a lot of them

    they are confined to their base, they do not want to get involved in this shit storm unless they really have no choice. I'm sure Cheney wanted to teach the Brits a lesson for daring to declare Victory and get the hell out, which is what we should be doing.

    by fetalposition on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 11:22:20 PM PDT

•  Typo? I think what Bush probably said was

  I ask people on both sides to keep an empty mind.

  by Bob Love on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:16:21 PM PDT

  •  I'm not sure how many actually hear him speak ..

      today but he was as animated and forceful as he has been in several months. I honestly think he is not getting good reports back from on the ground and he can't control the down spiril in violence. It is either that or he has been off his meds for more than 24 hours.

    by NC Dem on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:21:50 PM PDT

    •  He's been over-animated for weeks now.

      It's gotten weird. I think they've probably upped his meds, and/or he's looking forward to retirement, Paraguay in the winter, and a permanent bedside keg.

      He's never gotten realistic reports from on the ground. He's gotten rid of anyone who tries to give him unrosy facts. He's the most insular, uninformed president in the history of the country.

      What, me worry?

      by Bob Love on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:37:27 PM PDT

•  General George Custer: Bring 'em on!

  Preznit George W. Bush: Bring'em on!

  History has a funny way of repeating itself.

  by mojave mike on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:16:22 PM PDT

  •  Lemme at 'em

    lemme at 'em!!!

    by bobdevo on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:39:44 PM PDT

•  Time for another shopping trip!

  by Cartoon Peril on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:17:32 PM PDT

•  How Could They?

  ..and so knowing all the things that you present in your first box, Barb..how could any democrat seriously think about voting for McBush, under any circumstance?

  by StuHunter on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:17:40 PM PDT

•  Another "very positive moment".

  It would be so great if we could just talk Bush & Cheney into spending Spring Break in the Green Zone!!!

  Just tell Dubbya they're doing Jello shots with the strippers and tell Cheney he can do a little bird huntin'.

  by bobdevo on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:17:55 PM PDT

•  Iran will be in control

  of Iraq no matter what we do, so why leave it built with American lives and money?

  and then we have this...

  ..even if it takes 100 years.  

  or perhaps 180 soccer games. Did anyone catch that today?

  by KingGeorgetheTurd on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:18:10 PM PDT

  •  That was 180 soccer games in Baghdad alone.

       This guy is crazy as a loon. We may have to pull our troops back into Baghdad over the next week. I feel an attack on the Green Zone is coming. The reports are that the militia of al-Sadr has his men in the streets with lots of new equipment. My assumption is they are gaining power by bleeding off more and more of the oil in Basra and are using this money to purchase more guns and ammo. Two State Department officials have been killed in the last week. One today. They were hit while inside the Green Zone. A memo went out today that everyone has to wear vests and helmets while outside the buildings in the Green Zone. Doesn't sound good.

    by NC Dem on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:28:09 PM PDT

    •  The attacks on the Green Zone remind one

      of the Attack on the US Embassy in Saigon.

      Dropping mortar shells and rockets inside the Zone seems pretty bold to me.

      by bobdevo on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:35:47 PM PDT

  •  Let friggin' Iran have the place.

    They'll still sell the oil at market price.  What's the friggin' difference??  It's kind of why I thought what's the big hub-bub about Saddam invading Kuwait.  It's not like they're the good guys or anything.

    Could they possible be worse than Saudi Arabia, home of Osama and 15 of the 19 hijackers??

    by bobdevo on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:32:44 PM PDT

    •  They'll still sell the oil at market price.

      Ahh, but they'll sell it in Euros.  We can't have that!

      by toasterhead on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:44:15 PM PDT

•  Speaking of bombs--

  In looking up their variety today, I ran across the statement that bombs are generally delivered by air.  In other words, prior to the advent of the airplane, there were no bombs.  Of course, we all know that in recent decades bombs have evolved to be delivered by cars, individuals or even start out buried in the ground.  In addition, most of us are aware that the car bomb is an American invention, first introduced to the middle east and Asia by the CIA.
  Be that as it may, it seems fair to conclude that, as they are deployed now, the terrestial bombs are a response to the aerial ones.
  And it also seems fair to conclude that while our flyboys at 25,000 feet and drone-drivers in Nevada are dropping bombs on Iraq, its the troops on the ground who are being blown up in revenge.
  Seems sort of unfair.

  by hannah on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:18:37 PM PDT

•  But isn't this...

  all sort of romantic? I mean that's what our fearless leader told us.

  by desertjedi on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:18:39 PM PDT

•  McCain plagiarized his foreign policy speech

  Ripped portions of Rear Adm. Timothy Ziemer's speech in 1996 word for word: http://thinkprogress.org/...

  by Ivey476 on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:19:54 PM PDT

  •  Everybody "plagarizes" speeches. n/t

    by Dragon5616 on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:26:21 PM PDT

    •  This better be a news story

      for the next 2 days like it was the last time we had a case of "plagiarism." I'm sick of John McCain's free passes.

      I should've written a diary and titled it BREAKING.

      by Ivey476 on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:31:14 PM PDT

  •  McCain can plagerize all he wants

    it is only plagerism if Obama does it.

    by kanuk on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:38:37 PM PDT

•  Why is it that republicans always have one answer

  to offer - no matter what the reality of the situation?  Remember when President Bush's favorite line was "It's Clinton's fault," for virtually any problem?  And, of course, we always hear about lower taxes - no matter what the state of the economy.  Now, we seem to be hearing from Senator McCain that the surge is working, no matter what the evidence to the contrary. I have to believe that the situation has become desperate enough, in so many ways, that the electorate will refuse to be sidetracked by this kind of nonsense.

  by Question Authority on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:22:18 PM PDT

  •  The electorate voted for Bush twice so