While we all sit and navel gaze here in what has become a train wreck of the past few days, I just wanted to point out a couple of things about Iraq:
For starters, today there were two more bombs that went off (among other violence), killing a total of 62 people and wounding nearly 100 more.
And you know what's worse? This was right after a conditional truce was offered by Sunni groups:
Bombs killed at least 40 people at markets in two Iraqi cities Monday, hours after key lawmakers told The Associated Press that seven Sunni Arab insurgent groups offered the government a conditional truce.
Despite the fresh opening between the government and the militant organizations -- which do not include al-Qaida or Islamic terror groups -- a top Iraqi commander said Baghdad's forces would not be ready to keep the peace for at least a year in Anbar province, the insurgent heartland.
More below:
Oh goody, a "conditional" truce. Which was immediately followed by explosions that rocked two different cities. And no, Rumsfeld or Bush or Snow - this was not "an unfortunate result of Iraqis celebrating the truce" so don't try that line of crap. So, all in all, a great day in Iraq.
An uber-violent day - one of the worst in months, if not since the invasion began. A top Iraqi commander indicating that it would take over a year to control the violence in the Anbar province. So much for those Iraqis "standing up so we can stand down". Of course, with Rummy standing for 8-10 hours a day, it should be no problem for the US troops to stand up for another year or so (with the expected reprieve just around election time).
And a note on the Sunni groups that were offering a conditional truce - while it is a potentially hopeful sign, lest we think that this is due to some great maneuvering by Dear Leader we have the following:
"They want negotiation with the Americans. The seven groups have real fears of the Iranian influence. They think that the Americans will eventually leave, but Iran is a neighbor and is not going anywhere," he said.
Anyone up for bombing Iran just to make this negotiation process go smoother? Don't think that the talk won't ratchet up again real soon. Or that this won't be used as an excuse...
But why stop there? Just in case we get too much more caught up in what the nimrods in the press or in right wingnutistan say about Markos, Jerome, DailyKos, or any of the rest of us, I would like to bring it all back to something a bit more important than hearing the sound of our voices, um, fingers on keyboards....
Let's start with today:
The deadliest attack was a bicycle bombing in Baqouba, the Sunni insurgent stronghold 35 miles northeast of Baghdad. The bombing killed at least 25 and wounded 33, according to Dr. Ahmed Fouad, director of the morgue at Baqouba General Hospital.
Minutes earlier, a blast killed at least 15 people and wounded 56 in Hillah, a mainly Shiite city 65 miles south of the capital, said police Capt. Muthana Khalid.
Both markets were jammed with shoppers buying dinner provisions as temperatures began to cool after sunset
Imagine trying to pick up a few things to eat during a break in the 120 degree heat, and then BAM!!! Explosions, body parts flying everywhere, panic, stampedes, mothers or fathers not knowing if their loved ones or friends are alive or where they may be. Another day, another few signs of the full on civil war unfolding before the world.
But don't forget these little nuggets, just to really spoil your day:
Makes Ann Coulter and David Brooks and TNR and the talking meatsticks and flag burning amendments a bit less important, doesn't it?
Can we now refocus on getting the hell out of Dodge already?
