In putting the necessary “boots on the ground” and utilizing strategies to go after the “bad actors,” much like going after the schoolyard bully, the surge has resulted in the average Iraqi feeling safe enough to help weed out more “bad actors” and

In some ways, it may be analogous to the “broken windows” theory of crime.

That is, if evidence of decay in a neighborhood is left unattended, that over time people begin to withdraw or not be involved in their locale. They tend to accept the circumstances and are unwilling to be active participants in their neighborhoods.

Just a hunch.

A member of the Shuala district council said: “They used to come and order us to give them 100 gas canisters. Now it’s, ‘Can you please give me a gas canister?’”

I have always been a believer in the value of holding high expectations of oneself and others.

What we, the USA, did was greatly underestimate what the effect of removing authority from people who had lived for many years under oppressive authority would have on those people. As we saw, many of them devolved into pettiness and sectarian violence. Others tried stepping in in efforts to caste themselves as the new authority figures. And some looked to turn Iraq into a hot war on the USA and the Western world.

In putting the necessary “boots on the ground” and utilizing strategies to go after the “bad actors,” much like going after the schoolyard bully, the surge has resulted in the average Iraqi feeling safe enough to help weed out more “bad actors” and to expect everyone to begin treating each other with decency, common courtesy and respect.

It’s hard to hear the “people of Iraq” over all the propaganda, Steve.

The streets seems quiet. I.e., no protests over the dismantling of the militias/army.

Propaganda from whom? The Associated Press?

Murdoch doesn’t own them.

That’s why elections are so handy.

Send them to their 70 (canineporcine) virgins.

jgapinoy on July 26, 2008 at 10:10 PM

Fixed that for you.

We’ll see how popular al Sadr is after next year’s elections.

There’s always tomorrow to hope for, right?

The Iraqi people apparently don’t seem to be too upset with the destruction of his militias.

That seems to be at least one indicator of declining support.

Yes, miles to go before we sleep over Iraq.

The man is still very dangerous

wepeople on July 27, 2008 at 9:25 AM

Yep, hide the farm animals and small children!

He really ought to have an “accident.”

Subsunk on July 26, 2008 at 10:07 PM

Semper Fi and a bellicose HOO YAH!!!!!!

Now it’s, ‘Can you please give me a gas canister?’”

“Please Sir, I want some more.”

It’s almost like they wish for our defeat, for loss, for bad news.

That simply couldn’t be true, could it?

Fooey on them.

Despite the militia’s weakened state, none of the Iraqis interviewed agreed to have their full names published for fear of retribution.

Too bad the New York Times can’t see their way clear to grant anonymity wishes for Americans with the same fears.

Anti-American Bastards.

misterpeasea on July 26, 2008 at 11:11 PM

Nice one, dude.