I wasn't going to post anything Washington DC or world news orientated today, but then I went to do my usual news trawl for the morning, and the top story is ten US marines killed and eleven wounded in a roadside bombing in Fallujah. With another four American soldiers killed in separate incidents over the course of the day. My heart goes out to the troops and their families - 2120 dead, and approximately sixteen thousand wounded, since the war started.
And insurgents gave a show of force in Ramadi on Thursday, overrunning the centre of town, attacking a US base in the city and letting off random mortar shots before dispersing later in the day.
The US military said it was a publicity stunt, but when there are stories swirling around of the Americans putting 'advertorial' pieces in Iraqi papers about how great their occupation is, pot, kettle anyone? Oh, and there were only 23 suicide bombings and 68 car bombings in November - apparently that is progress?
'Iraqi editors apparently reacted with a mixture of shock and shrugs when told they were targets of a US military psychological operation. The editor of Al Mada, widely considered the most thoughtful and professional of Iraqi newspapers, said if his cash strapped paper had known the story was from the US government he would have "charged much, much more".'
And on Wednesday the President gave his latest pep talk about the war, with big Strategy For Victory banners in some naval academy in Maryland. Along with a booklet entitled National Strategy For Victory In Iraq. Does the President, Administration or anyone in Washington have a clue about what to do when they insist on continuing to hide behind banners and slogans?
Is this what it felt like during Vietnam? The sense of frustrated helplessness in the face of incompetence? Being born after that war was over, of course I can't compare. The first wars that I remember were the background noise of the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan, or the American invasion of Panama, which was over before I blinked basically.
At least dissent is making a comeback in Washington. And a real debate on the war with real passion from both sides of politics and pro or anti war is going on. Those are positives over and above the 'trust me, I'm the president' viewpoint that was so popular before Hurricane Katrina hit.
I wasn't going to go all political, I promise I wasn't - but, as you can see, ten more soldiers dead in Fallujah and the dam breaks.
Pauly
And insurgents gave a show of force in Ramadi on Thursday, overrunning the centre of town, attacking a US base in the city and letting off random mortar shots before dispersing later in the day.
The US military said it was a publicity stunt, but when there are stories swirling around of the Americans putting 'advertorial' pieces in Iraqi papers about how great their occupation is, pot, kettle anyone? Oh, and there were only 23 suicide bombings and 68 car bombings in November - apparently that is progress?
'Iraqi editors apparently reacted with a mixture of shock and shrugs when told they were targets of a US military psychological operation. The editor of Al Mada, widely considered the most thoughtful and professional of Iraqi newspapers, said if his cash strapped paper had known the story was from the US government he would have "charged much, much more".'
And on Wednesday the President gave his latest pep talk about the war, with big Strategy For Victory banners in some naval academy in Maryland. Along with a booklet entitled National Strategy For Victory In Iraq. Does the President, Administration or anyone in Washington have a clue about what to do when they insist on continuing to hide behind banners and slogans?
Is this what it felt like during Vietnam? The sense of frustrated helplessness in the face of incompetence? Being born after that war was over, of course I can't compare. The first wars that I remember were the background noise of the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan, or the American invasion of Panama, which was over before I blinked basically.
At least dissent is making a comeback in Washington. And a real debate on the war with real passion from both sides of politics and pro or anti war is going on. Those are positives over and above the 'trust me, I'm the president' viewpoint that was so popular before Hurricane Katrina hit.
I wasn't going to go all political, I promise I wasn't - but, as you can see, ten more soldiers dead in Fallujah and the dam breaks.
Pauly
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