DAYS

TAL AFAR AND AWAY
A few weeks ago, Preznit Bush highlighted the Iraqi city of Tal Afar as an example of his administration's successful planning in Iraq:

“The example of Tal Afar gives me confidence in our strategy. In this city we see the outlines of the Iraq that we and the Iraqi people have been fighting for, a free and secure people who are getting back on their feet."

Three days later, a suicide bombing on the outskirts of the city killed 40 people and residents of Tal Afar claimed Bush was living in a fantasyworld. Despite this, Bush again cited Tal Afar as an example of success just yesterday. Shortly thereafter, it was reported that one American soldier was killed and another wounded in the city over the weekend. So please, Mr. Bush, for the safety of everyone, I beg of you: Stop talking about Tal Afar! Idiot.

'What? I jus' say wut dey tell me ta!'

To be fair, it appears there has been some success in stemming the tide of violence in Tal Afar. Unfortunately, this success is the exception in Iraq, not the rule. It also took three years to get this one city relatively secure, which is not the fault of the troops on the ground but rather further evidence of something we've known for a long time: That the administration's 'on the cheap' war plan failed to provide enough troops to begin with. Worst. War Plan. Ever.

Amazingly, according to The New Yorker's George Packer, the Pentagon is showing no signs of replicating this counterinsurgency tactic anywhere else in Iraq, despite it's relative success. Packer goes on to theorize that it's probably too late anyhow since what the troops are dealing with now isn't so much an insurgency as it is a sectarian Civil War. Our brave men and women are being led by full-on idiots, not one of which has been fired. Shameful.