Rose Colored Glasses Aside

Life in Iraq

From the Embassy, a Grim Report

Washington Post-June 18, 2006

Although electricity is still in short supply, it has recently been reported that oil production has increased, and that schools are filling up.

While this is encouraging news, the security situation is so bad it eclipses each bit of progress we make.

It's kind of like that Clash song...

...One day is fine and next it's black
So if you want me off your back
Well, come on and let me know
Should I stay or should I go

Should I stay or should I go now
Should I stay or should I go now
If I go there will be trouble
And if I stay it will be double
So come on and let me know
Should I stay or should I go

All I see us accomplishing by staying is prolonging a bad situation. As the bodies piling up in the Baghdad morgue will attest, Iraq is already in a civil war, so our presence has not prevented this outcome.

We have not clearly defined "victory", and the Republicans, in lieu of a plan, walk in lockstep while repeating their party mantra - "stay the course."

In the meantime, the violence becomes increasingly more shocking and heartbreaking, and the flag draped coffins continue to be flown into Dover Air Force Base.

It's time for some leadership damn it!