"from bad to really bad to unbelievably bad" -- sorry, dupe

[enough]

Go to the other thread, which came up while I was posting this one.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=post&forum=103&topic_id=44475&mesg_id=44475

You have to read the whole thing to get the true flavor of this message from Iraq written by a friend of Josh Marshall. It is hair-raisiing and very pessimistic.

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/

snip>

The fighting two nights ago was loud and widespread throughout the northern and northwestern parts of Baghdad ... areas such as Yarmouk, Sadr City had almost continuous gunfights and rocket attacks. When we heard US forces using the main gun on M-1 tanks at 1 AM we knew it was serious insurgency at hand. The night is no longer the refuge and domain of the Americans. I have to tell you although the wide open areas of Iraq give a false sense of security. Even though much of this is unseen to most people the situation has gone from bad to really bad to unbelievably bad! Westerners are getting hit everywhere. Security companies escorting CPA, themselves and other Westerners are now on the menu for all the armed resistance groups. There was a report of a massive ambush by one security firm that tried to drive in from Amman. Reports have 25-40 gunmen opening up on them. They lost all of their vehicles and had to be given a mercy lift by a passing Iraqi minivan. Several other firms lost western security personnel killed this week in drive-by ambushes and even a seige by the Sadr Militia. Several NGOs, security firms and military bases were literally under siege for days in Kut, Nasiriyah and Baghdad. The boldness and sophistication of the attacks is staggering and it is clear that every one of the resistance fighters and Islamic militiamen have taken heart at the ease of inflicting damage on the Westerners. The abductions of the Japanese hostages is a sign that we have entered a new phase of bad as abduction requires a permissive environment for the hostage taker.

more>

[boobooday]

1. Funny, after I read this I clicked through to David Brooks

Presenting the Republican spin on the whole thing.

It's all going to blow over! It's just boys being naughty! We'll kill a few more, and it will all be okay, don't worry. Go shopping.

http://www.wgoeshome.com

[cornermouse]

2. I had been told that things are very bad

by someone who has been, until now, very pro-military and pro-Iraq war. Lots of American casualties and nothing about it on the news.

I wonder if there will be some way we can find out the actual total of dead and wounded after Bush is gone?

[dd123]

3. Maybe the American casualties are "contractors"?

Or are you talking about U.S. military?

[cornermouse]

4. Actually, she said military casualties.

You had to know something was really wrong when the newspapers said that the Shiites had taken cities and that we were suddenly negotiating in Fallujah. How often have you heard or seen Bush try negotiation for anything?