Sons of Iraq

[gateley]

When did this term come into play? Patraeus and Crocker used it CONSTANTLY during Tuesday's hearings.

And who, exactly, does it refer to -- anybody know?

Brought to you by the same folks who renamed

Global Warming -- Climate Change
Oil Drilling -- Energy Exploration
Logging -- Healthy Forest Initiative
Iraq War - War on Terror

and all the others which have, unfortunately, become part of the lexicon.

[annabanana]

1. I *THINK* it's a new name for

the "Sunni Awakening"... or it's the name of the people in "the Sunni Awakening"...

Anyway, I'm pretty sure it's Sunnis.

[gateley]

2. Thanks. nt

[ljm2002]

3. IMO it is a made-up name...

...for whatever faction they decided to pin it on -- because then they can claim that those Iraqis fighting on our side are, you know, "patriots", while the insurgents are, let's see -- "dead-enders" or something like that.

Just the use of the term makes the suggestion, without any more being said. That is why they picked that name. Who the hell knows (a) if there even *is* such a group; (b) if that is really what they call themselves; and (c) if it is what they really call themselves, who made up the name in the first place?

And yes, this week is the very first time I have ever heard the term used. Ergo, IMO it's a new talking point.

[sabra]

4. one of the new "Awakening" groups refer to themselves as "sons of Iraq"

Patraeus thought it would sexy to call all of them "sons of Iraq" - sounds better than former Sunni insurgents (some with US blood on hands) now US funded Sunni militia - who consider the Shiite gov't a greater enemy than "al-Qaeda"

[Sal Minella]

5. I assume it's whatever assortment of individuals we're bribing this week not to fight.