I think Bush is wise to refrain from crowing about improvements In Iraq. There has been too much crwoing about various victories that made him look silly when they didn’t pan out.

No matter how striking the imporvements are, the war is far form over.
-Al Qaeda has simply moved locations 0 to the north of Baghdad
-If things get too normalized, the Sunnis (and the Shias?) may once again decide they’d rather not be under occupation
-We can’t be complacent about the friendship of the Sunni chiefs, regardless of condition. And, they are much better armed now.
-The message keeps chnnging. From security to political reconciliation in the central gaovernment, to the latest, reconcilitation from the bottom up.
The name of this victory would need to be changed every few weeks.

It’s too early to break out the champagne, andI welcome the reticnece. I prefer it to sales pitches.
What I would really like, from all politicians, is some straight talk. Iraq, like so many issues, is complicated. There are signs of hope and reason to fear. We are adults, and we can handle complications We can even handle knowing that there are pressing domeistic issues to face up to simultaneously.
What I have no patience for, anymore, is being treated like a gullible customer in a sleazy shop.

I’m no English-only freak, but I wish you would use it for this blog:

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