As war drags on, perception of Iraq mixed

[sabra]

<<SNIP>>
http://www.nola.com/newsflash/international/index.ssf?/base/international-25/1122916986298290.xml&storylist=international

As war drags on, perception of Iraq mixed

The Associated Press

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) — Ear-piercing blasts from mortar fire into the Green Zone have almost ceased, and security is better along some highways around the capital. But civilian deaths are running high, and U.S. troops face more attacks than they did this time last year.

As the Iraq war drags through a third broiling summer, the dying goes on — and neither the restoration of Iraqi sovereignty, nor elections, nor overtures to the Sunnis, nor steps toward a new constitution have been enough to stop it.

....

U.S. commanders are not describing the insurgency in terms of "last throes" — Vice President Dick Cheney's heavily criticized Memorial Day observation about the conflict.

Instead, the top American commander in Iraq, Gen. George Casey, told reporters last week that the United States and its partners could begin drawing down their forces in 2006 if the Iraqi political process stays on track and the insurgency does not grow.
Significantly, he did not say troops would start leaving once the insurgency is defeated.

<</SNIP>>

[cliss]

1. I was at a very nice cocktail party this weekend.

I met a man in his mid 30's. We started talking about Bush. I asked, "you're not a Bush supporter are you?".

"Oh yes; I come from a farming family in Idaho, and we ALL support Bush".

"That's nice", I said, with my smile turning into a frown. I asked him what he thought about the war in Iraq. He didn't have much to say about it, so I quizzed him a little.

I asked him if he'd consider going there. No, it was too dangerous. Do you agree with our reasons for going there?

Here's the interesting part. He said, "I have no idea why we're there". None of us do (meaning his big family).

I rested my case.