Thursday, March 29, 2007

The surge goes well, doesn't it?


I know, I know. It's too early to see results. I should give it until at least 2018 before passing judgement. This time, however, Fort Fumble on the Tigris is the target of the insurgents being chased out and eliminated by the "surge".
Iraqi insurgents are increasingly hitting Baghdad's fortresslike Green Zone with rockets and mortar shells, officials said Wednesday.

Insurgents have struck inside the Green Zone, which includes the U.S. Embassy, on six of the past seven days, once with deadly consequences. A U.S. soldier and a U.S. government contractor were killed Tuesday night by a rocket attack that also seriously wounded a civilian, military and embassy officials said. One soldier and at least three other civilians received minor injuries, U.S. Embassy spokesman Lou Fintor said.

The Green Zone was supposed to be, you know, safe.
The attack stunned a workforce normally blase about Baghdad's habitual wartime booms and blasts.

A State Department official, speaking on condition of anonymity, also said, "There are increasing attacks on the embassy."

"These are people who are trying to kill Americans," the official added. "They have someone who is a straight shooter."

That will happen in a war. People get all bullet and weapon happy.
A week ago, a rocket attack landed about 100 yards from the Green Zone residence of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, jolting the room where he was holding a news conference with U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki Moon. Ten rocket and mortar attacks have struck inside the heavily protected sector this month, according to the U.S. military. Most have hit in the past week.

Military and embassy officials would not say where the weapons landed, citing security reasons.

Umm... I don't mean to make too much light of this because it's not really funny, but there is a way to tell where the weapons landed. Rockets and mortars leave a very distinctive residual effect called a "hole". All you have to do is go for a walk and look for them - outside.
Wednesday morning, embassy personnel received a bulletin citing the "recent increase of indirect fire attacks on the embassy compound." It included strict instructions: Body armor and helmets would now be required for all "outdoor activities" within the sprawling embassy complex, even short walks to the cafeteria. There would be no group gatherings outside, including at the famed Palace Pool. No "nonessential" visitors would be allowed in the compound.
My gawd!! Not the pool! The deprivation the "bubble people" are having to endure is staggering. War is hell.

Hang in there people. George is going to get you another $100 billion to fix it. It will be shipped on pallets and should, by my reckoning, weigh about 9000 tons.

Try not to lose it.

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