Deepening anti-U.S. rage casts doubt on Iraq leaders' ability..

[Nambe]

Knight Ridder Newspapers
BAGHDAD, Iraq - After the past two days of fighting in southern and central Iraq, the difference between firebrand cleric Muqtada al Sadr and Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi couldn't be any more clear: Al Sadr has an army, and Allawi does not.

In Iraq, security is politics. When Allawi took office, the self-styled strongman lost little time before declaring that his government wouldn't tolerate the insurgency that's swept the country.

But as in previous battles, when al Sadr's Mahdi Army militia began to overrun Najaf and several neighborhoods from Baghdad to Basra, the Iraqi police force and national guard fought for a little while, then ran.

And as in previous battles, Iraq's Achilles' heel was revealed: To defend their country, Allawi and the interim government must go to the American military, an institution that's widely reviled by many Iraqis as an occupational force run amok. ..
Ride Don’t Drive It’s Global Cool

[The_Casual_Observer]

1. Al Sadr has an army, and Allawi does not

Well not exactly. What are they calling the 150,000 US guys now? I think they be Allawi's army. Al Sadr's army just happens to be committed to this in a way that is unknown to the US guys sent over there by a chimp without a plan.

[rooboy]

2. According to Robert Fisk, Allawi has hardly any control outside Baghdad...

just like our friend in Afghanistan.

[The_Casual_Observer]

3. From the sound of those bombs today

His claim on Baghdad is also in question. At this rate, a siege of the "green zone" might be in the offing.

[Disturbed]

4. 10 Million Shi'ites.

If the Shi'ites mobilize and merely walk into the Green Zone it would be over. Iraq will implode.

[indepat]

5. That anyone would view the American military as an occupation force

run amok is amazing: I'm shocked since they are there only to bring liberty and freedom to the Iraqis at a cost of only several hundred billion dollars which our nation gladly bears and, moreover, our military has already gotten rid of their oppressive dictator.

[The_Casual_Observer]

6. military has already gotten rid of their oppressive dictator

So where are the flowers?

Be glad knowing curious george and the PNAC share your optimism.

[funnymanpants]

7. Are you serious?

Did you not read about the torture at prisons all over Iraq?

[mike1963]

8. Uh, I think you need to get your sarcasm detector recalibrated

;-)

[indepat]

9. Sorry, should have ended with <sarcasm off>

[Geo55]

10. I'd say with over a grand of posts , that would be unnecessary.

an' , yes , just what hell's wrong with them towelhead ingrates ?