Blame Game

The Boston Globe reports on damage to the Shrine of Imam Ali in Najaf, a particularly sacred site for Sh'ia Muslims. General Mark Kimmitt blames the Al Sadr militia for the damage, which reports call "slight."

First, "slight" is relative here. Religious Sh'ia Muslims will view ANY damage to the shrine as significant. Second, whether or not the damage was actually done by Al Sadr's thugs, the US military will be blamed. Duh. As occupiers, and outsiders, our military is an easy target for scapegoating--and it isn't like they were shooting water pistols during the fighting.

And, finally, off topic, but Rumsfeld yesterday looked like a slighter more hyper version of Richard Nixon during his visit to Abu Ghraib. As Atrios and others note, Rummy made a particularly crass statement, calling himself a "survivor" in the course of his public comments. In light of ongoing issues like securing body armor and heavier troop transports for actual soldiers in the theater, this remark demonstrates a profound callousness on the part of the Defense Secretary. It's time to vote him off the island.

Regarding body armor, apparently they STILL don't have enough for every soldier--not to mention any for Iraqi security forces--but dogs apparently have protection (link courtesy of As'ad AbuKhalil).

How many ways can one say FUBAR?