Only Four Provinces...but More Than Half the Population

That's the short version of this story, which goes on to note that "within each [problem province], he said, there appear to be areas safe and secure enough for people to vote."

So, in other words, the election could also be thought of as a lottery--with potentially deadly results.

Speaking of deadly--thus far, CNN only has a "Breaking News" banner across the top of their page (and Google News has no mention--yet), seven soldiers were killed by an IED in Northwest Baghdad today. The Times article above notes their deaths:

The challenge for General Metz, and for the Iraqi government and the 153,000 American soldiers here, was made clear again today. Seven American soldiers who were on patrol in northwestern Baghdad were killed when their Bradley fighting vehicle was hit by "an improvised explosive device," the military said.

Damn.

Note: I forget where I saw this, and apologize to whoever posted it--but recently I read a well written post about the FUBAR situation in Iraq, and how even the wingnuts are distancing themselves, in their usual, lurching ways. The post noted something about how many erstwhile warmongers get angry--viciously angry--when reminded of their position. Not long ago, I witnessed this myself at a bar, and fortunately was sober enough to just let it pass (or maybe not quite drunk enough to think that my nose would eventually heal). I'm thinking the wingnut position will eventually be to deny Iraq (wow--really supporting the troops, no?), and do the anger thing when reminded--hoping that that alone will cut off any further mention.

It won't. Iraq should be pinned--no, welded--to the wingnuts' collective hide. It speaks volumes as to their outlook, and their entire political agenda should be judged on the basis of it.