Get 'Em Off!

TheAlamoRising
KennebunkportFauxTexasVille


From the blog of someone who knows the Middle East like the back (and front) of his hand, Juan Cole:

".....Early Saturday, gunmen opened fire from a car in Baghdad, killing local official Hassib Zamil outside of the Education Ministry offices in the Sadr City neighborhood.

.....In the central city of Khan Bani Saad, a car bomb killed five people, including four police officers on patrol. Two police officers and three civilians also were wounded.

.....A car bomb also injured six Iraqis and set a house on fire in the northern city of Mosul, the U.S. military said. The attack happened Saturday as coalition soldiers, acting on a citizens' tip, were arriving to investigate, the U.S. military said.

.....a U.S. Marine was killed by enemy fire while conducting security operations in Ramadi on Friday"

And finally, the kicker for an operation that is supposed to be "winding down".

"An organized platoon of some 40 guerrillas launched mortar attacks on Abu Ghrain prison on Saturday, wounding 44 US troops, some seriously, and 12 Iraqis.....


All of which has Billmon working things through the smoke rings of his mind, in a slightly different context:

.....Right now I'm picturing Shrub and the Bug Man up on the wall at the Alamo, looking out at Santa Anna's army as line after line of soldiers move into position for the attack.

"Bring 'em on," Shrub screams as the bugles blare out the deguello -- the traditional call that signifies no prisoners will be taken.

"Damn straight, George. You tell 'em," croaks the Bug Man. "Ain't no raggedy ass greaser army gonna git inside this here fort. Nosirreebob......"

Now, of course, Billmon's picture is going to require photoshop because, unless there's a plastic turkey there somewhere, his Twigness is sure to be nowhere near any real, honest to goddess, firing line.

And he no longer has to even consider shooting out his eardrum with a shotgun or joining a champagne unit to stay thousands of miles away from the fighting because these days his minions can just crank up the Whirlitzer to fool most of the people all of the time by pretending the frontline is a few miles west of, oh say, San Diego.
(comment cross-posted at MOA)

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