Every time I thought I'd got it made, It seemed the taste was not so sweet

On Pace with the ch-ch-changes in Iraq:

The chairman of the Joint Chiefs says he's seen a major change in security in Iraq in recent months, and says that will influence his recommendation to President Bush on how long to continue the current strategy.

General Peter Pace says a "sea change" has been taking place in many places in Iraq, which he says should help give local police and the military "a chance to get on their feet."

Pace has conferred with several commanders in Ramadi, west of Baghdad, and says he's gathered a positive picture of the security environment there and in Baghdad.

Is he high? Did he mistake the title 'Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff ' in a hand rolled sort of way? I mean WTF is he smoking!?

The civilian and US casualties are higher than before the surge escalation began.

There are mortar rounds impacting the Green Zone daily.

Visiting US congresscritters have to wear armor in the most protected area of Baghdad, can't leave the Green zone during the day and can't spend the night, (and that's what you might call a downward trend from their visit to a market in Baghdad, “like a normal outdoor market in Indiana in the summertime” a couple of months ago.)

If we gather any more positive pictures like that we can claim a Pyrrhic victory ... and get out!





Cross posted at Vidiotspeak