RIGHTWINGSPARKLE

Iraqi The Model is an excellent Iraqi blog who last summer debunked a Los Angeles Times story on the departure of Coalition Provisional Authority head L. Paul Bremer. The Times told its readers that Bremer had fled abruptly, "afraid to look in the eye the people he had ruled for more than a year." In fact, as Iraq the Model reported, Mr. Bremer before leaving delivered a television address that gave a moving account of his tenure and his hopes for the new all-Iraqi interim government.
Ali Fadhil, a key author of Iraq the Model, is thirty-four years old, a Sunni, and a Baghdad doctor. In an interview with WSJ OpinionJournal he talks about present day Iraq:
"Maybe in a real sense, I am less safe than I was under Saddam. But then I never felt safe. We were always in fear of some bad surprise from the authorities. Now, the threat is different, but it is random (he is thinking of the car bombs). Personally I also feel safer because I am free."
He is also better off, making about $200 a month instead of the $3 a month doctors earned under the Baathists. Ali is appalled by the terrorists, but not surprised. "We are at war and the enemy is fighting back, so why be surprised about that?" he asks. "Iran, some in Saudi Arabia, all the Islamist groups, and the former Baathists, of course, naturally are funding the fighting. They want to terrorize us before the elections, so things are going to get worse before then. But when terrorists see that the people demand democracy, they will feel they have lost. Many will leave."

The rest of the article is fascinating. Go read it.

For progress in Iraq, go here.


UPDATE on the UK's special forces, the Black Watch regiment. They will conduct offensive operations in their new deployment south of Baghdad. They will be filling in for US marines planning a new assault on Falluja, west of Baghdad.

Kerry ALERT!!!

Kerry talks to Rolling Stone Magazine about the coded terror alerts:
Kerry says Americans laugh at the current system.
"They don't know what to do" when Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge raises or lowers the alert levels, Kerry added.
He's not sure what he'd replace the system with.
"If we have to alert America, I think the most important thing to do is alert law enforcement more effectively across the country,"
Kerry was asked, "Will you continue that program?"
Kerry answered, "No. I'm going to find some more thoughtful way of alerting America."

"He's not sure what he'd replace the system with,"......You mean he doesn't have a plan??????
"a more thoughtful way of alerting America." Hmmm.... Lets see.....

*TV screen fills with soft blue light*... announcer's melodic tone speaks gently with a babbling brook heard in the background:
"attention law enforcement officials and the American people, the terror alert has risen from "code go about your daily lives" to "code you might want to think twice about flying today" Please do not panic, Dr. Phil will follow this announcement to reassure you and lead you through deep breathing exercises."

Tradesports.com, where people bet real money on the outcome of the election, shows Bush to be the best bet. Results: At this writing, a contract paying $100 for a Bush victory is selling for $61; a Kerry contract is valued at $40. Via WSJ OpinionJournal


Funny Quote of The Day:
"Definition of Stress: The confusion created when one's mind overrides the body's desire to beat or choke the living crap out of some ass who desperately needs it."