Baghdad A City of Walls

Life in Baghdad.

The killing fields, a makeshift burial site. People argue how many Iraqis have died, the narrator says. Where the kidnapped victims get dumped.

Obama Says Security is Up to Iraqis

Who could argue that? Plenty. There will be folks arguing against themselves just to argue against Obama. The media is molding his visit in Iraq, saying that Obama recognizes the "success" of the "surge." They've also planted the seed that it's wrong for Obama to discuss this. Whatever. 

CNN: "I am pleased that as a consequence of great effort by our troops -- but also as a consequence of a shift in allegiances among the Sunni tribal leaders as well as the decision of the Sadr militias to stand down -- that we've seen a quelling of violence," he said.

But, Obama said, a functioning Iraq ultimately will depend on the capacity of the Iraqi people to unify themselves, get beyond sectarian divisions and set up a government that works for the people.

"There is security progress. Now we need a political solution," he said.

Obama Shifted the Iraq Debate From If to When

Has anyone noticed?
Before it was IF we should leave Iraq. But Obama has been out there bringing us the realities of Afghanistan and Pakistan and all of a sudden, we can leave Iraq. Now even McCain is saying, Yes We Can. He says he can do it by 2013, as he said in his "essay."
Seems there are problems with the "surge.""Winning" isn't all about killing everyone you can. There's no winning like that. How the hell do you "win" a war anymore? In the olden days, you could but things are different now. McCain is left in the olden days.
Read this story:

Wilhite said he leaves Iraq feeling enormously proud. But he worries that upcoming provincial elections could incite violence if Sunnis don't feel they have made adequate political inroads.

He said he was not the arbiter of the success of the "surge" strategy. "You'd have to ask the Iraqi people," he said. "You have to ask the Iraqi government that."

Some of his men were more pointed.

"It's worth it, and it's not worth it," said Taylor, the specialist from West Virginia. "I have a wife and a kid. I go home, and my daughter is 2. She probably doesn't remember who I am."

Leisz, who survived the suicide bombing, nodded.

"It's not worth me not being there with my wife, or the friends we've lost over here," he said. "Now that the strength is going to go down, this could all be for naught."

It's sad that the soldiers feel as though their efforts may go unappreciated but I believe Obama, if elected, would go to great lengths to honor their service as they return home. He wouldn't just do it in a speech. He'd do it in a big way. He'd also do it by improving veteran benefits, a top priority for Obama.