JUST ANOTHER DAY (OF U.S. OBFUSCATION) IN IRAQ

I can't help it, this Iraq topic is just too compelling, too frustrating, to leave alone; like a scab that shouldn't be scratched. So here I am again....

The leading news stories this morning: 1) after sneaking into Baghdad on separate military transport planes (are they, for some reason, afraid to arrive publicly?), Rumsfeld and Rice met with the new President and other high officials of the Iraqi government - as they were leaving, the two intrepid democracy crusaders extolled the wonders of the fledgling Iraqi democracy ("Heck of a job, Jalal"); 2) the sister of the new Iraqi Vice President and her body guard were assassinated this morning - the new V.P.s brother had been assassinated last week; 3) seven car bombs exploded in Baghdad this morning; 4) Baghdad police discovered another 20 bodies of victims of sectarian violence.

Is anyone being fooled by the Bush claims of success in Iraq? Let's face it, this invasion and occupation is an unmitigated disaster for everyone: the U.S. military, the Iraqi people, the U.S. taxpayers, the future victims of terrorists who have cut their teeth in Iraq (talk about reality TV!!!). The "War on Terror" has been the "War of Error" from day one, and it's gone from worse to much worse.

If any of these Bush people, this "group of folks," has a single strand of moral fiber, he or she will stand in front of the American press and say "Yes, we didn't just screw this up, we screwed it up royally, and here's what we're going to do to try to fix it." But I won't hold my breath, and neither should you.