'Progress' kills 21 in Baghdad, Anbar today

I guess since Bush warned us that there would be "difficulties" ahead, Republicans can probably feel justified in brushing away today's Iraqi casualties. Yet, they are ostensibly so deeply concerned about any deaths that would occur should the U.S. withdraw its occupation forces.

Or better still, perhaps there is some secret way that these deaths can be statistically transformed into "non-deaths".

So, 11 more bodies turn up in Baghdad. Who knows if these are sectarian killings, anyway? Let's assume they dropped dead celebrating all of the 'progress'. Five more dead in bombings means we get to shake our fists and curse Al-Qaeda, though nothing in particular indicates they were involved. See, we get to assume whatever suits the Decider's case. That's what makes it patriotic.

And that "Awakening" Bush has been bragging about for almost a year now? It seems that the leader of it, and a few others as well, were killed in a roadside bomb in that peaceful Anbar province. Who could possibly have anticipated something like this? Only those who read the news reports from Iraq, apparently.

Baghdad

4 civilians were killed and 10 injured in a parked can bomb in Talbiyah neighborhood east Baghdad around 11 am.

A civilian was killed and 3 were wounded in a road side bomb in Zayuna neighborhood east Baghdad around 10,30 am.

Police found 11 unidentified bodies in Baghdad today in the following neighborhoods. & bodies were found in Karkh, the western side of Baghdad in the following neighborhoods (2 bodies in Amil, 2 bodies in Doura, 1 body in Bayaa, 1 body in Hurriyah and 1 body in Mahmoudiyah). 4 bodies were found in Rusafa, the eastern side of Baghdad in the following neighborhoods (2 bodies in Sadr city and 2 bodies in Qahira.)

Ramadi

Sheikh Sattar Abo Risha, the head of Anbar awakening council was killed in an IED explosion targeted his armed car near his house in Ramadi city today afternoon. Abo Risha's nephew, his aid and two of his guards were killed in the explosion.