[DustyMoment]

Definitely not good. This has to affect the June 30 transition date. My question is if the Iraqis want autonomy and want us out, why would they take this action to set back the whole process? It doesn't make sense.

[Jonathan E]

A reason to consider is that we are dealing with a 'government' that in fact does not need its people.
What this is all about is who is going to be in charge of all of the money the world will be pushing into the country, for the oil, when the dust clears. Tribalism and the religion of Islam have stagnated this area of the world for over a thousand years. Ignorance, isolationism, fear,intolerance, brutality, torture and death are the tools used to maintain power. The power to collect the money. Democracy may work but I doubt it will be soon. A representative republic, previously our government, worked for a while but our 'republic' got tired of protecting our inalienable rights and the people enjoyed the handouts and our 'tribalism' began with special interests groups. Iraq is on the way up and we are on the way down I wonder where this political/social isostasy will level off.

[Rokke]

This isn't that big a setback. The governing council is not very popular in Iraq, and will be disbanded shortly after the turnover. Attacks like this will increase as 30 June approaches. The intent is to keep things so confused that no clear leader emerges as the turnover date arrives. That will allow various outlaw groups to have a better chance at jumping into whatever voids emerge. But the Iraqi people are starting to unify against violence. That doesn't mean they are for us or the governing council. It just means they are against those that perpetuate violence in their country. Blowing up members of the governing council certainly won't help the group responsible become more popular. In fact, it probably hurts them more than helps.

[Wright is right!]

"My question is if the Iraqis want autonomy and want us out, why would they take this action to set back the whole process? It doesn't make sense."

That's because most of the hoodlums trying to destabilize the situation are not Iraqi, but Iranian, Syrian, Saudi, and from various other waystations across the dreck of Arabia Generis. If we succeed in Iraq, the power structure in Iran and Syria are in trouble and they know it - so they have a big incentive to make sure we don't succeed.

The Media is doing a pitiful job identifying the troublemakers.

Michael

[RightWhale]

This has to affect the June 30 transition date.

The transition must continue on schedule in spite of the efforts to derail it.