Anecdotal observations by a reporter who then extrapolates them into a general trend and mood of the people. I don't trust such observations, but rely instead on those of people like General Abizaid who testified before Congress and stated on news programs recently that,
"I don't see civil war as being on the horizon. I think a civil war is possible if everything goes exactly wrong. If people abandon the path towards a sovereign and free Iraq and start moving only towards the selfish interest of specialized groups; I don't think that's likely."
"I don't sense that; our commanders in the field don't sense it when you talk to Iraqi politicians -- they clearly know that we're not trying to build -- and when I say "we" I don't mean we the United States, I mean we, those of us that are involved in this project in Iraq -- we're not trying to build a Shia Iraq; a Sunni Iraq or a Kurdish Iraq; we're trying to build an Iraq that's for Iraqis, and I think everybody recognizes that, that's the same politicians; and so they will move in a direction that is inclusive."
"It will be contentious because it's political, but it doesn't necessarily need to be violent. I'm cautiously optimistic that the way ahead will be one that leads to a better Iraq, one that is one moving down the path towards representational institutions."
"But I also understand that there is going to be an opportunity for violence during this period and so we should all exercise a bit of patience and a certain amount of "wait and see" attitude to make sure that the political process moves forward in the way that tamps down the violence and not encourages it."
Exactly. There are a lot of folks in the US who have stockpiled stuff. When is our civil war comming?