[Allegra]

We can all thank Secretary Rice for this. I think she went over there and told them in so many words: "Americans are getting sick and tired of Americans dying for this country we helped liberate. Now GET OFF YOUR ASSES!"

Not to disparage Secretary Rice at all, (I have tremendous respect for her) but by the time Secretary Rice came over here, the Iraqis were already pressuring Jaafari to step down. They had already caught on to the fact that his connections to al-Sadr and Iran was a liability.

They just take a little while to do things here. It's a cultural thing. ;-)

[hawkaw]

Again, thank you for keeping us informed on what is happening over there. Stay safe and here is hoping things keep on improving.