[jmc1969]

I understand why some see the Madhi Army as potentally more friend then enemy because they like us are fighting Sunni insurgents.

But, that is about the only place our interests coincide. If the Madhi Army is left to its own divices long term it will produce Hezbollah on steroids in the heart of the Middle East. We have a limited amount of time to keep that from happening.

[Steel Wolf]

I understand why some see the Madhi Army as potentally more friend then enemy because they like us are fighting Sunni insurgents.

As much as I dislike the WWII comparisons, here's one that's particularly apt.

Imagine the Sunnis and Shia are the Germans and Russians. Even though we were fighting Germany, would it have been in our interest to withdraw from Europe after landing at Normandy, and let Stalin wipe out the Nazis for us, all the way to France? Al-Sadr is no more our friend than Uncle Joe was, common enemy or not.

If that's their reasoning for supporting the Madhi Army, then they need their heads examined.

[Marine_Uncle]

"If the Madhi Army is left to its own divices long term it will produce Hezbollah on steroids in the heart of the Middle East. We have a limited amount of time to keep that from happening."
Precisly the point. They are really no short/mid/long term solution other then the few Sunni/al-Qaeda/Saddmist goons they may kill that wonder into their neighborhoods.
They have no business at this point playing traffic cop, nor local militia. Iraq needs no militias. It needs a solid unified army and police force under guidance of the federal government and prospective provinces governments.