Via Juan Cole:
Also in Basra, al-Hayat reported that Muqtada al-Sadr’s representative in that city, Baha’ al-A’raji, read a statement from him that said, “The decision of the British to withdraw is a sign of the victory of the Resistance there.” He added, “The partial withdrawal of the British forces from the city constitutes a defeat for the forces of Occupation, and is the fruit of the struggle and jihad of the sons of the city.”
Kinda puts that whole “emboldening the terrorists” crap into perspective, huh? I mean, here’s something that Cheney himself says is a sign of success, and yet the Bad Guys are saying it’s a victory for them. So, like, they’ll apparently claim victory no matter what we do, so it really doesn’t matter whether or not we have a robust debate in Congress, does it? There can be no ’emboldening’ when they are already fully bold.
hesiod’s prediction is looking more likely than ever. i expect sadr to be the iraqqi leader within 2 years. now is he ‘washington’ or ‘saddam’?