Juan Cole’s Modest Proposal (emphases mine):

I don’t try to start an internet campaign very often, because the blogosphere has its own priorities and logic that are democratic and should not be forced. But here is a plea for everyone in the blogging world to help force congress to save our diplomats.

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The US embassy in Iraq should be closed.  Read more 

Yeah, yeah, I know what you’re thinking: “Another one?” But this one really is a Clusterfuck—work with me here. From McClatchy, a little detail about life in the Imperial City:

On May 3, the embassy warned Green Zone residents to keep outdoor travel to a minimum and “remain within a hardened structure to the maximum extent possible and strictly avoid congregating outdoors.” The message ordered individuals “whose place of duty is outside a hardened structure or traveling a substantial distance outdoors” to wear bulletproof vests and helmets “until further notice.”

Congregating in one place? Why would that be a problem?  Read more 

Hair-raising comment at Juan Cole today. This is from an email he received from someone he identifies only as "a professional who used to be in Iraq but now is in a nearby country" but it should scare the crap out of…well, just about anybody. The correspondent talks first about the fact that there are now no neurosurgeons or cardiac surgeons in Iraq because they have either been killed or fled the country. That"s pretty damn scary in itself considering the numbers of people wounded who might need such services. Then comes the part that scares me, and is no doubt keeping the military folks kinda occupied too:

Another friend, a Sunni sheikh of the Shammar tribe noted to me that thousands of former officers are prepared to assault the G[reen] Z[one]. It is no longer a matter of can they do it, they are only mulling over the timing. The breach of the Green Zone security the other day was a test of their ability to get in, and not a real attempt at a coup, though it is reported as such. Every Iraqi I talk to says unambiguously that the resistance attached to the former regime would take out the Shiite militias with barely a fight, but that the resistance will not commit wholesale revenge against the Shiite population. They just want to get rid of the "carpet baggers" from Iran. '

We will be leaving Iraq sooner than all the blatherers with their "Timetables! No, timetables send a bad message, but benchmarks are okay! No, no, timetables and benchmarks would destabilize the Iraqi government, we must…." blah blah blah ad insignificant infinititum, would like you to believe.  Read more