Sadr City, Sadder Days

Friends,
Back to Baghdad. The farce of the U.S. invasion is that, five years down the bloody road, they cannot even make the Green Zone safe. They would stay out of Sadr City if it wasn't so embarrassing that, on our nightly news, we see American civilians dying in "the most secure area in Iraq". If Sadr City was out of mortor and rocket range of the Green Zone, we would do as we had in Basra; Bury our heads in the sand.
These elections they speak of are very important. They come this Fall and the outcomes are incredibly complex. The more you know, the more confusing it is. Politics raging with religion and tribal indentities; a blending for bloodshed.
This is insane. We MUST bring our troops home!
Rev O

Washington Post, BAGHDAD -- "Hundreds of people fled fighting in Baghdad's Shiite militia stronghold Monday as U.S. and Iraqi forces increased pressure on anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, who faces an ultimatum to either disband his Mahdi Army or give up politics.
Al-Sadr's aides said he would only dismantle the powerful militia if ordered by top Shiite clerics."

"Al-Sadr could score significant gains in the Shiite south if his movement competes in the fall elections. That would shore up his position even without the Mahdi Army, which has tarnished his image among many Shiites because of its role in sectarian violence and crime."

"'Al-Aaraji also cited an Iraqi government report last year that identified 28 militias _ some believed linked to al-Sadr's Shiite rivals in the government."
"All these militias have infiltrated the government security and military institutions," al-Aaraji said. "The government has to restructure the security institutions, especially the Interior and Defense ministries, and to lift the cover of legitimacy enjoyed by some militias."

"News reports are not encouraging and battles are ongoing. It reminds me of when the war started and we had to leave our home. Regrettably, history is repeating itself."

Hundreds Flee Baghdad Fighting Washington Post